Ben #1

We were on the Vargas Show in 1972 (Miller-Johnson) when Ben graduated from East Bay High and his mother went to Cliff and asked if it would be OK if she flew home to Florida to attend his graduation ceremony, adding that Sandy Pettus had agreed to fill in for her. He said it would be no problem but returned a few days saying that she couldn't leave because on that day, the NYC Police Commissioner and Staff would be there with the possibility of sponsoring the show the following year. Well, the great day arrived (Syracuse Fairgrounds) and I had the unfortunate duty of telling Cliff that the Elephant Empress had departed for Florida. I was then bombarded with "I told her not to go!....She went anyway!.....I explained how important it was that she be here!....You're all fired!.....No, I want to fire her myself when she gets back!" He then proceeded to go all over the lot complaining how badly he had been wronged. The next day everyone was anxiously awaiting the showdown but when the Taxi finally arrived and she stepped out he rushed up and they hugged as tho nothing had happened.