Private Finished Pourin' Myself a Cup of Ambition

Batty · Feb 3, 2019

This… Wasn’t one of her better gigs.

A month or so ago she had come across a crumpled little ad for a brand spankin’ new American food themed restaurant that wanted to bolster the culture of the country they got their theme from. They were hiring for what seemed to be good pay at the time for live american talent to wow the guests. In a heartbeat, the young woman from Georgia saw this as her chance and too it up with little hesitation.

It was a mistake, to say the least.

Behind a stage, a man loomed over her, his arms crossed his chest. Her cut off something she attempted to say, growling in a smoker’s voice

“Listen, kid, I don’t care if this was your mama’s favorite tune or whatever the hell it is! I’m the one calling the shots around here, so I suggest you mosey up on that stage and play things that people actually care about!”

From underneath her figure, a tail flickered. She was all riled up now, but was keeping herself cool. For now. ”Fine. Any requests, sir?”

An audible, irritated sigh came from the man. “I dunno! You’ve bored my poor customers to tears with all your whinin’ and moanin’. You need to get up there and wow them!” He paused, as if to think. “I know! Play some Dolly. Everyone and their grandma knows her.” Before she could protest, she was ushered to the steps to the stage, before he disappeared to sit in the crowd.

Yep. Screw this place. But, she needed to go out with a bang.

A smirk crossed her face. If he wanted Dolly, he was gonna get Dolly.

So she climbed the stairs for her grand finale. She breathed in, but held her head high. This was a new crowd, and it sure was a busy Friday night.

She stepped out into the center stage, standing in front of fake sunflowers and a crudely painted rendition of a generic farm setting. The lights targeted her with their harsh warm glow- revealing all five foot two inches of her bovine form.

The restaurant had grown quiet, but not enough for a strangers taunt to be heard over the crowd.

“I knew this was dinner and a show, but I didn’t think dinner would be the show!”

People laughed. She held back a grimace. Hardyharrharr.

Still, she pulled a grin, wrapping her hoof-like hands around the microphone. ”Howdy folks! Y’all ready for a show?” She sung her guitar around. Ready or not, here she came. Her hardened fingertips glided against the strings in an opening rift. She leaned into the microphone, her hind hoof beginning to tap.

”Tumble out of bed
And stumble to the kitchen
Pour myself a cup of ambition
And yawn and stretch and try to come to life…”

People looked to her. It was a classic song, so it seemed to gather attention. Her voice was light and airy, but still was grounded in its melodious tune. Her manager looked at her blankly. A smirk was on his face, as if he had won. He listened to her breeze through the chorus.

”Workin’ 9 to 5 what a way to make a livin’...” She sang, though as she did, she became a bit more animated. Slowly she began to face her manager, singing into his direction.

”9 to 5
For service and devotion
You would think that I
Would deserve a fat promotion!”

She was staring directly at him now. Some members of the audience seemed to take notice, slowly turning to where she was staring. He was now turning red. It seems he finally caught on.

”Want to move ahead
But the boss won't seem to let me
I swear sometimes that man is
Out to get me!!!”

By the end of the line, she was pointing directly at him. She grinned and winked, carrying on her little number as people focused in on her. It was a shame, almost. She hadn’t gotten this much attention since she came here. She supposed that was one of the virtues of selling out.

In a minute or so, she was finished her number. With a final strum, she curtseyed, her long ears perked up to the sound of modest applause. She stood back up, her hands wrapped around the mic once more. ”Aww, thank you thank you. I’m glad all y’all enjoyed my song. Now don’t go orderin’ any burgers! I’m watchin’ you!” She joked, laughing as she went backstage. As soon as she reached the bottom stair, still somewhat in view of the restaurant, her manager was right there, red as a tomato.

“Get out.”

Well, she couldn’t say she was surprised. She didn’t say anything as she maneuvered past him, her chin tilted up in disdain with her tail flicking up behind her. When he left her, she went to gather her things, placing her guitar in its sticker-covered case. She sighed. She couldn’t help but to be a bit forlorn, as yet another opportunity crashed and burned.

She left from backstage, which from behind opened up to the back wall of the restaurant. She moved to the back exit door, kicking it open to let herself out in the back alley. Right outside the exit, she leaned back against the wall, her eyes gazing at the very few stars that peaked out from the light pollution. She sighed.

How much more of this?

@Keen

Keen · Feb 5, 2019

Oluremi had come to this American-themed restaurant for a potential place for her group to perform. As far as she could tell, none of them were from America, but if performers were wanted, then Mystique could provide.

Remi was only here as a customer. Someone to watch, enjoy herself, and see if this place was worth the time of her group. It wasn't. It only took one act. A, admittedly cute, literal cowgirl got on stage, only to be greeted with a lame insult by someone in the crowd. That guy had to be new to the island. Human meat is sold here. Human blood is sold here. Pretty sure you can get meat from a lot of species here. Was it really a smart idea to make fun of someone for being walking food, when practically everyone here is walking food?

But the girl continued on to sing 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton. Her singing was great, and her movements had a bounciness that got people tapping their foot. Or hooves in Remi's case. And then, things took a strange turn, with her seemingly making a man the target of her song.

It didn't take much for Remi to realize the girl was in trouble, and the way the man looked when she finished her song proved it. Remi couldn't say she exactly agreed with how the girl handled whatever relationship she had with that man, but this place felt hostile in general. Maybe this was the authentic American experience.

After paying for her food and leaving, Remi took a chance and checked out the back of the restaurant. Surprisingly, the cowgirl was still here, looking up at the sky with a depressing look on her face.

"Hey, uh... you okay? You did great up there."

Batty · Feb 7, 2019

As her frustration began to subside, she did begin to feel pangs of regret. It was pretty reckless what she did. And sure, it was crappy work, but at least she was paid to play. She didn’t want to go back to filing papers or washing dishes again…

As she began to think of how she was going to ration her last paycheck here, her train of thought was cut off buy a voice. Her ears perked up, as she looked towards the disturbance.

”Oh. Thanks sugar.” She smiled from the corner of her mouth. She stood up more straight. ”Sorry for my little outburst, but it just grinds my gears when people take advantage of me.”

She sighed, her arms folding across her chest. ”That man wouldn’t know talent if it was suckin’ on him like a leech.”

Realizing she was on a bit of a tangent. She laughed. ”So, what brought you here? The food’s alright but, I reckon you might be the music type.” She asked. Maybe she had a sixth sense, but she doubted that people came solely for food that was barely above mcdonalds quality.

Keen · Feb 11, 2019

So that accent wasn't a performance. Or she was still keeping it up because of Remi's appearance. Either way, Remi found it charming. It was different, and on an island of people with many different backgrounds, the way someone spoke told a lot.

"I can't say I know the behind-the-scenes details, but that sure was a way to show it to him." She let out a light chuckle, then went to relax against the wall the girl had her back on.

"I lead a performance group at the main school. I've been checking potential places for us to perform, came here, and wasn't happy with what I saw. Besides your stuff, the way the crowd treated you was awful. Like... really? Food jokes? When human meat is sold here? They could've at least tried."

Batty · Feb 23, 2019

Though she was jobless for the time being, at least there was a kinder face that was more willing to hear her out than the others she had encountered lately. Kindness wasn’t something she took for granted, so she was more than happy to talk to this stranger.

”Yeah well, hopefully this’ll be a lesson. Ain’t sound business practices scaring away your staff after all.” She said. But, with this new information that confirmed her assumptions, she at least had something new to think about.

”Well, no kiddin’! I’ve never been up to the school myself, I guess I’m a bit old. But, I’ve heard nothin’ but good things.” Which may just be because of the image the academy puts out. Still, being among peers who accepted you rather than gawked at your appearance would have been nice when she was first cursed. When she mentioned the food comment though, her soft smile dampened a bit. She rolled her eyes, though managed a dry laugh.

”Yeah. It’s tacky as hell. Some people were raised with no class, that’s for sure.” She commented. ”But you’re right, he’s in for an unpleasant surprise if he keeps goin’ around with that sour attitude. This place is eat or be eaten, in more ways than one.” Not only was the food chain here a bit abnormal, but that seemed to be the general attitude of making it in a big city. Or, big to her anyway. She was a country girl at heart, so finding her place in this brave new world was a bit daunting. ”But… Thanks for the kind words and hearin’ me out. I’ll be back on my feet.. er, hooves, in no time.”

Though, meeting a fellow musician, she was curious. ”What kinda music do you play? I’ve been meanin’ to go to more shows around here.”

Keen · Feb 27, 2019

Good. Oluremi was pleased to see that the girl was looking much better. Remi couldn't exactly relate, but she could understand that leaving a job was never a pleasant feeling. Some people could return home with no problem, and others had nowhere to go. Either way, being told you weren't good enough for a business, or realizing a business wasn't good enough for you, always left sour feelings.

Moving away from such unpleasant conversation like the restaurant, the girl brought up music. "I'm sure you'll be fiiine. And I prefer R&B, soul, indie, and pop. The group as a whole has a range of tastes, so we alternate a lot... By the way, I don't think you're ever too old for the school. There's no age limit, and college has a lot of options."

Batty · Mar 9, 2019

Admittedly, Marigold was a bit foreign to music outside of her own genre. It was what she was raised by, and her family tended to turn their nose up at anything modern that wasn’t country. Marigold however was more willing to listen to new things, and often adapted songs into her own covers. She dabbled in writing as well, but her original work tended to not be what people wanted to hear. It was nice talking to someone who got where she was coming from, and was a performer as well.

”Well that sure sounds like a lotta fun. I’ll be sure to pop on by sometime. I’d love ta get more into this local music scene.” She said, making a mental note to herself. She probably would have visited the school previous to this conversation, but there was one thing that always stopped her..

She chuckled, shaking her head. ”I don’t doubt it. I know people from all worlds and species can have a chance at academic success. I just had to leave school pretty young and haven’t been back. I’m just worried I lost too much, or I’d have to go back to high school.” She laughed a bit at that. God, she hoped not. She wondered at least if she could get a GED equivalent. Maybe it was worth a shot.

She looked back at the door she exited, it still cracked open. She could see her now ex-manager angrilly yelling at somebody. She gulped. ”I’d love to continue this conversation, but I feel like if I don’t vacate the premises pronto that man’s gonna sicc his security on me.” She turned back to Remi. ”There’s a cafe down the street, if you’d like to sit n’ chat . But if not I wanna make sure you get back to where ya gotta be safely. It gets real sketchy around here at night.” She offered. Her personality tended to teeter on “mother hen” mode sometimes, and knowing some of the characters that hung around these parts she couldn’t help but worry.

Keen · Mar 15, 2019

Oluremi could understand the struggle of going back to school. Not personally. Not when she came from a species that so heavily focused on academics. But she heard stories and had friends who had troubles with school for a multitude of reasons. She had been ready to explain to Marigold how remedial worked until it was pointed out they were still on the property of the restaurant.

"Shoot, you're right!" she exclaimed with an embarrassed laugh. "I'll come with you. And don't worry. I'm a creature of the night. Also, I can handle myself." She held up one of her arms and gave it a flex. Overall, her entire body was that of a strength-builder.

Batty · Mar 25, 2019

Only having just met this stranger, Marigold’s mood already had brightened significantly. She didn’t want to part quite yet, but her offer to walk with her was met with resurance of the stranger’s independence. She admired that. ”Well, in that case, the least I can do is buy you a cuppa coffee or somethin’ for talking to me.” She said, smiling. She gestured her head over to the exit of the alley. ”Let’s go before I gotta whip out these horns to fight those goonies off.” As she lead the way down the alley and to the edge of the sidewalk, she looked behind her at her new acquaintance, and smiled. ”I’m afraid I never got your name sugar. I’m Marigold. It’s a pleasure to meet ya.”

It was a two or so minute walk to the cafe, and naturally Marigold held open the door for the stranger. She lead them to a small booth, where they sat down and waited for a waitress. ”I don’t wanna keep you out too long or anythin’, it’s just real nice talking to a friendly face.” She explained. Sometimes even she recognized that her southern hospitality could become greatly overwhelming. She didn’t want to spook people off, especially since she sort of struggled to meet decent people in the first place. ”I’ve only been on this island for a year or so, but I’ve just been so busy juggling odd jobs I never really got a chance to meet new people.” She was a pretty social person, but blaming a social life and a professional life proved to me more tricky that’s she expected. ”Order whatever ya like. I’ve made a few good tips playin’ on street corners lately.”

Keen · Mar 30, 2019

"Nice to meet you too. I'm Remi, and there's no need to pay," she insisted. Oluremi no longer lived with her rich family, but she still got money from them. It wasn't fair to have someone without a job pay for her drink when she could easily pay for both of them and several other people. There came a point where accepting someone's kindness was manipulative.

After the two arrived at the café and sat down, nodded along as Marigold talked. "I'm not worried about being out for long. Like I said, creature of the night. I'm all about that mingling after dark."

Remi wanted so badly to cringe. Every time she made a joke, she felt it was weak or awkward. Marigold's kindness was what kept her from feeling like she was making a fool of herself.

"I've only been on the island for a year too, actually. Well, a year and a few months, but you get the idea. My best advice? Focus more on meeting people. Making connections here is one of the best ways to find a job that'll fit you and friends to support you if all falls through."

Search

Private Finished Pourin' Myself a Cup of Ambition

Batty

The artist formerly known as porky

Keen

Clown Town

Batty

The artist formerly known as porky

Keen

Clown Town

Batty

The artist formerly known as porky

Keen

Clown Town

Batty

The artist formerly known as porky

Keen

Clown Town

Batty

The artist formerly known as porky

Keen

Clown Town