Something in a Cloud (Details)
citation: Good Housekeeping, March 1949, 128(3):44-45, 258-259, 261-262, 264-267
alias: None
teaser: Dreams don't cost any more today than they used to. That's because Heaven's in charge in this case, for example
summary: From Pennsylvania Station, Charley Blaine, a short, perfectly ordinary sailor on leave in New York, telephones Annie Beasely, a girl whose number he was given by a mutual friend. As they speak, each imagines the other as the likes of a Ronald Coleman, or Kim Novak.
Explaining that his ship just got in, and that he is a stranger in New York,
Charley asks Annie to dinner. Initially
reluctant, Annie accepts his invitation, agreeing to meet him at the foot
of the Penn Station escalators. Certain they can recognize
each other from their imaginations, they don't exchange descriptions, Charley
boasting
don't worry; I'll know you all right.
At the appointed time, Charley and Annie stand on either side of the escalators, not recognizing the other, waiting for their dream dates. Each then sees their vision of the other, only to observe the two visions greet each other with a kiss, and walk off arm in arm, leaving the two dreamers each alone.
Realizing their mistakes, Charley and Annie now imagine the worst: that the other is hideous.
Pacing about, their eyes are attracted to each other, the clouds of imagination receeding. After a shy greeting, each deciding the other is quite acceptable, their images of each other are replaced by a reality more beautiful than either could have imagined.
words: 5,109
genre: None
similar: None
people: Charley Blaine, Annie Beasely, Benny Aicher, a woman, an Ensign
places: New York, NY: Penn Station
comments: Forthcoming