Jenny Takes A Ride

Jenny remembered how she had been set up. It was a Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels concert at Coya’s Castle in Lenexa. She was there with her girl friends and they were teasing her about the hit song, Jenny Take A Ride. She thought it was a cool song, too, but she just wasn’t prepared for the way things happened that night. Her blue mini-skirt and white go-go boots set her up for a night of hot dancing. She never dreamed she would be on stage.
“What’s your name, sweetheart?” the fat man asked.
“Jenny, Jenny Linn,” she offered somewhat anxiously. She didn’t know this man and who you don’t know, you don’t trust. She went on the female defensive. Her mother had taught her well, “With that short of a skirt, you keep them legs crossed, little lady.”
“Well, now, Jenny Linn. Is that the same Jenny Lind, the famous Swedish diva?” Fat Man smiled and offered his hand. He kind of looked like P.T. Barnum and Jenny remembered what else her mother had said, “Don’t forget, young lady, there’s a sucker born every minute, P.T. Barnum said that.” She looked the Fat Man right in the eye and shook back her red hair to one side. Her emerald green eyes flashed. That’s how she did with men.
“No, sir,” Jenny said ignoring his puffed up, outstretched hand. “but I can sing as good as I want to.”
The Fat Man laughed, “We’ll just see about that,” and he turned and walked toward the stage. The lights were still up but the place was starting to get crowded.
“Hey!” Jenny yelled, “I do know who Jenny Lind is.”
“I never thought for a minute you didn’t,” Fat Man turned and pointed his pinky at her. Flashes of colored light from his diamond ring startled Jenny for a bit.
She got a cold can of Coors and watched the people filing in. It was a hot summer night, just right for a rock and roll concert. The roadies were testing the vocal mics and setting up about ten or twelve six foot tall Kustom amps. The blue roll and tuck plastic covering on the amps sparkled in the spots. Jenny felt like going up there. It was like a magnetic draw and she really wanted to be on stage. She spotted the Fat Man and made her move.
"Hey, mister, any chance I can do an opening number while the crowd moves on in?"
"Now what makes you think you can just walk on stage and sing, Jenny?'
"Well, it would give you a chance to check the sound man out, and maybe you might discover a new talent," Jenny boldly looked him in the eyes and stood there, almost like she was at attention or ready to spring to the stage as soon as he gave her the nod.
"Not tonight, little girl, this is too big of a gig and besides these are union musicians and wont take kindly to a non-union singer."
Jenny reached into her purse. "Here you go, sir, Local No. 40, my mom used to be secretary there and I've been a member since I was a kid singing on some local radio shows with my folks. We did country western and bluegrass gospel."
Fat Man laughed so hard he was shaking all over. "OK, but you're singing for free."
"Unh Uh, momma told me never to sing for free and I want scale."
Fat Man looked her over for a second then turned around and walked off but she could see that he was laughing. He turned around and pointed his finger at her, his giant ring flashing again. "OK, scale, but you better rock this place. I'll talk to Mitch and get his band out here. Oh, by the way, what are you going to sing?"
"How about Johnny B. Goode?"
"You got it, little girl, get on up there and let's rock and roll!" Fat Man headed for the stage where the Detroit Wheels were getting ready. He said a few words to them and motioned Jenny up to the mic. The house lights went down and the spots came on.
"All right, Kansas city rockers, let's roll!" Fat Man yelled into the mic. "First up tonight we have a treat for you all. You all know Mitch's song Jenny Take A Ride? Well, here's Jenny, Kansas City's own prairie canary, Miss Jenny Linn singing Johnny B. Goode!"