Rubies And Wine

V-6

"Next up, performing And All That Jazz from the hit musical Chicago, our newest member of The Keynote team, Emily F. Lage!" Ellie says from behind the booth.

I'm thrown a microphone with a yellow foam cover from the bartender. Three of the stage lights hanging below the railing shine a blue glow upon me as the others dim. I always thought it was amazing how they could turn this giant restaurant into a personal, makeshift stage. I grab a fedora from Ellie as a jazzy, blues rhythm comes over the speakers. I snap my fingers precisely as the customers join in.

"Come on, babe. Why don't we paint the town? And all that jazz. I'm gonna rouge my knees and roll my stockings down. And all that Jazz. Start the car. I know a whoopee spot where the gin is cold but the piano's hot. It's just a noisy hall with a nightly brawl. And all... that... jazz!"

As I hold out that last note, I notice Suzanne, Drew, and the rest of The Pack flooding in through the front door. Kurt, Jasen, and Aaron are all analyzing the place as the find a booth in the corner across the room. Leo and Suzanne sit on the other seat with Leo closer to the window looking out the street. Drew joins them while taking every chance he gets to stare at me with loving eyes without tripping over his own feet.

I feel the pulsing and smooth melody of the song giving me more confidence and more powerful with every jet of the arm or extension of my leg. Although I'm in a bright, baby blue tee and Converse, I feel as though I should have been in a sparkly gown with ruby heels. I'm never as brash and outgoing any other time like I am when I'm on a stage.

"All that jazz!" I belt loudly as the song comes to an end. "That jazz!" I say quickly while the music comes to an abrupt end.

I get the usual small claps of the people more focused on their food than the entertainment. However, I hear the guys clapping vigorously and Suzanne whistling to the best of her ability.

"Thank you," I speak into the microphone before tossing it back to the bartender behind me. I then leap off the tiny stage and go back to waiting on tables and approach the gang with a perky smile. "Welcome to The Keynote Diner. My name is Emily and I'll be your server for today."

"Aww, that's cute," Drew coos only to get a quick sock to the forearm.

Suzanne laughs as she snuggles herself further under Leo's arm. "Oh, come on, Emily. He's just messing around with you. Plus, it was pretty adorable seeing you up there doing what you love."

Kurt raises his glass upwards. "The Tommy for best actress goes to..."

"Tony; it's a Tony," I bark--because this is the fourth time I've told him this. I hear one of the guys start singing Greased Lightnin' behind me.Kurt's stupidity makes him my least favorite Pack member. "Anyway, what can I get you guys?"

"Rhoncus caseus." We all pause thinking Aaron has had some kind of stroke. "Latin for the grilled cheese... with a Coke."

"God,that's annoying," Kurt chuckles.

"Says the guy that tried recording the Tommy's in the summer."

"Honest mistake. I'll take the meatloaf with a sweet tea."

"Chicken pot pie and a Coke," Jasen calls out from beside them.

I turn to Leo.

"Suzanne and I will have the salmon with two Cokes."

"And for the bearded bastard over here?"

Drew just smiles. "You know you love it. The ruby reuben with a Dr. Pepper."

The guy finishes his number as he hands a check to one of the tables upstairs in the corner of my eye. "Great, I'll get your drinks in a second and have your food out in a moment."

They all nod as I head back to the soda fountain we have in the back. Just as I'm heading back, I hear Ellie from the booth.

"Back to the stage, Emily performing I Can Hear The Bells from Hairspray."

The regular light applause is changed by Suzanne whooping and Drew cheering from the corner. I pass by the bartender as I come from around the back. He throws the microphone my way and I catch it in my free hand and placed it on the drink tray with the yellow top peering of the rim besides my mouth. I eye down Drew as I make my way to his table.

"I can hear the bells. Well, don't you hear them chime? Can't you feel my heartbeat keeping perfect time? And all... because he..." I take a breath. As an idea comes to my mind. I'm at their table and the tone picks up. "Touched me." I put a drink down in front of Aaron as a gentle bell chimes in the song. Just a bit of choreography I thought would be a nice touch. "He looked at me and stared. Yes, he bumped me." Kurt's comes next as another chime plays. "My heart was unprepared when he tapped me..." Jasen's. "And knocked me off my feet. One little touch, now my life's complete cause when he nudged me..." Leo's. "Love put me in a fix. Yes, it hit me..." I put down Suzanne's as a large drum plays instead of a bell. She just giggles. "Just like a ton of bricks. Yes, my heart burst." I place down Drew's glass while looking at him with loving eyes. "Now I know what life's about. One little touch and love's knocked me out." I place a quick peck on his forehead as the customers awe in unison.

"And I can hear the bells..." I say while climbing onto the stage while taking the mic off the tray and into my right hand; my eyes never breaking from Drew's. "My head is spinning. I can hear the bells. Something's beginning. Everybody says that a girl who looks like me, can't win his love well just wait and see."

Between the breaths, I hear something. Across from Drew and the others, a man is yelling at the hostess beside the door. Luckily, most of the crowd haven't noticed him yet as they're more focused on me singing to Drew. I note this and try not to let it distract me. I continue on as if nothing has happened but I hear papers fly off the hostess' podium. I shift my gaze for a bit to see a grey-haired man with a tattooed arm leaving as the song closes.

"Listen," I sing as instead of a gentle chime, the crowd hears a violent slamming of the door. Some laugh at this. "I can hear the bells."

I just look at Drew with a kind smile as the song comes to a close "I can hear the bells. I can hear... the bells." The light applause makes its return as Drew is too busy grinning and Suzanne is too busy recording the final moments. I step offstage, toss the mic to the bartender, tuck the tray under my arm, and approach the others. I kiss Drew again. "What'd you think?"

His crystal blue eyes gleam at me. "Definate Tommy winner." We all just laugh.

"Glad you liked it."

"Hey, what was with that one fella that slammed the door?" Jasen asks.

"I have no idea, best to forget about him," I say.

I'm lying. I only saw the man for a split second and I only saw the back of his head. However, I have an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. The feeling that I may know the man. The feeling I may see the man at the college tomorrow. The feeling he'll be behind the desk in the front. I hope there's a lot of grey-haired guys with root tattoos in San Diego. For now, I'll just enjoy serving and performing for my friends.