Leftovers: A Novel (16 page)

Vivian used this technique time and time again with terrific results. It really worked successfully in supermarket and department store parking lots as husbands patiently waited for their wives to finish errands. Vivian would have Stew park next to their cars and Vivian would open the backseat door and start stacking Tupperware into her arms until she was just about to drop them. Eventually the men would notice, jump out of their cars to assist and then Vivian would go into the pitch again.

At first, Vivian felt a twinge of deceit but the end result would be a win/win for everyone. Not only were the men eager for their wives to make extra income but some even moonlighted on the side or quit their jobs altogether to help with the distribution of items, like Stew did.

Soon Vivian was selling full force again but even stronger. She created what she called the “six-party-fete”. Starting at 9:00 A.M. she held parties at two-hour intervals with the last one beginning at 8:00 P.M. With two sets of displays, Stew would help Vivian set up the first party. Then he would drive to the next location and set up for the next date while she was demonstrating. He’d rush back to Vivian and when the first party had finished, he’d pack up the display, drive her to the second party while he drove on to the third. They would hopscotch like this until they had finished the last party of the day. Then they’d drop by McDonald’s at the end of the evening for burger and fries and tally up the orders and money they had made. Vivian found this hectic schedule simultaneously exhausting and exhilarating. For the first time ever, she had control of her life. She felt self-confident and independent.

Vivian kept up this insane pace for the next three months and in early April she was thrilled to discover that she had been invited to her first regional gathering of Tupperware dealers to be held at the historic Bulfinch hotel in downtown Boston.

Vivian had read about the meetings in the Sparks newsletter. The year before Babs and Stew had attended for their first time. They were like pep rallies where dealers and managers from the surrounding areas could socialize, strategize, win prizes and have a hell of a time partying.

With her hard earned money, Vivian broke down and bought herself some new dresses. Babs tagged along as her personal stylist, which may or may not have been a good idea. It was obvious that Vivian was pretty conservative and hadn’t a clue about fashion but on the other hand, Babs was far out there with her style choices and always eager to shock. But together they managed to find a few items that felt comfortable to Vivian. Nothing was cutting edge but pieces that seemed appropriate for selling Tupperware.

Although she questioned how fashionable one of her buys would be for the convention, considering her unforgettable induction into the Dusty Boots barn dancing club, Vivian chose to wear her new petticoat dress. Supposedly all the rage in the spring of 1955, she actually loved how it flattered her figure. Having gained a few pounds in the last couple of months, she had some curves to her body not too mention, bosoms.

The short-sleeved blue floral print acetate dress with rhinestone button trim at the neckline had an umbrella skirt with stitched tucks all around that gave her the new smooth hipline that all the gals wanted. And the separate taffeta petticoat had a blue hue that just teased out under the skirt. With matching faux jade earrings and necklace, she finished off the look wearing white kid gloves and a pair of teal blue pumps with a kitten heel. Although the entire ensemble cost her $37.98, which included a new handbag, she felt like a million bucks.

Babs drove down to Boston in her car as she and Stew tried to answer the hundred and one questions Vivian was asking about the regional meeting and what was going to transpire. The Bulfinch was located in the north end of town on Merrimac Street but while talking up a storm, Babs missed a turn and they unexpectedly ended up on none other than Pinckney Street.

Vivian’s nonstop chatter came to a complete halt when she saw a much-aged Maid 4 sweeping the front stoop of her mother’s townhouse as they drove down the cobblestone street. She wanted to stop and say hello but sensing her mother might be at home she decided against it, not wanting to put a damper on the celebration.

And when asked why she had become so quiet she just laughed it off and said, “The anticipation of the event is so . . . overwhelming.”

But seeing Maid 4 filled Vivian with an odd combination of emotions. She felt a deep feeling of loss and sadness mixed with a profound sense of freedom and new beginning. Just as they were passing by, Maid 4 looked up and Vivian quickly spun around, wondering if she had recognized her.

After backtracking up to Merrimac Street and finding a parking space, the trio rushed into the historic flatiron building that was already teaming with dealers from all over New England. Once they were checked in, they all headed to the enormous conference room. Round tables were beautifully set for dinner and down in front was a makeshift stage with folding screens on either side. Above it hung a large banner:

WELCOME
New England Regional Dealers and Managers
Tupperware
April 1955

Babs, Vivian and Stew were lucky to find three seats together but mid-way through the ceremonies, Stew seemed to disappear. Esther Gaffney, the hostess of the evening, reappeared and walked up to a microphone set up center stage.

“Thanks to Barbara Manning for those clever tips to help you all sell your Tupperware,” she said as she looked off towards one of the partitions.

The audience applauded as Vivian turned to Babs. “Where did Stewie go?”

“You’ll see him in a moment,” she said with a mischievous smile.

Esther motioned to the audience to quiet down. “Before we announce this month’s top sellers we have a special announcement from three of our most beautiful Tupperware ladies ever to grace this stage.” She looked off to see if they were ready. “Let’s give a big round of applause for none other than . . . Polly, Bobbie and Stewina!”

Two men, Paul and Bob, wobbled out onto the stage dressed in drag. Both of them were wearing matronly floral housedresses, wigs and painfully high heels. As the audience erupted into laughter, it was obvious that someone was trying to push Stew onto the stage. He ran off and then was pushed back on and suddenly his attitude changed. He strutted, in the sexiest way that he could, towards the other two men. The audience lost it when they saw him wearing a black Frederick’s of Hollywood off the shoulder cocktail dress and matching opera gloves. He teetered in black high heels, wore a black wig and had stuffed giant balloons into his chest.

Vivian’s hands went up to her mouth. “Oh my Lord!”

Babs turned to her. “I don’t know when it started but it’s a running gag with every regional meeting across the country. And it was the guys’ idea!”

Babs and Vivian looked at each other and broke out into laughter.

Paul stepped forward and held up a pink round plastic box and in a falsetto voice said, “Mr. Tupper . . . ” The audience flipped over his voice. When they calmed down enough, he continued. “Mr. Tupper has created an assortment of new products like this boiled egg keeper.” He opened the lid. “The perfect solution for getting those devilish . . . ” Bob slaps Paul on the behind and almost drops his Tupperware full of eggs. Again, the audience roared. “The perfect solution for getting those devilish eggs to the picnic in good condition.”

Paul stepped back as Bob took a step forward holding a large orange plastic key. In an even higher voice he squeaked, “And how about . . . ” the audience cut him off with laughter. “And how about this beautiful Tupperware wall key chain holder? A place to store the key . . . to my heart.”

He held it up against his heart as Stew and Paul gave him a sandwich hug, rubbing their breasts all over him. Bob stepped back and Stew wobbled forward. He waited for them to calm down and then said in the deepest bass voice he could conjure up, “Or how about . . . ” the audience laughed as Babs and Vivian doubled over. “Or how about this fashionable combination?” He held up a large comb and started stroking his wig. “A comb to keep your locks shining and tangle free?” He struggled as the comb got caught in his hair and had to yank it out, almost pulling off the wig. He flipped the comb around and looked into its mirror. “And look! A mirror to admire your handsome, ah, pretty face in.” He mugged into the mirror and started singing
I Feel Pretty
from
West Side Story.

The audience went wild as Stew then stopped singing and stared into his reflection. “Mirror, mirror on the comb, who’s the fairest Tupperware lady in my home?”

The audience cheered him as he and his cohorts curtsied and ran bow-legged off stage.

Esther reemerged pointing towards the men. “Let’s hear it for Paul, Bob and Stew.” Everyone clapped as she continued. “So make sure you check out the display in the back of the conference room and put in your orders as soon as you can.”

Vivian leaned in to Babs. “Gotta run to the little girl’s room.”

Vivian stood up and squeezed by people and chairs as Esther continued.

“And now I have the pleasure of announcing this month’s top sellers. I want our runner-up to claim her very own General Electric portable 100 watt 3 speed electric mixer . . . and it’s Sally Connor!”

The room cheered as Sally jumped out of her seat, which was at the back of the room, and practically mowed down everyone in her way as she tried to make her way to the stage. “Thank you!” she screamed. “Thank you ever so much!”

Vivian reached the back doors but stopped when she heard the audience laughing. She turned around and saw an exuberant Sally trying to hop up onto the four-foot high platform but it was just too tall for her. Like a Jack Russell terrier she kept leaping into the air until an attendant ushered her over to the side and helped her up the stairs. Beyond excited, she tripped running up onto the stage.

Esther handed the mixer to Sally who almost dropped it and then she was escorted off the platform. Vivian pushed through the exit doors as Esther continued.

“And our top seller for this quarter is . . . ”

Vivian searched the hotel lobby for the ladies room as she heard cheering and applause coming from the conference room. She was just about to ask the concierge where the bathroom was when Babs came flying out.

“Vivian! Vivian!”

She turned around.

“It’s you!”

“It’s me, what?”

“You won! You have to go up on stage!”

“I won what?”

“Top seller!”

“Aw geez, but I really have to go to the . . . ”

Babs dragged her back into the conference room. When Vivian entered, the entire audience stood up and applauded, as Babs pulled her towards the stage.

Esther gestured out to Vivian who was winding her way around the tables down to the front of the room. “Ladies and gentlemen, one of our newest members and definitely our newest top seller, Vivian Lawson!”

Unlike Sally, the moment for Vivian was so surreal it was as if she were walking in slow motion. Babs guided her over to the stairs and pushed her from behind.

“Viv, get your butt up there!”

As Vivian walked across the stage she could see Stew off to the side still in his drag outfit, attempting to jump up and down in his high heels, giving her the thumbs up.

Esther embraced Vivian and brought her over to the microphone. “Before we present you with your reward, I have a little something here that might excite you.”

The audience oohed and awed as she handed Vivian a letter and encouraged her to open it. It seemed like an eternity passed before she managed to open the envelope and then a silence fell over the audience as she quickly scanned the note.

Vivian looked as though she were about to faint.

Esther laughed, putting her arm around her for support, and then addressed the audience. “When Vivian stops pinching herself, she’ll tell you what it is.”

Esther encouraged her to read it but Vivian shook her head, indicating she was completely speechless. Everyone held their breath as she regained her composure and then read the letter.

“Dear Vivian, congratulations on a job well done. I personally track everyone’s performance on a weekly basis and I must say you are one talented and busy young lady. Here’s a gift from Tupperware to say thank you for all your hard work. I’d also like to extend my personal invitation to you to join me in celebrating Tupperware’s next Jubilee down here in sunny Florida.” The audience cheered as Vivian continued. “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. Job well done. Best Wishes, Brownie Wise.”

Just then, a giant portrait of Brownie unrolled down from the ceiling. Everyone started cheering and applauding.

Esther tried to speak over the roar. “And your prize is . . . ”The curtains behind them opened up and the crowd went insane. “A brand new Maytag automatic washing machine!”

Vivian was stunned. She barely had the strength to walk over to the prize and when she did, she touched it gently, as if it were the most precious thing she had ever seen. The audience laughed as Babs cheered from the bottom of the stairs and Stew watched proudly from the wings.

Esther brought the microphone over to her. “I’m so excited,” Vivian said, trembling. “I think I’m going to have an accident.”