“So, Mr. O’Dell, how’d you hear about us? This seems a little out of your way to find a swing band,” Adam said skeptically, as his band mates arrived to see who Adam and Red were talking to.
“I didn’t come here looking to sign you or anyone else. My wife and I are in town for her parents’ 50th anniversary party. She grew up a few miles from here,” Buddy said, pointing off to nowhere in particular. “We came up here with her brother and his wife for a few drinks,” he said, producing from the shadows his 45-year old, platinum blonde wife, who was still holding her own with the help of a boob job, tummy tuck, and the occasional chemical face peel.
She demurely stuck out her hand to shake Adam’s. “I’m Bunny,” she smiled, wishing she’d come alone to the bar. “I loved your show,” she gushed, fawning over Adam as much as she could without raising any suspicions.
“Well?” Buddy asked.
“Well…what do the guys think?” Adam asked.
“Are you kidding me? They love the idea,” Red interjected with no disagreement from Adam’s band mates.
“Then I’m in, too.”
“So you’re amenable to me and Red trying to hammer something out?” Buddy clarified.
“At this point, I’m up for anything,” Adam said, like a guy with nothing holding him back.
“Splendid!” Buddy exclaimed, while Bunny still ogled Adam.
Buddy and Bunny invited the band to join them for food and drinks. Jeff and the rest of the guys eagerly accepted the offer. Until Adam came into the picture, the guys were just a group of decently talented musicians trying to get something going. Sure, they were good, but thousands of local swing bands dot the country. Adam made them something special. They were smart enough and talented enough to recognize that, accept it, and bask in it. Buddy and his expense account would have no trouble wooing these guys. Out of an obligation to the band, Adam joined everyone for a drink. He was coming off the high that performing always gave him, and reality was again creeping back to its familiar spot. As great as Vegas sounded, it would have sounded a lot greater with Jen.
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