Chapter Two: The Ballroom
A year had passed since I took the journey of a lifetime. I kept the secret close to my heart. I thought about revisiting the experience many times, but honestly...I reasoned with myself that I had dreamed the whole thing up. If it was even real, perhaps I was a bit fearful of being stuck in time and never making it back home to the present day. It was all overwhelming.
This particular night I was drawn to the old Victrola in the corner. I could not be sure if it was its magical spell or the yearning for adventure in my quiet existence of a life. Who knew if my adventure was meant to happen once again? I could only hope.
I dimmed the lights and walked over to my precious Victrola, but this time with a plan in mind. Would it recognize my eagerness to return to its magic? It truly was as beautiful as the day my parents brought it home. I could feel my stomach actually turn and my hands were slightly sweaty. The anticipation of something miraculous happening was almost too much. This time however, I would be ready for whatever magic would come to me. But then...there was a slight apprehension too, I did not want to be disappointed either.
Taking a deep breath, I slowly lifted the lid, but before I could stop myself, I quickly put it down. Part of me was scared. What if nothing happens? I then had to reason with myself. Should I go back in time then what a treat that would be. If I do not...I will have my precious memories. So I took a deep breath and lifted the lid. I searched for the record I had in mind below and was finally able to locate it. I wanted a Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald song, and there… almost begging to be played, was ‘Dream a Little Dream of Me’. Being a romantic at heart, it the song always stirred those deep forgotten places within me.
I turned the crank until the record began to spin. I gently placed the arm down onto the record. In no time at all my head started spinning and this time I gave into the feeling and let go.
I opened my eyes and realized that I had moved through time once more. My heart started beating fast and I knew I was in for another great adventure. This journey started out slightly different however. I found myself standing in a small room. For a quick minute, I was slightly disappointed. There was nothing in the room but a long mirror that stood against the wall in front of an old wooden chair facing me. I could see myself in the mirror. My clothes were the same which made me a bit nervous. If I had indeed gone back in time, I knew my attire may not be in fashion and how would I explain myself?
I looked around the room and saw that a small window was open. I looked outside to observe people walking up and down a busy sidewalk. The crowds were laughing and appeared to have a good time. I could hear music coming from a club across the street. In big letters it said, 'Dreamland Ballroom’. I eased my way back from the window and had a seat in the chair.
I placed my head down into my hands and thought to myself, what am I to do? As if a voice beckoned me, I looked up and across the room to my surprise was the miracle I was looking for. There hanging was the most beautiful red satin dress I had ever seen. Red high heels, with diamonds across the straps, sat at the foot of the dress. I eased myself up from the chair and made my way over to the beautiful attire that awaited me. I knew instinctively they would fit. It was all part of the magic. I trusted the Victrola to bring me here, and I would trust her to have all that I needed in this adventure.
I felt like Cinderella as I slipped the high-heeled shoes on my feet. I looked in the mirror and of course, my hair and makeup were meticulously done. My hair was a bit longer with soft waves that came to my shoulders. My makeup was more subdued except for the bright ruby red lip color on my lips. Small diamond studs graced my ear lobes. They sparkled in the light as I turned my head side to side. Around my neck lay a beautiful diamond pendent. It sparkled like a real diamond, and although I realized that it must be a zircon, I thought that it looked even prettier than the obviously expensive diamonds. No diamond would be that big. It was as big as a pigeon’s egg! I looked down to where I had been sitting and there laid a small clutch purse, matching the dress perfectly. It had diamond sequins on it. I unsnapped its delicate latch and there lay was one admission ticket to none other than the Dreamland Ballroom. I could not help but smile to myself. My journey had now officially begun.
I walked gracefully down the stairwell to the outside. Traffic was bustling. I looked both ways,
picked up the bottom of my dress and made my way across the street to the ballroom. People
were already standing in line behind a large gold rope of some kind. I joined in the wait. The line
moved rather quickly. If someone would have caught my eye, I felt like they would think me an impostor and they could look right through me, knowing I did not belong in this space and time. I expected that at any moment someone would stand out in the crowd, point their finger at me, and yell... "There she is, the woman from the future!" Of course, this did not happen and I was thankful nevertheless.
The closer I got to the door, the more excited I became. The anticipation was almost too much. When I was finally able to see the ticket keeper, I was surprised in the way he greeted me. He offered such a warm welcome, as if he was familiar with me.
"Ma’am, we have been waiting for you, surly you have not stood in line all this time. Your
reserved table is as you requested; front row seat."
"Thank you kind sir," I replied. Once again I was playing the part that was given me.
With a somewhat of an elated sense of self importance, I entered the great room. I could see many small tables throughout the room. Elegant white tablecloths covered each one. I looked up to see the big band in the balcony playing. Beyond the tables was yet another stage with a dance floor.
I was interrupted in my thoughts as the maître d' said to me, "Madam may I escort you to your
table, the performers are waiting on you to be seated."
Waiting on me, I thought...of course they were!
I followed the maître d' to the table that was to the left of the dance floor but was located at the
very front of the stage.
"Would you like your usual wine madam?"
"Yes that would be so nice.” I replied as if all this was second nature.
He brought me a white wine that was sweet and tangy. I had no idea what was "my usual."
I left it to chance and so far I had not been disappointed once.
The big Jazz band in the balcony began to play. Couples showered the dance floor with their
presence. Something peculiar began to happen. As the couples danced by, they stared at me and smiled. The men would nod their heads as they danced by and the women would offer me a sweet smile. I felt like the whole room was focusing on me. If they thought I was some sort of celebrity, I would play the part well. I began to enjoy the star status. I leaned forward and twiddled the zircon pendant in my fingers, and watched it sparkle. I let it tap the rim of my wine glass so that it would send out a delicious little tinkle.
They will think I am so rich that I play with expensive baubles, I thought happily to myself.
But at that, with the silly twiddling of my gold chain, it broke! I hoped nobody had noticed and
suddenly I felt a bit silly. I wound the broken gold chain around my finger and held the pretty
zircon in the palm of my hand, so no one could see what I had done. I was enjoying myself so
much but I still could not help but wonder who everybody thought I was.
The band finished playing; the dance floor was once again empty. All of a sudden, the lights
dimmed, and a single light appeared on stage. A beautiful woman stepped into the light and
began to sing in such a sultry voice. The man beside her played the horn and together they made
beautiful music. I knew at once it was Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.
They looked at me and smiled. Ella and Louis starting singing their old favorite, “Dream a Little Dream of Me.” The song kept playing and I knew it was only a matter of time; I would have to return to my world. I was not sure if it was the wine or the music but I began to fade into nothingness.
I awoke, as before, standing in front of my Victrola. I felt a sadness come over me, as I knew this
may be my last time to travel through time and I had nothing to show for it. I had only my
memory. I went to put the top down and realized I had something in my right hand. It was none
other than my ticket to get into the ballroom. It was then that I had no doubts about this magical Victrola but it would be my secret to keep. Who would ever believe such a tale? Then there was another bonus. I looked down at my left-hand and there wound around my little finger was the broken gold chain… and when I opened my hand, the pretty pendent sparkled at me as if to say...
“Don’t forget me, I am here to remind you; always."
This particular night I was drawn to the old Victrola in the corner. I could not be sure if it was its magical spell or the yearning for adventure in my quiet existence of a life. Who knew if my adventure was meant to happen once again? I could only hope.
I dimmed the lights and walked over to my precious Victrola, but this time with a plan in mind. Would it recognize my eagerness to return to its magic? It truly was as beautiful as the day my parents brought it home. I could feel my stomach actually turn and my hands were slightly sweaty. The anticipation of something miraculous happening was almost too much. This time however, I would be ready for whatever magic would come to me. But then...there was a slight apprehension too, I did not want to be disappointed either.
Taking a deep breath, I slowly lifted the lid, but before I could stop myself, I quickly put it down. Part of me was scared. What if nothing happens? I then had to reason with myself. Should I go back in time then what a treat that would be. If I do not...I will have my precious memories. So I took a deep breath and lifted the lid. I searched for the record I had in mind below and was finally able to locate it. I wanted a Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald song, and there… almost begging to be played, was ‘Dream a Little Dream of Me’. Being a romantic at heart, it the song always stirred those deep forgotten places within me.
I turned the crank until the record began to spin. I gently placed the arm down onto the record. In no time at all my head started spinning and this time I gave into the feeling and let go.
I opened my eyes and realized that I had moved through time once more. My heart started beating fast and I knew I was in for another great adventure. This journey started out slightly different however. I found myself standing in a small room. For a quick minute, I was slightly disappointed. There was nothing in the room but a long mirror that stood against the wall in front of an old wooden chair facing me. I could see myself in the mirror. My clothes were the same which made me a bit nervous. If I had indeed gone back in time, I knew my attire may not be in fashion and how would I explain myself?
I looked around the room and saw that a small window was open. I looked outside to observe people walking up and down a busy sidewalk. The crowds were laughing and appeared to have a good time. I could hear music coming from a club across the street. In big letters it said, 'Dreamland Ballroom’. I eased my way back from the window and had a seat in the chair.
I placed my head down into my hands and thought to myself, what am I to do? As if a voice beckoned me, I looked up and across the room to my surprise was the miracle I was looking for. There hanging was the most beautiful red satin dress I had ever seen. Red high heels, with diamonds across the straps, sat at the foot of the dress. I eased myself up from the chair and made my way over to the beautiful attire that awaited me. I knew instinctively they would fit. It was all part of the magic. I trusted the Victrola to bring me here, and I would trust her to have all that I needed in this adventure.
I felt like Cinderella as I slipped the high-heeled shoes on my feet. I looked in the mirror and of course, my hair and makeup were meticulously done. My hair was a bit longer with soft waves that came to my shoulders. My makeup was more subdued except for the bright ruby red lip color on my lips. Small diamond studs graced my ear lobes. They sparkled in the light as I turned my head side to side. Around my neck lay a beautiful diamond pendent. It sparkled like a real diamond, and although I realized that it must be a zircon, I thought that it looked even prettier than the obviously expensive diamonds. No diamond would be that big. It was as big as a pigeon’s egg! I looked down to where I had been sitting and there laid a small clutch purse, matching the dress perfectly. It had diamond sequins on it. I unsnapped its delicate latch and there lay was one admission ticket to none other than the Dreamland Ballroom. I could not help but smile to myself. My journey had now officially begun.
I walked gracefully down the stairwell to the outside. Traffic was bustling. I looked both ways,
picked up the bottom of my dress and made my way across the street to the ballroom. People
were already standing in line behind a large gold rope of some kind. I joined in the wait. The line
moved rather quickly. If someone would have caught my eye, I felt like they would think me an impostor and they could look right through me, knowing I did not belong in this space and time. I expected that at any moment someone would stand out in the crowd, point their finger at me, and yell... "There she is, the woman from the future!" Of course, this did not happen and I was thankful nevertheless.
The closer I got to the door, the more excited I became. The anticipation was almost too much. When I was finally able to see the ticket keeper, I was surprised in the way he greeted me. He offered such a warm welcome, as if he was familiar with me.
"Ma’am, we have been waiting for you, surly you have not stood in line all this time. Your
reserved table is as you requested; front row seat."
"Thank you kind sir," I replied. Once again I was playing the part that was given me.
With a somewhat of an elated sense of self importance, I entered the great room. I could see many small tables throughout the room. Elegant white tablecloths covered each one. I looked up to see the big band in the balcony playing. Beyond the tables was yet another stage with a dance floor.
I was interrupted in my thoughts as the maître d' said to me, "Madam may I escort you to your
table, the performers are waiting on you to be seated."
Waiting on me, I thought...of course they were!
I followed the maître d' to the table that was to the left of the dance floor but was located at the
very front of the stage.
"Would you like your usual wine madam?"
"Yes that would be so nice.” I replied as if all this was second nature.
He brought me a white wine that was sweet and tangy. I had no idea what was "my usual."
I left it to chance and so far I had not been disappointed once.
The big Jazz band in the balcony began to play. Couples showered the dance floor with their
presence. Something peculiar began to happen. As the couples danced by, they stared at me and smiled. The men would nod their heads as they danced by and the women would offer me a sweet smile. I felt like the whole room was focusing on me. If they thought I was some sort of celebrity, I would play the part well. I began to enjoy the star status. I leaned forward and twiddled the zircon pendant in my fingers, and watched it sparkle. I let it tap the rim of my wine glass so that it would send out a delicious little tinkle.
They will think I am so rich that I play with expensive baubles, I thought happily to myself.
But at that, with the silly twiddling of my gold chain, it broke! I hoped nobody had noticed and
suddenly I felt a bit silly. I wound the broken gold chain around my finger and held the pretty
zircon in the palm of my hand, so no one could see what I had done. I was enjoying myself so
much but I still could not help but wonder who everybody thought I was.
The band finished playing; the dance floor was once again empty. All of a sudden, the lights
dimmed, and a single light appeared on stage. A beautiful woman stepped into the light and
began to sing in such a sultry voice. The man beside her played the horn and together they made
beautiful music. I knew at once it was Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.
They looked at me and smiled. Ella and Louis starting singing their old favorite, “Dream a Little Dream of Me.” The song kept playing and I knew it was only a matter of time; I would have to return to my world. I was not sure if it was the wine or the music but I began to fade into nothingness.
I awoke, as before, standing in front of my Victrola. I felt a sadness come over me, as I knew this
may be my last time to travel through time and I had nothing to show for it. I had only my
memory. I went to put the top down and realized I had something in my right hand. It was none
other than my ticket to get into the ballroom. It was then that I had no doubts about this magical Victrola but it would be my secret to keep. Who would ever believe such a tale? Then there was another bonus. I looked down at my left-hand and there wound around my little finger was the broken gold chain… and when I opened my hand, the pretty pendent sparkled at me as if to say...
“Don’t forget me, I am here to remind you; always."
Thank you so much for stopping by.
I hope you enjoyed Chapter Two.
Chapter 3 coming soon!
I hope you enjoyed Chapter Two.
Chapter 3 coming soon!
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