As we head into Pee Wee’s drive it looks like we might be out of luck, things look dark. The bar is closed up and the lights are out. We step down to the cliff deck and out toward the ledge. “Let’s give our eyes a couple minutes to adjust and see if we can make anything out,” I say, “the view here is spectacular.” We mill around a little bit and must have made something of a small racket because within a couple of minutes a light switches on on a porch up past the bar and the door swings open. A somewhat droopy looking, shirtless Perrell steps out on the porch. “Oh, hey, it’s you guys!” says Perrell, “Give me just a minute.” It does not take him long to have the bar opened for us. Nobody, however, wants to put him through the ringer for a Pina Colada. A bunch of Red Stripes are ordered. Perrell is an excellent late night bartender. He tells interesting stories, has a great capacity to appear interested in drunken stories, has great bar trick skills and is an entertainer at heart. He plays a memory game with everybody’s name. He asks relevant questions regarding everyone’s drunken stories. He comes back and remembers everybody’s name. He serves more beer. We must be looking a little late in the day because suddenly Perrell jumps up and says, “Do you guys want to hear some live music?” This crew? “Well, of course!” we say and he’s off to grab his guitar. A few locals have gathered at the bar since we came in. As the music situation is being prepped an attractive ex-pat comes into the bar speaking loud and vulgar Patois. Perrell and some of the regulars get right into it with her. It is very amusing. “Fix my drink,” she says, “It’s too weak!” and she puts a cup on the bar. Rum tops it off. As we move up to the stage room to listen to Perrell I look over and notice she is wearing 5 inch plus platform high heels. She was a little wobbly walking in. I think about her navigating West End Road in those heels. It can be a challenge in places with hiking shoes. I gotta say, “Respect!”
Perrell is very lively for this time of night!
He waves a little hocus pocus before telling Markus his name…
Marley says, “nah, it’s not late, but I don’t want my leftovers to spoil…”
The vibe in the stage room at Pee Wee’s this night is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Bare light bulbs illuminate the heavily patched plaster walls. The place feels ancient, as if we’ve drifted back in time several hundred years. The air is thick with humidity in the cooling evening air, but it is not cool. It is perfectly warm. The sea can be heard against the cliffs below us as we sit against the ledge wall. Perrell serenades us with a couple of lovely songs and we are all drifting in a beautiful sea of tranquility. Except for the occasional loud interruption from our ex-pat bar mate. She is merciless with him and he gives it back a little here and there with a wink and a smile. “Now I’m going to play a little love song,” says Perrell and as he kicks into it she is running up to the stage floor. “Dance!” she exhorts, “Get up and dance!” and she is all arms waving and legs kicking. And she keeps her feet! Again, mad respect in those hooker heels ex-Patty!Well, you ain’t gotta tell me twice and with that I’ve grabbed Sweetie Pie’s hand and we’re up and swaying. We notice a few moments later that Hubbity have joined the party. It was a beautiful song and a perfect moment. A private concert, serenaded and dancing on the cliffs at Pee Wee’s in Negril, Jamaica with an absolutely incredible group of people. Still today when I think about it, and probably forever, WOW!!
A private show in the stage room at Pee Wees
A moment of a lifetime captured on film, thank you Katho!
Perrell closes with an original that he composes on the spot. He hilariously incorporates all of us into the lyrics using some of his memory trick stuff as well. Katho is blown away by this and is talking about it while he sings so when it comes to her verse she is chastised for talking during performances. He is really THAT GOOD. We are in heaven. No need to carry on. When Perrell finishes we get the taxi hookup working. The ride home is relatively quiet, we are all in a state of fully sated bliss.
We get out at Catcha and walk up SeaStar lane. Last night we headed up this lane feeling uneasy, violated and most unfortunate. Tonight we head up this lane in a different place altogether yet nothing has changed, really, except our outlook. Tonight we feel comfortable, cared for, protected and lucky. Lucky, yes, very lucky. We must certainly be some of the most fortunate people on the planet…
What a difference a day makes. It’s all true. And it never really happened.
