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My Kind of Town Don Chapman |
Evening at Biggie’s
>> Kona/Honolulu
With a free pass for the day from Garry the city editor, Cruz MacKenzie thought about calling Scott Bridges, the head pro at Mauna Kea, and trying to get a game. But something on Oahu beckoned him. He needed to find out who Daren Guy really was. Then there was Jasmine.
First, though, he had to talk with her father. He wasn't looking forward to it, but it had to be done. So after landing at HNL, claiming his bags and finding his Z, Cruz drove straight to Biggie's in Waikiki. Walking into the club was a lot like swimming with sharks, except that he was more nervous.
The sharks had no reason to take violence personally. Biggie did after seeing the photo the Gannett Gazette ran on the front page showing him in his BVDs hugging Jasmine in a towel.
Across the crowded dance floor, he spotted Biggie at his usual booth talking with Jim Edmondson, the attorney. Cruz headed to the bar, knowing Biggie knew he was there. Biggie didn't miss a thing in his club.
"Eh, Chookie Boy!"
"Evening, Mr. MacKenzie," the young bartender replied, casting a quick sideways glance at Biggie. Chookie Boy Kulolo, one of Hawaii's best big-wave surfers, worked for Biggie at night so he could surf in the day. It was the first time Cruz had seen him look nervous, including the day he watched Chookie Boy handle a 25-footer at Sunset. "What'll it be?"
"Bennett martini. And could you let Biggie know I'd like to talk with him when he's got a minute."
He whispered Cruz's message to a waitress, who glanced nervously at Cruz. Apparently everybody knew about him and Jasmine.
"Been enjoying your stories on sharks," Chookie Boy said, delivering the drink -- Bombay Sapphire gin, green olives stuffed with bleu cheese. Cruz sipped, shivered, felt better. "Perfect."
"In fact, I saw one the other morning off Mokuleia, second reef. Big sucker. Took off on a wave, looked down and he's right there beside me. Rode it all the way to the beach and bagged. I was bummed, waves were 10 to 12 and glassy ... By the way, this is my last night here. I met this goddess."
"Read about it in the papers. Saint Meg the Divine. She really brought you back to life after that 45-footer got you in The Eddie?"
"Honest to God, I was halfway through this misty kind of doorway when I got yanked back. So now she's going on tour and wants me along."
The waitress whispered something to Biggie. He looked up, waved Cruz over.
"Anyway, good luck with Mr. Kanaka, man," Chookie Boy added, as if he thought good luck wouldn't really help much.
Where, wondered Cruz, was Saint Meg the Divine when he needed her?
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
Don Chapman is editor of MidWeek. His serialized novel runs daily in the Star-Bulletin. He can be e-mailed at dchapman@midweek.com
