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Chapter Twenty Five
Oysters & Jazz
Loveland, Ohio
June 28, 1919
5:43 PM
Broadcast over every radio throughout the United States along with the entire world:
WW1: The Great War is over and peace declared!
Washington, Saturday, June 28, 1919 — Signing at Versailles of the peace treaty with Germany formally brought to a close the world’s greatest and bloodiest war, that with the introduction of tanks, submarines and airplanes meant the war’s battles were unbelievably bloody, claiming an estimated 40 million military and civilian casualties.
Time now for the people of the Untied States of America to return to their peace-time endeavours.
Loveland, Ohio
Thursday, May 6,1920
“Three of them, Charley; two for the store and one for Agnes and me.”
“ ‘Morning!” Motioning to a known customer as the man entered the store.
“We’re shipping them as fast as we get them. Hell, plant can’t make ‘em fast enough. Won’t get ‘em to you till ‘maybe’ sometime in August,
September.”
“Okay, then. Still plenty of time to be part… a ‘big’ part of our Christmas promotion. What’a they been retailing for, Charlie?”
“Sears, Montgomery Ward s can’t buy enough; sold before they get onto the floor, even with a hundred, hundred, fifty percent mark-up.”
Unbelievably: “’ ‘Seventy, eighty dollars’, Charlie?”
“Yeah. And some places even more. Hear Sacks is getting a hundred.”
“ ‘A hundred dollars’! Better make it four then, Charlie. Sooner I get’em the better.”
Writing the ‘Buffalo Hammer and Tool’ order form. “Where you want ‘em shipped, Morrie?”
Charlie Tenner, meeting Solomon Berkowitz AKA Morris Pinowskiz AKA Morris Pink for the first time had been introduced as ‘Morris’, which Charlie immediately changed to ‘Morrie’, and as Morris was happy to have an, even minor, name change to delay his capture by any police or deceives that might be searching for him, so far as Charlie Tenner was concerned Morris was always ‘Morrie’ and knowing Agnes Longstead, her name remained ‘Agnes’.
It was also at the time of this first meeting on 5/3/15 that Charlie Tenner— a regional salesman for Buffalo Hammer and Tool Company, informed ‘Morrie’ that he knew of a hardware store in a little city in Ohio called, ‘Loveland’ that might be going into foreclosure, and as ‘Morrie’ was on the lookout for somewhere in mid-America to purchase a business with his ill-gotten gains and the city of ‘Loveland’ in the state of Ohio seemed pretty perfect with a hardware store as icing on the cake.
“Where you want ‘em shipped, Morrie?”
“To Cincinnati. Lester and I’ll go get’em.”
“How’s your wife? That Agnes is really some woman!”
“She’s an amazing lady and still’s fighting the good fight.”
“Knowing her, she’ll stay till congress does it.”
“She and Mazie…”
“The restaurant lady?”
“Yeah. Her and my Agnes are co-charring the Loveland- Summer Springs Suffrage Chapter.”
Notation: The campaign for women’s suffrage began in earnest years before the Civil War. During the 1820s and '30s, most states had extended the offer to all white men, ‘regardless’ of how much money or property they had.
Loveland, Ohio
Monday, May 24,1920
Morning, Pinks Hardware.”
“ ‘Morning, Agnes, it’s Charlie.”
“Hi, Charlie. How are you?”
“Me? I’m fine. You?”
“Good! Couldn’t be better.”
“Looks like the end might be in sight, huh?”
“We’re all so encouraged, Charlie.”
“Don’t have much time to talk. Actually called to let you know that the plant says the maximum purchase for all small retailers is going to be for two only.”
“Morrie will be disappointed.”
“Yeah, I know. But there is some good news; because the plant’s added a second division, and has been able to speed up production, you’ll possibly be getting them sometime in August.
Passed by Congress June 4, 1919, and ratified on August 18, 1920, the 19th amendment granted women the right to vote. Though it would be years before Black women in the South could fully exercise their right to vote without Jim Crow segregation laws.
Loveland, Ohio
Friday, August 29, 1920
8:05 AM
Receiving notice the day before that they had been drop shipped to the warehouse in Cincinnati— A ‘Closed’ sign at ‘Pinks’; Agnes reaming at home to prepare for the long awaited replacement, Lester Harris and Morrie, using the 1914 Chevrolet flat bed truck,’drove to the Cincinnati warehouse where the two were loaded onto the flat bed with assistance from one of the warehouse employees. Returning first to Pinks where Lester and Morrie off-loaded one, then drove to the House on Placid Street.
11:49 AM
Tapping the horn as the Chevy backed to the rear, kitchen doorway— hearing the ‘beep’, going to the door, Agie stood aside as Lester and Morrie carried the…
In 1912, an estimated 16 percent of American households had electricity; by the mid-1920s, more than 60 percent did. And with this electrification came new machines and technologies like the…
Refrigerator: The first commercially successful home electric refrigerator was invented by General Electric in 1920. * It was called the ‘Monitor-Top’ refrigerator.
Loveland, Ohio
Friday, September 24, 1920
2:06 PM
In a move he’d never considered before, softly spoken. “Hey, baby..” Coming from behind Agie in the chisel, screwdriver aisle, arms about her upper stomach; so unlike her husband, genteelly cuddling both breasts “...know what I’ve a taste for?”
Actually a bit thrilled by this unexpected, outwardly display of sexuality. Turning within his arms. “No, baby…” breathing the words onto his face “...what have you got a taste for?”
Early on, when they’d first met— she twenty-three, he thirty-two, the only things in common, so thought Agnes Longstead, were gin martini’s and raw oysters.
Giving his wife a light peck on her lips. “martini's and oysters.”
“And maybe even do a little of that ‘Roaring Twenties’ jazzy stuff.”
Holding her tighter—for the first time in years, sensing an involuntary movement within in the area of his upper thighs. “you know I’m not much into this new Jazzy stuff.”
“Me, too. But we’re fast learners, my dear.”
Fondling her left breast, an unexpected want, and need causing a — Wearing Oshkosh coveralls, Agie never felt the unexpected, extended prod of her husbands penis— “But you just get me onto my third one…”
She now twenty-eight, he now thirty-seven, husband and wife now for five years, their relationship…
Both aware and quietly acknowledging that it was Agie’ internal strength and mental acuity that had brought Morrie and Agie to this comfortably successful place in their lives. Sex between the two more as ‘accepted martial duty’— although, for Agnes Longstead, sex originality was not, or is not meant to be an ‘accepted duty’.
Time going on, Agie knew that her sexual enthusiasm far exceeded his. However, with Morrie’ genuine blessing, Agnes Pink had all… more than she had ever expected out of life: Legal partnership in a going business; A joint bank account that— although there had never been a need, she, unquestioned, could withdraw whatever her need night be; An active roll in the ratification of the nineteenth amendment… And the courage and physical strength to — knowing his intent, having no regret, literally breaking his face, knocking Hugo McFeeney senselessly onto his ass.
Morrie… In a quiet, almost non sexual way, Morrie Pink did love his wife, and although it had taken some time to realise, Morris Pinowskiz had loved Agnes Longstead since —occasionally, in the strangeness of God’s creation, absolute strangers might feel an awareness of internal warmth brought about by possibly nothing more than a meeting of eyes.— their eyes meeting. Looking at the fairly attractive, well dressed man on the other side of her barred window, as...
...Studying her face— a step or two below beautiful, a step or two above merely pretty, this unknown woman’s features becoming more attractive by the second, so much so that now five years into the future...
September 24, 1920
2:08 PM
Stopping their friendly back and forth conversation, Morrie becoming serious, taking Agie’s chin into his hand. “You, Agie. I’ve a taste for you, sweetheart.” Halting a moment, forming his words. “You do know that I love you, don’t you?”
Her heart quickening, because never in their five years had her husband ever stated that he loved her.
Holding her even closer, his Oshkosh coveralls still restraining any sign of physical desire. “I do.” He said. “And…” sincerely meaning it “...think you’re the most beautiful lady I’ve ever known.”
Having given up hope of ever hearing these words.,“Morrie…” her arms about his neck, her face inches from his “…I love you, too.”
The first in their five years of togetherness, their kiss… this kiss was truly heartfelt.
Looking into her eyes. “So we’ve a date for tonight?”
“For martinis and oysters at the ‘Wild Indian’?”
“Yes, sure. Don’t know where else there’s— having them shipped in cradled in ice daily by Rail Express — oysters in Cincinnati.”
“And then maybe…” provocatively rubbing her hips onto his Oshkosh coveralls “...a little Jazz?”
“Yeah, baby, and I’m thinking maybe we ought to have Bert…” the local handyman and taxi owner “...drive us there, and, uh, rent a room for the night.” His romantic, actually his sexual intention, her romantic, actually her sexual intention. “ ‘cause because maybe we’ll have a second…”
“And maybe even a third…”
“And then you and me…” Agie said “...can do some, um, jazz.”
Both thinking beyond merely dancing the dances of the ‘roaring ‘20s: the Charleston, the Black Bottom and the Shimmy.
“Yeah…” he said “...tonight, especially after three of the ‘Wild Indian’s’ martinis I’ll try anything, especially a whole lot of…” doing his best to put forth a leering face “...a whole lot of Jazz.”
Taking his hand, walking forward. “You know…” reaching the front counter “...if we don’t take that dirty, old Chevie, we’ll have to rent a city cab to to get us back home.”
Having no idea what she was getting at. “Yeah?”
“Know what else I’d like us to do while we’re there?” Oddly enough it wasn’t a wife that ever made this kind of a strictly male request.
She behind the counter, her fingertips nervously tapping the keys of the National Cash Register.
“Anything you want… If you’ll tell me… you know!”
Knowing what he, and most of their acquaintances wanted to know.
Though there had been a lot of talk about Agnes Pink — especially since returning home after the ‘Woman’s March’ on 10/23/15 with a broken wrist — being the suffragist that had cold-cocked that filthy hoodlum.
Holding her secret for five years for fear of prosecution, but now, after five years… “Okay! Okay, already!” As though an admission, and it was. “I admit it! It ‘was’ me! I busted that son-of-a-bitches face!”
“Knew it it, baby. Knew it was you! What other woman would have the courage, and arm to do that? Knew it ‘had’ to be you!”
“So now you know, Morrie.” Knowing she’d always gotten what she wanted but what she wanted now is special. “Okay for me to tell you what I want?”
“Besides slurping oysters and guzzling a martini or two, or more, and us doing a lot of, uh, you know…” still sensing that ‘urge’ within his testicles
“...jazzy kind of stuff after?”
Fingernails still making clicking sounds on the National Cash Register keys. “Yeah.”
Knowing he would give in to whatever his wife wanted, especially, in his desire, now. “This ‘thing’ you want, is going to cost money?”
“Yeah.” Hitting the ‘cash’ key. ‘Ding’! The drawer forcefully gliding open. I’ve been hearing about it and reading about it, and would love for us to have one.”
His elbows on the counter, his head in his palms, his hips pressed forward, the protrusion within his Oshkosh coveralls making contact with the counter. “What have you been reading about and hearing about that you want us to have?”
“Tired of that damned crank…” forcefully stated “... want one’a those new ‘Super Six’...”
Taken back, standing back. “What are you talking about?”
“Hudson! They’ve opened a showroom in Cincinnati and I want us to get one’a those Hudson’s with that electric starter they’ve been bragging about over the radio."
Tired of driving around in that 1914 Chevy long-bed truck that’s primarily used as a work vehicle anyway. Doing one of the things his wife loved him for: agreeing with her.
“Okay.”
“ ‘Okay’? We’re going to do it?”
“Yes, sure. One’a them new Hudson’ cost a bit of money, I hear.”
“That a problem?”
“Not at all! Tell you what.” He said. “Give Bert a call and see if he can pick us up at home in about a… Uh forty-five minutes while I lock up…” heading to the rear of the store. “… then let’s head over to see ‘W.E.’
2:20 PM
Leaving the bank with thirteen hundred dollars in cash in Agie’s purse, walking to the house on Placid street.
Quick change of clothing, standing outside with a suitcase between them, it was but two minutes until Bert’s taxi pulled to the curb. Coming from the cab, putting the suitcase into the trunk. “Where we going?”
“You know where the Hudson showroom is?”
“Sure do!” Burt the handyman/cabbie said. “Love to have one’a them!”
Opening the cab’s rear side door for Agie, “That’s where we’re going then.”
Notation: In 1919, Hudson had the first balanced crankshaft, used in their straight-six engine, to smooth the idle and allow the engine to rev higher. Other firsts included dual brakes (mechanical brakes kicked in when the pedal travelled lower than the hydraulic brakes’, and placing oil pressure and generator warning lights in the dashboard. Hudson’s early cork clutch was both smooth and, surprisingly, durable and…One of its notable features was the powerful inline six-cylinder engine, which provided a smooth and efficient driving experience. This engine was a breakthrough in the 1920s, as most cars still relied on four-cylinder engines… However, the best feature so far as Agie Pink was concerned: “Someone’s invented an electric starter for it.”
Cincinnati, Ohio
September 24, 1920
Taking all but eighty-five dollars from the thirteen hundred in Agie Pinks purse, at 3:43 PM, Morrie and Agie Pink drove from the Cincinitti Hudson showroom in a—only colours available: blue, black and— in a red 1920, Hudson Series ‘O’ Super Six Touring Phaeton, said to do 45 MPH; with her hat off, her hair blowing, Agie Pink at the wheel driving a roaring 32 MPH.
Off on 6th Street, onto the cities ‘Main Street’ business district. Slowing — by side by side and oncoming motorcar traffic — to 8 MPH, the accepted city motorcar speed… “I want a ‘Flapper Dress’.”
“Think maybe you might be…” Having no idea how to say what he thought.
“That I’m too old for one of those sexy, slinky outfits, huh?”
“Well.” Thinking: Agie’s twenty-eight and me thirty-seven, and we’ll never have the chance to go with the crowd. “No” he said, “Give me a chance to see your naked legs.”
Notation: The classic image of a flapper is that of a stylish young party girl. Flappers smoked in public, drank alcohol, danced at jazz clubs and practised sexual freedom. They wore flapper dresses of shorter, calf-revealing lengths and lower necklines, not typically form-fitting. Flappers wore high heel shoes and threw away their corsets in favor of bras and lingerie.
Slowing to a literal crawl, spotting ‘Modern Women’s wear’, the red Hudson Phaeton came to a stop before the shop.
Wild Indian Cafe: 10:39 PM
A huge barn of a place with hundreds of strings of thousands of bare electric bulbs strung below the twelve foot high, bare-board ceiling with blaring 20s music blasting from the twelve man band— A dozen ‘Blue Point’ oysters and rib steaks for both, washed down by two of Wild Indians gigantic martinis, the slinky dress flapping above her knees, Angie’s bare legs kicking, Morrie’s legs attempting yo keep time with:
“ Caroline, Caroline, At last they've got you on the map
With a new tune, a funny blue tune, with a peculiar snap!
You many not be able to buck and wing
Fox-trot, two-step, or even swing
If you ain't got religion in your feet
You can do this prance and do it neat
Charleston! Charleston! Made in Carolina.”
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Chapter 26
Flappers
