The Third Ten

by Jacqueline Druga

  “I’ll be back,” Ellen said as she started to dart from the room.

  “Hey!” Joe called out. “Where are you going?”

  “I’m changing. I have to get dressed up too.” Ellen flew down the hall.

  Joe grumbled. “Dressing up, bingo hats, bingo. You know the world ended for a reason, so we could get rid of all this silly shit. Leave it to Danny to bring it all back.”

  Frank said, “And ruin your vision of the perfect apocalypse world.”

  “Exactly.” Joe nodded then looked to a smiling Andrea and grumbled once more.

  ***

  The alarm clock was set for 5:30 PM, but Robbie didn’t hear it until after six. His father and Andrea weren’t around. Actually, the second he was told he would have his own place he went right over, made the bed, and climbed inside. He’d worry about his clothes and things later. Although, Robbie admittedly was going to miss all the spoiling Andrea did for him. But he was certain; she’d still treat him special.

  Finally he got some sleep. But he would have to hightail it if he was going to make the six-forty-five Dan Tram to Bowman. If it ran on time, then he’d be there by the first game.

  Robbie wanted to play bingo and win some cool prizes but instead he offered to help out his father. He got showered and dressed, tossed about his hair and bolted down the steps. Robbie should have been prepared, he wasn’t.

  Jess called his name. “Robbie?”

  Reaching for the door, Robbie stopped. It had been a while since he saw Jess, and the last they spoke, Robbie couldn’t recall if they ended on good terms or bad. He knew he was mad that Jess failed to be one hundred percent honest with him after they had become such good friends.

  How to act. What to say. Shake hands, or give a hug.

  Robbie exhaled, “Wow, Jess, I didn’t expect to see you.”

  Jess chuckled. “We’re roommates.”

  “I know. I know.”

  “You seem awkward with me. Is everything Okay?”

  “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure,” Jess shrugged. “What is it?”

  “How were we when you left? I don’t remember?”

  “Really?”

  Robbie nodded. I lost a lot here and there.”

  “You lost an arm.”

  “That, too.” Robbie snickered.

  “Probably why. I can tell you, we were talking fine, but you didn’t have this.” Jess reached out and touched Robbie’s arm, he jumped back as if he touched something hot.

  “What?” Robbie laughed.

  “That’s freaky.”

  “I know.”

  “I was just about to make dinner you want some.”

  “No, I have to go. Bingo tonight. I’m helping my father call.” Robbie said. “You’re not going?”

  “Nah.” Jess shook his head. “I’m home. I mean, really home, and I just want to enjoy being here.”

  “I hear that.” Robbie smiled. “Okay, I’m off. Enjoy being home.”

  “See ya later?” Jess asked.

  “Yeah,” Robbie replied as he grabbed the door. “Maybe we’ll get a drink.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “And ... Jess, thanks for bringing my brother back.”

  “It was my pleasure.”

  Robbie paused while opening the door. “And, um, if you feel inspired …”

  Jess smiled. “I’ll save you dinner.”

  “Thanks.” Robbie walked out. He felt good. Relieved about he and Jess living together again, and grateful that he had someone to cook for him.

  ***

  “I feel out of place,” Elliott said. “I don’t have a bingo bag.”

  Ellen snickered. “You can share my stuff. This is so exciting. Look at all these people. I hope we get a seat.”

  “We set up for four hundred.”

  “Oh, my God, It’s just like the old world all those people.” Ellen had met Elliott at his home when Joe and Andrea went ahead to the bingo hall. She didn’t expect to see the hoards of people shuffling through, and she was even more shocked to see how crowded it was.

  After getting cards, they were fortunate enough to find a seat; it looked as if only one person was set up at that table. And that left plenty of room for those two. However, Elliott wished Ellen would have searched a bit better.

  “Why?” she questioned.

  “Just a hunch.”

  “What do you know?”

  “Nothing. Something I saw. Let’s sit.” Elliott pulled out a chair for Ellen and he took his seat on the other side of the table.

  “God, it’s been so long since I used bingo chips.” Ellen began to set up her cards. “When I went to bingo in the old world it was all paper.”

  “Well, Danny said it would be a pain to keep printing them. Chips were better. My God, do you play all those cards.”

  “Elliott,” Ellen chuckled. ‘It’s only twenty-four.”

  “I have six.”

  “But you’re a beginner.” Ellen nodded her head to the already set up bingo spot across from her and on the other end of the table. “Look how many cards they’re playing.”

  Elliott peered to his right to the huge mountain of cards spread out with good luck charms lining the top row. “Definitely a bingo pro. Looks like forty-eight cards.” Elliott whistled. “How can she reach?”

  “She?” Ellen asked. “How do you know it’s a she?”

  “A hunch.”

  “A-ha. You saw who it was when they got up to go where ever they went, didn’t you?”

  “I confess, I did.”

  “Who is it?” Ellen quizzed. “Who is the bingo master?”

  The crass voice, laced with the slur of being intoxicated, gave the answer as Josephine approached the table. “Well if it isn’t the bitch and the spick.”

  Immediately, Ellen laughed.

  Elliott did not. “Begging your pardon, Ma’am…”

  Josephine looked left to right. “You talking to me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Oh, go on.”

  “I was just saying, I’m not Hispanic.”

  “Not huh?” Josephine said. “Looked in the mirror lately?”

  “Yes.”

  “And you don’t see a Mexican?”

  “No, Ma’am, I’m German.”

  “Yeah, and I’m twenty five years old. Your ass is itchy if you think you’re German.” She quipped.

  After mouthing to Ellen in question, ‘my ass is itchy’ he turned to Josephine. “My parents were German.”

  “Then your mother had an affair.”

  Ellen shook her head to Elliott to sign to him to let it go. Elliott looked frustrated.

  Just then Henry approached the table. “Hey, El, there’s room, can me and Hector sit here.”

  “Sure.” Ellen scooted over.

  Hector said his ‘hellos’ and sat between Josephine and Elliott while Henry sat on the other side of the table.

  “God,” Josephine quipped. “Now I really feel Caucasian. Got the goddamn United Nations at the table. Spaniards on my right, Asia across from me. Now all we need is Africa.”

  Henry gasped. “Josephine, that is so rude and racist.”

  “Ask me if I care, bald boy.”

  “No, because you don’t,” Henry said.

  “That’s right.”

  “You know you could have more friends if you were nicer and not so drunk all the time.”

  “Well look who’s calling the kettle black. Ain’t you the one who had to turn gay just to have a friend?”

  Henry turned, whispering to Ellen. “I hate her.”

  Ellen caught the expression on Elliott’s face. “Everything Okay?” she asked him.

  Elliott nodded. “This is going to be very interesting.”

  ***

  And it was.

  “G-67,” Joe called.

  Everyone erupted. “There’s no G-67. It’s an ‘O’”? He showed the ball to Robbie. “All right, all right,” Joe waved out his hands. “You’re l
ucky I’m calling. Play the damn game and shut up.”

  “Hot damn, I’m set,” Josephine said. “Come on, Joey, shake your balls.”

  Henry whispered audibly. “Please don’t let her get it. Please don’t let her get it.”

  Joe called another number, “N-42.”

  Ellen shuffled excitedly. “I’m set.”

  “Please get it El. Not her.” Henry said.

  “I-17.”

  “Yes!” Josephine jumped up. “Bingo!”

  Everyone moaned.

  “Hold your cards. Don’t clear them,” Joe said. “Hal, call them back.”

  “Come on, Joe!” Henry yelled. “That’s her third time. Quit calling her numbers.”

  “Henry! I can’t help the way the balls pop out. Now quite whining.” Joe pointed at Hal. “Hal.”

  Hal looked down to where Josephine pointed. “B-12, I-17, G-56 …”

  “There was no G-56.” Joe said.

  “Are you sure?” Hal asked.

  “I’m pretty goddamn sure there was no G-56. Not a good bingo. We’ll continue.”

  Josephine looked at her card. “Oh, Okay, I see. It was sauce. Forget it. Thanks!”

  Amongst the groans, Joe called a number.

  Ellen won.

  Henry, again, whined.

  Ellen turned sharply to him. “I thought you wanted me to win.”

  “I got set on that last number.”

  Joe listened to the call back. “And that’s a good bingo. Anyone else?”

  “Wait.” Henry raised his hand. “I want someone else to verify the bingo.”

  “Why?” Joe asked.

  “Well, Joe, you’re her father, he’s her brother, I think we should have someone else verify it.”

  Hal extended the card to Henry. “Why don’t you look?”

  Henry did. “Fine. It’s good.”

  Hal smacked Henry in the back of the head with the card.

  “Ow.”

  “Now that we’ve double verified …” Joe glared at Henry. “One winner. Ten Danny dollars.”

  Everyone applauded.

  Before the final game, Danny Hoi walked on stage. It was as if he were a huge celebrity, everyone went crazy. A few people yelled out, “We love you, Danny.”? He waved. “Thanks. I love you guys, too. I’m so glad Bingo is such a success. How about a big round of Applause for Mr. Slagel for being an awesome Bingo caller.”

  Everyone went wild.

  “Before the big jackpot, there are a couple announcements I’d like to make. First Bingo will not be an every week event.” He acknowledged the sounds of disappointment. “I know. I know, but it’s a lot of work as you can understand. Every other Saturday we will have it.” He waited for the applause to die down. “Just wanted to announce, starting Monday we will be taking submissions and auditions for the new show on DBS. Forms are available at History. You need to just fill them out and leave them at the studio. We’ll get back to you right away if you are chosen. The show will air on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”

  “What’s it about!” Someone yelled.

  “Ready?” Danny smiled. ‘It’s called confessions. You come on the show and you make a big confession to our studio audience and our host. The person you want to know the confession is back stage. When you’re done confessing, you’ll walk to this big door and open it. If they forgive you, they’ll be standing there, you both win a prize. If they don’t forgive you, no one will be there, you lose, confessed for nothing, and they are the ones that get a prize.”

  Around of applause erupted.

  Joe, over his glasses stared up at Danny. “You gotta be kidding me.”

  “Nope. Isn’t it great?” Danny asked with a smile.

  “No, it’s sadistic.”

  Danny waved him off. “Anyhow.” He directed his comments to the audience again. “The better the secret, the better chance you have of getting on the show. So put on those thinking caps. Good luck on the jackpot.” Danny started to leave but stopped. He turned back around. “One more thing.” He said into the microphone. “I forgot to say who the host of the show is. None other than … Captain Hal Slagel.”

  A new Hollywood idol? It sounded it. Joe raises his eyebrows when people screamed. Hal, though, stood stunned. He immediately grabbed Danny when he walked off of stage.

  “Danny? Confessions?”

  “Hal, I asked if you would host a show. You said ‘yes’.” Danny defended.

  “But confessions?”

  “Come on, you’ll love it.” Danny gave a swat to his arm and walked off.

  Hal couldn’t even respond. He didn’t know what to make of his new position. But he couldn’t stand there speechless for long; he had to get back to Bingo work. The patrons were screaming for extra jackpot specials.

  CHAPTER TEN

  “I enjoyed it,” Ellen held hands with Frank as he walked her back from the garage.

  “And you won. What are you going to do with all those Danny dollars?”

  “Now, see, you may not think ten dollars is a lot but it does buy a lot of stuff. I’m happy.”

  “And fuckin’ Josephine won the DBS set up.”

  “Yes, she did,” said Ellen. “Now, Frank, sorry to say, you are no longer the only person with a television.”

  “Yes, true, but, bet me fuckin’ Josephine doesn’t throw a television party like me.”

  “I would guess not.”

  They walked through town and to the living section, slowing down at Dean’s house.

  Frank asked, “Where’s Margaret?”

  “Not there. I told her Dean and I have things to discuss, and she’s out with Jason for the evening.”

  Frank laughed.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Dean has an understanding with Jason.” Frank felt Ellen’s hand grow cold. “El, come on, you can’t get mad about him being with her. She’s carrying his child.”

  “Yes, she is.”

  “Are you Okay with that?”

  “If you mean do I get jealous? Yes.”

  Frank nodded, it bothered him but he didn’t say anything. They stopped. “Ten minutes, Okay?”

  “Yes.” Ellen turned.

  “I’ll be back in ten.”

  “Yes, Frank.” He reached out and grabbed her hand. “El, are you going to marry me again?”

  “Yes, Frank I am.” She knocked on the door and shooed her hand to Frank. “Now, go. Go.”

  “Are you serious? It’s a yes?”

  Ellen scowled a face at him. When the door opened, Frank darted out of sight, and Ellen smiled. “Hey, Dean.”

  “Hey, El.” He opened the door wider for her. “How was bingo?”

  “I won.”

  “Wow, really?”

  Ellen nodded and stepped inside.

  “I made coffee, the talk sounds serious,” Dean said.

  “It is, and yes, I’ll have some but make it quick we only have ten minutes.”

  Dean paused on his way to the kitchen. “Why ten minutes?”

  “Before Frank comes.”

  “Why is Frank coming here?”

  “To be part of the conversation.”

  Dean had made it to the kitchen and retrieved the coffee. “Then it deals with more than just me and you.”

  “Oh, boy does it ever.”

  Returning to the living room, Dean handed Ellen her coffee and joined her on the couch. “What’s up?”

  “Oh, Dean.” Ellen wisped. “I have gone over this time and time again in my head. I don’t know even where to begin.”

  Dean swallowed. “Since Frank is coming over, I’m fearful it has to do with our family.”

  Ellen bobbed her head side by side in a ‘maybe’ fashion.

  “You’re marrying him.”

  “Well, yeah, but that’s not it.”

  “What.” Dean blasted. “You can’t.”

  “Why?”

  “We … no, El, you can’t.”

  “Dean, you’ve moved on with your life. I’m moving on wi
th mine.”

  “So soon.”

  Ellen laughed. “You ask me so soon? Me marrying Frank isn’t what I need to talk to you about.’

  “It should be.”

  “Dean.”

  “No, El, when are you’re gonna marry him.” Dean stood up. “Knowing Frank, it’ll be soon.”

  There was a knock at the door.

  Ellen tossed out her hands. “It’s not been ten minutes.”

  “It’s Frank, and he’s impatient.” Dean said. “He never wants to wait.” He walked to the door.

  “No, Dean, don’t let him in. I’m not done talking to you.”

  “I need to speak to Frank.” Dean flung open the door. “Frank.”

  “Dean. You look pissed and rightfully so.” Frank stepped inside.

  Ellen stood. “Frank. I’m not done talking to him. I didn’t even get to it yet. I didn’t show him …” She lifted her bingo bag.

  Frank snickered. “El, he could care less about the bingo bag.”

  “Not the bag, you ass, what’s inside.” Ellen snapped. “I didn’t get to it yet.”

  “Oh, so why are you so pissed, Dean?” Frank asked.

  “I just found out Ellen is marrying you again.”

  Frank smiled. “El? You told him. Oh, man you just sealed the deal.”

  Dean snapped. “No, Frank. There’s no deal to seal. I can’t believe you. You just totally take advantage of the first opportunity.”

  “Absolutely.” Frank smiled. “And Dean, aren’t you the one shacking up with another broad and having babies with her. Hmm?” Frank raised his eyebrow. “But that’s not why El’s here. Or me. Why didn’t you tell him, El?”

  Ellen groaned. “Its’ a delicate subject, Frank. I don’t know how to approach it.”

  Frank nodded. “Yeah, you’re right. It is.” He breathed out. “Dean?” he gave a swat to Dean’s arm as he walked to the couch. “The gig is up. We know. You’re the mutilator.”

  “What!” Dean blasted.

  “The mutilator.” Frank repeated.

  “I heard that part, Frank.”

  “Well, that’s what everyone thinks.”

  “Frank …”

  “The …” he used his fingers to make quotes. “Evidence points at it.”

  “Did you just quote?”

  “Yes, I did.” Frank nodded.

  Dean waved out his hand. “Look. Stop. Time out.” He crossed his hands to form a ‘T’. “This is ridiculous.” He walked around the couch to face Ellen. “This is ridiculous. Me, the mutilator. Come on.”