The aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air. In no time, the faithful and trustworthy machine produces the liquid that validates life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. One sip and the brain comes alive with the lust for travel. The alarm clock is closed and set to May 11th, 1924, in New York City.
The plunger is pulled, and we find ourselves on Broadway. New York is the culmination of a week-long benefit of the National Vaudeville Artists, Inc. Four separate shows are being held in the Hippodrome, The Metropolitan Opera House, The New Amsterdam Theater, and the Manhattan Opera House.
These four shows are the final week’s activities, which saw over fourteen hundred performances across America in support of the 20,000-member organization’s charity fundraising effort. The charity supports the health and welfare of performers and their families so that thetimesot have to secure a loan or feel like they are the loan bearer of their chabearerss in a time of need.
We could stay for the shows but have to choose which to attend. Oops, the alarm finds us back on the couch in 2024. Linda Hill has sent a text. It reads: Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “loan/lone.” Use them any way you’d like. Bonus points if you use both. Have fun!
To see how other bloggers have responded to the prompt, visit Linda’s post. Here is the link: https://lindaghill.com/2024/05/10/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-may-11-2024/
Loan/Lone by John W. Howell ©2024
“Again,, we saw no show.”
I thought I had extended the time.”
“You would think since you are the lone operator of that thing you would get the hang of it.”
“Maybe I should loan it to you next time.”
“At least I would put enough time on it so we could see something.”
“Sadly we don’t know who was performing.”
“Yeah no kidding. I think they might have had a program in the theaters.”
“You are probibly right. The main program lists a bunch of folks.”
“Like who?”
“Full page art by cartoonists Winsor McCay, Briggs,Milt Gross, Hershfield, Goldberg and others. Includes art of Singer’s Midgets who later appeared in “The Wizard Of Oz.” Photos include: New York Giants baseball team, Al Jolson, Harry Langdon, Bill Robinson, Jack Benny, Burns & Allen, Sarah Bernhardt, Thomas Edison, and Adolph Zukor.”
“Where did you see thiis program?”
“It’s on line at https://dn790009.ca.archive.org/0/items/nvasouvenir192408nati/nvasouvenir192408nati.pdf
“Were they al performing?”
“No they were listed in the souviener program.”
“So we’ll never know.”
“Unless we go back.”
“Spare me. I have important things to do.”
“Like calling Uber?”
“Already done. He’s over there.”
Photo by Dan Antion
“That’s a 1953 Chevy. I would be pround to ride in that.”
“Well, I call shotgun so you’ll have to get in the back.”
“What is that? A station wagon?”
“I think it is a modified wagon.”
“I’ve never seen one of those.”
“We;ll. you are old enough to have done so.”
“I know. I think we better go before you age shame any more.”
“You gotta own it.”
“I’ve lived it. So I guess you are right. I think I’ll have an extra Voo Doo Ranger.”
“Me too.”
“You don’t have an excuse so get off my cloud.”
“Yes I do.”
“What?”
“I have to hang out with this old guy.”
“Very funny. Let’s go”
Fiction Favorites 
Sounds like you missed some good performances, John. Oh well, slam back a couple VooDoo Rangers and it won’t seem so bad.
I hope you have a great weekend.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Dan. He’s hoping you have a good one as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to see all those old names on the program and that wagon! I’d love a ride in that!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I would too, GP. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Nice ride. Too bad you missed those shows. Though wouldn’t you have to steal a seat and change history?
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think standing in the back is the best. I searched high and low for who was performing but no luck.
LikeLike
I have two rules. Always respect the old guy and the cars he digs. Okay, I have a bonus rule and yes, it involves Voodoo . . . .
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha ha. Good rules for sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the witty repartee!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Liz. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’d have to know ahead of time what will be going on when you arrive at your destination to know whether to stay longer or leave earlier. It could be dangerous. That old Chevy is really impressive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think maybe it would be a good idea to research a place before dropping in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, that Chevy. Be still, my heart. Growing up, we were definitely Chevy people.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A lot of them were used by high school kids. Usually in the 53 to 54 range in 1956. Most were the second family car.
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh for the thrill of the heavy Chevy and your commentary, John.. who needs a show when you have a comic in house❣️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Cindy. So nice to say. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re so very welcome.. deserved 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
💜💜😁Great names and wonderful acts! More history learned….then great intercourse between you two guys on your way to the bar?!💜💜💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. We love to talk. Thank you, Willow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always enjoyable 😁😁💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cool car!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it is. Thanks, Jill.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A wonderful cause that charity supports.. And loved the chat… They don’t make cars like they used to.. ❤ Have a great Sunday John x
LikeLike
You as well, Sue. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the Uber ride this week! That was a golden era for automobiles in the US. Sorry you didn’t get to see at least one show, but a fun time travel!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you , Jan. Yeah it was fun.
LikeLike
Always a fun ride with you on Saturdays! Must have been quite the shindig to take up four theatres!
LikeLiked by 1 person
And 1400 across North America in a week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just crazy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Think about the planning without internet and e-mails.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly! Gonna miss you while you’re gone but also sending you fabulous vibes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Dale. 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed this, John. You really need to stay a little longer when you pull the plunger. Great Uber!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have to figure that out, Jennie. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now that’s a ride! And if you have enough Voodoo Rangers, you can imagine the concert!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent idea, Noelle. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great lineup, John, and that is one cool Uber ride! Happy Mother’s Day to your wife! 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lauren. Happy Mother’s Day to you as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a sweet ride. Makes you wonder how much the bank would ‘loan’ to buy one of those things? The ‘lone’ bank in my neighborhood might give us a tidy sum of cash to ride through a classic car event they host. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
We will have to steal the Chevy and see how much the lone, loan bank will pay.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😆
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
WOW! That was a 528 page souvenir.
Seems the best pics were of the promoters, agents, managers, the theatre owners, etc. It certainly served as a catalogue of talent and the businessmen.
I didn’t see any black entertainers, but there were a couple of black face entertainers. Definitely a time gone by.
I got to around page 300. I’ll go back later. I was thrilled to see Sophie Tucker. My grandmother was a fan.
Also Jack Benny and Burns & Allen are acts I know of.
Okay, enjoy your VooDoos. I’m going to check out the hood, then go Ranger around that souvenir a bit more!
OX OX OX OX
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was some booklet. I think Bill Robinson is in there. Glad you liked it. XO XO XO XO
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did like it!
AHH, the reverse OX! 💋
LikeLiked by 1 person
On my cell phone. OX 🐂 😁X 😁X
LikeLiked by 1 person
💋💋💋
LikeLiked by 1 person