The Traveling Corpse by Double Edge Press

or whatever.”
    The discussion ended when Nelly rapped on the
podium and asked for quiet. Then she said, “Before I make my
announcements, our park president has a special message.”
    Paul Potter, a tall, distinguished man with a
narrow mustache walked on the stage. He was wearing a golf shirt
with the BradLee logo of a triple palm tree stitched in green and
white on his chest pocket, plaid knee-length shorts, and running
shoes. Even wearing casual clothes, he had a certain dignity about
him. His audience listened carefully as he spoke into the
microphone. “I have an announcement to make. I don’t want to make
this announcement, but I must. The Board has tried, but we can’t
talk him out of it.” Paul paused for dramatic effect before saying,
“Our faithful Director of Bingo, Karl Kreeger, has resigned.”
    Loud murmurs filled the hall. Paul waited a
few seconds for the room to quiet before continuing, “He and his
wife, Kitty, are moving back to Ohio to be near their family. They
have put their house up for sale. As you know, Bingo is an
important part of the finances of our park. We do want to make sure
we keep it up and playing every Tuesday night. We need someone to
take over this task. I know there will be big shoes to fill after
the terrific job Karl has done for us for five years, but there is
so much talent in our park, the Board is confident we can fill this
vacancy soon. If you are interested in taking over Bingo, will you
please speak to me or to one of the Board members? Thank you. Now,
will you join me in showing Karl our deep appreciation by giving
him a standing ovation? Thank-you.”
    The BradLee family stood as one and clapped
and clapped and clapped. Barb whispered to Annie, “Remember what I
told you—that the Board thinks Karl is skimming money from
Bingo?”
    Annie nodded, “Yes.”
    Barb continued, “Think about all the luxuries
Karl has been buying lately. Last month it was a new van and this
month he bought a brand-new golf cart. It’s blue with gray side
curtains and his and Kitty’s names are painted on the front in
gray.”
    â€œIt’s a beauty,” Annie agreed. “The rest of
us that are lucky enough to have a golf cart have cream-colored
ones that are re-conditioned and came from some country club. One
key will start any of them.”
    After they sat down again, Nelly took the
mike and asked DeeDee to come to the piano on the stage. Nelly
called out the names of those having birthdays that week and asked
each honoree to stand. DeeDee struck the opening chord, and
everyone joined her, singing: “Happy Birthday to you! Happy
Birthday to you! Happy Birthday, God Bless You, Happy Birthday to
you!” She played the familiar song a second time, and they sang to
those couples having wedding anniversaries
    Nelly had a long list of announcements about
the many activities running in their park. It was nearly ten
o’clock, and the crowd was getting restless. Nelly had a reputation
as a good storyteller; so they stayed to the end to hear Nelly’
closing joke: “This is a true story. This summer I met a woman on
my trip to the Gaspe Peninsula. Her husband seemed to be a very
nice man, if a little exacting. The woman rolled her eyes and told
me, ‘When I married Mr. Right, I didn’t know his first name was
Always!’”
    Â 
    * * *

    As soon as Coffee Hour was over, the crowd
began leaving. Von joined Tom-Tom and his ‘Merry Men’ and began
straightening the chairs under tables and sweeping out the room.
Doc headed for the kitchen, and Brad walked to the Annex for the
Board’s workshop. Art and the four women began decorating the hall.
Barb, who was a natural organizer, and a very efficient one,
immediately took charge. Annie chuckled to herself; she didn’t mind
that her friend was taking over her job. DeeDee winked at Annie,
letting her know that she knew that Barb was being