The Vaudeville Star

“I’ll walk you back to your cabin.”

“Thank you, but I’m returning to the party. Unlike some, I can hold my liquor, and I intend to enjoy myself.”

They stepped out into the passage, and Ford laughed. “You can hold your liquor because you don’t drink.”

“That’s not true. I drink. I enjoy brandy or a glass of champagne.”

“Exactly. That’s a drink. Not drinking.”

“You prefer I was a lush?”

“Not at all. Just pointing out that you don’t drink.”

They turned into the lounge, where once again ragtime was playing, and immediately Ruby took a glass of champagne from a waiter and gulped it down.

“Happy?”

“Slow down, Ruby. You won’t like it in the morning.”

“What happens in the morning?” she asked.

“Well, that depends.”

“On?”

“Are you waking up in your bed or someone else’s?”

Ruby blushed at his words. “My own, of course.”

“Well, alcohol has a way of changing that as well.”

“In what regard?”

“Alcohol makes you do things you wouldn’t normally do.”

“Well, I’ve had two glasses of champagne, and I feel nothing,” she proclaimed.

Ford grinned. “Just wait.”

They joined Bessie and Archie at the table, and Ruby was immediately asked to dance again.

Bessie watched her brother and best friend take to the floor and then turned to Ford. “You won’t mind me saying this, but you should be very careful.”

“Of?” He wondered at her words.

“Most of the time, you’re very good at hiding what you feel and think. But when you look at Ruby, there are times it’s very obvious.”

Ford swallowed. “What is?”

“That you want her. Just be careful. It seems we are all in this web manufactured by King.”

Ford nodded and took a sip from the glass in front of him. It tasted bitter, but he downed it anyway. “Yes, we are.”

Ford watched Ruby dance with Max and then Vernon, and finally he replaced them both. He could tell she was startled as she looked up into his face.

“This is your last dance, Ruby.”

“What do you mean? I’m having a wonderful time.” She smiled widely.