Miss Antoinette on the Baby Dolls

Gambit's Noah Bonaparte Pais has been blogging the transcripts of his investigation into the Mardi Gras tradition, the Baby Dolls. Today he posted the recollections of Antoinette K-Doe, who was a central figure in the revitalization of the practice. In the interview, she tells the story of last year's Mardi Gras heart attack:

Last year for Mardi Gras, I did not do it because I took a heart attack Mardi Gras Day. When I was getting dressed to go in the yard with my Baby Dolls, that’s when I told the girl that was on my bar, Jeannie — she was dressed as a Baby Doll — I said, “Jeannie, I believe I’ve taken a heart attack.” She said, “No, girl, you’re not.” I said, “Don’t tell me. Keep my bar open and call me an ambulance.” I had a nurse that knew me. I had her call back and tell Jeannie to keep my bar open, but tell any lie you wanted to tell. I didn’t want people to know I was in the hospital. I’m in the hospital with my Baby Doll clothes on. I tell the doctor, “I have to go home and get ready with the Indians and the Skeletons, because I need to go out with my Baby Dolls.” He said, “Young lady, you’re not going out. You’re going to surgery.”