The uncle was in a good mood. He smiled at the librarian across the table.
“More wine?” he said.
“I’d love some,” said the librarian. “Thank you.”
Cuchulainn tapped anxiously at the table. “I cannot believe Tony.”
“Cuchulainn.” said the uncle. “It’s really not appropriate to invite your therapist to dinner.”
“He knows how important this is to me!”
“Just tell us! I don’t think he’s coming.”
“Yeah,” said the librarian. “You’ve really been building suspense.”
The uncle smiled. “Well, it’s no secret that Cuchulainn has been looking for full-time work.”
“Have you?” The librarian turned to Cuchulainn.
“Uncle, please,” he said.
“No, no,” said the uncle. “When I’m proud of you, I’m going to say it. Well, I pulled a few strings and -”
The doorbell rang.
“That must be him!” said Cuchulainn. “Uncle, will you get that?”
The uncle happily went to the door.
“This is very good wine,” said the librarian. “Your uncle really spared no expense tonight.”
“Oh, indeed,” said Cuchulainn. “He must be so curious to know my secret.”
“Secret? I thought he got you a job.”
“Cuchulainn!” the uncle called out. “Did you hire a clown?”
“Ah!” said Cuchulainn. “That is Stinko! Tell him to come in.”
Stinko the clown followed the uncle into the dining room and saw Cuchulainn. “You? What is this?”
“I am pleased you could make it!” Cuchulainn pulled out a chair.
The librarian giggled and introduced herself.
“I’m…Stinko,” said Stinko. He turned to Cuchulainn. “What was your name again?”
Cuchulainn laughed and slapped him on the back. “Oh, Stinko, my man! You light up the room!”
“Right.”
“As I was saying,” said the uncle, “I managed to connect Cuchulainn with a friend of mine about an apprenticeship.”
“Oh, excellent!” The librarian helped herself to the rest of the bottle.
“What kind of work?” asked Stinko.
“Uncle, we are waiting for Tony!” said Cuchulainn.
“He’s not coming!” said the uncle.
“Oh, very well,” said Cuchulainn. “My dearest friends, if things transpire accordingly, my uncle and I here will be flying you out with us to Memphis, Tennessee for -”
“What are you talking about?”
“I am telling them the news!”
“Yeah! The apprenticeship, the job, the interview!”
“Oh.” Cuchulainn shook his head. “No, I did not go to the interview.”
“What!” the uncle shouted.
“I didn’t think he did,” said the librarian.
“‘Dearest friends’ ?” said Stinko.
The uncle took a breath. “Cuchulainn, what are you talking about going to Memphis?”
“Well,” Cuchulainn smiled, “beginning tomorrow, I shall be competing in the preliminary rounds of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest!”
“Congratulations!” said the librarian.
“You will not!” said the uncle. “You are not dodging work again just to be an Elvis lookalike.”
“It is more than that!” said Cuchulainn. “I will be made up like the king, of course, but also singing and swinging my hips. Yes. And, if I rise to the finals, you will all join me in Memphis. First prize is twenty thousand dollars!”
“You can earn that with a real job!”
“Well, I can’t wait!” said the librarian.
“See?” said Cuchulainn. “Join the spirit of the moment, Uncle. Must you forever quash my dreams?”
“These are not dreams!” said the uncle. “These are Vegas novelties.”
“Did you say twenty thousand?" said Stinko.
The uncle gestured at the clown next to him. “How much of my money is this man costing, anyway?”
The timer dinged in the kitchen.
“Shut up, Uncle,” said Cuchulainn. “Will you get the food?”
“And maybe more wine,” said the librarian.
The uncle shuffled off, muttering, “Tribute artist!”
“Tony said he would be upset,” said Cuchulainn.
“I think you’re gonna do great,” said the librarian.
Cuchulainn curled his lip.