Chapter 106

"Sylvia could you please step outside the door? We need a little privacy," TJ main man asked politely.

I nodded. I didn't want to see him provide whatever drug TJ was doing at the time. I saw Rodney standing by the door. It was his job to see that I didn't have any surprise visitors inside the room where they were getting ready.

"Rodney, It sure sounds like a full house out there," I said.

"Yeah, Joan was right. They probably chose this smaller venue so they could get some pictures of a packed house for the web," Rodney said.

"We are definitely learning more than I personally ever wanted to know about show business," I said.

Just then the door behind us opened and the much nicer Tyrone said, "We are ready to go any time now."

"I got you. We will check with Joan and come back in to lead you guys down. Make sure Soda knows not to stop and shake hands or kiss the girls. We want to go straight to the stage,"

"I got it Sylvia," he said and closed the door.

"Damn, you sure changed their attitudes," Rodney said with a smile.

"When you get to the bottom line, nobody is gonna break their rice bowl, if they have the choice," I said.

"Huh?" Rodney asked.

"You had to be there," I said to him.

"Bring them down," Joan said over the radio.

"You lead the way, I'll come along last." Rodney nodded. "So lets get this train on track," I said. I stuck my head in the door and said, "It's time."

We led the slightly smaller crew down the stairs, Rodney's head was on a swivel as he walked down the center aisle of the theater. Rodney was followed by the rest of us. I had to prod TJ Soda to keep him from kissing all the pretty young girls. He did finally start the show. Rodney and I spent our time looking around, but nothing happened.

I would bet a months pay that if anyone decided to try our security, it would be because of me. Me because of the bandaged hand. That thought came to me for the first time while soda pop was singing. I guessed some of it was because I felt comfortable enough to go without the bandage for a few hours anyway. I made my decision right there, it was the last event at which I would show any weakness.

When we led them out of the theater after ninety minutes of non stop crap pounding in our ears, Rodney and I were ready to go back to the motel. We still had to put soda back on the bus but then we were headed to the motel. After he got on that bus, we didn't give a shit what he did.

It took half an hour before the place was empty enough for me to feel comfortable taking them out to the bus. Something about an empty parking lot after a show was eerie, but nothing happened. When the bus door closed I said, "Let's get the fuck out of here."

"Roger that," Rodney said.

We found a waffle house on the way back to the motel. "Hello there, I think I will have a waffle and sausage links with coffee to drink," I said to the older lady who was taking orders from the booths adjacent to the counter.

"I would like two eggs with crisp bacon and toast. I think I would like a coke to drink," Rodney said to her request for his order.

"You spending the night in Joan's room again?" I asked after the waitress was out of hearing.

"She called on my cell phone and told me to invite you as well," he said with a grin.

"I'm gonna' pass on that one. For future reference I never crap where I eat," I said.

"Is that your way of telling me, you don't approve of me sleeping with Joan," he said. I could tell he was about to get his dander up.

"It's my way of telling you I don't sleep with people I work for, or with. That is all it is. Stop looking for shit to be pissed about. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar according to Freud.

When the food came several minutes later Rodney said, "You are right. I'm sorry. You have never treated me different than anyone else. You order everyone around. It's just your way."

I don't in the bedroom, I thought. I sure as hell don't want you to see how I am, when I am all sexed up. I did not say anything though, I just nodded.

When we reached the motel he dialed Joan's number from his cell phone. "Well hey," he said into the phone. "You still taking in strays." He listened then said, "No just me is that a problem?" He listened again then said, "I'll be right down."

"Damn, she really sounded disappointed," he said to me.

"I'm sure you can calm her down. She most likely will be all smiles in the morning." I said. "So do you want to run tomorrow?"

"Probably not," he said with a wicked smile.

"Fair enough," I said as he disappeared out the door. He could probably get away with screwing her. As long as there was no trouble it shouldn't make any difference. If he fucked up though, would she blame it on me. We would have to wait and see. If I raised a stink, there would be a stink on me as well.

I looked at the schedule before I went to bed. I was happy to see there was a two day window before the next show in New York City. We could either stay here or move to some place closer. My choice was to stay where we were, then just drive into the city to set up security for the show at the last minute, as we had done everywhere else.