Cross Roads

Nightfall came, and Sticks was completely full including TV cameramen, when Cue went to the stage and introduced the Boxer Boy Dancers. “And may I first apologize to all of you. I seemed to have miscalculated on my order, so we have beer and wine in the house, but limited booze. However, we have a truck on its way and it should be here in a few hours, and it’s full of all your favorite liquor. In the mean time, just show the bartender your event ticket, and she’ll stamp it for two free drinks. And now, without further ado, here are the Boxer Boys!”

The music started, and with the volume higher than normal, the dancers began their magic. The customers began dancing in place and raising their arms to a clapping position. The CNN camera was on one end of the stage, filming the wonderful but strange scene. Cue could feel the beat of the music in his chest and couldn’t remember when he’d been so excited.

Mori and the other two bartenders poured wine and opened beer cans for hours. Ben, Katie, Gloria, and Cue waited tables. The cook was working as fast as he could to keep up with his orders.

At half past ten, Jimmy entered through the back and quietly worked his way through the crowd to find Cue and Ben. The three of them carried in boxes and Mori unloaded, as she’d never done before.

Cue jumped on stage during their next break and announced that the stock had arrived and the crowd went wild.

The Boxer Boys started taking longer breaks, fatigued by the duration of their show, so Cue called Max and his band. The old folks were thrilled to entertain for the large crowd and the TV crews, so assembled themselves within the hour. Katie sang through a couple of sets, and the night ended with Wind River having a story to pass down through generations.