Food? Check. Decorations? Check. Any idea why she had to go to so much trouble just to have a stupid house warming party? No clue. Alex groaned in frustration at the little finger sandwiches that refused to sit just so on her new serving tray. Her parents were already on their way, giving her little time left to prepare. The move to Detroit had been an odd choice, not exactly the capital of performing arts that L.A. had been, so different it had raised more than a few concerns about her state of mind. Most of her friends and family thought she was crazy to give up her place in the heart of show business for "The motor City". The hope was for the change to inspire her and put the spark back in her music. Her last tour had been a resounding success, absolutely but she couldn't shake the feeling that her performance was becoming stale. If things continued the way they were not only would she disappoint her fans, she would disappoint herself. Her new apartment was a spacious modern high rise, more windows than walls with a beautiful view to boot. She had worked for a week straight to have all her boxes unpacked and the apartment looking like a cover of a magazine. And she had spent a week failing. There were boxes strategically hidden throughout her home in closets and under furniture. If you opened any of her dresser drawers, they would be void of her clothes that were still safely packed in suitcases shoved haphazardly into the closet.
However, she had managed to find every scrap of decoration and picture frame she owned, along with a few throw pillows to make sure the house looked like someone lived in it. Her family had been understandably worried about the sudden move and had insisted she let them fly down for one night just to make sure she wasn't living in a slum somewhere. She agreed, and they went the extra mile, or twenty by inviting a few friends, her manager, a few extra music people from around the area that she should get to know. What had started as a family dinner had turned in to a full-on party. This had undoubtedly been her mother's idea. Her mother always had good intentions behind her actions, however she had been known to overstep in her pursuit to help her daughter succeed. Alex shoved the take-out bags deeper into the trash can, this delicious meal had the honor of being catered by one of Detroit's excellent restaurant choices. She didn't need her mother rubbing it in though. She would insist yet again that she needed to get herself an android.
Her parents had maintained for years that she get an android to handle all the petty house work, cooking, cleaning and basically anything that distracted her from her music. It wasn't that she had anything against androids per say, it just felt like taking advantage of someone that could never tell you "No". Besides she could handle the house work on her own and even enjoyed the small breaks from working it allowed her. She didn't need the help. She knew her parents just wanted what was best for her and were proud of how accomplished she had become in recent years. They were very enthusiastic about how well her career had gone as one of the last human musicians to become popular since the introduction of android performers. Many people found it difficult to succeed in a business that relied on being as appealing as possible, when someone could just make an android be whatever people wanted that week. An android could be talented, and desirable, and charming and anything else to pander to any demographic you wanted. Alex however was flawed and not always perfect, which made her different. When her company had attempted to shape her to compete with the rising android popularity, Alex had come out with a message about loving who you are, the way you are. Fans had loved it, making her own popularity sky rocket.
Alex had just finished arranging the food on the bar separating the kitchen from the living room when the doorbell rang to announce everyone's arrival. Trotting to the front door she smoothed her hair and did a quick once over before putting on her best smile and opening the door. Her parent's and a pair of professionally dressed men greeted her "Mom! Dad! You made it. Who is this?". Her made a sound somewhere in between a coo and a shriek before cupping Alex's face in her hands like a precious child. "Oh! It feels like it's been ages Darling" her face squished in her mother vice grip "It's only been a week ma". Alex attempted to pull back and away but the older woman was having none of it. She squealed again and pulled Alex close "It feels so much longer. You live so far away". Finally, one of the professional looking men cleared his throat and stepped forward and extended a hand "A pleasure to meet you Ms. Vold. I am Jeremy Clint, owner of Linked records and this is my associate". Of course, her mother always did have a knack of making friends in high places. She accepted the outstretched hand and invited everyone inside. Her Father, always a man of few words gave her a one-armed hug before going to pour himself a drink and finding a suitable place to spend the rest of the evening. Her mother on the other hand was a talker, thankfully her current captives were keeping her focus for now as she chatted about how lovely the home was even if it was a shame it was so far away.
Next to arrive was her Terry Scott, her manager. A very kind man a few years her senior and the only man who believed in her when she said she wanted to present a more natural, sincere image to her fans. It was a genuine pleasure to see him again, He was of course still her manager, but their business had been more indirect since she had moved. Terry pulled her into a bone crushing hug "How you doin kid?". Alex chuckled at the endearment. Alex had been fifteen when they had first met and while a decade had passed between them, the nickname stuck. "Better if you could corral my mother and her fancy guests" his eyes trailed over to the other party guests that were undoubtedly, at the mercy of her mother, regretting accepting the invitation. "No thanks, I don't want to be turned to stone today". Soon the party was in full swing with half the guests in attendance being people Alex was sure she had never met before. Her mother however seemed chummy with everyone, more that willing to meet and greet and introduce Alex. "You're the owner of that lovely theater downtown? Oh me and my husband were just admiring it while we were out site seeing, weren't we dear?" A grunt of agreement from her father but little else. "Have you met my daughter yet? Alex Vold, the Musician. She just got back from her latest tour" It always made Alex a bit uncomfortable when she referred to her by her full name like that. She knew it was just because her mother was proud of her success, but it still felt off.
The business man paid little attention to her blabbering mother, instead turned his focus to Alex "Yes, I have heard of you actually. That was quiet an album you released last year. Congratulations on your tour. You know my theater would be honored to offer you a performance slot to celebrate your move here." Alex started to thank the man but tell him she had no interest in any upcoming performances just yet, but her mother was just too fast. "Oh! Wouldn't that be nice! Kind of announcing your arrival to Detroit." The evening carried on like that, Alex attempting to politely decline an offer or proposition only for her mother to swoop in and snatch up the invitation like it had been meant for her instead.
By the time things were winding down and the guests were finally heading home, Alex felt like she hadn't said two words but was all talked out for the evening. Her mother was the only one yet to leave, her father had left by taxi hours ago to return to their hotel. Alex's eyes were getting heavy and it was beginning to become difficult to listen to her mother, who wasn't so much talk to her as she was at her. Empty plates and cups of half-finished alcohol littered the countertops. This would be a hell of a mess to clean up tomorrow. "Alex are you listening to me?" focus was pulled back to the conversation that had gone on without her. "What?" her mother let out an exacerbated sigh "I was just saying how nice it will be to come down again and see you perform here in Detroit" for the hundredth time that evening Alex attempted again to tell her mother she was in fact taking a break from performing "Mother, I'm not going to.." An excited gasp and a squeal of delight "Oh! I almost forgot, I got you a present."
Shock halted Alex's protest, her mother never bought her gifts. She wondered what it was, a new guitar? Clothes? Her mother was always trying to get to dress nicer. "You didn't have to do that mom" she snorted in indignation. "I know I didn't have to, but I wanted to darling. Think of it like a house warming present. Something to help you while you get settled". Alex looked around as if the gift would simple materialize out of thin air. "Well where is it?" her mother sipped the last of her wine "Have some patience dear, it won't be here until tomorrow morning". Rising from the couch she collected her effects from the lounge area "At any rate, it is becoming quite late and we have an early flight. I must be off, walk me out dear". Scrambling Alex rushed to comply with what was more like a demand from her mother than anything else.
Opening the door for the older woman Alex gave an affectionate hug to her mother. Calling out a last curt reminder to call the owner of the theater back some time tomorrow, her mother disappeared down the hallway. Alex gave a noncommittal response and let the door fall shut. Parties always had a way of draining Alex's batteries. Leaving her feeling drowsy and cranky. Her apartment was a disaster zone, for such clean-cut professional people they sure were slobs. The mess was a concern but one that would have to come tomorrow. Alex let herself drop back to the couch, the leather cushions enveloped her adding to the feelings of lethargy she had been feeling already. It wasn't long before her eyes had fallen completely closed and she drifted off into sleep.
This is a story I had in my head at work one day, I don't have too much of a direction I'm going with it right now. I just liked the idea, so suggestions on where to take the story are welcome. Until the I'm just gonna be writing on this one for fun.