Chapter Two

"So let me get this straight, you have two weeks to find someone else to be in a band that you don't even have yet." "Yes Ray, that's correct. And if I don't do that then I don't get the job, and The Diamond is a real ritzy place. I want that job!" "So, get some people to audition." "Yeah, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. See I was wondering if I could use the bookstore for the auditions." "Are you crazy?" "No, but I've noticed that you're not getting that much business around here."

"Hun, it's an Occult bookstore. Most people don't like this kind of stuff. Just the loners, spiritualists, and weirdo's." "Does that include you?" "Of course." "But maybe people don't know about this place, having auditions here would pull in a lot a customers, weird or not." "I don't know Abbey." "Come on, please." She put on her best puppy dog look. "Oh come on, not that look! Oh all right."

"Oh thank you, thank you baby!" She squealed and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Now how are you going to get these people to audition in a bookstore?" "Sometimes all you need is a good sign and then sat back and watch." "Good luck with that." She pulled a pieced of cardboard out from under a box and grabbed a large Sharpie. "Auditions for a band! Think you have what it takes? See inside for details." She hung the sign on the door.

"There, give it time and see how many people pile in." "I hope it doesn't take longer then two weeks or you're out of a gig." "Hush! I'm gonna go practice." Abbey made her way down to the basement as a young man was entering the store. "Yes, can I help you?" "Yeah, I saw the sign for auditions for a band." "Oh you'll need to talk to my wife about that. She's down in the basement. If you'll wait here, I'll go get her." "Sure." Ray hurried down the basement. "Honey, there's someone here to talk to you." "I told you it would work."

"Yes, are you here about the audition?" "Yes ma'am." "Ugh, just called me Abbey." "Okay um Abbey, I've been singing since I was little and I think I can make your band." "Well okay, let's here it." "What do you want to hear?" "Can you sing Elton John?" "Oh sure, how about 'Crocodile Rock'?" "Why not." He sang fairly quickly, like he was nervous but it sounded wonderful. "Wow, that's all I can say." "So did I make it?" "Sure. You can be the backup vocalist." "Oh thank you Abbey." "What's your name?" "Zack."

"Zack, you're in man." "Thanks again, when do we play? "Two weeks. At The Diamond." "Wow fancy." "Yeah, now all I need a drummer, bass, guitar, maybe some horns. All in two weeks." "I can help you. I know a boy that plays guitar." "Electric or Acoustic?" "Both, whichever you need." "That's great Zack. Be back here tomorrow and bring him too." "Okay, see you then." Zack left the bookstore. "Well that was quick wasn't it babe?" "Yeah sure." "What's the matter?"

"Well I was thinking, what are you going to do with the money that you get from all these gigs?" "Well I was working for our wedding but now I guess I'm doing it cause I love to sing." "Why don't you work for our honeymoon." "That's a thought. Where do you want to go?" "I don't know, but shouldn't we be saving up for that?" "Yeah sure, look I gotta go practice and find a name for the band." "Yeah okay." She ran off leaving Ray alone to his sad thoughts.