Chapter Three

They heard a sexy female voice telling Johnny’s story, and they were captivated as soon as they passed through the bar’s door.

The devil opened up his case
And he said “I'll start this show”
And fire flew from his fingertips
As he rosined up his bow

Then he pulled the bow across the strings,
And it made a evil hiss
And a band of demons joined in
And it sounded something like this.


The woman on the stage knew how to make the story in the lyrics real. She had a beautiful fiddle in her hands, and her fingers were flying up the bridge of the instrument, and her bow was sawing to beat the band. Her head was bent over the instrument, and her eyes closed, as she moved in time with the music. The pair exchanged a glance, as they slipped into the last open booth at the back of the room, then fixed their eyes back on the beauty on the stage.

When the devil finished, Johnny said,
“Well you're pretty good old son --
But sit down in that chair right there
And let me show you how it's done!”

Fire on the Mountain run boys, run
The devil's in the House of the Rising Sun
Chicken in a bread pan pickin' out dough
Granny does your dog bite? No child, no


As Sophia got into the fiddle licks, the audience was right there with her, clapping their hands and stomping their feet. The feeling of power, the rush of the storytelling, was as addictive as any drug. Very much into the music, Sophia barely registered the two newcomers entering the bar. She got a vague impression of two good-looking cowboys, walking with confidence. The musician in her noticed that one of them carried a guitar case. She didn’t recognize either of them as they ducked into a booth on the far side of the room. She threw them a wink and a sassy grin, and continued to tell her tale to the audience, making eye contact with those who were watching her.

The devil bowed his head
Because he knew that he'd been beat
And he laid that golden fiddle
On the ground at Johnny's feet

Johnny said, “Devil just come on back
If you ever wanna try again.
I done told you once you son of a bitch,
I'm the best there's ever been.”


The crowd was hooting and hollering, in true cowboy style, as Sophia continued to blaze on her fiddle. Jon and Richie found themselves joining in. So much for keeping a low profile. The song was over before they knew it, and they were on their feet with everyone else, showing their appreciation.

She sure knows how to lure in the crowd – she’s a natural, Jon thought.

Sophia made a small bow, and spoke to the crowd. “Thanks, y’all, that was really fun. I’m gonna head back behind the bar for a while.” She lowered her voice, making it soft and sultry. “Y’all enjoy the boys here, and I’ll be back in a bit to educate you, as promised.” The men cheered.

Jon frowned, puzzled, then remembered what the concierge had told him earlier. He shrugged. They’d probably stick around – nobody seemed to be bothering them, and the music was alright so far. And, I could watch and listen to her all night.

Smiling, Sophia stepped down from the stage, and walked back towards the bar. In one fluid motion, she hoisted herself up on the bar, spun around, and dropped down behind it. The band on stage had started in on a deep-cut Bon Jovi tune, Love for Sale, teasing the audience with a reminder of the promise yet to be fulfilled. Sophia smiled and saluted them with two fingers to the brim of her hat. The song had the crowd shifting in their seats. Listening to the music for a moment, she reflected that Will was truly a master on the harmonica. Sounded almost as good as Richie himself.

She worked companionably alongside her friends behind the bar, chatting and flirting with her regulars. Lucien tapped her shoulder, and nodded toward the booth where the two newcomers had been seated. “Looks like we have some new blood in here tonight.”

Sophia followed his nod and looked at the pair, who were talking and gesturing at each other. She noticed the pair was wearing dark sunglasses. “Word of my ‘class’ must have traveled. I don’t know what the movie star thing is all about, though. Honestly, sunglasses at night? Anyway, I’ll take care of ‘em, Luce,” she said, patting his arm.

Lucien grinned. “Just give a holler if they give you any trouble, boss.” At 6’6” with long, shaggy, jet-black hair, sapphire-blue eyes (compliments of tinted contact lenses), and biceps as big around as her head, he was sometimes called upon him from time to time to protect her from overzealous patrons.

She didn’t think these two would be a problem, though – they looked more sexy than rough. Way too sexy. Good Lord. Lucien may have to rescue them from me.

Luce handed her over the bar yet again. Sophia smoothed down her vest, and took a quick mental inventory. She knew that she was a woman that more than one man would take a second look at. Sparkling jade eyes, trim waist, and long, slim legs, made quite a first impression. Her long, lustrous, chestnut-shot-through-with-gold hair was currently swept up under her trademark straw cowboy hat. Tonight, her hat was adorned with a black scarf, to match her scuffed and well-worn Tony Ramas. Tonight, the tight, faded jeans and vest showed her figure to the best advantage; fitting like a second skin. I wonder if they’ll stay for the late set, she thought, smiling to herself, as she took a couple of drafts and a bowl of nuts to the newcomers.

Jon and Richie watched her approach. She all but flowed through the rough-and-ready crowd. More than one of the men checked her out as she passed. A couple of times, she stopped to chat briefly with a customer, but steadily continued making her way toward their booth.

As she arrived at the table, she set the tray down, and served the beer. “Rule is, first beer is hand-delivered, and on the house for new meat. After that, y’all are on your own. I haven’t seen ya around here before; where y’all hail from?”

The two looked at each other, grinned, and removed their sunglasses to answer her question.

“Jersey,” Richie said.

“Holy shit,” Sophia whispered under her breath.

1 comments:

Anonymous said...

Holy Shit sums it up nicely! :) I just found this and I'm really liking it.