Chapter 4
We're running with the shadows of the night
So baby take my hand, it'll be all right
Surrender all your dreams to me tonight
They'll come true in the end
--"Shadows of the Night," by Pat Benatar
Janis had been studying the set list for the following weekend's show at Club Café when, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Donnie approach her.
She looked up and smiled. "What's happening, boss?"
Donnie smiled back and handed her a large envelope. "If this is what I think it is, congratulations are in order for finally getting The Underground on the map, even if it's just for one night."
"What the hell is this?" Janis wondered, taking it from him and opening it, studying the contents of the letter.
"Oh my God!" she finally cried out. "Where's Jerome?"
"Men's room," Donnie replied. "Something wrong?"
"More like something right! He had me enter this contest—"
"He told me," Donnie nodded. "He and Chico both."
"Anyway…..I just won. Donnie, I just won five thousand dollars and am going on national television, all because Jerome pushed me to enter this thing. I can finally get some decent furniture!"
Donnie had to laugh. "Imagine that; you're about to be a major name and the first thing you think about is new furniture for your apartment."
"Well, it is shitty looking," she replied, studying two autographed photos before showing Donnie. "I guess these came with the prize too, or they were the judges. Nice looking kids. I should hang on to them in case they might be worth something someday."
"So what are you wearing?" Jerome wondered the week before they were to arrive in Miami for Raw.
"What do you mean, what am I wearing?" Janis answered. "The same shit I always wear on stage. I'm only doing the national anthem in front of a bunch of wrestling morons, not a grand performance at the Grammy Awards."
"Jan, honestly, it's one thing to perform at the clubs here in town in front of college kids and drunks who don't give a shit, but this is national television not only in front of thousands of people in the audience, but also millions of viewers around the country. Sure, it isn't Kennedy Center or whatever, but you can't walk out there looking like you just got off the boat."
"Jerome, it isn't like I can pull money out of my ass for something new. What I have in that closet will have to suffice."
"Which is why Donnie's wife is springing to get you some new threads."
"What?" Janis gave him an incredulous look.
"Yeah, that's why I asked if you had anything planned to wear in the first place, provided it was something decent. Jackie wants to take you shopping."
Janis rolled her eyes. "I don't believe this. First, all of the sudden, my stage attire makes me look like something that came in off the boat, now you drop the bomb that Donnie's motor mouth wife is taking me shopping. Kill me now."
Jerome grinned. "If we kill you now, you won't be able to collect that five grand. Besides, Jackie isn't that bad. For what it's worth, Donnie gave her a spending limit, so she won't go nuts."
"Fine, but I still say what I have suits me and my image just fine."
"For rocking out at Nick's or someplace like that, yeah. But TV? Got to do better."
"I'm not doing the glamor puss thing if that is what you all have in mind. That isn't me at all."
"Don't worry, you'll still be Janis the rocker chick, only a little more dressy. We promise, it will be for one night only, then you can go back to the comfortable stuff. But the only thing that definitely won't be changing is that voice. It's gotten you this far; imagine where it will take you from here."