The year is 1994. The Artist finds himself in a situation no one ever thought could happen. How does he get out of it, or perhaps more importantly, how did he get there in the first place?
The trailer, courtesy of @QueenofDisco ...https://youtu.b...
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**The Artist POV**
The shrill sound of the phone on my bedside table rouses me bright and early, momentarily startling and irritating me before realization sets in; excitement taking over every part of my being. That must be Lani! She's the only one who's got this number! She must've gotten my message. I just knew she'd call...
Still sleep drowsy, a large yawn escapes as I reach over to pick up the phone; a huge smile lighting up my face as I greet the caller with a chipper, yet somewhat shy voice. "Hi Lani. I was hoping you'd call, mama. I have so much..."
Before I can even finish my ecstatic greeting, I'm cut off by the brusque, clipped voice of none other than Dick. "Who the hell is Lani...?" he begins in a nosy voice. Oops...that can't be good...
As I silently sit on my end of the line, with irritation and diversion tactics fighting to dominate my thinking, he continues with a snarky sounding, "Not important..." Huh? What the hell?
I debate simply hanging up, but before I get the chance he manages to hit me with a curveball.
"What was Carmen Electra doing storming out of Paisley Park half naked and screaming a few nights ago? Think of your, our reputation! Do you even care about what could happen if something like this gets out?!" he screams.
I can just about imagine a blood vessel just waiting to burst inside that pompous forehead of his... silently chuckling at the mental image. I'd pay to see that!
Choosing not to even dignify any of this with a response, I briefly pull the receiver away from my ear and give it a dirty look his furious diatribe continues to permeate the air...though at a much quieter volume.
This continues for several seconds until I hear a still irritated sounding, "Did you hear anything I just said?! Hello?!"
My eyes dart back and forth between the receiver and the base of the phone, again comtemplating simply hanging up. Why the hell am I still listening to this shit? I've got more important things to do...
As my eyes lock on the package I've put together for Lani, my hand guides the phone to the base. ...like figuring out how I'm gonna get this over to Lani...
Just as I'm about to hang up I hear Dick's muffled voice burst out with, "Our sources confirm witnessing Carmen going off on an unknown raven haired woman..." which immediately sets off an alarm bell in my head, though I can't seem to put my finger on why. Who the hell is he talking about? No one else was here that night...was there???
At this point, curiosity overrides my anger as I bit out a clipped sounding, "I'm listening..."
Unfortunately for me, Dick was no more forthcoming...instead only going into a lengthy session chastising me for keeping something like this from Warner. The bigger question should be...why the hell would I tell you idiots anything?
But to make a long story short, it seems the competition saw a photo op here...and they're planning to run with it. Warner doesn't want to lose the opportunity to once again glob off my fame like the snakes they are, so they have Dick playing the part of their mouthpiece. I've had it with you fuckers! I'll have the last laugh here if it's the last thing I do...
I silently listen to his incessant demands for me to make this right...or face the consequences for all of two seconds; pulling the receiver away from my ear to eye it with disgust. How the hell did you even get this number?!
As I angrily slam the phone back into the base, I can still hear Dick's furious screams and outrageous demands eminating from the line...silenced only by the almost inaudible click. What did he mean by a mystery woman though...what mystery woman???
Before I could give it any more thought, the shrill sound of the phone breaks the silence...and my concentration. Damn it!
I briefly give the phone my best attempt at a side eye. If you even think I'm picking up again...
My irritation is short lived as my eyes once again make contact with my package for Lani; with feelings of longing and regret quickly taking their place. Why aren't you calling, mama? Don't you see how much I miss you....
With a wistful sigh, I tenderly cradle the heartfelt package under my arm...heading downstairs just as the silence is once again broken by the shrill ringing of the phone. Now...how the hell do I get this to Lani?
But as my eyes linger on the package in tender contemplation...I'm suddenly faced with an even bigger, more troubling question...one I'm not quite prepared for. And what do I do if this doesn't work...?
The possibility of failure is very real...and I find myself floundering. For the first time in my life, outside of the memory loss responsible for bringing Lani and I together in the first place, the music inside my head stops...leaving me with only silence.
**Author's Note: I'm sorry it's shorter than usual, but it's pretty emotionally charged. Besides, I wanted to give you guys something this weekend.
I know I left this half on a somber note. All I can say is to trust me here...things are gonna turn around shortly...and you all know P is never kept down for the count for too long.
Lani's half will be next on my agenda, along with the I Dance Alone update so I shouldn't be keeping you all waiting too long for another update...I promise.
And if you're looking for a reminder of some of the happiness ahead, check out my sneak peek preview from the upcoming sequel, Who R U?, posted in my book All About Me-Q&A.
