Little E

For one of our dessert stops, while in Branson, we visited a place called "Cakes-n-Cremes". I had a nice piece of chocolate pie. It wasn't the most memorable piece of pie I have ever had, but what happened, while we were eating, is a memory I won't soon forget.

As we were finishing our desserts, through the door walks the youngest Elvis impersonator I have ever seen. He walked over to the juke box, put in a few quarters, and started to entertain around the restaurant. He said his name was Little E and was the world's youngest Elvis impersonator. He had to be like 8 or 9. As he danced around the restaurant and belted out his version of Elvis' songs, I have to say that it was pretty entertaining. But, then, it got awkward.

After he finished his first song, he pointed out his "tip" jar. I was fine with that. If he wants to entertain us for free, he should get a few tips. But then, he approached our table for the hard sell. He told us that we were in luck because that night only we could buy one of his cd's and get a second cd at half price. He also pointed out that we could buy an autographed picture.

As we were getting the hard sell, I looked to the corner to see a person, who I assumed to be his mother. She was directing him on where to go and who to talk to. In between songs he would go to her and she would whisper something in his ear. I assume it was more direction on what to do and what table to walk up to. In an instant, what was fun and entertaining became uncomfortable. It made me wonder if Little E wanted to be an entertainer and his mom was just helping him along or if mom was pushing him to try and make a buck.

I'm all for kids who have an ambition and maybe Little E is one of those kids. I just hope that what he is doing is of his own accord and is not being pushed into it by his parents. But, I don't know his parents so I will not judge them. I can just recount how it made me feel. Who knows? This may be Little E's way of paying for his college education. And, with the cost of a college education always on the rise, it made me think. Maybe we should start having Selleck grow out his side burns. You know, just in case!