SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL

CHAPTER 62

Bette looked up at the name of the bar where she was meeting Emma Kennard – The Monkey Bar. This was one of the many bars that Bette hoped to experience now she was an adult and living and working in her favourite city. Bette went inside and took a long look at the bar – this was everything she had hoped it would be. The music playing was that cheerful jazz than seemed never to go anywhere but was addictively catchy. That was going to playing in her head for days – well it was an improvement on all the bloody Christmas carols that were playing on a loop in every place she went. There was a giant mural showing the great names of the 30’s Bette had recognised Joe Louis – the great boxer. She wondered if her father had been in here. Dragging herself away from the mural Bette looked around and spotted Emma sitting at the bar drinking a martini. Bette walked across and touched her on the arm. She turned and smiled at Bette

“I thought that a martini was the only thing to drink while I sat her pretending to be Dorothy Parker or someone like that “

“Did it work?”

“I don’t know – this Martini is a little strong – what would you like to drink?”

Bette looked at the drinks menu

“A bourbon smash “

Emma smiled “Now that is entering into the spirit of the place.” She finished her Martini and signalled for the bartender “Two bourbon smashes please “

They stood in silence until their drinks were made – Emma handed a drink to Bette

“Let’s get a table “

They walked around until they found a nice table for two that had a great view of the rest of the bar. It was half full – Bette could imagine that when it was full the place would be absolutely bouncing. She smiled at Emma

“How did you pick this place?”

“Your mother says you have an interest in New York history of the 20^th century – this place is steeped in it – – do you know anything about it?”

“Opened after Prohibition ended – famous for a place where Tallulah Bankhead drank. Tennessee Williams died in the Elysee Hotel which is above the bar”