Since today is Saturday, I don't have to go to work. I knew I'd need something to distract me so I volunteered to help Dee Dee Desire (who's real name is Dion) put the finishing touches on a cake he's building to jump out of. He told me they're called "pop out cakes" His uncle Tyrone is retiring and Tyrone's lodge is having a surprise party for him tomorrow. Dion is being paid to appear as Dee Dee Desire.  

"Chanhassen has never seen a retirement party like this." I laugh. 

"The lodge's first order of business was to hire me." Dion replies, "Want to preform with me? They won't mind."

"Actually that sounds like fun!"  

We put another coat of paint on the cake and discuss how we are going to decorate it.  Most of the drag queens I know are quite capable of doing fabulous props, costumes, makeup and/or hair themselves because the ones I'm around do it for fun and can't just buy everything.  While I do  some sewing, I cannot make a whole outfit from scratch so my strong points are makeup and hair.

After lunch we decorate the cake. "This cake could eventually pay for itself" I say.

"Yeah?" Dion replies

"Yes! You can rent this sucker out!  Bachelor parties, drag shows, birthday parties..." I regularly give financial advice to the guys. Thanks to me Spark Elle  is on track to pay back his student loans early and Cora Sett is probably going to have enough dough for a sizable down payment on a home by next spring.  

Finally, Dion's cake is finished:

Sunday comes and we head to the lodge, sneaking in through a back door.We dress up and he climbs into the cake. 

"Tyrone, we wanted to give you something you'd never forget!" announces  a lodge member. Everyone cheers. They're in on the gag. Tyrone probably thinks he's getting a stripper.  I wheel in the cake with Dion in it as the traditional stripper music plays then I pose beside the cake. 

Dee Dee Desire jumps out and Tyrone applauds and laughs. "Happy Retirement, Uncle Tyrone!"  Dion screams.

Dee Dee looks amazing.  I'd choose a purple outfit to coordinate with him."This song no longer applies to you!" smiles Dee Dee before we sing our  first number,  Dolly Parton's  9 to 5

https://youtu.be/E4OzdyxbOuU

A table for the catering had  been set up. Oh. Dear. Lawd. The caterer is Grace's dad! I've met him before but haven't spoken  to him since Grace and broke up. I'm so nervous that I'm not  sure the Virtue persona can mask how I'm feeling. That would be a first.

"Virtue, do you know any perfect celebratory songs?" asks Dee Dee.

"As a matter of fact I do," I reply. He knows to follow my lead as I launch into Prince's Baby I'm a Star.  It's a great rendition. Our gestures and facial expressions really add to the fun.

https://youtu.be/4YdPZ1J0KrE

Lots of lodge members are dancing:

There are some guys sitting and Dee Dee, in typical Dee Dee fashion goes a little overboard when the song is finished He sits  in a dude's lap, removes his fez and places it on his own head.  The crowd laughs and pictures get taken.

"Girl, get back up here." I playfully  scold, trying not to laugh. 

Blowing kisses to the audience, Dee Dee works his way back towards me so we can do some more songs. 

Later we mingle with everyone and enjoy some food. Grace's dad looks at me and my hands sweat.  "Damn, Gary your act just gets better." he says.

I thank him and eventually it's time to leave. Yeah, I had to talk to Grace's dad but he didn't have much to say. The evening was fun, got to hang out with some cool guys, pose for photos, eat good food and perform-it was just what I needed tonight. Still wish I'd hear from Grace...