FLOOR NOTES

Where’s Dukakis? Busy, Busy

Missing man Michael S. Dukakis strolled into the FleetCenter on Monday night with his wife, Kitty, just as Al Gore was wowing them on the convention floor.

Michael Dukakis, who is not speaking in prime time -- or at all -- hasn’t exactly been kept under wraps, but having lost the 1988 presidential election, he’s not the donkey that Democrats like to trot out for a national audience.

Still, he said Sunday night at a tribute to George S. McGovern (remember him?) that they’re keeping him busy:

“I begin at 8:15 tomorrow welcoming the Montana delegation to the Northeastern [University] campus. Then I talk to four youth groups, then I go to a literacy event. Then Kitty and I host a party at our house for Greek American Democrats. That’s just Day One.”

Flying under the radar is OK with him.

“We don’t have speaking places, us guys who didn’t make it,” he said cheerfully. “They introduce us, that’s it.”

Killing us softly with(out) his song

At a club called Avalon near Fenway Park, a throbbing crowd of twentysomethings waited into the wee hours for a glimpse of the most sought-after couple in America this week: the Clintons.

It was a long, long night. Some of the entertainment, provided by Rock the Vote and Democratic GAIN, was cross-generationally cool (DJ Biz Markie hauled out hits from the ‘70s and ‘80s).

It was endearing to watch Democratic Party Chairman Terry McAuliffe swoop in to rescue poor Cate Edwards (daughter of the would-be V.P.), who ran out of things to say after 30 seconds onstage.

Later -- much, much later -- sulky pop star Lauryn Hill showed up and performed a song that had something to do with politicians impaling people with lances.

She felt her song was important. So important that she stopped the music and ordered her audience to “Listen. Listen. Listen to the lyrics.” Then she said she had to go.

A source told Floor Notes: “And she got paid $25,000.”

It was 2:15 a.m. Monday before about 2,000 people left disappointed. Despite numerous “We want Bill!” chants, it was clear that Clinton had better things to do.

Pretty nails, and pile drivers

There’s something in the Boston air besides a cool breeze and Democratic promises to smack “Dubya” upside the head: voter registration. A group called 1,000 Flowers rolled in from the Bay Area, its organizers saying they were determined to put their hot pink and yellow counter displays in 1,000 beauty salons in eight states.

Co-founder Francesca Vietor, an environmental activist, said she was alarmed that an estimated 22 million single women didn’t vote in 2000. She’ll be handing out tens of thousands of emery boards with the message: “Hey girlfriend, don’t let this election be a nail biter. Register here to vote.”

World Wrestling Entertainment, meanwhile, sent Big Show, a 7-foot-2-inch, 500-pound former champion -- and a few of his friends -- to urge young people to vote.

With TV lights beating down and sweat dripping from his forehead, the mountainous Mr. Show proclaimed, “Smack down your vote!” before retreating to cooler climes.