Leo

The laugh hat

-Leo's point of view-

The laugh hat is a comedy club down Mainstreet. Open on weekends and week nights it always has something to offer. Drinks and food , entertainment , or a chance to meet new people. And tonight I am going to preform there.
Oh boy.
I mutter to myself as I put on my favorite dandelion colored hoodie. Tonight is the night. I came to America for this. I left my family. I left everything for the chance to be something great.
Ohhhh boy
I bounce up and down looking in the mirror. Pre performance nerves taking over me. I adjust my raven hair and take out my nasal cannula. Taking in a deep breath I try and focus.
It's only five minutes. Just five minutes. Pull yourself together. Pull it together.
After mumbling to myself like a crazy person I open the restroom door and walk out to the stage. Every step closer to that stage is like a mini heart attack. The walk is dark. Looking at the deep red curtains brings a small smile to my face. I walk on stage.

*fifteen minutes later*

The comedy bit was very good. People laughed and joked around with me after. It always makes me so excited during those steps onto the stage. The only way I know how to describe it is like butterflies all in your chest. Then your chest tightens and tingles and the butterflies burn. I am openly addicted to that feeling. And the feeling  of pride and joy when the people laugh. Knowing that someone may have been having a bad day and then seeing there smile light up as the beautiful sound of laughter erupts from them. I love it. So much.
I leave outside for a moment and put my nasal cannula back in to catch my breath. I may be slowly dying, but that won't stop me from making people smile until I drop.
After a moment of thinking I walk back in and sit at the bar. Next to me is this guy. He is really really cute. I notice him staring off into space as the bartender asks what I would like.
Oh just a Beer please.
I hand him a few dollars and the bartender hands me a dark colored beer in a glass. The bitter taste making me homesick missing the old pubs back home. Memories of friends and drinks being shared swirl in my head until a woman walks up to the middle of me and the guy besides me.

Heyyy~ how you doin'?

I go to speak but cute guy beats me to it. He looked at her and slightly raised an eyebrow.

Are you talking to me?

His voice is deep and monotone. He sounds depressed. The woman tries to be cute and twirls her hair in her fingers.

Who else cutie~?

Oh...I'm doing fine, I guess.

Defiantly something is wrong. The woman sees his sadness as well. She puts a hand on his shoulder.

  Honey what's wrong?

I go-

He pauses and changes what he was saying. He probably just got dumped, divorced, or fired. Maybe he can find some comfort in this woman.

You know what nevermind. I don't wanna make a big deal of it.

Honey how about I buy you a drink

She wants something. Her eyes are filled with need and want. Maybe she wants money to buy drugs. He apparently sees this also and sighs.

Is it free?

On me....if~ you could do me a little favor~

A slight blush appears on his face as she takes his hand and drags his finger on her clevege. He quickly pulls his hand away in either disgust or an emotion that I can not see. He wipes his hand on his thigh. I can tell it is disgust now. I feel his discomfort. Maybe I should make her leave.....or take up her offer for that favor. I haven't felt anyone in a while.

Jesus I am such a slut.

I get pulled from my thoughts when I hear her whine. Apparently he said something that she dislikes. I don't understand what she is saying but I can tell that he wants her to leave. I wrap my arm around him and lean on him as if I am his lover and glare at the woman. I do my best to do a sassy southern Louisianan accent. 

Oh honey I know you are not trying to steal my man.

She looks confused so before she can reply I continue. Putting bold snaps on words I want to stand out.

He is mine girl! Mine. Now you best get yo' Honey Boo Boo lookin' ass outta here 'for I make yo' Honey Boo Boo lookin' ass look like ya' Mama Boo Boo mk!? And aint no one want 'dat!.

I have no idea if that's how people from Louisiana talk but it seemed to work sense she scoffed and sauntered over to a different man. Laughing from the weird moment I pull off of the cutie next to me laughing. He looks at me with a smile.

Thanks

No problem man.

I stick out my hand to introduce myself.

Leo

He gives me a firm handshake.

Dean

I like that name. I pull my hand away. I buy him a beer and slide it to him. He thanks me. I take a drink of my bitter drink and nearly go back to thinking but after a moment of my much loved silence I turn to him.

What's bringin' you down?

He dodges my question with a 'nothing' and I decide not to push him with it. I turn to my own beer and drink.