Hall of Fame
The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.
Thursday
Sam's POV
We were all stood in the lobby, ten minutes before opening time as was usual when we were on an early shift. We started work at seven in the morning, but the visitors didn't get access until nine. There was a lot that needed to be done in those two hours, the cleaning staff came in to do the usual; cleaning floors, walls, curtains, windows, while the front of house team of which I was a part, took care of ornaments and plagues, everything needed to be at its best because we never knew who was coming in. Now the team of around forty staff were dressed and ready for work now the cleaning staff had done their thing, it was another day at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the most exciting job I'd ever had, and although I was overqualified for the position, I loved it that much I was willing to compromise.
"Listen up" Will; the floor manager, bellowed across the room, he was stood in his usual place, on the fourth step up that led to the main gallery "Here's what's happening today"
"Here we go" Mike looked at me laughing
"Stop" I grinned not wanting to get into trouble
"He thinks he's a king, watch him" Mike whispered
"Right" Will clapped his hands together "We're going to walk people through upstairs this afternoon because there is going to be work done to construct another plaque" he smiled "So group A that will be your assignment once I give the go, usual route" he nodded at Sam
"Sir" I nodded back, smiling because today I'd been chosen to lead the team
"Team B" Will looked at Mike "There were way too many fingerprints on those plaques yesterday, a bit more vigilance today please, keep it moving around the lower floor, and watch out for children" he nodded at Mike
"Sir" Mike nodded, he was used to being the leader of his team, he usually handled the new recruits
"Which means team C will be manning the basement, guaranteed when the little blighters realise, they can't get away with things on this floor they'll try down there so please, everyone, eyes and ears to the ground" he looked at Sunshine "You get your chance to lead today"
"Sir" she smiled
"And team, what are we going to have today?" Will asked
"A bloody good day" we all shouted back; I think that was just something he did every day to make sure we were listening
"Oh" Will held his hand up before everyone dispersed "The new plaque" he smiled "We have no other that the one Missy Elliott, gracing our doors to lay her plaque this Saturday" everyone was excited, they always got excited when someone came in to place a plaque, but Missy was a true icon of their age, this was a big one for hip hop too
"This is going to be epic" I punched the air, walking off with my team for the day following me
Everyone was so excited we made sure we had a good day, everything went to plan, we even stayed over to give an extra clean because of the dust from the work men. To be honest everyone was still reeling from the prospect of standing in the vicinity of Missy Elliott, I couldn't wait for Saturday to come.
Mercy's POV
I'd finally finished what had felt like another twenty-four-hour shift at the hospital, I'd been working with children for nearly five years, so I should be used to seeing sick children, but I still got attached every now and again. At those times, which was nearly all the time, I'd find myself working a lot of extra hours, the work I did then was from the heart rather than for the money, especially if the little mites came in without families.
As always, I smiled as I opened the door to my own bit of heaven on earth, I routinely; closed the door closed my eyes and took a breath, leaving everything outside that door where it was. I always put my phone in the pod and turned it up, switched the TV on, and flopped onto my massive black leather couch, kicking my shoes off, as my head sunk into the cushion, I'd left there the night before.
"Home" I closed my eyes again and took it in, after my short break the next thought in my process was food, I took a breath and dragged myself up to find the kitchen, the quicker I ate the quicker I could get to bed, my favourite place at the end of an exhausting day. The fridge was full of half-eaten meals and tonight I didn't fancy making anything from scratch, to fill it with more left overs, so I took out a few dishes in the hope of making something edible from leftovers, I chose yesterday's peppered stake, some feta cheese salad that was near it's eat by date, and the last of the mac and cheese "Feast for a Queen" I smiled as I heated it up to take to the couch, a place I'd grown used to eating my meals
I was sitting all unconcerned, half listening to the newscaster, half listening to the music on my pod when I saw the newsflash sign come up on the screen "What is it now?" I asked myself wondering if I was going to have to make my way back to work
"Before we go tonight, work it, Missy Elliott put her thing down, flipped it and reversed her way into the rock and roll hall of fame today, making history for being the first black female hip hop artist..."
"What?" I put my plate of food on the couch next to me trying to take that in "What?" I got up so excited I was giggling "Missy Elliott?" I screamed, anyone would have thought she was my blood relative "I got to go see that" I giggled "This is epic" I grabbed her phone, I needed to find myself a ticket.
I started scanning the web for dates, times, and of course tickets, I was pleased to see it was happening on Saturday, it just happened to be my weekend off, usually I'd do some voluntary work, but this was Missy Elliott, and it was a moment in history, I had to be there.
I grabbed the ticket on my way to work the following day, sorted out and collected my tickets for travel, I felt like I was on speed or something, I was high, this was happening. I couldn't help but tell everyone at work that would listen to me about the fantastic weekend I was about to have. I couldn't sleep a wink that night for excitement, so like any ordinary Missy fan I filled the time with learning the lyrics to some of her songs I wasn't too sure about. I mean who knew if the woman was going to walk up to me in the crowd of thousands and pick me for an impromptu duet, shut up, it can happen.
Saturday
Sam's POV
This was my day, and I was ready for it, I was up extra early, I got my fade set, uniform was extra sharp, if I was going to be on TV that was one thing, but standing next to Missy Misdemeanour Elliott, one had to be fly. I came out the shower singing loudly, too loud for five in the morning but who cared, things were happening,
Brothers and sisters! Brothers and sisters, I don't know what this world is coming to! whassup, Missy, Timbo, yes, uh
One for the butters, I came from the gutter, no I came from my mother but y'all know what I mean
Hov' is here to stay like permanent crease in your jeans, Me and Missy be the new Tag Team
Whoomp! There It is
We like, Rae & Ghost, A.G. and Showbiz we Public Enemy #1, our Uzi Weighs a Ton
This is our house, Run! ha, ha, ha 'Back in the Day' by Missy Elliott & Jay Z
I was singing along and old time bopping to the music of my youth, it couldn't be helped today it was all over the radio, they were playing her songs, talking about her journey to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and out of all the millions of people listening, I was the one who was going to be in the presence of a superstar.
I got to work just under an hour early, surprised to see how many people had already made it in "Good" Will smiled at me "You've been allocated door duty"
"Door duty?" I asked trying not to sound disappointed
"Yes" he smiled at me, like he was giving me an honour
"I thought I could be up top" I dared to respond
"You've got the best manners, you've clearly made the effort, we agree we think you're the face of the HF team that we want the world to see" he told me "There'll only be one camera in here"
I contemplated stomping my feet for a second, but the words Will had just told me weren't words I'd ever heard him use for anyone else, so I was a bit taken back with his view of me, and to be honest they were accurate. I finished up my usual daily pre-opening chores and stood along with everyone else waiting for the daily briefing.
I stood half listening wondering why I hadn't bothered to buy one of the one hundred tickets that had been released the day it was announced, and booked the day off, it was pure indulgence to think just because I worked here, I was going to get a look in.
It was a quick prep talk, we weren't opening up until ten today, our special visitor was due in at eleven thirty and we were expecting them to stay for just over an hour before the clean-up and then we'd be open for a busy afternoon viewing. Apparently, the tribute had been delivered overnight and placed where it needed to be, so it really was just a case of unveiling, and doing the media hype
"Sam, Mike" Will nodded us to the side when everyone dispersed, I was happy to hear I wasn't going to be out there alone, Mike looked scared I don't think he was prepared to hear he was front of house today
We drank coffee, prepared the barriers, and stood around until half an hour before her arrival, then things started to get panicky. police arrived, camera, TV stations, it just all got so real so sudden a celebrity was on their way
Mercy's POV
I woke up with a song in my head, no surprise really as I'd gone to sleep trying to remember the lyrics to every song Missy had ever sung, just in case the ridiculous happened, and she called me up for a duet in the middle of what, a freaking unveiling. Okay a little unhinged, but when you're as excited as I am about stuff like this the mind plays tricks, never the less it didn't stop me from acting all Missy in the bathroom, I'm in here cleaning my body got the back washer defending mic position as I sing along to what's on TV now
…. What happened to those good old days? (Huh?) When hip-hop, was so much fun
Ohh, house parties in the summer y'all (C'mon), and no one, came through with a gun (A guh-un)
It was all about good music y'all, it helped to relieve some stress (Huh?)
Ohh, we was under one groove y'all (Y'all) to much love between North and West...
My booty's off in the air, my tongues out like it's looking for something, I'm getting jiggy with Missy, getting my Misdemeanour on, when my alarm goes off telling me I've got twenty minutes to get dressed, jack my hair up, and get to the bus station. I rinsed off what I could, and let the towel get the rest, I was out of there in ten minutes, grabbing my hair up and throwing in a scrunchie as I got to my car, it was only a twelve minute walk to the train station, but I was late and with the night I was expecting, I didn't think my feet could make the journey home.
Even for the time of morning the journey was still quicker than I thought it would be, it gave me time to grab something to eat and make my way to the platform, I stood smiling with my ticket in my purse along with as much change as I thought I'd need and my food in hand. I couldn't help it the little old dear sitting next to me must have been at her wits end with my conversation about some woman I was sure she'd never heard of, I must have showed her the ticket ten times in the three hours it took to get us to Cleveland.
The ticket said the doors opened at ten and I was going to be the first one there, I jumped off the train and found the exit fast, the need to be at the venue felt urgent. My map told me it was a three minute walk, so I plugged my earphones in and noted the directions before putting my phone back in my pocket
Remember when we used to battle? (Uh huh) on the block before the lights came on (Yeah)
Ohh! Mama said we would be straight A kids (Come on), if we did our homework, like we knew those songs
Salt-N-Pepa, Rakim, and P.E, D.M.C, and Heavy D, yes! Daddy Kane, Slick Rick, too (Oooh ooh!)
MC Lyte opened, doors for you and me, c'mon... 'Back In the Day' by Missy Elliott & Jay Z
That song had been my thing today, everywhere I went something of Missy's was playing and this song just seemed to be the one they'd picked on. Finally, the building was in front of me, I climbed the steps and opened my purse to produce the ticket, I wasn't first, but I was definitely in the first twenty
The Venue
Mike's POV
"Shit" this thick black woman in the queue hissed, checking her pocket as she walked towards us, she started searching all her pockets as if she might have deposited something in them instead of returning them to her purse "Shit" she hissed again taking a step closer to us, moving with the crowd "Maybe?" she opened her purse again hoping to have one final look, "Hell" she gasped looking into my eyes
"Ticket please" my hand stretched out for her ticket
"I've lost it" she looked up at my cold face, reading it right, I had no time for this shit
"Lost it?" I smiled "Sam" I nodded across to my colleague "This one's lost her ticket"
"Could you stand this side please Miss, give you some time to try and find it?" Sam asked politely, before cutting his eye at me, I didn't care he was the senior one in this situation
"I've lost my damn ticket" she looked at him upset "Have you got a list?"
"No Miss"
"No" she gasped "We pay that much for a damn ticket and there's no list?"
"Could you stand this side please Miss" Sam resisted biting his bottom lip and asked again politely, we both carried on slyly watching her huff before she did as he'd asked. From the look he gave me I knew he wanted to roll his eyes, but this was work, so he did the professional thing and carried on checking tickets and letting people in
"Can you deal with my missing ticket?" the woman huffed at Sam, less than two minutes later, our eyes met, and I know he was about to go off script on this one
"Sam" I called under my breath, but it was too late he was already opening his mouth
"I can only suggest that if ninety-nine people turn up today, you might have had that last ticket Miss" the guy snapped back at the woman with all the attitude she was giving him
"Are you taking the piss?" she hissed at him, to tell the truth I couldn't work that one out either, because he had that playboy smirk on his face "I want to speak to your manager" she leaned in to tell him, I don't know why she had to lean in as much as she did, because she was basically shouting at this point. There was something in her eyes that told me she was enjoying the banter, maybe this was some meet cute thing that I'd never read about
"As soon as I'm able to, I'll get him for you Miss" It was obvious she wanted to say something else, I could tell by the way she was fidgeting, but people were standing listening to them, thankfully she was conscious of that. I was stood watching Sam's eyes jumping all over the place, either he fancied the hell out of her, or he was up for losing his job. That silly smirk returned to his face, and that must have got to her because she suddenly morphed into serious, she was fuming, and Sam's face was teasing her to carry on, I was confused
"Are you flirting?" I mouthed to him, watching his smirk turn into a smile
"So how many are you up to now?" she stepped ever closer to him asking, I heard it because I was watching how close she was getting to him, maybe this whatever it was, was mutual. Suddenly the people entering the venue where white noise compared to this show, they were definitely flirting, and I was gobsmacked
"Seventy-two Miss" that little grin he reserved for flirting with the ladies was on, what kind of message was he sending to this woman
"You are going to be so freaking sorry when you only get ninety-nine tickets back" she hissed into his ear, me personally I didn't think that was called for, he was being nice, flirting even
Sam flicked some straying strands of hair off his face, he was biting his bottom lip and although I knew that usually meant frustration, the look on his face said otherwise. Suddenly he took in a sharp breath and swung round to look at her "On the contrary, I hope you're right Miss" he turned and gave her the most sarcastically sweet smile he could find
"I bet you do" she snapped; grabbing the bait, I stood still wondering if they had some sort of chat up thing going on, or if he really couldn't say anything to appease her, it was really hard to tell
"Your being very hostile Miss, I'm just trying to help..." that right there let me know he was playing some sort of game with the woman, and I'm sure he could see she wasn't in the playing mood
"You've done nothing but make me stand here like a child for ten minutes" she snapped again, loud enough for the few people in the queue to stop talking and look at her
Sam looked at me, his face was easy to read it was saying, this woman had lost her goddamn mind, against my clear as day vibes telling him to squash it, he turned back to her and carried on "Please don't make me call security Miss, even with a ticket you won't get in after that" red rag to a bull, I rolled my eyes and got on with my job, he was on his own with that one
"Are you threatening me?" she snapped at him borderline hysterical, hands akimbo like she was stopping a reflex
"Miss please" was all he gave her; the woman was about to lose her damn mind on him, and it seemed he was still playing with her "Mike" he looked at me for help, shocked at seeing the reaction she was about to give him, I had nothing, all I could do was shrug my shoulders
"Sorry mate, you agreed to deal with all the queries" I reminded him, now it was time for me to smile, I watched as he took a deep breath, and calmly helped the next customer
"Won't be long now Miss we're on Ninety-one" he smiled at her trying to defuse the situation, I smiled at the boy's game, it must have been working because she didn't come back at him with anything "Ninety-nine" he turned to look at her "You might well be the owner of that last ticket"
"Are you calling me a liar?"
"I'm acknowledging that you might be last ticket holder Miss" he raised his hands trying to calm her down again
"I don't think you understand" she huffed, blowing out hard and long "It's Missy Misdemeanour Elliott"
"I understand believe me, how do you think I feel, stuck out here while everyone in there sees all the action?"
"So" her eyes clearly flirting with him because there was no one left in the queue "What do I have to do to prove to you, I owned that ticket?"
"How about you get me some good shots of the events in there?" he nodded inside the building
"Is that it?" she smiled at him
"That's it" he smiled back
"And here I was thinking you were going to give me a real hard time..." she smiled looking at him, her eyes flirting, now I knew they were into each other
"Sam" the guy had the balls to offer his name
"Mercedes" she smiled back "And trust me, I'll go above and beyond to get you those snaps for sure"
"Sam" I called him, I really didn't want to spoil their moment, but the car was pulling up
"You should go in" I heard him tell her, she didn't move, or was that couldn't move, she was frozen in glare mode "You should..." he tried again
"I can't move" she looked at Sam for a second, then all of our heads turned as the car came to a halt and the door swung open, suddenly I was aware of the people behind the barriers they were just a few feet away from us, there weren't many that were going to get the opportunity to be as close to Missy as we were right now.
"Dude" Sam looked at me, his eyes beaming
"Professional" I reminded him as a leg appeared from the car then she was there, Missy in the flesh, walking up the stairs towards us
"Welcome Miss Elliott" I smiled nodding as she walked up the stairs with her escorts
"Congratulations" Sam smiled
"Yes, congratulations" Mercedes smiled as her eyes met with Missy's
"Can we get a few photos here?" someone asked
Everyone watching as Missy swung round and done some poses for the camera "Do you mind?" she turned to look at Sam and Mercedes
"Sorry" he moved out the way and pulled her with him
"No" she smiled "I mean being in the photo?"
"No" Sam told her quicker than he could think it
"No" Mercedes snapped
"Thanks" Missy told them "Could you take a couple of me with this beautiful couple here?" she asked the photographer, he didn't verbally respond, just started snapping away. They stood there as long as they needed to before Missy carried on making her way inside the building
"Go in" Sam nudged Mercedes to move "Pics"
"I don't think I'll get any better than those" she looked at him
"Try" he encouraged her, smiling as she followed Missy's entourage into the building
"What was that?" I asked as the door closed behind them
"She's cute" Sam looked into the building smiling "Took me a while to get an angle on her, but I think she's feeling me"
"Fifteen minutes and you got the woman whispering in your ear, that's game" I laughed impressed
"She was checking me out" Sam laughed "Feisty as well, I like that"
"So, what the next move" I laughed
"See how good she is at following orders"
"What?"
"The photos" he laughed "If she comes back with some good one's she's really into me"
"You're so full of yourself" I laughed
"Listen?" Sam stopped talking to hear the crowd singing along with Missy
I want to, go back in, time (let's go) feels like I, I want to, go back in, time
Feels like I (Y'all remember "Self-Destruction"?)
I want to, go back in, time (Where all the rap artists got on a record together?)
Feels like I, I want to, go back in, time (I used to love them days, no tension, let's go!) 'Back In the Day' by Missy Elliott & Jay Z
"Sounds like they're getting a concert" I laughed
"They paid enough" Sam replied as we stood wishing at the other side of the door we were stood in front of, eventually the doors swung open again, Missy was making her way back to her car "She's cute, and persuasive" Missy told Sam as she walked past "A keeper, mark my words"
"Sorry I tried to tell her we weren't a couple" Mercedes told Sam apologetically
"It's fine" he smiled "Did you get the pics?"
"I got her to sing too" she smiled, all I could do was smile and shake my head, they both had game
"I can't watch it now, but I finish work in about an hour, can you wait?"
"I've got to figure out how I can get a ticket back home, so I guess"
"See that café over there" Sam pointed across the road "Pop in tell them it's on Sam's tab and have anything you want"
"Anything?"
"For you I can do that"
"I knew there was a reason today had to happen" she smiled at him before walking across the road
"Jammy or what?" I shook my head at the guy and shook his hand "Best chat up lines I've ever witnessed"