Chapter Text
Carmine bought a dance studio at an affordable price. He finally felt like he was getting back on his feet. Sure the job of singing telegrams was nice but it was not his dream. Not long after Carmine owned it, he Got a visit.
Kids were coming in with their mothers. 4 girls and 2 boys were about 8 years old. As soon as they were ready and lined up Carmine came over. The mothers watched from the benches.
“Ok, today we are going to learn a new tapping number,” Carmine said then he preceded to show them how. He pulled it off flawlessly
He told them to spread out and try it. The kids proceeded to copy and they all did a pretty good job.
“Not Bad it could use some practice. You can go get some water and then please pair off into groups of two and practice.” Carmine said
The kids all took a little break sipping their water. Then they did as they were told pairing off into twos. They continued to practice for a while longer as Carmine went around helping them critique their form. After they were done they got back into line formation.
“Ok, I would like to see you all try again,” Carmine said He noticed the door open and a man walked in and stood by the door.
All kids by the end of the class got the tap routine down except for one. He would talk to them before they left so they would not be embarrassed.
“Ok, that concludes today’s tap dancing lesson, Emily can you please get your mom?” Carmine said eyeing the guy that was watching from the back. He had been waiting for the last fifteen minutes.
He waited till all the other mothers and kids left. Emily and her mom came up to him.
“Hello, My name is Martha I’m Emily’s mom. Is there something wrong?” Martha said
Carmine looked at her and then at Emily. Emily looked sad. Carmine looked at the girl and then back at Martha.
“She is a great student I was just gonna say to make sure that she gets plenty of practice in at home. I see a lot of potential keep up the good work!” Carmine expressed
“Thank you, Mr. Ragusa I will make sure she practices. Tell him thank you, Emily! “ Martha said
“Thank you, Mr. Ragusa.” Emily quietly said With that, they gathered their things and left.
He approached the man. In the back. He was thin and tall with a mustache, brown hair, and eyes. He was wearing a brown business suit with a pink tie.
“Hi my name is Alan and I am looking for someone to teach dancing and singing. I have been going to local dance studios to find someone. Of course, you will have to try it out.” He told Carmine reaching out his hand to shake.
“ Hi, Carmine Ragusa I am a singer, dancer, and dance instructor. I’ve been dancing and singing practically all my life.” He shook his hand back
“ I saw you teaching you’re good. I don’t say that about everyone. ” Alan reassured
“Sure I can audition when is it?!” Carmine asked
“I am looking forward to seeing you try out. If you give me your name and number I will call you and let you know. First I need to talk to my boss and then we will give you an audition to teach. Here is my business card.” Alan said
Carmine wrote down his name and number for him and gave the epic of paper to the man. Carmine sat there for a while in contemplation. He gathered his things and locked up the building.
He went over to talk to Shirley as he did before. Laverne was out so it worked out to have time with her alone. At first, he hesitated but then he decided to knock.
“Carmine, what are you doing here?” Shirley asked
“I have something I want to talk to you about. Are you alone? I kinda want to keep this private.” Carmine asked
“Yes I am alone Laverne is on a date right now,” Shirley said closing the door.
Shirley was sitting on the couch once again trying to be the voice of reason in Carmine’s life. She did seem to be good at calming his doubts. Carmine was kinda nervous he was pacing the floor. And going up and down the stairs again until Shirley was fed up.
“Carmine, you have got to stop doing this to yourself! You did this last time!” Shirley reminds him.
“Yeah some good that did me. I keep trying and Failing. It’s just hard because I try! Carmine sadly confessed running in place.
“ I know you do sweetheart! This may be your big chance you never know unless you try. I know it is hard, but you must keep your chin up!” Shirley encouraged him as she took his hand and led him to the couch. He sat down her on the couch next to her.
‘You gave this speech last time!” Carmine reminded her with a tone of doubt and sadness in his voice.
“Yes, and I meant and Still mean every word!” Shirley added. She put her hands on his shoulders.
Carmine got that look in his eye and Shirley was not really in the mood. She took her hands off his shoulders.
“Now Carmine I love you, but I think you should go home and rest so you can be ready for your interview!” Shirley said getting up.
Carmine got the hint, Shirley had done this before. He followed her cue and headed for the door.
“I know this might be pressing it but could I get a good luck kiss on the cheek, “ Carmine said hopefully. She agreed and gave him a kiss on the cheek he left with a smile on his face.
A couple of days later Carmine went to the audition and danced and sang his heart out. The guy he saw the other day told him they would call that afternoon. Carmine Gave his number to them and went to Shirley’s apartment to wait for the call. He made sure the call would go to their phone so he could have Shirley by his side. He loved her so much! She was his rock! He was so grateful for her.
Carmine knocked on their door and came in. Shirley Could tell by the look in his eyes he was nervous and had not gotten an answer yet. Laverne had no idea what was going on. Shirley filled her in.
“That would be great! Carmine, you would be a shoo-in.” Laverne said cheerfully
The phone rang and everyone practically jumped on it. Luckily Carmine got to it first. The girls were listening intently watching every move of his face for emotion.
“Hello this is Carmine Ragusa!” Carmine said nervously. The voice on the other end was Alan
“Yes, this is Alan I would like to say my partners and bosses were quite impressed by your skills. we would be glad to have you on our team.” Alan said. Before he could finish what he was about to say Carmine dropped the phone.
Carmine was speechless he was glued to the floor. He could not believe it. The girls were trying to snap him out of it.
“Carmine, what did they say? Carmine!” Shirley said
“Yeah was it good news? Was it bad news?” Laverne
“ I can’t believe it! I got the job, I got the job! Carmine said excitedly with a huge grin on his face then he realized he needed to pick the phone back up.
“Hello, Carmine, Mr. Ragusa are you there?” Alan said waiting for a reply. Carmine picked it up and continued to listen.
“Yeah I am here, un huh, un huh Really!!! Yeah, I can start on Monday! Thank you! Ok, goodbye.” Carmine said shocked and almost unable to speak.
The girls were looking at him waiting for him to get off the phone. They were all standing by the phone
“I got the Job!” Carmine said excitedly trying to not
“Oh, Carmine I am so proud of you! I knew you could do it!” Shirley said excitedly giving him a kiss
“Yea, you finally got off your boom boom and made something of yourself!” Laverne added.
A couple of days later Lenny and Squiggy found out about his deal. They went over to talk to him.
There was a knock at the door. Carmine was not expecting anyone but went over and answered it anyways. He was less than thrilled to see Lenny and Squiggy at the door.
“Hello! we have come to make you a prapisition of the business variety! You know the Squig-Nowski talent agency is more than willing to represent you! For a slight fee of course. ” Squiggy said walking over to him. Lenny is right behind him. With a contract and pen in hand.
“Yeah, we know how to take talent and make it big!” Lenny added with a big grin
“I don’t think I need a contract!” Carmine said quickly
“That is foolish Carmine, we will be your medal men, and make sure you get a fair amount,” Squiggy said putting his arm around Carmine.
Carmine gave him a look of warning that made Squiggy Realize he needed to back off. He removed his hand from Carmine’s shoulder.
Awe does that mean I have to put on one of those bulky suits like the knights wear? I get so hot in those and it is hard to see.” Len asked with a whine in his tone.
“ We will talk about it later, but if it comes down to it yes and what have I told you don’t whine while we’re conducting business!” Squiggy stated
“Sorry Squig” Lenny apologized hanging his head
“I really don’t think this job requires a contract but once I know more about it I may change my mind.” Carmine said shortly he was getting annoyed and wanted the boys to leave at this point.
“Well if you change your mind you know where we are. Come on Len let’s go find someone who is grateful.” Squiggy said in a salty tone. With that Lenny and Squiggy left.
Carmine was left alone with his thoughts. He was proud of himself and he was happy that things were going great in his life.