There she is, a grin pasted on and God knows what’s behind it. She gazes lovingly at girls not us; I wonder why.
“Young ladies and Gentlemen, tonight we’ll start with some introductions, some lessons, and the housekeeping. First of all, these wonderful gentlemen behind me are Bill Scovill and his Merry Men.”
She claps, we clap. Oh dear God, the guy has an accordion. There is no accordion in rock and roll–ever. It is a sin against mankind, punishable by eternal baldness.
“Tonight, we will do 3 or 4 dances in a row, then short breaks so you can use the rest rooms. They are outside in the hall”–she gestures hypnotically–“and also on the Washington Street side. After an hour, we will break for cookies and punch for ten minutes. We will finish around 9.”
She moves on to the waltz. “Bill, will come down and help me? Now, the boy will stand in front of the girl. He will say ‘May I Have this dance?’ not “Wanna dance’, ‘C’mon’, or “Let’s Go.” You will behave like young gentlemen, not juvenile delinquents.”
Fuck you. If this is a gentleman, then give me James Dean any day.
She moves on, discussing the waltz. “The boy will extend his left hand, the girl will take it like so. The fingers do not lock. The boy will then put his right hand on the girl’s waist, like so. Ladies, your other hand will be placed on the boy’s shoulder. The hands remain this way and NOT MOVE.”
She gestures, strike up the band as she discusses the finer points of the waltz (see my earlier discussion in the posts leading up to the Cotillion), while dancing slowly with Mr. Band Leader. “Gentlemen, you are in control, your date will follow your lead.”
Follow our lead??? Does she remember what these rich girls are like? They’ve been practicing for tonight with a whip and a chair!
She goes on: “we’ll be doing a few faster dances tonight, just to break things up.”
Oh cool, I think with a smile. Maybe something Like this:
But, alas……………..twas not to be. This was about as fast as the dancing got that fateful night.
This is not going to go well…………..