We had three gigs scheduled in the next two months at The Pal adium. Even with him skimming off the top, we got our biggest take from Monk. Hel , Leo and Buzz could live for weeks off one night’s take at The Pal adium. We couldn’t lose The Pal adium.
Before I could retort, Mace moved. One second, I was between him and Monk. The next second, nothing was between him and Monk and Monk had miraculously grown six inches. This was because Mace had him off his feet, pressed to the wal partly with Mace’s body, partly with Mace’s hand at his throat.
“Do I have to explain my point?” Mace asked from between his teeth.
Monk’s eyes were bugged out and he was staring down at Mace. He shook his head as best he could with Mace’s hand wrapped around his neck just under his jaw.
Mace dropped Monk but stayed close.
“You give the band’s take of the door and pay to me tonight. I count it and I don’t like what I see, we’re gonna continue that conversation,” Mace told Monk.
Effing hell.
Did Mace just say that?
Monk glared at Mace but he nodded then he scooted out and lost himself in the crowd.
I watched Monk go.
Yep, Mace just said that.
Mace just took care of me and the band.
Again.
Effing, blinding hel .
“I f**kin’ love that guy,” Pong said, his eyes were on Mace.
Effing, effing, blinding, blinding, hel , hel , hell.
“Don’t you have groupies to tag for post-gig festivities?” I asked Pong.
Pong’s body jerked at the realization that he was standing around with me and a bunch of men when he could be working the girls in the crowd, setting up that night’s action.
“Oh shit, yeah.” Pong turned and punched Hugo’s arm.
“Time’s a-wastin’, black man.”
Hugo looked down his nose at Pong. “Don’t cal me
‘black man’.”
“Why not?” Pong was on the move. He didn’t actual y care why not, he always cal ed Hugo “black man” and Hugo always told him not to.
“A black man can cal me ‘black man’. An eyeliner wearin’, hair-spray sprayin’, skinny white cracker can’t cal me ‘black man’.” Hugo was on the move too.
“Don’t cal me ‘skinny white cracker’.” I heard Pong say as he disappeared into the throng.
“You are a skinny white cracker.” I heard Hugo respond as he disappeared too.
“I need a beer,” Floyd said to no one and he headed toward the bar.
“I need my weed.” Leo headed backstage.
Buzz came up, eyes avoiding mine, and he gave me a brief hug. Buzz was often affectionate but, after al the drama, this stil took me off-guard.
Before I could respond, he disappeared in the crowd too.