brad bruce

“I’m good,” Nicole said with a plastered smile when he offered she should look them up on Spotify. “No offence but if you’re not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I probably don’t listen to your band or would even remember what they’re called.” 

“Right.. But how do you think these hall of fame rockstars start out? They need to gain a fanbase who supports them and.. attending local shows is always a good start. Come on.. What else will you be doing tonight?”

​

“No, no, and, uh, let me see… no.” Mirella doesn’t mince her words as she answers each question that had been asked. “But I do like free shots, so I’ll bite.” She takes one of the flyers from his grasp and barely gives it a glance. “What‘s Dungeon and who is this wicked band?”

“Dungeon’s like a.. gothic, sort of, night club.” Bradley informed, choosing to ignore the girls negative answers. “It sounds kinda weird but, I can promise you that it’s a wicked place and.. who can say no to free shots, right?” He laughed, somewhat nervously. “The bands called Beam and they’re kind of rock and roll, kind of indie.. They’re really good to see live, actually. I think you should check it out..”

​

Jimmy stops as someone speaks to him, calls him mate and invites him to a gig at Dungeon. He pauses for a very long moment. 

“Do I–” he started, looking down at the flyer. “Hm. Maybe I should.” Not that he wanted to go alone and he was wondering if he was going to end up being the oldest one there. Probably. But still, a five dollar entry and free shot? 

“What do they sound like? It’s been years since I went to a gig.”

“One sec..” Bradley smiled as he pulled his mobile from his pocket and frantically searched for his spotify app, scrolling for what seemed like a really long time before his mobile started to produce a rock and roll, indie sound. His head bopped in time with the music as he found the strangers expressions, though he was useless at reading other people. “They’re even better live, mate.”

​

mate was the first red flag . the second was the flyer being thrust into her hands , forced to take the crumpled up piece of trash that belonged at the bottom of the dumpster . she glanced at it though , with those judgemental almond eyes that flickered upward once they hit the bottom of the page . “ – and what’s in it for me ?? “ honey retorted , the curve of her brow hitching to the heavens , “ cus what i’m hearing is that you want me in a sweaty dive bar eating overpriced peanuts with a watered down jägerbomb . it’s hardly the most appealing sell in the world . “

“Okay umm..” He released a nervous, breathy laugh as the fierce women before him started asking questions, his mind racing for the answer. A good time, maybe? The free shot? Bradley hated the question what’s in it for me. “Look, I mean if you’re not into it then it’s fine.. Not like I’m forcing you.” He continued to laugh uneasily, his shoulders shrugging slightly.

​

Connor looked at the flyer and couldn’t help but stifle a small laugh. “Uh.. yeah. I think I’m going to be there.” He handed the flyer back to Bradley and showed the hint of a smile. “Y’know, on account of me performing right before this band. Kinda sick of you to not even mention the opening band, man.” Then again, it wasn’t his band. Their drummer broke his hand and so he was stepping in for them tonight. “Did you ever hustle this hard when you were promoting my band, huh?” he teased him.

“Sorry, mate.. I’m just trying to hand the last of these out.” Bradley informed as his eyes found Connor’s features. “But the band you’re filling in for is mentioned on here. Look..” He pointed out, his index finger finding the opening acts band name. “I don’t think I’ve seen these before so I’m kinda pumped for it. You know I’d hustle even harder for you..” Bradley returned with a cheeky smirk. “When is your band playing next, anyway?”

​

Axel was lighting his cigarette when he watched Bradley. “Brad.. you are doing it all wrong.” He sighed.” Firstly… No woman wants to be called mate” He gazed around and saw a group of women and plucked the flyer out of his hand and headed over to them, throwing a wink his way. Once with the group, Axel flirted shamelessly and then hugged one of the women who took the flyer. Axel headed back to Bradley and smiled. “ Five women are coming tonight. Two are already interested in the shots and the other three wanna see the band and one of those three would like to meet you.” He said with a smile and patted his shoulder. “ You are welcome buddy.”

Before Bradley could even process what was happening, Axel had already pulled a flyer from his grasp and had headed over towards a group of girls. He watched on from a distance and smiled as Axel started to make his way back. “Come on mate, really?” He was impressed, sure, he’d never been overly confident with the ladies. “I think you should zap this womanizer confidence into me.” Bradley laughed as he glanced over towards the group as he couldn’t help but wonder which girl was interested in him. “Which one?”

Davis: You may have!!! I do love some good indie music. Haven't gone in a while with finals studying, though.

Davis: Trying to knock out pre-med. I don't recommend. Your job is way cooler.

Brad: Well, I'll let you know when Dungeon has another gig and we can go?

​

“Lemme guess, it’s your band?” Nicole says, batting unimpressed lashes his way. “I go to Dungeon regularly and the bands that play there are, how do we put it…average. I’ll come for the free shot though.”

“No, actually.. I’m not in a band.” Bradley informed. “I just get to promote ‘em but, I think you should come along and check ‘em out.. even for the free shot.” Anything to get an audience in. “Look ‘em up on spotify..”

​

“i do.” eden answers his question as her fingers fumble with the flyer in her hands. “are you going to be there?” 

“Of course I’ll be there.. I’m not one to miss a gig, especially one I get to promote.” Bradley returned with a smile, his eyes absorbing the blonde before him. “They’re like.. rock and roll slash indie. Pretty sick, actually.. I reckon you’ll enjoy ‘em.”

“I spent over a decade in higher education, and all I got was a fancy ceiling,” Sofia grinned. She sighed, wanting to keep up the illusion that she was being busy and productive but with the stars all lit up, there wasn’t much left to do. “Hey, not a half bad idea, my dude,” she said, sinking into the chair across from him. “But if you’re gonna need a refill on that room temperature cup, the one employee is chilling.”

“If I need a refill, I’ll be sure to grab one.” He informed with a smile before he found himself staring up at the ceiling once more, feeling somewhat at peace. “You know.. This is actually quite relaxing.. I might even invest in some of these glow-up stars.. They’ll look sick stuck to my bedroom ceiling.” Bradley laughed at the idea. “You wanna help me arrange ‘em?”

Davis: Oh wow, that sounds like a lot. Any kind of music or just a specific genre? I go to a couple of shows around here when I have the time to, so I might have seen you too.

Davis: Yeah I mean I have technically been here fooor 6 years now? But off and on, I go to UCLA for school.

Brad: It's great fun! I promote a lot of alternative/indie music. I've probably seen you at a gig?

Davis: I wish I had that excuse but I rarely ever drink, so I did all of this sober.

Davis: WELL to be fair my friend actually set it up

Davis: Oh! Yeah I just moved back to SL about 2-3 months ago, do you live/work in the area?

Brad: My job is to promote gigs in the area, so drinking alcohol kinda comes with that when I attend the gig I was promoting.

Brad: Fair game to your friend, though.

Davis: Don't be upset!! I swear my phone went super crazy but it is nothing against you. I'm just clueless.

Davis: You do??? Froooommmm....?

Brad: If i'm going to be honest, I rarely check this app unless I'm very drunk, apparently. So, getting your notification was a winner.

"Yo.. Excuse me mate, do you have a sec?” Bradley asks as he stops someone in their path, his fingers fumbling with the promotional flyers in his hands. “You like music, right? You into gigs? Look.. There’s this wicked band playing at club dungeon tonight and I reckon you should check it out. It’s five dollars at the door and a free shot on entry. What do you say?”

Davis: I don't know if I did this right??? I just kept swiping in several directions because my screen froze.

Davis: That's not a very good first message.

Brad: Hi there.

Brad: So this might be an accidental match? Fair game.

Baz: Save this number it's Baz

Baz: Unless I don't know you

Baz: Or I do and you're annoying

Baz: Then fuck off

Brad: Sorry mate.. You got the wrong cell number.