[A_Story_Teller]

I was browsing thru quaint little antique shops near Pioneer Square, a run down, but nostalgic part of Seattle where treasures can be found. I try to visit all the shops on a regular basis, and I know the owner's names. It's good business when the seller can find what the buyer needs.

Sometimes though, a particular collectable just can't be located anywhere. I had put the word out months ago that I wanted a classic juke box. It had to be vintage 1950's, most of all, a working Wurlutzer for 45 RPM's. That was a tall order, but the shop keeper's knew I was willing to pay top dollar for one. Months passed and I turned my attention to other collectibles. Those juke boxes that were found I really didn't like. They were in poor condition and needed repairs, too costly for me to spend the time or money.

You just can't replace the outside shell, like you can electronics. I didn't want to restore one, I hoped that I could buy a working model. So it was a surprise to get a call from my friend Murphy down at his shop. He said he had a 1958 Seeburg juke box that was in great shape. Oh My God! My heart just about stopped! a 1958 Seeburg? I had to see it! I ignored the speed limit, not a wise thing to do in downtown Seattle, But I was lucky, no cops or accidents as I quickly parked in a space.

I practically tripped and fell as I made my way up the steps to get thru murphy's front door. Murphy saw me as I came in, out of breath, and he laughed endlessly. "I know it ain't exactly what you are looking for, but who knows? He let me catch my breath before he said, "follow me, to the loading dock. I took a peek before I called you, but it looks like mint condition to me". The worker's had moved the juke box just inside the building all by itself Oh My God!!! is all I could get out of my mouth! It looked just like new!

Select-O-Matic in bold letters as my eyes just about watered. No dents, no cracks in the glass..."butdid it still work," I asked? "Well, let's plug it in and see, ya got a dime"he asked with a wide grin...and I said yes! Once plugged in, I dropped the coin and all the lights all came on.

As I dropped in my dime, I heard it fall smoothly thru and I clicked a song. It was an old Elvis favorite of mine, and I watched the 45 RPM set down. Let me tell you, the music coming out of those speakers were solid gold. So crisp and clear you'd swear Elvis himself was standing right there. At the end of the song, I watched the 45 get put back in its place. I needed nothing else from Murphy but the price, as he began to speak.

"Hmmm, now let me see, a Seeburg is still a mighty fine company, and it works and looks sharp we both can agree on that much. So..... I guess ya want to know what I'll be asking when it's on the floor"? "when it's on the floor, I cried out"? Then Murphy started laughing! "Relax my friend, I'm only kidding! "It's yours, and for a good price too. How does $900.00 sound to your wallet? I'll even deliver it to you? I would've gladly paid more, but all I could do was shake his hand. I watched two worker's put it in The Delivery truck. I met them at my place and paid them both $20.00 for being so careful getting it inside, and they drove away.

I wiggled it better to the exact corner where I felt it would look good. Tiring work for me and I sat down in my chair across the room. I hadn't plugged in the juke box yet when it began inserting a 45 record. I was mesmerized because I could see the electrical cord on the floor. The lights all came on and an oldie love song began to play. I couldn't move, I just stared and my eyes couldn't believe what I saw next.

A young girl in white bobbie socks appeared with her beau and danced. He wore that all too familiar black leather jacket and slicked back hair. I watched them dance like lover's dance until the song was over. When the juke box stopped, they smiled and simply vanished before my eyes.

© 2002 Raymond Brown (All rights reserved)

[JirQUEST]

the biggest mistake one can ever make when writing a story, is to mispell something repeatedly. i replaced the word "jute" with "juke". consult a spellchecker if you are unsure. there is www.dictionary.com as well.

[Serac]

Another quick ending. That may just be your style, so be it. You wrote it very well, except maybe when - was concerned. Aside from the abrupt ending, it was pretty good.

['Ginnis]

You had a strong and good idea, and quick endings aside, your style was distinct. The piece could stand a few more edits though, some things didn't flow as nicely as they should have. I also sort of picked up on a 1950's detective-hollywood vibe at the beginning (the old black and whites that began on dark and stormy nights in a small private eye's office with the narration going kind of thing...) which complimented the jukebox as the object of the story.