He stood there against the wall, dressed in a silvery-grey suit, razor sharp seams, toes turned outwards; silk socks and crocodile shoes.  He was standing in between his two bredren – one arm hugging his waist while supporting the elbow of his other arm so that his fingers could stroke the stubble on his chin.  He was rocking his head to the music – a leather cap tilted precariously on one side of his head.   From a distance it looked like he was sneering.  He closed his eyes slightly, raised an eyebrow, and looked straight at me.  I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help grinning.  Just look at him I thought: “ ‘im tink him nice – who stands up like that these days? I said to myself, while another part of me was thinking… he’s too cute!

I saw him lean back his head as if he was saying something to one of his bredren.  I knew his type – the type that had not evolved; the type who had not moved with the times; the type who probably had a 30 year old BMW or a Cortina outside that was his prize possession and had the nerve to say: ”me have a bimmer outta back.. you whan come ride wid me?”  with every pun intended.  Why did I always attract this type?  And the weird thing is, something about them fascinated me against my will.

I wanted to choops, and look for someone ‘I could take home to mother’ but that wasn’t happening in this club, not now.. not tonight.

We had established eye contact and connected with a smile, which was a fatal combination in the dance arena.    I knew he would be confident now to walk over – and true to form he does:

”W’appen baby?”  he says, in a deep Barry White voice.  My eyes scan him swiftly.  Hmmm, diamond in left ear, clean hair cut, smooth skin, a goatie, big hands, clean nails – I can’t help smiling back.  “Yuh waan rub a dub to dis chune yah?”  His choice of words perturbs me a little, but I think, what the heck, it is only a dance!

Derrick Harriott was singing “some guys have all the luck” in the background, the treble is high, the base is low – a wicked chune.  I would be a fool to let this dance pass me.  I accept, praying he can ‘rub-a-dub’ so that I am not disappointed.

That is the thing about a dance – with the right partner and the right music, it has a magnetic effect.  I mean, a dance should just be a social interaction between two people, however, in a rub-a-dub dance, integrate it with a the right song, the right riddim track and the right person, it becomes a fatal prescription for a love affair.

I wanted to dislike him because of his outdated stance, and unsightly gold chains around his neck, but he pulled me towards his hard frame and I am just the right height to rest the side of my head on his shoulder and that was it.  His cologne mesmerised me – it should be a crime to smell so good!  I wanted to find an excuse to dislike him.  I found plenty but they weren’t enough to make me refuse him: he wasn’t articulate, my parents would not approve of his earring and gold tooth, but when he cupped my back with his strong hands; pressed his nose in my neck and breathed hot air down my chest throughout the dance – that was it – my knees went, literally.

Have you ever danced with a man (or if a man is reading this, have you  ever danced with a woman) and your legs start to tremble uncontrollably?  Well, that was me on the dance floor – and then it was not only my legs that were trembling uncontrollably, it was my body too, but in sync with the riddim, so hopefully no-one noticed, except him and me.

The man could dance – his body navigated mine with such expertise, it was as though he was teasing out sensations with his meandering.  One dance led to another as the DJ selected one nostalgic chune after the other. I am sure we must have danced through 7 records without stopping.

“You know how fe move eeeh?” he whispered hotly in my ear.  I winced at his accent combined with his choice of words, but smiled without meaning to.  I didn’t approve of the sensations that were going through my body with just a dance, they were taking me down a road I had no intention of travelling.

“So what’s your name? “ he continued.

“Susan” I lied, “What’s yours?”  [I always called myself Susan when someone asked my name at a dance, probably because I am expecting them to realise that it is not my real name] but they always fell for it..

“My name is Denton Walker”, he said with a wide grin; the light catching the gold tooth, causing it to sparkle.

Denton Walker?? You can’t get more black than that I thought.

“I used to know a Susan,” he continued.

“So what?” I felt like blurting out, “… as if I want to know all the Susan’s  he’s slept with!”

“She beautiful jus like you..  she have a nice smile jus like you, and she dance nice jus like you..”  All of a sudden, the dance didn’t feel so sweet again, I withdrew from him and told him I wanted to use the ladies’ room.

“Bloody cheek!”  I thought as I reached the woman’s room, flushed and with no desire to pee.  Fancy asking a woman to dance and then talking to her about another woman, as though I am supposed to be flattered or interested!  But then I thought: “hole up.. hole up… you don’t even know the man so why you getting in a tizzy?  It was true.  Why was I getting so wound up about a man I hadn’t known for more than 30 minutes.  Did the 7 consecutive dances licence me to be jealous or have a claim on him?

Yes, I guess in my mind they did.  A man doesn’t dance with a woman 7 times and it don’t mean anything.  Besides, rub-a-db dances could lead to love, long-term relationships and sometimes marriage.  It was the reggae dance law that if you danced consecutively with someone 4-5 times, an implied contract was formed.  It would be inappropriate for him to ask anyone else to dance and the woman would not dance with anyone else either  – unless of course, you were fool enough to leave the man/woman to go to the bathroom before you secured the digits, and spent longer than 10 minutes in there like I did, then the impled contract was broken (although not irretrievably).  If you were lucky, you might find your dance partner when you come back, that is if s/he hasn’t been whisked away by someone who can dance just as good as you

I realised that I was giving Denton permission to breach the Reggae Dance Law by staying away so long, so I eventually got myself together and wondered why I had reacted so possessively.  I figured that even though I had only just met him, we had made a connection through the dance.  The riddim spoke on our behalf and we consummated the relationship through the vibes. So, what had happened between Denton and myself was more than a dance – it sounds crazy, but I can’t think of any other explanation, can you?

I patted my nose with a powder puff, reapplied my lip gloss, puffed up the side of my hair which had been flattened by the dance, composed myself and went back into the dance hall.  Denton was dancing with someone else.

“Well, it didn’t take him very long did it?”  I said to myself angrily.  I stood there trying not to look annoyed.  I started dancing by myself to signify I didn’t care, although secretly I felt uncomfortable.  I wished that someone would pull me for a dance so I wouldn’t feel so conspicuous.  I wanted to be in a position where I could ignore him and I could do that if I was dancing with someone else.

I started looking for the two girls I had come in with.  One of them was brukking her back with this tall guy.  I don’t know how she wined like that.  She was like a snake, and her protuberant bottom swished from side to side -  it was very noticeable in the clingy fabric she was wearing.  My other friend was engaged in conversation (while dancing), with some guy she had just met.

As I walked over towards them, one short, fat man with acne and large framed spectacles, pulled me for a dance. “Be careful what you wish for came to mind!”  He had on one of those dogtooth jackets, a black shirt and a white tie and white trousers.

I eyes fell to the floor, he had cream shoes on.  How the hell can you wear white trousers and cream shoes?  His face was shiny too, which was probably why he had acne!  If this was my knight in shining armour then I preferred to do without!  Just as I was thinking of an excuse to decline the proposition, I felt someone tug my arm gently from the other side.  When I looked up to see who was, it was Denton – gorgeous by comparison.  So even though I wanted to be spiteful, refuse or at least give him a taste of his own medicine, I couldn’t. I saw the woman he had been dancing  hovering around, with her lip hanging down, hair mash up where she too had rested it on his shoulder – looking as though she wanted him to dance with her again, so even though I didn’t want her left offs, I did not want to refuse just in case he danced with her again.  I rationalised it by convincing myself that since he only danced with her once and had danced with me 7 times in a row, he obviously liked me better!  Besides, the alternative was to dance with someone who was not only height-challenged, but unattractive.  I allowed myself to be pulled into Denton’s confident arms, which seemed more forceful this time around!

Relationships, children, love and marriage have been initiated by a single dance.  Audrey Hall definitely knew the meaning behind the song: “One Dance Won’t do”.

About the Author
Myrna Loy has been called a ‘cauldron of creativity’. Born in London

of Jamaican parents, she is a Visual Artist, Published Author, Performance Poet, Radio DJ, Publisher of this philanthropic e-magazine called Black-Bright News, Teacher of Adult Literacy and English as a Second Language and an Inspirational Mentor. BlackBright symbolises Myrna’s life experiences which she openly shares with others, and it also captures the experiences of other inspiring people. She wrote the series published on Jamaicans.com titled “The other Site of Tourism”.

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We interviewed former professional baseball player Jamaican-born Andrew Dixon who was instrumental in bringing Major League Baseball and the Jamaican government into a partnership to build a baseball field in Trewlany. Andrew is a member of the Babe Ruth Little League Baseball World Series and will be spearheading efforts to start a baseball pilot program in primary schools in Jamaica. Here is our conversation with Andrew Dixon.

Where in Jamaica are you from?
I was born on March 8^th, 1964 in Kingston Jamaica. I grew up in Barbican on Federal Road.

How did you get introduced to baseball? When did you realize you loved the sport?
I got introduced to baseball when I was 10 years old. The kids on my block played baseball all the time.  They asked me to play with them and I thought it was fun but I was still catching the ball with one hand. I tried out for little league at ten but didn’t the team because I could not catch properly. When I was 11, I went back to the same team and tried out. I made it at that time. I on to be an all-star and won the New York state championship. I really started liking baseball from day one. I liked it more once I started to excel in the sport.

At what age did scouts start following your career?
The scouts started looking at me while I was still in high school. They told me I ran fast and a good player, but I was going to college as my parents wanted me to do that.  In my second year in college I knew I had potential because my coach played pro ball and he told me I had all right tools to be a professional player. By my junior year they wanted to draft me in the major leagues me but my coach said I was not ready. The San Francisco Giants drafted me in my senior year.

How many years did you play professionally? How many countries did you visit?
I played for 6yrs, from 1986 to 1992. I played in the Mexican big league and I also played a winter in Venezuela. I loved it!

What was your greatest achievement either in college or professionally?
Some of my greatest moments were in college especially my junior year when we were trying to win the conference championship. There was a team that beat us three times but we came back and won the tournament. I was the M.V.P. I had my best college year during that season.  I also made the all-state team in Virginia. Getting drafted was the highlight of my career. That was my dream. Breaking the record in the Texas league with 73 stolen bases and being the only minor league player to have 70 plus stolen bases back to back were also one of the highlights of my career. I was also proud to have my Mom and Dad see me play in a professional baseball game.

Injuries took you out of the sports do you have any regrets?
My only regret was getting hurt. I wished I could have stayed longer to see guys who weren’t better than me excel.

Who are the other Jamaicans that played in the MLB during the time you played? Did you become good friends with them?
Chili Davis and Devon White were other Jamaicans who were in the league when I played.  I met both of them and developed a close friendship with Chili.  He would send stuff down to me while I was on the road. I went up to Minnesota the year his team won the World Series. He is a really nice guy.

Tell us about your project with the Jamaican Government and the MLB to build a baseball park in Trewlany?
The Jamaican Ministry of Sports has agreed to help us put a baseball field next to the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium in Florence Hall. There are over 12 acres available for this baseball field.

How many years have you been working on this project and what were some of the challenges you faced working with the Jamaican government and the MLB? How did you overcome some of these challenges?
We have been working on the project for a few years now. Working with the government has had its challenges especially the paper work that seemed to go in slow motion. We were in it for the long haul so we overcame each challenge.  The government said they had no money for a new sport and it’s not a prime sport in Jamaica. To overcome the financial challenge we have been doing fundraisers and seeking brave sponsors who would like to help us with some of these baseball camps and the overall project. Our biggest challenge is still money.

What do you say to those who say baseball is not apart of Jamaican culture?
Baseball is not part of Jamaican culture but it’s similar to cricket. All I say is as a Jamaican we can learn any sport. There is no stopping us once we put our minds to it. Look at cross country skiing. The Jamaican team is ranked in the top 20 in the world. I say no more.

Tell us about the baseball pilot program that will be introduced in 13 Jamaican primary schools?
The pilot program will be introduced to 13 primary schools in Jamaica to make them aware of baseball.  In the primary schools our first job is preparing the coaches, properly teaching fundamentals and theory of the game. Then they can go back to their school and teach it.  I will be helping all the coaches and monitoring their progress. Our main goal is to get baseball on the primary school curriculum. We hope to increase baseball to another 50 primary schools in the next phase.

Who will oversee the program and how will the players be coached?
The Institute of Sports (INSPORTS) in Jamaica will oversee the program as they handle all primary sports. I will have the responsibility of training the coaches. I will help with teaching the kids while we develop the coaches. We will also bring pro scouts and other pro athletes that I played with to Jamaica. We will do clinics and camp until everybody understands the game.

Where will they get equipment?
We have already been receiving donated equipment from a few local high schools in the USA. Also the Babe Ruth League and Pasteur’s Sports Shop in Ocala, Florida where I live donated equipment. There is also a gentleman from Jacksonville, Florida, Mr. Donavan Duncan, who has also helped us. We are accepting donations from the public to help us get needed equipment. If anybody would like to donate equipment or funds please email:  andrewdixon64@yahoo.com.

The Institute of Sports (INSPORTS) will be in charge of the distribution of the equipment. Each school will have to sign off on their equipment.

What happens after they leave primary school? Is there a plan to keep nurturing players while they are in high school?
Our goal is to have some type of program in high school. We will continue to work with the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA), to achieve this goal.  Once they get to high school we will try to get them involved in local baseball leagues, so this way we can start obtaining college scholarships and possible pro baseball contracts.

With the decline in the quality of cricket played in the Caribbean do you think baseball, which is considered another slow sport, will catch on?
I think the decline in cricket makes it a perfect time for introducing baseball the kids in Jamaica. They need something to occupy their time. It will be another option for them to keep off the streets and stay out of trouble. Some kids may be naturals at baseball so I think the kids will catch on easy.

Apart from the pilot how do you intend to market it to the Jamaican youth?
We see baseball as another way to display Jamaicans great athletic ability. Marketing will not be hard because we are natural athletes.

Do you think the success of quality players coming out of the Dominican Republic will help you with marketing?
The Dominican Republic may help but there are lots of little islands in the Caribbean that are producing baseball players. We have some of the premier athletes in the world plus the fastest person male and female.

In sports today we hear so much about the negatives and the how it is taking away from education. How do you see sports helping education?
INSPORT has a Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement for kids to play baseball.  This will assure that they are taking the initiative to get an education.  An education along with sports can go “hand and foot” for a college scholarship.

Thanks so much for you time. Any closing thoughts?
I want to thank you for doing this interview. I hope my words can touch someone to assist us with bringing this dream of baseball to Jamaica.

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Q: How did you get the name Empress? Is it your real name?
Real Name is: Emprezz Eartha Camielle Mullings….

Q: We know you are a radio/TV personality, singer, actor, activist and business woman. There must me one role you love more that the other. Which one is it?
Being a Woman..lol..Firstly I have to say the fact that I can help the less fortunate supersedes all things however I love them all equally because they all give me a different energy and enthusiasm. All my roles are reflective of my innate talents, dreams abilities and purpose.

Q: With all the projects you do in these different areas do you see yourself as a media queen?
I am the female ruler of my Life at the moment.  I have a very important position in the Jamaican entertainment industry and I my main purpose is to see my people of Negro blood and ancestry rise up and become independent, self reliant and confident. We are from African Kings and Queens and I wanna help bring back that position. Where we will be rulers and respected….I was born August 19th..I am a Leo..so jah bless me…lol

Q: Let’s talk about your career as a singer. You describe the style of music you do as Neo-Reggae. Can you describe what this means?
Mean I few people including Cecile gave my music that title…I guess It’s meant a combination of flavours..likke jazzy soul with reggae…

Q: How is your album doing? What did you release it in album in Japan? Is there a Japanese connection?
Yes a combination Album is out with Taxi Records and its going ok. It’s called Lady Traffic. I am working on a solo record which may take some time as you see I have so many roles to play and I must keep a balance. I do have a small independent album which people can get to get a feel of who I am and where I am going. It also has combinations with Bunny Ruggs, Nesbeth, Perfect and on other albums too I have a song with Cecile and music is great. My record is available through order at  Stanleyandempress AT gmail.com

Q: Your song “Father and Child” has a distinct message. What were you trying to convey to men?Oh my men, My men who should be providers, Leaders and protectors are failing us terribly in Jamaica and it hurts my heart as it does affect our children and society. Men need to play an active role in the betterment of society. Too many news reports of missing fathers and the message is not being conveyed enough..”Every child needs a Father in their live…not a donor”

Q: The video for the song had  a person doing “sign language” for the hearing impaired. I have never seen that in a music video. Where did you get that idea?
Oh I thought the message should cross all barriers it just came to my mind…and I went with the idea..

Q: You are very passionate about children’s issues. What are some of the projects you are working on in this area?
Wow  my “empress campaign” raised 6 million recently for a basic school in Bull Bay

I speak at high schools and women centers

Member if the UNIA-doing many things for the children…and I have so many dreams ..but it takes cash to care…

My Movement with three other women called womanbition raised funds and has committed to assist two organisations, the UNIA Nursing Programme and Mary’s Child, a home for teenage mothers run by the Mustard Seed Communities.

Q: I know radio partners don’t get along all the time. What would be the one thing you do that Steven Golding (radio partner on NewTalk 93 FM Jamaica) would say “rub him the wrong way”…LOL.
Disagree with him..lol Challenge him…lol and throw my tantrums lol

Q: What do you like the most about the radio show?
Wow traveling to a different community weekly dealing with the social, political, cultural, and historical ideas of a community is so informative and to bring change I must understand my environment first hand.

Q: As a radio/ TV personality and artist I am sure your fans have been talking about Buju Banton. What are the feelings your listeners and viewers are expressing to you?
Well some people are shocked, some think he is involved and some believe the gay community set it up.  I say let’s watch and see what takes place in court before we talk to much….

Q: Do you still own and exclusive boutique?
Oh yes catering to men and women. My boutique houses over 30 local designer collections as well as regular networking get togethers. The pieces are on-off, Unique and Yeah BUY JAMAICAN.all are welcome to see the line as long as they reading it on Jamaicans.com …email: Stanleyandempress AT gmail.com for password and location details.

Q: Tell us about your acting stint in Australia? How did you come to live there?
Born there- Moved to Falmouth as a baby, then went back with family to Australia finished high school and moved back home to JA after. Yes all family is Jamaican lol..I just happened to pop out there….

Parents moved to Australia. Did some theatre and TV commercial etc…I was involved in Drama in High school there.

Q: Do you have any new acting projects in the works?
I would love to do a movie one day..nothing in the works at present..I think I could act many roles…confidently..

Q: Any other projects in the works?
My communications company is doing very well…getting more contracts, New Music, New TV Shows, New Radio energy, Boutique growth and new locations maybe,  New Charities, Personal Growth and Developing myself as a powerful woman…

Q: What is your typical day like?
Wake on the phone, Bathe, Coffee, Breakfast, more calls, Emails, BB messenger on alert, (Recording TV adverts or going to a TV shoot optional),Open and leave staff with instructions about Boutique business, Traveling to radio location, whilst checking in on all businesses..then a drink or dinner networking with a colleague home (cook dinner if I get in before 7 pm which is rare..maybe write a song before bed..watch TV shows I on and critique myself..then right before I sleep I think about love….

Q: What is the one thing you MUST do once a week?
Come up with a new network or business idea and contact my mum and Dad..to tell them I love them

Q: The best fish in Jamaica is at….
Old Harbour Bay. Roast fish at Reepoh’s Sell off..Sold out. I have had great moments there.

Q: Best restaurant no one knows about is at?
Empress’s House..with Chef Empress..Big up East Japanese too…I am always there..Big up Taka. They treat me good and they got good Japanese food..

Q: I know you can’t comment on specific in the ongoing mobile wars between Claro and Digicel however do you think there will be a winner?
May the best man win..lol I got no shares in the monopoly…

Q: What is your perfect getaway spot in Jamaica?
Ooh..Love some St.Mary, Ochi, Negril…Strawberry hill..This island is so amazing..we need to appreciate it more..and embrace it more..

Q: Last month was Valentine. What is the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for you?
I would dare not share that secret….wink wink

Q: Thanks for your time. Any final thoughts?
Thank you for the opportunity to share a little about myself. I appreciate it. My final thoughts are:

Let’s all bring back this country to greatness. We need to increase literacy. We need to increase our productivity, we need to stop importing so many things and embrace our history before slavery..we need to live united, we need more discipline, we need more of Marcus Garvey in our schools (Big up UNIA) and honestly some serious leadership, focus and goals.

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