Jerry looked like a sad puppy. When Katy asked him what was wrong, he started talking about the lack of activity on the dance floor when his band was playing. It wasn't really unusual for a week night but he was worried because his band was being scouted for next year's tour and an empty dance floor wasn't a good thing. Chris handed him a glass of champagne and stared into space for awhile. Suddenly, he looked at Katy and smiled. Then he began speaking rapidly to both of them as he explained his plan. After a few minutes, both Jerry and Katy had agreed and Chris gave Jerry some notes about the plan.
He then signaled for a waiter and asked to speak to the Maitre-de. When the Maitre-de approached, Jerry thanked Chris and Katy for their help and left to speak with his band members. Chris asked the Maitre-de a few pointed questions, then requested him to prepare for his part in the plan. The Maitre-de nodded his agreement and Chris thanked him. Now all they had to do was wait for Jerry to begin the festivities. Katy was blushing furiously at the prospect and almost gulped another glass of champagne in an attempt to calm her nerves. Jerry stepped up to the bandstand and, after a short tuning session, gave the signal for an extended drum roll. He silenced the drummer and turned to the microphone, highlighted by a bright spotlight.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention please. First, I would like to thank you on behalf of myself and the members of the band for dining here at Luigi's tonight. We hope that our music will enhance your dining pleasure and we invite you to dance."
"Tonight is a special night for us and I beg your kind indulgence as we depart from our regular program. We travel nine months of the year throughout the fifty states and Canada and, in some years, across several continents as well. Occasionally, we have the good fortune to make friends in some of these cities and sometimes, when we visit a city for the second or third time, a friend we have made on a previous visit will come to see us."
"On these occasions, we catch up as friends do on the events in each others lives but due to our travel schedule, we are usually the last to know about such major events as marriages and births and sadly, even deaths. Tonight we are in the enviable position of being the first to know some good news and we would like to share that news with you."
"In our audience tonight is an old friend from Brisbane, Australia. This gentleman has long been a supporter of our band and has attended many of our play dates. Tonight he is here for the first time ever with a particular young lady."
"Ooops, I'd had better check my facts before I say something wrong. Chris, did she say yes? Terrific.. Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my great pleasure to be the first to introduce to you Mr. Chris Carter and his brand new fiancee, Ms Katy Riley. Chris and Katy, please honor us with a dance and you folks, after they have covered the dance floor, please join the happy couple on the night of their engagement. Gentlemen, since Ms. Riley is dressed in blue, we will play the Blue Skirt Waltz. Ah one, Ah Two, Ah three...."
The spotlight moved to cover Chris and Katy as they stepped on to the dance floor and began moving to the melody, smiling brightly at each other. Jerry began singing the words the second time through the melody.
"I remember that night with you, lady when first we met....Come on, folks, help me out with this...."
"We danced in a world of blue, how can my heart forget.....Not you, Chris, you just keep dancing...."
"Blue were the skies, and blue were your eyes, just like the blue skirt you wore...that's it, a little louder now.... Come back blue lady come back and don't be blue any more....great, keep singing...."
The assembled crowd repeated the words a second time, then Jerry invited them to join Chris and Katy on the dance floor just like they would have joined a bride and groom at a wedding reception. Slowly, one couple at a time, they began to come to the floor. The first couple came up to them and actually cut in, leaving Chris with the woman and Katy with her partner. Several more couples came up to congratulate them and in moments, the dance floor was filled with happy faces. When the song finally ended, the dancers applauded both the band and the happy couple.
Chris stepped to the microphone and asked for quiet.
"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for your warm regards. Both Katy and I are a long way from home but you have made us extremely happy. I'll kill Jerry later but for now we would like you all to join in our little celebration. Pierre, can we have a round of champagne for the house, please. Thank you. The waiters will be coming around with champagne for everyone. Please have a glass and drink to your good health and happiness. We are most grateful for your kind consideration. We hope you enjoy the remainder of your evening."
