Blissful Ignorance

All I Need is an Open Mic-Chapter 3-

"Well I think this was a very productive session Faye"

"Ya, think?"

"Yeah, I think. How's my music therapy suggestion going?"

"Oh yeah that, great actually"

"Found anything?"

"This song called Sweet Baby James, I don't remember who it's by, but I could sing all the words. I know it's important for some reason, by the end of the song I was crying."

"Is it a sad song?"

"Sort of but not really, I think it's from my past like it holds some significance."

"I think that's a pretty good theory, Faye. Well I have a proposition for you."

She flips me a flyer that lists the new members of the Mars Theater Company and the list of their shows for the new season.

"What the hell is this? You want me to go see ALL these shows!?!"

"No, I want to you to audition for the company."

"But it says here auditions are closed."

"For normal people yes, but I happen to know they need a new singer, and I think you'd fit the bill."

"But..."

"I'm friends with the head of the company..."

"No! I'm not getting in just cause of you, I want to do it on my own...."

"I know, I just happen to know he goes to the open mic nights at the One World
coffee shop on Mars. And if he hears something he likes....":

"I see....but I can't be wasting all my time with a theater group, what about my money?"

"The company IS a paying job Faye, and from the luck you've been having with bounties I think it would be a good thing."

"Hm, I see."

I glanced down at the flyer at the picture of the company all smiling and happy, I wanted to be one of those people. At that moment that's all I wanted in the entire world right now, to be happy. I'd have a constant cash flow, I'd be secure, I'd be happy and hell what did I have to lose?

"When's the next open mic?"

Doctor Zebb smiled at me, like she was proud. Maybe because I'm moving on, getting up and out.

"Tonight actually, you think you can be ready?"

"C'mon you're speaking to THE Faye Valentine, of course I can be ready."

"See you there then, Faye"

She gave me one of those proud smiles again, handed me my forms to give to the secretary and I left her office with this out of character grin on my face. And new career prospects in my hand.

I got back in my RedTail and popped in one of my many minidisks full of music that I was listening to for my "music therapy." It had been a suggestion of Doctor Zebb, to listen to old music and see if it brings some type of reaction within me. She figured since I seemed to be slightly musically minded, I would remember song. Amazingly it was working. It wasn't really bringing back memories but I found myself singing along to songs I'd never heard before. The first song I had found was by a guy named David Bowie and the song was simply called Changes. I knew all the words, and even though it was only a song, there was still this connection. A connection to a place and a time that I couldn't recall. And even if I didn't remember the song, they were wonderful to listen to. They were from a less complicated time, they were songs about love, loss, and happiness; something I was seriously lacking as of recent.

I don't know what Jet thought I did every Thursday morning. I had told him in the beginning I was going to gamble, but any idiot would know there are no good casinos open at ten in the morning on a Thursday. I could have thought of a better excuse, but I think secretly I wanted him to know. It was just him and me now, he's all I had left and I clung to him like a child. There was also the music, I played music all the time, everywhere I went, everything I did, I had music playing. For once in my memory I was pretty damn happy, considering. Jet and I got along, we laughed and worked hard. Out of boredom yesterday, I taught him how to dance to this old song they always played in casino dance halls called Moondance. I was surprised that the man couldn't dance, but he was a quick learner.

"Wow, Jet I think ya got it down."

"Ha, you think?"

"Next woman that dances with Jet Black will have her socks knocked off. It would have to be to this song though."

"Why?"

"This is a beautiful song, I've always loved this song. I always wanted Spike and I to dance to this song."

I remember stopping after that came out. It was the first time I'd said his name and not gotten sick. Things were beginning to look up, yes they were. I smiled as I docked the Bebop. I have a show to get ready for, I laughed to myself.

"Morning Faye"

"Good Morning, Jet"

"Is it?"

"Yes, yes it is."

An idea crossed my head, did I want him to come?

"Uh, Jet?"

"Yeah?"

"Got a question for ya."

"As long as you don't ask for money, shoot."

"I was going to sing at this open mic night, tonight and....."

Before I could finish he had me in a patented Jet bear hug, he released me and gave me a proud smile. Like the kind a dad gives his kid when they get straight A's on their report card.

"I'd love to come Faye"

"Alright then, 9 at the One World coffee house.'

"I'll be there."

I walked back to my room with a lot to get done before 8 tonight. I passed by his room on the way to mine. I opened the door, it still smelled like him in there, I went and laid down on his bed. What would he think of me now? Was he looking down in shame knowing what he had done to me? Looking at the hell he sent upon me, the hell I had just recently begun to freeze over with that stubborn attitude of mine. That stubborn attitude he hated so much was the only thing that was saving me now, I refused to let his death control me. It took time but, it wasn't anymore, not as much anyway. For the first time in a long time I thought things were gonna be alright, I didn't have much of a past, but I had one hell of a future. But then again he's probably just thinking how I'm going to get into the Mars Theater Company with my off key singing. I laughed to myself and went and got ready for tonight.

At eight I headed off in my RedTail so I could get to One World early, Jet was going to follow me a little later. As I was cruising towards Mars a red faded ship passed me. A wave of deja vu struck me, but I just blew it off. I had to give one hell of a performance in less than an hour.