Chapter 2
Jimmy Pesto and Mac were now sitting side by side at the mini bar with two glasses of bourbon. "You gotta tell me how you got the stage name 'Lady Macaroni'.", Jimmy chuckled as he took another sip from his drink. "Well, funny you should ask, it all started when I got this job at the Olive Garden, see? And, as I'm sure you know, in the back kitchen, they keep these huge tubs of macaroni, cause' that's how it's stored. One night after serving hours I pulled my car 'round back and snuck home one of the tubs of macaroni, and the next day I ate the whole thing. Eric, my roommate, came home from his day job and found me on the floor unconscious. He rushed me to ICU and found out I'd fallen into a food coma. 24 hours past, and I was good as new. Obviously, that job didn't last long. As for the 'Lady' part, the club needed more female performers and I needed somewhere to sing 'Santa Baby' without being ridiculed for singing it in July." Mac rapped up his story then swallowed the remainder of his drink and signaled the bartender to bring him another.
"Wow.", Jimmy had never found himself more attracted to anyone in his whole life. Jimmy shook of his love-stricken wonder and proceeded to ask, "Uh, so Eric, is he your...boyfriend?". "God no!", Mac exclaimed rather loudly, "No, just an old friend. Been friends since high school. He's like a brother to me at this point, we've gone through a lot together." Mac drew a deep sigh and swished his fresh drink around. "Is he the one that came in earlier?", Jimmy quietly asked, breaking the brief silence between the two. "Yeah, he's been up my ass tellin' me to get a job and stick with it. He says that I've pulled way too may 'Olive Garden stunts' than any one person should. But I'll be thirty in two years! I'm just tryna' live fast while I can. Slow down and I'll miss the remainder of my youth. I'll pull my shit together later but for now I'll live however the hell I want!", Mac rants, getting a little angry toward the end. Mac sips. " I understand, Mac, you can't live fast too slow but you also can't live fast too fast, get it? Don't wanna fuck up your life too early and live in regret.", Jimmy says. "Jeez, what happened to you, pal?", asks Mac. "Three kids and a nasty divorce, that's what. Only 38 too. But you don't need to hear my sop story. You seem to be having a rough night as is.", Jimmy replied.
"So are you gonna have enough money to go back home tonight? I mean how much does this place pay you per show?", Jimmy asks Mac. "Oh, they don't pay me to perform. Actually, the only income I earn from being here is the tips I receive from the audience. Which, I guess is none so...no I'm actually completely broke. I guess 'in debt' as well if you count my grapefruit loan. I should probably give Eric some space to cool off for a while too, I've never seen him this pissed off before. Let's just hope the dumpsters here are as comfy as the ones in Brooklyn are." ,Mac is now slurring his words so Jimmy makes sure he doesn't have any more to drink. Jimmy takes out his wallet and slides the bartender the money for their drinks and slides a 100 dollar bill toward Mac. "I almost forgot to tip the performer.", Jimmy winked. " Uh, I thought your name was Pesto, Mr. Bill Gates ova' here!", Mac joked, but gladly accepting the generous tip! "I told you, I own my own restaurant just down the street. Come by some time. I'll even throw in a free meal, eh, whaddya' say?", Jimmy's cocky smile returned to his face. "Of course, wouldn't pass a free meal up for the world.", Mac joyously replied. "Great! Come down anytime, but in the meantime, gettchu' a nice motel room, would ya?", Jimmy rose from his seat and grabbed his jacket from the back of his chair. Mac got up from his seat as well and faced Jimmy, "How do I even begin to thank you?", he asked. "Here's a start.", Jimmy put his hands around Mac's waist and pulled him closer until their faces were only an inch apart. Jimmy placed his lips on Mac's own, kissing him lightly. He broke the kiss, leaving Mac flushed and speechless. Jimmy placed a small folded slip of paper in Mac's hand. "My phone number. Call me.", Jimmy whispered to the flustered Mac. He exited "The Fat Rig".