Baby, Let's Play House Part 56

287 "Who in the h.e.l.l": "Who in the h.e.l.l": George Klein, quoting Elvis Presley in Guralnick, Peter, George Klein, quoting Elvis Presley in Guralnick, Peter, Last Train to Memphis. Last Train to Memphis.

287 "That December, she came to Germany": "That December, she came to Germany": Jane Wilbanks, who met him at the "Elvis Train," as the girls called it, visited Elvis at his hotel for the holidays, and was his Christmas Eve date in 1958. Having just lost his mother in August, "He was sad and cried a lot, and I didn't know what to say," she told an a.s.sociated Press reporter in 2002. In January 1959, she gave him a royal blue velvet robe for his birthday. A teen beauty queen, Jane dated Elvis for about ten months in Germany, and also a few times when they returned to the States. "It was kind of Cinderella-ish," she said. "I think he liked talking with me because most of the time he had all these Hollywood starlets around. Of course, I was from New Albany [Mississippi], which was only about thirty miles from Tupelo." Jane Wilbanks, who met him at the "Elvis Train," as the girls called it, visited Elvis at his hotel for the holidays, and was his Christmas Eve date in 1958. Having just lost his mother in August, "He was sad and cried a lot, and I didn't know what to say," she told an a.s.sociated Press reporter in 2002. In January 1959, she gave him a royal blue velvet robe for his birthday. A teen beauty queen, Jane dated Elvis for about ten months in Germany, and also a few times when they returned to the States. "It was kind of Cinderella-ish," she said. "I think he liked talking with me because most of the time he had all these Hollywood starlets around. Of course, I was from New Albany [Mississippi], which was only about thirty miles from Tupelo."

287 "instantly jealous": "instantly jealous": Elisabeth Mansfield, in Mansfield, Rex, and Mansfield, Elisabeth, with Terrill, Marshall, and Terrill, Zoe, Elisabeth Mansfield, in Mansfield, Rex, and Mansfield, Elisabeth, with Terrill, Marshall, and Terrill, Zoe, Sergeant Presley: Our Untold Story of Elvis' Missing Years. Sergeant Presley: Our Untold Story of Elvis' Missing Years.

288 "They had handwritten notes": "They had handwritten notes": Lamar Fike to author, 1994. Lamar Fike to author, 1994.

288 "somehow they were missing": "somehow they were missing": Vera Tschechowa, quoted in Vera Tschechowa, quoted in Elvis World Elvis World magazine, no. 69. magazine, no. 69.

288 "We took these horrible pictures": "We took these horrible pictures": Vera Tschechowa, quoted in Vera Tschechowa, quoted in Elvis World Elvis World magazine, no. 69, and in Schroer, Andreas, magazine, no. 69, and in Schroer, Andreas, Private Presley. Private Presley. All Tschechowa quotes come from these sources. All Tschechowa quotes come from these sources.

289 "Vera was a strange girl": Elvis World "Vera was a strange girl": Elvis World magazine, no. 69. magazine, no. 69.

289 "Red and I": Elvis World "Red and I": Elvis World magazine, no. 69. magazine, no. 69.

290 "Elvis was after her, all right": "Elvis was after her, all right": Lamar Fike to author, 1994. Lamar Fike to author, 1994.

290 "the answer to a question": "the answer to a question": Dave Marsh, quoted in Fortas, Alan, and Nash, Alanna, Dave Marsh, quoted in Fortas, Alan, and Nash, Alanna, Elvis: From Memphis to Hollywood Elvis: From Memphis to Hollywood, London: Aurum Press, 2008.

291 "Sure, I've got a new girlfriend": "Sure, I've got a new girlfriend": Elvis Presley, quoted in Schroer, Andreas, Elvis Presley, quoted in Schroer, Andreas, Private Presley. Private Presley.

291 "Foghorn": "Foghorn": Elisabeth Mansfield, quoting Elvis Presley in Mansfield, Rex, and Mansfield, Elisabeth, with Terrill, Marshall, and Terrill, Zoe, Elisabeth Mansfield, quoting Elvis Presley in Mansfield, Rex, and Mansfield, Elisabeth, with Terrill, Marshall, and Terrill, Zoe, Sergeant Presley: Our Untold Story of Elvis' Missing Years. Sergeant Presley: Our Untold Story of Elvis' Missing Years.

292 "I have hated Dee ever since then": "I have hated Dee ever since then": Anita Wood quoting Elvis Presley, "Interview with Anita Wood," on the Web site Elvis Australia, November 25, 2006. Anita Wood quoting Elvis Presley, "Interview with Anita Wood," on the Web site Elvis Australia, November 25, 2006.

292 "When they started banging": "When they started banging": Lamar Fike, in Nash, Alanna, with Smith, Billy, Lacker, Marty, and Fike, Lamar, Lamar Fike, in Nash, Alanna, with Smith, Billy, Lacker, Marty, and Fike, Lamar, Elvis Aaron Presley: Revelations from the Memphis Mafia. Elvis Aaron Presley: Revelations from the Memphis Mafia.

292 "Chinese coolie": "Chinese coolie": Rex Mansfield, quoting Red West in Mansfield, Rex, and Mansfield, Elisabeth, with Terrill, Marshall, and Terrill, Zoe, Rex Mansfield, quoting Red West in Mansfield, Rex, and Mansfield, Elisabeth, with Terrill, Marshall, and Terrill, Zoe, Sergeant Presley: Our Untold Story of Elvis' Missing Years. Sergeant Presley: Our Untold Story of Elvis' Missing Years.

293 "going in and out": "going in and out": Schroer, Andreas, Schroer, Andreas, Private Presley. Private Presley.

294 "glittering clouds of sequins": "glittering clouds of sequins": "Margaret Kelly, 94, Founder of the Bluebell Girls, Is Dead," by Margalit Fox, "Margaret Kelly, 94, Founder of the Bluebell Girls, Is Dead," by Margalit Fox, New York Times, New York Times, July 26, 2005. July 26, 2005.

294 "without batting an eyelash": "without batting an eyelash": Rex Mansfield, quoted in Rex Mansfield, quoted in Elvis World Elvis World magazine, no. 67. magazine, no. 67.

294 "We went through": "We went through": Lamar Fike, in Nash, Alanna, with Smith, Billy, Lacker, Marty, and Fike, Lamar, Lamar Fike, in Nash, Alanna, with Smith, Billy, Lacker, Marty, and Fike, Lamar, Elvis Aaron Presley: Revelations from the Memphis Mafia. Elvis Aaron Presley: Revelations from the Memphis Mafia.

294 "But you don't understand, monsieur!": "But you don't understand, monsieur!": Rex Mansfield, quoted in Rex Mansfield, quoted in Elvis World Elvis World magazine, no. 67. magazine, no. 67.

295 "Nevertheless, Elvis felt snubbed": "Nevertheless, Elvis felt snubbed": Rex Mansfield in Mansfield, Rex, and Mansfield, Elisabeth, with Terrill, Marshall, and Terrill, Zoe, Rex Mansfield in Mansfield, Rex, and Mansfield, Elisabeth, with Terrill, Marshall, and Terrill, Zoe, Sergeant Presley: Our Untold Story of Elvis' Missing Years. Sergeant Presley: Our Untold Story of Elvis' Missing Years.

295 "His hobby": "His hobby": Ingrid Sauer, quoted in Schroer, Andreas, Ingrid Sauer, quoted in Schroer, Andreas, Private Presley. Private Presley.

295 "In Germany": "In Germany": Lamar Fike to author, 1994. Lamar Fike to author, 1994.

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

297 "I knew this would be difficult": "I knew this would be difficult": Paul Beaulieu, quoted in Paul Beaulieu, quoted in Elvis by the Presleys: Elvis by the Presleys: Ritz, David, editor. Ritz, David, editor.

297 "I was crushed": "I was crushed": Priscilla Presley, quoted in Priscilla Presley, quoted in Elvis by the Presleys: Elvis by the Presleys: Ritz, David, editor. Ritz, David, editor.

297 "didn't want to be part of the Elvis mania": "didn't want to be part of the Elvis mania": Ibid. Ibid.

298 "One afternoon": "One afternoon": Priscilla Presley, quoted in Priscilla Presley, quoted in Elvis by the Presleys: Elvis by the Presleys: Ritz, David, editor. Ritz, David, editor.

298 "I'm going over there": "I'm going over there": Presley, Priscilla, with Harmon, Sandra, Presley, Priscilla, with Harmon, Sandra, Elvis and Me. Elvis and Me.

299 "Hi, . . . I understand you know Elvis": "Hi, . . . I understand you know Elvis": Priscilla Presley to Currie Grant, as quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Priscilla Presley to Currie Grant, as quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Child Bride. Child Bride.

299 "just in overdrive": "just in overdrive": Currie Grant, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Currie Grant, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Child Bride. Child Bride.

299 "Currie was taking pictures of her": "Currie was taking pictures of her": Lamar Fike to author, 2004. Lamar Fike to author, 2004.

300 "If you could have seen his face!": "If you could have seen his face!": Currie Grant, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Currie Grant, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Child Bride. Child Bride.

300 "I told Elvis": "I told Elvis": Lamar Fike to author, 1994. Lamar Fike to author, 1994.

300 "She's young enough": "She's young enough": Rex Mansfield quoting Elvis Presley in Mansfield, Rex, and Mansfield, Elisabeth, with Terrill, Marshall, and Terrill, Zoe, Rex Mansfield quoting Elvis Presley in Mansfield, Rex, and Mansfield, Elisabeth, with Terrill, Marshall, and Terrill, Zoe, Sergeant Presley: Our Untold Story of Elvis' Missing Years. Sergeant Presley: Our Untold Story of Elvis' Missing Years.

301 "What are you": "What are you": Presley, Priscilla, with Harmon, Sandra, Presley, Priscilla, with Harmon, Sandra, Elvis and Me. Elvis and Me.

301 "You": "You": Priscilla Presley, quoted in Priscilla Presley, quoted in Elvis by the Presleys: Elvis by the Presleys: Ritz, David, editor. Ritz, David, editor.

302 "I felt like Cinderella": "I felt like Cinderella": Presley, Priscilla, with Harmon, Sandra, Presley, Priscilla, with Harmon, Sandra, Elvis and Me. Elvis and Me.

302 "She reminded me of a painting": "She reminded me of a painting": Elisabeth Mansfield, quoting Elvis Presley in Mansfield, Rex, and Mansfield, Elisabeth, with Terrill, Marshall, and Terrill, Zoe, Elisabeth Mansfield, quoting Elvis Presley in Mansfield, Rex, and Mansfield, Elisabeth, with Terrill, Marshall, and Terrill, Zoe, Sergeant Presley: Our Untold Story of Elvis' Missing Years. Sergeant Presley: Our Untold Story of Elvis' Missing Years.

302 "He had Priscilla backed up against the wall": "He had Priscilla backed up against the wall": Currie Grant, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne. Currie Grant, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne. Child Bride. Child Bride.

303 "been looking for": "been looking for": Rex Mansfield, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Rex Mansfield, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Child Bride. Child Bride.

303 "He looked at me": "He looked at me": "Interview with Charlie Hodge," on the Web site Elvis Australia, April 9, 2005. "Interview with Charlie Hodge," on the Web site Elvis Australia, April 9, 2005.

303 "she was so beautiful": "she was so beautiful": Joe Esposito to author, 2009. Joe Esposito to author, 2009.

303 "It's amazing to me": "It's amazing to me": Peter O. Whitmer to author, 2009. Peter O. Whitmer to author, 2009.

303 "There was definitely a "There was definitely a pull pull there": there": Priscilla Presley, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Priscilla Presley, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Child Bride. Child Bride.

304 "the sort of little girl": "the sort of little girl": Suzanne Finstad to author, 2009. Suzanne Finstad to author, 2009.

304 "She was kinda like a little honeypot": "She was kinda like a little honeypot": Mary Clements, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Mary Clements, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Child Bride. Child Bride.

305 "My father was very strict": "My father was very strict": Priscilla Presley, "An Interview with Priscilla," by Bill E. Burk, Priscilla Presley, "An Interview with Priscilla," by Bill E. Burk, Elvis World Elvis World magazine, no. 23, based on the RUR show on Veronica TV in Amsterdam, Holland, probably 1992. magazine, no. 23, based on the RUR show on Veronica TV in Amsterdam, Holland, probably 1992.

305 "a great guy, a fun guy": "a great guy, a fun guy": Colonel Eugene Desaulniers to author, 2009. All Colonel Eugene Desaulniers quotes come from this interview. Colonel Eugene Desaulniers to author, 2009. All Colonel Eugene Desaulniers quotes come from this interview.

305 "He said Priscilla said": "He said Priscilla said": e-mail, Marty Lacker to author, 2009. e-mail, Marty Lacker to author, 2009.

306 "I had this unbelievable feeling": "I had this unbelievable feeling": Priscilla Presley, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Priscilla Presley, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Child Bride. Child Bride.

307 "That's just an incredible kind of displacement": "That's just an incredible kind of displacement": Suzanne Finstad to author, 2009. Suzanne Finstad to author, 2009.

307 "It was like kissing a table": "It was like kissing a table": Currie Grant, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Currie Grant, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Child Bride. Child Bride.

308 "It actually started": "It actually started": Ibid. Ibid.

308 "May G.o.d strike me dead": "May G.o.d strike me dead": Priscilla Presley, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Priscilla Presley, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Child Bride. Child Bride.

310 "He just played with her": "He just played with her": Currie Grant, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Currie Grant, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Child Bride. Child Bride.

310 "I felt more comfortable": "I felt more comfortable": Priscilla Presley, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Priscilla Presley, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Child Bride. Child Bride.

310 "Don't play coy with me!": "Don't play coy with me!": Currie Grant, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Currie Grant, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Child Bride. Child Bride.

310 "not necessarily for s.e.x": "not necessarily for s.e.x": Joe Esposito to author, 2009. Joe Esposito to author, 2009.

311 "I was terrified": "I was terrified": Priscilla Presley, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Priscilla Presley, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Child Bride. Child Bride.

311 "I don't think he was prepared": "I don't think he was prepared": Priscilla Presley, "An Interview with Priscilla," by Bill E. Burk, Priscilla Presley, "An Interview with Priscilla," by Bill E. Burk, Elvis World Elvis World magazine, no. 23, based on the RUR show on Veronica TV in Amsterdam, Holland, probably 1992. magazine, no. 23, based on the RUR show on Veronica TV in Amsterdam, Holland, probably 1992.

311 "I enjoyed speaking": "I enjoyed speaking": Paul Beaulieu, quoted in Paul Beaulieu, quoted in Elvis by the Presleys: Elvis by the Presleys: Ritz, David, editor. Ritz, David, editor.

312 "When we met Elvis": "When we met Elvis": Ann Beaulieu, quoted in Ann Beaulieu, quoted in Elvis by the Presleys: Elvis by the Presleys: Ritz, David, editor. Ritz, David, editor.

312 "Elvis could talk anyone": "Elvis could talk anyone": Esposito, Joe, with Oumano, Elena, Esposito, Joe, with Oumano, Elena, Good Rockin' Tonight. Good Rockin' Tonight.

312 "It was not a question": "It was not a question": Currie Grant, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Currie Grant, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Child Bride. Child Bride.

312 "to consummate our love": "to consummate our love": Presley, Priscilla, with Harmon, Sandra, Presley, Priscilla, with Harmon, Sandra, Elvis and Me. Elvis and Me.

312 "She's a beautiful girl": "She's a beautiful girl": Esposito, Joe, with Oumano, Elena, Esposito, Joe, with Oumano, Elena, Good Rockin' Tonight. Good Rockin' Tonight.

313 "I was leading two lives": "I was leading two lives": Priscilla Presley, quoted in Priscilla Presley, quoted in Elvis by the Presleys: Elvis by the Presleys: Ritz, David, editor. Ritz, David, editor.

313 "My Dearest Darling 'Little' ": "My Dearest Darling 'Little' ": Elvis Presley letter to Anita Wood, postmarked November 6, 1959, reproduced in Osborne, Jerry, Elvis Presley letter to Anita Wood, postmarked November 6, 1959, reproduced in Osborne, Jerry, Elvis Word for Word Elvis Word for Word.

315 "he a.s.sured me": "he a.s.sured me": "Interview with Anita Wood," on the Web site Elvis Australia, November 25, 2006. "Interview with Anita Wood," on the Web site Elvis Australia, November 25, 2006.

315 "Anita was a known ent.i.ty": "Anita was a known ent.i.ty": e-mail, Peter O. Whitmer to author, 2009. e-mail, Peter O. Whitmer to author, 2009.

315 "It's upstairs on the table": "It's upstairs on the table": Unknown girl, quoted in Schroer, Andreas, Unknown girl, quoted in Schroer, Andreas, Private Presley. Private Presley.

315 "when he leaned over": "when he leaned over": Priscilla Presley, quoted in Priscilla Presley, quoted in Elvis by the Presleys: Elvis by the Presleys: Ritz, David, editor. Ritz, David, editor.

316 "had pores big enough to hide a tank in": "had pores big enough to hide a tank in": Lamar Fike to author, 1993. Lamar Fike to author, 1993.

316 "We just played all night and slept during the day": "We just played all night and slept during the day": Joe Esposito to author, 2009. Joe Esposito to author, 2009.

316 "Well, I'll tell you": "Well, I'll tell you": Elvis Presley to Johnny Paris, Armed Forces Radio, March 1, 1960. Elvis Presley to Johnny Paris, Armed Forces Radio, March 1, 1960.

316 "He stayed in that dressing room": "He stayed in that dressing room": Lamar Fike to author, 1994. Lamar Fike to author, 1994.

316 "It gave him permission": "It gave him permission": Ibid. Ibid.

317 "They thought I couldn't take it": "They thought I couldn't take it": Elvis Presley, quoted in Guralnick, Peter, and Jorgensen, Ernst, Elvis Presley, quoted in Guralnick, Peter, and Jorgensen, Ernst, Elvis Day by Day: The Definitive Record of His Life and Music. Elvis Day by Day: The Definitive Record of His Life and Music.

317 "It was a time of grief for me": "It was a time of grief for me": Hill, Wanda June, Hill, Wanda June, We Remember Elvis. We Remember Elvis.

317 "cheerfulness and drive": "cheerfulness and drive": Guralnick, Peter, and Jorgensen, Ernst, Guralnick, Peter, and Jorgensen, Ernst, Elvis Day by Day: The Definitive Record of His Life and Music. Elvis Day by Day: The Definitive Record of His Life and Music.

317 "a box of twelve bottles": "a box of twelve bottles": Joe Esposito to Peter Whitmer, raw interview transcript, 1994. Joe Esposito to Peter Whitmer, raw interview transcript, 1994.

318 "We swore undying fidelity": "We swore undying fidelity": Priscilla Presley, quoted in Priscilla Presley, quoted in Elvis by the Presleys: Elvis by the Presleys: Ritz, David, editor. Ritz, David, editor.

318 "Little One": "Little One": Priscilla Presley, quoted in Priscilla Presley, quoted in Elvis by the Presleys: Elvis by the Presleys: Ritz, David, editor. Ritz, David, editor.

318 "He was in love with Priscilla": "He was in love with Priscilla": Joe Esposito to Peter O. Whitmer, raw interview transcript, 1994. Joe Esposito to Peter O. Whitmer, raw interview transcript, 1994.

318 "You think my father": "You think my father": Priscilla Presley, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Priscilla Presley, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Child Bride. Child Bride.

319 "in a dream world": "in a dream world": Priscilla Presley, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Priscilla Presley, quoted in Finstad, Suzanne, Child Bride. Child Bride.

319 "It was literally the smoking gun": "It was literally the smoking gun": Suzanne Finstad to author, 2009. Suzanne Finstad to author, 2009.

CHAPTER TWENTY.

322 "Have two years of sobering army life": "Have two years of sobering army life": press conference, Fort Dix, New Jersey, March 3, 1960. press conference, Fort Dix, New Jersey, March 3, 1960.

322 "Are you leaving any special girl": "Are you leaving any special girl": press conference, Brooklyn, New York, September 22, 1958. press conference, Brooklyn, New York, September 22, 1958.

322 "It was a very difficult parting": "It was a very difficult parting": Priscilla Presley, "An Interview with Priscilla," by Bill E. Burk, Priscilla Presley, "An Interview with Priscilla," by Bill E. Burk, Elvis World Elvis World magazine, no. 23, based on the RUR show on Veronica TV in Amsterdam, Holland, probably 1992. magazine, no. 23, based on the RUR show on Veronica TV in Amsterdam, Holland, probably 1992.

322 "Now, gentlemen": "Now, gentlemen": Elvis Presley, press conference, Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee, March 7, 1960. Elvis Presley, press conference, Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee, March 7, 1960.

323 "He was standing right there": "He was standing right there": "Interview with Anita Wood," on the Web site Elvis Australia, November 25, 2006. "Interview with Anita Wood," on the Web site Elvis Australia, November 25, 2006.