Perfect World Somewhere

Chapter 27

The Ruby lift

Six months later

A single spotlight fell onto the stage.

Gilda and Sammy began a steady pulse. Phil, the drummer, rattled a snare in time. The crowd was silent, enraptured, as Otto plucked a crisp, rolling intro across the piano keys.

The Steerage Lounge was packed for this ascent. It was to be expected, as most of the mining companies had recruited for the upcoming season.

"Good evening, to all you fine, hard-workin' folks out there," Lily said, and gave her most beguiling smile. The music continued, a delicious sound that moved her soul. She hummed along, angling a shoulder with flair.

The whistles and hoots were shrill. Someone yelled, "Get hot, darling!"

She and Sammy merged, brass and voice.

"Another day, another drill,

"Much more than time I wanna kill,

"Eighteen months driftin' out in the can,

"Hope I dig enough to please the boss-man."

A little blues mixed with signature Hard Knocks jazz surged across the room.

The audience pressed forward. They were brave men and women, most of them headed for dangerous, long-term missions in undesirable parts of the solar system.

She understood their determination and sacrifice, and they had inspired much of her latest songwriting.

After the show, she enjoyed conversing with the miners. Despite their often boorish manners and appearance, they were usually honest, friendly people. The lucky ones worked on the Moon, or Mars, near the colonies, and civilization. It was the asteroid miners who were the toughest, and the most interesting to talk to.

Sammy had secured this gig, and they now played twice a month aboard the Ruby lift, the largest space elevator operated by the Royal Crown Orbital Plaza and Resort. Only Luna could boast anything near its off-world luxury.

Five gem-themed elevators carried passengers and cargo between Earth and the hotel. Most of them had three levels, such as the Emerald, and the posh Sapphire lift. But the Ruby had four, offering a steerage option. The reduced fare attracted the miners, who wanted to enjoy a few hours in comfort, before leaving for their missions around the Belt.

The Steerage Lounge was themed red, like the rest of the lift. It could accommodate a few hundred people at a time. The stage faced an elegant full-service bar along the opposite wall. Red neon accented the columns and arched doorways. Lights stayed dim and ambient, fanned sconces glowing a flushed shade of scarlet toward the ceiling.

She met Sammy and Gilda near the stage door.

Gilda paid Lily her share of the night's earnings with the tap of a fingertip. "You were smoldering tonight, Lily. These new songs of yours...man. They grab you by the gut."

She smiled. "Thank you. I just wish they paid a little more."

"I know how you feel," said Sammy.

Gilda cocked her head. "The robotics work is still slow, I take it?"

"Unfortunately, yes. I'm looking for a day job. But don't worry, I'm not leaving the group."

How easy it would be to take another access run. Financial troubles would be solved, but trouble with the law intensified. She'd recently had another close call with the Admin, and she needed to wait, until the heat dissipated from her data trail.