Ch 4 Song and Dance

            Flamers was no ordinary gay bar. It was an outrageous, over-the-top, hotspot for drag queens and performers could showcase their talent either for money or for charity. And the name Flamers suggested a saturated clientele of flamboyant men. It was noon, Ronnie and Will entered the place looking around confused, they’ve never been inside without strobe lights everywhere and loud music pumping through the walls. Will was wearing his D & G shades, a baby blue beret, a purple tank with orange capris. Unlike common gay culture, Will liked to wear colors that clashed with the season. He would wear watery pastels in the fall, bright pinks in the winter, dark and shadowy tones in the spring, and in the summer he would wear black in rebellion. Ronnie on the other hand wore a simple red cardigan, his boyish insecurities are what plagued his creativity. Will had terrible bags under his eyes and sought to cover them up, he was up all night thinking about what Bradley Haines had whispered to Shawn, and he was also thinking about Jeremiah’s Angelic face.

“How can I help you boys” Said the bartender. Ronnie and Will approached the bar, they were quite cautious as they were both one year away from buying drinks.

“We’re looking for Irene” Said Will

“Irene? You mean Bernard?” 

“She likes to be referred as Irene”

“He hasn’t been here in a while” The bartender walked away while wiping the counter. Ronnie and Will stepped away from the bar.

“That’s odd, she’s usually here rehearsing, I’d imagine she’d always leave this dump. Maybe she did, that bitch moved to Miami without telling me-“

“Will what are we gonna do the drag show is tomorrow and we only have you and Virginia Hamm” 

“Calm down, I’m on it. Irene couldn’t have left town without telling me” Will pulls out his phone, he had painted his nails teal. “Rhonda? Sweetie, where did-“ Will starts walking out of the bar.

“Hey don’t leave me in here!”

Bradley surveyed the crowd of runners on the track team. Among them was Jane, her red hair tucked away in a ponytail, no sport bra could contain her large endowment, her breasts demanded attention and Bradley was no eyesore. He recalled when he had pushed her, he briefly felt her soft bosom in his palm. How he stared at her, all he needed to do was howl in order to fulfill his animalistic nature. Bradley pushed himself out of his beastly instinct, no amount of desire and lust would sway him from his holy convictions. he returned to the football field. 

Jane and the other runners stopped for a break and she noticed Bradley out in the middle of the football field. She hated him. ASB did not hear the case she filed against the crusaders, they had influence over. For a second she thought she was fighting a losing battle. All that fueled her was her beloved brother, Albert.

Will and Ronnie arrived at Irene’s apartment. They were on the second floor of an old peach building that opened up on the bad part of town. Will knocked on the door with a clumsy rhythm as if it was a passcode. 

There was no answer.

“Will, he’s not here let’s go”

‘Wait up, you little sissy, you know nothing bad will happen to you in these parts of town, as a little girl my mother used to say that the parts of town that look ugly are really only because they’re poor… oh God we might get mugged”

“What?!”

“Are you boys looking the cross dresser guy?” An old woman from next door came out of her apartment, she seemed about her late 60’s.

“uh yes, yes we are” Said Will with big fake smile.

“That fellow was found dead just few days ago, dead in his apartment”

Will and Ronnie gasped a big gasp. Especially Will. Irene was a talented drag queen, he was a modern drag, no older than Will, he would’ve gone to the majors for sure, at the time Will was thinking that the duet he was planning was ruined.

“But how? What happened?” Ronnie asked. 

“It was Mrs. Johnson downstairs who had found the ceiling was drippin with blood, so she um, called the cops, and aint no one seen the body, theyd cover it up an everything. They’re saying that the fellow might have killed himself from being a queer, they do that a lot, I seen it on the news. Hey, you two fellows aren’t queer, are ya?” The old woman glared at them in suspiscion. Ronnie and Will looked at each other, they turned around and walked away. They would never answer that question to a person like that. They thought they were too young to take judgment from old, close minded ignorant folks who were living in other times.  

‘Well what are we gonna do now? How come they didn’t know he was dead at the club?” Ronnie asked Will as they walked down the stairs. 

“Ugh, my duet is ruined!”

“Will!” he slapped him on his back.

“ow! hey, we’re probably the first ones to know!” 

“This is weird, we knew Ben, he wouldn’t commit suicide… would he?” 

“Of course… oh sweetie, im ashamed, I didn’t know her that well” 

“Well, were just gonna have to beg someone else to perform-“

“Oh I am not going out with Bertha again, he smells like cheesy cabbages” Will walks ahead of Ronnie speeding out of the sidewalk.

“Hey, wait!”

Olivia and Regina sat in a wooden baroque office, there were paintings on the wall, and crosses all over the walls and on the desk. There was a bookcase behind the desk, a tall man wearing all back was facing the books. Reverend James turned to face Olivia and Regina. He had the countenance of a holy man, a righteous individual, and one who would fight for his convictions. He looked a few years over 40, he was thin, wore glasses, with dusty brown hair and a mustache that would put Burt Reynolds to shame. 

“You know what I think we should do?” Reverend James said it in a soothing grandfather tone, from a glance he seemed like a nice man. Olivia and Regina were paying close attention. 

“I’m tired of these homosexuals just recklessly infecting the good morals of the school, if they don’t want to help themselves, if they deny their sin, if they rebel… what are we going to do about it? How are we going to deal with them? I told the deans and the school board I’m even awaiting response from the governor of Florida, they won’t do anything. They’re just going to let these AIDS infected sodomites run around infecting regular people, recruiting our young and demoralizing our values… I’ve talked to the entire parish here in the county and over to our sister parish in Miami and they agree that we should take action on this issue” Reverend James sits down confidently and leans his elbows onto the desk with his hands cupped together and touches them with his lips.

“That’s why I need you girls to take care of DeMille for me, I want you girls to take initiative, you need to get out there and do what you need to do so that we can make it a school of well repute.”

Olivia whimpered a little after he had finished his sentence. 

“What is it Olivia?” He asked.

“Well, I’m not entirely sure but I think, um, Brad might have something planned, he hasn’t told me yet, but I know he told Shawn” She struggled as she spoke, she had an underlying fear of Reverend James, she feared him like she fears spiders, with a religious fervor. 

“Hmm, well for now I want you girls to make the club bigger, we need more people to get involved with this cause” He said as the girls nodded their heads religiously. 

Teddy wore his favorite Star Wars t-shirt. He was taking an afternoon stroll with Gemma, they had known eachother for a while, they both enjoyed to play MMO’s. They were out on the quad, which looked like a springtime garden in September. Gemma refused to accept the term but she was Teddy’s hag, he was the right balance of homosexuality. Not too flamboyant like Will and not too straight-acting like Albert and Melvin. In turn, Teddy was the most depressing and pessimistic homosexual this side of the galaxy. Gemma always had to squeeze out sympathy for him, talking about how he’ll never find someone, and how he’ll die alone. They were walking along the concrete path until they reached the café where teddy saw Jeremiah talking to his cousin, Olivia. 

“Alright here’s your chance, once Olivia walks away, you gotta go talk to him.” 

“I, I can’t, what would I even say to him? I’m not that good with conversations”

“Teddy, if you don’t go talk to him, I’m going to tell everyone in Dragon Quest that you’re gay”

“You wouldn’t… would you?”

Jeremiah sat in the café overlooking the quad, his cousin, Olivia, was ranting in front of him. He looked uneasy, nervous, and annoyed. He didn’t want to be there. Perhaps it was the fact that he was disturbed by Olivia’s notions. 

“Jay, you have to join the crusaders, we need more people on our side, you’re not on the side of the queers are you?” 

“No… But that doesn’t mean I’m on your side either-“ 

“Jay thats not fair! We’re supposed to be family; you’re supposed to have my back!”

“I’ve got other things to worry about, I don’t have time to join your little club. I know we’re family, and I have your best interest at heart but I just don’t the time nor the patience”

“Oh, I see. Tell me Jay, when did you become a fag enabler?!” Olivia said as she got her things and left Jeremiah sitting there alone.

Teddy took his chance and quickly approached the table before he decided to leave. 

“Heya, Jeremiah, how’s it going?” 

Jeremiah took a long stare at Teddy. Teddy started to imagine the worst. All sort of ramblings were going on in his head. he probably was offended that I approached him. I knew I shouldn’t have spoken to him. What if he’s a total jerk. Dammit why did I listen to Gemma?

“Original trilogy or prequels?” he asked Teddy

“Huh?” Teddy was dumbstruck. He took a minute to think about it. “Oh my shirt! Right. Original trilogy definitely.” 

“Have a seat” he said invitingly

Teddy looked back at Gemma who waved back in approval.

It was 30 to ShowTime. Will tumbled inside the dressing room in a frenzy. He was busy running around telling everyone that Irene was dead. He loved spreading gossip, even dreadful things like death. The dressing room was a long thin and colorful room filled with wigs sashes and glitter. On the end of the dressing room, there was someone sitting in front of a mirror, wearing a bald cap and taking off heavy make-up from his face. He looked at Will then suddenly jerked down and covered his face. Will noticed and caught a glimpse of his face before he could hide. Will stared ominously trying to recall his memory. 

“Do I know you?”

The guy said nothing as he started to scrape his make-up off. He was tan, Latino, that was when it hit Will.

“You’re one of the thumpers!” Will exclaimed as Enrique Machado quickly grabbed his things and went for the back exit. Will remembered that night that Shawn was about to hit him, he remembered Enrique was among the crowd. Undoubtedly Will wanted to chase after but he was not, for the world, going to delay his performance. He quickly sat down and began applying his foundation, working as quickly and as efficiently as he could, although you can never rush perfection. 

As soon as his make-up was done he unlatched his briefcase containing his Liza wig, which was beautifully perched on a mannequin. He slipped it on along with a turquoise corset, and some knock off Christian Louboutins. 

The famous melody of ABBA’s Gimme Gimme Gimme started blasting through Flamers. The stage was lighted and out came Annita Mann wearing a shining corset and a sash. She could see the hyped crowd, she could see Ronnie and Teddy cheering for her. She looked beautiful as she posed and swayed onto center stage . The lyrics came on and she opened her mouth into a microphone as she created a beautiful illusion. Her red lipstick protruded as her movements were elegant and sassy. 

“Gimme Gimme Gimme a man after midnight, won’t somebody help me chase the shadows away. Gimme Gimme Gimme a man after midnight Take me through the darkness to the break of the day” 

Finally She thought. It was her time, all eyes on her, adoring her, cheering her on. She lived for the performance. The bridge came on and she was hoisted up by two muscle men she posed as she was flying through the stage being carried by these muscular shirtless men. She finished the song with finesse, by the end of the song confetti fell off the ceiling crowning the end to a perfect performance. She was elated there was no other supreme feeling that was this.  She mourned as the song ended, the moment was over.

Will was sitting in the dressing room taking off his eyelashes as Ronnie entered the room.

“Will! Oh my God! That was amazing! You we’re magnificent! You almost looked like an actual girl” 

“Bitch. I’m not that fishy. Besides, it didn’t last that long, I wish I could be up there all night”  Ronnie chuckled.

“Don’t worry, they’ll be plenty more where that came from, anyways Teddy needs to get home a.s.a.p. and I got a Quiz first thing in the morning so I’m gonna head out” 

“Okey dokey. Thanks buddy, wait till you hear the latest gossip” Will said as peeled off his foundation. Ronnie shook his head and rolled his eyes as he closed the door behind him.

Will grabbed his briefcase and exited through the back door. It was about 10:30, the back alley way was smothered with trash, sounds of barking dogs, and cat piss. Will treaded carefully, making sure he didn’t step in any puddles, there were several of them. As his eyes were focused on the ground he did not see the two figures coming toward him until they were a few feet away. Will stopped reverently. Suddenly that crack about being mugged was not so funny; he turned around and started fast walking. He could hear their footsteps becoming heavy and hurried. It was no doubt they were after him, Will decided to make a run for it but it was too late, he stepped on a pothole and sent his face straight for the ground, knocking him out unconscious.