2020-05-26 - Apologies - Sally, Walter, Kagiso, India and Father O’Keeffe

Sally Carpenter looked out of the window of the CKAR studio to find people already gathering for the heavily advertised apology.  While part of her had hoped that people would stay home and just listen on the radio, she knew many would want to see Walter’s humility live and in person.  It was just human nature.  The Walrus and the Carpenter show had been off the air now since the 18th, when Walter had made the mistake of making the incident involving Kira Delmonaco far too light and incurring the wrath of far too many people.  Sally had been putting out fires and now they could get back to normal … she hoped.  At least they would be unable to interact with the crowd of watchers, unless Walter’s apology was not considered sincere and people rioted, but she knew that Walter could sell anything to anyone.  It was a quality she both loved and hated in him, depending on the day.

The most prominent figure on the street watching had to be one of the tallest men in town.  Sally had seen Ulick Reinhardt, and this man was easily the same height.  But he was much thinner than the animated Reinhardt.  He was younger, as well.  Perhaps in his mid-30’s.  He was leaning quite casually on the lamp post in front of their building..  He was dressed mostly in black.  The shoes were black loafers, the jeans were black and he wore a black business shirt and jacket.  However his neck tie was white. And he wore a large silver cross around his neck.  It looked silver to Sally, anyway.  Plus a decent sized sliver … again it looked silver .. on his right ring finger.  From her position, she could see that he was a redhead, but couldn’t tell the color of his eyes.  Sally couldn’t help but think of a priest, and that is when she remembered the missive from one Father Liam Patrick O’Keeffe, S.J.  A Jesuit priest in Alexandra.  Who would have believed it.

Moving her eyes to her board, she glanced over at Walter to see if he was ready for this.

Walter was uncommonly solemn today. He knew what he was here for and he was feeling pretty humble towards the town and towards Sally after their encounter. He clicked on his mic “Dear Alexandra, my name is Walter McLeod and I am an asshole. I’ve been an asshole for most of my life and you’ve all been kind enough not to dump me into the sea, but I realize that my choices on May 18th were further out of order. I know that now. To Kira Delmonaco, I deeply apologize.” He took the words from Dr. Singh’s email and repeated them in context “Your trauma is not for our entertainment. I was wrong to sensationalize it.” He takes a long pause and then goes on “To the town, to other victims who have come forward especially, I deeply apologize. You’re right. I don’t understand your pain and I should not have made light of it.” Then he looks at Sally “And to Sally, my cohost,  my partner, who’s put up with more shit from me than anyone knows, I apologize for putting our radio show in jeopardy, for demeaning it’s role and causing you stress.” He closes his eyes and looks like he might be fighting tears and then he looks out at everyone gathered in the street “Please give me a chance to try to make this right. I can’t unsay what I said. I’d like to offer to pay for some of the cleaning of Kira Delmonaco’s home. I understand it needs a lot of work. I can only donate so much but I’d like to start a pledge drive, and a fundraiser with some of our esteemed local musicians, if they’ll associate with me to let it happen. We need to support this young woman and get her home safe. Thank you for listening.” He clicks off his mic and looks down at his hands.

Sally watched the people gathered outside of the window, gauging their reactions.  There were people not moving at all, but also people nodding in what she chose to call satisfaction with what they were hearing.  When he mentioned the fundraiser, she saw even more interest in the crows and was glad she’d had time to speak to key people before the speech was written and delivered.  It was tempting to clear her throat before she spoke, but she resisted.  “Thank you, Walter.  And, for the record, I forgive you.  I think our long time listeners know that sometimes you do and say things that stun, even when you honestly do not mean to.  So let’s all give Walter a chance and stand behind his wonderful idea to hold this fundraiser.”  she pauses.  “I’ve been told that someone has already offered to secure an attorney for Kira, so maybe she can get out of jail sooner rather than later.”  outside the crowd became animated with applause.  “As for the fundraiser, I know you’d all like to hear some of the negotiations for yourself .... and so we will be having a conference call with Aqoustic Spirit and India Tor.  But first a reminder of why we love them so much!” and she begins playing an old song that the two artists collaborated on.  Turning her back to the window, as they often did when they were being watched, she glances at Walter.  “I’m proud of you.”  she tells him, even though she doesn’t look at him when she says it.

Walter exhales and deflates a bit. He hears Sally’s words and looks up, but she’s not making eye contact “Thanks Sal.” He looks out the window “Shit that’s a lot of gawkers…...” He turns to Sally again “I’ll work on answering the emails personally too...even the priest….god this town gets weirder by the day.”

Sally chuckles.  “This is your hometown.  They love you here, for some reason.”  she rolls her eyes and finally looks at him.  “By the way, starting … well now … there’s a five second delay … just in case someone calls and tries to say something inappropriate … including you…”  she arches her brows.  Theoretically, she can do it.  She’s as close to a manager or producer as they have.

Walter nods slowly “Probably wise...in this town. You’re not going to censor my f-bombs are ye?” He snorts. “Cause that could take a while. And were Kagiso and India...open to this fundraiser? I don’t want to lose our sponsors. I’d like the Deli back on board too….maybe they’d let us do a  remote….?”

Sally snorts.  “I’m not that ambitious.”  she quips about his f-bombs.  “You heard me talking to India, I presume.”  her eyes narrow with the memory of what happened afterwards.  “They’re onboard, but I want the listeners to know they're on board and you aren’t bullshitting them.  As for the deli …  I expect all the rest will come back with India and Kagiso.”  The song is near its end.

Walter nods, still amazed Sally is taking the lead and saving his sorry ass. “Sal, you let me take credit for the fundraising idea….that was all you. I won’t forget it.” He looks genuine.

Sally glances at him.  “You better not.”  she nearly growls before she swivels her chair back towards the window now all smiles.  “That song is just too frickin cute!”  she announces over the final bars of the show.  “Now if you’re all ready … let's get to calling!”  she touches a pad and the dial tone can be heard by her, the listeners and the audience out front.  She dials and the phone rings once … then twice followed by a deep and smooth male voice saying.  “Hey Sally ….  And Walter!”  It is Kagiso Jackson aka Aqoustic Spirit.

Walter actually smiles fully now for the first time in the day “Hey Kagiso, how you doin? Thank you….seriously thank you so much for joining us today. Great song. We’re hoping you’ll bring one that along to share at our fundraiser for Kira Delmonaco.”

Kagiso replies with.  “I’m actually a whole lot better now, thanks Walter.”  he pauses.  “I think maybe I can get India to agree to sing it with me again.”

India Tor’s voice pipes in.  They are clearly in the same space.  “As long as we do the one K did the vocals on.  That’s one of my favorites.  I wrote it for my man.”

Sally smiles as the crowd out front seems to eat it up.  “Did you really?  The man you married, I’m guessing?”  she sighs almost like a teen aged girl to something she finds unspeakably romantic.  “Incredible.  “But tell me … do you, Kagiso and Walter have a date planned for this fundraiser?”

Walter croons at India “Ah love. Ain’t it grand?” His tone flattens a bit on the word grand but his radio persona is on. He sees Sally’s swooning and chuckles “Well now you have to play it.” He looked  at her wistfully. He wished he could be that guy, that romance she was so longing for. “Glad you’re feeling the grooves again Kagiso.” He glances at his phone’s calendar “Hey how’s about June 6th? Maybe outdoors if we have the weather…”

Kagiso chuckles.  “I guess we’ll have to, right India?”  he pauses and groans a little bit.  “Well India over here glarin at me, so I bettah just say it.”  you can almost hear his rolling his eyes.  “I am feeling the groves again Walter.”  he confirms.  “I was down with Covid back in April and it took me a while to feel I was a hundred percent again.  But I’m back and my first public appearance is gonna be more than worth it.”  he pauses.  “Junel 6th is one of the dates we were considering and it looks like that the date we goin with.  India?”

India laughs in the background when Kariso mentions she was glaring.  “Yes.  But remember, this is a fundraiser, so we won't be playing outside like we did in the fog.”  she pauses and lets the listeners absorb that.  “We’ll be in the Community Center, all fees waived by our incredible mayor.  Kira will be allowed to attend, but she’ll be out of reach and under guard.”  she pauses again.  “Tickets …”  and she pauses again.  “Will be 50 Canadian dollars and the only under 18 year olds will be Tony Penhall, who will be singing with us.”

Sally looks concerned that Kaiso had Covid-19.  “I didn’t know…”  she sounds sorry she was so self absorbed.  Then she moves on.  “That makes sense.  If anyone can hear then why give money?”

Walter lets out a whistle and then says apologetically “Shit K-Man, glad you got through it. And yeah make it a formal gig to raise the money properly. You got my 50 today India. And Tony Penhall in the house!!” He bellows a bit like he’s getting back on the horse. “This is gonna be good. A good night for a good cause. Alexandra we want to see you out there!”

Kagiso clears his throat.  "Nobody knew cause I ain't tell nobody."  he explains.  "Yes, iw was stupid.  Yes I own I was stupid like my man Walter owned his on stupidity.  For which we forgive you in case nobody figured it out with us planning this out with Walter."  he laughs heartily with India when Walter bellows.  “And so do I.”  he proclaims.  “The bad news is that Chief Stanley told us we can't be breaking no fire codes… but the Community Center will hold a hundred souls.  The entertainers make about 10, so there 90 tickets being sold.  Of them 90 we givin’ 5 away to CKAR to give away on some kinda contest or however they wanna do it.  So that means if Walter got one there  94 tickets left to be sold.”

India also laughs and then listens to Kagiso explain.  “We want to see as many of you as possible on June 6th.  Sponsors of CKAR will also be sponsors of the fundraiser.”  she announces.  “We have to go now.  Walter, we forgive you!  Bye now.”  and the line clicks off.

Sally smiles and laughs.  Particularly amusing is Walters' stupidity.  Nodding, she says goodbye to the celebrities before they go and turns to Walter and the viewers outside of the window.  “You heard them folks.  This is the chance to make 10,000 dollas towards the cleaning up of Kira’s house and whatever other things she might need.”  she pauses.  “Bail springs to mind.”  and she huffs slightly.

Walter looks so relieved by being forgiven he can’t speak right away and then finally says “India Tor and Kagiso Jackson everyone, with Tony Penhall. Doesn’t get much better than that for a show. Thank You India and Kagiso...so much. You know Sal, we might need to keep the love going after all is raised if we’re talking bail, house cleaning and fixing and goodness knows, legal fees?” He sighs “Dig deep people. We might need  a work party after the concert. Like a barn raising….but for now, music. Let’s hear that Fame cover one more time…” He clicks around and plays the song and then exhales “Ok, I’ll say it, this is tough Sal.”

Sally nods.  “I’ll ask around and see about things like bail and possible legal fees.”  she all but promises.  Then Walter starts that Fame cover and she turns to be sure the watchers can’t read their lips, because that is something she is always paranoid about with Walter around.  She moves closer as if whispering.  “Why?  We got it all and the way India worded it, we’ll get our sponsors back because they want in on this fundraiser, if no other reason.”  she pats his knee.  “You got everything you wanted Walter.  The ol charm and charisma wins again.”  her smile is a little forced.

Walter sighs “Almost Sal. Almost.” But then he doesn’t linger “I’m just coming down...it’s as good as it can be though. And what a concert that’ll be.”

Sally glances at him and turns her face from both the window and Walter’s face.  “Despite there being a priest watching … there’s no such thing as miracles.”  then she nods.  “Well, I say we secretly buy tickets and set up something so we can broadcast the concert from the Community Center.”  she suggests.  “Then it’ll be just about perfect.”  and she turns back to the mics and audience to continue the show.

Walter snaps his head to the window “The priest is out there? Forgive me father for I have sinned…” He starts to joke and then it dawns on him Sally might not find it funny at all. “Yeah tickets!” He redirects. And we can do a  giveaway for the 5 they mentioned, maybe some station shirts, call in with a donation button on the website…..”He talks fast because suddenly they’re on air “Welcome back Alexandra you’re listening to CKAR98 AM on the dial and the is The Walrus and the Carpenter coming to you live from our studio. That was Fame covered by own own Tony Penhall who will be a special guest at the fundraiser for Kira Delomonaco on June the 6th at the community centre in town, featuring India Tor and Kagiso Jackson...the fabulous Aqoustic Spirit.”

Sally gives WWalter a look and sighs.  He’s back and she prayed to a god she hardly believed in anymore that he wouldn't screw up before the show was over.

Father Liam O’Keeffe sees Walter’s head snap in his direction.  He straightens, gives him a very casual smile and a casual salute, using two fingers on his right hand.  And then he casually walks away, going to the sidewalk that separates the radio station from Rathcakes.  On the other side of the building, he rings a bell and waits.  He had a meeting with a very special young man and his lady.

Walter salutes the priest back with a chuckle and then watches him walk away “Well folks we’re about wrap this up. I’ve just had a little cheery hello with the new padre in town. Let’s see if I can remember the sign of the cross..” He  puts his fingers in all the places and directions to cross himself “Spectacles, testicles, wallet and watch...isn’t that right?” He gives a wave to the crowd. “You all in the crowd out there are looking gorgeous as always. Bless you Alexandra. I love this town.”