Firing Miguel Matamoros: Chapter 4, Getting Fired

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This is Part 4 of a 5-part historical-fiction series commemorating the 125th birthday of Miguel Matamoros, one of the pioneers of the Cuban “son”.

Only after they returned from New York, did Miguel, Rafael and Siro had time to internalize the magnitude of the task that awaited them in Cuba.Now they would have to perform under an unfamiliar name and get the public to recognize them under this new name.

Album Anxiety

Miguel began to feel the pressure. It was very likely that their album will come out and be treated like an album by strangers. No one would know the Trio Matamoros, as they built their name for the last three years as the Trio Oriental.

The time they had available to spread the word of the re-naming of the group was limited, as the album would show up in a few weeks and they had to go back to their day jobs. So with that in his mind, Miguel returned to his chauffeur job for Don Bartolomé .

A couple of months later, while Miguel was driving his boss back from work to his home late in the afternoon, they passed by one of the narrow cobblestone streets in the center of Santiago where they saw a big crowd gathered in front of a store.

“What’s going on there?”, the boss asked Miguel.
“I have no idea Don Bartolomé”, responded Miguel.

Because the traffic was at a standstill, Miguel noticed that people where leaving the store with what looked like a LP inside a plain white blank sleeve.
“It seems the people are buying an album”, Miguel added.

Don Bartolomé took out some money from his wallet and handed it to Miguel.
“Here, please go get me one of those albums”, the boss told Miguel.
“I can tell from the blank sleeves that it seems like a new album, and from the crowd frenzy it seems that it’s a good one.”

Because traffic was so slow, Miguel waited until he was almost in front of the store to put the car on Park. Then he quickly got out of the car, and ran over to the store to get an album for his boss. Despite the crowed, it only took him about a minute to buy one. Matamoros knew the store owner, so once he got his attention amongst the crowd, the owner sold him what he was looking for without having to wait in line.

When they reached Don Bartolomé’s home, Miguel went to wash the car, while his boss went to the living room. He placed the new LP in the RCA Victor turntable. By the time the first song started playing, Don Bartolomé’s house butler had brought him his usual afternoon drink; a Cuba Libre, made with the right amounts of Bacardi Gold and Coke, with a twist of lime.

Miguel Matamoros Gets Fired!

The album had 2 songs. On Side A was “Son de la Loma”, and on Side B it had the bolero “Olvido”.

Halfway through “Olvido”, Don Bartolomé called for Miguel to come to the house.

What can I do for you Don Bartolomé? Miguel asked.
Is that you singing in this album?, asked Don Bartolomé.

“Yes, that’s my group. I didn’t…” Miguel managed to say before being interrupted by his boss.
“Pardon the interruption Miguel…” Don Bartolomé said as he placed a hand on Miguel’s shoulder.

“… but you have great talent that you are not utilizing to the fullest. And you won’t use it to its full potential if you continue to work for me as a chauffeur.”

“I can’t keep you working for me because that would make me an accomplice of helping you waste your talent and a possible great career. Therefore, I have no choice but to fire you.”

“But.…” Miguel started to babble perplexed, wanting to explain to Don Bartolomé that he needed the job and that all this had a simple explanation.

But Don Bartolomé didn’t give him a chance to utter another word. He gently walked him to the door while telling him how much he enjoyed his LP, and knowing how good a worker he is, that he surely had a great future ahead of him in music. As he was about to shake his hand for the last time as his boss, he handed him a closed envelope.

“Don’t open it until you get home. And don’t let me or anyone else stop you from pursuing your dream”.

After Miguel had walked outside without a chance to interject another word, Don Bartolomé said goodbye, wished him good luck as he shook his hand, and closed the door behind him. Miguel pocketed the envelope and started what would seem the longest walk home ever, still in shock with what just happened.

Links:
Chapter 1: The Audition
Chapter 2: Second Chance
Chapter 3: Renaming The Trio