Schmattah's

By "Mark Paul" Sebar

The high powerful American fashion industry. The runway models, fashion shows, wild buyers, showroom girls, road travel, glitz and glamour. It’s 1980 and the Sabre’s are at the top of the Southwest Fashion Industry with one of the more famous sales reps in its history, Saul Sabre. This wild story follows the exploits of his sons and friends in the biz and outside it as the season revs up for a great show at the Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel and an explosive fun filled ending. Business not as usual in “Schmattah’s”

As the story starts out, we find Phillip Sabre, the younger of the two sons struggling to get through college and into the movie industry, a very longshot at best with a trail of many broken dreams.

With the odds increasing against Phillip, he soon finds himself at a crossroads in life. The losses mount as he faces the ultimate reality. Accept dad’s gracious offer, or perish. Things go from bad to worse and he finally realizes a great future.

A wild industry indeed, it’s surreal, the second most sought after industry of glamour, fame and fortune right below Hollywood Moviestars. “Schmattah’s” is a fictional look back at an industry and the type of people who once grew it to the leader of the world.

A historical look back at a lifestyle long gone these days when clothing was made by American hands, in America and the fashions stood for the artwork they were.

• Language: English
• Publisher: "Mark Paul" Sebar
• Release date: Dec 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9781930246782

"Mark Paul" Sebar

My most important love is story telling of fictional tales, far away places, memorable characters, great beginnings and surprise endings. I can author work across many genres comfortably. If I can connect with you my reader, then I did my job and we are hopefully, both happy.II don't try to author woke, politically correct content, but rather entertainment value work. I like to think of my stories as having a 'Movie in your mind' and if I connect with a reader that way, I have done my job.From my "Sheriff Wyler Scott" franchise to the "CalHouse" Technological terror tales of the 21st century, to a diabolical Veep at Weasle Mortgage and Loa in "$$$Amount Due$$$" to a dying man kidnapped in place of a woman by grey aliens on a disc in "Captura" ... I like my readers to be able to visit all types of places. Even in time, take "Skyway Arizona" where a 747 makes an emergency landing in the year 1885. Or a future detective "Turbadia" a detective from hell for the bad guys who seems unstoppable, to a religious scifi confrontation in the future "Thunder Dead" God versus the Devil and grey alien.It is that imagination, the travels with the characters, the places they have been, a hopeless situation turned around, this is what is important, an escape from the real world for several hours to go on those adventures and meet new characters.That is my world and I hope it 'Rocks your mind' for several hours. Humbly yours, American Author, Poet, Filmwriter and Songwriter, "Mark Paul" Sebar.

Book preview

SCHMATTAH’S

By

Mark Paul Sebar

Smashwords Edition

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First Printing 2023

Copyright © 2023 All Rights Reserved

ISBN 978-1-930246-78-2

Library of Congress TXu00240387

Chapter 01

The late 1970’s had come to an end. I had finished high school and was studying in college. Nevertheless, was I really pursuing the luxury in life that my father Saul, mother Arlene and older brother Kevin were, but in a different industry?

Kevin seemed to have foregone college and instead was very busy with Mom and Dad in their downtown Los Angeles showroom at the fashion mart.

That business had bought my father a brand new 1980 Cadillac last month while I struggled with my old blue 1962 Chevy Bel Air and its tired 283 V-8 engine. I was lucky when it even started, that early 1960’s hand-me-down from the folk’s, and still I was very humbled to have been handed an aged jalopy.

Kevin had just gotten a used 1980 Ferrari, thanks to dad who co-signed on it. He had no end of beautiful girls fawning for a ride, and often dated models too, while maintaining a harem of four beautiful women at his place, Jean, a tall blonde who could pose as a supermodel, always fawning over him.

Daphne, a fiery redhead and quite sultry as well as somewhat slutty too, Margret, an auburn haired lady who was quite pretty but had some brains to her, having been an accountant and very good with business ledgers, and Beth.

Beth was slightly chubby and a bit short, but very busty and somewhat spacey being into astrology and the zodiac, always quoting the future somehow.

Yes, the days in college were long and I wondered—oh how I wondered. Weekend nights were always a hoot at the local roller rink and I often went alone, hoping to meet the love of my life, which usually ended with my departure of remaining alone.

It always seemed the other guy got the girl and I pondered my life, would it remain as such or change for the better. There had to be something I was not doing right. Perhaps my older brother who seemed too busy could give me a few pointers.

My same friends would show up and we would all go out skating trying to pick up on chicks.

I always tried my best Travolta moves on wheels, sometimes hitting a hard wooden floor and landing on my ass big time, only to be gawked and laughed at by the others.

My shiny polyester shirt, slacks and slicked back hairdo just wasn’t cutting it, and I knew it.

Even my buddies enjoyed a quick laugh, realizing I had just made a roller schmuck of myself in pursuit of the opposite sex.

It always seemed that the other guy got her, and he had managed a hot set of wheels.

With the patience of a turtle, my father had taught me to just go with the flow and be myself, but I was a nerd in High School, often averaging a 3.9 to 4.0 GPA and in college, almost the same.

It came from hard work in the class, plus my small rundown North Hollywood apartment, where I barely scraped by on a part time salary at the local meat market on Van Owen Street.

My roommate Charlie Nome was rarely in, though his chunk of the rent kept me on my own.

There was a price to pay for independence and it was never easy. However, Kevin made it look that way.

His Encino condo that he had earned with hefty sales in the apparel industry, and dad couldn’t help but praise him as often as possible.

In my case, dad looked down on me with an eye of disdain and it showed. I had foregone his offer to be independent in his fashion business, and my major was for motion pictures, glamour and Hollywood.

After all, Star Wars had been a hit and newer movies were coming out. I couldn’t help but mire with mom how she missed her daily soap opera ‘All My Children’ with Erica Cane and Phoebe Tyler.

She had been watching that show ever since the year 1970, a loyal fan. I guess I never saw what she did in it. The grind for a midday hour of her time was there, even in the showroom downtown.

Dad had bought a small television, I mean a new miniature one and she had to get her fill every lunch hour of the week.

Dad’s favorite TV show had been Charlie’s Angels, and it did seem to bring a bit of friction a few years back.

Mom claimed in a tirade of fury that he liked watching the women on that show. However, dad refuted that claim.

With me, I just stayed clear of it as well as Kevin. My older brother was gone most nights anyhow, being out on dates.

In my case, I sure was glad I had this flat. However, I also wondered about the target industry Hollywood of my college education.

Some friends had told me to become an engineer of architecture, while others mentioned that I should have become a plumber as everyone needs those and they made a bundle off the dire misery of their clients.

Nonetheless, I chose the most glamorous industry with an endless trail of broken dreams and a near zero chance of success unless of course, I had sold my soul to get there, and even then, there seemed no sure-fire guarantees such would occur.

Saul Sabre was seated in the bottom restaurant of the Fashion Mart and the end of the day had arrived. Arlene was still up top working with a buyer on completing an important order when Kevin arrived with a hot chick on his arm.

And, Saul asked him, taking note of the flaunting dress she was wearing. Dressed between a whore and a runway fashion model which she actually was.

Oh, Darlene here is a model with Boats Recreational Wear on the eighth floor. We just met, both Kevin and Darlene turned to one another, rubbed noses and she giggled.

And, the order from Dreight’s Department store, Saul pushed the narrative as his glass of Johnny Walker Black on the rocks arrived. I wonder what’s taking your mother so long?

We just saw her about fifteen minutes ago and she was finishing up, Kevin replied, and Darlene giggled again. Dreight’s wrote a nice order, about eleven thousand this time.

That’s shit for them. She’s very noisy, Saul pointed at her a moment in jest. Do you always go for the noisy ones?

Only if they’re pretty, Kevin shot back, and Darlene giggled again and then they kissed a moment as Arlene approached their booth.

Did she write a lot? Saul asked Arlene.

She took the blue and the orange ones, didn’t like the black tops at all, Arlene got seated. She could smell the Walker on Saul’s breath. I guess I’m driving home?

Fucking A, Saul grinned. With that comment, Darlene’s mouth dropped open for a second.

My dad, Kevin smiled at his brashness and he helped Darlene up from the seat. Well, tomorrow, Kevin replied, Darlene giggled, and flaunted a smiling wave at Arlene.

Nice meeting you, Arlene told her as both Kevin and Darlene left the two of them.

Well, that’s one down, Saul gestured a moment at the departing couple as they exited out the restaurant doors and into the main building plaza. Now for our younger son. He wants to make movies; do you really think he’ll be successful at that?

Well, with my heart, I want him to be happy, Arlene replied.

This fashion business is almost as glamorous and creates millionaires too, Saul reminded her. I think he’s chasing a fantasy. Maybe it’s time we approach him again.

Oh, by the way, doesn’t Kevin have four other women at his place? mom broached the subject.

For this guy, one will never be enough, dad waved it off with disgust.

Going out on a date, my roommate Charlie grinned. Anyhow, have fun, he winked and then closed the door. Why was he so lucky? He was like a complete chick magnet. They were almost as attracted to him as they were to my older brother.

Was it my nonexistent charisma? Was it my lack of wealth? Was it my breath or manner of dress? There was just something I wasn’t doing right, even though I seemed to be doing everything right in this life.

I had stayed squeaky clean all of my life. Never got in trouble with the law, never did drugs, not even one marijuana doobie, and I never even smoked or gambled.

Perhaps that’s what it was. Women wanted bad boys around, guys that stuck them on the edge and brought those thrills for quiet boring lives.

Maybe I had been going in the wrong direction in my approaches. Doing things backwards as this night wound down.

It was very late and I had already turned in, when my roommate and his date arrived. Is he sleeping? she giggled.

Shush, he scolded her momentarily and she giggled more. Don’t wake him, c’mon, my room, Nome lead her by the hand and they closed the door.

Within a short time, I could hear them having sex together and it seemed intense.

Though I was trying to glean some shuteye, I grinned. It sounded funny and they seemed to be enjoying their company together.

It was the wee hours of early morning, around 4 AM and I was trying to sleep while she was yelling at him.

Evidentially, the alcohol wore down and she wasn’t happy at all of being taken advantage of, or so she blurted it out, before slamming the apartment door closed.

I couldn’t help but grin at Nome’s plight, even though I should not have. I wondered if my older brother went through this crap too.

The new day would be here in a few hours and with it, the start of the weekend. My workday fulltime this Saturday and Sunday would be keeping me occupied with fresh meat cuts filling customer’s orders.

In a sense it was a brisk business and often very busy on weekends as customers spent most of their time buying rather than the weekdays when they were all out working their weekly jobs, at least most of them anyhow.

I closed my eyes and soon my alarm went off and it was already nine am in the morning.

I got up, got showered, and cleaned up in my denims with a fresh shirt and apron in hand, leaving for a full days work.

Chapter 02

Most of the Saturday had gone by as the butchers had cut up meats, placed them in Styrofoam trays and finally wrapped the cuts for display.

The work had taken its toll on me, not to mention that freezer too. I was busy at the counter filling a meat order when my folk’s entered the shop.

Dad winked at me with a smile as mom just waved and they approached the counter. One of the others was going to wait on them when I handed him my customer to finish up with and then walked down the counter to see them.

What’ll you have? I asked them both.

Well honey, mom paused a moment.

We’ll have the very best, Dad cut in on her.

Filet Mignon cuts? I asked, staring at mom a moment in both bewilderment and confirmation.

Yes, she softly replied. I know your father loves those.

Only the very best cuts you have today, Dad cautioned as he pointed at the display.

I went and got a package together as my boss Larry approached. Hello Mister Sabre, ma`am, he smiled at mom. He will make sure you get the very best, he added with a smile. Then he paused me for a moment. Your folk’s are just the very best, before he walked away adding, nice seeing you again.

I had finished wrapping their cuts and gave it to them by weight at my cost. Wow, mom smiled and dad leaned closer to me at the counter.

Your mother and I… he started in his mild Bronx accent. We would like you to join us in the business.

Dad, I started. I’m already on my way to another industry and I have a job right here.

It barely pays anything, he pointed out and this attracted the attention of the boss down by the freezer room as he listened in.

Your father and I can start you with a hefty salary and commissions as you gain larger sales, mom pushed the narrative a bit higher.

But, I know nothing about your business, I replied and just then Larry called me. I have to go, I told them, as they were ready to check out with their meats.

Consider what I said, at least call me, okay, Dad extended that olive branch and it stuck in the back of my mind as I turned and left to address Larry’s needs as my boss.

Larry walked me to the backroom. Did I hear your dad right, coming asking you to quit my business?

Look, Larry. I didn’t ask them for anything. They walked in and dad started soliciting me. I rather just finish my work shift and then relax at home. You understand my position, right? I tried to reply in a mild way as to diffuse what had been thrown upon my shoulders.

It wasn’t my fault after all. Dad could have just as easily called me at home, but he always did have this energetic make it as you went along energy much like Captain Kirk’s character in that TV series of the sixties did.

A sort of happy go lucky type, whose luck might one day run dry, though I hoped that wouldn’t ever become the case.

The rest of the day passed and things had calmed at work though I could see that Larry now had this stapled to the back of his mind. That he might be considering replacing me, because of what dad called out.

Good sales Phillip. Will see you bright and early tomorrow, Larry waved as I removed my apron and exited work for home.

Upon arriving at the apartment, I fumbled for my keys and opened the door to a nude blond woman I had never seen before as she turned and waved, and then entered Nome’s room. She giggled as she closed the door.

I had never seen her before, but it wasn’t long before the sexual moans began in his room and I just closed my bedroom door, ignoring it.

Across town, my older brother was also busy humping a date he picked up at the fashion mart, another one. What was this world coming to with all of the playboys running around?

I mean the start of this decade, the 1980’s and a new President Ronald Reagan had ushered in a brand new era.

The seventies had quickly faded away and New Age music plus a new wave of British Rock Stars had complimented the increased pace that life was ushering in the 1980’s.

What the hell was I really doing in my life? Yeah, I was self sufficient, but was my meat butchers job all that guaranteed? What if Larry croaked the next day, would I still be able to pay for this room?

How much would I make in Hollywood, if I was even able to find work in that industry, chasing the illusion that had disillusioned so many before me?

These were serious questions and I finally got to sleep and pondered these thoughts as they plagued my very existence.

Dad was indeed a giant in this fashion industry; in fact, he had been at times in the local Los Angeles newspapers.

It seemed they had discovered him a sort of go to guy for questions on fashion when the need arose.

In the past, he had worked with fashion giants in the Los Angeles and southwest apparel industry.

There were giants like Gallantry as well as Jane Emeralds whom I got a chance to meet in the sixties, a very sweet, elegant talented designer of women’s dresses, even movie stars wore them, and that brought me back to my reality.

As for mom, she worked in the CEO’s offices of the DWP during the sixties and was always well loved by everyone, even making a newspaper caption for an award for her service there.

However, the sixties were long gone. Dad now worked in a newer outfit called Phallus Fashions and had built them from a line, where they were nothing to where they were now, sponsoring their clothing on the Miss California entries and queen.

My horny older brother boasted to me how smart those ladies were, but it went in one ear and out the other, as it didn’t involve me, nor did their industry.

I shut the light out on the nightstand and turned in for a quiet evening’s sleep as the activity had ceased in the other bedroom.

Peace at last, I thought and the night dragged into the early morning hours while I slept soundly.

The following Sunday morning, I woke up as the only one in the apartment. I am guessing that Nome and that woman both went elsewhere for the night.

My father’s rapprochement to me on his business seemed to stick in the back of my head and it stayed there all day as I filled my shift at the shop.

Something had changed at work though. It was my boss Larry. He wasn’t so talkative or complementing today; rather he was subdued, thinking about other things and too busy to stick around.

I felt a loneliness at work that grew as the workday wound down. Night Larry, I called to him as I clocked out.

He waved back at me, but didn’t say anything and it was then that I realized something had indeed changed.

When I got back to the apartment, there was no Nome, nor did he even leave a note about where he was or what he was doing. Getting some ass, I grinned in a muffled tone.

That had to be it, as I had the pad all to myself for the time being. I went over, just in case, to check the phone recorder and the only message on it was dad who stated he had wanted to talk.

However, I wasn’t really interested in their business at this point as I had my own life going just the way I wanted it to be.

I didn’t know squat about their business and never really considered myself a great salesman either.

Oh baby, Kevin rolled over on her in bed. Her name was Olivia and she was the main buyer and the wife of the CEO of the large department store chain called the MyCompany.

He had been screwing her for a while and it paid off in some rather large orders for the Sabre Associates main line called Pacific Ladies a manufacturer of women’s dresses and petite dresses and sportswear.

Olivia had been writing ten thousand dollar orders on average, and both mom and dad couldn’t figure out how this came to be, but it did, all thanks to Kevin’s penis.

The next day in class, I approached my stage instructor for the Stagecraft class, Mister Rogers. He was a soft-spoken older gentleman who had been in the entertainment business since the early 1940’s until his recent retirement.

Now he was a tenured professor at the community college here and I always enjoyed the new things he taught us.

However, there was a pressing question and it was time to sit down in his small cluttered side office and ask him.

Mister Rogers, I have had a nagging question to ask you about the entertainment industry in general.

Oh, he calmly replied and relaxed back in his chair. He seemed a bit amused almost if he knew what I was going to ask him.

This industry, movie stars aside or big producers and directors, I am just curious if it pays well? I popped the question.

He steeped his fingers and leaned back further thinking a few moments as I sat there in anticipation of his response. Then he leaned forward and I could see it written on his face. He was dead serious about this reply.

It depends on a number of factors. Are you union or non union, it makes a difference and unions are hard to get into, we call them guilds.

I see, I replied with some trepidation as to the Pandora’s Box I just opened, though I did want to hear the truth. Was what dad said true?

Hollywood is the trail of most broken dreams. Very few make it big, most end up bussing tables or doing janitors jobs and many fade away including to the homeless streets of Tinsel Town, one of the dirties horrific secrets this industry has spurned.

I’m sorry to hear that.

It is the truth and I was lucky to have been in a guild for most of my career. It was somewhat of a hard start for me, but in the forties and fifties there were still opportunities, now in the eighties it has become much harder, he added.

Yeah I suspected that might be the case, I got his gist of it.

As for the big names, watch how many fall after a few years as their stars fade with their age. It is rare for movie and TV stars to continue once age and gravity catch up with them or some other horrible illness.

Yeah, ha, I noticed that.

Most smaller producers fade away as well, some are one shot Charlie’s and as for Director’s, well, they are only as good as their last film, they fade too, so the turnover is constant, Rogers stressed these dark facts of the entertainment industry.

The best you can get maybe as a Key Grip, or specialty Electrician though work isn’t always consistent and there are many other guild jobs. I would say that in a guild you could average about thirty thousand a year if you are lucky, give or take, non guild maybe fifteen to twenty five.

I took a deep breath, I had heard enough. Thank you, you have set me straight in reality, I replied.

You have to be dedicated to this industry for the art that it is. The million dollars here and the million dollars there are extremely rare and only happens for a very few. Most wind up broke or in menial jobs as I mentioned previously, and unless this business is in your blood, you might find better avenues of making a living. I hope this conversation set things straight, Rogers added and then leaned forward at his desk.

It did, I replied and we both got up. I had heard the truth about things from someone who was honest. He could have told me lots of bullshit, but he didn’t.

Chapter 03

Saul and Arlene were on Ventura Boulevard in Woodland Hills California having a nice dinner with their Lawyer friends Robert and Robert’s wife Angel, who had been very longtime friends with Arlene since their high school days.

Ya know something, Robert was happy for the moment as he stared at dad. Never piss a cop off.

Oh, mom replied and Angel grabbed her hand with a slight grin of embarrassment mixed with reassurance.

Robert is the best and most prominent criminal attorney in all of Los Angeles, Angel boasted. He was on the front page of the newspapers last week in that big case.

Dad sat back after sipping more red wine and cautiously asked Robert why is that?

Because, a guy argued with an off duty cop and the officer shot him in the face, that’s why, Robert blurted it out. Never argue with a cop. I’m defending the officer in court.

That’s a very good reason, dad waved a momentary finger of gesture as Robert sipped wine.

Oh my God! mom placed her hand over her mouth.

Don’t worry, Angel casually informed her. He’s got worse people to defend, and Robert pleasantly smiled a moment at his wife’s comment.

Well, Dad sipped more wine as the steak dinners arrived. Between our dresses and your lawyer skills, it seems we both have an endless line of customers, dad took his knife and fork, and then grabbed a bottle of the steak sauce. I’m hungry.

Let me tell you, Arlene started with Angel. I am very proud of Kevin. He wrote a fifteen thousand plus order for the Natural Dress line with the MyCompany.

Now you know why dinner’s on us, Dad smiled proudly. So, have you heard if Sidney got back from his vacation yet? dad asked Robert.

Sidney Polaski was a longtime friend of both Dad and Robert. These guys all knew each other and Sidney was in the schmattah business a very long time.

No, I haven’t, Robert replied. Hey, why isn’t your youngest boy in your business with you?

I keep asking myself that, dad replied.

He is pursuing his own direction in life, mom told them. He wants to be in the movie business, feels there is a killing to be made there.

Oh, Angel seemed surprised a moment. Our daughter has also had those desires too. Her fiancée does something along those lines.

Maybe honey, mom turned to Saul, we can have Phillip get in touch with her.

Then again, maybe we can have him get in touch with me about our own business, dad shot back taking another bite of the steak and filling his mouth.

So, you do want him in your business, Robert turned to dad and then dug in on his food.

Hell yeah, dad replied. He turned to mom. Let me do the thinking on this, he cautioned her.

Soon they had finished up that dinner and dessert was on the way as the event was winding down.

The following morning was Tuesday and I had gotten to class. It seems Nome hadn’t returned, nor did the blonde haired woman or any others.

Therefore, I went about the class schedule that day and later returned home again to an empty apartment. Oh, where the hell did you go? I questioned and just then, the phone rang.

I turned and grabbed it. Your mother and I are waiting to talk with you, dad blurted it right out there, his normal self. He never held back, just always forged ahead in his persistent manner.

I had been thinking about it, I replied. Deep down I was unsure this was the wisest course within my life. I just wanted to get my own big income going and along with that, life and the pursuit of happiness. However, it wasn’t