Working on setting from Dancing Fool

Setting of the consignment shop

Kathy Heim

11-9-23

Luckily, Benny found himself with several minutes to spare, auditions didn’t begin until 9:00. He slowed his pace to catch his breath and calm his heart. Just ahead of him, on the right, he noticed a navy blue awning jutting out over the sidewalk.  “Connie’s Consignments” was spelled out in gold scripted letters. He’d never noticed this shop even though he’d passed by hundreds of times before.  Curiosity drew him near the entrance.  The top half of the stained wooden door was glass where an “Open” sign hung on a hook from the inside. The hand drawn sign on the storefront window, lettered in pink chalk paint stated,  “Second Chances are Waiting for You!”   Intrigue and the need for an unstained shirt drew him inside.  The door creaked open and a bell rang as he entered and a tabby cat leapt off the counter and scurried to the back of the store showing no interest in him.  Show tunes softly played in the background,  Bali Ha’i he thought from South Pacific.  Such a soulful song he mused.  Benny looked around to get his bearings.  Crowded racks of clothing crammed the little shop.  Women’s in the front, and men’s in the back. Framed artwork from local artists hung along the walls.  Most were watercolor paintings of Broadway playbills, Damn Yankees, Nine, Lion King, Wicked, Damn Yankees, and the like.  The middle of the shop opened up to a square shaped area with a raised wooden floor. A three way mirror anchored one side.  Along another side were tables of handbags, shoes, and men’s ties.  His eyes landed on an old stereo system topped with tens of 45 records and cassette tapes. It clicked a few times and  “Wash that Man Right Out of My Hair” began to play.  Benny was tempted to soak up more of the store, but he reminded himself of his need to buy a fresh shirt, so he headed to the back straight for the men’s shirts.