Chapter two
It was a few days later and Friday. The evening had come and House was glad that the long day was finally over. He could really use a drink and a distraction. He grabbed his leather jacket slipped it on, grabbed his backpack, turned his light off and limped toward the door. He looked over into the conference room and saw that his team where already gone. They have been leaving as soon as they could for the past three weeks. There was no lingering like they used to. He shook his head and walked through the door and closed it. As he approached the elevators, he saw Wilson step from one and start his way. House tried to make a break for it but Wilson caught him.
"Where are you off to?"
"I've got a porn and a bottle of scotch with my name on it at home."
"House be serious. Wait I take that back you probably are serious. I just wanted to know if you are doing anything tonight besides sitting at home alone."
"What's it to you?"
"For reasons meaning I must be insane, I do think of you as a friend. You know that. I just want to watch out for you. That stunt that you pulled faking brain cancer was over the top, even for you and you know it. I was serious when I said that you should give it a try and go out with friends even if it is just for pizza."
"As a matter of fact I am going out tonight. I found an interesting bar…don't give me that look. I found a bar that does theme nights and a few times a week there is jazz and big band themes. There is a hooker worthy woman there who performs. We got to talking last time I was there and I am going back tonight to see what will happen next."
"Well I guess that is a start. Want company?"
"That was a stupid question even for you."
"Right. Well have a good night House."
"Night Wilson."
Wilson turned and walked back to the elevators while House watched him leave. His thoughts turned to his friend to the woman at the bar. He found it a bit surprising that he was truly looking forward to seeing her again.
"The mere idea of you, the longing here for you
You'll never know how slow the moments go till I'm near to you
I see your face in every flower
Your eyes in stars above
It's just the thought of you
The very thought of you, my love"
House entered the bar and saw Melony up on stage. She was just finishing the last verse of the song, "The very thought of you". As she closed the song, she noticed him, gave him a smile and wink. As he took his seat and gave his usual order, Melony started another number. This time she had chosen "Why don't you do right". The waitress came with his drink and he told her, "Keep them coming" before settling back in his chair to enjoy the show. And a show it was with Melony in the dress that she had chosen for tonight. It was similair in style to the red one, the only differences being that this one was black, was more off the shoulder, showing off her smooth skin, and flared out a bit more at the bottom. The color showed off her porcelin skin even more than the red dress had. He sipped his drink and listened to her sing the lyrics,
"You had plenty money, 1922
You let other women make a fool of you
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too
You're sittin' there and wonderin' what it's all about
You ain't got no money, they will put you out
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too
If you had prepared twenty years ago
You wouldn't be a-wanderin' from door to door
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too
I fell for your jivin' and I took you in
Now all you got to offer me's a drink of gin
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Get out of here and get me some money too
Why don't you do right, like some other men do?
Like some other men do"
Melony ended the song to loud applause and stepped off the stage to make her way to where House was sitting. She sat down, seeing that he had a drink waiting for her. She took a sip before saying,
"Was hoping to see you tonight stud."
"Glad that I came. You didn't disappoint in the dress choice."
Melony laughed and replied, "Thank you, glad that you like it."
"Oh me likey alright. I just have one question."
"And what is that?"
"Can I call you Jessica Rabbit?"
Melony let out a louder laugh. "Sure why not? After all I do call you stud."
"So how about it, want to make like rabbits?"
A twinkle came to her eyes as she playfully responded with, "Depends on what you mean by 'make'!"
It was House's turn to laugh and look amused.
"Are you always like this?"
"If I said no, would it ruin the illusion and your fun?"
"Depends on how much of it is show."
"Only a teensy weensy bit" Melony said as she held up her left pointer and thumb a half inch apart from each other.
"Good."
"So, Greg, did you really miss me?" She batted her eyelashes at him.
"Hmmm… I think I missed your dresses more." He answered with an eyebrow wiggle. She grinned in response.
"At least you missed something. I'll take what I can get." She leaned back in her chair and looked him up and down, with a pensive look on her face.
He saw the look and asked, "What?"
"Oh, nothing really. Just wondering if your interest in my dresses means that you're actually a cross dresser. Trying to figure out if I should be flattered or put out." She replied, trying to sound nonchalant but the twinkle in her eyes portrayed her.
House chocked on his drink in surprise and Melony gave her deep, almost husky laugh that he found extremely sexy.
He recovered and said, "The only interest I have in your dress is how easy it is to get it off from you."
She raised an eyebrow at him and quipped in a sultry voice, "When and where would you like to find out big boy?"
"Wow that was definitely easier than I thought it would be!"
She laughed her laugh again and which prompted House to ask, "Is that your real laugh?"
"I make it a bit huskier when I am here. It is part of the persona I put on."
"Ah."
"So Greg, what do you do for a living?"
"I'm a gigolo. Business has been slow since I hurt my leg."
"Oh that's too bad. I know what you mean. My other job is as a hooker actually. Yeah, I do this gig to rack in a few extra bucks to help cover rent. There are some new girls and they're taking away my business over on the corner of Dove Street."
House grinned at her willingness to play along and not miss a beat. She grinned back.
"Seriously now, I am curious as to what you do for a living."
"I'm a doctor over at PPTH. I'm a genius nephrologist and diagnostician of infectious diseases."
He saw her eyes cloud over a bit and the smile turn down. He looked questioning at her but she quickly put the smile back on and said, "Hmmm a doctor. So you can afford me! Good. Rent was late this month and my landlord is getting on my case." She said in forced playfulness.
House didn't buy the playfulness after the look that had crossed her face but decided to go along with it anyway.
"Now that we know each other better, how about a discount?"
"I wish I could say yes. But times are hard Stud."
"Darn. Well then I guess I should be on my way." He pretended to start to leave and gave a "see ya" wave. Melony laughed and said, "You really are incorrigible. You amuse me though. Now sit down and finish your drink with me."
House gave a mock sigh and said, "Oh alright" before sitting down and taking a sip.
Melony looked at his cane and asked, "So can you do any special tricks with your cane?"
"More than you can imagine. Oh, wait you mean that cane," he said, nodding toward his cane, that was propped up on the tables edge. Melony gave another hearty laugh out loud, making the people at the surrounding tables turn and look at them. She didn't seem to mind being stared at. She was comfortable with it.
"I set myself up for that one!"
"Yes you did. It was too good to pass up."
They drank in silence for a moment while listening to the band play a Glen Miller number. When the band stopped, they clapped and Melony saw Will motioning for her to come back on stage.
"Well that's my cue. Want to stick around till I'm down and get another drink with me?"
"Deal."
She smiled her sultry smile at him and went up on stage. Melony started to sing, "Rum and coca cola".
Before she was done with her set she sang six songs varying from slow ballads to fast swing that some people had even gotten up to dance to. She ended with "Dream a little dream of me". As the last notes faded from her lips and the instruments surrounding her, the remaining people clapped and then started to make their way to the door. House watched as she approached him.
"Let's go sit at the bar."
They made their way over and took stools.
"So what's your choice of poison? The usual?"
House nodded a yes and she turned to the bartender.
"Joey, scotch for my friend here and a gin and tonic for me. Thanks."
"Coming right up Mel."
While they waited for their drinks, House said, "Nice performance tonight. Have you always sung?"
"Thanks. I have always had the talent and interest. I sung for my father when I was younger, in chorus in middle and high school and choir in college. I did a lot of solos and musicals in high school. I did some competitions. It was a passion but not one that I wanted to pursue a career in. Then some things happened and about a year ago I found myself here one night, sang, got rave reviews and then was hired as a regular performer. It's been a nice change of pace and I have fully enjoyed it."
While she was talking House saw her eyes cloud over again when she mentioned 'chosen career' but decided against questioning her about it at the moment. He could find out another time what she seemed to be hiding.
"So Greg, what's your musical interest? Sing at all?" she asked while reaching for her drink that had just been delivered.
"Sing some; play piano and guitar the most. Makes up for the lack of dancing that I can do to woe women. Piano and guitar works well though." He said with a wink.
"You should play here some night. It's a lot of fun."
"Maybe I will."
"Seriously. Care to play the piano sometime? We're always looking for musicians." She asked starting to take another sip of her drink.
"Only if you'd play my bugle first."
He wiggled his eyebrows at her. It was now her turn to chock on her drink and look at him in surprise, which changed to a look of amusement as she shook her head at him.
"Even though we've pretty much just met, I know I shouldn't have been surprised at you for saying that!"
"Yeah, you shouldn't have been." House winked at her and she gave a light laugh in response along with another shake of her head.
They finished their drinks and Melony stood up. "Well, I better help get everything cleaned up. Nice seeing you again stud. Don't be a stranger." And with that, she walked to the stage and started to help get the instruments packed up. House watched for a moment before turning and limping out the door.
As House entered his place, his cell rang from his pocket. He closed the door, locked it and then answered.
"What do you want?"
"Hello to you to. Just checking to see how your night went. Did you see that performer tonight?"
"Why are you interested?"
"I was just curious to know how it went."
"Yeah I went, we talked, had a few laughs and drinks."
"Good. So want to hang out tomorrow? Poker or something?"
"Fine. Bring the beer."
"Night House." House hung up the phone in response and went to his piano and sat down. He started to play a few cords of "Dream a little dream of me" before stopping and looking off into space. He sat that way for several minutes before his leg started to throb. He rubbed it, popped a couple pills and then went off to bed.