Babe

Frankie tilted her head back and chuckled at the other woman’s words, remembering the Naomi Campbell drama well. “I feel like something like that can’t just happen over night though. Sure, I’m sure money and fame changes a person but if you’re a good person…I don’t know. I think it takes more then that for corruption. But maybe I’m just a naive dreamer.” she said. “Oh stop. That’s…amazing. I know we just met but I’m oddly really happy for you, getting to live out your dream.”

“it’s true. You might be. Cuz you only just met me, I could be like, the worst person ever and you literally just don’t know it yet. If you think about it.” Gerry finished off her drink and laughed. “Well thank you, I’m glad I’m living my dream too–– Oh fuuuck. It’s my turn okay. Okay. I’m going to get up there and make Dolly proud.”

“Well, I can sure tell you it feels like it some days. No all days are bad, though. And it helps me get to be around the things that make me happy, and I’m picking up some things about the business, so that’s a plus. Yea but you seem cool about it. I doubt I’d get an iced coffee chucked at me if the order was wrong…” she smirked. “Well shit. Cheers to you, that’s amazing! Have you always wanted to be a song writer?”

“I dunno, having money changes people. I could end up turning into a monster who throws tons of mis-ordered coffees. I could throw guitars. I could suddenly become Naomi Campbell.” She laughed. “Oh yeah. I was always a song writer. I can’t believe I’m getting paid for it now. Like actual money. The universe slipped.”

Frankie felt herself bust out into a fit of laughter as she watched out long it had taken her to get it right. But she was only laughing because she knew had she tried, she’d have had the same result. “Yea man, I mean you’re clearly very passionate about this shirt. You deserve same day delivery,” she chuckled, her eye brows raising a bit as she upped the price. Hearing her ask about work, the girl slumped back in her stool. “I’m someone’s bitch, basically. I’m a personal assistant. You?”

“Oh no. No no no. That’s not being some one’s bitch. Or whatever. That’s like a job. You gotta have it. I bet you do good. I wish I had a personal assistant. I’d probably be a bad boss though. I’d just ask you to check my hair and order my lunch... maybe you are some ones bitch. Yikes. I’m a song writer now. I used to be a stripper so hey, it gets better.”

Frankie wasn’t used to someone being so trusting, especially here. But Gerry had seemed different in the short time she’d met her. Besides, Frankie wouldn’t bag out. Especially when the girl seemed to want the shirt so badly. “Alright, it’s FrankieLRyan.” she told her. “I don’t live that far away, you can stop by and grab it once this place cioses if you want.”

“There we goooo.” Gerry typed and deleted and retyped and redeleted until her inebriated brain got the right combination of letters. “See, I knew we’d figure it out. You’re a good one I can already tell. You know what? Fuck it. One hundred and fifty dollars for Dolly.” She sent the amount and locked her phone. “What do you do anyway? Like in life or whatever.”

Frankie sat there, mouth agape as Gerry went on about the shirt. It wasn’t like she couldn’t use the money, though. “Ohhhkay…” she said as she watched her leave, turned around and ordered another drink. And a shot. Figuring she had to catch up with the other girl. “Alright, alright but I don’t have the shirt on me. Don’t you wanna wait until you get it?”

“No, no. I’ll just send it to you. Don’t worry about it. I trust you. besides if I don’t get a shirt, at least you’ve got one hundred dollars and we’ve both got a good story out of it.” Gerry brought her drinks to her lips once more. “Now what’s your venmo.”

“Wait, seriously?” Frankie’s eyes shot up. “It’s a great tank and like we said, Dolly is legend, but are you really gonna spend 100$ on a used tank top?” she laughed. “Girl, I got you and your drink. No one’s getting roofied on my watch, pinky promise!”

“Yes! I’ve got the money.It’s a great shirt and I need it. I gotta have it now. Just gotta. I’ll uhm, venmo you. Just let me do the thing.” She waved at the girl and disappeared for a bit before coming back triumphant. “I’m going after deez nuts.” Gerry laughed. “Gimmee your venmo so I can give you the money for that shirt.”

“She really is. Just think about everything she’s done in her life and career. It’s unmatched!” Frankie said. “ As you should! If I had a record player, I’m sure I would, too.” she smirked. “I have this tank top with her picture that says W.W.D.D. and it’s probably my favorite piece of clothing I own.” she told her. “Please, yes, I need this in my life!”

“I will give you one hundred dollars for that tank top!” Gerry was so excited she nearly spilled her drink. “I should be wearing that tank top every goddamn day of my life. And okay. Okay. Look I’m going to sign up. Just. You know. Like watch my drink so I don’t get murdered.”

Frankie raised her glass to the girl next to her and took another sip. “Right?” she laughed, “Trust me. I know I’m the worst. But then again, sometimes I like to really throw a wrench in there and break out some Coolio, Gangsta’s Paradise,” she giggled. “Yes! 9 to 5 is a great go to! Dolly, what a freakin’ legend.”

“Dolly is the queen.” Gerry leaned over the bar to order another drink. “I have everything she’s done on vinyl, I love that woman. As soon as I finish this next drink I’m going to be badly belting 9 to 5.”

“It’s LA. You have to do something stupid to blow off steam at least once a week. I just so happy to make that karaoke half the time,” she laughed, interested to hear her guesses. “Those are all pretty good guesses,” she nodded, “But I really like to be over dramatic and sell it. So normally i’ll be that jerk who goes for “I Will Always Love You” or “Because You Loved Me.”

“I will drink to that.” Gerry polished off the rest of her drink. “Oh god that is dramatic. Those are pretty fucking heartbreaking if you ask me. I’m more of a 9 to 5 girl. Or If it Makes You Happy. That’s a fun one too.”

“I’m really surprised it’s not a more well known fact, yet. You’re the first person I’ve talked to who even knew, so cheers to knowledge!” she said with a laugh. Her attention on the man, not helping the yikes look that crossed her face for a moment before back to the girl next to her. “Oh hell yes. This is how I blow off steam.”

“Ahhh. Blowing off steam. You must have a go to song, then. Let me guess...” Gerry made a face pretending to think really hard. “Mmmm. Before he cheats. No, actually, I bet it’s I love Rock and Roll.”

“What about you, you gonna get up there?” Frankie, albeit a bit of a buzz running through her, asked the person to her left with a slight nudge as she gestured to the people singing karaoke in her normal dive bar go-to Friday night Happy Hour hang. “Did you know that Karaoke in Japanese really means song of dying cats??”

“You know, I heard something about that. The dying cats. Definitely. I need at least one more drink before I get up there.” Geraldine laughed, watching the man performing with almost too much gusto. “What about you?”

All of these + way more on Geraldine’s Playlist on Spotify