Chapter 189 - Blackbird Cafe Once More

"Is that… my beer?" Walter asks, dumbfounded while feeling an odd sense of pride as he watches the highway robbery scene this time, showing the Orisini men and Giovanni in the film, stealing crates of beers with Red Abbey Lager logo in them, instead of the unbranded ones in the original cut.

"Yeah. 'Red Abbey Lager', it's so good even the mob steals it. This is not the only cut I can put on the American and Teungebian releases. The next two films to this, there's plenty of chances I can show your beer." Tayaw offers.

"'Not the only one'?..." Walter says, his brain churning.

"AHAHAHA! Alright! Whatever share you want to offer, forget it. I'm promoting your film for free." Walter finally says after a few seconds of consideration.

"Hey. Come on, we're not strangers, are we? I can't do free. I have principles." Tayaw says, feeling burdened at the free offer.

"You're too nice, kid. Yes, this film is violent. But I feel like it will sell." Walter says his impression of Tayaw rising.

"How about this? For 'your principle', I'll take half a percent. That's enough to cover the expenses in re-printing our billboards." Walter says.

"0.5%..." Tayaw is dumbfounded at how small the offer is.

"Take it or leave it." Walter carefreely says.

"Okay, okay… I'll give you… 0.5%." Tayaw finally promises.

"Good. And, who knows? Maybe that 0.5% can do more than just cover but actually earn me some change. Not to mention a possible raise, no matter how small it is, to my sales." Walter nods in approval.

"Good." Tayaw sighs, in relief that he reached an agreement with Walter. 

"Hey. Have you checked out the rest of my country album?" Tayaw asks suddenly, changing the subject.

"Yeah. I love them. About the guitar playing. They sounded easy, and they are, but I just can't make it sound as good as yours." Walter says.

"That's my sound. Maybe you'll sound better when you play it your style." Tayaw says.

"Hmph. Harder than you make it sound. But I'll try." Walter takes Tayaw's advice.

"How's 'Red Abbey Sessions' doing nowadays? Since I shot my videos, I haven't really kept up with the others who followed." Tayaw says, the connections in his questions making Walter excited once again.

"Heh. I'd be happy to have you back. It's rather hard to look for artists like you." Walter says.

"I thought it was doing great? You have around three hundred thousand subscribers the last time I checked." Tayaw asks.

"I was advised to have more variety. So while a lot of people love the singers that appeared, I'm not as big a fan. Aside from those kids from Strawberry front and that kid Randall from Kentucky, it's your music that suits me the best." Walter says.

"Huh… Thanks. Anyways, can I put the trailer of my film in your YouTube Channel too?" Tayaw asks.

"Eugh. Fine. Fine. Whatever. Just make sure that you film more songs for us than you did last time." Walter can only scoff at Tayaw grabbing another chance to promote. 

~~~~~~~~~~

5 PM – Hillsboro Pike, Nashville – Blackbird Café.

"The guitar is a given. But what are you doing with that carry-on luggage?" Walter asks as he watches Tayaw unload stuff from the trunk of his impala he insisted on Tayaw to use to come to the bar.

"Oh. I have a digital stomp box in there but, what's more important are the camcorders and recording devices. For filming simple videos." Tayaw explains.

"You're planning on filming for my YouTube tonight?" Walter asks.

"Yeah. While your beer factory is nice, I want a more intimate, but more public mood for the ones I shoot this time." Tayaw says. 

After playing around more in Walter's house, Tayaw decided to come down to town. Walter, having nothing to do on a Saturday, and curious at what Tayaw wants to do, also tags along. Walter has also dressed up with his cowboy outfit while Tayaw is donning his three-piece suit, sunglasses, and cowboy hat once again. 

"Does Henry know about this? I thought he forbids filming with even phones." Walter asks.

"I've asked for his permission, don't worry. I'm actually surprised that he was so glad to agree with my request." Tayaw says as he picks up his guitar and the carry-on luggage, and walks towards the Blackbird Café's entrance.

Walter locks his car and follows.

Before they can enter the door, Walter stops as he points at the new and shiny marquee of the bar containing the names of the artists in the line-up.

"Hey. Your name ain't there…" Walter notes.

"I actually didn't want him to. I'm not planning on playing for more gigs in the near future anyway ... Alright. I'll see you inside, I'm taking the back door." Tayaw tells Walter and with that, they part, with Walter disappointed at Tayaw not planning on staying longer like he did last time. 

~~~~~

"Isaac! HAHA! You've finally decided to grace us with your presence?" Tayaw just entered the backdoor and he receives a surprising bear hug from Henry who has been hanging out in the kitchen.

"Oof. Oh. Good to see you too, big boss." Tayaw is overwhelmed.

"Good god. You still look the same the last time I saw you." Henry says as he gives Tayaw a once-over.

"It's only been a year or so, Henry. You, on the other hand, still look healthy as ever." Tayaw comments on the liveliness of the 70 something year old man. 

"Heh. Work hard, live long…" Henry says.

Before Tayaw can continue the chat, *murmur* *murmur* he is distracted by the staff in the kitchen starting a chatter. Tayaw looks around to realize that the attention of the room is on him and Henry.

"Hey fellas. Tim, Krystal, Jeremy. How y'all doin'?" Tayaw greets the bar's chefs.

"I thought my eyes are playin' tricks on me. Hello!" Krystal says.

Before Tayaw can entertain the staff, "Back to work! I have a lot to speak about with him." Henry orders the staff.

The staff can only shake their head. After all, it's only an hour before the first order of a long Saturday night service, and they have a lot of prep work to do.

"So, which spot are you taking? Are you staying in Nashville longer this time?" 

~~~~~~~~~~

"Hey kid, what are you doing?" A 50-something year-old patron who is sitting with two of his similarly aged buddies near the stage, asks Tayaw.

Tayaw is now setting up his cameras and microphone after having Henry place in him in the opening spot, to his request. The act whose spot Tayaw took, also gladly gave the spot as they are still going to receive pay. 

"I'm filming something for the internet." Tayaw explains.

"Hm, interesting… Are you new here?" The patron asks.

"Kind of. I performed here for a month back in 2011 but because my visa expired, I had to go home." Tayaw lies just for his own amus.e.m.e.nt.

"Oh? Welcome back then." The patron says.

"Thanks man." Tayaw says.

*Snicker* meanwhile, the patron's friends, who are also watching Tayaw set up, can no longer hold their laughter and start snickering at their buddy.

"What's up with you two?" The patron asks.

"Nothing." One of his friends simply reply while giving Tayaw a wink.

Tayaw also gives a recognizing nod as a response. The patron's friends, who Tayaw recognizes, are two regulars at the bar, present in almost all of Tayaw's latter gigs last 2011. Aside from the three customers, the huge bar is now a third full of regulars. But unlike the patron's two friends, the rest of the customers have not realized Tayaw's identity yet maybe because they are occupied with their company, or are just sitting farther from the stage. 

"What time are ya playin' kid?" Walter, who has settled himself at a table also near the stage, asks.

"I'm opening. I'm going home early tonight. Oh. Look at the time." Tayaw says, noticing that it is almost 6, the bar's schedule for the line-up to start performing.

"Break a leg." The patron's friend remarks.

"Thanks." Tayaw says.

After a final check with the cameras and his recorder, Tayaw finally heads to the stage with his already tuned guitar. 

Tayaw sits on the stool and starts plucking his guitar for introductions. This also gets the attention of the customers.

"Good evening folks. Welcome to Blackbird Café. I'm the first act of the night…" While Tayaw is reciting his usual spiel, the customers *murmur* are roused.

Many of them, being regulars of the bar, immediately recognize Tayaw, so they all picked up their drinks to transfer to the tables closer to the stage.

Meanwhile, the servers and the bartenders, looking at the young singer who made a name in the bar, watch in pride at the response of the customers before the gig even properly begins. 

"… Thank you. Y'all might know this one." Tayaw finally ends his spiel and starts playing 'Devil's Suit and Tie'.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7PM

"They say time can take the wounds away 

Yeah, they say time will change anything

But time forgot I broke my heart

Yeah, time forgot to heal my heart…" 

(Based on Daniel Romano's 'Time Forgot')

*CHEER* *APPLAUSE* *WHISTLES* .

"Thank you." Tayaw finally sang the 14th and last song in his country album for the patrons of Blackbird Café.

Even though Tayaw is already unplugging his guitar and stomp box, the patrons are still giving him a warm applause, even standing up for him. 

"ENCORE!" Walter shouts to Tayaw.

While he knows that Blackbird Café musicians usually do not do encores because of the time constraint, he wants to see more of Tayaw because he knows that Tayaw will not stay in Nashville for another performance at the bar.

"Yeah! Play us another!" Another patron also requests quite aggressively, reflecting what the crowd wants.

"*sigh* I'm sorry. My time's up and I don't want to take the next performer's time." Tayaw says, despite wanting to play more.

*BOOOO* The crowd playfully jeer out of disappointment.

"BUT! I will come back again next week." Tayaw promises.

*WHOOO* *APPLAUSE* The crowd now responds more positively. Tayaw takes this chance to quickly unplug and pack his filming equipment. 

A minute later, Tayaw steps in the green groom.

In Blackbird Café, before the night starts, the green room is always empty aside from the opening act. That is the same when Tayaw was preparing earlier. Now though, the green room is unusually filled and he is welcomed by the musicians who came in early to meet him.

"He—hello...!" Tayaw starts cheerfully but is taken aback as he does not recognize any of the faces among the people in the room.

"Hello. I'm Isaac." Tayaw introduces himself after adapting to the situation.

"We know!" A vocalist for some band says, echoing the other musicians' sentiments.

"What's with the face?" Another musician asks.

"No. It's just… I've been gone for over a year and it looks like the folks I used to hang with are not here anymore." Tayaw says as he looks around. While scanning, he spots someone trying to hide behind someone, peeking his head out, but still sticking out like a sore thumb.

"Travis?" Tayaw calls out.

The other musicians, knowing the name, also look towards Travis' direction.

"H-hey, Isaac." Travis greets timidly.

He is still guilty about calling the cops on Tayaw but he came to the bar nonetheless to see Tayaw. Travis also found out that Tayaw knew of his actions from Henry. The other musicians, seeing that the two know each other, leaves them alone to give them space to catch up.

Tayaw nod at them in thanks and gestures Travis to the corner of the room.

"So, Travis. Finally a regular here?" Tayaw asks, no longer as indignant as the last time he saw Travis.

"Yeah." Travis says, timidly.

"Well, congratulations. Since when?" Tayaw asks again.

"Thanks man. I started last February." Travis, seeing Tayaw's accommodating mood, is now relieved.

"Man. What happened here? Same place, but different people." Tayaw says, referring to the musicians he just acquainted himself with.

"Ah. Well, after Strawberry Front left, many also followed. Either they signed with a label, or just focused on playing for others… Iris and her band though, they headline here now on Mondays or Tuesdays…" Travis starts updating Tayaw on the events of the bar.