William Haddock

It was a sweltering summer afternoon on the interstate. The sea of cars spread out like a river of writhing, screaming heat. A fifty five year old William Haddock wrung his hand on the steering wheel and glanced at the clock every time his car inched forward and slammed to a stop. 5:33 pm . . . .still 5:33 pm ... and still so far until the drive home. But that wasn't all on Will's mind. His cell phone went off.
"This is Billy" 5:34pm
"Billy! how's it goin' dude?"
"Currently in traffic at the moment sir, is there anything I can do for you?"The 2003 Mercedes' breaks were going with each slam and so was his mind.
"Listen Billy, Lexi Starfighter fell through, they're just not what the label's looking for right now."
"Oh is that so? I'm sorry to hear that, she was supposed to be the next Hayley Williams." Fuck. . . and the leathered band slammed down onto the leathered steering wheel. That was is best client.
"Yea, well, not so much, look Billy, we need your back up."
 There was no back up.
"Oh yea, sure Dan, I'll have a meeting set up next week,"William's heart splashed into his chest.
"Awesome, thanks Billy, see you tomorrow-oh and don't forget those contracts you said you would write up"
"not a problem sir, they're as good as on your desk right now."
"Thanks Billy, this is why you're the man!" and the cell phone lit up when Dan disappeared. William threw it onto the dashboard and looked around in despair. He would have to look for a new job, and soon his would be replaced by someone half his age, like what they did with Richard . . . who was now the cocky 27 year old who dangled Williams job above his head like a worm on a hook. What the hell am I going to do? the words sang out in his head, reverberating past the car and joining the waves of heat.

It was here that William Haddock heard the most beautiful voice in the world. She was belting to a broadway song he had never heard before, but the clarity and tone was spot on. He looked to either side of him, eyes mad with desperation.
He had to have that voice.
It was perfect. It was the next Amy Lee. It was going to be his next idol.
But the cars around him contained neither rolled down windows or women.

(To be continued)