Fight Night (Ruechari)
"Fight night!" I grumbled, so many times I sat home and had to wonder. Will he win? Will he be harmed in some way? How many cuts and bruises will there be to mend tomorrow. He always wins, but there's always that first time... and then what? He does it for the thrill... "The challenge," he'll tell me.
Well, I've had enough. Between AJ and my brother my world has become very small. To the Ritzy and back. No stops in between. It's too dangerous they tell me. This big city is no place for someone like you they say. If you want to go out wait till tomorrow and I'll take you wherever you want to go.
Pfff, Applesauce! I want to go the Jazz clubs, the speakeasies, where music isn't just sung; it is lived, breathed, created. I got my first taste when I got my hands on an OKeh record of Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five playing the Gutbucket Blues. I couldn't get enough of those crazy beats and rhythms they made my body hum, they made me feel alive.
That's why this fight night like many others I am sneaking out and I'm going to get my fix. I could care less about the muffins, if I want one Myna would make them for me by the dozen. I'm not even into the booze, what I really want to do is sing.
They call me the Nightingale of Busted Gulch, for I'm no ordinary canary but I have something to prove. I'm no one trick pony. My talents can cover a broader range, if only they'd let me, sing. Every other club has turned me down, it doesn't help when the entire city knows your brother is a G-man and your boyfriend is a fighter with the NoLuks.
Mine as well wear a sign that says "Don't let her in unless you want to get a knuckle sandwich before you're sent to the cooler." Okay maybe that's too long for a sign, but I feel like I'm carrying this billboard wherever I go. Add a flashing neon arrow pointing down to me to add insult to injury. "Yes, we mean this broad, right here!"
Well tonight is an open mic night and I'm going in disguise. I got myself a blonde wig, and I'm going dressed a bit racy and then we'll see if they'll let me sing. So far so good, they let me in the door. I knew the right word... tonight... it was blueberry.
I sat and waited until they opened up the floor. Buster had balloon lungs he could hold a note for like three minutes or more, and was one of my favorite horn players.
The man at the piano was new, never seen him with the troupe before, I hoped he could keep up with my changes. I planned on singin' Love Me or Leave Me but I wanted to pick up the tempo.
They got to that part of the night where they offered the stage up to newcomers. I let a few go before me because I wanted to make an entrance. I knew I was better than all of them.
"Any other cool cats out there willing to give it go?" Buster asked.
I stood up. Shrugged off my coat and pulled off my head wrap letting my blonde wig fall slightly over my face. "I would."
Buster's peepers popped. "Well come on up baby doll and let's see if you can sing."
Buster gave me a hand up on to the stage and I told him my selection. I leaned over to the piano player and asked for my changes. He said he could do it, I sure hoped he could.
I cozied on up to the mic and said, "Let's break it down" and began to sing...
https://youtu.be/vPNhJWaeH7E
The place was really rocking when I was done I knew I had wowed them all.
"Now, that's what I call one hot number," Buster said into the mic and he smiled at me.
I tried to keep my cool so as not to seem a Reuben. "You looking for a permanent gig, baby?" He slipped me his number. "You just give ol' Buster a call."
I was on cloud nine that was until I heard the whistle blow. "Not again!" Buster grumbled before saying, "Well that's all folks!" and with a mock salute, grabbed hold of my hand. "Stick with me, Doll. I'll get you outta here."
Scared, I decided it was best to follow. We were outside. It looked like we were gonna make it. I'd seen the piano player get pulled into a breezer by some high society dame right before they peeled away and the coppers showed up.
Their floodlights flashed on Buster and I and several others that got the bum rush out of the joint. "Rhatz! Sorry, baby. Looks like we're gonna get hauled in."
My eyes dashed to his, "Hauled in? Hauled in to where?" I didn't have to wait for an answer the coppers closest to us threw open the back of a paddy wagon. "Come on Daddy 'O, you and the skirt get a wiggle on."
"Egads! My brother and AJ are gonna to kill me."
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