To see that tall, Immaculate Flying Officer Kite - type hovering handily in the foyer of Brighton’s Ice Stadium, you would never think he had anything to do with My Homely Friend Harry. But he had. He was Mr Benny Lee, general manager of the sumptuous and scintillating stadium and one of the most respected of Brighton's legion of superb showmen.
When Harry first met him, his hair was abundant and his figure a shade slighter, but he was still a great showman.
He was then the world’s professional quarter-mile roller skating champion and was working his way through a crazy succession of stunts that seemed certain to end with him skating against a team of forest-bred lions.
These stunts sent spectators wild in arenas all over south London and beyond and eventually got to the ears of another legendary showman, Lloyd Forsyth, who owned - among a good many entertainment halls - The Rochester Casino. At Lloyd’s behest, Benny first annihilated all local skating talent in straight competition. Running out of skating opposition, Benny then took on cyclists, which he did with both verve and success. So, when he had pulverised the peddlers, what was more natural than that Lloyd Forsyth should drop My Friend Harry a line suggesting a little get-together at some convenient place such as his Casino - and reminding him not to forget to bring his motor-bike.
For at that time, Harry luxuriated in the glory of the Indoor Speedway Championship of the World, a title grandly bestowed on the winner of a series of races at the Casino. As the result of a good deal of afternoon practising when he was supposed to be gathering scoops for the Chatham Observer, Harry acquired a certain superficial knack at indoor racing to give him victory, the title, a hearty pat on the back from Lloyd Forsyth, a piece of silverware and an acceptable bundle of oncers.
Thus, on the appointed night, Harry presented himself astride his ex-dirt track ‘special’ motor bike before the gaze of a lip-licking multitude. And for no other reason than that the potent J.A.P. engine yanked him off the line quicker than Benny’s toes got him cracking, Harry proceeded to win with the menace weaving and lunging behind him, trying to squeeze by first on the inside and then on the outside.
He couldn’t do it, Harry’s gamesmanship being better than his, so naturally there had to be a return bout but, for that second clash, they were started at opposite ends of the hall, Mr F diplomatically observing: “That gives both of you plenty of room to cheat in."
This time, the contest ended in a dead heat, but the effort to keep level with the streak of black-tighted lightning cost Harry dear. He couldn’t stop when the chequered flag was waved and attacked a concrete pillar with the front wheel.
“Send the bill to me.“ said Lloyd, surveying the damage. “Send the bill to me." said Benny a few moments later when he, too, contemplated the smoking ruin. Unhappily, Harry was far too occupied with painful contusions consequent upon having fetched up astride the steering damper to hear either generous offer and knew of them only later by hearsay. So, when the bill did come, he paid it himself. Lloyd would never have remembered so trivial a moment in his crowded life and Harry hesitated to send the bill to Benny on the strength of an alleged offer made in the hearing of a third party.
*
ALL that took place when Benny and Harry were young and slim and had hair and it all passed out of Harry’s memory until Frank Hogg, at that time Brighton’s deputy entertainments manager, mentioned that he had to call on a Mr Benny Lee, manager of the ice stadium.
“Benny Lee," mused Harry. “Was he once the world’s professional quarter-mile roller skating champion?”
"Haven't the foggiest,” replied Frank. “Come and ask him."
So, My Friend Harry did.
“Bloody hell!" exclaimed Benny. “How did you know that?” Wherupon, Harry told him - and they had a wonderful time talking over those idiotic, reprehensible, indefensible, captivating, crazy and thoroughly enjoyable Thirties. Harry didn’t mention anything so sordid as the bill, of course, but that turned out to be all right in the end.
For, with a magnificently theatrical wave, manager Benny Lee invited the entire Harry family to see the ice show. In due course, Harry and Mrs Harry and their starry-eyed kids were installed in the best seats in the house. There were flowers and chocolates for Mrs Harry, sweets and ices for the kiddiewinkies and gin and tonics in the managerial office for Harry.
Motor cyclists meet the nicest people!
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