Hey, it's been a while, but there's more to come soon. I think Ricky's going to make an appearance in the next chapter as well as The Man, but we'll see. Read, review and enjoy. But reviewing is most important. Just kidding! Sort of.

Chapter 4: Of Auditions and Call Backs

"Mimi Marquez? You're next."

The butterflies in Mimi's stomach immediately doubled in size. Taking a huge breath, she stepped out onto stage.

A bored man whose eyes seemed glued to Mimi's bra was sitting in the chair directly below the stage. "And what are you going to sing?" He asked in a monotone.

Sing? Angel hadn't said anything about singing! She could barely talk, but she was supposed to be singing too? Quickly, she racked her mind for a song she knew all the lyrics to. Nervously, she cleared her throat. "Tainted Love," she said, her voice coming out in a whisper.

"Excuse me?"

"Tainted Love," she said louder.

"Okay, go."

"Sometimes I feel I've got to…
Run away,
I've got to,
Get away
From the pain you drive into the heart of me," Mimi began to sing, and then remembered that she was supposed to be dancing too. Forgetting that everyone in the room was staring at her and that all the men in the stage crew were hoping her halter would untie, she began to belt as she moved her body seductively to the music she was singing. It was just like she was back in the living room with Angel.

"The love we share
seems to go nowhere
and I've lost my light
For I toss and turn, I can't sleep at night!" Mimi went close to the manager, she grabbed the collar of his shirt closer to herself.

"Tainted love," Mimi finished, breathless and exhausted, but feeling better than she ever had.

Taking the time to close his mouth and shoo the crowd of excited men who'd congregated, the manager looked back to Mimi. "We'll be in touch."

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

A week passed before someone from the Cat Scratch Club bothered to call. A week of Mimi waiting on edge, refusing to leave the apartment in case they called while she was out. Angel had dealt with her obsession however. In fact, Angel had dealt with everything Mimi had thrown at him, they were already inseparable. He'd even cancelled a few of his dates throughout the week to spend more time with her.

"You've got the job," the sleazy manager's voice was horribly easy to recognize. "But we want to bring you in tonight, a trial run you see. To figure out what shifts you should be getting."

Mimi was confused, but Angel attempted to explain the dynamics to her. "They must've really liked you. But they don't want to give you an actual set wage yet. They're gonna bring you in, have you do a performance and see how the audience reacts. If you're okay, then you'll get okay shifts, either ones before the big spenders can get away from their wives or later, when it would arouse suspicion for guys to be creeping around. But if the guys respond well, you'll get prime hours and decent pay."

"How do you know all of this?" Mimi asked in awe.

Angel shrugged. "I had a friend who worked at a gay bar. We hung out there a lot."

"What happened to him?"

"He died. From AIDS."

"Oh," Mimi had heard of the disease. But she never thought about it, it wouldn't affect her like it might Angel. All the same, she wanted desperately to change the subject. "How was your date today?"

"It was fabulous!"

"But who was it with?" Mimi was learning quickly of Angel's notoriously bad dating habits. Often times, she would wake up, go to the kitchen to find something to eat and stumble on a half naked man making pancakes. Angel had impeccable taste, so the men were often gorgeous which embarrassed Mimi even more. She knew they wouldn't be interested in her, but she couldn't stand looking like a mess in front of them. "I know it wasn't that guy you were seeing a couple days ago. He dropped by to pick up his toothbrush."

"Eh, he wasn't the one. Neither is the one I'm dating now, actually."

"How do you know that? You've only just met him…when exactly?"

Angel let out a sigh as he rested his head on his chin. "Yesterday. And I just do. I have a feeling that when I meet the right guy-The One-I'll know."

Mimi raised an eyebrow.

"Corny and clichéd, I know. But it's true. And one day Mimi chica, you'll know what I'm talking about. Now, don't you have an appointment tonight? Let's get ready!"

"You're coming?"

Angel looked at Mimi as if she were an alien. "Are you insane? Not go to see my Mimi dance? I wouldn't miss it for the world!"