“I used to dance and serve drinks at the Big Red Rocket in Glendale.”
“Did you bother Stark here the other night?”
Fuck Hollywood gives me a slightly panicked look.
I say, “Would I have given her my coat if she did?”
Carlos motions to her to come over.
“Let me see your hands.”
She holds them up.
“They’re little,” he says. “And too pretty. Cleaning glasses all night is going to fuck them up. You’re going to need to moisturize and take better care of them.”
Her eyes widen.
“Does that mean I get the job?”
“Provisionally.”
Fuck Hollywood jumps up and down a little in my oversize coat.
“Thank you. Thank you.”
She grabs me in a hug, then abruptly lets go.
She says, “Sorry. That’s probably inappropriate workplace behavior.”
“Not today,” I tell her.
Soon, the others begin to arrive.
Candy and Alessa bring Allegra and Brigitte. She’s a knockout in a shiny black cocktail dress. Everyone is goofy, smiling and hugging each other. I try to stay out of range but get caught by a few cruise missiles of happiness.
Janet arrives a few minutes after that in a dark blue tailored men’s three-piece suit, complete with pocket square. They, too, look amazing.
After a few drinks, Ray takes Janet and Brigitte to the center of the room, where the chairs have been cleared out. The rest of us gather around them.
Ray says, “Welcome, everybody. I know that the day started off on a somber note, but I hope it can end on a joyous and legally binding one.”
He takes Janet and Brigitte’s hands in his.
“Do you, Janet Peterson, take Jaroslava Schallerová to be your lawful spouse, to learn all about her so you can answer stupid questions, and to go to USCIS meetings with her until the federal
government pulls its head out of its ass?”
“I do,” says Janet.
Jaroslava Schallerová. I’ve never heard Brigitte’s real name before. I sort of forgot she had one. Too late for her. She’ll always be Brigitte Bardo, ace killer, to me.
Ray says, “And do you, Jaroslava Schallerová, take Janet Peterson to be your lawful spouse until it’s safe for you to stay here with us without harassment, and we find the stupid bastard who narced on you and kick his ass?”
“I do,” says Brigitte.
He puts Janet and Brigitte’s hands together and says, “By the power vested in me by the St. Dagon United Internet Church and the state of California, I now pronounce you married.”
Janet and Brigitte kiss. Candy and Alessa throw confetti at them.