I'm standing in the Rock Creek Cantina talking to the owner Cassie about a gig. Cassie is what you might call a handsome woman. A bit rugged from the harsh Texas sun. I prefer the term tomboy, and I'm into it. In a perfect world, I would be chatting her up with a cold beer in hand. Dreaming of introducing her to the wonders of Clementine's big back seat. In the real world, however, Cassie has a bar towel over her mouth as she tries and fails to smother her laughter. Not with me. At me.
-Earlier that day-
The thing about Walmart is that every store looks the same. It makes it feel familiar, which is the point, I'm sure. I'm stomping my boots as I head to the seasonal section. I seem angry, but I'm just covering up the building mortification.
"Ha. Mortification!"
I browse the wares with businesslike speed and grab a few items. I'm so nervous I forget to not pay for them. I checkout and make my way to the restrooms at the front of the store. Checking under the stalls for legs, I think for a moment and then push the 10lb trashcan in front of the door. It's the best I can do. Taking off my sunglasses, I eyeball myself in the mirror. I slap my cheeks with both hands. "Let's go mother fucker!"
I open my black and white Halloween face paint and give myself an undead makeover. Black eyes and hollow cheeks. Black lipstick that stretches past the corners of the lips to make the mouth look wider. Black smile and pale white skin stopping at my neck. I put it on thick and put my biggest pair of black sunglasses over it all.
I glare into my own eyes. "Rob Zombie. Slipknot. Gwar. David Bowie." I cross myself, "and of course the patron saint of rock and roll, Alice Cooper."
"Many great musicians have walked this thorny path. You are merely the next. I will inherit your burden! I will carry your torch!"
The pep talk is working, more or less.
"My name is Sam Deadman, the Rock-n-Roll Ghoul!" I yell. "This is my stage name. It is perfectly normal and correct to use it. I am a performer. I died and have risen from the grave to possess this body and bring rock and roll to the peoples of this world. This my gimmick and also the truth."
I store my makeup in my space and kick the trashcan out of the way. The store security guard is reaching for the bathroom door when I whip it open. He is clearly taken aback by my appearance. "Fuck off shithead. I'm a musician."
-Currently-
"So let me get this straight. You want to play music in my bar tonight and you want me to pay you for it? Also, you're a spooky monster."
I smile as best I can, "Like I said, my name is Sam Deadman the Rock-n-Roll Ghoul. I AM a good musician. I'm WILLING to play for your fine establishment tonight. In exchange I would like some money, food, and a drink or two. Also, your cousin Darren sent me. He says hello."
She gives me a suspicious look. "Don't ghouls eat dead meat or something."
"Yes. I prefer beef or chicken."
She sets the towel down and says, "Play something for me right now and I'll consider it."
I have my guitar slung over my back and a notebook full of songs folded into my back pocket. I spent some time before coming into the Cantina writing down altered versions of some good songs. I changed some wording and they sound a little different, but the vibe is there. No song is ever going to be exactly like I remember, but a good cover can still be entertaining.
I start an acoustic cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd "Simple Man". I'm nervous, but we are the only people in the room. The guitar is pretty good and my voice is great. It doesn't take long before she is nodding along with the music. I wrap it up and she seems surprised.
"OK. What the hell? Its October anyway. How long is your set?"
"I can do an hour if you don't mind me doing mostly covers from the radio. It's all acoustic though."
"I'll give you $20, dinner, and two drinks. Be here at 8pm tonight. Final offer."
I'm smiling, "Yes! Ok, you won't regret this. I'll be here a little early. Do I need to bring anything besides my guitar? Never mind. I don't have anything. Ok! See you tonight." I hop off the bar stool and get out of the cantina before she changes her mind.
I'm in Clementine and driving quick. I don't want to hang out in the parking lot and seem like a weirdo. I'm on the edge of Amarillo. I park at a little scenic turnout and spend some time practicing songs from the radio. It doesn't take much. I can remember the music perfectly after one listen. Sitting on the hood under a shade tree, I'm feeling nervous and excited.
A little family of four in a Winnebago pull into the rest area and all head for the restrooms. One of the little girls comes out first and hears me playing. She comes over and leans against the tree to listen to me.
I sing her something sweet and it makes her smile. I feel my exp go up. This is not bad. The father comes out and sees his daughter near me. He walks over and when he's close enough, he sees my face. I smile at him too.
He doesn't like that. He hurries over and grabs the girl's arm and starts dragging her towards their RV. Right, the face paint. It giveth and it taketh away. She pulls her arm loose and digs around in her little overall pocket. Before she is whisked away, she tosses a nickel in my lap.
*Mission Success*
*Reward 1: Musical Instrument Mastery. Time limit 30:00 minutes. Please choose from list...*
*Reward 2: 1 Available Stat Point.*
"Oh."