Chapter 6
Mike and Pete arrived back at the club later in the afternoon. They’d called at the school on their way and Pete had impressed the head of the arts department with his music knowledge and what instruments he could play.
Mike had been waiting in the car. “How did it go? Does it look too bad?”
“It’s a junior high. Private school too. Kids with money, smaller classes… It could go either way, but they want me to start at nine tomorrow morning. I have to wear and shirt and formal pants.”
“Hey, you can manage that! Let’s get on our way to the club. Davy and Micky are gonna be there in a few hours. Davy says he’s gonna spread the word that he’s helping at the club for a week. He thinks it will draw in more chicks.” Mike laughed.
“That could work against us if some of his ex’s turn up—we could have a riot on our hands, and Ronnie won’t trust us to help out if there’s any trouble.”
Mike pulled the Monkeemobile up around the back of the Dive. “You really sure we can do this, Michael?” Pete asked as he got out of the car and walked behind Mike.
“I’ve got every confidence in us. The other two are both outgoing and know how to work a crowd. I have some management skills. We’re a good band and we can find Ronnie another regular band for the nights we don’t play. We know the staff and some of the regulars.”
“Okay, I trust you. We can invite some bands to try out, get that sorted before the girls return.”
“We need to get through tonight first, but I’ve got a good feeling about it.” They walked in and were met by Ronnie, who was sitting at a table doing some paperwork.
“Hey, guys. You definitely up for tonight, Mike? It’s hard work and long hours.” Mike sat in the chair opposite her. “I need to go through some paperwork with you, Mike. Pete, Vicky asked if you’d go up and see her when you got here. She wants to go through her work diary with you.”
“Okay, I’ll go now.” Pete left them and went upstairs to the flat.
“Hi, Pete. Come sit down. You want a drink? Tea or a soda?” She held out a bottle of Coke and Pete took it from her. “How did it go at the school?”
“Good. I start tomorrow. I managed to get a friend from the studio to cover your shifts at the hotel. He’s needing some extra cash for repairs to his car. You don’t mind, do you?”
“No, Pete. That’s cool. So, this is my diary with all the private lessons I do here.” She handed it over to him. “I’ve got about a dozen private pupils. They don’t all have weekly sessions. The youngest girl is seven and the oldest is eighteen. It’s mainly girls and about four boys.”
Pete was looking through Vicky’s notes. “They’ll at different stages too, and the first lesson tomorrow is Susan Richards for two hours. The spoilt girl, I remember you saying.”
“Yeah, she’s the eighteen year old. Her mom thinks she’s perfect, but she’s a bit lazy. Don’t let her get away with anything. She tries to play easy pieces but she’s good and has a lot of potential. Daisy is tomorrow as well. Her mom brings her after school. She’s the seven year old—wait until you hear her play. For her age, she’s brilliant.”
“Okay. I can’t see it being a problem. I can cope with this…well, I hope so.” He put the diary down.
“Of course you will. You’re better than me. This should be so easy for you. You ought to look into giving lessons—the parents pay well, and you could teach guitar, bass and more than I can.”
“I’m happy with things the way they are. I had lessons as a child and got tired of them. I don’t mind covering while you have your break, though. You need to turn off and forget about things for the week. Just relax and be pampered. My mom and gran go to spas a lot back at home. They like them.”
“I don’t know what to expect. I’ve never done anything like this before. We didn’t have many vacations as a family—Dad was always too busy working.”
Downstairs, Mike had made some notes about doing the orders Ronnie had shown him about the staff rota. She also gave him the paperwork the promotor had left about the competition. “You need to read this—mystery judges could turn up at anytime, probably when you least expect it.”
“Okay. I’m sure we can cope with that.”
“Mike, things can get complicated! There’s a lot of work, long hours, dealing with the staff, plus you’re gonna be playing your usual sets too… I think its best if I don’t go.”
“No, Ronnie, it’s planned now. Your dad’s booking the spa for you. So go, get some things packed up and go tomorrow and forget about this place for a week. You both need this break.”
“It can be cancelled. It all depends how you lot cope tonight. There’s still two of you missing, which isn’t a good start.”
“Hey, give them a chance! They’ll be here soon. Anyway, you got any entertainment planned for tonight? Any band booked? Do you have a diary for all the upcoming acts and anything else important that we’ll need to be aware of?”
“Come on. I’ll take you to my office. It’s even got a cupboard with emergency beer and whiskey. You’re welcome to help yourself—you tend to need a drink most days.” Ronnie stood and Mike followed her to the back of the club.
The office wasn’t too big, just a small desk and two chairs. It had a small window. Ronnie opened up a cupboard to show him the hidden booze. “I don’t think I’ll tell the others about that.” He laughed.
There was suddenly a knock at the door and Micky and Davy opened it. “What are you two up to hiding away in here?” Micky grabbed a beer for him and Davy. He passed Davy a bottle. “We’re both here ready and reporting for duty, sir.”
“I’ve been up and down the Strip, in cafes and stores, even been chatting with some birds from around the Santa Monica Mall. I got quite a lot of them interested… Is it okay if I do a solo spot tonight? I kinda promised them, I’d be singing.” He had some papers in his hand.
“Yeah, he even printed some flyers—if they bring one with them, they get it autographed in person. I’ve got a surprise planned too! Well, it all depends if I can borrow your kitchen,” Micky pleaded to Ronnie.
“I suppose so… Just promise you won’t make to much of a mess, please.”
“I can’t promise anything, but I’ll do my best.” He winked back at her and walked out, dragging Davy with him.
“Do you think I should worry about what he’s gonna be doing?” Ronnie asked Mike.
“Well his idea of cooking in the pad is making sandwiches, so that shouldn’t be too bad.”
Micky was now in the upstairs kitchen with Davy. He’d brought Gemma along to help. Vicky heard noises and came to see what was happening. “It’s okay. Ronnie said we could use the kitchen. Just get back to what you were doing. We won’t bother you,” Micky told her.
Davy sat at the kitchen table, pen in hand, autographing some of the flyers he’d had made. Micky glanced over at him. “Hey just doing some in advance. Don’t wanna tire my hand out, and my signature could be worth something to our fans in the future.”
“Oh okay. Davy, are you gonna help us or what? Go get some of the food from Gemma’s car?”
“How come I’m suddenly your slave? What happened to your last one?” Davy complained as he returned and slammed two containers of hot dogs and rolls onto the kitchen table.
“I had to fire them—they answered back and moaned too much. Don’t worry. When Dylan’s bigger, he’ll be replacing you as my right-hand man. I’m sure it won’t be that much longer before he’s taller than you… Anyway there’s still more to bring up, unless you wanna help Gemma with the potatoes?”
“No, I’m going back downstairs.” Davy departed.
“You don’t mind helping me out, do you, Gemma?” Micky asked giving her a puppy-dog-eyed look.
“No of course not. I’ll do anything to help you out. It was good of Dad to let you have the rolls and hotdogs. Shame that couple’s party had to be cancelled, but at least the food didn’t go to waste.”
“Thank him for the potatoes too! Should we have thin or thick cut fries?” Micky asked as he picked up a knife to start slicing them. He needed to keep up with Gemma peeling them.
“Thick, just like chips from back home,” Davy answered behind him. “Here’s your sauces—anything else, boss?” he asked Micky sarcastically.
“No, thank you. We’re doing fine here. Why don’t you go check on Mike and Ronnie?”
Gemma was looking through some bags and pulled out some onions. “I’ll peel some of these too. I think there should be some cheese and chilli sauce too in that box on the table.”
Micky was working his way through the cutting and slicing. “I hope they go down well. I want to do as much as I can to help, and in my opinion, food always goes down well. Stops them leaving to go off and find somewhere to eat. Makes them more thirsty too.”
“So they buy more drinks?” Gemma asked.
“Exactly! That’s right. So it boosts the bar sales. I ain’t only a pretty face. I’m smart too, and I’ve got more plans to make money and gets the crowds rolling in.”
“Well I hope everything goes well. How about I make some batter and we make onion rings too? Give the people more choice of food?” She found the ingredients and started mixing.
Davy went in to see Pete before he went downstairs, and asked Pete if he’d play the keyboards and guitar while he was singing later on, and of course Pete agreed. “Thanks, Pete. I’m looking forward to singing on my own for a change.”
After that was sorted, Davy went to find Mike, who was now behind the bar helping Christine serve drinks. There were quite a few people waiting. “You’re doing well,” Christine told him when they got the queue down. “So you gonna be running the place while Ronnie takes a well-earned rest.”
“Yeah, if she approves and we prove we can cope.”
Davy came up to Mike. “Can I have a Coke, and, Mike, I’m gonna sit over there and plan my set list. Pete’s gonna accompany me—did he bring his acoustic? If not, can I have the keys and I’ll go back to the pad to fetch it?”
“I don’t think he did. He probably didn’t think he needed it.” Mike went off to get the keys to the Monkeemobile from his jacket he’d left in the office.
He threw the keys to Davy. “Don’t be too long. I think you’ll be up before the main act, and you don’t wanna be over running and annoying them.”
Davy finished his drink quickly. “Thanks, Mike. I shouldn’t be too long.” He was soon in the car and on his way home, and back before the hour was over. He took the guitar over to Pete who was now at the bar talking to Mike.
Micky came down to let them know he was doing well with his food upstairs and it should be ready soon. He wanted something to write a menu with prices on. He decided to undercut the prices of the nearby diners.
“Do we get free food Micky? I have helped you,” Davy asked him.
“I’m not sure…all you did was carry some things up for us. Half price is my best offer. I want to make some money after all.” Christine found him a large piece of card and a marker and he made his sign.
“What time do you want to start your set, Davy? The place is starting to fill up a bit…lots of chicks too—are these the ones you invited?”
“Yeah, looks like it. Pete, come with me. I need to think of a set list. Give me ten minutes, Mike, then I’ll be ready.” He dragged Pete over to the stage to get started.
Mike was keeping his eyes on the entrance, trying to be prepared if the mystery judges decided to come tonight. “That’s the bit I’m not looking forward to,” he said to Ronnie who’d now came over to see how he was doing.
“I know. This contest is a new thing to me. Just always try to look busy and organized. The place needs to be as full as possible, with good entertainment. Micky’s food idea is good—we’ve never thought of going into bar snacks. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for him.”
“You never know with those two.” He pointed at Davy as well. “Things often can get out of hand, but at least they’ve got help with these two schemes of theirs.”
“Yeah, Mike, let’s give them a chance to prove themselves,” Ronnie replied to him.
A crowd of girls were already watching Davy, who was lapping up the attention. He went off to get ready in the restroom and get some water from the bar on his way back.
“You ready, Pete?” Pete nodded from behind the keyboards, waiting for Davy to start. Davy started with some popular recent songs, starting with A Groovy Kind of Love, Try a little Tenderness. He went into a few Beatles numbers and show tunes, finishing off with some of the Monkees songs he did the main vocals on. Cuddly Toy and She Hangs Out were first, and the number of girls on the dancefloor was growing.
Davy went over to Pete and gave him a thumbs-up. “It’s going better than I thought.” His smile wide, he went into Valleri, I’ll be True to You and ended with the always crowd pleaser of Daydream Believer.
He sang for nearly ninety minutes and people seem to be really enjoying his set. When he came off stage, he had a queue of girls vying for his attention and asking him to sign their flyers. Mike noticed him giving the odd few a kiss, and also collecting quite a few phone numbers.
Micky had started selling his food near the end of Davy finishing, thinking they’d be plenty of people in and more were coming in ready for the next band.
Micky was set up near the bar with his notepad, taking orders and him and Gemma were busy bringing down fries, onion rings and hot dogs. “Pete, would you take the orders? Gemma needs to cook some more fries and I’m busy going up and down those stairs to restock.”
“Sure.” Pete pulled over a stool and started to help Micky out.
Mike and Ronnie were watching what was happening. “It’s going better than I thought,” Ronnie said. “I hope I’m gonna leave the place in good hands…in fact, I’m gonna go upstairs and start packing.”
Mike smiled at her a little smugly. “I told you we could do it. I won’t let them go over the top, sodon’t worry about a thing.”
“Thanks, Mike, for everything. I’ll be back down soon.” Ronnie disappeared to find Vicky.
Pete came over to Mike when the line for the food orders had settled and Micky was coping. “They’ve done well. You look like a proud father watching over them.”
“It makes a change, don’t you think? I think tonight’s gone better than I imagined, but tomorrow will be different as we’re gonna be playing as well.”
“I feel like I’ve not helped tonight. I need to be up early to start at the school, though. I’m nervous about that, plus I’ve got a two-hour private lesson as well, Michael.”
“So you’ll be up working while those two are still fast asleep in bed. You needing to use the car?”
“No, Vicky’s leaving her car for me to use. It’s outside—your friend didn’t find anything wrong with it, and Ronnie’s dad’s taking then to the health spa.”
“Good. Well, I’m gonna come and see them off in the morning, go through some last-minute items with Ronnie before they leave. You coming straight here after work?”
“Yeah, I finish at one and Susan’s coming around at three.”
Micky and Gemma had finished serving their food and were working out how much money they’d made after taking out the money they’d paid for the potatoes, onions, and some of the sauces. They’d quite a good profit.
Ronnie was back downstairs so he went over to see her. She was now chatting to Pete and Mike. “Here, Ronnie, I’ve made this for the club.” He handed over the cash.
She looked at the amount, and gave him half back. “Thanks, Micky. That’s your share for all the hard work you and Gemma did. It was a great idea. I think we need to do this regularly.”
“There, Mike, I said I had a good idea. I did well…well, we did brilliantly.” He gave Gemma a hug. “Thanks so much. I couldn’t have done this without you, and thank your dad for the free food he gave us.”
“I enjoyed it. I’ll help again, anytime you want, but I need to get home. I’ve got work in the morning.” She gave Micky a kiss, and said goodbye to everyone.
The club was now empty and everyone was finished for the night. Ronnie got all four of the guys a drink to thank them.
“Well I think we all did really well. You two guys really stepped up.” Mike hugged Micky and Davy “I’m proud of you.” Pete gave his widest dimpled smile to him which Mike returned. “I hope you feel okay leaving the place in our hands. Between the four of us, I think we’ll do well.”
“I’m really grateful, guys and can’t thank you enough for—”
“I’m sorry,” Davy interrupted Ronnie, “but I need to say something to all of you. It’s just gonna be the three of you running the club, I’m afraid. When I got back to the pad, I got a telegram. There’s a problem with my dad back home, and I need to fly back to Manchester as soon as possible. My family have paid for my flight, and it’s tomorrow morning”
The other three just stared at him in shock. “You go do what you need to do,” Mike answered, hoping Davy wasn’t gonna be going home to bad news.