Leaping Into the Quarry

Chapter 8

By March we were scheduling three leaping practices during the week and a two hour practice on Sunday afternoon. When Boris couldn’t catch I did it. Zack struggled hitting his front double layout consistently. He practiced the trick two, if not three times, at each practice session which led to many painful falls into the net. Even though I hit my double full regularly, I decided rather than go for a triple twist I work on my form instead. I also worked with Mike to improve his form, which, while being athletic, wasn’t smooth enough. She told him is slaps for Boris’s catch sounded like thunder. He needed to be showier which Vicki regularly told him. We had our bad colds and short flu bouts but, for the most part, the troupe was healthy. Joyce enlisted her mother, Andrea, to make our costumes. We performed for her twice so she could understand the stress on the costumes and plan accordingly.

Doc was over for dinner one evening when Boris was working. He brought up the subject of erecting the outdoor trapeze. We were used to the environment of the power station, but we had to get used to different visuals to test our accuracy. We couldn’t replicate the set up in the power house. We would set the trap and net up near the barn. We wouldn’t build stairs. We needed to learn to climb the ladder since there wouldn’t be stairs for the performance. After practice Zack and I measured as best we could the dimensions in the power house. We laid out the location of the anchors. Because of soft ground Doc ordered four concrete footings for the main rig and eight smaller pads with steel eyes to secure the net. The guy wires would be secured with telephone pole anchors so we could easily dismantle the rig. Everything took longer than we had anticipated.

The entire rig was up and functional, including the ascension ladder by late March. On the first warm day we gathered and tried our stunts. We all, including me, missed trick the first time. I explained to the group, after we gathered in the family room, that they had gotten used to visual cues in the power station. They had to focus on the position of their bodies and the catcher’s arms. With the performance less than six weeks away we used the outside rig as often as possible.

Betty and Stan regularly sat and watched, when we practiced outside. After a while he would go off and play in his new sand box. I knew a day would come when he would want to get in the net and bounce. With Stan to look after and all the practice Zack complained that he didn’t have enough time to study. Mike or Vicky was usually late for practice which really pissed me off. Tempers were flaring often. After every practice, I felt more and more like we weren’t going to be ready for the auditions. My circus instinct told me that the act wasn’t ready to go public. I called a conference for Friday night the week before the auditions and told the group that I didn’t think we were ready to do an outstanding performance with only three weeks to go. I suggested that we delay our premier until the following spring. There was silence because everyone had been working so hard. I nervously waited for someone to react. To my surprise there was little grousing and, in fact, my decision seemed to be a relief to everyone except Mike who felt we should audition. He wasn’t even supported by Vicki who smiled and winked.

We took a week off before returning to our regular practice schedule of two times a week until school was out. We practiced on the outdoor rig as often as we could. Without explanation execution of our routines sharpened and our individual forms improved. With the pressure of performance off everyone relaxed. I was tasked with telling the organizing committee of Gamma Phi that we would not be auditioning. The athletic director, who was chair, was not happy but understood. Coach came to our defense with the Director of Student Activities who was really disappointed since money had been spent to get the field house ready for the flying rig. Coach did assure him that Mike and Boris would audition the Risley. They were enthusiastically selected to perform.

Boris and Mike doing Risley

With the leaping decision behind us Zack and I had to face a major problem—money. While Doc never asked for rent we felt it was unfair for him to be paying for so much. Without persuasion Doc convinced me that selling Bess who was pregnant again was the thing to do. He felt she would sell for $1500 to $2000. That was good but wouldn’t be enough since my green Plymouth was ready to be junked. Zack suggested selling his red Corvette, which I knew he loved. I told him not yet. Fortunately, Zack’s father continued to pay for Stan’s support.

Neither Zack nor I had planned on going to summer school. We knew we had to find jobs to make money. At one of Boris’ delicious Sunday dinners when the lilac bushes and daffodils were in full bloom Doc said, “Guys, I attended a Vet conference in French Lick last week and during a cocktail reception there were two very ordinary tumblers entertaining. That’s something you might want to think about doing.”

“How do we do that?”

“I suggest calling the manager of the Baden Baden Resort in French Lick, Indiana and ask where he secured the performers. I suspect they used an agency. The question is can the four of you get an act together?”

Vicky spoke up, “Count me out. I promised my father I would come home and join their act for the summer.”

I said, “Mike, what about you and Zack?”

Mike said, “Sounds good. I suggest we wear tight, short outfits to show off what we aren’t supposed to show off.” The group laughed but agreed.

Zack said, “Are there other resorts like the one you mentioned?”

“Yeah, several. I know of Tan-Tar-a and Four Seasons at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. I’m sure there’s one in Branson, Missouri. Up in the Dells in Wisconsin there have to be some.”

On Monday morning I spoke to the Baden Baden manager’s secretary who gave me the name of an agent in Chicago. I phoned him. He sounded interested but wanted to see the act, receive pictures and references. We had none. He pushed and said since Normal was so close he would take the train down and meet us the following week. I panicked but agreed. When I told the guys they thought I was crazy. Mike said, “Floor exercises only, or are we taking the parallel bars?”

“I don’t know. You got time to work out a routine?”

“Let me think on it.” He smiled. “I’ll call Joyce’s mother to see if she has any ideas for costumes. I don’t think the flying costumes are right. We need them quickly because we’ve got to do pictures.”

Fortunately, Andrea had been looking through a catalog of Las Vegas production show costumes. She knew our sizes since she had made our Gamma Phi costumes. She asked, “How sexy do you want them? Some of these show plenty of skin.”

I laughed, “Skin, yes. Jail no.”

“OK, I’ll order by phone. How do I pay for these?”

“We need them quickly. Can you have them expressed? I’ll send you a check when you know the amount.” The costumes came four days later. We put the costumes on for the first time at the photo shoot in the gym late in the evening. Against the black background of the gym and the bright lights we wore short, satin red shorts which barely covered our butts.

Vaulting horse

The pants were so short we had to wear ballet straps rather than jock straps. The tops were a cropped, white spandex with red piping that came down to our belly buttons, which highlighted every gut muscle. We had fresh haircuts slicked down with Vaseline hair tonic.

The effect we were having on the young photographer was visible by the bulge in his trousers, as he moved us from position to position. We couldn’t help but stare when a wet spot appeared in the front of his khakis. Franz said, “Sorry guys, you are so sexy, I leaked. My apologies.”

Mike innocently said, “I’m excited, too. No apologies needed.” He paused, “Would you take some artistic shots of us some without our shirts and some naked?”

“What are you talking about? No way,” Zack said.

“We’re sweaty and I think the lights will make us glow. We don’t have to totally expose ourselves. Maybe side angles and a butt shot.” The young photographer wiped the sweat from his brow. He didn’t say a word. Zack and I stood and watched Mike strip off his top and spin on the high bar looking down at the camera. “Like this.”

High bar Mike naked on parallel bars

The photographer said, “The camera likes what it sees. But first, I must take off my trousers, before I ruin them.” We laughed and watched him get naked from the waist down. Franz took several pictures before Zack and I took off our tops. He snapped several full body shots of us hanging from the high bar.

Mike got down, and got totally naked which we thought was crazy. But Zack and I followed his lead and disrobed. If Mike wanted artsy shots, there was no reason to be modest.

We sat on the floor, sandwiched behind Mike looking over our shoulders at the camera. Franz’s long uncut member finally relaxed. He had us do some standing shots with the lights highlighting our glistening butts and backs. The final frontal pose was the three of us hanging from the bar slightly twisting, exposing our arm and back muscles. The pose required a spreading of our butt cracks slightly. Zack and I dropped off, and I wondered what we would do with the pictures. Mike smiled, “That wasn’t too bad, was it?”

Mike said to Franz, “One more. I want one of me full frontal on the parallel bars.” Franz took several shots before Mike dropped down.

I said, “Enough already. What will we do with these?”

“Don’t know, Franz, we need to see the proofs in a day or two. Is that possible?” Zack said.

“Sure, I’ll have them to you by noon Thursday. I’ll get myself under control by then.” We went by the studio before practice. All the public pictures and the artistic ones turned out terrifically. After selecting several public poses, we asked him to make ten sets. He handed Mike one complete set of the artistic shots. When we finished he presented us with a bill for $100. We didn’t have the money, but promised to get it in a few days. As we were leaving Franz smiled, “The experience was wonderful for me.”

Mike worked out a routine with the help of Coach, but we didn’t start practicing until after the Gamma Phi circus. The leapers attended both performances and jumped to our feet to applaud Mike and Boris as they finished. They were selected the best new act in the Gamma Phi Circus. I sat so close to Zack, that I could feel the heat of his thigh against mine. I wondered if we had made a mistake by dropping out. I knew they would love us next year.

The following week we started practicing our ten minute routine on the floor mats followed by spins and twists on the uneven parallel bars. Even with finals approaching, we were practicing as much as if we were flying. The talent agent, Wally Simon, met us at the gym on Friday after the Gamma Phi performance. Doc was there to watch. We went through the rough routine for him. At the conclusion he asked questions: “Can it be longer? Does it have to be all three of you or could I contract for two? How far will you travel? How much do you charge?”

We had anticipated the questions but had not decided what we would charge per performance. We said, “We plan to charge $25 for each performance and expect travel expenses of $15 per day if we use our trailer. If we can’t use it then we need $25 per day in expenses. He told us that his commission was one third of performance fee, which we thought was too much. We told him that we couldn’t do it at that rate, if his fee was that much. I said it would have to be $30 a single performance or $80 for multiple performances a day. Doc insisted that we receive the money while at the venue. Wally told us when he was paid we’d be paid. Doc said, “The deals off, boys. You don’t know this guy.”

Wally spat, “Listen, buster, that’s the way it’s done.”

“Well, buster, not if you represent these boys. The resort can pay the boys directly and they will send your check to you.”

“The resort won’t do that.”

“I bet if you ask them, they will.” Doc motioned for us to follow him. All I could think of was the money we spent on the costumes and the photographs.

Panicking Wally snapped, “Don’t leave. Let me see the pictures.” Mike handed him a set. He quickly leafed through them. He didn’t say anything as the four of us stood quietly. “OK, we have a deal. When can you start?”

Zack said, “After next week when finals are over. Do you have something lined up?”

“I’ll get you a contract that the three of you must sign. I’ll mail it as soon as I get back to Chicago. The gig isn’t final but I think you’ll be going to a new resort on Lake of the Ozarks over the Memorial Day weekend. You’ll do three exhibitions per day each of three days. I’ll confirm by phone. Who do I call?”

“Use the phone number you have.” We had to find a way to transport the uneven parallel bars as well as the mats. Coach graciously allowed us to use the school’s equipment with the promise of replacing anything that was damaged.

Wally called to tell me the contract was in the mail and confirmed that we were going to Missouri. He told us the resort did not have any rooms for performers and asked if we could provide our own. That meant cleaning the trailer, but the question of getting the equipment there was still open. Doc came to the rescue. He agreed to advance me half of the money expected from the sale of Bess and her foal. I needed to buy a pickup truck to pull the trailer and carry the equipment.

1965 Pickup with our trailer

Coach recommended a local automobile dealer, Mr. Farnsworth, who was a big supporter of the Gamma Phi circus. He felt we would get a good deal on a pickup truck. When Zack and I looked at new trucks they were all more than we could afford. Mr. Farnsworth suggested a used vehicle and gave us a good price on a 1965 turquoise Chevy pickup with the trailer hitch. It wasn’t new but only had been driven 20,000 miles. Both Zack and I hated the color, but we loved the price. When we got the truck to Doc’s everyone laughed at the color but we hadn’t noticed that it matched the color of the trailer. At least we were coordinated.

Mike suggested that we have extra pictures made to autograph. He had labels printed with our troupe’s name, mailing address and phone number to stick to the back. Mike wanted to sell them, but I thought it would be best to give them away, selectively. Mike made several reel-to-reel tapes with music, to which we would perform. Doc, Boris, Joyce and Stan waved as we left for Missouri. After a brief stop outside of St. Louis we drove through the rolling hills and newly planted corn fields along Route 66, past Rolla, Missouri. We turned onto a winding rural highway lined with rusted out car shells and unpainted houses. We wondered how classy this resort could be in such a setting. Finding the resort took three stops at filling stations before we were correctly directed to the new resort. A guard at the front gate told us that we couldn’t take the trailer down to the main resort. He suggested we unhitch it in the resort’s equipment lot and proceed down to meet the Activities Manager, Megan Green.

Megan showed us a large ballroom where we would be performing. The room had high ceilings and many chandeliers. The walls were draped with red velvet curtains. We concluded that the existing stage was too small, so we would do our routine on the floor. After discussing logistics we asked her where to locate our trailer. She picked up a house phone and called maintenance to find out where we could park near a water and electricity hookup. The maintenance foreman, a chubby fellow in a green uniform, greeted us at our truck, and led us around a cove to an area where new luxury homes were being built. He pulled up to one of the home sites and indicated that power and water had just been turned on for the site. The site was flat enough for the trailer. After our drive through rural Missouri we couldn’t believe the beauty of the area where our trailer would be parked.

Lake of the Ozarks

We were on a bluff one hundred feet above the water, looking down at the lake. The view was a vista stretching for miles. Ski boats raced back and forth, as the late afternoon sun caused the boats’ wakes to shimmer.

Saturday morning the ballroom was filled with families with plenty of kids. It was noisy. I felt that most of the kids would have rather been swimming than watching us. We made a few missed cues but got through the routine to affirming voices and polite applause. The afternoon crowd was older, larger and seemed more attentive. The evening was a completely different situation. It was a crowded, noisy, welcoming cocktail party. There was a combo of piano, guitar and drums so we didn’t need our taped music. We extended our routine on the parallel bars. As I was watching Mike I noticed six or seven guys in their 20’s watching him as they sipped their beers. Light blue pinned striped shirts, khaki thin legged pants or shorts and penny loafers with no socks were their uniforms. I gently nudged Zack. We watched, as the group moved closer, to watch Mike do his splits on the mats. Several of the guys were definitely looking at Mike’s bulge rather than his face.

After we finished, a skinny fellow with blond hair approached Mike. Neither Zack nor I could hear what was said. Mike smiled and walked toward us. “What did he want?”

“He invited me to a party.”

“Did you accept?”

“No, I told him we were together.”

“Did he say where the party was?”

“He said ‘The Estates’. That didn’t mean anything to me.”

As we were conversing, the fellow approached us. “Fellows, if you are free, would you like to join us, and party up at my house in The Estates? That’s on the other side of the cove.”

“We have our trailer parked over there.”

“So that’s your trailer. I thought it was for the construction crew.”

“No that’s us. That site has water and electricity.”

“If you’re interested, you drive past your trailer and go the last house on the bluff. We’ll be there after dinner, say two hours.”

“We really don’t have clothes for a party.”

“What you have on is perfect for me and my friends,” he smiled and turned. “Hope to see you later.”

Mike said, “Let’s hit the showers and discuss his invitation.” We headed out of the ballroom toward the changing room by a pool. The pool enclosure looked like a quarry with rocks around the edge and a pile for jumping or diving. We showered and dried off and Mike said, “What could hurt if we show up and give them a little more show?

After we grabbed a burger and fries at the snack bar by the bowling alley I said, “Guys, we can’t get drinkin‘ cause we’ve a show to do tomorrow at 10am. Remember.”

Zack added, “I bet they’re party boys. I didn’t see any girls with them.”

“Why don’t we go as three separate guys and see what happens. Do you think we should wear our uniforms?”

“Why not? They’re in uniform.” Back at the trailer we decided on regular clothes—khakis or blue jeans, collared shirts and tennis shoes. We heard two cars drive by on the gravel road and honk. We figured they were back from dinner. We waited about fifteen minutes before getting in the pick up for the drive up to the top of the bluff.

Matt's lake house

The house was huge, constructed of field stone and rough cedar with a massive visible chimney. It was a warm night. We actually felt we had too much clothing on. Mike pulled the massive knocker back, and dropped it. After a long pause, the door was opened by the guy who invited us. He was in shorts without a shirt or shoes. He was thin with uncombed, thinning blond hair on his head and similar blond hair covering his chest and legs.

“Come in guys. Lose your shoes here. The other guys are getting undressed or outside on the deck.” He closed the door. We stood waiting for directions. “What do you want to drink? I get the first one and then you’re on your own.”

“Beer,” Mike said.

“That OK for all three of you?” With a nod from us he said, “Budweiser it is.” He turned leaving us. The great room was massive with a tall ceiling topped with wooden beams. A cooper chandelier with twenty small bulbs lit the room augmented by recessed lighting on the ceiling beams. We could see three guys on the deck. One of the guys was shirtless in khakis and had his arm around the waist of another guy who was also shirtless. I smiled at Zack who winked at me. We stepped forward waiting for our host who had not introduced himself. When he handed the beers to us he said, “Introductions! I’m Matt Busch and you guys?” We introduced ourselves by first name only. He led us out to the deck.

Mike stepped over to the low rock wall to look down at the lake a hundred feet below. “Whoa, what a view.”

“Nice,” Matt said as he put his hand on Mike’s shoulder. Mike didn’t move, just looked straight ahead at the full moon reflected on the glassy surface.

A guy who had been talking to another couple spoke to Zack and me, “I’m Jonathan. Are you in school someplace? Your gymnastics routine was top notch. I used to do that when I was at Princeton. Came back to St. Louis to work and now spend my extra time playing golf or tennis.” He kept going and didn’t let us answer his question.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw two guys approaching with towels wrapped around their waists. They walked toward a large pool of bubbling, steaming water. Without concern the towels were dropped and they stepped into the water. “Guys, interested in the hot tub? Drop your clothes. I’ll get you towels.”

Zack looked at me, “You know, they’re going to love you.”

“Shut up. You, too.”

“But not like you. Go for it, but make it showy. Remember we are performers.” I undressed, first my pants which revealed no underwear. I could feel all eyes on me. I turned toward the group and pulled my shirt over my head. I heard someone say, ‘Impressive.’ Zack was beside me, as Matt returned with the towels.

Coolly Matt said, “Randy, that’s the real deal.” I wasn’t embarrassed as Zack grabbed my hand, and we walked toward the hot tub. “You guys a couple?”

“Yep, been together at school in Illinois for the last two years.”

“You live together?”

Feeling bold and cocky I added, “Live together, play together and love together.”

“God, that’s cool. No one cares? What about Mike?”

“He’s our best friend and …”

Zack interrupted, “You’ve said enough. Get your ass in the water.”

Matt hurried over and interrupted Mike. “Get your clothes off, handsome. Get in the water.”

Mike acted surprised, as he saw Zack’s butt slip into the water. He slowly and provocatively dropped his pants revealing his ample manhood. He stood momentarily watching Matt get naked. Then Mike pulled his shirt over his head, intentionally prolonging the upward gesture, showing off his dark hairy chest and armpits. Matt couldn’t hide his rising dick as he quickly stepped toward the water. Someone handed us our beers and the conversation continued. Thighs were touching and toes explored. We changed places several times finding new things to explore.

A guy who had been talking to Mike disappeared for a while. He returned with two other guys whom we hadn’t seen before. The three of them wore tight black swim suits and ended up talking to us in the hot tub though they never got in. After three beers I had had enough. I said to no one in particular, “We got to get going. We have three more exhibitions tomorrow.”

Matt quickly said, “Stay here. There’s plenty of room. You love birds can have a bed to yourselves and I’ll take Mike.”

Mike remained quiet as the single guy in the swim suit said, “Where do I sleep?”

Matt sounded irritated and said to him, “Harvey, sleep downstairs.”

Mike piped up, “That’s OK, Matt. We got to get going.”

“I insist. That trailer would be so crowded.”

About that he was correct. Mike looked at me as if he was asking what to say. I said, “Matt, we’ll stay but Mike can decide if he wants to sleep with us or you. No pressure.” Everyone laughed. We finished our beer. I needed to find a john. Matt got out of the hot tab, casually threw a towel over his shoulder, and showed me the toilet. After I finished, he said, “Let me show you where you’ll sleep.” His tone got serious as he stood naked in front of me. “You guys are so lucky to be able to be a couple. My parents would kill me, if I came home with my boyfriend. Zack is a cool guy. Is he equally cool in bed?”

The question surprised me but I thought what the heck, “Yeah, he’s great in bed. We’re both versatile.”

“He can take that big dick of yours up the ass?”

“Occasionally.”

“Sorry, I’m being so blunt. I’m interested since I have never met a homosexual couple.”

“I like to think of us as a gay couple.”

“Right, gay, that’s right.” I followed him back outside where the guys were out of the hot tub and wrapped in towels.

About 11:30 Matt said, “I’m going to bed. Mike, are you coming with me?”

“Matt, I hate to disappoint you, but I have a girlfriend.”

“That doesn’t matter to me I can play that role.” Everyone except Mike laughed.

He said, “Where do I shower. I’ll think about it. Let me see your room.” Matt still naked led Mike, Zack, me and a couple of other guys down a long hall and up four stairs to a bedroom with wrap around windows with heavy drapes that could automatically be closed to keep out the sunlight. The bathroom was as big as a small house. The shower had overhead sprinkler-type heads for more than one person. Mike’s mouth was open when he said, “OK, I’ll stay. Where do Zack and Randy sleep?”

“They’ll be in that room,” he said pointing to the left of the stairs we had climbed. “They can shower up here with us, if they want to.” In fact, we did shower with him and playfully washed each other. No one got off but it wasn’t going to take much.

“Matt, we have to have an alarm clock, I’m sure we will oversleep if we don’t have one.”

He found one, and we were asleep in minutes. I heard Matt squeal a couple of times early in the morning so I suspected Mike was drilling him. I gently punched Zack who whispered, “Yeah, I hear.”

After a pause he added, “You suppose Matt is Budweiser Busch?”

“Could be. This house is really something.” We went back to sleep until the alarm woke us at 8:30. Matt got up with us and got out orange juice and cereal. We ate little because of our performance. As we got ready to leave Matt said, “You have two or three exhibitions today, correct? Come back over after you’re done. I’ll have the resort bring dinner over for us.”

Mike quickly said, “OK, see you this evening.”

As we drove toward the trailer, Zack said, “Did you hurt him? Sounded like it.”

Seriously Mike said, “He wanted it and I gave it to him. He wants it again.”

“Did you get any sleep?”

“Yeah, we went right to bed after showering. He didn’t bother me until early this morning.”

“And you’re sure you aren’t coming to our side?”

“Sure of it, I prefer a slippery pussy to a stinky ass.”

“Gross.”

“Besides as poor as we are it is good to know a guy as rich as Matt. You know he’s Budweiser.”

“We thought so.”

We had great audiences for all three exhibitions. The kids were tumbling and rolling on the floor after we finished the floor exercises. Megan watched smiling and winked when we finished. After our shower we joined Matt and Harvey for dinner. The other guys had left for holiday outings in St. Louis. At Matt’s insistence we stayed in the big house two more nights. Mike continued to provide Matt more sexual experiences. We slept late on Tuesday morning. At breakfast Matt encouraged us to stay longer and go water skiing. I was tempered but Zack said “We have to leave since we have about an eight hour drive.”

As we got in the truck I saw Mike give Matt several of our special pictures. I wondered what Matt was going to do with them.

We stopped by Megan’s office to pick up our check. She was complimentary to the extreme and asked if we could come back over July 4th weekend. She handed us Wally’s check and asked us to mail it to him. We said that we couldn’t commit to the July 4th weekend until we conferred with Wally. She asked that we get back to her as quickly as possible.

Zack drove a different route toward Illinois. I rode shotgun and Mike straddled the middle. We drove through Jefferson City to see the capitol building which we had heard was a majestic, classic style from the early 1900’s. We walked through the museum for a couple of hours before grabbing a quick lunch. With Mike asleep next to us, I spoke softly to Zack, “I have an idea I want to share with you, wonderful partner.”

“Mr. Hot Body, what’s on your mind?”

“Does James have a summer job?”

“Not that I’m aware of.”

“What if we incorporate James into the exhibition? He is the only one of us who can do a double back flip on entry. He’s so dramatic.”

“Four guys in this truck and trailer is going to be tight. But that’s not your only reason, is it?”

“Not really. I think if James performed more in public he would become more confident.”

“But the real reason… you wonder how he would have done at Matt’s party, right?”

“You know me too well. Yes, that is part of it.”

“Let’s confer with Mike after we get home.”

We called Wally in Chicago and told him his check was in the mail. We told him about the request from the activities director. He said he did not have anything booked yet. “We need the money. So get busy.” I’m sure he could hear my irritation as I dropped the receiver like a rock into the cradle.

I joined James and Zack in our underwear at the breakfast table. “Is there trouble?”

“We hired an agent to book us. He has nothing scheduled. It’ll be June soon. I’m tempted to fire the guy, but I don’t know if we can. Where’s the contract we signed?” Zack got up to retrieve the contract.

James said, “Mike, said you guys went to a fancy house for a party. What was that about?” I told him the story but avoided talking about Mike’s liaison with Matt. I thought if Mike wanted James to know he would tell him. He continued quietly. “Was this Busch guy good looking?”

“Yes and no. He was thin with thinning light brown hair, which needed to be cut. It didn’t look like he worked out. He was a normal size in the front.”

“You guys were naked at the party?”

“Did Mike tell you about the hot tub? Yes, we were naked in the hot tub. We ended up sleeping at Matt’s massive lake cottage.”

“Mike told me he slept with the dude. When is that boy going to decide which way he’s swinging?”

“In Mike’s defense he didn’t seem excited but thought the guy might be helpful. I have something…” The phone rang. I got up to answer as Zack walked over to the sink.

“Hello.” I listened and spoke. “Yes, I’m one of the guys that Mr. Busch met at the Lake of the Ozarks.” Another pause, “Yes, we have an agent. Why?” I stood with the phone to my ear for a long time, as the Zack and James eyed me. “Thank you. Sure. We’ll let you know. Goodbye.”

“What was that about?”

“I’ll tell you. Where is Mike?”

“Still in the rake. I think he is trying to catch up on the sleep that he lost while we were in Missouri.”

“Go wake him. Tell him to get his ass over here.” Minutes later James came in through the back door with Mike who was wearing elastic-weary white baggy boxers. Mike’s hair was sticking straight up.

“Why did you wake me? I was dreaming of doing it with three cheerleaders, all at the same time.”

“What if what I have to tell you is better than three cheerleaders?”

“I can’t believe that.”

“Well, I just got off the phone with a guy from Busch Brewery. He said he was in the PR Department.” I paused to take a drink of Coke. “Anyway he said he had spoken to Mr. August Busch who told him to see if we are available to do exhibitions at music fairs to promote their new beer called Michelob.”

“Did he say when and where?”

“No, but he wants us to come to St. Louis, as soon as possible, to discuss the proposal. Mike, you gave Matt our special pictures, right?”

“What’d you tell him?” Zack said, wrinkling his forehead.

Mike interrupted, “Yes, I told you I thought that Matt might be good for us.”

“I told the guy I’d get back to him. I didn’t know what you guys thought about working for a beer company.”

“Did he talk money?”

James said, “Sounds like you guys are going to be busy.”

“No, us guys. What I mean is we want you to join the act?”

“Doing what?”

“Floor exercises with your flare and maybe pommel horse if we can convince Coach. Zack’s OK with it. I hadn’t had a chance to discuss you joining us with Mike yet”

“It’s fine by me.”

“Four of us in our little trailer is going to be real crowded.”

“Can I call the guy back, and tell him when we can be in St. Louis?”

“How about tomorrow? Is that too soon? Does it make us look desperate?”

“It’s what it is. Zack what does the contract say about our obligation to Wally.”

He took a few minutes reading through it, as we sat nervously. Mike went to the bathroom with James following him. “It looks like our only obligation to Wally is a commission on what he has booked, which at the moment, is nothing.”

“Should we tell him to stop?”

“Let’s wait ‘til we get back from St. Louis.”

Mike and James each poured a glass of orange juice and joined Zack and me. “What time does the train get to St. Louis?” I called the station in Bloomington for the train schedule and then called the number for the guy in St. Louis. The ‘Hello’ I recognized as Matt’s voice. I knew it had to be him who recommended us. I said, “Hi, Matt, this is Randy Hershfeld. One of your men called and invited us to meet him in St. Louis. I am calling back to arrange a meeting.”

“Hi Randy, I work in the PR Department. You spoke to Mr. Klinefelder. He isn’t here right now.”

“Matt, we would like to discuss his proposal of doing exhibitions for Budweiser. We could come down tomorrow.”

“I’m sure it’s alright. He wants to get this going, as quickly as possible. Is Mike coming, too?” I could hear longing in his voice. “Yes, and so is the fourth member of our team James who you haven’t met.”

“OK, what time can you guys get here?”

“We can get to your office for a meeting at 2. We need directions.”

“Sounds good. Just tell the taxi driver to take you to the Anheuser Busch Brewery. I’ll call if Mr. K has a problem. I’ll show you around the brewery and we can have a drink in the tasting room. Goodbye.”

I told the group that we’re on our way to St. Louis. With some scrounging around we found ties for each of our button down shirts. Shoes got polished for the first time in quite a while. We definitely looked collegiate. The next afternoon we were shown into a conference room with shelves filled with a diverse, colorful assortment of Budweiser steins and historic pictures of horse drawn beer wagons. The receptionist offered us water and coffee. James asked for water. Matt came in, followed by two older guys. Mr. Klinefelder introduced himself and a Mr. Haupt. After introductions we sat down across from the three of them. James was radiantly handsome. I could see Matt was fascinated because he hardly looked at Mike.

Mr. Klinefelder in a business-like manner said, “Do you have an agent, who we should bring into this conversation?” I answered that we did not have an arrangement which was basically true. He continued, “Are all of you over eighteen years old.” Four heads moved up and down. “Is anyone twenty-one?”

To that question, only my hand went up. “Technically, July 4.”

“Well, here is what we are proposing. You may know that we have recently introduced a new, upscale beer called Michelob. We know, from taste tests, that more sophisticated beer drinkers prefer it. What we don’t know is how new beer drinkers will like it. We want to roll it out at music events like jazz festivals, hootenannies, and outdoor summer concerts. Matt saw your exhibition in Missouri, and felt that your act could draw a crowd to our beer stands. These concerts don’t have the strict requirements of fairs. We thought with a few phone calls we could get permission to have a stand. Getting the license to sell beer might take longer. We’ll go for a full court press which might mean you guys being in Santa Fe one week and to Monterey the next.”

Zack interrupted, “Mr. K, excuse me, but we have equipment that is not easy to transport on an airplane.”

He paused. “I thought you could fly but I see that isn’t that easy. Haupt, how long will it take to the get one of the motor homes repainted with the Michelob bottle on the side?

They need to pull a small trailer.” Without waiting for an answer, he continued, “We can try out our idea here in St. Louis in two weeks during the “Riverfront Days Festival.”

“Will there be a stage? If not, people may not be able to see us since what we do is at ground level.”

“Haupt, let’s get a portable stage. That’s something we can order if a venue doesn’t have one, or if the main stage is too far from our booth. As a matter of fact, let’s plan to put the stage close to our beer stand or garden. Matt, I’m assuming you are going to be the on-the-ground person.”

Matt quickly answered, “I can handle the details.” I smiled at Zack.

The meeting ended, but not before Mr. K said, “What are your charges?”

I fumbled thinking he would be telling me what they were going to pay us. I quoted the rates we told Wally.

“That’s fine, but we want you exclusively. Do you have any other appearances scheduled?” I shook my head. “OK, here’s the deal. We’ll pay $100 a day when you are on the road whether performing or not. We will pay all expenses. We will provide a motor home with trailer but you can stay at hotels and motels if you’d rather. For the Riverfront Festival in a couple of weeks you should plan on being here on Wednesday to set up. We’ll schedule one exhibition on Thursday evening for the opening night patron’s party, three times on each of Friday and Saturday and twice on Sunday.”

After the meeting, Matt led us through the brewery, ending in the tasting room, which was filled with guys and girls our age. It was the most popular bar in St. Louis because the beer was free. During the tour, Matt suggested we stay overnight at a Holiday Inn on the waterfront. We had planned to return to Normal immediately, but took Matt up on his offer. He treated us for a prime rib dinner at the Jefferson Hotel.

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