Rum and Coke

“Why is it that you’re always here well after everyone else has left?” Brian asked Ellie. It was a few hours after the show ended.

Ellie looked over into one of the stage right wings to see him leaning against the wall, a smirk on his face. Ellie matched his smirk and walked over to him as she cut off the music. “It’s better than killing my vocal chords. What do you want?”

He shrugged. “I was just wondering where you were. No one as seen you for awhile.”

“Ok.”

“Your friends like to party.”

“No, only Ryan. Bailey and Mark are just there to keep him from taking home a walking STD.”

“Oh, I see. So, why aren’t you out there?”

Ellie shrugged and walked to the edge of the stage and sat down. “Vegas is overrated to me. All the lights and attractions- the smoke, the drinking, and the gambling- I can’t stand it.” She said before taking a large gulp from her water bottle.

“Really? I thought you would love it. To me, Vegas is like a giant stage. Everyone is acting…and all the lights and sounds just make it seem bigger. I thought it would be right up your alley.”

Ellie shook her head and let out a laugh. “That is not acting- that is lying through your teeth to get ahead…and it’s not very good. I mean, I’ve seen more talent in an elementary school play. Utterly hopeless. No, this town needs to go to the dogs,” she said with a sigh as she re-capped her bottle and stood up.

“Your mother didn’t seem to think so. She always said it’s the one place where it’s Halloween every damn day. She told me- and don’t yell at me, these are her exact words- she told me that it’s where a whore can be a whore without any criticism and double standards. Here, it’s okay…hell, it’s welcomed…it’s the one place where she wasn’t judged for who she was and what she had to do for a living.”

Ellie nodded, refusing to let the prickling sensation in her eyes continue. “I can see how she thought that, but now, she doesn’t. She told me once, after she did a deal or something over here. She told me that the only splendor in this town is the glitter they throw in your eyes. All it is is filthy and grimy and it’ll take all of your money and dreams. It’s the trash bin of -”

“Ellie!” Ryan exclaimed as he stumbled on stage.

She smiled up at him. “Yes, my love?” she asked with an amused smile.

“I’m trashed,” he said dramatically.

“I can see that. What did you have?”

He shrugged and almost fell on top of her. She grabbed him just in time so they both didn’t fall on the stage. “I ‘unno. I lost count after… oh, hey, Brian!” he exclaimed, getting distracted.
Brian chuckled. “Hi, Ryan, where’s Bailey and Mark?”

Ryan waved his hand carelessly around. “I dunno. They went…somewhere. I had to come get my twin.”

Ellie laughed. “That was very nice of you. Now let’s go back to the room.”

“Wait! I have a question!” Ryan said, digging through his pockets and extracting his cellphone. “They’re not picking up,” he said with a frown.

“Who’s not picking up?” Ellie asked, casting a worried glance to Brian.

“My parents. Why aren’t they picking up?”

Ellie’s stomach clenched. She caught eyes with Brian as she shifted more of the teenage boy’s weight on her. “I’m going to take him back to the hotel room. We’ll talk later, Brian.” She fake- smiled as she turned herself and Ryan around.

Brian caught Ryan’s other side. “I’ll help.”

Ellie gave the man an uneasy look.

“You didn’t answer me! why aren’t they picking up?” Ryan asked, forcing Ellie’s attention on him.

Thinking quickly, Ellie said the only thing that came to mind: “They’re probably in the middle of a show right now. Don’t worry, I’m sure they’ll call back in the morning.”

“Oh, ok,” Ryan said happily.

Brian gave Ellie a confused look, to which she replied with a shake of her head.

“What about your mom? Has she called yet?”

Ellie’s gut twisted and the color drained out of her face. Luckily for her, Ryan’s head was shielding her from Brian’s inquisitive look. “She’s doing dance classes with Uncle Kale, remember?”

“Oh, yea,” Ryan said, laughing at nothing in particular. “We should go visit on the New York dates. That will be fun.”

Ellie shook her head. “whatever you say, Ry-ry.” She quickly pulled out the key card and slid it through the slot, opening the door when the green light was given. “I’ve got it from here, Brian. Thanks for helping.”

“Anytime. I’ll see you guys later.”

“Bye, Brian!” Ryan yelled.

Ellie wrapped her arm around his waist and caught him. She gave Brian a sheepish look.

Brian just smiled and laughed as he shook his head. “Take care, Ryan.”

Ellie let out a heavy breath as soon as the door closed. “Come on, Ry, let’s get you changed.”