chapter 14
Dana drove to Scully’s. She wasn’t in the mood to be Dana Drew tonight. She just wanted to be Dana Hill, brokenhearted with a bag of potato chips on the couch. But the job didn’t allow that. So she pumped herself up for the appearance, pasting a smile on her face.
“So happy to be here,” she practiced in the car. “So happy to be with you all.” She sounded believable. Maybe. “I’m happy, happy, happy.” She said, hoping that by saying it enough times the sentiment would stick.
Dana pulled up to Scully’s. It was a favorite waterfront bar on the intracoastal, a landmark really. Scully’s was the place to come for happy hour, for a casual date, or to park your boat and pick up appetizers. For years, Scully’s had been and still was the hot spot in Miami. They didn’t really need the station there to draw a crowd, they were always busy, but the restaurant and bar business was a flaky one. Hot restaurants came and went. Scully’s had learned from all that had sparkled and faded and continued to advertise heavily, keeping their name indelibly etched on the young Miami singles scene.
It was now, seven-thirty, one half hour to air. Dana parked her convertible and took a deep breath. She could do this. She was Dana Drew. She turned her rearview mirror sideways to see her face. She realized she should have spent more time on her appearance, she didn’t look all that fabulous. “Who cares,” she muttered and got out of her car.
Larry Carter watched Dana’s whole ritual from his beat-up green Toyota. He’d been at Scully’s parking lot since six p.m. waiting for Dana to arrive. He saw her get out of her car and walk into the bar. He was disappointed to see she had her beautiful black hair pulled back in a ponytail. This was going to ruin his picture.
He got out of his car and entered Scully’s, taking a seat at the bar. From this vantage point, he had a perfect view of Dana setting up to go on the air. Even with her hair pulled back she was still good looking, he admitted to himself
“Can I get you anything?” The bartender interrupted his thoughts.
“Yeah, vodka rocks.” Larry needed a little liquid courage for the night.
Dana got set up. Scully’s was already pretty packed. People started coming up to her, she felt the Dana Drew personality take over. Smile, be happy. “Thanks for coming,” she gushed. “So nice to meet you!”
Larry saw the others approach Dana. No! he thought to himself, they’re distracting her! They’re taking time away from me! If he was going to talk to Dana, now was the time. He scooted through the crowd, pushing past people on his way.
“Watch it buddy!” one guy said, annoyed at the thin little dweeb that just stepped on his toes.
Larry didn’t care, he was just a few feet from Dana Drew.
“Dana,” he spoke nervously.
She put on her headphones, it was time for a break. She smiled at him, “One minute,” she mouthed.
Larry stood patiently as Dana went on the air.
“Hey Miami...it’s me, Dana Drew live from Scully’s!” She tipped the mic toward the crowd who responded with loud cheers. “We’re having a great time at a great party. There’s lots of drink specials...plus I’ve got your chance to register to win a trip for two, with yours truly, to the Bahamas at the Paradise Island Resort and Casino! Oooh paradise indeed! More details to come! I’ll be here till ten so you still have plenty of time to get here and see me at Scully’s, downtown Miami on the intracoastal! Stay tuned…I’ve got new music from Matchbox Twenty on the way on Miami’s Only Rock and Roll...WORR!”
Dana took the headphones off and turned to Larry.
“Hi,” she said, mustering friendliness, “Nice to meet you.” She extended her hand.
Larry took her hand. So smooth. So soft.
He was awestruck. Speak, dammit, speak! “I’m Larry. We’ve spoken on the phone.”
Dana’s mind raced, his voice sounded familiar, but she talked to lots of callers every day, she had no idea who he was.
“Oh, yeah,” she fibbed, “Nice to see you again.”
“Actually this is our first time meeting.” Larry was frustrated she didn’t realize that. “You helped me deal with the break-up of my last relationship.”
Dana immediately thought of Sam. Unconsciously her smiled dropped. Larry noticed her change in appearance. “Oh, glad I could help.”
“So can I get a picture with you?” Larry pulled out his camera.
“Um, okay.”
Larry asked a bystander to take their picture. He stood next to her and wrapped his arm around her thin waist.
“Say cheese!” The man took their picture.
“Thanks, Dana,” Larry said and gave her a hug.
Dana backed off, startled at this strangers hands on her.
“You’re welcome,” she said quickly, turning to the next listener who had come to talk to her.
Larry was dismissed. How could she cast him aside so easily? He left Scully’s quickly, sullen and a little mad. She had to have a good reason for turning away so fast. Dana was his destiny. She wouldn’t do anything to hurt him. No, he assured himself, it was an oversight. It had to be. Then again, maybe Dana was overcome by him like he was of her. Oh, Dana, you are even more like me than I thought!
He took his camera and put it face down on the seat and snapped away the remaining pictures, then screeched out of the parking lot and drove quickly to his local drugstore. He practically ran to the photo counter.
“How fast can I get these developed?”