The Tango

by Cain Hopwood

  Simon took a quick headcount of the room and frowned when he realised that once the spouses and partners were discounted, there were more than twelve dancers present.

  He was still frowning when Jade slipped into the seat next to him.

  “I haven’t missed anything have I,” she asked.

  “No, but I’m wondering what the CWA is going to do with all these dancers.”

  Jade lowered her tone. ”Betty better not be thinking of giving Daryl to anyone else.”

  “Who else could dance with him sweetie.”

  “Any of these slappers would, given half the chance.”

  Just then another CWA lady bustled into the room, looked around like a chook, and then fluttered back out. Before Simon could comment though she returned, this time herding a group of four men and one woman.

  “The celebs are here,” Simon whispered to Jade.

  Her head snapped around, then she frowned. “Where’s Daryl?”

  Simon shrugged. But, before he could reply, Betty’s voice cut across the hubbub.

  “Gladys dear, good job you’ve brought them back. Well everyone, please sit down. I would like to bring this meeting to order.”

  Betty gave those still standing a moment to find a seat before she continued.

  “Thank you everyone and welcome. Now, we didn’t want to bore all of you with the minutiae of the committee meeting, so we had it earlier. And, I am happy to announce that we will definitely be going ahead with the show.”

  A few of the dancers erupted in cheers. Betty beamed for a second, and then quietened them down with a wave.

  “Now before you all get too excited, I’m sure you can see that we have more dancers than celebrities. We wanted to give the celebrities as many options as possible so they could find a dance style, and partner, that suited them. Remember dancers, you may be the professionals, but this show is about the celebrities.”

  “What about those of us left over?” asked one of the girls on Miss Laura’s side of the room.

  Betty smiled. “Don’t worry dearie, everyone will get a chance to perform. The committee has managed to secure a very well known Sydney choreographer. They will be working with the rest of you to put together a spectacular number to open the show with.”

  Almost as one the room let out a sigh, as if Betty had just let off a particularly pretty firework.

  Betty waved everyone quiet again. “But we will get to that later. As I said earlier, we have already worked out much of the details. Fay, Miss Laura and Kristine will be the judges, and our six celebs I’m sure you all know.”

  Betty then went on to explain that with Fay and Miss Laura’s help the celebrities had each chosen a style of dance. One, Owen Melia, had also already chosen his dance partner. He would be dancing with his niece, the younger of the Melia sisters. Knowing the Melia sisters as he did, Simon suspected that Owen didn’t have much choice in the matter. Owen would be doing a hip hop number.

  “I hope he’s got plenty of heart pills,” whispered Jade as Owen’s dance was announced.

  Betty then announced that the local Doctor, Michael Hudson, wanted to do a rock and roll number.

  “There’s a turn up for the cards,” whispered Simon.

  Jade cocked her head at Simon’s sarcasm. Michael was the president of the rock and roll club in Berooma, had a fifties memorabilia collection, and drove around town in an old hot rod.

  Wendy was vibrating so violently that Simon thought she might be having a fit. Nonetheless, she was still too shy to speak up and volunteer to partner with Michael. Simon was fairly sure that she was one of the only dancers there who also danced rock and roll. So he looked at Jade and gave her a nudge.

  Jade rolled her eyes then broke the silence. “That sounds right up your alley Wendy.”

  “Of course, will you do it,” asked Betty.

  Wendy made a small squeak and nodded.

  “I’ll take that as a yes then shall I,” Betty said. She wrote down the assignment in her notes.

  Mayor Grimshaw then stood up and announced that he’d be doing a latin number. Miss Kristine considered her school, Berooma Dynamic Dance, the epicentre for latin dance in the region. Before anyone could argue, she’d sorted the Mayor out with a partner.

  With three of the six celebrities arranged with partners the remaining dancers started to titter in a worried tone.

  “Quiet everyone,” Betty said. “We still have three to go. Now young Fatty here is planning to do a Waltz.”

  “Actually I’ve changed my mind Betty.”

  Betty’s face fell. “That’s a shame Fatty, your dad’s shop is famous up and down the coast. Everyone would love to see you up there dancing with the others.”

  “Sorry Betty, I meant I’ve changed my mind about the dance. I want to do ballet instead.”

  The room fell completely silent. Every eye looked first at Fatty, then to Betty. For the first time in years she was lost for words. “Um…” She looked first perplexed, then she frowned. She was finally saved by Miss Laura.

  “Lad, Ballet is a very technical dance. It can take a lifetime to master,” the old dance teacher said.

  Fatty folded his arms. “I don’t need to master it. I just need to look good and throw a chick up in the air. That’s what this show is about, right Betty?”

  “Well yes…”

  “Great, so it’s settled. I’ll do ballet. How hard can it be to throw these dancers around? Those ballerinas wouldn’t be much heavier than a pig carcass. And, I’m throwing them up and down on meat hooks all day. So, who’s my partner?”

  Out of the corner of his eye Simon saw Jade trying to shrink in her chair. Not an easy task for the Amazonian brunette. Jade was by far and away the preeminent ballet dancer not only in the town, but the region as well. Fay had been trying for the last couple of years to persuade her to try out for shows and professional companies in the city. But for some reason Jade never followed up. Every time Simon brought the subject up, Jade clammed up. It was a shame, because she was probably the only young dancer in Galah that actually had the potential to make some kind of career out of it.

  But dancing with Fatty was a role she clearly didn’t want. And Simon knew why. Daryl was yet to make an appearance.

  “I think my Lilly is a good match for you Fatty,” Miss Laura said. She motioned for Lilly to stand.

  “Great stuff, yep she’s nice and light. I should be able to throw her a good long way.”

  Miss Laura grimaced. “Yes, well be careful with her Fatty. I still need her to teach class.”

  Fatty nodded and grinned like the happy bear that he was, then gave a double thumbs up sign to Lilly.

  Betty was still writing her notes when Sophie, the only female amongst the ‘celebrities’ spoke up. “Well, I guess It’s my turn now. As I’m sure you’ll all know I am a huge fan of the classics. Gene Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn.” She gave an exaggerated sigh. “Such a beautiful, bygone era. So I was thinking that I would like to do a number like that. Would that be possible?”

  “Of course,” Betty said. “And I think we have the perfect partner for you. Simon.”

  Simon blinked, Betty’s announcement catching him by surprise. He should have seen it coming of course. There being only one female celebrity, and him being the only male dancer in the town.

  But he recovered his composure quickly. “Of course I’d be happy to. My specialty is tap. But the kind of broadway dancing you’re talking about has it’s roots in tap. It’d be no trouble to put something very classy together.”

  He looked from Betty to Sophie and for the first time noticed that Sophie’s face was pale. What’s more the usually voluble radio DJ was silent. She was just staring back at Simon and her mouth was opening and closing like a goldfish that had just been scooped out of its pond.

  “Oh no,” she said, turning back to address Betty. “I couldn’t possibly dance with him.”

  The way she said ‘him’ was awfully familiar to Simon. He desper
ately wanted to hit back with a cutting remark. But knew from experience that it wouldn’t change her opinion one bit, so he bit his tongue.

  Betty though seemed genuinely confused. “Oh… Right… Well that’s your choice I suppose. Unfortunately we don’t really have a huge choice of male dancers.” She dithered about with her notes for a moment before looking up at Fay. “Any ideas Fay?”

  Fay looked at Sophie, and Simon swore that he saw her eyes narrow ever so slightly. “Well, as you say Betty, Simon is the only male dancer in town that I’d consider a professional. But I suppose I could ask David.”

  At the mention of Fay’s husband’s name every dancer in the room stopped and looked at Fay.

  She looked around and straightened her shoulders. “He does still dance you know. It’s just that you’re all too young to remember. And, he loves those Broadway shows.”

  “Would he be up to it,” asked Betty, her eyes bright. “And do you think he’d really do it?”

  “As long as the routine isn’t too energetic he’ll be fine. And yes, I think he’d do it,” Fay said.

  Sophie’s eyebrows furrowed. “I don’t know, he sounds a bit…”

  “God’s girl you don’t know what you’re saying,” interrupted Betty. She rubbed her hands together. “David Ellis, on stage again, and with you as his partner. You lucky thing. There was a time when every dancer in Sydney wanted to be in his arms. So wipe that frown off your face.”

  Sophie did as Betty ordered, but she still looked confused. However Betty’s enthusiasm was infectious and the dancers in the room started to burble away.

  Simon though couldn’t get into the vibe. It was silly when he thought about it. Getting David up on stage again was going to create a buzz around the show that the likes of him could never generate. And he should be used to that ugly face that Sophie had pulled by now. It had just caught him by surprise.

  He slumped down in his chair and elbowed Jade. “Looks like we’re both on the sidelines for this one gorgeous.”

  “Yeah. Bugger, I thought I had Daryl in the bag.”

  “You mean the sack?”

  “Bag, sack, bed, backseat of car. I wouldn’t be picky. He can open me up like a packet of chips anywhere, anytime.”

  Simon pulled a face. “There’s a lovely image. Are you sure you’re not old Charlie’s illegitimate daughter?”

  Jade laughed. It was a hearty, genuine laugh that lifted Simon’s spirits a little.

  The crowd noise had grown. Betty stood up and gesticulated trying to get everyone’s attention. “Could all the dancers not partnered with a celebrity move to the lounge bar. Talk to Gladys, you all need to start arranging the pre show numbers.”

  She made shooing movements with her hands, which might have worked well with her chickens, but didn’t really do much to speed clearing the room.

  Betty’s voice raised in pitch as well as volume. “Come on everybody. We also have our own arrangements to make. The sooner you move out, the sooner we can all be done and get home to our dinners.”

  Simon poked Jade and got up. But as he turned to leave Betty’s voice rang out again.

  “Simon, Jade. Please stay for a moment if you would.”

  Simon shrugged and sat back down.

  Once the room had cleared of everyone except the celebrities, their dancers, and the committee, Betty resumed. “Now, just to let you all know we do have a sixth celeb. Though he couldn’t make this meeting. It’s Daryl McKenna. I think you’ll all agree that having someone from the Mountain Goats rounds out the compliment of local identities quite nicely.”

  Murmurs of agreement circulated amongst the CWA ladies.

  Jade was sitting on the very edge of her chair. “Who will he be dancing with,” she asked in an uncharacteristically small voice.

  A smug smile bloomed on Betty’s face. “Why you of course dear, in fact he asked for you specifically.”

  You sly old duck, thought Simon. Now he knew why Betty had been so circumspect with him all week. She knew how close he and Jade were, and she’d wanted to keep this little joke a secret.

  He gave Jade a nudge. “Good job, you two will make a great couple.”

  Jade was staring off into the distance. “He knows me?” was all she managed to get out. Then she rose to her feet and shuffled off like a sleepwalker. She’d left the room before Simon realised that she was supposed to have stayed.

  “She didn’t even ask what dance Daryl wanted to do,” said a bewildered Betty.

  “Oh I think we all know what dance they’ll be doing,” Simon said with a smile.

  Betty blinked, then with a small shake of her head consulted her notes before going on to explain how the show and competition would work to the other contestants.

  This included where and when they could rehearse, and the general schedule of the event. The practical upshot was that they would have eight weeks to choreograph and practice a number with their respective celebrities. During this time they’d also have to put together the costumes and props that they’d need on the night.

  And just one night it would be. They would perform in one, and one show only. There would be a dress rehearsal. But only the supporting acts would actually dance then. This ensured that the raw fresh energy of their performances wouldn’t be wasted. The judges would be Fay, Miss Laura, and Kristine.

  But most importantly, the committee had a clever plan that would allow the townspeople to be able to vote before the show. They wouldn’t go into details, but once it was all revealed, it would be up to each couple to whip their respective sections of the community into a competitive voting frenzy.

  That’s a stroke of genius, thought Simon. Nothing gets Galah going like a bit of friendly competition. And, Berooma is just as bad. He guessed that it was no coincidence that the committee had selected contestants from both towns.

  As everyone was leaving Betty pulled him aside. “I’m sorry about what happened with Sophie. I had no idea.”

  “Neither did I. And, I should be used to it by now. She just caught me by surprise, that’s all.”

  Betty pursed her lips. “Nevertheless, it’s not right. But I think it may actually be for the best.”

  “How so?”

  “Well, I was concerned as to how we’d cover all this over the next eight weeks. I’d like you to be the official correspondent for the show. I was thinking that you could go to some of the rehearsals, write up stories and just generally whip up interest in the community.”

  Simon’s head bobbed up and down. “Yes, I see. But if I was one of the contestants…”

  “They’d think you were spying on their numbers. Presumably so you could make yours the best and win,” she said.

  “It’s crazy, but you’re right Betty, they would.”

  Betty gave him a motherly hug. “So you’re OK with it?”

  “Sure. I mean I’d love to be dancing. But, this way I’ll still be involved.”

  “And you’re not going to take it out on Sophie?”

  “Now, that I’m not going to promise you,” he said with a disarming smile.

  Betty took his comment as a joke. But, once he was in the car, alone, and on his way home, he wasn’t one hundred percent sure that he really meant it as one.

  Chapter Seven

  The following evening the road was dry on the way to Bruce and Betty’s farmhouse for Simon’s weekly TV show pilgrimage. The rain had stayed away all day. And so, when he got to Bruce’s dirt drive, instead of slipping and sliding like a kitten on a polished wood floor, Simon could just drive without really concentrating. Which was fortunate, because his mind wasn’t really on the task at hand.

  All the way out from town he kept thinking about Sophie’s face and how transparent her prejudice had been. He had been positive that he knew everyone in town who reacted in that way, but she’d caught him by surprise.

  Sophie was relatively new in town. Charlie had hired her as the second half of the 2BR breakfast show. And as Galah’s only newspaper repo
rter, he’d dealt with her on a number of occasions. But he’d never seen that face on her. Even Terry Davies, who was about as parochial as Galah got, didn’t bear such obvious prejudice.

  It had put him on a train of thinking that he given up on years ago, or at least thought he’d given up. What the hell was he still doing in Galah? In Sydney he’d be able to get a proper job, and find a group of friends with common interests. There everyone just accepted him for who he was. One thing was for sure; his love life would be a lot better in Sydney too.

  So it was lucky that the road was dry. Because his mind wasn’t on driving at all. He had barely remembered getting into his rattletrap old Honda before he found himself parked in front of Bruce’s house. Looking around he saw all the usual four wheel drives and utes. Everyone was already here.

  He walked up to the front door, knocked and pushed it open. The house was strangely silent. He took a deep breath, mustered up some faux confidence, and sauntered down the hall. When he got to the living room he was greeted by four frustrated and expectant faces and one smug one.

  “Finally, you’re here,” Betty said.

  “You were all waiting?”

  “Yes,” Betty said in a shrill voice.

  Simon looked at his watch. “But the show doesn’t start for a good fifteen minutes yet.”

  “Not the TV show! It’s about David. Fay refused to tell us anything until you arrived.”

  Simon grinned. “Fay, that was really nice of you, thanks.”

  Betty looked like she was about to explode. “Nice? Nice? Not nice for us, we’ve been beside ourselves. Now, spill it Fay, will David do the show or not.”

  The corners of Fay’s mouth curled up ever so slightly. Then she took a long slow look around the room. “Well, it’s been a long time for him…”

  “Fay,” growled Betty. “Stop holding out.”

  “Of course he’ll do it,” Fay blurted out and everyone gave a cheer of relief.