Chapter Text
Wind was blowing hard that afternoon. The weather outdoors was a bit chilly. Jay McCarey was leaving Detroit for a while. He was asked to be happy to do a radio show in Milwaukee with retired actor, Henry Webber. Jay was free, so he took the opportunity to do so. He was planning to bring the guys with him and if they'd be happy to go with him. They said they'd be happy to.
The guys were leaving first thing Saturday morning. Jay was going on one of the most popular disc jokes' radio show in Milwaukee. Jay had always enjoyed listening to one of his favorites, Peter Black. Peter had been a success. One day Peter knew who Jay was and contacted him by e – mail, asking if he'd be interested on being a guest on the show and so Jay accepted.
Jay was going to be on the seven o'clock morning show. Peter wanted to interview Jay about his career as an Elvis Presley impersonator. Jay wasn't sure if Henry was going to be on the same time as he was, but really didn't have a thought about it. Bill Thompson, Jay's best friend, was tagging along for the ride with Steve Griswold on Jay's interview with Peter.
No, Bill and Steve weren't going to be on the interview, but were there to watch. It wasn't necessary for Steve t bring his camera along since this interview was for radio only. The guys didn't seem to care either way. Before Jay left for Milwaukee to do the interview, he thought he'd get a trim.
He had no time to get his haircut here in Detroit, so his best opportunity was to get it done before the radio show. Karen McCarey, his younger sister, used her break to help him pack his bags for the trip with the guys. Carla Sanchez, a friend of theirs, was a roommate to Karen.
Karen, Tina Thompson, Carla, and Carla's older cousin, Marlene Potpie were looking forward to their girls' night out. Jay was to fly to Milwaukee in about a couple of days. This has been Jay's very first time to be on a radio show such as this one. This thrilled Jay to be interviewed by his favorite disc jockey.
Even Bill and Steve were surprised their friend was actually going to do this. They knew one hundred percent Jay would do just fine and n worries for Jay. Before taking off, Jay decided to say one quick prayer for him and the guys to a safe trip.
"Heavenly Father, this is a very exciting opportunity for me to do a radio interview with a DJ I really like. Please look over my sister, Karen, Carla Sanchez, Marlene Potsie, Tina Thompson and Madeline Evans while I am away for this interview. Please let myself, Bill Thompson and Steve Griswold have a safe trip. Amen," Jay prayed.
"That was a nice prayer, Jay," Karen told him.
She herself was indeed a need for a trim as well.
"Thank you, Sis. We should be going now. I just want to play safe to be there one day ahead of schedule," Jay replied.
"As a musician, you really do have to show up early, hotcakes," Marlene told him.
"True, Marlene."
Jay had never liked Marlene calling him hotcakes but she'd been calling him that since the first day they met. He'd grown used to the nickname hotcakes these past few years. Jay planned to bring along his CD player. He had never been sure if Peter would ask him to sing something or not so he thought he'd come prepared.
Jay's manager, Paul Francis was coming along as well. As manager, Paul always had to be with Jay, even if Jay was doing concerts. While driving his only car, a red 1990 convertible, Jay was able to drive himself, Bill, and Steve to the airport. Paul would meet them at the hotel. True, Paul was the one who arranged a date for Jay to be at a nearby hotel where Peter was doing the show.
Peter had been in the business for a few years and had gotten a lot of reviews about his radio show. Paul didn't seem to care whether Jay invited his friends. Steve was disappointed a bit since this show didn't involve cameras. He was also sad since he couldn't bring his girlfriend, Madeline along.
Once Jay and his friends got off the airplane at the Milwaukee Airport, he and his friends saw there was a rainstorm. Jay had been happy he bought his jacket and long sleeve shirt along. That day, Jay was wearing a flannel yellow T – shirt. He thought this shirt was a good shirt to bring on the trip. He also was wearing black jeans and gray socks and shoes.
Jay thought he'd bring along a purple raincoat if of rainshowers. Once making it safely to Comfort Inn, the hotel Paul had registered for his stay in Milwaukee. After bringing their bags in the lobby, it was starting to thunder. The rain started coming down big time.
"Jay McCarey," Jay said once he went up to the young man in his early thirties.
The kid looked to be a college student, Steve thought. It was twenty after four in the afternoon when Jay and his friends registered for their rooms. Bill was recognized by the desk clerk.
"You're the mystery writer, aren't you?" the man asked as Bill nodded.
"One and only," Steve remarked, seeing the nametag read Taylor.
Taylor didn't recognize Steve. Taylor never watched National Geographic so he didn't reply to Steve. After handing the keys, Taylor said, "Enjoy your stay."
"We will," Bill said.
After the three friends rode the elevator to the fourth floor, Steve said, "I'm sorry to leave my camera behind."
"You do know this has nothing to do with cameras, Steve," Jay reminded him.
"I know."
"I know you'll do well on this show, Jay," Bill said.
"Thanks, Bill. You remind me of Barry," Jay replied, thinking of his friend, Barry Manilow.
Jay had known Barry for twenty – nine and a half years now. He knew Barry since they were business partners.
After opening their doors, Jay told Bill and Steve he would meet them in the lobby. Bill said he would treat dinner. Jay walked into the room, which held a built – in TV set with the clicker on the drawer, a drawer or two for packing your clothes in, a table for work, a chair, two kings bed, a small bathroom, and last, but not least, the sink in the area you walk into the room.
Jay wanted to take a few minutes to settle in before meeting Bill and Steve in the lobby for supper. Before he could unpack, he heard his cell phone beep. His only guess it was Paul calling at this time. He thought Paul was checking up on him to make sure he made it safely.
"Yes, Paul. Bill, Steve and I just checked in. We'll be going out shortly," Jay told Paul.
"All right, Jay. I shall see you three in the morning. I think we all have time for breakfast after the interview."
"Sounds good, Paul. See you then."
Jay was settled in fie minutes later. Bill was the first one to wait.
"Paul just called. He wanted to make sure we arrived safely," Jay said.
"Cool," Bill said.
"Is Paul joining us for supper?" Steve asked.
"No. He's just meeting us at the radio station. He said we'll have more time for breakfast after the interview," Jay told his friends.
"Sounds good," Steve remarked but didn't seem to care.
The three friends went to a small Chinese place for supper that night. Jay decided to order a salad. He usually ate healthy and didn't have a sweet tooth like most people do. After the three finished the finishing touches of their meal, the waitress whose name was Anita, returned with the bill. Jay offered to tip Anita. As promised, Bill paid the bill.