me & tomfoolery

Contained pt. 2 | Mikal Bridges Short Story

It was back to business because regular season was about to begin. Being in a new space, encountering new fans it would be 100% real in the first game. Mikal didn't have to participate in Summer League or Preseason games, but he attended his share.

Right now he walked through the practice facility looking for a vending machine. He had a taste for peanut butter and knew he would find something to his liking there. What he could say was, he liked this building and how it was a redesigned warehouse in the Industry City section of Brooklyn.

The news played on select screens and although he wasn't paying attention exclusively, he could hear some context. There was a surge in hospital visits across the country for unexplainable reasons. The CDC encouraged citizens to be well aware of what they ate. If they felt the need to visit the ER, the doctors could have a better take on what was wrong. It reminded him he needed to find a primary in New York.

"Bro, I'm so ready for tonight. Callie said that Flo had hella friends who were around my age that worked on the show as well. I'm tryna see what that be like."

Looking over his shoulder Mikal laughed at his twin who had taken an interest in Broadway over the last week. In between practices and even on their alone time Cam found a way to talk about the black entertainers who loved live performance.

"You know she seemed to be into you."

"You just made that up." Mikal cooly responded while opening his wrapper. "I might've but I might have not also."

"How you figure?"

"She ignored Ben's advances, and she looked past us to you most of the time."

"Probably cause I wasn't paying you niggas no mind. I gotta stop doing that, cutting myself out of stuff. That's why I'm going to whatever Seth and Callie signed us up for"

••••

This would be the third time Flo had to redo her winged liner. Her hands kept shaking.

"You nervous?" Jana, her castmate asked as she sat next to her vanity. Flo didn't feel completely comfortable in honesty so she lied. "Maybe."

"What's to be nervous about? You are amazing! We all know you're going to blow your set out the ocean floor."

Still getting her feet wet in MainStage productions, Florence had always doubted her ability to be a star. Hercules was her biggest role yet but she didn't shy away from keeping her roles versatile. No matter how big or small, she was going to secure her bag. She had to.

With her make up done and her outfit on, the songstress paced around backstage warming up. Even her humming sounded musically inclined. The buzzing sensation from her back pocket took her mind off of the music and on whatever was on her phone.

"Hey, me and the guys are here. Please come get a drink with us!"

Mikal had wondered how long the show was going to be, there was jazzed renditions of today's hits played by the house band as people mingled. No stranger to the East coast lifestyle or networking. Some of the greatest artists were from that side and he also knew the crowds were brutal.

Seeing her before she saw him, Mikal smiled as the radiant young woman entered the area he stood. Callie was talking to her and her eyes lit up as she scanned through everyone who came, finally landing on him.

"Hi." She subtly waved feeling a bit giddy at seeing the mysterious man again. "Hey."

She walked closer to him by the bar. "I heard they didn't have to yank you by the shirt to get you out this time." Callie mentioned that Mikal was having a hard time adjusting in comparison to the other traded players.