Short Story

COCKAMAMIE BUSINESS

β€œCredited for my award-winning fruitcake” was probably the last thing I heard my speed date say before I zoned out, my head hitting the table with an impressive β€œthud”.Β Β 

β€œDING!” went the timer and my arm automatically shot up as I shouted outΒ β€œCheck, please!” Everyone looked at me like I was crazy.Β β€œYeah, I’m crazy alright for agreeing to go along with my friend Nadine’s cockamamie idea of speed dating the day after Christmas …. and she never even showed up!” 

I looked up to see my next date arriving – an Elvis impersonator replete with spangled jumpsuit, a ton of hair and heavy cologne. Whoever invented the jumpsuit should be pummeled with one of Elvis’ belt buckles. β€œWell, hello there, little lady. I do believe fate has brought us together. You are the spittin’ image of my darlin’ Priscilla.” 

β€œOh Lord! Get me out of here!” my mind screamed. Quickly I jumped up. 

β€œHey, toots! Number 9! Whaddya think you’re doing? You can’t just break outta line like that!” shouted the hoody-wearing overseer with the pronounced nose. He pointed an accusatory finger at me looking every bit like Charon the Ferryman from the River Styx. 

I shoved passed him, walking out into the cold December night. β€œYou are such a pathetic loser” I murmured to myself. “Another wasted night and this time during the holidays! Wonder if there’s anything to do other than just go home?”

Looking around I noticed a movie theater down the street. β€œWell, better than nothing.” As I got closer I saw the movie was β€œA Hard Day’s Night” and it was about to start. Cool! I got my ticket and bought some popcorn. There were clusters of people sitting here and there so I chose a secluded seat in the back. I liked sitting by myself, away from weirdos.

Just as the theater lights dimmed, some guy walked in and sat right next to me. β€œJeez!” I’m thinking, rolling my eyes. β€œOf all the seats, you had to choose that one!”

Looking straight ahead, eating my popcorn, I assess the situation. I never know what to do at times like this. Do I change seats and risk him saying something nasty? Do I stay put and pretend everything’s normal? What if he’s a pervert?

β€œThis is all your fault, Nadine” I whispered. 

β€œExcuse me. Did you say something?” asked the guy next to me. 

The charming English accent caught my attention; I turned my head slightly in its direction. In my excitement, I immediately began choking as I inhaled a puff of popcorn. The guy sitting just inches from me was a carbon copy of my one true love – George Harrison. 

β€œAre you ok?” he asked. “Here, have some water.”

Finally able to breath and talk again, I said β€œI’m awfully sorry! You shocked me. Has anyone ever told you you look exactly like George Harrison?”  

β€œAll the time. It’s a curse. And has anyone ever told you you look exactly like Priscilla Presley?” 

β€œAll the time; it’s a curse.” 

We both sighed heavily in resigned commiseration and turned our attention to the movie. We laughed through the whole thing, totally enjoying ourselves and lost in the moment; there was definitely a connection between us. When it was over we left together and decided to get a drink to celebrate the holidays. 

We walk to a swinging little bar and who happens to be there? None other than “No-Show Nadine”! 

Spotting me and my guy from the movie theater, she came running over, gushing like a schoolgirl. β€œOh my God! Has anyone ever told you you look exactly like George Harrison? Giving β€˜George’ the once-over, she drooled. “Mighty slim pickings here tonight. Wanna dance, handsome? Olivia won’t mind, will ya, hon?” 

Wanting nothing more at that moment than to escape Nadine, β€˜George’ grabbed my hand and we ran from the club, laughing and tripping over ourselves just like in the movie.

Maybe I wasn’t a pathetic loser after all!

NAR Β© 2023

Me dancing with ‘George’
*wink wink*

George Harrison and “Cockamamie Business”

It’s our final edition of
“In The Groove: Sounds Of The Season”
and we’re celebrating the holidays

with something George would definitely dig!
Please stop by and join in the fun!
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