Single Ladies

Episode 7: Not the New Floors!

Friday morning rolls around, one day before the big performance at Nicki's club. Beyoncé turns over in Jay's bed and wakes him up in the process.

Jay~ 7:34am. What you doing up so early?
Bey~ Well I have something to ask you, and you can say no if you don't want to.
Jay~ Okay...
Bey~ Nicki wants me to perform the demo at her club tomorrow night to get buzz.
Jay~ Why would I say no to that?
Bey~ I didn't know if you be up to it after you got hurt.
Jay~ Look * grabs Bey's chin* for you I'll do anything, even if it means ending up in that hospital bed again.
Bey~ I'd prefer not *she laughs* but I appreciate the dedication.

Bey and Jay head back down to the studio to put the finishing touches on "Crazy in Love". Meanwhile Rih is in her apartment making breakfast. She gets a text from Drake saying

Drake- Hey I can't make it to our date, somebody jacked my tires. I'll let you know when I got it together.

She texts him back assuring him it's okay and she'll talk to him later. She gets a knock at the door minutes later, and it's Chris. He pulls her in for a kiss as soon as she opens the door.

Rih~ Well nice to see you too.
Chris~ Is it? Or would you had rather it had been this Drake fellow.
Rih~ You know I'd appreciate it if I could live my life without you micro managing it.
Chris~ Why can't you just make things easy?
Rih~ Why can't you just not have a kid or be a controlling asshole? Those are my questions.
Chris~ I thought we were over that *he walks up behind her and kisses her on the neck*
Rih~ *she moves from in front of him* And I thought we were over this. Look I like you and I want to have the opportunity to pick you.
Chris~ Huh I guess. I'll play your game *he says as he walks out the door*. I won't wait too long.

As the door closes Rih bends over on the counter with her head in her hands. She finishes making her breakfast and across town Nicki is at the club getting finishing touches together for tomorrow night.

Nicki~ Okay white lights for the stage and red lights for the dance floor.
Worker 1~ Okay got it.
Worker 2~ Where should these boxes go?
Nicki~ Next to the bar, Chy can you show him?
Chy~ Yeah Okay.

Meek walks in taking in all the changes Nicki has made to the club in the past week.

Meek~ It's nice to see money well spent.
Nicki~ Just because you paid off the debts, doesn't mean I wanna start building new ones.
Meek~ I know, I know. And this time I won't pay them off I'll just watch from the sidelines.
Nicki~ And that's all I ask for *she laughs*.
Meek~ Yeah ard.

Meek stays to help Nicki get things together. After he leaves from Nicki, he goes to Jay's studio. Bey and Jay were finishing up the song when Meek walks in.

Jay~ Meek! What's up? * daps him*
Meek~ Nothing much just staying up to keep from falling down.
Bey~ Hey Meek.
Meek~ Hey Bey. *hugs her as she sits in the chair*
Jay~ Hey Bey, Meek and I gotta talk some stuff over can we finish tonight?
Bey~ Yeah after my rehearsal at 7.
Jay~ Okay cool.

Bey kisses Jay goodbye and Meek sits across from him.

Jay~ Hear anything out there?
Meek~ Not anything from anybody down the way but...
Jay~ Money talking?
Meek~ * shrugs in agreement*
Jay~ Who the fuck want me dead that ain't already got enough money?
Meek~ I don't know, you know them ain't my folk.
Jay~ Thanks for doing what you can bro *daps him*
Meek~ Man you already know what it is.
Jay~ How's the club and Nicki?
Meek~ The club probably finna be popping but me and Nicki...
Jay~ Dropping?
Meek~ Yeah, she won't do anything if it ain't got something to do with that club.
Jay~ Well try speaking her language. Make her unwind and forget about the club.
Meek~ I'll try. Thanks for peeping bro, see you tomorrow night.

Saturday at 4 o clock runs around with 4 hours until the big grand re-opening. Bey is rehearsing on stage with Rih hyping her up, while Nicki is in her office.

Rih~ Come on queen! *she claps*
Bey~ Ugh I just hope I can do that tonight.
Rih~ I swear doubt is your biggest hater.
Bey~ Speaking of haters, which one of your lovers are accompanying you this evening?
Rih~ Please don't bring it up. *put hand over face and sighs*
Bey~ There's a good chance they might both show up if you don't tell one not to come.
Rih~ Why can't guys line up one by one, and not try to but in at the same time?
Bey~ Or great alternative, talk-to-them.
Rih~ Nicki!!! *she yells* B is trying to make me communicate effectively with the men in my life!

Nicki comes out of her office looking half a wreck.

Nicki~ Huh?
Rih~ Wow...you gonna have to look a bit better than that for tonight.
Nicki~ I've been on the phone with like 30 different promoters making sure we fill this place.
Rih~ With Bey's voice, your popping attitude, and my presence we got this!
Chris~ And what a presence it is *in the distance*

Chris walks in the front door in all red suit and sunglasses.

Nicki~ Introduce me *under her breath and shoving Rih*
Rih~ Chris, this is Bey the singer and Nicki the club owner *with no energy*
Nicki~ *moves in front of Rih* yes Onika Maraj.
Chris~ Nice to meet you Nicki and Bey, can I speak to your friend for a moment?
Bey~ Oh of course you can.

Nicki and Bey go in the back to Nicki's office. Chris sits down in a nearby chair and starts playing on his phone.

Rih~ So what do you have to say?
Chris~ * stands up and walks in front of Rih* More importantly what do you have to say?
Rih~ I don't know Chris!
Chris~ He can't do any of the things I can do for you...
Rih~ And maybe you can't either! * she pauses and makes eye contact with him as he looks heartbroken*
Rih~ Look, Chris I like you but I'm not ready to be someone's wife yet. Maybe in a month, year, fuck maybe never! I just want to live.
Chris~ Fine...I'll be in touch *he turns and leaves*

Rih felt satisfied she finally said how she felt but at the same time she felt tears form in her eyes. Nicki and Bey heard what happened from the office, they come out and hug her as she weeps quietly. They get Rih together as much as they can to finish getting the club ready. 10 o clock comes and the club is packed with people. Bey is behind the stage getting ready to go on stage.

Bey~ Oh my gosh can I do this?
Kelly~ Yes, you can do this you're great!
Rih~ Finally I agree with you *walking behind the stage with Nicki*
Nicki~ B you got this, you're gonna make us a lot of money and be a great fabulous singer.
Bey~ Aw I love you guys so much!
Nicki~ I'm gonna go announce you and showtime *jazz hands*

Nicki, nervous herself, walks on stage to address her finally packed club.

Nicki~ How is everybody doing tonight?
Audience~ *positive reactions*
Nicki~ Well I need you to get ready for my amazingly talented friend, Beyoncé !!!

Bey comes on stage feeling the nerves jump in her body. She uses her nerves to fuel her confidence and starts singing Crazy in Love nailing every step she had rehearsed. By the end of her performance she feels all her nervous dissipate but it feels like it hasn't. She gets off stage and the first thing she sees is Jay. She runs to hug him but in the mist of her running she feels everything in her stomach come upward and she throws up right in front of Jay.

Nicki~ Oh my god, not the new floors!