The decade of the 1950s was a time for chickens in every pot, two cars in every garage, color television, another war, and a space race to the stars.

May 2nd 1954 - New Hope

Dean and his big, black Chevy Bel Air blew into town like a hurricane. He brought with him a criminal past, a dark secret and discharge papers from Medella Mental Hospital. The nineteen year old had made his escape from the horrors of South Dakota and headed to Kansas to start over fresh.

When he passed a sign that said "Welcome to New Hope" Dean felt it was divine providence. He reached over and patted his Silvertone guitar, "This is it Suzy, you and me are gonna set the world on fire."

The teen's stomach rumbled reminding Dean it had been way too long since his last decent meal. He didn't have much money left so he had to make the choice between a place to rest his head for the night or food. The Bel Air was comfy enough to sleep in and the weather was warm so Dean decided to stop at the first reasonable looking place and get some grub.

The Cherry Pop Diner drew Dean in like a magnet. As soon as he turned in the heavenly scent of fries hit him hard and his mouth began to water.

It was just before sunset and the lot was filling up fast. Car hops rolled around from window to window taking orders and delivering food. The outside of the establishment was bright and cheery, the neon sign had a burger and a hand lettered sign in the window claimed that Cherry Pop had the best pie ever.

"Jackpot!"

As he rumbled up toward a parking spot a kid zipped by on a bicycle and Dean had to slam on the breaks to avoid hitting him.

Dean shouted out the window, "Hey watch where you're going!"

Sam Campbell peddled his forest green Shelby Schwinn behind the Cherry Pop Diner parking it by the rear entrance.

The teen was a little rattled after almost getting run over by a guy in a fancy car, "Stupid jerk should learn how to drive."

Sam took a few minutes to gather himself before putting on his skates to work as a fill-in carhop. Jo was out sick so Ellen begged Sam to bite the bullet and work the parking lot in her place that night.

At 6'4" Sam knew he would look ridiculous weaving around the cars on skates but Ellen pointed out all the female diners would get a real kick out of it. Sam already felt humiliated and he hadn't even started his shift.

It was Sam's own fault since he had volunteered to work on his seventeenth birthday. Not that Sam had many exciting options waiting for him otherwise. It was best to be alone than hurt someone in the process of trying to appear normal to the world.

As a result Sam kept to himself and made it clear to classmates that he was a college bound bookworm that only had time for his studies. That was partly true. Sam used books as a defense against others trying to fix him up on dates. So far Charlie was the only girl he could really relate to. They went out on fishing dates or to the movies and thankfully she kept it platonic.

"Just two more weeks of school and then I have the whole summer to have fun! Ah who am I kidding…I'll be working.

When Sam wasn't busy studying he bounced between the two businesses owned by William and Ellen Harvelle.

Since Will's death Ellen was sole owner of the Cherry Pop Diner and Lucky Strike Bowl-o-rama. The bowling alley had a beer license and a Wurlitzer. The diner had carhops, delicious burgers and music piped out to the parking lot.

The businesses were located near the New Hope River where you could see fantastic sunsets and there were lots of places to park for some heavy petting.

Just across Wilshire Road was Big Sky Drive In. Friday through Sunday night the lot was filled with horny teens and young adults steaming up car windows in between trips to the snack bar.

Work kept Sam busy all summer and weekends during the school year. Extra cash never hurt plus Sam was saving up for a car of his own. Riding a bike everywhere was getting old fast.

Someone flicked his ear from behind, "Ready for a night as a carhop?" Laughter followed the question.

Sam let out a sigh, "Yeah, I guess I'm ready."

Charlie hugged her dejected looking friend, "Happy Birthday Sam. Don't worry; the ladies will love having a gorgeous guy as their carhop."

"Sure but the guys are going to razz me pretty bad."

"Jealousy…they all wish they were as smart and cute as you."

Sam gave his friends long red ponytail a playful tug, "Sure Charlie, whatever you say."

….

A few miles down Wilshire was the place to be for anyone with a few bucks and an ear for music. The Starlight had good booze, classy food and a great stage. The club had sprung up when New Hope had a building boon after WW2. With plenty of jobs, the GI Bill and the middle class on the rise, Starlight filled the bill for adult entertainment.

The business was owned and run by Lucifer White and Gabriel Wing. They were an unlikely pair to join up and build a club but both brought something to the table. Gabriel had an eye for new talent. He traveled around hitting the dives that had live music and scooped up the diamonds in the rough. Singers and bands came from all over to audition for him at the Starlight. Gabe tried to keep Lucifer out of the talent choices.

Lucifer had real head for business. He ran the joint like a well oiled machine keeping costs in check and the staff in line. The man knew how and where to advertise. He took down competitors with a smile on his face. Lucifer was an asshole.

Gabe was also aware of his partner's many peccadilloes. Lucifer had a craving for handsome young flesh and when a band or singer was signed on for a stint Lucifer was the first one there to look them over, test the waters and see if there was a male that fit his desires.

It was 1954 and someone with Lucifer's tastes could end up with a stint in jail or a long trip to the nut house but when a guy had money, power and a scary reputation he could get away with just about anything.

Dean pulled in next to a baby blue convertible filled with giggly girls. That was alright by him, his door swung both ways and females were always a good cover and a hell of a lot safer than males.

A perky brunette in the driver's seat waved her fingers at Dean, "My name is Maggie, what's yours?"

Dean leaned out his window at gave the girls his winning smile, "Dean. I'm new around here."

More giggles. "Well Dean, maybe we can show you around town sometime." All that giggling was starting to get on his nerves.

"Rain check?"

Maggie pouted, "Fine, rain check. We come here most weekends."

"I'll keep an eye out."

…..

Sam was wearing his Lucky Strike Bowl-o-Rama shirt. The teen thought it might make him look a little more manly while rolling around the parking lot. He tucked his order pad and a pencil in his shirt pocket, took a deep breath and rolled out the door.

Sam's section had a couple cars with families, a baby blue convertible full of girls and the jerk that almost ran him over. "Great…just what I need. Be professional Sam, you can do this."

Sam got the cars filled with squabbling kids done first taking pity on their parents then went to the convertible full of giggly females. Charlie was right; the girls seemed excited to see a cute guy roll up to their car.

Dean watched as the teen skated smoothly over to the girls to take their order. "That's gotta be the kid on the bike…there is no one else that tall around here. Christ, he's all legs."

Sam bent down, leaning on the car door chatting with the girls as he scribbled their orders down. Dean got a good look at his face, "Wow what a smile, those dimples are something else! Nice body…he needs a haircut though."

Sam looked over so Dean faced forward. The next time he looked out the open window there was a denim clad crotch in his face. "Oh my fucking god…I wanna touch it…wanna taste…" A phantom pain shot through Dean's skull. A memory from the worst time in his life. He faced forward again.

Sam bent down and peered at the guy with a death grip on his steering wheel, "Are you ok?"

Dean turned and Sam was face to face with an angel, "He's beautiful…those lips…gem green eyes. Wow he's got freckles even! I wonder if he has freckles other places…."

Sam snapped out of his thoughts when the stranger growled, "What the hell are you staring at?"

"Uh, nothing, do you know what you want?"

"Yeah I know what I want but I can't have it." What actually came out was, "A patty melt with extra onions, fries, and root beer. So what do you recommend for dessert?" It was Dean's way of stretching out the going nowhere conversation.

"Me…have me for dessert." What actually came out of the virgin's mouth was, "Do you like pie?"

"Love me some pie. What flavors you got?"

"Sam flavor." Apple, banana cream, cherry…"

Dean's answer almost caused the teen to faint dead on the spot. "Mmm…I do love banana cream." There came that phantom pain again. He turned away from the sweet dolly looking at him through the open window. "That's all then."

Dismissed, Sam rolled back to the diner to put in the angel's order. "I'm stupid to think there might be someone else like me right in New Hope…especially a good looker like that."

Sam skated over and handed the beautiful stranger his change. "Here you go thanks for stopping by and come again soon."

Mister Dimples said it in a lackluster voice and Dean's heart sank,"I shoulda known a clean cut kid like him wouldn't want anything to do with a deviant like me…bet he's got all sorts of good girls hanging all over him. Real Sandra Dee types."

Dean decided to go for broke. He rolled his pretty eyes up to meet Sam's, "My name is Dean."

The bashful smile Dean received make a crack in his well protected heart. Even under the lights Dean could tell the guy was blushing.

"I-I'm Sam…my name is Sam."

"So you're Sam then."

"Yes, Sam."

"Well Sam maybe you can tell me where the Starlight Club is."

He pointed a long finger down the road, "You aren't far, just keep going that way. The Starlight is at the dead end."

He spotted the guitar on the seat next to Dean, "Are you a musician?!"

Encouraged by the sudden enthusiasm Dean answered, "I sure am. I got an audition."

"That's so cool! Let me know how it goes. "Cause I want to see you again…please?"

"Sure, next time I'm in the mood for banana cream pie." "Hell yeah, he wants me to come back!"

Charlie skated over and took Sam by the arm, "Come on hot stuff you promised me a movie."

The image of Sam tongue wrestling with the perky redhead made Dean's gut roll. "He's got a girl, of course he does." Dean snapped, "I gotta go anyway Sammy boy, next time watch where you're driving that damn bicycle."

Sam snapped right back, "My name isn't Sammy and you should watch where you're driving that boat of yours jerk!"

Dean pulled away without so much as a goodbye.

….

Gabe sat at a table looking up at the nervous kid on stage holding onto his guitar for dear life. "Don't be so nervous, I don't bite unless you ask me nicely." Gabe earned himself a scowl, "Just joshing around. Tell me a little about yourself."

Dean cleared his throat then leaned right into the microphone and started to speak, and the feedback just about broke the windows. Gabe clapped his hands over his ears, "Back it up a little, you don't need to be so close."

Dean took a step back, "My name is Dean Winchester. I'm ni…twenty one years old and I can sing just about anything. I dig rockabilly, ballads and rock and roll."

"You look like you could be that Presley kid's brother. In fact you're better looking; you have a stronger jaw line. I believe you are both the same age, Elvis is nineteen."

Dean slipped up, "Yeah we are! I mean almost cause…"

Gabe chuckled at the flustered teen, "Save the fibs kid. I like honestly. Sing a little something for me." The club owner got up and approached the stage, "You wanna sing and I'll play?"

Dean didn't really trust anyone with his beloved Suzy; after all she was his bread and butter. The golden eyed man in the nice suit seemed ok though. "I guess, don't break her."

Gabe took Suzy carefully from Dean, "Great, what do you want to sing?"

The freckle face teen answered, "Do you know "Ice Water? It's pretty new so maybe you haven't heard of it because you're sorta old."

"Old? I'm thirty five smartass! I'll show you old kid."

Gabe started playing and Dean jumped right in.

Well, I got a date, but it's really hot
I got the money, you pick the spot
Drink black-black coffee, dress fit to slaughter
Wash my face in ice cold water
We're gonna have a good time baby
We're gonna have a good-good time
If I get weak and my steps get shorter
Wash my face in ice cold water….

….

The voice drew Lucifer out of the office and into the dance hall. On stage was an unearthly beauty belting out a rockabilly song and swiveling his hips to the music. The boy had it all, the pipes, the looks and the moves. Lucifer sat in the darkened part of the room and watched this miracle move around the stage.

Gabriel was in heaven, he hadn't played in a long time but it was like riding a bike you never forget. He danced in place as he picked out the song.

I never slept last night, the night before that
But I can't sleep if I'm a real cool cat
We'll both go crazy, if I drag don't bother
Wash my face in ice cold water
Keep me going strong baby
Keep me going strong
If I don't jump when the band gets hotter
Wash my face in ice cold water!

Dean wiped the sweat from his brow with the tail of his worn out tee, "Well?"

Lucifer stood up and moved into the light applauding as he approached the stage, "You are hired!"

Gabe handed Dean back his precious guitar. He completely ignored his partner Lucifer, "I'll get a contract for you Dean, welcome to Starlight."

TBC

A/N- The Impala was originally a Corvette-based prototype car in the early to mid-1950s. Alas, Dean isn't behind the wheel of an Impala since it wasn't introduced until 1958. I think a Chevy Bel Air suits him just fine.

A/N- The 1950s was a great decade to be a guitar player. Along with new music styles, new guitar ideas were coming from inventors, tinkerers and technicians. Recording technology was improving, popular music was expanding and everybody wanted to party.

The guitar folks at Sears were well aware of the trend and the line of Silvertone electric guitars expanded greatly in the '50s. The watershed event being the introduction of the first Silvertone solid body electric in 1954.

I chose a Silvertone for Dean because they were very affordable and popular.