The Brightest Shine

Brittney: There was never any doubt that he was gonna leave me as soon as his free meal ticket ran out. I always knew he was a dirtbag, but I stayed with him. I guess out of pity and being so far from Buckingham where we grew up. I needed that familiar face.

I feel I can barely take the noise of my crazy life these days and the people that surround me. So I counter it with my guitar and voice as they walk by me like insects to a bug zapper… Going towards the most enticing lights displayed on Fremont Street.

Cash in hand. Some do stop and pause. Are they really listening to me.. my soul or am I just another street act down on her luck in the Neon City? I like to drown out the noise with a little ditty I wrote after a fight me and Billy had. It goes a little something…

Say what?? Yeah, buddy, it’s straight ahead… See that big sign that says Binions… Well, that’s where you wanna go, sir.

Oh, Thank you very much. Would you like to hear a song first? Oh Ok.

Jesus. There are more tips thrown into my guitar case for directions than me playing a song. I shoulda set up a sign that says I’m a human directory or something. Anyways where was I…

Oh yeah “The Brightest Shine” By Brittney Jacobson. Now, where is my pick…

You gotta be kiddin me! That bastard Billy took off with my lucky guitar pick. He knew my priority was my music. I think of all the shit I have done for him. Dam it! It’s like he slowly transitioned into one of these sleazy city yes men, working for that manager who fired me.

I can’t believe he had the nerve to side with that asshole manager at the Voodoo Lounge. He was asking me to reveal more of myself. And this costume they wanted me to wear. I’m not some dam Neon City showgirl. I am a singer from the south. Man… That was the guitar pick my daddy gave me for my fifteenth birthday.

(She screams as tears come to her eyes and she starts to sing)

“My daddy told me don’t talk to strangers”
“And my momma said it would be alright”
“I wandered right across the nation”
“And made it to the big city light..”
“My brother gave his preservation”
“If anything happened, he’d be there in a night”
“I wandered right across the nation”
“And made it to the big city light..”

“Don’t give up”
“I’m not gonna give”
“A reason not to live”
“I’m gonna rise up and shine”
“The brightest light you can find”
“I’m not gonna give”
“A reason not to live”
“I’m gonna rise up and shine”
“The brightest light you can find”

(Strumming the guitar then stops)

Oh great, what does this fool want.?

Adriel:  Hey… I heard you playing while I was eating my lunch. I’m a promoter at a venue in the Bellagio. Here’s my card. They are starting a Thursday live music night and looking for a female act. Can you sing Top 40?

Brittney: Mister, I can sing anything you want, but I prefer the stuff I wrote.

Adriel: Text me your info and I will pass it on to my managers… What’s your name?

Brittney: Brittney.

Adriel: You have a beautiful voice.

Brittney: Thanks, I appreciate it.

Another wolf in sheep’s clothing…

Whatever happened to Hi my is… People all in a rush to find their next cash cow. Adriel. Hmm. Well, it doesn’t hurt to give it a try. The Bellagio is a pretty high-end casino.

Shit! Don’t do this to yourself, Brittney. Billy is in the past. He never loved you. Move on. And of course, I have a novel full of text messages from him. Well, well, well. Look at this… Little ole Billy wants to come back to the shack.

(text message)
Lose my number. Your yesterday’s past. And I’m tomorrow’s future. I can sit here and dwell on what could have been and the what-ifs, but I’m not gonna do that Billy. I am not gonna feel bad about myself anymore. You will never hurt me again. You have gotten more than your share of second chances. Lose my number. Act like a man. And live your life without me. Good luck buddy. Don’t respond or the next step I take is a restraining order and a phone call to my brothers in Buckingham. Goodbye!

Now how about an upbeat song? This one by Runaway June is called “Buy My Own Drinks.”