Gaby Book 27 Smell of the Crowd by Maddy Bell Copyright© 2022 Madeline Bell Life has some certainties, birth and death of course, but the rest is a mix of Minestrone and Spaghetti, some of which we have no direct influence over. We can however decide whether we want Parmesan or other seasoning, we can give Gnochi a try, doesn't mean we'll like it but at least we'll know. Gaby has reached just such a point in her life, she knows she likes Pizza, she's not averse to Spaghetti or Lasagne but is Gnochi for her? The Gnochi in this case is doing the singing with BlauHase on a more serious level, as a 'hobby' its fine but could this be a change of career? Well you don't find out without trying so that's just what our heroine is about to find out in this, the 27th book of the Gaby saga.

 
I heaved my case into the Gartenhof’s reception just after nine having scarfed down a six or was it seven course breakfast. Don’t get too excited, it was just the usual buffet affair, coffee, juice, fruit and yoghurt, egg & meat sandwich, toast and a couple of mini pastries, seven then. Thing is, I thought I’d better get a decent Frühstück as I’ve no idea when I’ll next see food what with one thing and another today.

"Urgh, when did this all weigh so much?” Mist moaned, dragging her own luggage across to join mine.
"When you bought half the shop in Seligenstadt yesterday?” I suggested.
"Yeah well apart from that,” she mumbled, "So what now?”
"Well I’m going back to the room to use the facilities and get my Handtasche, dunno about you.”
"Guess I’ll hang on here in case this guy’s early.”
"I shan’t be long,” I told her as I tugged the room key from her grip and set off for the stairs.

There is a lift but its ancient, about the size of a phone box and moves at like weeks per metre, it really is quicker to climb the two flights of stairs. Anyhow I was soon back up in Room Six and availing myself of the ensuite, just as well as I spotted my good shampoo stood on the shelf in the shower cubicle – maybe I should for another sweep of the room. Of course it was intentional that my Handy was still charging on the night stand and last nights knickers, well they must have fallen off the chair when I was packing.

I stuffed everything into my bag before pausing to preen in the long mirror behind the door. As I’ll be trying stuff on this morning I’d dragged some stuff from where it has spent the last fortnight at the bottom of the case, jeans and a plain T aren’t very rock’n’roll but they’re comfy and easy to shed. A quick readjust of my ponytail and I left for the lower level again.

"Thought you weren’t gonna be long?” Mist accused from her perch on top of our luggage.
"I was as quick as I could be.”
"Hmmph!”
"There you are,” Stefan noted coming into the building from the great outdoors.
"Here we are, cases all packed, room vacated.”
"What time are you being picked up?”
"Nine thirty,” Mist told him.
He looked at his watch, "Hmm, ten minutes, Animals just gone to pick up the bus, you’ll be gone before he’s back I guess, so this is all your stuff?”
"Yeah,” I agreed, "Careful picking up Mist’s, it weighs a ton.”
"Huh!”
"You said it, not me,” i riposted.
"I’m sure we’ll cope, what time will you be done?” Stefan asked.
“’bout lunchtime I think, he didn’t actually say.”
"Don’t forget we’ve got the interview with Spex this afternoon.”
"Urgh, could’ve done without that, today of all days.”
Stefan grinned, "The price of fame, will you need picking up from wherever?”
"Not sure.” I admitted.
"Well we’ll be at the venue, we’ll go straight from here, bit more setting up than usual today. If you need a lift, ring, Hilde can come and fetch you.”
"Sorry for adding an extra layer of complication.”
"Hey, you have to grab these opportunities.”
"This looks like us,” Mist called over from by the door where she’d been looking out for our transport.
"We’ll see you later then,” I told our leader.
"Have fun, tschuss.”
"Tschussie.”
 

It had indeed been our transport, a big dark green Mercedes from I guess the seventies, lots of chrome and chiselled detailing. It wasn’t Herr Binder at the wheel, rather it was a tall, slim woman in a sort of pastiche of a chauffeurs uniform, complete with hat. The fact it was all made of dark red leather blew any suggestion of normalcy, what have we let ourselves in for?

After the barest of introductions, Mist and I scooted into the back seat and our imposing driver set off into the morning traffic. Living in sleepy Dernau and before that, equally sleepy Warsop, urban traffic isn’t something you really come up against. Oh it can get a bit busy in Koblenz but the likes of Bonn and Köln we usually travel to by train so we don’t see the traffic in the same way. This morning however we were in amongst an almost continuous stream of traffic pretty much from the get go, not only that but there was hardly a break from housing and industrial premises.

Mühlheim segued into Offenbach without more than a road sign to advertise the change. The first break from the continuous building only came when we reached what I’m guessing is Offenbach’s waterfront which we followed for a bit, catching glimpses of the Main through the trees lining the road. There was no less traffic, it was moving but it was there, only thinning when we briefly left the main drag.

We’d been going about fifteen, twenty minutes when we briefly joined an Autobahn for one junction before joining a busy dual carriageway signed for Frankfurt Mitte. We were into the Frankfurt suburbs now, blocks of apartments along tree lined streets taking us deeper into the city. Having no idea where we were headed I wasn’t too surprised when we turned away from the centre now following signs for the central railway station.

Just how far are we going? Still following signs for the Hbf, we crossed the Main before immediately taking a turn marked Westenhafen. We passed the new marina development and into an industrial area, older factories cheek by jowl with more modern buildings. After making another turn, I was still mulling over the apparent misspelling of ‘Heidalbergerstrasse’, the big Mercedes unexpectedly slid to a halt outside of a rather tired looking three storey building.

"Guess this is us,” Mist whispered.
"Guess so,” I replied in kind as our driver put on her hat and proceeded to exit the car.

A minute later we were stood on the pavement watching the Mercedes drive off, now what? We may as well be in Timbuktoo, I’ve no idea where we are, not really, I think I might be able to retrace our route a bit, maybe get us to the station, we can’t be that far away as I could hear the clanking of trains in the distance. Mind you, I could hear aircraft too even over the hum of Germany’s fifth largest city.
 

"Fraulein Erdbeeren!” a voice called out, "So glad to see you.”

We both turned our attention from the quickly disappearing Mercedes to the building behind us. I recognised the guy coming from the door as Herr Binder, today dressed in what I can only describe as a brown leather kilt, waistcoat and knee high Dockers.

"Er hi, Herr Binder, your driver just dropped us off.”
"She was supposed to wait, I’ll have to have words, this isn’t the best part of town, lots of migrants you know. But come, come inside, you want coffee? Tea?” he offered leading the way into the building.

"Um sure,” I agreed as he ushered us inside before carefully locking the door, I guess against unwanted entry, at least I hope its that rather than to keep us in.
"Come, we’ll take the stairs.”
"So um, Herr Binder,” I started as we began our ascent, "How long will we be? Not that we’re in a rush but we have an interview this afternoon.”
"Larry please, what time?”
"About three I think at the venue.”
"Ach, no problem, its only ten minutes away, as to how long,” he shrugged, "That will depend on what we find eh?”
"Um sure,” I allowed exchanging a look with Mist.

Our footsteps echoed up the stairwell, Larry leading us past the first floor landing to the top and through a fire door into what appeared to be a shop space. When I say shop well perhaps boutique would be more accurate but instead of racks of party frocks and high fashion, the clothing I could see was, well, eclectic. The first impression was that there was a lot of leather and shiny stuff, I couldn’t tell what some of the garments even were, my senses assaulted by the smell as much as the sight.

"Come, come, we can look at things after we have coffee eh?”
"Erm, okay.”
"Monique dear, our guests are here,” Larry sang out before addressing us again as he directed us towards another room, "My assistant, she’ll help with dressing.”

This new room was more like a lounge, dominated by an overstuffed green leather sofa and a couple of matching chairs.

"Please, sit, coffee yes? For both?”
"Can I just get water please?” Mist requested.
"Sure, I’ll be right back, make yourselves at home.”

We both sat on the sofa, safety in numbers and all that.

"Did you see that stuff next door,” Mist hissed, "There must be some seriously weird people out there.”
"Says she with Tangerine hair and a mouthful of metal.”
"Hardly a mouthful and your hair’s pink.”
"Temporarily,” I stated.
"If you say so.”
"I do.”
"Did you see that dress, on the stand?”
"Bit hard to miss it,” I observed.

Said garment was on a mannequin thing opposite the door, a confection of brown and cream in a kind of baroque design, you know, big skirts with those pannier bits and showing a fair bit of chest. In fact when we stayed with the Taxis at New Year, Sophia wanted me to try something not dissimilar in their attic. I kind of get that, if you are into like historic re-enactment, you might want something like it, except it was clearly made of leather.

"I can just see you on stage in that.”
"Not gonna happen.”

I turned my attention to our immediate surroundings, whilst the seating dominated the room it wasn’t the only furniture, or indeed decoration. In fact you could be forgiven for thinking you were in some country pile rather than a run down building in central Frankfurt. I wouldn’t like to comment on the furniture’s provenance but the tables, side chairs and dresser that helped fill the space looked quite old, probably nineteenth century and the other decorations added to that general impression.

My musings were broken by the return of Herr Binder followed by, I presume, Monique. I say presume as I couldn’t see her face, well her head actually as she was wearing some sort of close fitting hood thing made of what looked like pink latex. If that wasn’t weird enough, the rest of her outfit, a sort of French Maid get up was also made of the same stuff, as far as I could see she was entirely covered in the stuff.

"Here we go, water for?” Larry queried passing a long glass of water over.
"Ne, I mean Misty,” my clearly flustered companion managed.
"Sorry, I’m terrible with names, Mon, if you can do the honours please.”

I was transfixed as the rubber clad ‘maid’ served coffee to Larry and myself, our host having seated himself in one of the armchairs. Despite the heels, she was deft on her feet and silent, enforced I realised by the hood having no opening for her mouth, indeed even her eyes were covered, I guess she could see through the tiny perforations. It was difficult to know for sure but I got the feeling she smiled at me when she caught me watching.

"Don’t worry Fraulein Erdbeeren, I have more practical ideas for you,” Larry advised, “Moni doesn’t usually dress like this but we go directly to the show once we have you sorted, it was just easier to get her dressed first.”
"That makes sense,” Mist observed.
I took a sip of my coffee, I had to contain a bit of a shudder at the frankly, bitter brew, "So um, what have you got in mind for us?”
"Don’t worry, it won’t be anything like Moni, after all, you need to sing eh,” he replied with a slight smile.

He must’ve read the fear going through my mind.

"I have something special in mind, something more practical and can I say, sexy for you and for your friend, well I think maybe something more,” he paused, "Avant garde.
"Oh-kay.”
"Sounds intriguing,” Mist added.
"Well as long as its nothing too, erm ‘sexy’, my parents and friends will be here,” I qualified.
"Maybe we miss the bondage straps then,” he deadpanned before breaking into a grin, "Just kidding, I am a fan not a voyeur in this matter, I save that for my customers, some of whom, it has to be said, have tastes that are a little, how can I say it, extreme?” he nodded towards Monique stood in enforced silence behind his chair. “Be assured I want to enhance your beauty not hide it nor do I want to detract from your music. Do you trust me?”
"I er guess so,” I cautiously allowed.
"Well finish your coffee and we’ll get started.”
 

And so, five minutes later, Larry, Herr Binder led us back through the showroom and into a room not dissimilar to the fitting room at Eloise Couture, you know, Gerta and Dotty’s place in Ahrweiler. It was bigger and there were several chairs around the dais but otherwise it had much the same features, a curtained off changing area and a rack which here held just a few items.

"I think we should dress Misty first,” Larry advised, "It is the simpler of you.”
"Sure,” I agreed, "We’re in your hands.”
"Moni, if you would please.”

The rubber clad woman selected a couple of hangers from the rail and indicated that Mist should bring the large carrier bag from below. The pair disappeared behind the curtain leaving me alone with Herr Binder.

"Please, sit, they may be a few minutes.”

I took one of the chairs feeling a bit apprehensive at being alone with our benefactor.

"So, um, how did you get into all this?” Well someone had to start the conversation.
"Ah, such a long story, mostly quite boring, I’m sure you don’t want to hear it all.”
"Edited highlights?” I suggested, anything to fill the silence.
"Hmm, yes, that would do better. Well it was an accident really….”
 

It was perhaps twenty minutes later when a swish of the curtain announced the return of Monique and Mist to the main room.

"Ah, excellent,” Larry beamed, standing and motioning for Mist to step up onto the dais.

I have to say it wasn’t anything that I’d been expecting, well not that I really had much idea of what to expect. If anything I was a bit disappointed that her outfit was so, well ordinary. Except that it was more than first met the eye.

"What do you reckon Gab?” my friend asked.
"Great, what do you think?”
"I like it, sort of a twist on the whole Goth look?”

A twist indeed, under a sort of loose, see through black tunic type thing that barely covered her breasts, she had on a strappy bra affair. The shorts she was now wearing over fishnets were whilst full cut, tight and my guess, red latex, the same colour and now I looked closer, material.

"Hope its not cold later,” I opined.
"Well I like it, these boots are dope.”

I missed the boots, not sure I’m that keen to be honest. They were only black, just over the ankle with very pointy toes, thin heel and a lot of straps. With the rest of the ensemble they worked well but like I say, not really my thing.

"A success?” Larry asked.
"Definitely!” Mist declared.

Yes I was disappointed on one level but maybe that was the point, that our ‘costumes’ should be memorable but not at the expense of the music.
 

"So Fraulein Erdbeeren, it is your turn,” Larry stated.
"Er sure.”
If my outfit is anything like Mist’s, well I can live with that I guess, I’ve worn less in public, well the beach.

"I’ll leave you in Monique’s capable hands,” Herr Binder advised, "Moni, if you will.”

I stood up and headed for the changing room with a sense of trepidation.
 

My latex clad dresser followed a minute later, pausing only to pull the curtain shut before hanging up a couple of garment bags, looks like I won’t be wearing shorts and a shirt then. I was a bit taken aback when the next thing Monique did was to fumble at the back of her head before unzipping the all encasing hood. It came off with a bit of a sucking sound and clearly some relief from the wearer.

"Chuck me that towel please.”
"Um, sure.”

I passed the towel that was hanging on a wall hook next to me over, the poor woman was soaked with sweat, whilst her hair was under a wig cap thing, it was clearly plastered to her head, rivulets coursing down her face.

"Thanks, I couldn’t stand it any longer.”
"Won’t you get in trouble for taking it off?”
"Larry need never know, I’ll put it back on before we go back out, Maria by the way,” she offered a hand.
"But I thought you were Monique?”
"Only when I’m dressed in this stuff, Larry says it suits the ‘character’ better.”
"So how…”
"Did I get into this? In short, money. Well lack of to be truthful, Larry’s my brother, during the week I study law at the University, weekends I work for Larry doing whatever needs doing.”
"So you aren’t into this whole alternative stuff then?”
"Not like Lar, some of it’s okay I guess but the latex I could do without, you want to undress?”
"Um sure, so why do it, I mean wear it?”
"Because it pays well, the people into this stuff will happily drop thousands of euro on the right stuff so I get to be the mannequin and Larry makes a living. So how much of a visual impact do you want to make?”
"Some? What have you in mind?”
"Well we can just go with the clothes, which I’m sure will be great or we could go a bit further, take things up a level?”

I was intrigued now, this may be the only chance I get to do this, go a bit outside my comfort zone.

"Whatever you think Marie, you only live once right?”
"That’s my girl!”

Maddy Bell © 23.08.2022