(the cook turns and goes back to the grill, flipping pancakes)

The Busboy picks up the tin whistle again and boldly puts it to his lips,

And plays a scale, although it is obvious he has never played before,

He suddenly starts composing a simple but interesting tune, and then repeats

It, but much faster and much cleaner. He pauses, looks at the tin whistle, and smiles

a grin of pure joy, he puts the tin whistle to his lips and let’s loose with a

fast paced solo, as Catfish, watching this fascinated picks up a pen and writes on a napkin. Catfish speaks what he is writing, as he writes it:

[Listen to the song "Slow Joe" on this YouTube link:

I aplogize for my "singing" and the recording quality]

Song 7: Slow Joe

Catfish: Yeah they call him Slow Joe, and that’s kind of funny

He got big fat legs and a big old tummy

He repeats himself, like some burnt-out rummy

And they call him Slow Joe, and that’s kind of funny

His ma says now listen up, listen good, sonny

You’re a man with a job and you’re making money

You don’t let nobody call you a big dummy

And all ways remember that I love you honey

So he’s bussing tables, and he’s making money

Yeah he’s bussing tables and he’s making money,

And they call him Slow Joe, and that’s kind of funny

Yeah they call him Slow Joe, …….and that’s kind of funny

[TIN WHISTLE SOLO]

(Slow Joe smiles, nods to Catfish, puts down the tin whistle and goes back to bussing tables)

Cook (turns from the stove to the counter and looking at the harmonica on the table): You any good at that Mississippi saxophone?

Catfish: yeh, I can play, why you asking?

Cook: Me and the Cashier have a Blues band, and if you can play that amplified Chicago shit I got the amp and the band for you.

Catfish: (To himself in a stage whsiper) What the Hell, I need a meal ticket.

Blackout.

(the play continues click on [older posts] to read and hear the rest of this play -thank you )