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THE REAL ADVENTURES OF JONNY QUEST

Synopsis: The gang starts to dig into the past.

Categories: E, F

"THE BIG GOODBYE"

by Eric R. Umali

Chapter 3 - “Field Trip”

After their discovery, the three teenagers abandoned their work for the day.  They started the day after bright and early, but after a few hours, Jessie couldn’t resist opening the diary again.  Jonny broke out the sandwiches.

“The next entry’s pretty short,” said Jessie.  “It says, ‘June 22, 1943-- I’ve only got a minute or two, diary.  I’m rehearsing all day, and I’m already exhausted, but I have never been more excited in my life!’”

While Jessie took a sip of soda, Jonny wiped his hands on his jeans and delved into the box.  On top of the pile was a folded piece of paper.  He opened it.  “Check this out,” he said with a mouth half-full of sandwich.

He handed Jessie the paper, and her eyes widened.  It was a table program from The Silver Slipper.  Jessie scanned through the text, passing the headliners and musicians until she hit the list of “Chorus Girls.”  There, in almost fine print, was the name “Jennifer Montrose.”  The date on the program was June 23, 1943.

“Looks like Jenny Montrose just might get her wish,” said Jessie.

“Jonny, do you still believe that this story will not end happily?” Hadji asked.

Jonny shrugged.  “I’ve just got a feeling, that’s all.”

Hadji turned to the computer, and began tapping away.  “What are you up to, Hadj?” asked Jessie.

“I am going to research some of those names.”

Jessie shook her head.  “I’ve got an idea-- how about a field trip?”

**********

Twenty minutes, two subway changes, and three pushcart hot dogs later, the trio found themselves standing before the imposing front steps of the New York City Public Library.  Jonny patted one of the massive stone lions flanking the steps.

“Come on, already, Jonny!”

Jonny spun around.  “Back off man,” he snapped, “I’m a scientist.”

“Oh no,” moaned Hadji.

“The ‘Ghostbusters’ jokes begin,” Jessie finished.  “I have a solution, though.”

“What would that be?”

Jessie turned to Jonny.  “Get him!” she shouted, and she and Hadji charged.

Jonny jumped and ran up the steps, his friends hot on his heels.  They scrambled to the huge front doors, which Jonny reached a fraction ahead of the others, who promptly crashed into him.  The three teenagers laughed for several minutes, trying to gain their composure and eliciting plenty of disdainful looks from the more erudite onlookers.

Inside, Hadji commandeered a research terminal, sending the other two on runs to the stacks.  Soon, they had amassed an impressive pile of books.  Jonny sat thumbing through an old theater and nightlife guide, while Hadji scanned the census records.  Jessie was across the room at a microfiche reader, copies of the 1943 *New York Times* flying by.

“Not much conclusive here,” said Hadji, rubbing his eyes.  “Have you found anything?”

“This... ‘Hedda Hopper’ gave the Silver Slipper a pretty great review.  You should see how many celebrities someone could spot there-- if they were big and in Manhattan, they’d be there.  Unfortunately, this guide was published two months before Jennifer Montrose made it to New York.”

“And you couldn’t find something dated afterwards?”

“The guide switched titles.  I’ll have to go back.”

Jessie dropped into the seat beside them.  “I think I need a Dramamine.”

Jonny chuckled.  “Any luck, Jess?”

“Well, there was plenty of excitement in 1943, but most of the news was devoted to the war.  There’re some possibilities, but we’ll need to find out more about Jenny and everyone else.”

“And if it fits?” Hadji prodded.

Jessie’s face darkened.  “I’d only gotten through the summer issues before I had to stop, but... I’m afraid Jonny might be right.”

**********

At Hadji’s suggestion, the three of them spent the evening doing tourist stuff-- sightseeing from the top of the Empire State Building, then dinner at the Hard Rock Café.  Returning to the apartment, they finished up a few of the small jobs, then rolled out the air mattresses and went to sleep.

They again returned to the apartment renovating, this time concentrating on upgrading the unit’s electrical system-- an important concern, considering Jessie’s interest in computers and technology.  By late afternoon, the place was wired better than most newly built apartments.

Jonny and Hadji then spent another few hours tapping their feet while Jessie picked out colors and patterns for the apartment.

“I wouldn’t have figured you for the color scheme and fabric swatches type, Jess,” said Jonny.

“Would you figure me for a perfectionist, then?” she said over her shoulder.

“Okay,” he replied, “you’ve got me there.”

A salesman appeared out of nowhere, holding up a wallpaper sample.  “May I suggest a light rose floral motif?”

Jessie’s stare could’ve curdled milk.  “Pink... is... not... my... color...” she managed through clenched teeth.

The salesman nodded and rushed off.

“Calm, Jessie,” whispered Hadji.  “Breathe slowly.”

“Heh,” Jonny snickered.  “Pink flowers, he says.”

Later that evening, as Jonny tossed the last of the paper Chinese food boxes into the trash, Jessie’s eyes flicked back towards the table where they’d placed Jennifer Montrose’s box.  Hadji noticed that she’d been doing the same throughout the meal.

“Go ahead, Jessie,” he sighed.

Jessie started, her thoughts interrupted.  “Go ahead and what?”

“Open the box,” Jonny replied.  “You’ve been wanting to all night.”

“I have not.”

“You’re going to get a crick in your neck if you keep looking at that box from here.”

Jessie laughed as she got up.  “Don’t pretend that neither of _you_ want to find out what happens next.”

Hadji smiled.  “We didn’t say that.”

With a soft creak from the old metal hinges, Jessie opened the box.  She opened the diary, and thumbed through the pages.

“The next couple of entries are just descriptions of her performing and rehearsing.  All pretty much what you’d expect-- late nights, sleeping in, fending off stagedoor johnnies and such.”  She flipped a few more.  “Here we go.  ‘June 31, 1943.  Dear diary: It’s been more than a week since I got to New York, and more has happened to me so far than I thought would happen in a month!  You know, I bet it’s just going to get better and better.’”

Jessie scanned ahead a few lines, then sat down.  “You guys had better grab a seat,” she said.

TO BE CONTINUED...