To find out what’s been happening lately at Margo’s Place, scroll down past Margo and…yowza!

These one of a kind, whimsical sock monkey dolls inhabit an imaginary world called Margo’s Place, a swinging night club populated by performers, patrons and paparazzi.

You can also keep up with all the shenanigans by wandering over to the ChatterSox Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/Chattersox/

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 MARGO – A Spicy Night Club Owner

MARGO’S THEME 

There’s a monkey who’s here to stay

and we call her – Margo.

A sassy monkey who jokes all day,

yah, we call her – Margo.

Kinda crass, kinda crude – Margo!

Kinda rough, kinda rude – Margo!

A swinging monkey who’s here to play,

night or day – Margo!

ALL ABOUT MARGO 

Margo is a spicy night club owner with a slightly torrid past.  For many years her notorious club, Margo’s, was located in Key West, Florida where she was romanced by the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Louie Armstrong and Cheeta.  (She sipped with Ernie, sang with Louie and swang with Cheeta!)   Her popular club was well known for cool jazz on steamy nights, where hot-blooded patrons swayed to sultry sambas.  When jealousy and passion on the dance floor would threaten to boil over into a wild ruckus, Margo would just lean back, take a long sip of her Banana Daiquiri and say, “Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy night”.  Sadly she lost her club in Hurricane Hooligan and has been spotted hanging around the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia, where she is starting up an exclusive new night club called Margo’s Place.

Margo is the club MC who likes to wander amongst the tables, warming up the audience with jokes and banter before the first stage performance.  She gave up smoking years ago before her voice became too raspy, but there is a phony cigarette permanently dangling from her lip.  (She thinks it makes her look glamorous, but she is just a silly little monkey.)

When Hurricane Hooligan hit the east coast many Broadway stars and aspiring entertainers were sucked into its vortex.  Days later some of them landed in Nova Scotia and sought refuge and employment at Margo’s hot new club.

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Rocko, the Doorman/Bouncer at Margo’s Place

As I was in line waiting to get into Margo’s Place the other night I got the once over from Rocko, the Doorman/Bouncer.  After I gave him the password he muttered, “You’re ok, but stay in da line.”  I casually commented on his unusual attire.  He gave me a steely look then confided, “I gotta raw deal from John Law dat landed me in da Big House.  I busted out an bin nabbed so many times dat dem mugs swapped my ball and chain for a bell and chain.  Dey figgered it would give dem the tip off of where I was.  Too bad for dem bums it didn’t woik!”

While on the lam, Rocko has been working at Margo’s Place.  It was a bit disconcerting that as we were chatting Rocko would suddenly stop and growl, “Dem customers shouldn’t get outta line or dey’ll get a Ring-A-Ding on da noggin’…Hey youse guys, no buttin’ in…you hoid me!  Ok, Ok, keep da line movin’…Lady, don’t yank my chain!”  Then he told me, “Dat Margo she lets me go on da stage and belt out my song, Jail House Rock…it’s a real crowd pleaser…it better be or it’s coitains for me!”

Rocko is searching for a safe house to lay low so he can stay out of the slammer.

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Oh No!! Hurricane Arthur hit Margo’s Place!

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JAKE’S favourite song…”When I’m Cleaning Windows”.

Does anyone remember George Formby? Here’s a link to George singing Jake’s favourite song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfmAeijj5cM

What’s your favourite George Formby song?

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JAKE THE HAPPY HANDYMAN

What a morning!  I have to admit that I was not fully awake as I wandered back stage at Margo’s Place, tripped over a ladder and upset a bucket of dirty water.  Unfortunately, Jake was up the ladder and as he tumbled down he just missed landing in the wet, dirty mess.  He got up, dusted himself off and suggested that I should have a few more cups of tea before I go stumbling around and knocking things about.

He righted the ladder and said that I had to clean up his window cleaning water that had spilled all over the floor.  But since Jake is really an old softie at heart, he said he would entertain me while I mopped up.  He climbed his ladder, got himself all comfy at the top and sang for me his favourite George Formby song, “When I’m Cleaning Windows”.

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A WILD WEATHER NIGHT AT MARGO’S PLACE

Well, there seems to be a lot of activity going on at Margo’s Place today. Workmen are taking all of the tables and chairs to the basement and I hear sawing, hammering and cursing coming from down there.

I tried to ask Wally what was going on as he raced by me with a huge armload of costumes. He kept going and called back over his shoulder that he was sorry but he couldn’t stop to chat. He looked a bit frazzled.

I spied Jake the Window Cleaner and All Round Handyman with his ladder heading for the basement stairs. I ran up and asked him what the heck was going on. He stopped and gave me a pitying look. “Don’t you listen to weather forecasts? There’s a storm coming tonight and they predict that we will get 30 – 40 cm (11 – 15 inches) of snow and howling winds up to 100 kilometer an hour (60 mph).” He put down his ladder, leaned forward and whispered in my ear, “Margo’s a wee bit jittery today, she’s afraid that storm may be Son of Hurricane Hooligan. So we’re building a temporary stage and dressing rooms downstairs and moving all the tables and chairs down there too. Margo doesn’t want her club to be blown away again.” He straightened up and said, “Make yourself useful and carry that box of candles downstairs.” And so I am caught up in all the preparations. Fasten your seat belts; it’s going to be a bumpy night!

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WALLY

I was partying at Margo’s Place the other night and asked Wally to pose for a photo. He is the busboy at Margo’s and also “dresser to the stars”. With so many divas starring on stage at Margo’s Place, Wally is kept extremely busy and sometimes his nerves get a bit frayed.

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NIXIE – The Nearsighted Fan Dancer

ALL ABOUT NIXIE – The Nearsighted Fan Dancer

Margo’s Place is proud to present, live on stage, Nixie the Nearsighted Fan Dancer!  Featured in two shows nightly, Nixie is headlining the “Follies Mar-Go Revue” in the International Ballroom.

I was given the privilege of interviewing Nixie on opening night.  I asked her about Bump and Grind, the exotic dancing duo who are always trying to steal Nixie’s spotlight.  Nixie cleaned her glasses and had a good long look at Bump and Grind while the ladies were rehearsing in their drab costumes.  She just shrugged and said, “You can’t do a thing if you ain’t got that bling!”  Nixie never seems to worry about the competition so I asked, “Can a monkey ever be over the top?”  With a charming smile and a flap of her fan she purred, “What do you think, darling?”

Suddenly the pulsating strains of “My Heart Belongs to Daddy” are heard and Nixie glides onto the stage; the spotlight following her every sensuous move.  Wow, what a gal!

My Heart Belongs to Daddy

(by Cole Porter)

While tearing off a game of golf
I may make a play for the caddy
But when I do, I don’t follow through
Cause my heart belongs to Daddy

If I invite a boy some night
To dine on my fine Finnan Haddie
I just adore, his asking for more
But my heart belongs to Daddy

Yes, my heart belongs to Daddy
So I simply couldn’t be bad
Yes, my heart belongs to Daddy
Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, Da, DAAAAD

So I want to warn you laddie
Though I know that you’re perfectly swell
That my heart belongs to Daddy
Cause my Daddy, he treats it so well

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SECOND HAND ROSE – A Dreamy Flower Peddler

ALL ABOUT SECOND HAND ROSE

Second Hand Rose wistfully dreams of opening her own second hand shop someday.  She stops by Margo’s Place regularly selling flowers and hoping to save enough money to make her dream come true.

While she wanders from table to table peddling her wares, the spotlight will sometimes find her as she croons her signature tune,  “Second Hand Rose”.

Second Hand Rose

(by Grant Clarke and James Hanley)

Father has a business strictly second hand

Everything from toothpicks to a baby grand

Stuff in our apartment came from father’s store

Even things I’m wearing someone wore before

It’s no wonder that I feel abused

I never get a thing that ain’t been used

I’m wearing second hand hats

Second hand clothes

That’s why they call me

Second Hand Rose

Even our piano in the parlor

Father bought for ten cents on the dollar

Second hand curls

I’m wearing second hand pearls

I never get a single thing that’s new

Even Jake the Plumber, he’s the man I adore

Had the nerve to tell me he’s been married before!

Everyone knows that I’m just Second Hand Rose

From Second Avenue

From Second Avenue – NEW?!

Some nights she shares a little corner table with the love of her life, Jake the Plumber, as they dine on leftovers from the kitchen at Margo’s Place.  He’s been married before but Second Hand Rose would love to give him a second chance at matrimony.

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MITZI – A Sultry Sock Monkey and Former Broadway Star

ALL ABOUT MITZI

Mitzi, a sultry sock monkey and former Broadway star of the hit musical South Pacific, is now headlining at the swinging new night club, Margo’s Place.  You can catch Mitzi’s sensational performance of “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair” nightly on Margo’s stage.  Mitzi is not the least bit shy about the fact that she only wears a towel.  Those Broadway stars have no inhibitions!  She needs new Management to shield her from the prying eyes of the paparazzi.

I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair 

(by Oscar Hammerstein II)

I’m gonna wash that man right outta my hair,

I’m gonna wash that man right outta my hair,

I’m gonna wash that man right outta my hair,

 And send him on his way.

I’m gonna wave that man right outta my arms,

I’m gonna wave that man right outta my arms,

I’m gonna wave that man right outta my arms,

And send him on his way.

Don’t try to patch it up,

 Tear it up, tear it up!

 Wash him out, dry him out,

Push him out, fly him out,

Cancel him and let him go!

Yea, sister!

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LOLA – A Weary Taxi Dancer

ALL ABOUT LOLA

Lola, a weary taxi dancer, works in the ballroom at Margo’s Place.  (A taxi dancer is a girl employed by a dance hall, cafe, or cabaret to dance with patrons who pay a certain amount for each dance.)  Once a night she welcomes a break from endless dancing to take the spotlight and sing her signature song, “Ten Cents A Dance”.  Lola foolishly spends most of her dimes on cheap, tawdry cigarettes.  Sadly her nerves were shot after being tossed around in Hurricane Hooligan and she started smoking.  She needs a friendly roommate to help her break the habit and cheer her up after a long night schlepping around the dance floor.

Ten Cents A Dance

(apologies to Lorenz Hart)

 I work at Margo’s ballroom, but gee that Margo is cheap.

When I get back to my chilly hall room, I have to rub my raw red feet.

I’m one of those lady teachers, a beautiful hostess, you know;

The kind that Margo’s features, for only a dime a throw.

Ten cents a dance, that’s what they pay me.

Gosh how they weigh me down.

Ten cents a dance, rowdies and rough guys,

Tough guys who tear my gown!

Seven to midnight I hear drums.  Loudly the saxophone blows.

Trumpets are tearing my eardrums.  Customers crush my toes.

Sometimes I think I’ve found my hero,

But it’s a doomed romance.

All that you need is a ticket,

Come on, big boy, ten cents a dance.

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ESTELLE – A lonely bookkeeper

ALL ABOUT ESTELLE

Estelle works way in the back office of Margo’s Place as a bookkeeper.  It’s lonely work as she sits all day at her desk, surrounded by her furshlugginer ledgers, drinking pots of strong coffee and eating thick slices of tasty banana bread.  Estelle daydreams of performing on stage, perhaps singing her unique rendition of “Blue Monday” to Melvin, her special man.  She likes to think about her boyfriend Melvin, who is a travelling door-to-door salesman of gewgaws.  These fantasies always involve Melvin wearing his official hat and bow tie when he is hawking his wares.  Unfortunately when Estelle slowly drifts back to reality, she has some trouble keeping her figures (and her pencil) straight.  We trust that she is not cooking the books!  Estelle is in great need of supervision and an auditor.

Blue Monday

      (apologies to Bartholomew & Domino)

Blue Monday how I hate blue Monday!

Gotta work like a slave all day.

Here come Tuesday,

Oh, hard Tuesday,

I’m so tired, got no time to play.

Here come Wednesday,

I’m beat to my socks.

My guy calls, gotta tell him that I’m out,

Cause Thursday is a hard working day,

And Friday I get my pay.

Saturday morning,

Oh Saturday morning,

All my tiredness is gone away.

Got my money and my honey,

And I’ll go out to swing and play.

Sunday morning my head is bad.

But it’s worth it for the time that I had.

But I got to get my rest,

Because Monday is a mess.