Episode 19

MY V.I.
(a soap opera)



The stunned patrons quickly turned from shock into an angry mob. Many began to call for Cindy and Charmaine was frantic as she ran from the bar back into the office.

"Cindy!"

Still on the phone taking a long-winded to go order, Cindy waved her off as she finished up. "O.k. Now let's see. You want an order of nachos, hold the beans; trust me, I understand - I love them too but they don't love me! O.k. And you also want two Balboa Burgers: one medium rare and the other medium with fries, right? O.k. And then an order of calamari and an artichoke . . . got it! Give us about twenty minutes. Thanks."

Cindy hung up and turned back to Charmaine, "I'm sorry. I just had to get this order. So, what's happening out there?"

Charmaine recounted the bizarre happenings of the past few minutes. "And then this guy runs up to the stage and starts going on about a 'new day' or something . . . "

"Wait a minute," Cindy interrupted. "Did he say 'new day' or 'new way?'"

"I'm not sure; it could have been 'new way' I guess."

"What did this guy look like?"

"Well, he was nice looking, maybe in his thirties with a moustache and a goatee . . and . . OH! He said his name was Hank!"

"Hank?"

"Yes and that Trixie chick pulled out a gun when a couple of guys tried to stop him - then the two of them left hand in hand."

"Trixie and Sky left together?"

"Sky? Who's Sky?" Charmaine asked.

Suddenly an agitated group bounded through the kitchen door yelling for Cindy to call 911. Barbara, the dance nazi, lead the charge. "Cindy call the police! A woman just pulled a gun and pointed it at all of us!"

Cindy didn't want to get Michelle in trouble with the police and so she tried to calm the situation. "Listen. Everybody out of the kitchen! Back into the bar . . . everyone!"

Barbara was determined. "Cindy, you must call the cops - this woman had a gun!"

"O.k., o.k. everyone. Now why should we involve the police? No one got hurt -right? The lady with the gun's gone now so why don't we all go back to having fun?" Cindy pleaded.

From the back of the crowd emerged a man that Cindy didn't recognize. As he approached her he asked, "Are you the manager?"

"Well, sort of," Cindy replied.

"May I speak with you in private? I believe I can identify the woman with the gun - in fact I know I can."

Cindy was panicking inside as she told him to follow her into the office. Once inside she closed the door behind them and they both sat down.

"Now, you said you think you know who the woman was that had the gun?" Cindy asked.

"I don't think I know - I know I know who the woman was."

Cindy's heart began to pound as she realized that this could mean big trouble for Michelle if this guy identified her. Nevertheless, she swallowed hard and asked the question, "Well, who was she?"

"Well. A couple of years ago a lady friend and I took a cruise and there was this exotic dancer that performed on the ship and I know that's the same woman. I think her name was Trixie."

Cindy exhaled with relief and smiled, "Trixie, you said?"


TUNE IN NEXT TIME FOR ANOTHER EXCITING EPISODE OF MY V.I.!