Black Elvis
By Geoffrey Becker, first published in Ploughshares
Going under the name "Black Elvis," a performer meets a another vocalist and faces an identity crisis.
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Plot Summary
Black Elvis gets ready, puts on his suit, and applies his makeup. He gets on the bus, guitar slung over his shoulder. Two shirtless boys on the bus mock him, ask if he is a Muslim, and assume that he is a preacher. Black Elvis gives them some money and, to their surprise, heads on his way. When he gets to the Blues Jam, he is greeted by the owner, Butch, who tells Elvis that one of the band members named Juanita passed away. Black Elvis prepares to start his show as usual, but Butch introduces a different man named Robert Johnson instead. Black Elvis stares in amazement, because the man looks Chinese and has a Southern accent. When Robert starts to sing with his guitar, Black Elvis thinks he is talented and his confidence begins to falter. When his turn arrives, he announces that he is going to change up his repertoire in honor of Juanita, and plays Amazing Grace. After he gets off the stage, Butch compliments him and Robert offers to buy him a beer. The two men chat and Black Elvis finds out that Robert is actually Korean and is from Memphis. They each talk about how they got involved in music. Robert leaves Black Elvis musing about his own identity and gives Black Elvis a tissue to stop his nosebleed before he leaves. Black Elvis returns home and speaks to Juanita’s ghost in the dark. She scolds him for being “churchy” with his performance and calls him a hypocrite. As he looks out the window, Black Elvis sees the two boys from earlier that day spray painting “Black Elvis” on the middle of the street.