Locomotive to the Past by George Schultz (iphone ebook reader .TXT) 📕

After a semi-serious love scene with the leading man’s character (“Jim Kenyon”—portrayed by an older man, named Lawrence LeGrange), “Rose Marie” sings the, beautifully-uncomplicated, I Have The Love.

As stated, the song was a simple—but, direct—statement of her pure emotion, toward “Jim”! Her accent was perfect—and the dialect helped bring off the sincerity, of her love toward this statuesque man!

As the curtain fell—about 35 minutes later—for intermission, and people were clamoring toward the refreshment stands (and rest rooms), Valerie looked up at Jason! He’d just begun to rise! But, she’d not moved!

Her doe-like brown eyes sought out his “baby blues”! And she said to him:

“I have the love!”

Her, overcome-with-emotion, escort plopped—

immediately—back down into his seat! Plopped—

noisily!

“You WHAT?” His voice was barely audible. “What did you say?”

“I said . . . ’I have the love’!”

“Gee God!” That had been his grandmother’s favorite—most-used—expression! Jason was never conscious—of ever using it, himself! Ever!

“Jason? Jason?” she repeated. “Has it never occurred to you… that I love you? Listen! Don’t you think I know . . . that there’s a hockey game, on the radio, tonight? I know what a big game it is! And how important it is, to you! Yet, you cared enough… cared enough, about me . . . to take me, to this remarkable show! If I’d ever had any doubts . . . and I really never did . . . about the depths, of your love for me, this would’ve dispelled ’em! Gotten rid of them… completely! I can’t thank you enough! And? And I have the love! I do! Big time . . . as I’ve heard you say, from time to time.”

He’d hoped that his fiancée had not noticed his intense, teary-eyed, upward glance! Or had heard his silent, most-fervent, thank you—directed toward Susan!

On April 6th, Mr. Stackhouse showed up—late that Monday afternoon—and paid Jason the, by-then, seemingly-obligatory, ten dollars. The Wings had dispatched the Maple Leafs—on Saturday night—by a score of 3-to-2!

The “traditional” sawbuck wager was, then, set in place, for the series’ second game—also to be played, in Toronto—on Tuesday night!

Ten minutes later, the whistle blew! Our Hero was feeling particularly good! His “cleverly designed” scheme was—apparently—“moving right along… musically”.

The latter, was a popular expression—used (liberally)—on the many radio “remotes”, of that day. The four national networks—CBS, NBC, ABC and Mutual—would, (virtually) every night, go to (usually) one of the nation’s large, swanky, hotels, where one of the country’s top bands would be entertaining. These were, most usually, exceedingly-charming, programs. But, they had never been known—for originality—when the staff announcer would introduce the next tune.

Jason’s glow was reduced—albeit slightly—when he was intercepted, by Eric, as he’d approached his wondrous Dodge! This had become quite unusual, of late! Given the enormity of the Herman Gardens project, Jason’s and Eric’s paths did not, very often, cross.

“Jason,” began his somewhat breathless boss. “You’re getting mixed up with that guy… with that Hurley Stackhouse! Stay away from him, Jason! Stay fucking away from him!” That shocked the young man! He’d never been aware of his former landlord ever using “the F-Word” before! Ever! “I’m warning you,” Eric continued, his gaze more steel-like than Our Boy had ever before witnessed. “He’s bad fucking news!” The gravity, of the tone—immediately—sent a genuine chill, up and down Jason’s spine!

That made two “F-Words! Incredible! Unheard of!

“Aw, it’s all right, Eric,” the, still-stunned, employee responded. “Just a bet or two. On a few hockey games. That’s all.”

“I’m telling you, Jason! You don’t want to tangle assholes with him!”

All that profanity! All new—from his boss! Totally unlike this, truly-gentle, man!

“It’s nothing Eric! Really! Nothing!”

“I’m just warning you, Kid! Pay attention . . . to what I’m saying! To what I’m telling you!”

“Okay. Thanks Eric.”

The latter scowled—bitterly! Another unexpected gesture! Then, he turned, on his heel—and stalked away! (Yes, stalked!)

Strange! Exceptionally strange! Jason had never seen his friend act—or talk—that way before!

TWENTY FOUR

On Tuesday night—April 7th—the Wings and Leafs played the second of their seven-game series, to determine the winner of The Stanley Cup. The venerable trophy was always—almost literally always—referred to as “Emblematic of Hockey Superiority”.

Jason, of course, knew that the Detroit club would prevail, in the opening three contests—only to be swept, by the team from Toronto, in the final four games! It would be hailed/condemned (mostly the latter)—as the greatest “choke”, in sports history! That was, arguably, true! The series would hold that sole “distinction”, for 35 additional years—until the New York Islanders would invoke the same formula to eliminate the Pittsburgh Penguins, in the same manner. (Neither of those teams existed, in 1942.)

In the “current”, 1942, series, the visitors would defeat the club from Ontario, for the second time—by a score of 4-to-2! On Wednesday morning, Hurley Stackhouse showed up—and laid the ten-dollar stipend, on Our Boy. This time, however, he was not as bright-of-eye—nor as bushy-of-tail—as had been the case, in previous meetings! He did, though, accept another $10.00 wager. Jason was more than happy—that Eric did not appear to have been in the area, during Stackhouse’s visit!

That night, The delighted young man, and his fiancée, had dinner at the friendly, nearby, Marcus “eating joint”—which was fast becoming a favorite of both.

“Valerie,” he’d begun—after, first, wolfing down a mouthful, of delicious hamburger. “Valerie, look. I don’t think I’ve ever been as touched. As touched . . . as I was, on Saturday night. When you said, to me, ‘I have the love’. I don’t know… if I wound up responding correctly, or not.”

“You did fine,” she responded—smiling. “And it was the truth… what I said! And it still is!”

“Valerie, look! We never have gotten in to the thing. The thing… you know… about us actually getting married.”

“The thing? The thing… about getting married? Jason, so funny, you talk… at times.”

“Yeah, I guess. But, you see? I didn’t know… if I’d have enough resources. You know… to be able to go ahead, and tie the knot. Enough financial resources, y’see. But, now, I think . . .”

“Jason? You look! Listen, I’m