Knock Three Times...

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=110 BGCOLOR="#666699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="04a00840erlcjm.gif"> <div> Capital Harmony Chorus<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><B>     |     </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Verdana" ><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Capital Harmony Chorus"><U><B>home</B></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id31.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Calendar"><U>Calendar</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id34.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Newsletter"><U>Newsletter</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="NZES 2001"><U>NZES 2001</U></A>   |   <B>Knock Three Times...</B>   |   <A HREF="id35.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contest 2002"><U>Contest 2002</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id37.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Combined Chorus Do 2002"><U>Combined Chorus Do 2002</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id38.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Niji Concert 14th May 2005"><U>Niji Concert 14th May 2005</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Dress Rehearsal May 2006"><U>Dress Rehearsal May 2006</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id40.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Convention 2006"><U>Convention 2006</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id41.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Christmas 2006"><U>Christmas 2006</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id42.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Retreat 2007"><U>Retreat 2007</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id43.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Down the Hall on Saturday Night"><U>Down the Hall on Saturday Night</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id44.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Barbara Smith coaching 2008"><U>Barbara Smith coaching 2008</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id45.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Convention May 2008"><U>Convention May 2008</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id46.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Hawaii November 2008"><U>Hawaii November 2008</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id47.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Christmas 2008"><U>Christmas 2008</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=190 BGCOLOR="#CCCCFF" TEXT="#080000" background="04411c00egdysm.gif"> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="06280ca0.gif" border=0 width="128" height="202" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=370 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> Knock Three Times...</div> <bR> <div> On Saturday 3rd of November 2001, Capital Harmony Chorus proudly presented "KnockThree Times and Ask for Jo" -  a show in the Speakeasy style.</div> <bR> <div> What follows is an account of that evening.....</div> <bR> <div> <B>Knock three times and ask for Jo</B></div> <bR> <div> I was looking forward to going home and hitting the sack. It had been one of those days in this crazy city and I was beat.  The heady scent of French perfume hit my nostrils as I heard a light knock on the glass pane of the door.  It opened - “Mr Harlow?”  Her voice was low and husky, enough to make a guy think things he shouldn't.  Her slim silk-clad body shimmied into my paper-strewn office.  “I have a job for you” she purred.</div> <bR> <div> Dusk was falling as I pulled up in my Hudson coupe outside the building she had described.  The place was neat and immaculate, not what I expected.  I was late and the car park was full of large limousines.  With growing realisation I approached the entrance - a school!  Clever.  As instructed I knocked three times on the door - “Yeah” - “Is Jo there?” I asked, tentatively.  The door slowly opened.</div> <bR> <div> He was big.  The muscles on his muscles strained the material of his pinstripe suit, the white band on his fedora glistened in the half light.  His violin case leaned nonchalantly against the wall - was this one of the musicians?  The bulge under his left armpit suggested otherwise (spare tickets?).  “Have you got a ticket?” His voice was deceptively gentle and melodic.  I decided to play it cool.</div> <bR> <div> The place was packed.  The tinkling tones of a piano in the corner mingled with the buzz of animated voices, white tablecloths glowed in the candlelight.  The stage along one wall was empty except for a strange set of steps and two striking vases containing lilies set on plant holders.  Lilies!  A shiver of apprehension ran down my spine.  Was this show what I had been led to believe?  I found a spare seat at one of the crowded tables and looked round.  No expense spared, I noted.  Up to the minute décor, interesting wall prints, a buffet loaded with plenty to eat, and what looked like a bar under the sign “Soft drinks, tea and coffee available here”? - they must be making plenty out of this.  But surely this sophisticated façade hid something more.  I was here to find out.</div> <bR> <div> “Hey, I see your glass is empty - want some of mine?”  The blonde flapper on my left batted her eyelashes and smiled enticingly behind the bottle she was waving in my face.  As my glass filled with bubbles I realised things were not always what they at first appear.  I was making progress.  Remembering why I was here, I asked “Can you tell me anything about the dames who are running this show?”  “Oh my goodness, where to start” she squealed.  “Just the facts, maam” I replied, “just the facts”.</div> <bR> <div> Suddenly an expectant hush filled the air!  The piano faded to silence, the lights dimmed.  Maybe what was to follow would provide some answers.  Four shadowy figures slunk on to the stage.  The room filled with pulsating close harmony tones, `Idolizin' Jazz' were in full swing.  “Hernandoes Hideaway” never sounded so good.  I started to relax, despite my suspicions, this was a cabaret after all.</div> <bR> <div> A statuesque Sue Chamberlain followed accompanied on the piano by Fiona Luey, a diminutive lady of eastern extraction.  What a voice.  What nimble fingers on those ivories.  Melodies from Broadway filled the air.  This was great!  I glanced round, everyone seemed to be concentrating on the performance - they were either very accomplished actors or really enjoying themselves.</div> <bR> <div> Jan Kelly next, renowned for humorous songs the programme said.  Surely not this old madam who creaked on to the stage with the aid of a stick?  But yes, “I never do anything twice” she sang.  I could see why.  She would be lucky if she lasted the night.  “Isn't she fabulous” the blonde next to me whispered in my ear.  “She's quite young you know.  Great makeup”.   Fabulous indeed.</div> <bR> <div> The Happy Tappers followed with a style all their own.  What happy faces and delightful tapping toes.  I found my own feet tapping in concert with theirs.   Following the applause I glanced at the programme - yes, the next item was what I was here for.   The curtains swept aside revealing the Capital Harmony Chorus clothed in glittering costumes and dazzling smiles.  So that's what those steps were for.  Their director, Jo (aha! It all made sense now)  was greeted with cheers and for the next 15 minutes the room buzzed with ringing vibrating chords as those gals strutted their stuff.  What a show!</div> <bR> <div> I needed air and time to think.  The entrance foyer was strangely quiet, the bouncer obviously busy somewhere else.  I was thankful for that.</div> <bR> <div> Boy, was the joint jumpin' when I returned.  A 4-piece combo, VSOP direct from the Queenstown Jazz Festival, pumping out cool swing jazz, couples sashaying on the dance floor to the rhythm of the band.  The buffet open for business.  I should be working, I was here for a client but, hey, I had found out what I needed to - it was time for some serious partying.</div> <bR> <div> It was late when I returned to my city apartment.  She was there, curled up seductively in my favourite chair, the moonlight streaming through the window a pale echo of her glowing hair.  “Well, Mr Harlow?”</div> <bR> <div> “They call themselves the Capital Harmony Chorus - book them.  Man, can those broads sing”.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Bill Harlow Investigations</B></div> <div> <B>File No. 274</B></div> <div> <B>The case of the Capital Harmony Chorus Speakeasy Show</B></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>