He scanned the shelves then brought down a box labeled "Tangia". Not much in that box, thought Ralph, but then again, Tangia did have a short, turbulent career. There were assorted 45's, two of the three albums, photos, even a rare video of a live performance. And, in that scanty collection, a copy of Tanya Deep, that notoriously raunchy sex flick.
Ralph, briefly scanning the photos and records, admitted, "You know I bought and watched that movie, but I couldn't watch anymore after the nightclub scene."
Darryl laughed, "Last time I watched it, I had to stop the tape after that scene. She was getting to me what with all that moaning and writhing around. Tangia had that effect on men, it is said. She was that rare performer way ahead of her time."
He found a 1964 magazine clipping, a review of one of Tangia's club acts. From that he read, "Tangia is the embodiment of raw, frank sexuality. While the majority of young attractive female singers tease and taunt in their tight dresses and slightly suggestive shimmies, Tangia explodes on stage. She becomes an ebony Aphrodite, a blatant wanton who celebrates and revels in her erotic power and freedom. With a body that would make Jayne Mansfield jealous, Tangia makes good use of it, showing it off shamelessly in a figure-hugging black sequined dress. Even her songs (which she writes herself) openly speak of sexual enjoyment, not the romantic stuff or mild innuendo heard on the radio. She pants, moans, writhes, wriggles, and slithers throughout an entire set, never once resting in between. Tangia growls and snarls with unquenchable lust, sliding from the first single, 'Wanna Beg?' to her last Top Twenty hit 'Rough Love'."
Ralph pondered these words, concluding, "No wonder her records got banned. And it's clear she never could appear on TV. So," he commented to Darryl, "If she couldn't channel her talents in mainstream music, how did she manage to make a living at...Hmm...How can I put it? Burlesque meets R&B."
"Well," Darryl replied as he took out more photos then put on a Tangia single, "her audience wasn't the usual teen crowd, not even the type who would listen to Motown or Spector's groups. She usually played nightclubs, strip joints, private parties, and of course made a couple of movies. Tanya Deep was the first. The Golden Bed was her last."
"Golden Bed?"
"Yeah, a sequel to the first Tanya flick. Her character goes on to star in soft porn flicks, and she literally screws nearly every male who comes her way. It's way hotter than the first film. I got a copy of if if you want to see it."
Ralph tried not to blush. He hadn't been much of a 'skin flick' fan; he usually shied away from such. But something about witnessing Tangia's scorching performance in Tanya Deep made him want to see much more.
Hmm...Even that record, "Wanna Beg?", which was playing now on Darryl's
turntable, said it all:
Oooh baby. Get down on your knees
Mmm, honey. I'm built to tease to please
Stick it, lick it (*passionate moan*)
Sock it to me (*sexy growl*)
Rock it to me hard. (*heavy pant*)
(Do you) Wanna beg?(*grunt*)
(Do you) Wanna beg? (*moan, pant*)
Naturally those highly suggestive lyrics were punctuated with heavy doses of moaning and panting. Even the wildly primitive beat of drums and bass conveyed a neverending sexual need, a lust that could never be satisfied.
He had to see her again tomorrow, and Darryl had to come with him. No, let's not watch any more movies or listen to any more music. I want Darryl to meet Sadie Cooper as she is now. Maybe we might get her to open up about her past, give us some clues as to her mysterious life and loves.
"Say, Darryl. You got anything on her personal life? I mean, Tangia's image was probably just that, but what about her private life? Did she have a boyfriend, a husband, children?"
Darryl responded with, "That's the thing. Her public persona was so 'out there' that people assumed Tangia to be just as nasty and raunchy offstage. From what I gathered, it was her boyfriend who sort of ended her career. He stole her money, got hooked on dope, then got himself killed by drug pushers. She ended up playing third-rate clubs but pretty much faded from the scene. If she had stuck it out into the 70's, maybe she could've been a bigger star. At least then there was a market for her kind of talent, but she ended up on welfare, no job, nothing."
Ralph nodded, "And from there she took that waitress job at Dinah's. Which brings me to my invitation. Why not join me for lunch tomorrow. She's there, Darryl, and you can meet her. Maybe she'll talk to us, that is if she's not too busy."
******
"What do you mean, she's not here?"
"That's what I said. Sadie came in this morning and quit. She said she had another job offer."
"Where? Did she say where this other job is?"
"No. She just said she had an interview out of town and had to go home to pack."
Just his luck to come to Dinah's Soul Shack, Darryl in tow, and find out Sadie's done quit. Ralph couldn't beleive it. After all that research, the bother of getting that video, seeking out Darryl's help...
Ralph Burton shook his head then proceeded to order. Darryl was sympathetic enough. "Hey, man. If she had a better job offer, I don't blame her. Obviously pays more than this place."
OK, so the woman up and quit. Happens everyday. It's not as if she'd make a career out of waiting tables or, Heaven forbid, she's even thinking of staging a comeback. At her age? Well, she still has the looks even if she has put on a few pounds, but she still looks good. But can she still sing? Does she still have the daringly sexy moves of the glory days? Does she even want to become Tangia again?
This Ralph voiced to Darryl as the new waitress approached the table. Oblivious to the girl's presence, Darryl said, "I don't think so. Sadie, even though she's still a very beautiful woman, I doubt she'd try it again. Although these days, with the looser attitudes, she could make a comeback, but..."
His voice trailed off, knowing the waitress was within earshot. With a sigh, he proceeded to place his order, and Ralph did likewise. They glanced up at the new girl, the one who just started today, the one who took Sadie's place.
She was young, pretty, but not much else. The men assumed she was a single mom trying to provide for her children and stay off welfare.
They were wrong.
******
The guys dug into their plates of country ham and greens, grits and fried apples, all washed down with sweet iced tea. So into their meal, they didn't notice the woman entering the diner. The new girl immediately took the woman to a back table, brought forth a menu then efficiently too the order. Within moments, from her office in the back. Dinah Morgan swam into the room and joined this woman. The two conversed in hushed tones, making sure no one was eavesdropping. The new girl (whose name Ralph later was Lachelle) brought the ladies' meal to the table, leaned in close to catch Dinah's whispered instructions then left. Again, like clockwork, Lachelle disappeared into the back then emerged with Dinah's cell phone.
What was all this hush-hush conversation about? Ralph looked up from his plate to see Dinah and the woman with their heads together, speaking in hushed whispers. Dinah immediately dialed on the cell phone, talking very low to whoever was on the other end, as if not wanting to be overheard. Then she handed the phone to the woman who spoke to the person in an equally low voice.
"I wonder what that's all about," Ralph asked, not really interested in the females' confab. Darryl glanced over then shrugged, replying, "Maybe Dinah's scooped another TV shot for the diner, perhaps an article in one of those fancy food magazines."
He laughed when he added, "I don't know why Gourmet would be interested in the Soul Shack. This place is far from haute cuisine."
Ralph joined in the good humor then commenced to eating the remainders of chess pie. Not as good as Sadie's, but palatable nevertheless.
"Well," said Ralph. "I suppose we'll never know what happened to Sadie. I really wanted you to meet her. She's still gorgeous and everything."
"No sweat man. You didn't know she'd up and quit so suddenly."
The men finished their meal then made their way to the register where Lachelle graciously said, "I hope you enjoyed your lunch. Oh, Dinah says don't worry about the bill. It's on the house today."
*****
"Ms. Egan, what did she say? Do you think she can still pull it off? I mean, it's been so long, and I think this may have been a bad idea–"
"Oh no, Dinah, I believe the time is now. After all, this is her decision. Didn't she mention to you that young man who just left here? There was something about the way he looked at her that first day he walked in here...She said it was as if he knew who she really was."
"Well, I hope both of you know what you're doing. I thought she'd want to return to the glory days, recapture what might have been. If it hadn't been for that no-good Damon, she'd be a major star by now."
"Don't worry, Dinah. She's safely tucked away at the compound. There is so much to do in these next few weeks. Poor girl, she's trying so hard to get back into shape, and get the old routine down pat."
"Ms. Egan, I trust you completely. Lord knows my niece wants this. I'm just glad my sister and brother-in-law aren't alive to see this. The first time their girl went on stage, it nearly killed them to see that persona she carved out for herself...I just wonder how her girl will react to her mama as...as an R&B sex symbol."
******
In a mansion on a sprawling estate hidden from public view by a tall stone wall, she bided her time. So much to do within five months' span. To tell the truth, she began to have second thoughts on this amazing comeback, but something inside said, "Go for it!"
How long had she been out here? More than three weeks, and that time had paid off brilliantly. Put on a strict regimen of diet and exercise, she began to see results. Those pounds piled on in past years began to slowly melt away, revealing the once celebrated hourglass figure. Her skin tightened and brightened, the hair improved with better grooming. Although she had aged, the years did not show in her face or form. In fact, she thought she never looked younger or more vibrant. Now, if she could recapture those daringly sexy moves that made her famous. If the voice could still belt out a song that sent shivers of delight throughout the audience.
She trained night and day with a vocal coach, practiced dance steps with an expert choreographer. She had to get it right this time or else resign herself to a life of small-time, low-wage jobs. She had to prove to herself that she still had it. Glancing wistfully at the sexy gold lamé dress and spandex disco ensemble that would serve as her performance togs, Sadie Cooper AKA Tangia commenced to work out on the treadmill, even tried a few bumps and grinds just for kicks. So pleased that her body still had the power to send tingles of pleasure through every male who beheld her, Sadie was determined to bury her past and let Tangia emerge once again.
However, she had to make peace with her past...and her daughter.
TO BE CONTINUED...Go to Part 4
Copyright©2005 by P.R. Parker. All Rights Reserved.