There's something intimidating about the silence of a crowd. People always claim they want something fresh, however they still react put-off when they hear something they've never heard before. Sure, the audience claps and seems pleased once they get going, but that intimidation never fades away. The judgement remains thick when they don't know what they're listening to. If they can't prove themselves to be good enough, that underlying pressure will explode.

After performing yet another show in a dingy carnival, the girls all but collapse into the worn-down sofa set up in their RV set up behind the stage. The sounds of guests screaming on rides and bells to ignite another prize winner rings dully in the background. The band members glisten in their sweat, fanning away the summer heat with little success.

"Maggie, you were phenomenal on the guitar tonight," Ruth praised, causing the brunette to blush. "And Babs, absolutely killer work on the drums, I could feel the rhythm in my soul," she continued, turning the praise over to the blonde who twirls her sticks in her fingers absently. "And Celia, stunning vocals as usual. Your songs really carry this band."

Celia flickers her distracted gaze towards her bandmates with a soft smile. "You always know how to hype us up, Ruthie."

Ruth sighs, slumping on the sofa between Celia and Maggie. "If I don't, no one will. You gals always sit and stare at nothin' after a show and we gotta keep our heads held high if we wanna make it big."

"Just staying focused, Ruthie," Maggie mumbled.

"I mean let's face it, we're lucky to even have this gig. If not for Barbara's papa owning the carnival, we'd have nowhere to play," Celia grumbled in defeat. "Nobody cares for an all girls rock n' roll band. We have to stay focused like Maggie said."

"I think the audience would beg to differ. They loved it!" Ruth added with a sympathetic grin. "You're too hard on yourself. All of you."

"And you shoulda been named Positive Polly," Maggie quipped in return with a smirk.

The RV rattles from the abrupt banging of the door, startling the 4 girls. Barbara opens it and sighs when she sees the source of the knocking.

"You're giving us a heart attack, daddy!"

"Sorry, pumpkin. There's just someone here who wants to meet y'all," he replied with eagerness in his tone. "Said he's a music manager."

The girls exchange varying glances ranging from excitement and weariness. The group files out of their RV and comes face to face with a sweaty man leaning casually on a bedazzled cane. Celia tries to not wrinkle her nose in disgust at the sight of the burly man, wanting to make a good impression for her girls.

"To whom do I owe the pleasure?" She said, crossing her arms across her chest.

"Phillium Benedict; music manager," the man replied curtly. He tips his hat out of his eyes with his cane and proffers a hand. She reluctantly shakes it, briefly drifting her gaze towards the group of young men emerging from behind.

Barbara elbows her in the rib not so subtly and whispers harshly in her ear. "That's Holden Beauregard!"

Celia flickers her gaze to the man in question and feels the pit grow larger in her stomach. A pretty face, sure, but he has trouble written all over him with his suave attitude. He stomps out a cigarette under his shiny boot and Celia turns her attention back to the business man in front of her.

"Extraordinary show tonight, ladies," Benedict carried on. "Say, who were those songs by? I'd never heard 'em before."

"They're originals by yours truly," Celia replied, rather impatiently. Something about this man feels wrong but she can't put her finger on it. "Look, it's nice meeting y'all but we oughta head out for the night—"

"Of course, I don't wanna take too much of your time, miss...?"

"Celia Clarke," she filled in, her lips down-turned.

"Celia, pretty name," Benedict said with a smarmy grin. "We could use a fresh band like you's to open for my boy here."

"We already have an opener?" one of the young men hanging by Holden piped in. His name might either be Trevor or Travis; Celia can't recall.

"I'm talking about the next tour," Benedict said smoothly. Holden shares a surprised look with his bandmates.

"We'd be honoured to go on tour with y'all," Ruth said eagerly. "We're big fans, by the way," she added with a goofy grin.

"Oh, thank you," Holden beamed. "I'm also a fan of yours. You really killed it up there."

Barbara and Ruth cannot contain their squealing, meanwhile Maggie shares a weary gaze with Celia.

"So what do ya say, ladies?" Benedict interrupted. "Wanna open for Holden Beauregard?"

"We'd need to think about it," Celia replied curtly.

"Of course. Here's my card in case you decide you want in," Benedict offered with a smirk. "I know you'll make the right choice..."

Celia accepts the card, staring at it. "Thank you. We'll let you know A-S-A-P."

×××

"We'd need to think about it? Seriously Celia!?" Ruth guffawed. "Are you out of your damn mind!? This is the meal ticket we've been workin' for!"

"Look, I get that, but we can't seem so eager. We need to play it cool," Celia replied with her hands on her hips.

"Ceil's right," Maggie said. "We need to play our cards right. I mean opening for Holden Beauregard is a big deal."

"Oh, wasn't he just a dream? Did you see those baby blues?" Barbara sighed with a whimsical gaze at nothing in particular. "He said he was a fan of ours!"

"It was all business talk," Celia grumbled. "He had you wrapped around his finger, Babs. Boys like him are dangerous."

"I don't care if he's dangerous, he's our chance to perform real shows!" Ruth beamed. "I say we do the tour."

"If we're voting, you already know my answer is a yes," Barbara giggled.

"I'm only in if Celia's in, too," Maggie said, causing everyone to stare eagerly at Celia.

Celia scoffs. "Fine, I'm in. But only so we can get a bigger reach. But promise me one thing, girls... Promise me that no matter what, we focus on our music and stay out of trouble."

"By trouble you mean Holden?" Barbara said with a forlorn sigh.

"I mean any boy. No fooling around on tour. This is business. We need to stay vigilant," Celia stated firmly. "If we wanna be taken seriously we gotta take this seriously. Got it?"

"Understood," Maggie said.

"Aye aye, captain," Ruth drawled.

"Ugh, fine," Barabara groaned with crossed arms.