Chapter Five
Silas
Three weeks had passed without a single gig coming my way. With each day that went by, I felt my dreams falling to the wayside. I’d had a toothache recently, and when I was waiting for the dentist to see me, I’d ended up chatting with the receptionist. She asked me what I did for a living, and the first thing that came out my mouth was that I was a construction worker. I’d felt annoyed at myself immediately. If those were the first words I thought of when someone asked me what I did for a living, then it could only mean that it was how I was starting to see myself. I couldn’t exactly take the words back either and tell her that I was really a singer. It would make it seem even worse then. She’d gone on to tell me what a decent job that was and how important it was to have a job that was needed by the people. I’d felt a little sad at the conversation. She was right. People needed construction workers. They didn’t need singers.
The construction work was part time, and I was grateful for the money. But it wasn’t enough. And when it came around for the time to pay my rent, I realized how low I was on cash. I wished I could go back in time and not have bought those beers for the guys. Although, I doubt it would’ve made much of a difference to my lack of cash flow. I took a deep breath and called my landlord. We got along great when I had first moved in. I had very little dealings with him other than a few times when he had to come fix something around the place. But I was starting to get the impression that he wished I wasn’t his tenant. This wasn’t the first time that I was calling to ask for an extension on my payment, even though I had promised that the last time would be the final time I made the request.
“Silas, all okay there?” he asked with trepidation in his voice.
I sighed. “I’m so sorry to ask this of you,” I started. “Things have just been kind of tough around here lately. I have been working, and I will be getting paid, but it just hasn’t been as quick as I would’ve liked it to be. I know rent is due, but I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind me paying a bit later this month? I am sure I can get it all to you in the next week or so. I mean, if you don’t mind? I know it’s a lot to ask.” I realized I was waffling, but I felt too nervous to stop. If I stopped talking, he might turn me down. At least now there was still a chance that he wouldn’t.
“Again?”
“Like I said, I’m so sorry about this. But I promise you that money will be here soon.”
“Silas, I’m sorry. I do like you a lot. And I know you’re not trying to mess me around. But I also have bills to pay, and I simply can’t keep doing this. This is the third time you are asking for an extension. And you promised last time that you would never ask again.”
“I know. I’m so sorry. But I really do promise this time.”
“Unfortunately, I just can’t keep doing this. I’m sorry, Silas. But I’m going to have to get that money from you. You’ll just have to make a plan. I hate saying no to you, but things are a little tough for all of us you know.”
I gulped. I hadn’t really expected him to say no. I knew he wouldn’t be happy, but I still thought he would at least give me another chance. What was I supposed to do now? It wasn’t like I had money lying around to help me at times like this.
“Okay, well, I understand,” I said.
“Thanks, Silas.”
I put the phone down and shook my head. I could probably call one of my brothers and ask them to help me, but it would feel too much like failure if I did. I didn’t want to admit to them that I was doing well. I knew I was being stubborn, but I really wanted them to think that I was doing well. I wanted to prove to them that I had it in me to become a star. A star didn’t ask for favors. I would simply have to sort this out myself.
I made my way to my boss’s office. Speaking to him face to face would be much better than talking to him over the phone. That was probably what I should’ve done with my landlord too, but it was too late for that now. The office wasn’t too far from home anyway, and it was good to get out the apartment. Being in there only reminded me that I couldn’t really afford to live there at the moment. I needed a plan.
I knocked on the door, and Gary beckoned me in.
“Silas? This is a nice surprise. Come on in. Actually, I was just about to get myself a coffee. Would you like one?”
“Yeah, actually that would be great,” I said and took a seat.
Gary called his secretary and ordered two coffees. He held up his hand and told me to give him a few seconds while he just finished up on an email. By the time he was finished his secretary had walked in carrying a tray of coffees. I dunked two sugars and took a sip.
Gary laughed. “Two sugars and no milk? I don’t know how you do it. I need lots of milk in mine.”
“This is the only way! Milk completely ruins it. I probably should have no sugar too, but even I can't go that far.”
“Strange boy. So, what can I do for you? Sorry about making you wait like that. I was in the middle of an email. I have the worst memory lately. If I didn’t send it now, I wouldn’t be surprised if I just forgot to send it altogether. It must be old age.”
I laughed. “That’s okay. I probably should’ve called first. Uh, there’s just something I wanted to ask you. It’s not something I really feel comfortable with though, and I didn’t want to do it over the phone.” I felt nervous and shifted uncomfortably in my seat.
“You sound like you’re breaking up with me,” Gary teased.
“Actually, uh, I was wondering if there is a chance I can get an advance on my paycheck.” I cringed as the words came out my mouth.
“An advance? Silas, you don’t have to be embarrassed to ask for something like that. Unfortunately, though, it’s not something I can do. I’ve already had one of the guys ask me before, and I turned him down. We have quite a few members working for us, and we adhere to strict rules regarding payment. If I do a favor for one guy, then I won’t be able to turn down the next. I feel bad because I really get along well with you, but I have to stick to the rules. I’ve made a similar mistake before, and I was in a world of trouble. I know you wouldn’t say anything, but you know how word has a way of getting out.”
I sighed and sat back in my chair. I was grateful for his honesty, but I had no idea what I was going to do anymore. I nodded. “I totally understand. I thought it was worth at least asking you.”
“Of course! I’m glad you did. What’s going on? It’s not like you to be so strapped for cash. Is it?”
“Sort of. I mean, I just haven’t gotten many gigs lately,” I said honestly. “And I think I’m paying far too much for rent. More than I can afford. I guess it’s all just caught up to me lately.”
“Yeah, these things happen. Look, you’re doing a great job here, and I’ll try and get you more work if you like. You know what it’s like here: we’re either super busy or super quiet. There never seems to be an in between. But maybe you should look at moving anyway. Maybe you can get something cheaper.”
I nodded. “Yeah, it looks like that’s what I’m going to have to do. I just hope I can find something. Rent is crazy expensive at the moment.”
“Oh, hey, I actually saw something in the paper today. I was looking for something for a friend of mine when I came across it. I remember thinking it was a great deal. Almost too good to be true, really. Hang on; I think I still have the paper here.”
Gary rummaged through his desk and retrieved the newspaper from under a stack of files. He flipped through until he found the advert for me and handed it over.
“Oh, I think I know this place. It’s huge. I’ve often wondered about who owns this place. But I’m not sure I want to share a place with someone.”
“Yeah, but at that size, you can probably share without really getting into each other’s way. Also, you can just stay there until you get yourself on your feet again. It sure beats worrying about rent each month.”
I nodded. He was right. And the rent was so much better than what I was paying now. It was at least half in fact. That was just what I needed. Although I was sure that someone would’ve already snapped it up the moment the advert went out. I thanked Gary and immediately got out my phone to call the number.
“Uh, hello, I’m looking for Riley,” I said as I scanned the name on the newspaper.
“Speaking.”
“Hi, Riley. My name is Silas. I’m calling in regards to the ad in the paper. Is the room still available?”
“Oh, you’re quick! Yeah, the ad just went out today. You’re actually the first person to call about it.”
“Really? I was worried it would’ve been taken already.”
She chuckled. “I guess more people look online for places to stay then they do in newspapers. I only realized that after I put the ad in the paper.”
I laughed. “That’s true. Well, we must be old school then. I’m glad it’s still available. It’s come at a very good time for me. So, I’d love to find out more.”
“Would you like to come over tomorrow to take a look at it? I’m used to living on my own, so I’d like to meet you first if you don’t mind.”
“I’m used to living on my own too,” I said and smiled. It was good that we were in the same boat. “And tomorrow sounds perfect.”
I put down the phone and grinned. Riley sounded nice. She also sounded very young, which was unexpected. I figured that the owner of that big house would be someone a lot older. I quickly sent my landlord a message to ask him if I could pay half the rent today and half next week. I also told him that I was going to start looking for somewhere else to live. He replied to tell me that he thought it would be for the better too. Now I just hoped that Riley and I wanted to live together because if not, I was going to have to work fast to find another place to live.
One day I would look back on all of this and laugh. For now, I was the true definition of a starving artist.