You'll Like It Here (Everybody Does) by Ruth White Read Free Book Online Page B

away from the scene, but I can tell they really want to stay.
    My attention goes back to Elvis, and pretty soon I’mbreathlessly lost again in his magic spell. I have read that Elvis met Priscilla when she was only fourteen, and fell in love with her at first sight. Of course they didn’t marry until she was twenty, but my point is this: suppose that on this Earth there is no Priscilla for him, but a Meggie instead?
    That’s when my sweet daydream is shattered by Officer Brent barging into the crowd waving a nightstick.
    â€œOkay, break it up, folks!”
    Elvis’s audience vanishes just like that. Only David and I remain. Elvis, obviously frustrated, gives one last grating strum on his guitar, then places it inside the case and closes it up.
    â€œWhat did I tell you I was going to do the next time I caught you performing in such a manner?” Officer Brent says to Elvis in a mean voice.
    Elvis silently stretches forth both hands. The officer produces a pair of handcuffs, seemingly from nowhere, and snaps them into place around Elvis’s wrists. My jaw drops. He’s arresting Elvis Presley? A police cruiser pulls up to the curb, and Elvis is escorted toward it.
    â€œYou’re a magnificent performer, Elvis!” The words burst suddenly from David. “Bravo!”
    And he claps as hard as he can. I join him. Officer Brent scowls at us.
    Elvis turns and gives us his famous cockeyed grin. “Thank you very much.”
    A curly lock of black hair falls over his forehead as he climbs into the backseat of the police cruiser. Hastily David picks up the guitar in its case where it remains onthe sidewalk and places it at Elvis’s feet in the car. Then Officer Brent closes the car door, and Elvis is hauled away.
    Puzzled, I stand with David and Officer Brent, watching the patrol car drive away.
    â€œWhy was he arrested?” David asks, obviously irked.
    â€œYou saw him, and heard him!” Officer Brent growls. “And still you ask me that?” He stands sternly with hands on hips, glaring at David. “And furthermore,” he scolds, “I don’t like your tone or your attitude, young man! You should not have clapped for him. I know you are from a savage place, and your ignorance is your excuse, but now you have been warned. Okay?”
    When David speaks again, his face is red, but his tone is more polite. “But if you please, sir, that was Elvis.”
    â€œYeah, I think that’s his name. Elvis Preston—or something like that.”
    â€œWhat were the charges?” I speak up.
    â€œGross uniqueness, of
course
!” Officer Brent exclaims, as if I should know this. “And of the worst kind too!”
    Gross uniqueness? Is he kidding?
    â€œWhat do you suppose would happen if we let that go on and never tried to put a stop to it?” Officer Brent asks.
    We cannot imagine.
    â€œI’ll tell you what! Next thing you know, others would have those revolting sideburns! And … and be scavenging silk clothes and blue shoes from God knows where. And they’d be singing catchy songs in the streets and wiggling in time to the music!”
    The man is serious.
    â€œAnd there’s no telling what that might lead to,” Officer Brent goes on. “Other dark and dangerous things, I’m sure. It’s a terrible influence on children like you. Just terrible! Now mind your mom and go back to the stoop.”
    Officer Brent abruptly turns from us and continues walking his beat. David and I plod back to perch on the steps and wait for Mom and Gramps. A long silence ensues, until at last David turns to me and says, “Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.”

• 9 •
 
    â€œWe saw Elvis Presley!” David and I shout as Mom and Gramps come out of the employment agency. We’re practically jumping up and down with excitement, but they’re not one bit impressed.
    Mom takes the time