need to get those tickets this afternoon at the latest. Theyâre selling out fast.â
Mr. Whitman leaned close to Dunc. âWhoâs the skinny one with the beady eyes?â
âThatâs my friend, Mr. Whitman. Heâs going to help clean the center.â
The little man looked Amos up and down, then he leaned close to Dunc again. âIf I were you, son, Iâd keep an eye on him.â
Mr. Whitman unlocked the back door and hobbled down the stairs. He showed them where the cleaning supplies were kept. They were in a closet next to a door marked âOffice.â
âIs that your office, Mr. Whitman?â Dunc asked.
âNo, sonny. The city doesnât see fit to give me an office. Thatâs for those slick guys who manage the different shows that come in here. They use it while theyâre here, and then I clean it for the next show.â
Mr. Whitman handed Dunc a mop and Amos a push broom. âYou boys start up there in the balcony section and work your way down. Itâll only take you two or three days to do the whole building.â The little man slapped Amos on the back as he hobbled away. âDonât just stand there. Get to it, boy.â
Amos tried to pick out the last row of seats in the shadows of the balcony. âTwo or three days? This is going to take the rest of our lives.â
âI wouldnât worry too much about it,â a honey-smooth voice answered. A nice-looking young man, about twenty years old, walked up behind them. âThe kids who come to the Road Kill concerts usually trash the place. If I were you, I wouldnât spend too much time cleaning up before the concert. Itâs after it that Iâd worry about.â
The young man stuck out his hand. âIâm Roy. Roy Freeman. Iâm with the band.â
Amos stared at him wide-eyed. âYouâreâyouâre Raunchy Roy.â Amos was in shock.
The young man was embarrassed. âThatâs my stage name. My manager thought of it. You guys can call me Roy.â
Amos continued to stand there with his mouth open. Dunc reached out and shook the young manâs hand. âIâm Dunc.â He jerked his thumb toward Amos. âThis is Amos. He wanted to see your concert, soweâre cleaning the center to earn money to buy tickets.â
âHey, maybe I can help.â Roy reached into his pocket and pulled out two tickets. âHere you go. On the house.â
âWow.â Amos kept staring at him. âI actually know Raunchy Roy. Melissa is going to be so impressed.â
âWhoâs Melissa?â Roy asked.
âThis girl heâs got a case for.â Dunc headed for the supply closet. âIt was nice meeting you, Roy. Come on, Amos. We better get busy, or we wonât be through in time for the concert.â
âHere.â Roy reached into his pocket again. âIf Amos is taking Melissa, youâll need another ticket.â
Amos held up his hand. âDonât bother. Dunc thinks your music stinks.â
Dunc gave Amos a hard look. âI didnât say it stinks.â
âNo, youâre right. I think what you said was, they had the musical ability of leftover vegetables.â
âAmos.â
Roy smiled. âThatâs okay. I understand. Probably more than you know. Hey, I have an idea. How would you guys like to come to one of our practice sets? Who knows, maybe youâll hear something youâll like.â
âOh, hey, thanks for asking butââ
Amos stepped around Dunc. âSounds great. Weâll be there.â
⢠3
They were in Duncâs kitchen making lunch. Amos bit into his newest creationâa sour pickle, whipped cream, and potato chip sandwich. His face puckered. âI think it needs something.â Amos took another bite. âI donât want to rub it in or anything, but you were way off base about Raunchy Roy and the band.â
Dunc put a piece of
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