Page 36 of Dark Verse

“Okay, I’m happy to hear you say that, because I really wanted to block them. It was getting kind of aggressive, but I wasn’t sure if that was bad business.”

“Block away.” After a pause, I say, “Was that the bad news? Hopefully.”

“Sorry,” Hen says apologetically, “Yeah, so…Zack texted me earlier today letting me know he took a full-time job at an area bar. He’s thinking he won’t come back when we finally do get the doors open.”

Fuck.

Phil left the moment it became clear it would be weeks before we reopened our doors. I wasn’t at all surprised, but hoped we would be able to maintain the rest of the staff. But Jacob Kaplan made the same choice a week later. Now that Zack, our most senior bartender, is gone, we are officially short-staffed for a venue this size. Hendrix, Ella, Karmen, and Barry are all that make up the front of staff now. That’s not nearly enough staff to cover the front door, the floor, and the bar when we are at our maximum capacity. And that doesn’t even cover the security personnel needed for an 800-person venue.

It’s like this place is conspiring against me, forcing me to spend more of my hours working to keep some semblance of an actual schedule. My fingers begin tapping out the notes of a favorite piano solo, my anxious mind beginning to make lists of everything that still needs to get done with less than ten days before relaunch.

“So we need to hire at least one more bartender and another two people for the door and floor. Maybe even three on very busy nights. Plus a new sound engineer.”

Money out the door.

“On that front, I at least have an option. I have some experience with sound boards and light systems. At least enough to play A2 for a while.”

That would save me at least a little bit of time and the business some money. I hardly have any time to do the work that still needs doing, and adding hiring a qualified sound engineer to that list was not on my bingo card.

“That would be a huge help, Hen. You’re up for the task?”

“Absolutely, Avi and I…oh, I guess we can call him Jacob now, since he’s the only one here. Anyway, we get along well, and honestly, it’s a skill I’ve wanted to improve on for a while. I did a little of it when I was in school, and I enjoyed it. Now seems the perfect chance to keep learning.”

“It is,” I agree.

“Well, I’m going to get out of here and meet up with my friends.”

“Enjoy your evening,” I say as he stands. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Hendrix is at the door before he turns back towards me.

“Hey, don’t stay here too late,” he says. “This place is going to eat your free time like starving wolves let loose in a buffet if you let it.”

Don’t I know it.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

RAVEN

MY EYES open to a dark room. I grab my phone and bring it close to my face to read the time.

4:58 am

I roll my eyes, completely—and annoyingly—wide awake. The week before relaunch is always beyond stressful, and that in turn makes sleep a fair-weather friend for me. I guess I’m maxing out at four hours of sleep tonight. I search the end table until my hand touches my glasses. There’s no point in lying in bed wishing for sleep to come, so I get up and get a pot of coffee started.

The air conditioner has been in and out of commission for the last week, so I’ve been keeping the windows open overnight. The street sounds follow me from room to room as I ready myself for the day. The sounds of five am are soft. Very few cars and trucks and no foot traffic.

I go to turn on the local morning news but decide against it the moment the screen flicks to life. It’s far too early to listen to Wendy Morningdew and Jackson Rains trade jabs about the state of the world in between stories about adopting puppies and the weather forecast.

“How about some music instead,” I say aloud, directing my comment to the only other living thing in here, a succulent in need of water.

Since I began working with the Heirs and the Nightshades nearly four weeks ago, I’ve held off on listening to either band’s musical catalog, hyper-focused on their skills and abilities now. Anyone can sound good with endless takes, but I wanted to be sure I hired two bands that could deliver amazing live performances. However, with hours to kill before I’m needed back at House Band Featuring, and relaunch just days away now seems as good a time as any to start on the backlog.

I usually don’t mind the street sounds coming in through open windows, but I want to keep my mind focused on the music, so I shut the one window in the living room. The entertainment center in this apartment sublet is fairly basic, with a pair of ten-inch Goodfires speakers. I take them off their small stands and place them on the ground, letting the beat travel through the floorboards and into my body. I flop down onto the floor in front of the couch, then turn them up to max. I open my favorite music app and play the Nightshades’ first album, Homemade.

Almost immediately, I notice that Knox’s voice is far less potent than present day, and I hear a light accent in most of his words. It has a folk/country vibe that I assume comes from the band’s shared Kansas upbringing, the banjo taking center stage in several songs. Even though the actual music is basic in its structure, the lyrics keep me engaged. It’s all the greatest hit topics for a youthful band, love lost and love found, feeling misplaced in the world. Dreaming big dreams. Building and finding family.

I start their second album, No Saints, All Sinners, as soon as the first is over, and I can hear the growth between the years. There are far fewer folk influences. Instead, the Nightshades’ sound blends rock and punk. The first song shares the same name as the album itself. I quickly understand why it’s so popular. It has a subtle groove that makes me want to move and makes for a great opening song. I also notice that each song starts in the next progressive key from the last, C major to D major to E minor, and so on. The chord progression throughout the album gives a sense of rising tension, and by the last song, None of Us Are Brave, I realize I’m starting to love their sound.