➸ viva la vida (arthur fleck x oc) ✅

↳ iii. lost!

I'm on the bus to the Eclectic, earbuds firmly in. I spent most of the morning practicing, even though I know my songs like the back of my hand. It pays to practice. I realized we didn't have any coffee in the house (goddammit, Devin, we've talked about this), so I ended up going out to a tiny cafe near the apartment and getting coffee there. I got a couple snacks too, so I'm definitely not complaining.

At the moment, I'm texting the manager from the Eclectic (I've finally learned his name, it's Bobby). Just to see that I'm still okay to perform this afternoon, that I didn't pay for this bus ride for nothing. As I wait for a response, I tip my head back against my regular seat and stare at the back of the seat in front of me. I'm tapping my foot to my music, hoping t's not long until we get there. And I could find out how far away we are- it's just that the stops are listed on this poster near the doors of the bus, and I don't feel like half-standing up to look.

The bus stops a little while later, it's only been about fifteen minutes. I look up sharply- it's my stop, and I swing out of my seat and head off the bus. I glance down at my phone. I know where the club is, but I'd still like to be there on time and not get lost, so I scroll up to the address again.

There's only about four cars in the parking lot when I get there, opening the door and walking inside. The walls are painted black, a startling contrast to the bar by the door- its' counters painted a glossy white. There's a space in front of the stage, the dance floor. Towards the back, and the bar, are small tables And a black grand piano's already been wheeled out onto the stage.

"Hey, Carson," Bobby walks up to me, rubbing his hands together and smiling. "You good to just chill until people start coming in?"

"Yeah," I say, returning his expression. "I've got two songs- I can work three in, depends on how long ya need me."

"Two sounds good," he says. "You've got another thing at what, two?"

"Gotta be on the bus by two," I shrug.

"Alright. You know the rules," Bobby reminds me. I nod. No crazy shit, going off the rails, and minimal swearing in songs. I know. I hop onto the stage and drop my bag next to the bench. A couple of scales and I'm feeling good, ready to go.

There's not a single person other than staff in here, so I launch into some classical pieces. I start with my favorite, the first movement of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. Remember Mrs. Martinez, who taught me to swear in Spanish? Well, she loved classical music, just as much as she loved to swear, so this was one of the first pieces I learned by myself. I try a couple more pieces, until a couple walks in, holding hands.

I grin and say into the mic, "Hey, guys," and the girl waves at me, brushing her long brown hair out of her face. For a moment I think of Arthur and- no, Mars, now is not the time to be gay. Do your job. "What's the occasion?" I ask.

The man she's with smiles. "Nothing much, really. Bobby's her uncle," and the girl grins.

"Yeah, and he said he's got a new guy on piano, so we wanted to see!" she says cheerfully.

"That'd be me, so you're in luck," I say, my stage bravado giving me confidence. "Since you seem like a lovely couple-" and they look at each other, obviously besotted. The man leans down and kisses her cheek. "I'll play somethin' cute, alright? You just get comfortable." They nod and pick a place to sit down.

I place my fingers over the keys and smile widely as I think of the perfect song. Was it on my setlist? No, but I love this song, and I'm sure they will too.

"When your legs don't work like they used to before," I start, and the girl titters with recognition. "And I can't sweep you off of your feet."