A Detroit Boy In The Windy City pt. 1
Prof Form and I woke up, and I got in the shower. I was mostly all packed and ready to go. A smile arose across my face, for I was now 21. After I showered, Prof. Form showered, I gathered everything I thought I needed and then was ready to leave for the Windy City. On the way out, Hubbard gave me to checks. One was from C Dubbs. She gave me $30, and Beeb gave me $1,000. I was stupid, and didn’t put the money in my account right away, and simply left without it. When we told Hubbard that we were going to stay in a hotel, she had a better idea. Apparently, my cousin Roby and his wife Jessica lived right in downtown Chicago. Hubbard told me we could stay with them and that her and beeb would arrange it all. Perfect, no hotel fee!
We got to Robbi’s where we were all meeting up. Form told us that R had not grabbed his right meds last night, nor had I grabbed his right pants. So he had to go back to R’s. Prof. Form and I broke the news that we were staying two nights, and so thus, we were taking two cars. The final car arrangements were as follows: Form and Prof Form in his car, and R, Robbi and I in the mustang. Prof. Form and Tall Form were going to be a half hour behind us, due to the fact they had to go back to R’s to get Form’s stuff. R, Robbi and I took off down the highway, headed west. As we beelined, we seemed to hit faster and faster speeds. I got my chance to toy with the XM radio. While R attempted to studi in the back seat, I was in the front seat enjoying every second of my sweet 21st. The top was down, the wind was in my hair, I felt amazing! We stopped along the way to get gas. This was mis hap number one. I guess Robbi only had enough money for gas coming home, and his credit card was still not letting him get to his credit. R did not have money either, and so it was up to me to fill Robbi’s tank. I had not taken my checks with me. I was out of money, and running out of credit fast. I had no choice. I maxed out my credit card on Robbi’s gas. I was pissed. Happy Birthday, here is your fee for going over your limit! While my limit was reached outside, R’s limit was getting reached inside in the bathroom. As she sat to pee, she suddenly heard a voice in the next stall. “Take it easy Bunny” said a male voice, and she looked she saw not two, but four legs. It was much, too much for R to take in. She beelined back outside to make sure we got going quickly. As we sped away “Dirty Little Secret” came on one of the radio stations. It was perfect. The closer we got to Chicago, the more and more Form kept texting me wanting to know what mile marker we were at.
Form wanted us to stop, so that he could catch up, but we didn’t. This pissed Form off. Finally they managed to somehow catch up to us, amazingly.
Finally we drove onto the highway that would bring us into Chicago. We passed the “Sears” tower, which looked very small. Even in two different cars, Form and I had the same thought, and called each other. Right before one of the toll roads, Geoff and Form switched spots, and Geoff jumped from his own car, to ours, leaving Form to drive, even though he was on meds. Driving into town, we blasted theme songs to all our favorite 90’s TV shows including Full House, Family Matters, and Barney! We pulled into the city, and Robbi showed us where to park, which was right by where he use to live. We decided our first stop would be Seven Eleven. Today, 7/11 , was not only my bday, but also free slurpee day at Seven Eleven. In 21 years, I had not done this tradition. Today, would be a first. We went in and sure enough, got free slurpees. On the way out, I began to look at Robbi and realize how just plain “cool” he was. I thought about calling him the “cool form”, but that just wasn’t good enough. 10 seconds later, a better name came to me. Robbi was cool, but he was also a stud. A stud was born in a form. Robbi was now going to be called “The Studly form”. I told Tall Form, and he corrected me “The Studli Form”. We started to walk the streets of the Windy City and Form and Prof. Form wanted to get piercing, which we almost ended up stopping and doing until we just decided to hit up the Cheesecake factori instead. It seemed like we had walked forever and a day before we finally reached it. There I was at a place unlike anything I had ever been too. On the outside it looked like a mountainous cave, but on the inside was a perfectly looking restaurant. I was very impressed by the look of the place. We got seated outside and here is where I ordered my first drink. Our server was totally gay and I had to hold back laughter at his estranged partly French sounding accent. After I got my drink, we decided to order a plate of chicken wraps. I simply wanted a piece of cheese cake. At least I was going to have some sort of cake! When the cheesecake finally came, I could see why I was at The Cheesecake Factory. This cheesecake was the best cheese I had ever had. While we ate our cheesecake, R wanted more chicken wraps, so we ordered another tray. 4 pieces of cake, and two chicken wraps later, it was time to pay. Robbi gave Geoff $7. R, who was suppose to pay for most of the chicken wrap trays, cuz we ordered the 2nd one cuz SHE wanted it, only gave Geoff $15. I was very upset at this, but I was out of money as well. The entire bill was $70, Geoff got back $22. I was disappointed. After lunch, we had about an hour and a half until the four of us had to be at dinner. We decided to head back toward the car to change. Robbi decided that we should take the subway system, known as The L back. This was a fun experience, except for the fact that each ride cost $2.00. We made out way back to our car, and changed for dinner. We looked at the time, and we were cutting it close to 5:00 pm. R, as usual, was taking forever to get ready to go to dinner. By the time she was done, we had about 17 minuets to 5. We beelined for the L, which we had to pay for to get on. Robbi got his ticket and went through the gate. I of course didn’t have money. The machine would not take Geoff’s dollars, and then in a split second, chaos broke loose. Form and Geoff decided that they could make it running, and took off out the of L. This left Robbi on one side of the gate, and R and I on the other, half moneyless. R had to get Robbi to focus so he could understand that Form and Geoff had ran, and were going to run all the way to the hotel. I didn’t know what to do. R got Robbi to fish through his wallet to find monei for R and I to get past the gate. R got by fine, but my ticket was being screwy. Suddenly, we heard a sound from below. The train was pulling up. I thought we were going to miss it. My ticket still was not going through. Finally, at last second, it let me through the gate! We ran downstairs and hopped onto the train! Robbi got off a couple of stops before us, and went on his way to start his night alone in the town he still called partly his home.
R and I got off the subway, and headed back up to the street. We walked a few blocks, and there was the hotel. As we walked inside and looked around trying to find where dinner was. 10 seconds later, sure enough, Geoff and Form came running into the hotel. Right on time. I was impressed. I was also glad they found it. We found out that dinner was upstairs and we raced to get there on time. When we arrived, we found out that We made it in plenty of time, and they had not even begun seating people yet. Turns out my name was on the guest list since I booked the tickets. They finally opened the doors and we stepped inside. There were about 8 long tables set up next to each other. At each table sat one cast member of Wicked. The place was dimmed, and lighted mostly with candle light. We took our seats at a table where the cast member was Nick Belton, who understudied Feiyro. They told him it was my bday, but Geoff made she he took over the conversation because he of how he loved to act. R was getting deep into conversation with the old man that sat next to her. Meanwhile, across from us sat this girl and her grandmother. Originally the grandmother tried hooking up her granddaughter with form, but then when Geoff opened his big mouth about acting, he seemed like the more lively one. Dinner consisted of 3 courses. For my appetizer I had fried potatoes. For the main course, we all got the delicious grilled wicked ribeye, over the chicken or the fish. For dessert, I was treated to cake once again, a giant piece of chocolate cake. The meal was perfect. Nick was the hottest cast member at any table, and had a very delightful personality. Geoff asked him “as an actor, and everything you get to do, what’s the best part of the whole package”. He gave his answer, and ended it with “It’s a nice package”. Geoff whispered to Form “I would like to see his package”. The girl across from us heard him and said “I was thinking the same thing” . As we started dessert, Nick and the rest of the cast members had to leave to get ready for the show following. I was only half done with my cake when we realized we had to beeline a block in 15 minuets. We raced out of the hotel and down the street to W. Randolph St. There I was, right back at the Oriental Theater once again seeing the show I saw 8 months ago with Cheat. It was bright, and green, just like always before a Wicked performance. Also, as always it was a full house. I found our seats, which were perfect. 15th row, center seats. I could not have asked for better on my 21st birthday. Geoff bought me a shirt, I was in shock! He had been spending money all day, and he really didn’t have to buy me any more, but he did. It was very sweet. The show was spectacular. Glinda seemed to rush through some of her lines though. I figured she was just getting tired of doing the role for all these months. Geoff thought Elphaba was the best he had ever seen in act two. Take it from someone who had seen the show 6 times, he knew what he was talking about. R started to narc in the second act. I tried keeping her awake, but her narc took over. When the show was over, it was time to go find Studli form, and for the four of them to head home. Walking out of the theater was mis hap like 4 of the day. Prof Form and I lost Tall Form and R. Literally lost. We walked all around and searched the people standing outside, and yet they were gone. My phone had died at this point, and the only number I knew was R’s. We tried calling her, but she didn’t answer. Geoff was pissed, as was I. We ended up walking all the way back to the car. We stepped into the garage, and our aggravated group was already there to meet us. Form was very edgy and handed us our bags. They had reunited with Studli Form, but I guess there was still problems. Tall Form, Studli Form, and R got in the mustang, and with that, headed home.
It was now time for part two of my adventure. Geoff and I were now alone. We left the parking deck and called my cousin and he told us to come over and crash at his place. His place was just 5 minuets from downtown, so it was good. We were greeted by him and his wife Jessica and their dog. Their apartment was very big, and roomy. When Jessica found out it was my 21st, she poured me a glass of red wine. My cousin Roby, took us all up on the roof of the complex where Geoff and I got to witness the entire windy city lit up by nightfall and city lights. It was beautiful. It was worth it to stay and see that. The breeze blew, and the view was amazing. Form called me to tell me that going home, they ran out of gas money, so they stopped in Kzoo and borrowed money from the Queens, and that Geoff and I had to stop and pay them back. This somewhat pissed me off, but I was not going to let it ruin my night. We went back inside and I told Geoff about what Form said, and we discussed the events of the day. 2 beers, and one glass of wine later, we decided to hit the sheets, and get up early the next day! Sure my bday was over, by my adventure in the windy city was only beginning…..
We got to Robbi’s where we were all meeting up. Form told us that R had not grabbed his right meds last night, nor had I grabbed his right pants. So he had to go back to R’s. Prof. Form and I broke the news that we were staying two nights, and so thus, we were taking two cars. The final car arrangements were as follows: Form and Prof Form in his car, and R, Robbi and I in the mustang. Prof. Form and Tall Form were going to be a half hour behind us, due to the fact they had to go back to R’s to get Form’s stuff. R, Robbi and I took off down the highway, headed west. As we beelined, we seemed to hit faster and faster speeds. I got my chance to toy with the XM radio. While R attempted to studi in the back seat, I was in the front seat enjoying every second of my sweet 21st. The top was down, the wind was in my hair, I felt amazing! We stopped along the way to get gas. This was mis hap number one. I guess Robbi only had enough money for gas coming home, and his credit card was still not letting him get to his credit. R did not have money either, and so it was up to me to fill Robbi’s tank. I had not taken my checks with me. I was out of money, and running out of credit fast. I had no choice. I maxed out my credit card on Robbi’s gas. I was pissed. Happy Birthday, here is your fee for going over your limit! While my limit was reached outside, R’s limit was getting reached inside in the bathroom. As she sat to pee, she suddenly heard a voice in the next stall. “Take it easy Bunny” said a male voice, and she looked she saw not two, but four legs. It was much, too much for R to take in. She beelined back outside to make sure we got going quickly. As we sped away “Dirty Little Secret” came on one of the radio stations. It was perfect. The closer we got to Chicago, the more and more Form kept texting me wanting to know what mile marker we were at.
Form wanted us to stop, so that he could catch up, but we didn’t. This pissed Form off. Finally they managed to somehow catch up to us, amazingly.
Finally we drove onto the highway that would bring us into Chicago. We passed the “Sears” tower, which looked very small. Even in two different cars, Form and I had the same thought, and called each other. Right before one of the toll roads, Geoff and Form switched spots, and Geoff jumped from his own car, to ours, leaving Form to drive, even though he was on meds. Driving into town, we blasted theme songs to all our favorite 90’s TV shows including Full House, Family Matters, and Barney! We pulled into the city, and Robbi showed us where to park, which was right by where he use to live. We decided our first stop would be Seven Eleven. Today, 7/11 , was not only my bday, but also free slurpee day at Seven Eleven. In 21 years, I had not done this tradition. Today, would be a first. We went in and sure enough, got free slurpees. On the way out, I began to look at Robbi and realize how just plain “cool” he was. I thought about calling him the “cool form”, but that just wasn’t good enough. 10 seconds later, a better name came to me. Robbi was cool, but he was also a stud. A stud was born in a form. Robbi was now going to be called “The Studly form”. I told Tall Form, and he corrected me “The Studli Form”. We started to walk the streets of the Windy City and Form and Prof. Form wanted to get piercing, which we almost ended up stopping and doing until we just decided to hit up the Cheesecake factori instead. It seemed like we had walked forever and a day before we finally reached it. There I was at a place unlike anything I had ever been too. On the outside it looked like a mountainous cave, but on the inside was a perfectly looking restaurant. I was very impressed by the look of the place. We got seated outside and here is where I ordered my first drink. Our server was totally gay and I had to hold back laughter at his estranged partly French sounding accent. After I got my drink, we decided to order a plate of chicken wraps. I simply wanted a piece of cheese cake. At least I was going to have some sort of cake! When the cheesecake finally came, I could see why I was at The Cheesecake Factory. This cheesecake was the best cheese I had ever had. While we ate our cheesecake, R wanted more chicken wraps, so we ordered another tray. 4 pieces of cake, and two chicken wraps later, it was time to pay. Robbi gave Geoff $7. R, who was suppose to pay for most of the chicken wrap trays, cuz we ordered the 2nd one cuz SHE wanted it, only gave Geoff $15. I was very upset at this, but I was out of money as well. The entire bill was $70, Geoff got back $22. I was disappointed. After lunch, we had about an hour and a half until the four of us had to be at dinner. We decided to head back toward the car to change. Robbi decided that we should take the subway system, known as The L back. This was a fun experience, except for the fact that each ride cost $2.00. We made out way back to our car, and changed for dinner. We looked at the time, and we were cutting it close to 5:00 pm. R, as usual, was taking forever to get ready to go to dinner. By the time she was done, we had about 17 minuets to 5. We beelined for the L, which we had to pay for to get on. Robbi got his ticket and went through the gate. I of course didn’t have money. The machine would not take Geoff’s dollars, and then in a split second, chaos broke loose. Form and Geoff decided that they could make it running, and took off out the of L. This left Robbi on one side of the gate, and R and I on the other, half moneyless. R had to get Robbi to focus so he could understand that Form and Geoff had ran, and were going to run all the way to the hotel. I didn’t know what to do. R got Robbi to fish through his wallet to find monei for R and I to get past the gate. R got by fine, but my ticket was being screwy. Suddenly, we heard a sound from below. The train was pulling up. I thought we were going to miss it. My ticket still was not going through. Finally, at last second, it let me through the gate! We ran downstairs and hopped onto the train! Robbi got off a couple of stops before us, and went on his way to start his night alone in the town he still called partly his home.
R and I got off the subway, and headed back up to the street. We walked a few blocks, and there was the hotel. As we walked inside and looked around trying to find where dinner was. 10 seconds later, sure enough, Geoff and Form came running into the hotel. Right on time. I was impressed. I was also glad they found it. We found out that dinner was upstairs and we raced to get there on time. When we arrived, we found out that We made it in plenty of time, and they had not even begun seating people yet. Turns out my name was on the guest list since I booked the tickets. They finally opened the doors and we stepped inside. There were about 8 long tables set up next to each other. At each table sat one cast member of Wicked. The place was dimmed, and lighted mostly with candle light. We took our seats at a table where the cast member was Nick Belton, who understudied Feiyro. They told him it was my bday, but Geoff made she he took over the conversation because he of how he loved to act. R was getting deep into conversation with the old man that sat next to her. Meanwhile, across from us sat this girl and her grandmother. Originally the grandmother tried hooking up her granddaughter with form, but then when Geoff opened his big mouth about acting, he seemed like the more lively one. Dinner consisted of 3 courses. For my appetizer I had fried potatoes. For the main course, we all got the delicious grilled wicked ribeye, over the chicken or the fish. For dessert, I was treated to cake once again, a giant piece of chocolate cake. The meal was perfect. Nick was the hottest cast member at any table, and had a very delightful personality. Geoff asked him “as an actor, and everything you get to do, what’s the best part of the whole package”. He gave his answer, and ended it with “It’s a nice package”. Geoff whispered to Form “I would like to see his package”. The girl across from us heard him and said “I was thinking the same thing” . As we started dessert, Nick and the rest of the cast members had to leave to get ready for the show following. I was only half done with my cake when we realized we had to beeline a block in 15 minuets. We raced out of the hotel and down the street to W. Randolph St. There I was, right back at the Oriental Theater once again seeing the show I saw 8 months ago with Cheat. It was bright, and green, just like always before a Wicked performance. Also, as always it was a full house. I found our seats, which were perfect. 15th row, center seats. I could not have asked for better on my 21st birthday. Geoff bought me a shirt, I was in shock! He had been spending money all day, and he really didn’t have to buy me any more, but he did. It was very sweet. The show was spectacular. Glinda seemed to rush through some of her lines though. I figured she was just getting tired of doing the role for all these months. Geoff thought Elphaba was the best he had ever seen in act two. Take it from someone who had seen the show 6 times, he knew what he was talking about. R started to narc in the second act. I tried keeping her awake, but her narc took over. When the show was over, it was time to go find Studli form, and for the four of them to head home. Walking out of the theater was mis hap like 4 of the day. Prof Form and I lost Tall Form and R. Literally lost. We walked all around and searched the people standing outside, and yet they were gone. My phone had died at this point, and the only number I knew was R’s. We tried calling her, but she didn’t answer. Geoff was pissed, as was I. We ended up walking all the way back to the car. We stepped into the garage, and our aggravated group was already there to meet us. Form was very edgy and handed us our bags. They had reunited with Studli Form, but I guess there was still problems. Tall Form, Studli Form, and R got in the mustang, and with that, headed home.
It was now time for part two of my adventure. Geoff and I were now alone. We left the parking deck and called my cousin and he told us to come over and crash at his place. His place was just 5 minuets from downtown, so it was good. We were greeted by him and his wife Jessica and their dog. Their apartment was very big, and roomy. When Jessica found out it was my 21st, she poured me a glass of red wine. My cousin Roby, took us all up on the roof of the complex where Geoff and I got to witness the entire windy city lit up by nightfall and city lights. It was beautiful. It was worth it to stay and see that. The breeze blew, and the view was amazing. Form called me to tell me that going home, they ran out of gas money, so they stopped in Kzoo and borrowed money from the Queens, and that Geoff and I had to stop and pay them back. This somewhat pissed me off, but I was not going to let it ruin my night. We went back inside and I told Geoff about what Form said, and we discussed the events of the day. 2 beers, and one glass of wine later, we decided to hit the sheets, and get up early the next day! Sure my bday was over, by my adventure in the windy city was only beginning…..