Salutations to a Star

There he stood, right before Higgy’s eyes, the one man who commanded his attention instead of the other way around. He wore a powder-blue suit, with red flowers on his belt and hat.

“It’s Jay--!” Higgy covered a hand over Toni’s mouth before their idol could notice him.

“Shhh!” He shushed. “Don’t blow our first impression.”

“Gomen n--I’m sorry.”

“Why are we all whispering?” Nicky huddled up beside them.

“Jay Kingston is right over there!” Toni explained.

“Wow, I’m surprised Higgy’s not frothing at the mou--” Higgy clamped a hand over Maxy’s mouth. He couldn’t help but cringe touching Maxy’s grubby lips, but sacrifices had to be made if Higgy wanted to save them all--most importantly himself--from embarrassment.

Jay Kingston stood mere meters away, like an angel in the sunlight, signing off on a delivery. The things people would give to get their hands on such a signature! Even the delivery man knew its worth; he could barely hold his clipboard steady.

“Um, guys?” Toni interrupted. “There’s something on my leg.”

Higgy didn’t give him a passing glance. “Now’s not the time for--”

“It’s a snake!” Nicky pointed out.

Higgy jumped back. Upon Toni’s leg slithered a yellow snake with orange spots. It looked familiar somehow.

“A snake??” Maxy, as usual, had no concept of an inside voice. “These American studios are wild. Hey Toni, let me see if I can hold it.”

Higgy made a realization. “Wait, wait, that’s… Gumbo?”

Toni’s fear turned into joy. “You’re right! It’s Gumbo! Gumbo’s on my leg!”

“Who in the heck is Gumbo?” asked Maxy, the uncultured brute.

“That’s Gumbo.” Nicky smiled. Even he knew about Gumbo! At least Higgy thought so until he mouthed ‘I don’t know either.’

“Jay’s pet snake.” Higgy informed them.

“Should we call him over to get his snake?” asked Maxy, not knowing what a fool he sounded like.

“We can’t just talk to him!” Higgy offered the voice of reason. “We’re strangers!”

“Then what are we gonna do? Telepathy?”

Nicky pressed his fingers to his forehead and closed his eyes. “...Nope. Not getting through.”

Just then, Maxy decided to commit social homicide.

“Hey, Jay!!”

Higgy rushed to pull Maxy back behind the corner, but he was too late. They were caught in the line of Jay’s crimson sunglasses.

“He’s… very sorry for disturbing you.” Higgy apologized on Maxy’s behalf.

But Maxy continued to be insolent. “Your snake’s crawling on my little brother.” He ignored Higgy mouthing that snakes didn’t even crawl.

Toni hobbled out from behind the corner.

“Shhh! Maxyyy, no shouting. Gumbo doesn’t like loud noises.” His hands awkwardly hovered around his torso, where Gumbo was now.

Jay lifted his head up. “Gumbo?” He begins running over. “Oh, dear ‘eavens, is that me Gumbo?”

“Now’s your chance.” Maxy elbowed Higgy.

“Be quiet.” Higgy didn’t want him to make him look like some kind of obsessed fan.

Gumbo coiled around Toni’s arm. Jay fretfully approached them.

“ ‘Owever did you escape from your cage?” he asked Gumbo.

He reached out to take the snake back into his arms, but it wouldn’t cooperate.

“Would you look at that, haha?” Jay remarked to Toni. “She doesn’t want to leave. I think she quite likes you!”

“Hhhh… Hi…” Toni was too mesmerized to give a proper response.

“Toni, you’re staring.” Higgy tried to snap him out of it.

“As if you aren’t.” Maxy did not know how lucky he was that they were both in Jay’s line of sight. Higgy could only cast a quick glare at him.

In the meantime, Jay managed to retrieve the snake from Toni’s arm.

Toni looked down, ashamed. “I’m sorry, that wasn’t very polite of me.”

Jay chuckled, handling Gumbo. “It’s quite alright. My manners have escaped me as well. Goodness me, I ‘aven’t even introduced meself yet!” He offered his hand to shake. “ ‘Ello, I’m Jay Kingston. Nice to meet you all.”

“We know.” Maxy shook his hand first. It must be nice to be born without a sense of shame. “I’m Maxy Konno!”

“H-Higgy Nardin.” Higgy could barely look him in the eye. He could barely even believe he was shaking the hand of his inspiration.

Jay stared at Higgy intently, or as intently as Higgy could tell from behind sunglasses. He lifted and lowered his hand repeatedly. Did Jay realize his hard work, talent, and dedication from just a glimpse? Did they make an unspoken connection?

“Excuse me for pointing this out, but a lock of your hair is out of place.”

“Oh.” Higgy styled his bangs.

“I-It’s in the back.” Jay reached out. Though he smiled, Higgy thought he seemed slightly distressed. “May I?”

Normally anyone touching his hair would be out of the question, but Higgy leaned his head forward. He forced back a smile as Jay attempted to smooth his hair down.

“There we go.” The superstar drew his hand back, pleased with his work.

“Thanks…”

Higgy felt a lock of hair shift in place.

“Ah, it sprang back up.” Nicky pointed out.

“I see.” Jay’s smile waned.

“I think it might be a cowlick.” Higgy explained.

“Ah, pesky little things they are, haha~ It’s all good though. Jolly good! I’ve been meaning to correct that little ‘abit of mine. Anyway!” Jay wiped his gloves on his suit, before continuing to shake hands.

“I’m Nicky.” Nicky shook his hand next. “Nicky Kezwick. I do enjoy your work.” As much as Higgy wished otherwise, he was the most poised of the four of them right now.

“Why, thank you.” A gentle smile crossed Jay’s face. He finally turned to Toni. “And what’s your name?”

Toni feebly shook his hand. “I’m Toni…”

“Thank you for finding Gumbo for me, Toni. I do ‘ope she didn’t cause you much trouble.”

“N-Not at all Mr. Kingston!” Toni forgot his lessons on not bowing.

Jay laughed. “Oh please, do call me Jay.”

“Okay, Jay.” The freckled boy smiled, shaking his hand again. “I’m Toni!”

“Thank you for finding Gumbo for me, Toni.” Jay addressed him as if Toni hadn’t repeated himself. He must’ve thought it’d be rude to point out.

“By the way, your clothes are really pretty-- I mean handsome!” Toni corrected himself. “Handsome.”

“Oh, I do appreciate that very much.” The older guy clasped his hands over his heart. “And I positively adore your sweater, the colors are so pretty!”

“Thank you.” Toni balled his fists around his mouth. His heart must have been bursting with joy.

Jay’s hands fidgeted. His smile dropped for a moment, but returned.

“If you don’t mind me asking, where are you all from?”

“Hawaii!” Toni blurted out.

“I think he meant if we were supposed to be here.” Higgy realized what he really meant. “We don’t have passes on us.” Just as he said that, he noticed security eyeing the four from a distance.

“Haha, ‘ow observant you are!” The superstar intertwined his hand in various ways. “As much as I’ve enjoyed meeting you, I’m afraid visitors aren’t permitted here wivvout passes for the time being.”

Brisk footsteps sounded behind them.

“...And this is why I told you not to wander off.” Kenji finally came back from the bathroom, showing his pass. “My apologies, Mr. Kingston, they’re with me.”

Jay’s mouth dropped. “You... You’re… Ken--Kenji. Is that correct?”

Kenji seemed just as confused as Higgy. “Yes, you are correct.” He offered his hand. “Kenji Kezwick, nice to meet you.”

“The pleasure is all mine!” Jay shook with both hands, grinning his iconic gap-toothed grin. “I’ve always wanted to meet you...! You’re a student of Stanley’s, I’m a student of Stanley’s… haha…”

His words hung awkwardly in the air as he still held Kenji’s hand captive. He finally dropped it with a silent apology and busied himself adjusting Gumbo on his shoulders.

“He’s told me the most delightful things about you…” he continued, “...and Benji, too!” He turned his attention to the others. “And you must be the lads coming to perform tonight, Hi...nato?”

“Hinito.” Higgy corrected.

“They’re my backup dancers.” Maxy hooked his arms around the other three. Higgy flinched.

“Oh, I’m incredibly sorry. Names aren’t my strong suit.” Jay chuckled an apologetic chuckle.

“You were close.” Toni reassured him.

“Are you going to be there to watch us?” asked Nicky.

“Oh no…” Jay lowered his head. “I’m terribly sorry, but my London concert is in a few days, and my flight is tonight. Though, I am ‘oping to get someone to record it so I might be able to watch later.”

“That’s okay.” Toni reassured again. “I wish we could watch your concert too.”

“Yeah…” Higgy lamented.

Jay smiled, waving his hands reassuringly. “Ahh, don’t fret. Mine is sure to be on video.”

“But we live in--” Kenji placed a hand on Toni’s shoulder as a warning, “--Hawaii! It’ll… take longer to get there.”

“Oh! ‘ow silly of me to forget!” Jay tapped his hat. “Deliveries to your part of the world are a bit… unconventional. Maybe I can give Stanley a copy to gift to you.” No one could tell under the sunglasses, but he might’ve winked. Did he know something…?

Kenji seemed to have the same question on his tongue, but he stopped himself from asking. “I’m glad to hear that.” He noticed the flowers on Jay’s hat and belt. “Nice carnations, by the way.”

“You noticed! Yay!” Jay clapped. “Stanley told me you probably would. I actually just signed off on a shipment of yucca flowers. To present to you...” he looked around, “...all. They’re a bit bitter for my taste, but I ‘eard you enjoy them.”

“Wow, that’s very kind of y--” Kenji covered his face in deep shame. “...Please tell me he didn’t tell you that story.”

“I think they’re delicious, too!” Nicky added.

Jay laughed. “Well it’s a good thing I ordered a lot of them. They should be bringing ‘em in soon, so unfortunately I’ve no time to dilly-dally around ‘ere for too long.” He turned to Kenji. “There are so many questions I’d like to ask you, and I do ‘ope I get the chance before I board my flight.”

Higgy couldn’t help but wonder what the heck was going on with him and Kenji.

Jay finally remembered that the others existed. “Um, is there anything any of you would like to ask me?”

“I don’t know if any of my questions are good.” Toni’s eyes fell to the ground.

“I’m sure they’re excellent.” Jay smiled at him.

Toni thought for a moment. “Um, what does Gumbo like to eat?”

“She fancies small mice.” answered Jay. “Feeding time is always a little sad for me, feeding them to her.” Despite this, he chuckled and ticked Gumbo’s chin. “Oh, what am I to do wiv you?”

“Oh no! I’m sorry, I didn’t know it would make you sad.”

“Nooo, don’t be.” Jay did the reassuring this time. “It’s simply nature, after all. Anyone else?”

Nicky raised a hand.

“Ah yes, you. Nike!”

“Nicky.” He corrected.

“Oh, dear me. I apologize, Nicky.” Jay covered his mouth in embarrassment. “What was your question?”

“How are you?”

“How… ‘ow am I?” The superstar seemed taken aback. He smiled. “Why, I’m doing quite fine, thank you. ‘ow are you?”

“Fine, thank you!”

“I think I’ve time for one more.” He announced. “Kenji, you seem to ‘ave somefing on your mind.”

Kenji snapped out of thought. “Oh no, I have nothing to ask.”

No one else said anything. Higgy didn’t have a question, either. Instead, he took this time to think, to really think about what he wanted to say to Jay. Without him, he wouldn’t have discovered his passion, and none of these great opportunities would’ve opened up to him. Finally, he found the words.

Maxy spoke instead. “So something I’ve been wondering for a while…”

“Yes?”

“The gloves,” he pointed at Jay’s red gloves, “do they stay on when you, you know… pee?”

“Maxy!” Higgy, Toni, and Kenji reacted at the same time.

In the meantime, Jay was too busy… giggling? No, cackling. He doubled over, laughing so hard he almost choked on it.

“I’m so sorry.” He apologized to Gumbo, steadying her on his shoulders. He then turned to Maxy, surely to throw him out of the premises. “E-excuse me for that, I’ve never--never gotten that question before. Thank you for the laugh.”

“Soooo do they, or…?”

Jay continued laughing. “No. They do not stay on, goodness no!” He calmed down. “I must be going now, ‘ope to catch up with you soon. If not, break a leg!”

Toni waved. “Thank you! You too!”

“Pip-pip, cheerio~!”

Jay Kingston hopped, skipped and jumped away with Gumbo before walking normally. Now that they were out of his eyesight, Higgy glared daggers into Maxy.

“What??” Maxy played innocent. “I thought everyone else was done asking questions!”

Kenji shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I’m so thankful I had my breakdown yesterday, otherwise, I would’ve had it right now.

“What were you going to ask, Higgy?” Toni asked.

“I wasn’t going to ask anything. I just wanted to tell him how much he meant to me as a dancer. I can’t now,” he made sure to glare at Maxy, “but I can show him. Tonight, we’re gonna pour all our blood, sweat, and tears into giving him and the rest of this country a performance they’ll never forget.”

Maxy smirked. “Terrifying.”

“Don’t think you’re off the hook, Konno. I’m not going to let you run around stage like some kind of unrestrained wild animal.”

“But I am an unrestrained wild animal! Geesh, I thought you’d be in a better mood after meeting the guy.” Maxy folded his arms. “Heck, you should at least thank me for asking my question after he touched all over your hair.”

Higgy did a combination of hissing and hacking in disgust. “Don’t ruin that moment for me.”

“Can we go see Mr. Stanley yet?” Nicky craned over his brother’s shoulder.

Kenji snapped out of thought once more. “Oh… yeah. Sure thing, Nike.”

The shortest boy turned to his friend. “Good thinking, Nick. Let’s go.”

Without waiting for a reply, Higgy strode ahead of the rest of the group, eager to meet Stanley Baker once again. If anyone could help him hone in his routine, maybe his old mentor could teach him some new tricks.