The Vaudeville Star

ian, a Hungarian sister dance act, us, and then our resident Italian diva. But maybe he could find something for you. It wouldn’t hurt to ask.”

“No, it’s wonderful!” Ruby said, clutching her hand. “Thank you! I’m so lucky to have met you both.”

Archie eyed her intently. “Where are you staying?”

Ruby reached for her coffee. “I do need to find a place. I was thinking my first night I’ll stay at a hotel and then afterward find a boardinghouse.”

“So you have no definite plans?” Bessie asked.

“No, I don’t. I guess I was filled with dreams and grand ambitions. Now that I’m here, I see how big this city is and how everyone is just bustling about attending to their business,” Ruby admitted. “I feel a little naïve.”

Bessie smiled broadly. “Well, then, that’s perfect! We rent rooms at a nearby boardinghouse. It’s run by a woman and her husband, though the husband is ill. He hurt is back or something. But Mrs. Hodges is a nice enough woman and an excellent cook. There is also a maid who helps keep the home clean.”

“That does sound perfect,” Ruby sighed as her mind eased.

“Several of us from the vaudeville show stay there. The Vadas sisters, us, of course, and Max. He is Vern’s assistant. Poor thing. Vern runs him ragged.”

“Is there a place for me? An empty room?” Ruby wondered.

“Yes. There was a fellow living at the end of the hallway on the second floor. He was separated from his wife. Apparently, they have reconciled. Good luck. They fought like cats and dogs.” She shook her head, looking at her brother, who nodded.

Ruby smiled and could feel the dollar bills at the bottom of her boot. She would be able to pay in advance. She felt a weight lift off her shoulders.

“I don’t know how to thank you, Bessie,” she said sincerely.

“Oh, never mind all that. You needed a place to stay and you need work. One can easily be taken care of, and tomorrow we’ll take you to the theater.”

“Pretty girl,” Mrs. Hodges said as she looked Ruby up and down. “Who did you say she was?” She turned again to Bessie, who was standing beside Ruby as the middle-aged woman scrutinized her.

“She’s my cousin from Mississippi. She’s going to audition tomorrow for the show. I thought I told you about her,” Bessie said the white lie easily.

“Hmph! No, you didn’t,” Mrs. Hodges said.

Ruby tried to keep her eyes downcast and appear as submissive as possible. She needed the place to stay, and she didn’t want to seem bothersome.

“Well, I suppose she can have the empty room upstairs at the end of the hall. She seems clean enough.”

“I am,” Ruby said softly.

The three mounted the stairs as Mrs. Hodges began her welcome speech. “Breakfast is at six thirty. There’ll be fried eggs, bacon, toast, and coffee. Some houses do up a lunch, but I don’t. You’re on your own for lunch.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Dinner is served at five. I know some of you folks are in the theater, so I’ll place a bit of food away, but there’s no guarantee. Dinner is usually stew with cornbread. Something hardy that will stick to the stomach.”

Ruby nodded as they walked along the hallway.

“Each room contains a bed, dresser, table, and chair. There is a basin and pitcher for water, and the bathroom is at the end of the hall.”

She opened the door to the room, and they stepped inside. The room was at the end of the hall and was larger than the other rooms as it curved outward with a large window seat that overlooked the street. It was a charming little room.

“I run a respectable house here,” Mrs. Hodges continued. “We have a full house and that includes men and women under this roof. If you decide to conduct yourself as anything less than respectable, you will be asked to leave. If you have a gentleman caller, you have him wait downstairs in the parlor and meet him there.”

“I understand, but I don’t know anyone in New York besides my cousins,” Ruby said, smiling.

Mrs. Hodges looked Ruby up and down and sighed. “My room is downstairs at the back of the house. My husband, Mr. Hodges, is quite ill, so you won’t see him often except at dinner. You can settle the first week’s lodging with me later this evening.”

Ruby moved to the window seat and brushed back the curtains. She smiled as she unpinned her hat and looked out onto the street. The boardinghouse was on a smaller side street, and opposite her room was a grocery and candy shop. There was a young man looking up at the building who looked vaguely familiar, but she knew that wasn’t possible as she had met no one.