| The Salt Lake City Concert (Opus II) For NaNo 2009, The second volume in the "Grand Organ Mysteries" fiction series.
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Created: 10:08pm on 10-16-2009
Modified: 12:01am on 11-19-2009 | |
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Entry #674495, added on 11-05-09 @ 12:51 am EST.
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Title:
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Pipe Dreams was a wonderland to behold for a first-time visitor. It was a dream come true for those who called it home. Comprised of five “major” buildings, and scores of smaller structures to help the Grand Organ employees do their assigned tasks, it was a sprawling expanse in the Bluegrass region of Central Kentucky.
The “tunnel” connected the main estate building from the “barn”, which was anything but. On the main floor were a conference room, a 500-seat Auditorium with state-of-the-art electronics, audio, stereo and lighting gear and a complete audio/video recording studio; and the employees cafeteria, which could create as many as 1,500 meals, three times each day (or more if needed). The exit from the Main Building (the “house) tunnel brought Dr. Blair, Josiah Young, and Betty Jensen into the main Foyer of the cafeteria. It was a very casually impressive site, and it was also one of Betty's main responsibilities to her employer and friend. She was the Grand Organ Productions Operations Manager. Her imprint was on everything she touched here, and nowhere more so than the professionally appointed kitchen and dining areas of the cafeteria. Betty was everyone's mother. Sometimes, she was forced to remind one of her charges that she was also their boss.
She did it with love and tenderness—with everyone except, it seemed, Melvin Blair.
Her first response to just about anything her employer headed her way was angst and exasperation. It was a mutual agreement with the two that, regardless of what was said, or how, at the end of each day they were friends. Sometimes, Blair thought the days were just too long! Betty could not have cared less. Hers was a gentle, but firm hand on the Grand Organ ship. No one doubted that reality twice.
The trio entered the cafeteria commons arms joined together, with Betty in the middle. There were only about 20 people dining this noontime, it seemed. Having Dr. Blair in their midst was nothing new to these folks, yet everyone noticed when “the boss” was present. Smiling, and waving, Blair and his escorts proceeded to the cafeteria line.
Money was not dispensed for meals here; good will was. Dr. Blair genuinely appreciated his staff, and went to any lengths reasonably possible to let them know it. Engaging each line worker in casual chat, it was readily apparent to his guest that Melvin Blair knew the life history—or at least that part which mattered, of every single employee on the food service line. Betty led the way down the line of sterling silver steam trays, smiling as she stopped at each one. Although she had no reason to need to, she asked every single server what was in each container. It was her way of generating conversation with her staff. Only she could come up with a workable ice breaker at a steam tray!
The connection between Father and Son was total. It was moments like this that Melvin Blair had only dreamed about for so very long. Just seeing his son walk into a room changed his attitude and outlook on everything. Not so long ago, things had been quite different.
Cameron was also an employee of the firm. His office and living quarters were on the second floor of the barn. It had been his choice for living accommodations when he had first arrived at Pipe Dreams. He kept his own bedroom in the Main Building, but he had access to all his business requirements, a study area, den, and sleeping space here as well. His was the responsibility for seeing that all Dr. Blair's' needs were met on a timely basis; from the first pot of coffee every morning at 6AM, until the musical legend retired each night. Cameron was Blair's Executive Assistant, traveling with the Impresario whenever his work required his presence away from the estate, no matter where that might be.
Only a few months previous, the two had become a family. While on a concert trip to France, Blair had asked Cameron Michaels to be his son. Cameron had agreed, not knowing that Blair had already petitioned the Family Court for adoptive rights. The two were still figuring out their familial relationships. They had been completely dependent upon each other for survival for a long time. They were so loyal to one another that becoming a legal family seemed somewhat of an anti-climax for their relationship. They were working on it, with a lot of help from a lot of people. Cameron returned with his tray of food, and sat down beside Blair.
Blair looked, with an amused interest at the mountain of food the lanky teen had piled on his plate. No words were said, but the effect was certain. They connected, and all was well. Blair knew that, while Cameron was still a very slender young man, he burned calories at an alarming rate. At first, Blair had given this reality off to healing and mending body. Lately it seemed that Cameron just loved the food at Pipe Dreams.
“Goodness gracious, Cameron!” Betty was staring wide-eyed at the young man's plate. “There is such a thing as second helpings, you know!” She looked humorously angry as she peered into the sky blue eyes of the young man.
“Well, sure, Mrs. Jensen. But, why waste a trip?” Blair and Josiah Young broke out in guffaws of laughter.
“How many trips like that one do you think it will take to top off your tanks, young man?”
Cameron looked knowingly into the eyes of Josiah Young. “Well, at least two, Mr. Young. I missed breakfast.”
Betty Jensen looked down, and mumbled something into her plate.
“What did you say, Betty?” Blair had heard every word she said under her breath.
“I said that the pigs would be grateful for the saved bacon!”
Cameron blushed, his golden blonde hair flashing off his newly apple-red cheeks. “I can't help it, I'm hungry!”
“Eat! Eat, already! Just don't try to put a nap into your afternoon schedule, young man. You have work to do!”
“Yes, ma'am. I know it. Boy, don't I just know it!” Cameron shook his head in defeat.
She knew the meal was a success. She was very pleased with the staff—again. Betty Jensen was also aware of a now all-too-familiar feeling in her gut. Her number one charge was going to be out of her sight in a few hours. Her countenance changed from playful cohort to concerned adult.
Blair looked at her as the change came over her. It was only momentary, but it was readily apparent to him. The two traded a look: Blair's confident assuring glance met her overly protective nature. Neither gave an inch; they never would. This was their combined role as the adult care-givers of the young man-boy between them. Blair's confidence was pure effect, but he could not allow his son to see him with a concerned wrinkle on his face. Cameron was hyper-sensitive to Blair's emotional state. Learning to mask his true emotions was one of Melvin Blair's most difficult tasks. He certainly did not fool Betty. Her look of concern transformed itself into a screaming glare of anger.
“Why do you let him DO this?” Her face screamed. “He'll be fine! Captain Stearns will be watching over him, along with Josiah.” Blair's face retorted silently.
“He'd better be, Melvin Blair!” Betty Jensen always saw her way clear to get the last word in any real conversation with her friend, even when it was only a serious of shared looks.
“You 'll have approximately five hours in the air today, Cameron. Then, five more tomorrow.”
“Yes, sir. But Captain Stearns is letting me do more and more in the LearJet each time. Hopefully, I'll go from takeoff to rollout tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to it.” The ensuing silence brought his eyes up, and into the direct gaze of Dr. Blair.
“What did I say?” Blair studied the face of the young man he knew was his son.
“Make me proud of you in the cockpit, Cameron. Okay?”
“Yes, sir. You know I will.”
He looked at Betty. “Yes, I'll be careful!”
They knew each other so well, that was all the conversation required. It was a calming moment for them all. Ignoring elephants, especially when they were making puddles of poop in the living room was an activity all three abhored. Now, it had been said. Everything would return to normal. Josiah Young watched the entire conversation with interest.
“You are a very lucky man, Melvin.”
Blair looked inquisitively into the wise eyes of his friend. His composure relaxed noticeably as he let out a slow, deep sigh. “Yes, Josiah. I am a very lucky man, indeed. I have everything any man could ever want, and it's all right where my feet are. I feel very blessed.”
“So you should. So you should.”
Young looked to the smiling face of Cameron Blair. “Will you be staying with us this time, Cameron?”
“No sir, I won't. I have to be right back here for work tomorrow morning. That was the agreement that we made. I have a concert to prepare for. I'm wishing I could just stay there for a couple of weeks. I do love your spread so much, and I miss my horses very badly. Maybe later, like next spring, I could come out for a couple of weeks—if everything works out for it, that is. Around here, you never know what's going to happen!”
Young smiled.
“Oh, don't I know it. I've seen very strange things pop up out of nowhere around your Dad, here.”
Cameron looked at his father, his new father. It was still a thought process he had to go through almost every time someone else mentioned Dr. Blair as his Dad. He was working on it. Blair winked at him, and Cameron smiled.
“Oh, I'm used to that part. Just expect the unexpected, prepare for the worst, and be grateful for survival. Right, Doc?”
“Precisely, Cameron. You have it right. But, most importantly, have a Grand Adventure in the process!”
They all laughed, and the tension was removed from their existence. They shared the next 30 minutes engaging in totally unimportant small talk. Blair knew he would walk on his knees, backwards, through a minefield of glass for just such a moment as this. Cameron knew that he would fight hordes to have moments this close to his Dad. Betty just felt the love embrace her, coursing her fears away. Josiah Young just took it all in. His wisdom was in the observation of all things, and he had spent many difficult years observing things no human should ever have to witness. This was a very nice moment for him.
“Cam, Mr. Young has agreed to visit the troopers with me after lunch. He's going to look them over and let me know if there are any problems with the entire herd. Can you join us?”
“No, Sir. I've got a lot of work to do this afternoon for Captain Stearns, on top of everything I'm doing with the Visitor's Center in Salt Lake. I wish I could, but duty comes before pleasure.”
“I see. Well, you know best what you need to be doing. I think we can handle this chore without you; just don't make a habit out of it. I'd hate to think I could actually complete a task unassisted around here!”
Cameron smiled. Message received. “I love you too, Dad. Thanks.”
The youth rose, grabbing his tray of now-empty dinnerware.
I don't mean to be rude, but I really must be getting back to work. Thanks for the lunch, Mrs. Jensen. It was totally cool!”
Smiling, she looked up into the ever-growing height of her favorite male in the world.
“I didn't cook it, you know. But I will pass on your appreciation to cook, Cameron.”
“Mr. Young, I believe we are supposed to meet Captain Stearns over at the hangar about 5:00 this afternoon. I'll plan on meeting you at the plane, alright?”
Young rose, bringing everyone to their feet. He reached out his hand. The two shook hands.
“That will be just fine. I'll look forward to it.”
“Alright, then. I'll see you later.”
Cameron re-shuffled the tray into both hands, and walked slowly to the kitchen.
“Shall we go visit the livestock, Josiah?”
“Surely, Melvin. Just, let's go slowly. I'm kind of partial to the weather here in the Fall. I'd like to enjoy the elements for a bit, too.”
“Well, then! Let us go see what we shall see, shall we my friend?”
“Indeed, we shall. Betty, will you be joining us?”
“Are you kidding me? Tromping around horse barns with 'him'? I get enough of that kind of floor covering every day in this office! No thank you, very much!”
Blair sighed, and Young laughed. Betty ribbed Melvin Blair in the sides.
“Go on out there and feed your troopers, Melvin. You need them, and Lord knows they surely need you.”
“I won't be too long, Betty. I have to check on the packaging of the manuscript upstairs later. Just a few minutes will do, I believe.”
“I'll meet you in the office in two hours. Be ready, or you will get no dinner! Hear me?”
“Yes, Betty. Message received. I love you, too!”
The three walked back through the tunnel, and arrived in the kitchen of the main building. Betty went to work on making the next pot of coffee for the men-folk, while they headed through the office and out onto the rear patio. They could see, feel, touch and even ride the animals if they chose from there.
Betty Jensen had a set to her jaw. Most who knew her would warn simply mortal humans well away from her at such times. She had “that” feeling again. Whenever she felt it, she always paid attention to it. Her intuition had never failed her. She didn't know what. She didn't know why. Something had gotten under her skin, and was simply refusing to let go.
“Damn!” She said to the coffee pot.
Bud
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