The Sheik episode 2 of 2-Studio 54 NYC

The Sheik-Studio 54
Episode 2 of 2
Studio 54 NYC-1980's

The usual suspects having long ago arrived home to Manhattan from our Vegas Tennessee Waltz adventure some years prior, are planning a new trip, this one, a short one, it will be to Studio 54 in midtown Manhattan, where the night before we had been refused admission by one of the doorman, who apparently was not as impressed by our appearance as we were, he also did not give two quarters about the fact that Vegas thought highly of us.

This was more than an insult because the new owner of Studio, Mark Fleischmann was a personal friend of mine and in fact I had arranged the sale of Studio from Ian Schrager and Steve Rubell to Mark, when I say arranged, I mean I made the introduction of the parties in my club in St. Thomas Jelly's Disco,, so sort of arranged. The first step the most important.![]

Another Mark, Studios bouncer or rather doorman had not bothered to buzz for Mark the owner when asked to by me, hence we were turned down at the door, a bit embarrassing for Vegas high rollers and our attitudes.

However we have a plan. Mr Oobatz of Sheikdom and Tennessee Waltz notoriety is the owner of a caftan, the traditional garb worn by Arab Sheik's.

For some reason he is not interested in wearing it this night, so we decide that Chester , the short , bald , blue eyed Italian and Oobatz's caftan will be our key to studios door. This during the days when Arab wealth was buying up Manhattan and Beverly Hills properties at breakneck speed. Our plan was to use that real estate mood and spin to get in.

Our ace in the hole is that we own a Limousine company called Style Limousine, catering to Atlantic City High rollers, and frequently used by the usual suspects. The hook to the Limousines are the fact the fleet of vehicles included a 1939 Cadillac Limousine that John Boy had refurbished with modern conveniences and a 327 Chevy engine.

Our train of thought being that if the caftan look failed the Limo look would guarantee us entrance. This turned out to be spot on. Our driver pulls up directly in front of Studio, where literally hundreds of people are waiting on line hoping to be picked from the crowd to be “allowed” in. This line by the way was not a straight line in any sense. All forms of humanity was represented that-night it seemed to me, our driver opens his door and addresses the crowd and announces that “ The Sheik is here!!

That crowded line I kid you not , parted like the Red Sea, as we his entourage surrounded the Sheik and proceeded to Tennessee waltzed him in to studio, no charge. We were immediately brought upstairs to the celebrity champagne room. I guess clothes do make the man?

Oobatzz has designated himself as the Sheik's spokesperson as of course our Sheik has to keep his NYC mouth shut or the game is over. Oobatzz proceeds to field questions from many admiring females, whom apparently are into short , chunky Italian middle aged men with blue eyes who wear caftans?

One in particular is a great looking gal named Bonnie, whom it turns out owns a boutique in the Village, so she says anyway, saying so she assures us she is not interested in the Sheik for $ sake but it seems for his? Anyway our Sheik speaking thru Oobatz tells her that he finds her very attractive and that he would like to buy her a gift, since she is not interested in cash, and it can be anything she wishes,this seems OK with Bonnie, her wish?, is a White Arabian Stallion as she it seems is an equestrian besides a Chic Boutique owner.

The Sheik again using Oobatzz as interpreter feigning contemplation for a moment or two tells her this will be no problem, but that it will take some time to find the best possible Stallion from the many possibilities at his horse Ranch over there in Saudi Arabia . She of course understands this, and promises to be patient. All this said with straight faces by all parties.

Then still straight faced our Sheik points at Bonnie's chest, Bonnie asks the Sheik if he likes the view that being her breasts, and the Sheik after consulting with our interpreter nods yes indeed.

So Bonnie offers to let the Sheik touch them, and to our surprise gives the Sheik an English lesson at the same moment: she mouths the word “Titties” while pointing to her treasure chest,our Sheik then proceeds to mouth the same words he has just heard, he was indeed a fast learner, this, much to Bonnie's pleasure, so for a few moments she repeats the word titties and the Sheik follows her lead saying “ titties, titties--” -

So the Sheik's first word in English is titties, he feigned being proud and Bonnie did also,I kid you fn not.

Bonnie apparently finally sort of figured it out, that being that the Sheik may not actually be a Sheik as she refused his offer of a tour of his upper East Side Townhouse.

We assume that is why she deferred a generous offer, but who really knows her reasoning on that.

Bonnie Boutique however did hedge her bets for many months afterwards, as we his “handlers” would receive calls from Bonnie as to the whereabouts of the Sheik and of course her White Stallion?

Our response was always the same, soon, everything soon---