I wake myself up for work on Friday, wander to the kitchen and look out the window. My neighbor Joe, a veteran is raising his American flag as he does every nice morning.  I sing a rousing rendition of The Star Spangled Banner.  It's something I do when Joe raises his flag. 

Some find the song hard to sing, but I'm known for it. Every chance I get, I sing it in my Virtue act.  The whole audience stands with their hands over their hearts and I love it. If I see someone not standing, I call them out- in third person. "Virtue is about to sing our national anthem, she wants everyone  to stand and be a proud American, including you in the back row." Everyone laughs. 

Joe, notices me at the window and waves as I finish the song. For me, it's a great way to start the day.  

It's been three days and not a word from Penelope or Grace. I know Penny said she'd talk to her.  Of course Penelope is busy. The lucky girl is attending a lot of shows for Prince's Parade tour. Grace is probably busy too-on top of some other dude, trying to forget she slept with me. Grace makes bad decisions like that. She claims "Oh, I just like sex" Really? Then why do short term flings leave you unsatisfied?

Time to crunch the numbers at the accounting office. Numbers will always be there for me. They keep me working late so I barely make it to the show tonight in time to get ready in time for my cue. Allen, our manager greets me, "Hurry up, Bitch."

"Hey now! I was working. Drag doesn't pay the bills!" I exclaim.

"Hell, sometimes drag doesn't pay for itself." laments Spark Elle. 

"Quit whining and get dressed!" commands Allen.

After putting on my foundation garments and doing my makeup, I slip into a sultry black dress.  My wig is blonde tonight.  Red is too painful still...don't want to dress up as Grace. 

"You'd better not be trying to be Marilyn Monroe- Heavens, that's been overdone!" Allen groans.

"Fuck yourself!" I exclaim. 

"Gary, you're on thin ice! You're not irreplaceable!"

Watch me prove you wrong. I take the stage, once Cora Sett leaves. 

My first song tonight that I chose is a  rendition of Prince's Anotherloverholenyohead. It expresses my feelings about Grace quite well.  As a performer I know the emotions I get will make a good show.  

Penelope is in the audience with her sophisticated aunt, Sophie. It's intimidating to perform a Prince song in front of Penelope, but I am going to do my best. 

https://youtu.be/kvICKkHe-Pw

The music starts, I pour my emotions into the song as I strut around and pose dramatically by the keyboardist.  Naturally, I don't try to sound like Prince. Virtue is her own character.  At one point, I'm basically in a standing version of a fetal position, my soul crying. My eyes don't weep, because Virtue doesn't want to ruin her makeup. 

Maybe this isn't a typical "drag song" but I'm not a typical queen.  The audience is speechless, wonder if that's good?  When music end and I've sung my last note, the room fills with applause and the audience stands up! A standing ovation in the middle of a show? I seldom see that! I take a bow. 

My other numbers tonight are duets and group ones.  Those will be easier for me because I have to focus on keeping up with the other guys and can't wallow in self pity.  DeeDee Desire and Cora Sett start off then I join them. As I'm sauntering onstage, the audience starts cheering again! And I haven't even started singing! If only Grace was part of that audience, they love me.