“After today we are going to have to go to my brother’s,” Gerard said, “we really overstayed our welcome.” Maxie poured coffee as they sat in the house kitchen. “Things like that happen,” he said, “I really should not blame anybody but no hotel if he won’t let you.”
“My brother can’t stand me but I think I should stay with him.”
“I know all about that so that’s why I was letting you stay here and you can still stay.”
“I just wanted to meet you and you’re good enough for my daughter.”
“Will somebody please show me how I work this bath?” Myrtle shouted from the toilet. Maxie shook his head. “You two are like heads and tails of a coin,” he said, “she comes from money and has her nose in the air while you’re a good egg.”
“I worked my way up while her parents had money.”
“And how.”
“You better get ready to go to the city,” Gerard said, “Misty should be here soon.”
“She can afford a car so why does she always have to take the trolley?” Maxie said. “Then she walks a block to work.”
“Misty is the type who likes meeting people but she found the people in Great Neck to be stuffed shirts and occasionally I agree with her.”
“She likes the riffraff I know that and that’s why she’s the berries.”
“What do you mean by ‘the berries’?”
“I mean that you have one attractive daughter there Gerard.”
“I have to agree with you there.”
Joey sleepily walked into the kitchen. “Sounded like you were really making whoopee last night,” Maxie said, “you woke me up once.” Joey stretched. “Talk about a three-letter man,” Joey remarked, “I wish I knew what I’m acting like.” Maxie shook his head. “You’re acting like you’re spifflicated,” he remarked, “but I know you don’t drink.”
Joey found a cup and poured himself coffee. “I hope you don’t mind,” he said, “do you have any milk?” Maxie pointed to the refrigerator. “It’s in the electric icebox there,” he remarked. Joey removed the glass milk bottle. “A little suggestion from a diner owner,” Maxie said, “you should always pour the milk before you pour the coffee so that you don’t have to stir it.”
“I put your tuxedo in your bedroom,” Joey said, “Misty is coming with mine and we will be on our way.”
“Did Tom get a ball gown?”
“All of that whoopee last night was to convince him to wear it.”
“Where did you get it?”
“From my sister, my cousin is bringing it.”
“Where’s Tom?”
“He’s showing Mrs. McAllister how to work the tap on the tub and put in the stopper.”
“I’m surprised that she doesn’t have to learn how to sit in it,” Maxie remarked. Gerard laughed. “I’m surprised she doesn’t also,” he added.
The telephone rang. “I wonder who that could be at six in the morning,” Maxie said, “it’s a little early.” Maxie answered the call. “The truck will be heading for that apartment this afternoon,” Clarke said, “they’re going to an apartment on Central Park West first.”
“What time will they be there?”
“It’s sometime tonight after one in the morning.”
“Why would they pick that time?”
“That’s the time the reverend Gray picked.”
“Maybe one of us will make the truck like those BOI goons.”
“I might be able to give them a ring before they leave the hotel.”
“That’s if they’re not already watching my place here,” Maxie said, “they might be in front of the diner.” Clarke silently considered the possibility. “It might be a good idea for me to meet them there,” he said, “they probably left the hotel by now.” Maxie nodded. “The diner has been open for the past ten minutes,” he said, “and they’re probably waiting for a Model A so make sure they know it’s yours.”
“They would know mine by the flashing red light and siren.”
“That didn’t come out right,” Maxie chuckled, “I should’ve thought about that one.”
The phone call ended as Misty walked in wearing her gown and carrying a box. “That’s the bee’s knees,” Maxie said, “you look beautiful.” Maxie grimaced. “Now I know I don’t have to be Maxine again,” he remarked, “I may look good in Victorian garb but it’s a little uncomfortable wearing a corset.”
Misty handed the box to her cousin. “This is for you,” she said, “it’s the ball gown for Tom or should I say Tilly.” She removed it from the box. “I think it’s the cat’s meow,” she said. Joey took the dress. “You’re right,” he said, “this is the cat’s pajamas.” The gown hung from the shoulders and did not reveal the female form, a trend that was popular in the 1920s. The hemline was asymmetrically cut just above the ankle. It was sleeveless with a plunging neckline and wide shoulders. The material was satin. It was adorned with jaunty beadwork. Misty wore an exact copy. “My other cousin and I wanted to match at a ball,” she said, “so we both have the same dress.”
Joey found the box also contained a flapper dress. “I just wanted to show Maxie,” she said, “that’s going to be my dress for the rest of the day.”
Maxie answered the telephone after it rang. “They plan to spring the reverend at about one o’clock,” Christine said, “so somebody better get over there and speak to him.” Maxie agreed and the call was ended.
Gerard removed a slip of paper and a pen before jotting down an address. Maxie removed his glasses and checked the paper. “This is for my townhouse on Sutton Place,” he said, “we can have the reverend meet you there tonight if the ball idea doesn’t work or he doesn’t show at his apartment.” He handed the paper to Maxie. “How do we get in?” Maxie asked. Gerard considered the idea. “I will call the staff and let them know your name,” he said. “No doubt the BOI will be following you so they will see our deceitful reverend.”
“Christine just said they’re planning to spring the reverend at one.”
“My wife and I will be heading for the sheriff’s office after the breakfast rush.”
“We should be leaving in about an hour,” Maxie said, “that should give us good enough time to catch the ferry to Whitehall Street.”
“I made lunch reservations for you all at Twenty One.”
“If you don’t mind I would rather eat at the Times Square Automat,” Maxie said, “Dad and me always ate there when we went to Manhattan.” They all understood.
Clarke met with the BOI men across from the diner. “The reverend should be at that apartment by one in the morning,” he told Harrison, “that’s when the truck is delivering the money.”
Maxie’s Ford arrived at the ferry landing moments before the SS Empire, a dual-ended side wheeler, entered the slip. “This is the new ferry,” Misty said, “it’s built to carry cars.” They watched as the ferry unloaded. Maxie glanced once toward the Tornado Roller Coaster that jutted out onto the pier. It was a new wooden structure.
As the Empire passed the Statue of Liberty Maxie removed his straw boater and held it over his heart. He looked over to the BOI and shook his head. “Saps,” he muttered, “saps.”
They were in the car when the gangways were lowered at the Whitehall Street Terminal. “We are going to paint this town!” Maxie shouted as the car raced forward with the BOI trailing them. They followed the elevated train branch then the mainline while they raced uptown along Third Avenue. “The tallest point is the Woolworth Tower,” Misty said, “maybe we should hit that this afternoon.”
In Ferry Landing, Myrtle was before the sheriff. “If this man leaves this detention then will you please have him go to this address,” she stated while handing him a slip of paper, “it’s the address for my friend Maxine.” The sheriff glanced at the paper. “I do not think this man should be in prison,” she continued, “if he is I want him to have this address.”
“I agree with you madam so I will give this to him.”
Maxie parked the car and they entered the most famous store on Herald Square.
“Macy’s at opening,” Misty said, “I didn’t think I would ever see this.”
Tilly was stopped by the front entrance. “Look, Harold, there’s a drag queen!” a woman shouted. “Let’s see if we can get a picture!” Tom did not know how to react. “It’s really okay,” Joey whispered, “they’re just tourists.” Tom was unaccustomed to the attention. “People do this every day to drag queens,” Tom added, “it’s totally safe and they love it.” Tilly celebrated in grand flapper style before the camera as the couple took pictures.
“You should be in a fashion magazine,” Maxie joked as they walked the first floor. They ascended wooden escalators until Misty found another flapper dress. “Today’s fashions are the bee’s knees,” she said, “too bad I don’t really need a new dress.”
Harrison stepped from the escalator. “I wonder what they’re doing here,” he said, “are they looking only at dresses or is this where they hide the still?”
“I don’t think they would have a still in a chain store,” Puglisi said.
“Cram it.”
“Where should we go next?” Tom asked.
“We can catch some vaudeville at the Hippodrome,” Misty suggested.
“I’m not taking you back to Silverstein’s Drugstore!” Gerard hollered. He cleaned the counter. “My rheumatism is acting up!” she shouted. Gerard looked at her hand. “Your fingers are not misshapen,” he said, “all you want to do is drink!” She rose from the counter to wait tables. “I never did this before so I need my medication,” she insisted while crossing to a man and woman in a booth with menus. She turned to them with a proud expression. “What do you plebeians want?” she asked. They took the menus. “Myrtle!” shouted Gerard. She cleared her throat. “Excuse me,” she said, “what do both of you lovely people want?” They folded the menus. “We will both have a slice of apple pie,” the man said. She shook her head. “I’m sorry,” she said, “the bakery we get our pies from was wrecked so we do not have any.” They just ordered Moxie Colas.
At the Hippodrome, Maxie and his friends sat in the second balcony. Eddie Cantor was singing “Bye Bye Blackbird” on the stage. The BOI was in the first balcony. “I wonder if he is delivering to one of the performers,” Harrison said.
At the Ferry Landing Sheriff’s Office, they prepared for the staged escape of the preacher. It was almost one o’clock as Chase searched for the key. “You struggled with me,” Gray said, “I will be holding Fullerton hostage.”
“Do you have your gun on you?” Chase asked. Costello looked up from the desk and opened a drawer. He tossed a gun to his partner. “I hope you get to that apartment in time,” he said, “we need the money.”
Costello did not know about the carnal relationship between Gray and Fullerton. Otherwise, he would not be participating in the ruse.
Fullerton walked in as planned. Gray wrapped one arm around him and held the gun to his temple. “I’m leaving,” Gray shouted “and I’m taking your deputy with me!” They made their way to Fullerton’s Oldsmobile Model 45A.
Costello called the BOI about the “breakout.” He explained the false struggle in detail. He told about how his deputy fought before being taken hostage. Would this be reported to Harrison? He didn’t know.
Maxie parked the car near Times Square. While crossing to the Automat, they heard a couple of people shout “There are a couple of drag queens!” Misty wondered why they would think there were two drag queens. “Would you two please take a picture with us?” the man asked. “Would you two please?” Tom and Misty obliged. Joey and Maxie laughed. “Thank you,” the man said. They walked into the Automat.
Misty purchased the tokens and they took their place in line. They passed the machines, stocking their trays with plates as they paid to open small windows. “This really beats any ritzy place,” she said, “and that’s no baloney.” Her eyes panned the fine Art Deco dining area. “To me this is ritzy,” Maxie said, “about as ritzy as you.” He looked down. “I would kiss your hand but you have something in it,” he said, “I would let you kiss mine but that ain’t good either and I have something like it in it.” They managed to kiss on the lips. “You’re a real Sheba for a drag queen,” he chuckled, “and the prettiest drag queen I ever met.”
“I think we can pass the steam tables,” she said, “we seem to have everything.” They found a table and sat together. “Dad and me always sat by the window so we can watch the people go by,” Maxie said, “he always said that people are important.” They sat by the window.
More people started staring at the drag queen, and Misty, who they thought was a drag queen. Many of them had cameras and they were being leveled. However, they just enjoyed their lunch.
Fullerton’s Oldsmobile rolled onto the ferryboat. “I have to keep this gun on you but I’ll never fire,” Gray said while leveling his pistol. They were by the forward end as it left for Whitehall Street. This was time alone for them but they did not want to kiss because it would not seem like a kidnapping. The conversation was trivial but the time was romantic.
The Model A was parked in the shadow of the Woolworth Tower as its owner looked down from above. “It’s the tallest building in the world,” Misty said, “and just look at the view.” Joey and Tilly were doing the same. “I’m finally getting used to wearing shoes like this,” Tom said, “if we went up here last week I probably would’ve fallen off the building right now.”
A shadow appeared on the observation deck. “There’s the Los Angeles,” Misty said as the large zeppelin floated overhead. To them it was beautiful.
The Oldsmobile disembarked from the ferry and ran uptown under the Third Avenue Elevated Train Line. “Trains run at street level on Tenth Avenue,” Fullerton said, “the trains on Tenth Avenue run down the middle of the street.”
“Do you have my gown in the back?”
“It’s in the backseat.”
“Good.”
Maxie parked his Ford by the Waldorf Astoria. As the passengers unloaded, two couples shouted about drag queens as they stepped onto the curb. One was in the front seat; the other was in the backseat. “Why do they think I’m a drag queen!” Misty shouted. With boxes in their hands, they hastened into the lobby with the couples following for photographs. “I’m not a drag queen,” she said while pointing to Tilly, “he is.” They did not believe her.
Tom and Misty ran into the hotel toilets. That was where they changed into their gowns. Their next stop was Madison Square Garden and the ball. “We need to get a wiggle on,” Maxie said, “it’s almost time for us to get there.” They rushed into the men’s room to change into their tuxedos. “Don’t worry about it,” Joey remarked, “we’ll be there in time.” Minutes later, Harrison and his squad parked on Thirty-Fourth Street and ran into the hotel. “I don’t know why it took so long to find parking,” he said. Maxie and his friends walked out at the same time. The squad fanned out, but Maxie decided to wait for them to return to their cars. “Why?” Misty asked. Maxie kept glancing at the rear view mirror. “We need them,” he replied. Harrison and the squad raced from the hotel. He noticed the other car. “They’re waiting for us,” he said, “why are they waiting for us?” The squad returned to their cars and both groups started down Fifth Avenue before turning down a side street.
Gray walked out of a public toilet with an antiquated ball gown. “You look like the bee’s knees in that thing,” Fullerton said, “that’s beautiful.” They walked to the car. “Off to Madison Square Garden,” Gray said, “and my name young man is Wilma.”
He tossed his suit in the backseat where it landed on a box. “What’s in the box?” he asked. Fullerton looked to where the suit landed. “A Chicago typewriter,” he remarked “I got it from the office before we left.”