Skye Life - All Work and No Play

Friday night kicked off well enough but it seemed Saturday night was on fire. Mathias's phone rang all morning, some places he flatly said no. Too far, someone else’s turf, there were plenty of parties in the city. It’s what made him desirable to show up, the exclusivity of his drugs.

The big ticket of the night was a rooftop party, even better the DJ bailed last minute, something about food poisoning. He slid Cyd in the slot so fast the color in her hair might have flown off. Better yet, it was the pay bump. Crisis pay.

They walk through a fancy lobby with lots of places and white marble. After a while, it stopped being awe-inspiring and more typical. It really made him wonder what the obsession was with marble.

The one thing he learned when walking through places like this was to look like you didn't care. Like you belonged. It didn’t matter how you were dressed if you looked and acted like you were supposed ot be there people were less liable to give you shit.

“Up, down, or you staying on the ground?” Mathias asked when the door to the elevator closed.

“On the ground… for now,” Cyd said, taking in the surroundings. “I don’t want to be chill if the crowd is amped up, and I don’t want to be amped if everyone is chill. But don’t forget to make rounds my way, because I might change my mind. And thanks again, for getting me the gig. The credits they are paying is insane.”

“You don’t have to thank me.” Mathias said with a smirk. “We could use the money, hell, you should put some aside for some new equipment, better equipment, better sound, easier and faster workflow, more music, more gigs.”

“Serena’s got her heart set on a couch. I think that’s priority, and then better equipment. Who knows, if Olin and I work out for a bit, I might be able to score some high end second hand gear at a discount.” She told him, bouncing on her toes to help get ready for the night.

“I think I got it mostly fixed, holding it up with a cinder block underneath. Very firm.” Mathias chuckled. “A new couch will happen, just haven’t found one yet. New equipment? Better gigs? It’s all about the long con to get a really, really nice couch! Speaking of Olin … are you two going for a record or something?”

“Taking it day by day, he’s good - as a DJ I mean. Insanely good, not just because of the equipment. His timing, his rhythm, Loops I have to spend two days trying to come up with, fly off the top of his head.” She said dreamily, playing with the choker necklace she was wearing to match her outfit.

“All I heard was a long string of double entendre.” Mathias teased laughing. “I’m glad you're happy though. I will still turn him into carbon if he hurts you that's just … where I would start. So you know. I am very creative.”

“What about you? Now that Nike’s back in town?” Cyd asked, raising an eyebrow.

“What about Nike?” Mathias turned matching her eyebrow for eyebrow.

“Broke your heart once, any second chances in the future?” she pressed.

“We were kids, she moved away. Not anyone’s fault.” Mathias reminded. “She’s … with the love of her life. There ain’t nothing, we are just friends now.”

“She has two sisters,” Cyd offered. “I just want to see you happy, you deserve something good now and again.”

“What? No! One of them is Serena’s age, don’t be weird! The other one is abroad or something.” Mathias said with a dismissive wave. “No, way too friggin weird.” He said firmly. “I am happy, bills getting paid, creds coming in, new couch in my future what's not to be happy about? That's the best part of a low bar! Never disappointed.”

“You know the whole all work and no play thing. Don’t go all Shining on me or Serena.” She warned, wagging a finger in his direction.

“I play!” Mathias said, straightening. “Sometimes …”

“I bet you have an after-party lined up to work,” Cyd accused. “You don’t even have to answer, I already know I’m right.”

“That is … you know I always have after-parties lined up. That’s not even an accusation that is just a fact.” Mathias snorted.

Cyd didn’t press. Mathias working after parties kept them afloat. She knew it as well as he did, but that didn’t mean she had to like it.