Hired Gun Turned Fun

Crazy He Calls Me

The Third Rail was exactly as we'd left it, looking the same as we entered from the stairs above. Magnolia was singing one of her usual ballads, while almost the exact same patrons went about their activities of merriment.

I was getting a faint sense of Deja Vu, and I assume that so was MacCready. 

We quickly grabbed some drinks from Whitechapel Charlie and found ourselves a table. Sitting down, we noticed that the lights dimmed slightly, as Magnolia left the stage and a new young woman emerged from where Magnolia had gone.

She was wearing a simple ratty skirt outfit with her light brown hair cut into a bob with bangs. She strode over to the microphone and spoke to the audience.

"Ladies and gentlemen.. vagrants, criminals, outcasts and the like.. welcome to our city's finest establishment. I'm tonight's host, Mira. Let's start this show off with a toast for good luck!"

She lifted her hands up and as she did so, people slowly lifted their drinks and clinked with their companions, before taking their sips. We naturally copied them, clinking our glasses and drinking deep as she continued.

"Alright!" This is when she announced that it was, 'Karaoke Hour' where anyone could come up and sing, if they dared. 

There was however, a very real chance of being booed off the stage by the drunken, rowdy residents.

"Our next performer is a newcomer to the city and came all the way from Far Harbor! Give it up for Dan the Man!" The first act was called up to the stage by Mira.

We sat there enjoying song after song by different people and groups, clapping and cheering after each performance, drinking the entire time.

I also couldn't help but think about how much I really wanted to try it. I knew I could sing very well and I wanted to show this talent off. Besides, how often do you get the chance to sing up on stage with a live audience?

I always had a secret fantasy, especially when I was younger, of being a famous singer. My parents never splurged for singing lessons though, so I'm completely self-taught.

By now, no one was in a hurry to get up to the stage and it was making me grow more anxious. I decided to confide in Robert about it.

"Hey, what do you think about karaoke hour? Seems like fun to me, but I'm nervous about getting 'booed' off the stage." I confessed.

He nodded and shrugged slightly, "Some people are really into it, I'm not one of them. If you want to know if I think you'd get booed, no. I've heard you sing and you would do great." He smiled gently, slowly realizing what I might be up to.

This was my chance. I got up, "Here goes nothing." he looked taken off guard slightly, as I made my way up to the stage. 

As soon as he realized that I was serious and really going through with it, he started clapping and shouting encouragement. "Whoo! You've got this!" He cheered.

I told my request to the musician and he started up the music for my choice, "Crazy He Calls Me" by Billie Holiday. I sang in a sultry tone while I swayed with the music, expressively.

The entire time, I didn't take my eyes off of Robert. He was beaming up at me, clearly impressed, and seemed mesmerized by my performance. Like he only had eyes for me...

I finished my song and was washed in a wave of cheering and applause. I bowed quickly nervously waving, before dismounting the stage and heading back over to the table.

I noticed as I made my way back that a young, pretty woman with long, dark hair was talking to MacCready. I slowed down my pace so that I could watch their interaction from a distance. I was definitely going to ask him about it, once she left.