The Enchanting Mermaid

==Story==
===Genesis===
The cabaret of the Enchanting Mermaid, built in 1926 in the town of Jonathanland, near the sea, was the creation of Colby Birdy, a businessman and former military sailor forced to leave the sea after losing an eye during the war. Following this incident, Colby, declaring that he only knew how to serve his country, America, and navigate the seas, found himself uncertain about his professional future. His somewhat mysterious appearance, accentuated by the loss of his eye, often led to comparisons with a pirate. Despite his comfortable family situation, he decided to stop working, considering himself no longer of any use.
His passion turned to contemplating the sea and observing boats, nurturing the dream that one day, a beautiful mermaid would emerge from the water, ready to enchant him. Rumors spread in the town that Birdy was having difficulties finding a companion. His parents, until the end of their days, vainly hoped for grandchildren from their only son.
With the passing of the Birdy parents, Colby took the initiative to open a cabaret, offering a dance floor to the most beautiful girls in the region.
===The concept===
The ex-sailor, convinced that his cabaret could help him meet the love of his life and fulfill the family dream, decided, feeling himself age, to bring his new project to life: the construction of the "Enchanting Mermaid" cabaret. Colby Birdy, often described as a dreamer, spent hours scanning the sea horizon, hoping for the appearance of a beautiful mermaid. Animated by the belief in an enchanted universe, filled with enchantment and magic, Colby named the cabaret "The Enchanting Mermaid," which came to life in April 1926. It became a place of entertainment where people could dance, have fun, and listen to the pin-ups sing. Close to the sea, the cabaret was a must-stop for every ship docking at the port, sparking conversations among soldiers about this place where everyone could laugh, dance, sing, drink, eat, and be entertained. The most charming young women, seeking employment, also applied.
===Jessy-Jane===
At that time, Colby Birdy enlisted the help of Walter Cotton-Candy, a great artistic director. In charge of taking care of the beautiful girls applying to the cabaret, Walter trained them, motivated them, organized photo sessions, introduced them to the art of provocation, and instructed them in singing. Colby referred to them as "distraction pin-ups for sailors," emphasizing the importance, after each return from war, of forgetting the tragedies experienced.
The cabaret, adorned with a beautiful beige and brown tapestry, elegant golden moldings, displayed on its logo Jessy-Jane, the only girl from Jonathanland that ex-sailor Birdy had fallen in love with, even though her heart belonged to another sailor at war. Carved wooden tables, brown velvet armchairs, and an elegant stage with a red, brown, and gold carpet were arranged in the cabaret, where the pin-ups could perform. On the walls were also numerous photos of military sailors, each with their name. A variety of beers were served in large glasses, while a team of about ten waitresses, led by Bomby at the cash register, a woman in her forties in whom the owner of the place had complete trust, was dedicated to serving the sailors.
The waitresses, in accordance with the mandatory dress code, wore blue and white sailor berets, white and blue tops revealing their flat stomachs adorned with a beautiful blue bow at the neckline, blue mini skirts, very high black heels, and hair always tied up.
===The dishes===
The cabaret offered several delicious menus specially designed for sailors, including:
*The famous "boat pancakes," one of their favorite desserts, filled with chocolate spread, white chocolate pieces, caramel, and a secret ingredient softening the pancake. Colby, eager to preserve the magic of his recipe, did not want to share the magical formula of the popular boat pancakes, and he trusted only his chef, Miss Darla Cookie Pirate.
*Another highly prized dish at the cabaret was the pirate waffle, created by Miss Cookie, who was the only one with the secret recipe. She was a kind of fairy in long blue dresses and a white apron.
*With her utensils, Darla infused magic into all her creations, including the famous Banana Chou drink, made with eggnog, cottage cheese, pieces of natural tomato, cherry juice, and white chocolate pieces.
Over a decade, the cabaret became famous, attracting the attention of sailors from all over the country.
===Colby Birdy's illness===
In 1936, although satisfied with the success of his business, Colby fell seriously ill. Despite the efforts of doctors to diagnose his illness, he learned that his days were numbered and that he had to make arrangements for his assets since he had no heir. He chose to bequeath his entire fortune and the cabaret to his friend and associate, the artistic director Walter Cotton-Candy. Shortly after writing his will, Birdy was diagnosed with meningitis, leading him to his deathbed.
===Posterity===
After the death of the ex-sailor, Walter Cotton-Candy, the artistic director, took over the Enchanting Mermaid. Benefiting from the financial legacy left by Colby Birdy, Cotton-Candy undertook to expand the cabaret in 1939. As a close friend of Agent Robert Panpy, after a violent racial altercation in the cabaret among several sailors, he made a crucial decision: to change mindsets.
Aware that, in Birdy's time, only white pin-ups were present, Walter Cotton-Candy committed to finding a black or mixed-race girl of exceptional beauty, capable of mesmerizing sailors. Having heard much about Shelly Gold and her fight against racial segregation, Walter proposed to his longtime friend Robert Panpy an agreement where the profits generated by Shelly would be 60%, while the two men would each receive 20%. Shelly accepted the pin-up contract, and her exceptional charm achieved an unexpected success. The unique beauty of the 20-year-old mixed-race top model star won the hearts of the soldiers frequenting the Enchanting Mermaid. Cotton-Candy, secretly in love with Shelly Gold, saw his idea of hiring a mixed-race pin-up meet with great success.
===Expansion of success===
Thus, The Enchanting Mermaid became three times more famous after the death of Colby Birdy. Shelly's charms and sensual voice during her performances four nights a week attracted men from all over the country. Walter, satisfied with having expanded the cabaret, sometimes found himself forced to turn away men due to lack of space.
However, Shelly, a committed activist in the fight for the rights of her descendants, wondered about being the only mixed-race pin-up of her time. She continued to uphold her convictions through her career as a top model, with the support of her friend Bree Lawson, a sexy 20-year-old white American with short blonde hair who was also a pin-up. She had joined Shelly Gold's fight because of her own personal experience. Indeed, she was in a relationship with an African American named Dorian Murphy, who was Shelly Gold's best friend. Bree faced opposition from her racist parents who were opposed to their union. This situation strengthened her commitment to Shelly's fight against racism. Ironically, Bree's father, Charles Lawson, turned out to be hypocritical because secretly, he frequented the Enchanting Mermaid and disguised his appearance as a ship captain to discreetly observe Shelly, whom he found beautiful.
fr:La Sirène Envoûtante
es:La Sirena Encantadora
Category:Epp Wiki
Category:Locations
Category:The Enchanting Mermaid