The Gods of Rock 'n' Roll

Stranded in the Desert: Allison

Chapter Two

Allison Joy had sure stayed in some dumps while on her club tours, but this place made even the worst seem like five stars. She laughed humorlessly at the state of the "hotel" the manager of the club had sent her to. It was a two-story concrete structure in a U-shape around the parking lot. A neon sign said "Starlight – No Vacancy" in flickering letters. Great.

"It's so homey," Sal cracked.

He'd been nice enough to drive her here when Scarlett and her bandmates disappeared after their audition. Allison rode from San Bernardino with Obsess earlier that evening into Las Vegas and had lost track of her friends in the strange place they'd all gone to audition. After she left the stage, she headed outside the club and realized their bus was gone, along with her bag of clothes and toiletries. That's where she'd run into Sal.

"They ditched ya, huh? That's alright, hun. You'll catch up with them after they spend their night with the big guy. Pity I didn't get asked, but he'll come to me. He has to."

"Listen, Sal. It's like three in the morning, I'm so gross, dirty, and exhausted that you aren't making much sense. I just need some sleep. I'll figure out what I'm going to do in the morning."

"Sure thing, babe. Want to share a room?" He wiggled his eyebrows at her and she laughed.

"Do you ever quit?"

"Only when you say please."

Allison rolled her eyes. She enjoyed his banter despite her tired state. It had been one of the longest days of her life. The last day of Warped Tour was amazing. She had her largest crowd yet. Everyone she'd talked to said she and her band-for-hire blew them away. Several of the other musicians had wandered over during her set, even some of the guys in the headlining bands Rivers, Maggie's Bones, and Obsess. Scarlett, the singer from Obsess, had become a great friend out on the road. Her band was metalcore, much heavier than Allison's bluesy alt-rock, but the two gals bonded over fronting male band members and the specific challenges they faced as women in the music business. Although Scarlett was a little wild for Allison's taste, she couldn't help but admire her drive for success. Allison wanted success, too, but she wasn't willing to sacrifice her vision, nor her integrity, for fame. She had a much higher purpose for making music, corny as that sounded.

Scarlett had also introduced her to Sherry Jordan, the manager of Maggie's Bones. Allison was a huge fan and meeting the band over the summer and their savvy manager had been a real highlight of the tour. Sherry had given her a card and told her to call, even though she wasn't with artist discovery and was wrapped up solely with the Bones these days. Or one member in particular.

"You've got a refreshing sound. I'm not taking any new clients, but I'd love to get you hooked up with a manager and get you out there. You're beautiful."

Sherry had been so kind, even while being mauled by her husband, Marcus Lambert. That was sure knowledge Allison hadn't had before. Apparently, they'd kept it out of the tabloids. From what Allison could tell, they were very much in love and perhaps thinking of starting a family, if his frequent touching of her lower belly was any indication.

Then there'd been the invitation.

"Miss Joy, I represent an organization that is seeking fresh new talent. I'd like to invite you to an audition in Las Vegas. Tonight."

Mr. Vincent had been persuasive. He'd invited Obsess and Sal as well. She'd counted on something happening during the tour, whether it be signing with management or a label. Something. She would be okay with playing in obscure places for less than a hundred people a night, sure. If she could just keep making the music she believed in, she'd be content. But satisfaction would take more. It's not that she wanted to be the next Katy Perry or anything, even though she admired the singer's early work. She wanted to make music from her soul. Music that touched people, moved people. In a time where hope was hard to come by, she wanted to give people something worth living for. It was more than a desire, or even an ambition. She owed it to the memory of someone very important.