(Boss, doesn’t Jake look beautiful? But what is that getup?) (It’s a cutaway, dearest.) (It’s a museum piece.) (I suppose so. Jake probably hasn’t worn it in thirty, forty years—or perhaps rented it from a theatrical costumer. I feel certain Alec bad to rent his. Doesn’t Father Hugo look grand!) (Must be his preachin’ clothes, Boss. Joe ought to paint him in this, even, if he never gets the pix he wants.) (Good idea, Eunice; we’ll plant it with Gigi—and one thing may lead to another. I have hopes that seeing ‘The Three Graces’ will gentle him, too. As Hugo wants to pose… if he can convince himself that it’s not sinful. Eunice, my knees are shaking. I’m not sure I can do it!) (Om Mani Padme Hum, baby sister. We had one hell of time getting him off the dime; don’t go chicken now.) (Om Mani Padme Hum, Eunice—hold my hand, darling—don’t let me faint.)
Joan Eunice stopped in front of judge and preacher, Winifred took her bouquet from her, stepped back to one side. Alec Train moved Jake into place beside Joan Eunice, placed himself to balance Winifred. The music stopped. Hugo lifted his eyes and said, “Let us pray.” (Om Mani Padme Hum. You okay, twin?) (I’m all right now. Om Mani Padme Hum.)
When Hugo said, “Amen,” Joe Branca slid in from the side, shot his first picture. Thereafter he moved around like a Chinese stagehand, disturbing no one and never moving at a crucial moment—but getting his shots.
Hugo opened his Book, did not look at it. “We read today from the Book of Psalms. It says here:
“‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
“‘He restoreth my soul;
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
“‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil……..
He closed his Book. “Brothers and Sisters, the Lord saw that Adam was lonely in the Garden of Eden and He said it is not good for man to live alone. So He created Eve to live with Adam. And He said to Adam, My son, you take care of this woman, you hear Me? You treat her right all the time, just like I was watching you every minute. Because I am watching you, every minute and every second. You cherish her and protect her like I tell you and you’ll be too busy to get into anything wrongful, and she’ll be a comfort to you all the days of your life.”
He turned to Salomon. “Jacob Moshe, are you going to do that?”
“I will!”
The Reverend looked at the bride. “And the Lord said to Eve, My daughter, you got to cook for this man and wash his clothes and bring up his babies and not go running around when you should be home, and love him even when he’s tired and bad-tempered and not fit to speak to, because men are like that and you must take the bad with the good—you hear Me, Eve?
“Joan Eunice, are you going to do that?”
“Yes, Father Hugo.”
“Judge—”
“Jacob Moshe, does there exist any impediment under our laws and customs to you marrying this woman?”
“None.”
“Joan Eunice, is there any reason in law or in your heart why you cannot marry this man?”
“There is none, Your Honor.”
McCampbell spoke more loudly. “If any witness knows of any cause which would forbid me to bind these two in marriage, I command him to speak.” (Eunice, if anyone even clears his throat, I’ll—I’ll—) (You’ll keep quiet, Boss darling; that’s what you’ll do. Nobody here but our loving friends. Om Mani Padme Hum.) (Om Mani Padme Hum…)
“Jacob Moshe, will you love, honor, and cherish her?”
“I will.”
“Joan Eunice, will you love, honor, and cherish him?”
“I will love, honor and obey him.” (Huh? Boss you demon, you haven’t the slightest intention of obeying!)
Salomon said, “Wait a moment! Judge, she switched the words! I don’t expect that and I won’t let her promise—”
“Order. YOU keep quiet, Jake; I’m not addressing you. Joan Eunice, is that what you wish to promise?”