(1988) The Golden Room (30 page)

Waiters were filing in, carrying the first dish, a garnished Bodense felchen trout.

Mayor Harrison pushed back his chair and stood up to

unfurl a sheet of paper. He read a brief address welcoming Prince Henry of Prussia to Chicago, the gem city of the Midwest prairie.

No one listened. The babble of voices continued gaily and loudly, as the Everleigh girls clinked their goblets of champagne and became better acquainted with the male guests beside them.

‘Wonderful, wonderful,’ said Prince Henry to Minna. ‘A most remarkable and memorable evening. I am happy that you could do this for me.’

‘Your Highness, I’d do anything for you,’ Minna said. ‘You’re a true gentleman, and I will always be delighted to do anything you ask.’

‘You are a most gracious lady,’ said the prince.

Aware of Armbruster beside her, Minna turned fully towards Prince Henry. ‘Your Highness,’ she began, ‘you told me you were pleased I could do this for you.’

‘Of course,’ said Prince Henry. ‘Indeed, I meant it.’

‘Then I would like to request a favour of you,’ said Minna.

‘Anything,’ said Prince Henry. ‘Whatever you wish.’

‘All right, I’ll come out with it,’ said Minna. ‘We have an American ambassador in Germany. What is his situation today?’

Prince Henry appeared bewildered. ‘I’m not sure I understand your question,’ he said. ‘What do you mean?’

‘I mean, how long will he be ambassador?’

‘Sadly, for a short time only. Normally, the ambassador would remain head of the diplomatic mission to the royal court for as long as your government wishes. But your ambassador is unwell. I know he plans to send a letter of resignation to your president in a very short time — perhaps a few months.’

‘Then you will need a new American ambassador in Germany?’ said Minna.

‘Of course. I am sure that President Roosevelt will appoint

someone from the diplomatic corps as soon as he receives the resignation.’

‘Could the kaiser recommend to President Roosevelt an American he would like to see represent us?’

Prince Henry gave it some thought. ‘Normally, Miss Everleigh, it is not done that way. Your President will select someone he feels deserves the post and is qualified. Then his choice must be approved not only here but also in Germany. When the kaiser has given his approval, the new ambassador is on his way to Berlin.’

‘I understand,’ said Minna. ‘But what if it went the other way around? Suppose the kaiser knew of somebody in the United States whom he would like to have as the American ambassador? Could the kaiser make such a recommendation - informally - to President Roosevelt?’

Prince Henry furrowed his brow, considering such procedure. ‘Umm. It would be unusual. I can see no rule against it. But then, my brother, the kaiser, would know of no such American to suggest.’

Minna edged provocatively closer to Prince Henry. She said flirtatiously, ‘I may, Sir. I may know somebody to suggest.’

‘You?’

‘Why not? Who on earth knows men and their character better than Minna Everleigh? Yes, me. I have someone to suggest.’

Prince Henry chuckled. ‘Why not you? Of course you would be highly qualified to suggest someone to represent the United States.’

‘The idea is that I would suggest a name to you. And you could convey it to the kaiser. He in turn could make the suggestion to President Roosevelt. Of course, this would make a deep impression on the president. He would want to please the kaiser and would certainly consider selecting such a man for the post.’

‘Yes, that is possible,’ said Prince Henry. ‘Obviously, you do have a man in mind.’

‘I do.’

‘Very well, tell me.’

Minna reached to the side, took Armbruster by his hand, and drew him into the conversation. ‘Your Highness, this is Harold T. Armbruster, the renowned Chicago meat-packer, who would very likely be pleased to become the next ambassador to Germany. He is of German origin, of Lutheran faith, and he knows very well what the post would entail. Isn’t that so, Mr Armbruster?’

Armbruster gulped. ‘It is, it is.’

‘More importantly, Mr Armbruster is my niece’s father-in-law. So I’d be involved in a relative way.’

Prince Henry grinned at Minna, and then at Armbruster. ‘A capital idea,’ Prince Henry said. He was briefly silent, as if turning the idea over in his mind, and then he said gravely, ‘I would be happy to make such a recommendation to the kaiser — on one condition.’

Minna frowned. ‘What is that condition, Sir?’

‘That the Everleigh Club remain open for my next visit to the United States. If I knew it would be here, I’d be certain to make my next visit very soon. I heard that it had been shut down, and only opened tonight for my presence. I would like to be reassured that it will continue to flourish for years to come. May I have your word on that, Miss Everleigh?’

‘You can have my word,’ said Minna, ‘but my word is not enough. It’s really up to the mayor.’ She leaned across Prince Henry. ‘Aida, would you get Mayor Harrison’s attention?’

Aida gently prodded at the mayor, who immediately turned, glanced at Aida, and then noticed that Minna had something to say to him.

‘What is it, Miss Everleigh?’ Mayor Harrison asked.

‘It’s about Harold Armbruster becoming the next ambassador to Germany,’ said Minna. ‘I just broached the subject to Prince Henry. He agrees to help under one condition -that you allow the Everleigh Club to remain in business not just for tonight but in the months and years to follow.’

‘Is that all?’ said Mayor Harrison, all affability. His eyes met Prince Henry’s. He cleared his throat and said with sincerity, ‘Your Highness, you have my solemn pledge that the Everleigh Club will remain open and flourish as long as I am in office. I’ll manage my reformers.’

Prince Henry smiled broadly at Minna. ‘Miss Everleigh, as you Americans put it, you have a deal.’

At just past two o’clock in the morning the banquet was finally coming to an end. Someone jumped to his feet, held up a hand, gave a signal to the orchestra, and began to sing.

The singer was Alderman John Coughlin.

Minna leaned towards Prince Henry, made a face, and explained, ‘The alderman is singing a song he wrote, and he sings it at every public occasion. It’s something called ‘Dear Midnight of Love’. I want to apologize for this, Sir …’

Prince Henry, listening, hushed Minna and said, ‘Let’s give the man a chance.’

They all paid heed to Coughlin as he sang on:

Dear Midnight of Love, why did we meet? Dear Midnight of Love, your face is so sweet. Pure as the angels above, surely again we will speak; Loving only as doves, Dear Midnight of Love.

When love hearts are serene, can waking be their knell? Were midnight but between, sleep, night, but not farewell. Stars! Oh, what do they mean? For you to wake ‘tis well — Look, mother, on the scene, for you my love will tell.

Your promise, love, redeem; your gentle words do thrill; Live as the rippling stream, always your friend I will. Now I must bid adieu so cruel, why did we meet? List! What shall we do? Pray, when do we eat?

Prince Henry broke into laughter. ‘You are right, Miss Everleigh. I accept your apology.’

With the song ended, Prince Henry reached down along Minna’s leg, and asked for her shoe.

‘My shoe?’

‘Yes, kindly take it off and hand it to me,’ said Prince Henry.

With Minna’s shoe in hand, the prince came to his feet and poured the champagne into the slipper.

‘A toast!’ announced Prince Henry. ‘To the health and longevity of the Everleigh Club, and to the enrichment of its proprietors! To Aida and Minna Everleigh, who have given me my finest evening in America!’

Everyone at the table rose, lifting their goblets of champagne.

The guests remained standing, getting ready to depart after the prince left the table.

But Prince Henry of Prussia sat down beside Minna once more. He bent close to her. ‘Only one thing is missing from this evening,’ he said.

‘What’s that?’ Minna wanted to know.

‘Most of the men here have sampled the joys of the Everleigh Club. I too should like to sample its pleasures.’

Minna waved her hand at the girls around the table. ‘Take your pick, Your Highness. You may choose any girl you wish.’

‘There could be only one I want,’ said Prince Henry, staring at Minna. ‘I want you.’

Minna returned his gaze. ‘You really want me?’

‘Only you, Miss Everleigh,’ Prince Henry said.

Minna stood up. ‘In that case, you’d better call me Minna, and I’ll call you Hank.’

Minna put her arm inside Prince Henry’s. She was pleased to see that Mayor Harrison had offered his arm to Aida.

The four of them walked out of the restaurant and across the hallway to the staircase.

Then they all went upstairs.