Talon watched intently as Maya and Alice seemed to be debating Maya's decision to bring him on as a temporary replacement for her guitar player.
"So listen!" Maya said, her voice resolute. "I have decided to hire him to play with me at my client's wedding party."
"Yeah, sure... that sounds great," Alice said with a nod and enthusiasm, then turned to Talon. "You accepted the offer, right Talon?"
Talon gave a slow nod in response, his mouth remaining closed.
"But what about the fee?" Alice asked, her brow furrowing in concern.
Maya clicked her tongue, pausing for a moment before answering. "So, the three of us will be performing - me as the singer, my friend as the keyboardist, and Talon as the guitarist. Normally, he should get thirty percent of the total fee, but since he's still a beginner, I can only offer twenty. That's the best I can do."
Alice replied firmly. "He may be a beginner, but his skills are not there, right?"
Maya shook her head. "Alice, why are you defending him so much? Are you his manager?"
Alice was silent for a moment, her expression changing to a broad smile as she looked at Talon. "What do you think? Do you want to hire me as your manager? I'll make sure you get the best fee contract."
Talon smiled, slowly nodding his head in agreement. "Thanks, Alice. I think that's a good idea."
Maya sighed in frustration, "You really came to blackmail me, Alice! You know, the fee is not that big, only $4,000!"
"Come on, it's a fair portion for Talon, 30%!" Alice offered firmly. "I'm sure you won't be getting a replacement guitarist any time soon, right? So I think that's good value, $1,200 for Talon. You have no other choice."
After several minutes of arguing, Maya finally caved in and accepted Alice's request.
"Ha ha ha... you are the best friend I have, Maya..." Alice said happily.
"Yes," Maya replied dryly, "but you're not a good friend to me."
Maya then looked at Talon for a while, noting his completely worn appearance.
"So, actually, I have a schedule to sing at the bar every day, but because my friend is being treated in hospital, we have to take a break temporarily. What about if you come with me tonight, Talon? I'll pay you, too. Alice said you don't have a job, right?"
Talon nodded at Maya's words. "Yes, Ms. Maya, I'm interested in that offer."
"Do you have any better outfit than the one you're wearing?" she continued.
"No, he is so poor…" Alice said, stifling a giggle.
Maya took a deep breath and uttered, "I think I have a good idea... What do you think, Alice?"
Alice could sense that they both knew what Maya was implying, so she responded instantly, "Yes, I agree."
They both pondered the idea of getting Talon a new outfit so he could join Maya in performing at the bar tonight.
Alice appeared to be a smart and assertive young girl, evidenced by her choice of attire: long jeans, a crop top t-shirt, and a warm fur jacket. On the other hand, Maya was more femininely dressed, donning a short skirt, long boots that reached her knees, and brighter colors. The trio finally made their way to the nearest mall to find an appropriate outfit for Talon. They needed to look their best, as the bar where Maya performed every night was of a medium to higher class.
"So listen, Talon...," Maya began as she looked back from the front seat of the car that Alice was driving. "I will pay for the outfit we will buy, and I will deduct it from the salary you will get for the next week when we perform at the bar, okay?"
"Yes, I think that's acceptable," Alice responded.
"Why do you keep answering all the questions I give him? Are you officially his manager?" Maya asked in an annoyed tone.
"I know you like using other people for your benefit, Maya," Alice replied with a joking tone, "that's why I protect Talon from you, ha ha ha..."
"Shut up… I think you've squeezed me optimally here, Alice!" Maya answered.
As they navigated through the mall, the contrast between Talon's current state and the potential that lay within him became starkly apparent. The busy mall was a world away from the streets where he usually played, and the glances he received from passersby only emphasized this divide.
Alice and Maya then each take an arm of Talon and pull him between various clothing stores in the mall, drawing a few astonished looks from passersby.
Alice picked up a white fedora hat and placed it on Talon's head. "Talon, I think this hat will make you look more stylish," she said, gesturing for him to check out his reflection in the mirror.
Maya shook her head. "No, that style looks a bit silly," she countered. "I think this one would be more suitable!"
Alice and Maya, with their individual fashion senses, offered recommendations that ranged from the practical to the creative. Alice leaned towards a more casual look that she felt reflected Talon's personality, while Maya suggested options that would be appealing to the more affluent viewers of her performances.
Talon tried on all the clothes they wanted to buy multiple times, showing them off to Maya and Alice as he modeled them.
When Alice saw Talon, she giggled and said, "I think you'd look more attractive if you learned to smile more often Talon."
Maya, on the other hand, was a little stunned. "I think you can be better if you get a little treatment," she suggested.
"Yeah," Alice added, "maybe a better hairstyle."
Maya and Alice had found the perfect outfits for Talon - two pairs of them - and took him to the salon for a facial and a haircut.
When they saw him with his new look, they were amazed. It was like they were seeing a whole different person! His hair was perfectly styled, and his face was glowing - he looked entirely transformed.
Maya, usually hard to impress, couldn't hide a hint of surprise. "Well, I'll admit, this is a significant improvement,"
She continued. "Whatever you've been doing all this time, you should be living better than in Alice's apartment,"
"My apartment is perfectly fine, you idiot!" Alice fired back, not willing to accept the suggestion.
"Thanks," Talon answered slowly.
The three of them then headed to a restaurant in the mall and took the opportunity to enjoy a meal, as they still had plenty of time before evening arrived.
Alice then conveyed her concern to Maya. "Are you sure Talon doesn't need to practice to perform tonight?"
Maya answered enthusiastically. "Yeah, I think he needs a bit of practice, but I don't have time, so we'll just have to go with the flow, haha."
With her mouth still full of food, Maya then faced Talon and said, "I hope you don't disappoint me, okay?"
"Yes, I'll try my best," Talon answered quietly.
Seeing this, Maya smiled kindly at Talon's answer.
Alice then pushed Maya's cheek, teasing her. "Don't go all flirtatious with him. You need to get my permission first, his manager."
"Shut up, bitch!"
As the night descended, Talon made his debut on a more serious stage than ever before; he was to be Maya's guitar accompanist for her singing act at the bar, something that she was accustomed to doing.
Alice was also present, wanting to witness with pride the amazing talent that she had seen in Talon. She thought to herself, "He will be better than this, won't he?"
"Alright, everyone," Maya began. "I have a new friend here tonight... I'd like to introduce you to a street performer - this poor young man - who turns out to have quite remarkable talent."