Round 2

Betty let me keep the money we earned, which was good. I found the cheapest motel in the area and got a discount for ordering a weeklong stay. We didn’t make a shit ton, but I was able to feed myself bullshit and sleep somewhere for the time being.

I practiced my guitar the entire week. I wanted to be able to flex some when Betty and I played again. My fingers were raw, but I felt like I was getting much better with every day.

I’d always worked on music, but this sort of energy was different. I had a level of desire for improvement that wasn’t there before.

Finally, after a week of sleepless nights, I pulled in front of the bar. I saw Betty leaning against the wall outside the restaurant and walked up to her.

“Hey, Betty. I’m excited to play tonight, I’ve been practi-“

“Michael! Great, glad you finally fucking made it, I was waiting on you!” She grabbed my arm and yanked me inside. I saw the stage was set up with amps, drums, a mic stand; the works. There were two pissed-looking women there as well.

“Is this the prick?” One asked. She was a shorter, curvier Hispanic woman. Her words, tone, and eyes were filled with vitriol.

Betty nodded. “Yeah, he’s the prick… but he’s the prick with the great voice.”

The other lady chimed in. “Does he have no concept of a sound check?” She was tall, thin, and soft spoken black woman. Her words seemed angry as well, but her voice was too monotone to tell.

“Ask him yourself, he’s right here.” Betty rolled her eyes. “Michael, this is Serena,” the shorter woman, “and this is Jane,” the taller woman, “and they’ll be the final parts of the band.”

“Nice to meet you g- wait, the band?” I recoiled with confusion.

Betty shrugged. “Fuck it, why not? We’re talented.”

Serena huffed. “You bitch, you made it seem like he knew about this! No wonder the fucker didn’t show up on time!”

“Okay, I it, I smudged the truth some to get you two here, but I didn’t lie about how fucking good he is.” Betty defended herself.

“As you’ll see here now.” Buddy said. I hadn’t noticed him walk up. “I got the bar packed for y'all tonight, so you better kick ass.”

I turned around. The bar was, indeed, packed. I hadn’t noticed when I was drug inside, I guess.

“Get to it, they’ve been waiting a while now.” Buddy walked back to the bar.

Serena walked to the drums, and Jane grabbed the a guitar. Betty picked up her bass and looked at me. “Let’s start with Man Who Sold the World, eh?”