SULTRY LOVE: EPISODE 7

Behind closed doors, people are usually themselves, but when he or she is in the spotlight they can be someone else entirely. That is not always the case, some people remain themselves while other people rely solely on their exterior image; the big fashion showcase has arrived where imagery takes lead. Searchlights wave from left to right and valet parking is featured while cars gather around the hotel.

Lights glitter as a waiter shows Hilda and Yvette to their table. “This table is bigger than I thought it would be,” Hilda commented.

Yvonne, Kevin, Victor, Lee, and Randy follow her statement. Everyone is wearing formal clothing as they join Yvette and Hilda. Yvette gives a perplexed look at the group, then she turns her attention towards Hilda. “Don’t look at me, that’s your sister,” Hilda said.

Randy looks back at the stage while Lee’s mouth opens. Lee’s action is short-lived as Kevin lifts his hand. “Ah! Did you forget?”

Lee nods with the sound of something ripping. Victor frowns as he questions the sound. “What is that?” Lee places another strip of duck tape over his mouth. Randy turns back around, pulls down on his tux, and then shows his displeasure; Randy rips the tape off Lee’s mouth.

“Ow!”

“Stop it!” Randy said.

“What?”

“You’re like a child.”

“Who, me?” Lee retorted.

“Shut up! We just got here and you’re already making a scene!” Randy points at Kevin. “And it’s your fault he’s doing this in the first place.”

Victor signals behind himself as he looks toward Lee. “Maybe you should join that raving dialect back there-” A crazed man utters gibberish while being escorted out of the hotel. “The two of you would fit right in,” Victor added. Hilda jumps up from her seat and pulls Yvonne to the side. “Have you lost what sense you have left? Why did you invite them?”

“Well, it’s paid entry! So, why not help the cause?”

“Tina is fine, trust me. She doesn’t need charity,” Hilda replied.

“Well, it’s not just about her.”

“Why would it not be? This is her fashion show! Remember?”

“Well, take him for example-” Yvonne points at Randy.

“He’s what?”

“He needs help.”

“Duh, they all do! We can see that! Isn’t that Tina’s man or WAS anyway?”

“Yes.”

“This isn’t like you. You’re slipping.”

“I’m mixing things up a little. It’s all fun and games. Like connecting two pieces of a puzzle,” Yvonne said.

“So this is just an experiment? You’re not getting sentimental or anything? You’re not trying to help them?”

“I’m making things interesting! Imagine how Tina will react!”

“Whatever, you’re in this alone.” Hilda walks back towards the table; finding Lee and Yvette staring at each other with spitefulness. Hilda attempts to get Yvette’s attention. “Yvette?!”

“What?!”

“Has Tina come out yet?”

“No! Do you see her?! Then that means what?! She hasn’t come out!” Yvette replied. People sitting near their table begin to take notice of the noise. “Shush!” Kevin finds the urge to chuckle and give his newly found opinion. “This is too good.”

Randy makes an abrupt request. “Kevin?”

“Yeah?”

“Shut up.”

Yvonne approaches the table and Victor takes notice. “Welcome back, did you enjoy your trip?”

“What trip?”

“It’s been said that your friends are the witches of Salem newly returned from the netherworld of hell! A place that echoes eternal screaming.”

“If I scream, it’s because of your face!”

“Yeah I agree, all women scream because of what I can do with this face! Yours morphs into that green-faced, pointy-hatted bitch.” Randy aggressively leaps out of his seat towards Victor, but Kevin shoves Randy back into his seat.

“You’re implying that I’m a witch?” Yvonne asked.

“Yes indeed, I am.”

“Then you must be the broom, I ride upon.”

“Lady, you could never ride this lightning rod!”

Hilda interrupts their exchange. “Excuse me, what is your name?”

“Me?” Victor asked.

“Yeah, you!”

“Big daddy.”

“I can’t see why?”

“Well, that’s because we haven’t-”

Randy takes this opportunity to speak for everyone. “Alright, alright….look we all came here to have a good time and enjoy Tina’s show-”

“Yeah, but you weren’t invited.” Hilda interrupted as Randy nods with disbelief.

“Two points!” Yvette merrily added while sharing a high five with Hilda.

“Goaltending! Technical foul, too many insensitive bitches on the field!” Victor said after whistling.

Kevin sighs and nudges Randy with his elbow. “Well, we might as well chalk this one up as a loss. I don’t see this night improving.”

Yvonne rubs Randy on his back as she looks over at Hilda and Yvette. “It’s okay, forget about them. I invited you, you’re no longer a poorly etched pawn simply placed in woman’s game of hocus-pocus. You’re something more! Come here.”

Kevin’s forehead wrinkles upward. “Pawn?”

Yvonne grabs Randy’s face and kisses him on the cheek. Afterward, Yvonne and Randy stare at each other before kissing each other on the lips. The disk deejay is on the mic!

“Ladies and gentlemen, Tina Carera.”

Dressed in fashionable attire, Tina is standing motionless on stage.

“Tina, Carera?”

Tina’s eyes are watery and red, as she stares below at Yvonne and Randy.

EPISODE 8 NOW AVAILABLE