Part 5

It was a little bit after six when Sofia entered the FoGaL. She sent Felix a text half an hour ago, she'd be a few minutes late and he should go inside without her. In the club she was surprised to find more than just Felix with a guitar. There were at least a dozen other people, who looked like they wanted to sing.

On a couple of chairs in front of the stage she saw Sara, while Keith was on his way on stage. He took the microphone to get the attention of everybody.

"Good evening. As you can see, we have more than one interested party for our two available spots from next month. Two bands and four singer. We start in alphabetical order, you all have two songs, we want one ballade and one rock song. At least one of them is supposed to be your own song. After you're all done, we'll take some time to discuss who'll get the spots. Good luck." He left the stage and went back to Sara.

Sofia walked over to Felix and hugged him. "Hey, are you excited?"

"There you are! I missed you! Almost went crazy without you. I'm dying. This is important, if I mess this up, it means I'm not good enough."

"No, it means they've not a good taste of music."

"You prefer F&F over me."

"I support you and when - not if - you're on stage next month, I'll be here to see you and not F&F. If we both listen to them after your concert, I won't complain."

"Do I get a kiss for good luck?"

She laughed and kissed his cheek. "You get two more when you get one of the spots."

"Now, that's worth fighting for. Can't you ask your friend to give me some bonus?"

"The way I understood it, you already got a bonus by being here. Don't waste it." She hugged him again and left him to concentrate on his performance.

"Lieutenant Curtis, you look much better today than the last time I saw you." Keith smirked.

"I feel much better than the last time you saw me. At least when I think of the last hour or so." Sofia hadn't been here since the night she got so drunk and hadn't talked to Sara neither. "Hey, thanks for the couch and all the pain killers. I got you a new package." The blonde handed the brunette a package with pain killers.

"Thanks. I keep them for the next time you have too many beers and whiskeys."

"Will you carry me on your couch again?" That sounded interesting. Sara Sidle was willing to take care of her again.

"When Jules make me do it, yes."

"Jules is an angel. Where is she? Shouldn't she be here too?"

"She'll come in later, has to work until seven."

"I thought she works here."

"Here and in another job."

"The club doesn't bring enough money for the two of you?" As far as she remembered Sara's and Jules's house, it was a nice house, in a good area and looked like both women lived well enough. Apparently not only from the club money.

"It does but she likes her other job too. A workaholic. Does this sound familiar to you?"

"Yeah, I knew a CSI in Vegas, who was a workaholic."

"See. Sit down and listen to the music."

"Can I decide too?"

"For yourself, yes. I know you vote for Felix. He won't get a bonus for being your boyfriend."

"Friend, not boyfriend. And he doesn't need a bonus, he's the best." Sofia slipped next to Sara and took a closer look at the other musicians. The first band was about to go on stage and connect their instruments. All members were men and Sofia had no doubt about it, they were all gay. Was it a condition to be gay? Then Felix didn't have any chances…but Keith played here too and when he and Sara had an open relationship, he couldn't be gay. And Jon had a fiancé, so being ga wasn't a rule. Made it things easier? When she asked Sara about it now, she'd get a boot in her ass and was banned from the club for the rest of her life. So it was better to shut up and listen to the music, keep her fingers crossed for Felix.


Nervously Felix sipped on his coke. Since fifteen minutes Sara, Keith and two other employees of the club were gone to decide, who would get the two open spots. It wasn't like his life depended on this job, but it would be the first time he had a job as a singer. He got booked as a guitar player a few times, to be in the background for somebody, but this time he would be the star, had all the attention. Was he good enough to entertain a crowd? Could his dream of becoming a professional musician come true?

"You were the best singer and guitar player." Sofia took his hand.

"They heard the second band, they played two songs of their own and both were great. Catchy sound, lyrics to sing along and the singer is sexy, she'll drew a lot of people in the club. I'd come for her too."

"I came here for you."

He smiled. "Thanks."

"Do your grandparents know you're here? Why you're here?"

"No. Their happiness about my idea to become a club singer would be not that big. I qualified as a music teacher this year and they hope after the summer holidays I start working as a teacher somewhere. I did apply at various school and have a few possibilities, but it's not what I really want to do. Of course, teaching kids to play guitar is great, to see how they enjoy it. My problem is, I want to be a singer, I want to do, what I did on this stage."

"Will you stop playing in malls?"

"No. It's most times crap money, people shout strange things at you, sometimes even attack you, but it's live music and that's what I love. I rather do what I love and just get by than have more money and be unhappy."

The blonde nodded. She understood what he meant. It was good to have money, to have the chance to buy things you want, but money didn't make you happy. When you found something, that made you happy, it was important to hold on to it.

"There's Sara…I think I feel sick."

"Honey, you won't impress a woman when you act like a school girl at prom night."

"I can't impress you anyway. My grandmother is the only one who lives in this fantasy."

Sofia bopped softly his side. "Come on, time to hear what the judge says."

"No bonus for being your friend."

"She made that clear already. Be glad she gave you the chance, years ago she had kicked you out of the club because you're a friend of mine. Our relationship has improved a lot."

"You must have an amazing past. Why don't you tell me about over dinner?"

"Nice try." She took Felix's hand. Time to hear if his dream came true or if this was nothing else than an experience on his way to become a real musician. Sofia tried to read Sara's face but it was stoic. No hint, no look at her or Felix, that could give them any idea of what the decision was.

"Thanks for waiting, it took us longer than usual this time." The brunette sat down on stage, her legs hanging over the edge. "I get straight to the point. WISHERS, you were great, we want you as performer. Your songs have everything we believe, the visitor of this club will enjoy, we agreed on that in less than ten seconds. Really good stuff and we're sure, this is only the beginning for you. Congratulation."

WISHERS was the band Felix talked about, the band he liked as well. They were the favorites and they made it. Left one spot for the rest.

"As for the second spot, it was a hard decision. We had some problems to come to an agreement about this space, but at the end I think, we found a solution, that is right. Marco, you'll be the second one. Your own song was catchy and your cover version of the old Steve Wonder song was great. Welcome to the club."

Felix sighed. There was his dream, gone and burst like a soap bubble. No music gigs, no chance to perform. Back to the teacher idea and the shopping malls.

"I'm sorry." Sofia said.

"Me too. Well, they were good."

"So were you."

"Not as good as they were. Oh well, it's not like I've no alternatives."

"You do, but this is what you wanted, what dreamed of."

"Dreams are dreams because they're not real."

"Oh Felix." She pulled him in her arms and kissed his cheek. "To me you were the best and I don't say it because you're my friend."

"You need to work on your performance." Keith appeared next to them. "You can sing, your own song was good, but you're way too shy on stage. It's okay for a guitar player in a band, but when you're the only one on stage and have to entertain the people, make them dance, you need to get over yourself and work on your performance. This is a night club, people come here to be entertained."

"I know." Felix sighed sadly. He was aware of his problem to be not outgoing enough. The problem was, whenever he tried to be outgoing, he did something stupid or the plan, her made up first, didn't work out.

"When I work on myself, can I have another chance? When you have a spot available again?"

"There's no need for that." Sara joined them with a beer.

"Oh come on, he was good, why doesn't he deserve a second chance?" Sofia asked slightly angry. That wasn't fair.

"We don't do second chances…"

"What? That's stupid, you can't be serious about this…" This sounded like the old Sara, the bitch she met first in Las Vegas.

"Before the two of you start a nasty catfight, why don't you both hold your breath." Keith stopped them. "I thought you're over this unnecessary shit. What Sara means with, there's no need for a second chance is, you can have a job here, Felix. Maybe not exactly the way you imagined it, but you can be on this stage once a week. As my personal back-up. I'd like to play a few songs with you, write new ones. You get your stage experience and get used to be on the spotlight. If everything works out the way we think, you'll be the perfect singer and entertainer in a few months."

"Seriously? I can play with you?"

"Yes."

"Wahoo! Cool!" He hugged Keith. "Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!"

"If you kiss me, I'll be banned from the club forever!" Keith warned. "I'm absolutely not into guys."

"Neither am I."

"Good. Get out of my arms."

Felix grinned and stepped back.

"Now that we're settled, we can get our attention to the bitches. Are you two friends again or will you start a Vegas comeback?"

"I'm used to her not getting the point." Sara said.

"And I'm used to her being a bitch."

"Good. Hug each other and be friends. I don't want fights or I've to kick you out."

"It's my club." Sara grumbled. "Watch your mouth or I kick you out."

"Babe." Keith pulled her in his arms. "You don't throw me out, you need me and sometimes you want me. You'd miss too much. As your bartender, security man and lover."

"You're not my lover, you're only there to satisfy my needs when I'm bored."

"I love this woman and her charm." He kissed Sara softly on her lips and lifted her up so she was in his arms. "I get her in her office now, so she can work on the papers for the musicians. Are you staying a little bit longer?"

"Just until the paperwork is done, I've to work tomorrow."

"And I've university and plan to play in the mall…am I allowed to play in the mall? Or am I not supposed to play anywhere else?"

"You can play in a mall, but not in a different club. We don't want your fans going anywhere else to see you. They're all supposed to come here, drink a lot and leave their money behind."

"Okay, that's fine with me." When he really started a job as a teacher in September, the concert with Keith was enough. On the weekends he could play in the malls when he felt like it and try some new songs.