Chapter 13
Micky couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He stared first at Mike in disbelief and then at Pete who was standing beside Gemma. Gemma eventually caught his reaction, and Micky didn’t know what he was going to say to her. He looked to Mike for some support.
“She’s your girlfriend, Micky, you need to be honest and tell her the truth, but just try and be gentle with her.” He patted Micky on his shoulder and pushed him forward as Gemma finished singing.
Micky nervously approached the stage, took the microphone from Gemma, and introduced the next act. A guy came up on stage and started to do some impressions.
Pete came up to Gemma while Micky was still on the stage. “Hey, you did your best. It’s hard to get up and sing in front of a crowd for the first time.” Pete did his best to be tactful with her, and stayed with her until Micky pulled her over to one side.
“Gemma, I’m sorry to say this…” He paused for a minute and tried to make a joke of it “You can’t sing. You’re tone deaf, and it was so bad.”
“I guess that means you don’t want to do a duet with me. I was thinking we could have done I Got u You, Babe.” She did her best to sound serious.
“No, if that’s okay…you don’t mind, do you?” He managed to keep a straight face.
“It’s okay. I understand—I sing as badly as you cook.”
“What? I can cook! People were eating my food yesterday.” Micky looked shocked and a little upset.
“No, Micky, I had to redo most things…your food’s lousy. You’re being honest with me, so you deserve the truth from me. I’m sorry. I still love you though, and you’re a brilliant singer.”
“And you’re a great cook! I guess we should stick to our strengths. I’m proud of you for getting up on stage, having a go and supporting me. I couldn’t do any of this without your help. Thank you.”
She took hold of his hand. “I’ll go back upstairs and start heating everything up. You do your best to sell the food—we want to make a profit, and look, it’s getting busier.”
Micky noticed quite a large group of people coming through the front entrance. Things started to improve and more acts came up to perform. Right now, a guy was juggling. He had offered to do a knife act but couldn’t get a volunteer to be his assistant.
The juggler got a little angry when Jacob wouldn’t let him use bottles from behind the bar for the intended finale to his act.
They had to refuse a chick who inquired about doing a fire eating set. Mike wasn’t sure if she’d set off the sprinkler system.
Later Mike had to pull the ventriloquist off the stage as he was being heckled. Pete had made Mike watch for a while even though he didn’t want to, but the guy’s lips were moving so much, it was hard to miss.
Micky ended the comedian’s act early as he was drinking while telling his jokes and they were getting worse as the act went on. He really hoped the acts would start to improve soon.
Pete got talking to a guy who’d come in with the crowd of people earlier, and found out he was a tour guide showing a group around LA and that, their mini bus having broken down around the corner, the driver had suggested they come in here to wait until the bus was fixed.
The food was going down well with them at least. Peter explained the situation to Mike but didn’t have the heart to tell Micky the truth. It was best to let him think the crowd had just come for the variety night because they’d heard about it and planned to.
The singers on stage varied. Some were good, some were bad, but the audience listened and didn’t boo too much. Micky went over to Mike while a guy from the tour group was singing some Frank Sinatra songs with another guy on the keyboards, giving Pete a break.
“Sorry about this, Mike. I doubt Ronnie will be up for another night like this. I did think it would go well.” Micky looked really disappointed.
Mike put his arm around his shoulder. “You weren’t to know, hey, and we’re making a good profit on food and alcohol sales at least. There’s been some good acts. I’m just glad you stopped that dancer before she started removing any more clothes—that poor old guy in the front nearly had a heart attack! Either that or his wife would have killed him.”
“Sorry I didn’t really listen to her. She said she was an exotic dancer, and I thought she meant what kind of music she used… Poor Pete’s face when he put on the record she gave him! He went bright red! At least she didn’t go too far.”
“Yeah, we don’t want Ronnie to lose her licence. Did you tell her where to go?”
“Yeah, Mike, I told her about the strip club farther down the block, told her they might be looking for dancers,” Micky replied quite seriously.
Mike spat out the beer he’d just drunk a mouthful of. “Mick, I meant did you tell her to leave, not offer her any career advice!”
“Sorry! She did go, though and thanked me too. She was nice about it—even gave me a peck on my cheek before she left.” Micky smiled and laughed. “A few of the guys near the front complained and followed her out.”
An old guy said he could play tunes on wine glasses, but he said he’d need some wine to fill the glasses up and he’d also need to drink it to get the quantities right for the right notes. When Jacob offered him water instead, he decided it was time to leave.
Pete came up beside Micky and Mike. “I know just what you need, Micky. I won’t be a minute.”
“I do too—a hypnotist so I can make the crowd forget everything they’ve seen and heard tonight. Oh, Mike, I’m really sorry about this. I won’t make any more suggestions.” Micky walked off and hid himself away in the office.
Meanwhile, Pete had gone upstairs and found Coco in the kitchen, washing the dishes with Gemma. “How’s it going down there? Is Micky doing okay?”
“Not good to both questions. He needs you to help him out, Coco. Would you come down and maybe sing? He needs a good performer and you’re a great singer. I’ll play for you, too. Pick a song and meet me down in the club in five minutes.” He left the girls alone.
“Go on. I can manage on my own. Go save Micky’s ass. I’d love to hear you sing again. Pete’s right—you were so good the last time you sang here. The audience will love you.”
Coco put down the dishcloth. “All right. Come with me now and give me some moral support. I’ll need it. He owes me big time for this.” They both went down and joined Pete and Mike. “Okay, Pete come on then. Let’s do it.”
Coco took the microphone off a guy who’d done his best single, the Beatles’ A Hard Day’s Night. She whispered something to Pete and he started to play his acoustic as Coco started to sing Monday, Monday. Between the two of them, they had the crowd paying attention.
She got a big round of applause and went straight into California Dreamin. She was about to come off stage when the crowd shouted for more, so she mouthed something to Pete and they moved onto Downtown, which had the audience joining in with the chorus, Next was a request for a Beatles song, so she chose Yesterday and by the end, she had people on their feet applauding her loudly. Micky heard the noise from the office and came out to investigate.
He stood by the side of the stage and Coco pulled him up with her and gave him a microphone. “Come on, you’re gonna sing with me.” She launched into Help, thinking it was appropriate for the situation, and Micky was soon harmonising with her.
“They sound good together,” Jacob said to Mike, who was stood beside him at the end of the bar.
“Last song now.” Coco looked over at Gemma and mouthed “This one’s for you and Mick.” She started singing I Got You Babe and Micky soon joined in with her. Everybody was up on their feet cheering when they finished.
Micky went into a speech afterwards, thanking everyone for coming and performing. Coco and Pete went offstage and sat at an empty table, and Jacob brought them both a Coke. “You were brilliant. It was great to play for you,” Pete stated to Coco.
A guy came over and put his hand on Petes shoulder. “Hi, Pete. You mind if I just interrupt and have a word with…” He held out his hand.
Coco shook it. “I’m Coco. Well, Gemma really. I’m Micky’s younger sister, and you are?” she asked him.
“Oh sorry…Andy. I run a recording studio farther down the Strip. Here’s my details.” He passed her a small business card. “I’m always on the lookout for people that I can use in the studio. I came here tonight because I’ve got a group that need a backing singer…would you be interested? “
“I’m not sure. I only sing for fun. I just did this to help my brother out—I don’t think I’m good enough to be paid for it.” Coco looked quite shocked.
“Well, I’ll need to know soon. Do you want to come into the studio one day for a trial, see how it goes and if you like it? Pete can go through some things with you. By the way, I’ve got a session lined up for you, if you’ve got the time?” He looked over at Pete.
“Depends when it is. I’ve got quite a few things on this week, but I should be free after Thursday. I’ll take you in Coco. It’s good pay and a good atmosphere. You’d be brilliant—don’t doubt yourself.” Pete tried to convince Coco that she was good enough.
“Thursday morning’s good for me. It’s some piano and banjo work over a few days, the same group that need you, Coco. Please come and give it a go. The band will love you.”
“Okay, I’ll do it! I just need to get some time off at work, but that shouldn’t be a problem… You’ll be there with me, though?” She looked over at Pete.
“Of course. I’ll pick you up and we can go in together.”
Mike and Micky came over with a soda for each of them just as Andy was getting up to leave and saying his goodbyes, thanking Coco again.
“Here, sis, wasn’t that the guy who you often work for, doing session work, Pete?” Micky asked.
“Yeah, Andy. He wants Coco to do some session work too. I’m gonna be working on Thursday and Friday. You don’t mind, do you, Mike? Coco’s gonna be doing some backing vocals for the band.”
“No problem. At least you finish at the school on Wednesday and Vicky will be back doing her work. That’s good for both of you. You were brilliant tonight, Coco—the crowd loved you.” Mike noticed a guy come in and talk to the tour guide. The guide then stood and told his group that the bus was fixed and they could now leave and head off to their hotel.
He came over to the table and thanked Mike and the others for their hospitality and said he might bring his tours here in the future, as it had gone down well with his group. Micky turned to Mike. “So all those people arriving together didn’t come up for the variety night. They were just here by accident.” He looked disappointed. “And am I not good enough for Andy? He’s seen me sing quite a few times and never offered me any work.”
“Micky, he was looking for a female singer,” Pete added to the conversation.
“Hey, I could sing higher and wear a dress and a wig—s’not fair.” Micky started to sulk, then burst into laughter. “No, it’s okay. I’m so pleased for you, Coco. You deserve it, sis. You go in there and show them what you can do. After all, a good voice runs in the family.” He pulled Coco into a hug.
“Thanks, Micky, and all of you. I’ll do my best, and I’ll buy you an extra present at Christmas with the money I earn. I can treat Mom to something special too.”
“You couldn’t get away with being a chick with your legs and figure, Mick. You’d need some curves—you’re as flat as a pancake.” Mike laughed at him.
“Hey, Mike, stop insulting a guy when he’s feeling down. I can’t be good at everything. I have lots of other talents. Some may be hidden and waiting to surface, but one day I’ll sing on a hit record, and people will be paying big money to come see me in the future. Just watch this space.”
“Okay Micky, hopefully we’ll be up there performing with you,” Mike replied.
“I’d definitely want to be your backing singer, if you ever need one in the future. I’ll always be there for my big brother and his friends. I do think you’ll make it one day. It’ll be worth the wait.”
“Thanks, Coco. I hope so too. Things have been improving. I’m doing my best to get our name out there, and we have our loyal fans too.” Mike was grateful for her positivity.
The club was more or less empty—Jacob was letting the last few people out of the door. He came over to Mike. “I’ll get the bar cleaned up and go home. I’ve got a lecture at eleven in the morning, so I need to get some sleep soon.”
“No problem. We’ll sort this side out, won’t we, guys?” He looked at Pete and Mike.
“Can I come in early in the morning and do it? Gemma can drop me off on her way to work. I’m tired. It’s been a long night,” Micky pleaded.
“Oh, all right. I’ll make a start, and you can go upstairs and rest if you want, Pete. What time do you need to be at the school?”
“About half past eight. I need to be there to set up for the first lesson at nine. So if you don’t mind, Mike, I will go and get some rest, but I’ll help if you want?”
“Nah. It’s okay. I’ve got some paperwork to do in the office. I shouldn’t be too long before I’m done.”
“Okay. See you soon. I’ll get you something to eat and see if there’s anything any good on television. Might be a good movie.” Pete came over and gave Mike a kiss and then said bye to Micky and Gemma and headed off upstairs.
“Well I sorted the kitchen out after I’d finished in there, so you don’t have anything to do. I’ll just go get my purse, Micky, then I’m ready to go.” Gemma ran back up to the apartment.
“Guys, if you ever hear me offering to take over from Ronnie when she takes time off to have the baby, you have permission to slap or shoot me,” Mike explained.
“Oh, I’ll do that. Pete wouldn’t want to hurt you.” Micky laughed. “I’d enjoy it.”
“You fucken would, too. I just don’t know how she does it every day. I’m shattered and feel like I’m gonna need a week or more in bed to rest and get over this—it’s hard work.”
Gemma came back down, and she and Micky left, so Mike went off to the office. Pete grabbed some food Gemma had left for them in the kitchen and settled down in the lounge to read and wait for Mike to finish working.
***
Mike turned off the lights around the club and sighed. It had been a long day and he was tired but looking forward to spending some time with Pete. He used the bathroom and went into the living room, where he found Pete asleep on the couch, his book part-opened on his chest. He’d obviously been unable to stay awake.
Mike decided not to wake him. He went to get a blanket and covered Pete up, then put on the television and started to watch a late movie to try to wind down. After about thirty minutes, Pete started to stir. He didn’t look too comfy, and Mike was tempted to try to pick him up and carry him to bed, but Pete woke up first.
“Oh, Mike, have you been up long? I’m sorry I fell asleep. You look shattered. We should head off to bed, and before I forget, Davy phoned just as I came up—he’s flying home tomorrow and wants one of us to pick him up from the airport.”
“Did you mention about that chick’s husband looking for him?” Mike quizzed him.
“No, I thought it best not to scare him…best to leave him to deal with that when he’s back, don’t you think?”
Later in bed, a sleeping Pete settled in his arms, Mike was thinking what would happen over the coming days. Would he tell Ronnie he’d struggled running the club, and about Micky’s events? And also could they make sure Alan didn’t get his hands on Davy for messing around with his wife? Maybe I should leave him to realize what problems his dating so many chicks can cause, let him deal with it himself for once. It’s probably why he took off, and he’s hoping the heat’s died down by now.
Mike was also glad that Pete would be away from Susan the teenage temptress in a few days. He knew he could trust Pete, but Susan was determined to get her way and her hands on Mike’s man. I can’t fight a young girl, but I can play mean too…maybe I could get Davy to flirt with her? The little Brit could help me out, and I’ll watch his back?
He wasn’t sure what he was dreading the most, which member of his band he would have to keep his eye on, to stop either Davy or himself being hurt. He tossed and turned until he succumbed to sleep.