Chapter Three
Music streamed outside the doors of the Smash Club. Just outside the door a poster advertising the night's band. Tonight the house band Jesse And The Rippers stood warming up on the stage. A line of people stood outside waiting to get in with Danny and Joey at the front of the line.
"Nice of Jessie to forget our names on the VIP list," Danny said tapping his toe impatiently.
"At least it's a nice night. That and it was great of your Mom to offer to babysit the girls tonight so all of us could come out," Joey stated craning his neck to see if the larger than life bouncer had started admitting people into the club.
More and more people added themselves to the back of the line as time went on and people began grumbling. Inside Jesse sat on the stage tuning and retuning his guitar. Boredom grew rampant as patience grew thin. Eventually a few paparazzi showed up parking themselves outside the line with their cameras. Then a few more joined them. Joey pointed to them getting Danny's attention.
Danny tapped one on the shoulder, "Hey pal. What's going on?"
The man turned looking annoyed briefly, "Can't talk, they might show up at any minute. Rumor has it the model Cassandra is headed here tonight along with a few producers trying to clinch a movie deal for herself. I am going to try and get the best shot that you will see in all the papers tomorrow."
However before the poor guy finished his reply a limo pulled up and the few cameras swarm around. A small group of casting officals, producer, and directors exited. The crowd waiting in line craned their necks disappointed that their hour and a half long wait was for pretty much nothing. Then out stepped Cassandra and the flash bulbs went crazy along with questions.
Cassie nodded and smiled waving to the cameras. She made a feeble attempt at making her mini-skirt longer by tugging on it and saw a guy from the line wave her over. She walked over taking off her sunglasses. Cassie smiled and walked over to the twenty-something fraternity guy. She signed his piece of paper and took a few pictures playing the part of a small time celebrity. It was all in the name of good PR.
Joey leaned over to Danny as Cassandra made her way to their spot next to the door, "Danny, isn't that the model DJ likes?"
"Yeah I think it is. Hey Joey do you have your new Polaroid your Mom gave you? I'd like to take a picture home for DJ," Danny asked as Joey dug in his duffel bag of stuff he was bringing for Jessie.
Finding the camera he handed it to Danny, "Here you go. Cashing in on the Dad brownie points. Wish I'd thought of it first."
Danny grinned as he yelled for Cassandra to no avail. Not to mention that it did not help that he could not remember her name despite the crowd calling it. Joey rolled his eyes and yelled in the loudest Daffy Duck, "Hey you foxy lady! How would you like to take a picture for my friend bugs here? He's not as suave and sophisticated as I."
Cassie looked up towards the door. First she was grateful to the nut up front for making a fool of himself. Now she could not say no to his request as she walked over to them. Secondly she laughed a genuine laugh that sent the cameras to flashing again, " How can I help you fellas?"
Danny stammered, "Well…I..uh…my daughter is becoming a huge fan. She…I mean I wanted to get a picture and have you sign it for her."
Cassie laughed again setting off the flashbulbs, "No problem. Every parent needs to cash in on brownie points. My Mom tried it on me all the time."
Joey lifted the camera as Cassandra stepped back and posed. She signed the picture for a little girl named DJ and thanked the two for a good laugh. At least there were a few real people in the world and not ladder-climbing hopefuls. Most in line took her picture just to say they'd seen a celebrity. No matter how small.
After a longer than normal wait everyone entered and the music began. Cassandra had to admit that The Rippers were good. As usual she managed to gracefully deny any alcoholic drink. However the casting directors assistant kept trying to feel of her leg. Glaring knowing one wrong move can cost her the part however Cassie did not play that game.
Twisting Cassie tried to see the door. At the back of the club stood a few lone photographers hoping a story would take place. That meant she couldn't leave early nor by the front door. Turning back she returned her attention back to the dull conversation. She had been here three hours. The director and producer stating a busy schedule left approximately at the one and a half hour mark.
Mentally groaning she accepted the assistant's offer to dance. After all she hadn't been up on the floor all night and couldn't really say no. Twisting and twirling she managed to keep the photographers somewhat happy. Jessie the bandleader ended the song. Cassie excused her self and escaped to the restroom for the moment.
Cassie walked into the room at a far dark corner of the nightclub and groaned. She was hoping that there was a door or a window to crawl out of. Cassie thought for a moment and opened the door a crack. Grinning she saw a dark door with the blessed word of "Exit" shining in brilliant red. Her driver was only around the corner to the front of the building. Now all she had to do was sneak out and from under the cameras and that stupid assistant's nose.
The Rippers began another loud set of songs. Cassie snuck out of the restroom peeking over her shoulder. She walked to the backstage exit she had spotted and put her hand on the door when she heard a voice behind her.
"Where do you think you are going beautiful?" the assistant's voice leered.
"Okay you caught me. I'm sneaking out before the photographers see me," Cassie tried to fake smile her heart stopping at the look in the man's eyes.
"That I can understand. However, your agent and I have had a talk," the man stepped a little to close for Cassie's comfort.
Cassie forced a brave face swatting the man's hand away from her breast, "Or what? I am not afraid of you. Not to mention I am not what my agent has told you I am."
A sinister grin crossed the mans face as his hand traced up her leg and shoved her against the wall hard, "That's all right. I like them young. Not to mention….I want to see what you are really like…sans the make up and enhancements to make you look older and larger."
Joey walked down the hallway after delivering a duffel bag full of drumsticks, sheet music, and guitar picks to Jessie. He heard a muffled squeal and looked up. Joey balled his fist at the creep forcing himself upon the girl. Without thinking Joey walked up and tapped the guy on the shoulder, "Hey pal. Cut it out. I think the lady wants you off of her."
The man turned and glared at Joey keeping his arm down holding Cassie against the wall, "Beat it. This is no concern of yours."
"Wanna bet? She's only a kid." Joey began darting a look at Cassie who looked more and more like a terrified 14-year-old girl by the minute. Without thinking Joey lifted his fist and punched the guy. The man slumped to the floor out cold as Joey gently put a hand on Cassie's shoulder, "Miss are you okay?"
Cassie nodded, "I am now thanks to you." She darted a look out the hallway to see the photographers looking her way and changing their lenses. Apparently they had finally seen the commotion. "I have to go…now…or all this will be on..well…"
Joey turned around and saw, "Cassandra right? Come on. We'll take my car. I'm sure they'll follow your limo. You can come home with me and I'll take you home once they give up."
Cassie ran out the door following Joey. They ran down three blocks to a parked yellow Volkswagen Bug. As she ran Cassie began to wipe off her makeup with her shirt. She peeled off her jewelry and threw it on the ground not caring how much it cost and where it landed. Off flew her high heels and fake eyelashes as she finally reached up her shirt taking out the "enhancements" her attacker mentioned.
Joey glanced over every now and then. He jumped into the car and started it as she vaulted into the car without even opening the door. He squealed and took off around the corner just as the photographers came up from the club wondering where she had gone. They looked and saw her limo heading in the opposite direction and ran after it.
Breathing hard Joey began making his way through San Francisco. He had no idea what just came over him. For some reason when he saw her being forced….he just had to protect her, "So….I don't want you to think I'm some freak or something. I just felt like I had to help and well…you didn't look like you were enjoying yourself."
Cassie wiped the tears that began to stream down her face, "No it's okay. I'm grateful to you. You saved my life." She took a closer look at her rescuer finally realizing who he was, "Looks like for the second time…you are the guy who yelled like Daffy right? "
Joey chuckled turning onto a street leading to a more residential area, "Yeah, I'm Joey. Joey Gladstone that is. You're Cassandra right?"
Cassie nodded and meekly replied, "Actually it's Cassie."
Joey smiled and looked over at her, "Cassie. It seems to suit you better. No offense but you…"
"Don't look a day over 14?" Cassie began as they turned onto Gerard, "I'm not. The whole 21 thing is my agent's demand."
Joey parked the car, "Well we're here. You wanna come inside and rest a bit? Trust me. My best friends Mother is in there along with three little girls. So we won't be alone."
Cassie nodded, "Sure, I'd like that."