"I am live at Sweet Valley High watching the auditions for the reality TV series, Can You Engage! Right now the lines are way down the block, so if you want to audition, whether you are a future rap star, the next Nashville sweetheart, Vegas' future casino draw or the next rock and roll legend, come on down! Competition is fierce, but if you don't come down and sign up, you will never know if you will be the next superstar if you don't audition. This is Egman on Wolf. Awooo!"
Winston was one of the judges in More More Music's reality television show. He wasn't going to be on camera he didn't have time. He was moving to Los Angeles in a few months. But he agreed to be a judge for the first round of auditions. There was over four hundred bands and singers signed up in Sweet Valley, but he checked out MMM's website. There were thousands more all across the country. Andrea, she was going to be busy. There were talks of a new host, rumor was it was her father, Rock n Roll Hall of Famer, Jaime Peters. Winston loved his music, but he was hoping it would be his old friend Dana. But she was non stop busy with her tour. But for now, concentrate on the bands.
Winston forgot about the noise. After an hour he had a headache. so many bands, singers and amateurs. There were few Winston liked, and others he told privately to study hard. Like the singer onstage. She was trying to belt out of one Dana's hits, Goodbye, but she was butchering the lyrics. Winston knew Dana would be cringing at her beloved song being destroyed. That was Dana's farewell song before she left Sweet Valley. Winston and everyone cried at the Moon Beach when she and AJ sang it. That was their first gold record. Winston immediately put an X next to her name and thanked her.
"Next!"
His head was pounding at the end of the day. This was only the first day. There was two days left. He knew how show business worked, the producers will purposely pick out the "train wreak" singers, as well as the talent. Whatever makes great TV. He was sitting at home when Todd called.
"Hey Todd."
"Hey Win, how did your day go."
"Long story."
"That bad?"
"I'll have ringing in my ears for months. I don't think I can listen to another version of 'I Will Survive.' Good thing my station plays classic rock."
Todd laughs.
"Believe me I sympathize. Frankies had its share of bad music and karaoke nights. Anyways, thanks for getting Andrea to work in Sweet Valley."
"Los Angeles is bigger, but small towns like this have hidden talent. Frankies will be perfect for the final rounds. Besides, Andrea was always wanting an excuse to work in Sweet Valley." Her and Winston had a good long talk, she was here visiting her dad and new girlfriend when Winston ran into her at Todd's bar. He talked her into holding auditions here Sweet Valley. She mentioned Todd wanting her to consider Frankies for her television show, Andrea remembering her days at SVU said she'll talk to her bosses. Since talks were in town about MM Music filming in Sweet Valley, bars across town were signing bands hoping that they will be chosen for filming. Todd himself was in the running. There was a few bands playing in his bar, unfortunately he couldn't afford to pay them very much and all of them were a garage band at best. Winston was helping Todd by giving him free advertising on Wolf.
"Yeah competition is tough. Sweet Valley will only have one location. That means I have to work every night."
"Remember college? Finals, William White? Sleepless nights, we survived. Look at you now! You own one of the hottest bars in town!"
"Ten years ago. Now it is just another bar. The new place across town is hopping." Winston heard about that new bar, it was hard to get in due to how restricting it was. However, places like that never stay hot for long. Soon it will be just another club.
"Cheer up. The crowds will be back. Besides Andrea was a regular customer back in the day, I'm sure she will pick Frankies. Your bar stayed open for years, many others are gone. Like Starlights at SVU."
"Starlights burnt down."
"Only because they used pyrotechnics. Idiots. Your former boss was smart. You learned from their mistake, and kept the fire code up to date."
"Thanks Winston. I was feeling down, now I'm feeling better."
"No problem." Hearing the door opening, he told Todd Brooke was home.
"Tell Brooke I said hi. Talk to you later."
"Bye."
"Bye." Click.
"How was work?"
"Long. This movie is jinxed. I cannot wait to finish, I just want to relax." Brooke flopped down on their couch.
Winston grabbed her feet and tried to relax her. Soon Brooke was asleep.
Winston slowly got off the couch and put a blanket on his fianceé. Poor Brooke. Her job would be easier if she didn't commute. Winston went and searched for homes in LA. That way Brooke won't be so tired.