The next morning the oldsters slept in. While savoring the last bits of her breakfast, Flossie let out a big yawn. “Well, I hate to admit it, but I’m feeling kinda pooped. I guess the old gray mare just ain’t what she used to be.”
Sterling paused, his fork in mid-air. His eyes sparkled with mischief. “I don’t believe it—you? Pooped? Seeing you all decked out in your flowered Bermuda shorts and Reeboks, I figured you were going to leave me in the dust today.”
“So you’re beat too?”
“Well, I am a little tired. In fact, as long as we’re at sea all day, I might take Waldo for a short walk around the deck, and then just take it easy.” He winked. “So don’t come up with any of your harebrained schemes. After all, too much stress and I might have one of those imaginary fits.”
“Look, the service vest got Waldo on board, didn’t it? Even got him special treatment in Chinatown. But that doesn’t mean you can threaten me with fake fits. I promise—no wild ideas today. I don’t know if it’s the salt air or what, but it seems my ‘get up and go’ just got up and went. Either that or I’ve had a lot more excitement than I’m used to. On the other hand, it sure is fun to be with all of the magicians, isn’t it? Sort of like old times. Like you said a while back, talking shop, trading stories about our latest tricks—”
“What latest tricks? Outside of the new trick Quick Rick gave me, we haven’t had anything new since Harry passed away. I’ve gotta admit I can’t wait to open that bag and try the new one out. Maybe I’ll study it later this afternoon. You know, experiment with it a bit.”
Flossie took a sip of her decaf coffee followed by a spoonful of strawberries in vanilla yogurt. “Mmmm. Don’t you just love the aroma of fresh strawberries?” She held the spoon up to her nose and took a big sniff for emphasis. “Look at the size of these babies, and so tasty.” She appeared to be in deep concentration. “What was I was going to say before we talked about tricks?”
“Don’t ask me. You were the one who was going to say it.”
She snapped her fingers. “Of course, right after I said I was pooped, I was about to mention that I decided to take it easy today, but you said it first. I want to be all rested up for dinner tonight. Red told me he put Ali Kazaam and Jade Moon at the Captain’s table. Maybe you’ll be able to find out why he always wears that stupid turban you’ve been so fascinated with, even when he’s not on stage.”
“Please do me a favor, Flossie, and don’t embarrass me by asking him. Maybe he’s bald and doesn’t want anyone to know. I’ll bet the Sheik has a whole closet full of different ones. If you ask me, this one’s more fabulous than the one on the poster. Makes me want my own even more.”
“You and your ideas! I wonder what his real name is—I’ll bet it isn’t Ali Kazaam.”
They bantered back and forth for a while, then went to check on Waldo who greeted them with a wagging tail. He didn’t get up from his spot by the sliding door until Sterling waved the leash in his face. Then he was all wiggles and grins.
“Guess we’d better take him to the potty first. Don’t want any accidents. I can’t tell if he’s wiggling because he’s happy to be getting out of the cabin or if he really has to go.”
Waldo fixed Sterling with a doggie grin. Goooooo. He strained at the leash, obviously in a hurry.
After visiting the service closet and letting Waldo do his business, Flossie and Sterling took a leisurely stroll around the main deck. When they passed the theater, they popped in to check it out again. A notice had been slipped under the cabin doors that morning announcing a special show after dinner, starring Sheik Ali Kazaam, emceed by Willard the Wonderful.
Sterling looked at the stage wistfully. “Hey, Old Girl, want to go up there just for old time’s sake? Heck, no one’s around. We could pretend we’re back in the game on a real stage instead of the recreation room at the Has-Beens. Whadda ya say?”
He didn’t have to ask twice. Flossie was already climbing the stairs, so Sterling followed with Waldo in tow. Waldo stood on his back legs and pranced around as though they were really about to do their act. He always did a little introductory dance and howled something that sounded like a melody to wake up any of the residents at the old folks’ home who might have nodded off.
After a few minutes of relishing the old days, the trio left the theater. Flossie and Sterling plopped down in deck chairs with Waldo at their feet. Soon all three were snoozing in the sun, with Waldo snoring the loudest.
It was a perfect day for cruising, with only an occasional wave disturbing the calm sea as it broke the surface. A very gentle breeze caressed the faces of the elderly Silvers as they dozed in their chairs. Completely oblivious to the parade of passengers strolling by them, they played out their fantasies of the past in a dream world of their own.
“See, I told you this would be a great trip for you.” Red’s booming voice broke through the haze of a dreamy long-ago encore.
Sterling rubbed his eyes to bring Red into focus while Flossie took off her glasses and wiped them with the corner of her blouse. Waldo didn’t move.
“Hmm. Must have dozed off for a minute or two.” Sterling looked around, blinked a few times, then sat up straighter in the chair. “Red, this is so wonderful. Excitement and a good rest all in one package. We saw some of the old-timers last night and chewed the fat, but there are so many of the youngsters in the game now. They were talking about illusions that would have been impossible back in the day.”
Now fully alert Flossie chided, “That’s because those youngsters use all of the geegaws you keep complaining about. I’ll bet if we didn’t keep doing the same old thing, we could get back in the spotlight. I say we should get with the times and whip up a new act.”
“Listen, Flossie, the only thing you’re capable of whipping up these days is a great noodle kugel. Face it. The little stage at the Has-Beens is about all we can handle at our age.”
“Oh, you stuffed shirt. Where’s your spunk? Your sense of adventure?”
Red couldn’t stifle his laughter. “Listen you two, there’s no one on this ship who can measure up to the act you had when Harry was alive. The three of you were really something special, and it’s wonderful that you both carried on after he was gone. You can still keep up with most of the conjurers on this cruise, and not many eighty-year-old magicians can lay claim to that.” Red bent down and gave his mother-in-law a little peck on the cheek. “I love you guys. See you at dinner. I’ve gotta get back to running this ship.”