"So what did you think of my girls, Jailbate?"
Gavin Reese sorting through old records to kill the boredom of a slow day, after the girls had left shrugs. "Different. Like I said earlier Pooki and Ho Nee shred on the guitars. I'm not tooting my own horn, but I could probably teach them a few things."
Pinky resting her back against the display cases next to him, arms folded, nods, "I love my Asian persuasions. We rocked together for a good year or so."
"So what made you leave them for Milkbone?"
"Nothing feudal. I just decided I needed to spread my legs...wings even. Gidget used to hang with us and I knew she could sing so I groomed her along. I think she's turning into quite the Diva."
"They might consider an image change. Those schoolgirl outfits have been done to death."
"Tell that to Angus Young of AC/DC. He'll be buried in that kid's get up."
"Probably so." He chuckles discovering an old Molly Hatchet album, "Here's an unsung hero. These guys killed it back in the day."
Looking as he shows her the jacket cover Pinky winces, "Too hillbilly."
"Well yeah. Still those guys owned it."
"I thought you were a metalhead?"
"I am. It's influential to appreciate all genres. These fellas rocked hard."
"I get that. You know Jailbate drooled over you right?"
"What woman doesn't?" He laughs and puts the album back into the bin.
"Love the ego. For the record, not that one." She scowls pointing at the Molly Hatchet album, "Why did you choose Jezebel that night at Ginger's?"
"Did I choose her? She climbed on to me if memory serves."
"Shocked me. She's not usually into white guys. Not jealous or anything, but I figured maybe you might have liked me after getting you the job here."
"You got me the job?" He reacts queerly, "I think I handled that part on my own just fine. It's all about presence. You want business? The guys come in for you. The gals will come in for me." He nods toward Floyd's office, "The classics will drop by for...nostalgia."
"You got that right. Wait until you meet the rest of my family. Trust me you'll think Floyd is a saint."
"Oh that reminds me. Connecting family, now that you bring it up, Floyd says that the girl down the block at the T-shirt shop is your cousin."
"Katrina? Yeah, she's awesome. Why? You got the hots for her now?"
"Black Crowes circling...Jealous again?" He sings ever so briefly laughing.
"Nooo! Get over yourself. Did Gramps tell you Katrina is deaf?"
"He did. She seems to be dealing just fine."
"Kind of have to when you've been that way since childhood. It's sad really, I'd love for her to hear me on stage, not just see me." Pinky fidgets with a depressed look on her face.
"I take it she's been to a show?"
"Not since I joined Milkbone. Only a garage session with Jailbate."
"You should invite her to Naperville on Saturday. Might do her good to know you care, and want her to be a part of your career."
"Maybe. She doesn't party like I do though. She might feel out of her zone."
"Have you even asked her what her zone is?"
"I guess not. How did the subject of Katrina get brought up?"
"When I was passing by her shop I looked in and had a brainstorm thought. Have you guys printed up any Milkbone shirts to get the word out?"
"No we haven't. Good idea."
"Well now, doesn't it make sense that Katrina gets your business? You maybe even getting a discount?"
Pinky puckers, "I'm digging the idea. Let's design it on paper and we can run it by her."
"I was also thinking that the logo you guys have could evolve more. Why would you use a dog tag with your name in it as an attention getter?"
"We were gonna have two Pitbull's fucking but figured it might be in bad taste." She giggles.
"Any worse than cum shots all over your bus?"
"Better than tomato stains." She licks her lips seductively.
"Only offering insight Priscilla." He uses her real name.
"Watch it." She pelts his arm with her fist while shaking her head. "Seeing as it's your idea you go draw it up. I'm gonna go relieve my bladder and head out back for a smoke."
"So you park out back? No room for my Jeep or my bike to save on the parking costs?"
"Not really, but seeing as you got eyes for Katrina she might share some room in her back alley spot."
"That would be great. I wouldn't mind hanging on to this job, but my finances need all the help they can get."
"You blow through that advance we gave you already? Heard you bought a bicycle, planning on riding that to work?"
"Naw! That was a gift to a gal in my brownstone. She's a bike courier but some asswipe ran her off the road. Trashed her frame."
"You're broke and you buy things for people you just met? I'll take a diamond bracelet."
"She's a nice lady. Down on her luck as much as any of us. Pay it forward I say. I'm sure if I need anything she would help me."
"Like a blowjob? I can help you out." She laughs.
"Not every exchange requires sex Pinky. But, I won't say no to that." He chuckles then points at her, "Not today though. First impressions."
"You sure? I'll let you make an impression here...and here...and even here." She points at her tits, ass, and face while wagging her brows.
"Another day."
"Fine! At least I know you want me."
"As a friend just as much. Let's never lose that."
"Beneficial." She winks then wiggles away. He couldn't resist her tight little ass in that white micro mini. The girl had it going on. She knew it too. Without looking back she raises her skirt over her butt cheeks. She knew he was looking. Mirrors helped.
Back at the Brownstone...
Crystal Balou returned home from a single Uber drop off, a slow day but she was glad due to the building stress. This pending rendezvous with Roy made her ill. Queasy, she gets out of her car and starts to head inside the back door to the brownstone. Heading upstairs she finds herself cut off on the staircase by a lazy looking Regina wearing an off the shoulder cream colored shirt and loose white shorts.
"You doing alright Lady Blue?"
"I'm fine Regina. Just didn't get much sleep." She yawns without acting, "I wonder why." An extended tongue razz and flared eyes sends a mental message to the beautiful black woman with instant poise and grace.
"We were kind of loud weren't we?" Reggie grins.
"Gnarly must have been in rare form."
"Not really. He took off on us, so I took the party back to my canopy bed. Mmmm Mmmm! That Ivy is one fine white girl."
"I'm glad you two hit it off. I didn't know she was bi. I've seen her with a couple different guys at Barbarians, but honestly I don't know much about her. She's always nice to me though. Anyway, what did you overhear the coppers say when you went all undercover snooping?"
"Enough. Tell me you're not going through with that. Honey I have your back if you wanna go talk to their Captain."
"No. I'm not sure how deep bad cops go. If we did do that Roy could find out and retaliate not just against me, but you. Reggie I couldn't live with myself if you guys got into trouble. What did Gavin say about it?"
Wincing Reggie admits, "I didn't have time to fill him in. Your boss hitting on him, then offering him that job, me and Ivy. Liquor. I'm a piss poor friend for forgetting."
"Promise me you won't tell him about my meeting Roy. As much as I value you guys watching my back, I just know this will go terribly wrong if I don't just show up and deal with it. Please Reg."
Seeing Crystal beg didn't sit well, but Reggie nods and drags Blue into a hug. "If they hurt my girl I'm going hostile."
"Stay clear unless I don't make it home. Don't even text me, or he will read it. I'll let you know after it's said and done. I swear."
"Not liking this Blue, but okay. I won't tell Gnarly about the hotel. I'll just say they were asking you if you kept quiet about the night you came home cuffed."
"Know about that too, huh?"
Reggie lifts Crystal's wrist to see raw marks. "Baby I'm black. I know handscuffs when I see them. Too many of my family wore them. Some deserved it. Some didn't."
Softly Blue whispered, "Thank you." As she did, her cell pinged forcing her to react, "Another fare. So much for catching up on my soaps."
"You watch that trash?"
"I meant take a shower." She tosses her head from side to side, "Ok, I DVR the Bold and the Beautiful. Blame my Mom for getting me addicted. Love you Reggie." Blue retreats out the back door.
"Love you too Baby." Regina didn't like biting her lip. Gnarly needed to know, and lying to the good soul was already eating her up before the man could even question her. "50 pushups. Gotta get my mind off this crap." Off to the hallway gym she went.
Pinky Floyd's record store...
Gavin was left alone behind the counter on a still slow and boring day. He wondered how the place kept in business. They hadn't made enough money to pay his wages even. Another challenge in his mind to find ways to bring in business. Even if he had to dress as a Giant LP and dance on the street corner. The only real marketing he noticed was on Milkbone's concert flyers as saying tickets sold at Pinky Floyd's with the address. Who buys tickets to shows unless they're the big time? He had a good laugh. This was his first day so maybe business would pick up tomorrow.
Finding a notepad he had sat back sketching ideas for a new logo. Utilizing a laptop that Pinky fired up for him before he left he also searched for inspiration. Everything from dog sites to metal band logos that already existed. Something would catch his eye.
As his belly growl got in the way he wished he had brought a lunch. He really hoped Pinky or Floyd might treat him on his first day. Pinky maybe. Floyd? Too cheap. Persistence on the laptop kept him from fearing the hungry lions.
As he scrolled sites he hears the front door bell ring. Finally! A pleasant surprise steps through the door followed by a delicious aroma. Two actually. Perfume and food. He was attracted to both.
"Hello again."
"Good golly it's Miss Bali. Don't you let anyone steal my Jeep." He chuckles.
