Editing Vekscapades (section)

==Harvy's First Night==
A little after 8pm Vek walked out of his trailer dressed to the nines.  Sharkskin suit of black and purple. Polished black shoes with a gold wing for kicking. Black fedora hat. Purple silk tie.  A black guitar case  A sticky later lighy. his left hand. A .45 in a shoulder holster.

Walking across the parking lot of the stripmall he enters Harvey's Lounge.

The interior was dark but well lit by candles.  The bar was well stocked. To the right Vek looks over the worn piano.

Setting his guitar case next to the bench seat he opens the lid about a foot. A whisky light fills the case with light. Sitting, he runs scales, winces,  and reaches in to tighten the out of tune strings.

The bartender comes over, " Can I help you? The piano is dark tonight."

"The piano isn't dark. It's out of tune.  I'm fixing that.  I understand you have a player on Thursday to Sunday.   Luckily I only want to work Monday to Wednesday   I work for tips."

He says, "Money spent on tips isn't spent at the bar."

Vek answers," Nonsense. Money spent on tips increases the bar.  Makes people stay longer.  You think a cassette of Volarie encourages the act of love??"

A bar guest nearby says," only with ferrets."

Vek glances with surprise. "Good one!"

Vek runs the keyboard several time then launches into a medley of favorites.

" Here is the deal.  I have two companions. One on guitar;rhythm or bass usually. The other is percusions; he likes hitting things. He'll have a small kit and a small stand with a variety of noise makers. We pack up like we were never there after each night.  As I said, we play for tips."

"We play from 4pm till 2am. Just like your Thursday to Sunday guy. "

"Just so you know, we may invite guests to hear us; record executives.  Sound fair?"

The bartender says," Sounds like I don't have a choice?  The manager leaves the stage to me.  We'll give it a try.  What are you called?"

Vek smiles.  "At the moment it's 'The DC Three. But we can change it."

°°°°°

The cat goes and muscles the door open and Vek strolls in behind him.

Vek smilies to the bartender, setting 200$ in $20s down," A double gin and tonic, a draft dark beer; stout or porter, and a Stella Artois in a bowl 🥣 "  Jurt provides his own flask. His tastes are exotic.

Vek starts playing slow tunes as he continues to tune the piano.

After a bit Chasa enters carrying a standing bass case in one hand and a deep guitar case in the other.  He sets up the bass first  and positioning it to sit on the case.  He opens a small flat table for his beer and a few knick knacks, including a .44 desert eagle.  He is dressed in a dark black  mortician suit.

Behind him is Jurt pulling three box on  a copy with another on his shoulder.   One of the rolling ones advertises acme dynamite.

The shoulder one 20"x16"x16" ammo crates with faded lettering. Both look very old.

The bartender worries, not for the first time, how much trouble it would be to get rid of us. Deciding correctly that is would be too much trouble. 

From the dynamite case he pulls a collection of drums that he assembles.  The case he sits on.  From the ammo boxes he sets up a small table and lays out a wide variety of noise makers including, tambourines, harmonicas, ratchet noise makes, kazoo and more.  

One of the ammo cases had a small armored animal called a pangolin.  The Pangolin curls up under the snare drum and goes to sleep.  Many think it's a stuffed animal since it almost never moves throughout the evening's performance.

The kit is mostly pulled from the dynamite case. 

Its a 4 drum piece set with 3 cymbals.
°°°°°°°°°°°
As the evening comes to a close and last call is said the crowd thins out the bartender comes over.  Speaking to Vek he says, "Well you were right.   The bar didn't loose out and  your tip glass looks full.

Vek takes the bills from the large snifter.   He pours the change into a large handkerchief.   "Keep the coinage.   It's probably 10 bucks or so but it's too much trouble for me."

The bartender asks," I didn't get your names?"

Vek nods. "Vek Hendrake. The bassist is Chasa Dowell.  The percussionist is Jurt Sawall.  The cat is Paka."

He points to the pangolin, " and it ?" 

Jurt chuckles," is best left alone.🥁"

The bartender nods in agreement, extends his hand to Vek.

"Nice to meet you, Vek Hendrake.  See you tomorrow. "

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