Honeydripper, a film by John Sayles

John Sayles’s short story, “Keeping Time,” inspired the film Honeydripper. “Keeping Time” was published in Dillinger in Hollywood, a collection of short stories by John, published by Nation Books. More on the book with information on how to purchase a copy on NationBooks.org.

The owner isn’t around, so there is only an old man to help Mike with his kit. Each time Mike hands him another case from the van he examines it, then nods and goes “Uh-huh” as if he’s taking inventory. The old man is lanky, with maple-colored skin and eyes huge and soft behind the thick lenses.

“Got to deal with the mess,” he says, when it’s all inside, and leaves Mike to set up alone.

The kit is pretty simple these days. Only two rack toms, floor tom, couple cymbals, the bass he just bought, and the snare he’s had forever. Mike looks to the back of the room where the old man is cleaning. The distance throws his time off, a gap between the push of the broom and the sweeping sound. Mike tightens the head on the snare. Need the firepower.

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Dr. Mable John, who sings and acts (as Bertha Mae Spivey) in Honeydripper is also an author. Below is an excerpt of her novel, Stay Out of the Kitchen! about blues singer turned evangelist, Albertina Merci. More info on the book and how to purchase a copy at Random House.

The fluffy scrambled eggs, the buttered toast, the crisp bacon and homefries on the side smell mighty good. I’m feeling mighty good being served this beautiful platter of food by Mr. Mario himself. Meanwhile, though, I’ve got stuff on my mind—my nephew Patrick, a minister in our church, is torn up because he broke up with Naomi, a black woman rabbi he met back when they were both undergraduates at Harvard. And my son, Andre, is about to marry Nina, an actress and model I don’t trust. (more…)