"Baby, I can't do that," Reginald replied. "We've been friends since yay high," he continued. "I understand that Reggie. But you have to think about your future," said Brandie. "Okay baby, I respect your opinion, but we have to let this go," Reginald replied. "I'll cross that bridge when I get to it."
"Okay love, I have to go to work. Call me in the morning, please," asked Brandie. "I will call first thing," Reginald replied. "Bye," she said, hanging up the phone.
Reginald pulled up at the cab depot. Carl, his boss, stepped out to check his meter. "Reggie, I'm impressed," he said. "You make us a pretty penny everyday," Carl continued. Carl handed Reginald his paycheck and shook his hand. "Thanks Carl, I'll catch you later," Reginald said as he walked out of the depot.
At 22, Reginald didn't own a car. He typically drove his cab where ever he needed to go. He took care of his business while on duty, but somehow he made it work. As he walked, he always sang to himself and thought about lyrics for his own original songs. He didn't live far from the depot and The Hill was a quarter bus ride from the corner across from his apartment.
While he wasn't making it big, he never asked for help from anybody. He always wanted another opportunity to show his talents. His chance had finally reappeared.
"I've got to make the most of this one," Reginald said to himself as he walked. "Can't screw it up this time," he thought.
Reginald thought back to the last time there was a talent scout at The Hill to see him and The Crew.
It was raining like the great flood outside. The crowd was still buzzing. Everybody knew that Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays meant Reggie and The Crew would perform. Women and men felt that those were must see events for many different reasons.
The women who listened to Reggie loved his voice. He had great range. He didn't sing many of his own songs, but he would sing a couple of Luther Vandross cuts and bring the house down. Rumor has it that there's one drawer in the dressing room full of panties that have been thrown on stage during his performances.
The guys who came to hear him want to see him make it big. They wanted to say that they "remember him when..." Most of all, they were there because the women were there. And when women heard him sing, they'd get hot. So while Reginald warmed the ladies up, the guys scooped them up.
This evening, Duane, the owner of the club, and one of Reginald's close friends sold all the drinks half price. Everyone was having a great time. Duane wanted the place jumping because tonight was special. Claude Donaldson, a man with a lot of clout at Image, was in the crowd. Duane knew that Claude was there and he explained to Reginald and the Crew that this was their night to shine.
"Shit, this is fucking awesome," yelled Vance. "I can't believe that there's a guy from Image in the audience," he continued. "Calm down son," said Tommy. Tommy put his hand on Vance's shoulder and looked at Reginald. "Are you ready, because you know I'm ready and my sax is ready," said Tommy. "Yeah, he's ready, you know how Reggie focuses when it's a big show," Farley commented. Farley reached out and gave Reginald a fist pound. "Weee reeeady, weee reeeady, weee reeeady for yaaaalll," yelled Vance while playing drums in the air. "Farley, get your brother. Light one up for him. He needs to calm down," Reginald laughed. Just then, the door opened.
"Did somebody say something about some smoke," asked Hank, one of Duanes bouncers. "What yall got on the fifty," he asked laughing. "Nothing right now, let's get out there," said Farley. They all slowly get up and stand in a circle. "Fists in the middle," Vance said. They all put their fists in the circle. "We crew," yelled the men.
"We're starting off with 'A House is Not a Home,'" said Reginald. "After that, I want to try 'Crazy Love' and 'Charlene'. We'll take a break and then do requests after that. Dig it," asked Reginald. "Let's do it," said Farley.
The Crew came out to a standing applause. "Show some love for The Crew," yelled the DJ into the mic over the applauding masses. "You've got my nigga Vance on percussion! Tommy on the alto-sax! Farley is back there banging the ivory! And finally, the man, Reggie Morgan," announced the DJ. The applause was deafening. Even Claude was on his feet. Duane sat just to the side of the stage next to Claude.
As the show went on, the crowd remained on their feet. The place was packed to the rafters, and surely they had broken the fire code laws that night.
During the show, Duane was in Claude's ear. "Do you see what we've got here, my brotha," whispered Duane in his deep southern drawl. "They got talent, they just need a break," he continued. "Why do you care, what is it to you," asked Claude. Duane sat back in his seat and lit a black n mild. "These my boys, and you discovering them here makes The Hill look good," he said with a smile, his gold fronts shining.
"Son, an extreme home makeover couldn't make this place look good," laughed Claude. "But it is impressive that you've got this kind of talent as a house act," Claude continued. "I like him, I'd like to meet with Reggie after the show," said Claude. "Him, what about the others," asked Duane. "They are an average house band, nothing special," Claude remarked. "That Reggie kid is special," he finished.
Duane put out his cigar and put his hands over his face. "How am I supposed to tell them that," he asked. "That's not my problem," said Claude. Duane shook his head as he stood up and headed back stage.
At the end of the show, the group received a standing ovation. "We love you, much love to The Hill," Reginald said into the mic. They all waived to the crowd as they left the stage. "I'm gonna get some ass tonight buddy," exclaimed Vance. "Did you see the honey in the pink by the bar," he asked. "She called my name all the way through the show and she's gonna call it more tonight," laughed Vance. The guys laughed at Vance as they walked into the dressing room.
They saw a stone faced Duane standing there, arms crossed. "What's up D," asked Farley. "Nothing," said Duane. "Reggie, go see Claude, he's waiting for you," he said. "Oh, so he's our negotiator now," laughed Tommy. Duane didn't smile as he watched Reginald walk out to the front.
Reginald shook hands and greeted several people on the way to Claude's table. He saw Claude sitting, smoking a cigarette and talking to a waitress. When Reginald sat down, the waitress stood up. "Give us a minute sweetheart," Claude said to the waitress as she walked away. Reginald reached out and shook Claude's hand. "Mr. Donaldson, it's an honor. We really appreciate you taking time to listen to me and The Crew," said Reginald.
"Let's get down to it Reg," interrupted Claude. "I want to sign you to a two record deal with an option for a third after we see the numbers on the first," he said. "How does that sound," asked Claude. "It sounds great Mr. Donaldson, but can I get the guys. They should be involved in this decision," Reginald replied. "Hell, I don't want them. I just want you," said Claude.
"No offense Mr. Donaldson, but I don't go any further without the guys who helped me get here," Reginald responded sharply. "They have to be a part of this," he finished. "No deal son," said Claude. "This could be your last opportunity," he said. "If I walk out these doors, I'm never parting them again," Claude said as he stood. Reginald looked Claude in the eyes and he stood as well. "Thanks for coming," Reginald said as he turned and walked back to the dressing room.
His friends sat in silent, disappointment as Reginald walked through the doors. "So what'd happened, did you agree to anything," asked Farley. "Fuck'um, I'm not going anywhere without my boys," Reginald replied with a troubled smile. "Good looking out dude," said Tommy. Vance stood up and hugged Reginald. "You're like a brother man, you get mad respect for being loyal to your friends," said Vance.
Reginald was startled back into the present by the sound of a car horn. He realized he was standing in the middle of a cross-walk. He waived to the driver as he continued his walk home.
"Could I give up my dream for my friends again," he asked himself as he approached his apartment. "Maybe this time I won't have to worry about it," he finished.
To Be Continued...
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