THE GENTLE GOD AMONG THEM, Act 1

By Magdalena Narrows

The moon reflected off the tinted window of the white limousine as it pulled up to Pebbles Bar on San Vicente Boulevard. It was an unassuming dive, not used to the likes of fancy cars that the bars in trendy areas like Hollywood knew so well. The vehicle door opened, and a black boot followed by a tight fitting pair of jeans emerged from the vehicle.

Then he was there, the nocturnally sunglassesed Nic Cage. He had on an off-white blazer and a cowboy hat. With two fingers, he pulled his glasses down to the tip of his nose, revealing his eyes which were an adequate replacement for the stars you could never see in an LA sky, and he smiled.

This is perfect, he said. He tapped twice on the limo with his fist and it drove off. Then he made his way into the bar.

As he stepped through the door, every downtrodden face in the room looked up to see the newcomer. Mouths dropped to the floor, a red headed woman in her mid-forties tipped over her beer, spilling it on her low cut blouse. She ****ed her head up and paused, staring open mouthed at Nic Cage, horror and embarrassment forming in little red patches on her cheeks. After a moment, she collected her bearings and ran to the bathroom.

Nic Cage smiled at the scene, and then held out his hands, palms down to calm everyone.

Its ok, Im a regular guy just like you all.
With that, the rest of the patrons returned to exactly what they were doing before Nic Cage entered their atmosphere.

He saddled up to the counter, and was greeted by the bartender, a tall slender man around thirty five years old. He placed a bowl of peanuts and a napkin in front of Nic Cage.

Whatll it be?

Ill have a Bud Light. Unlike the trendy bars, no Stella Artois could be found in these taps.

The bartender reached under the counter top and pulled out a frosty brown bottle and removed the cap. He set it in front of Nic Cage.

Cage tipped his hat to the bartender.

Thank you, friend. He looked off into the distance and took his first sip.

Mmm, hits the spot. Cage smiled up at the bartender.

Mind if I ask you something, Mr. Cage? the bartender ventured a question.

Sure thing.

What brings you into my bar all the way out here? Id take you for one of those fancy pants types hanging out at the rooftop lounge at the Standard or something.

Cage looked up, grinned, then winked.

You have no idea.

The Gentle God Among Them,  Act 2

By Magdalena Narrows

Just then, the bartender looked over Cages shoulder, and Cage turned around to see what it was. And there she was, sopping wet, the red head who spilled her beer. She frowned. Nic Cage turned back around and laughed to himself.

Had a little accident there, Madeline? the bartender asked the red head. He reached under the counter and produced another Corona for the lady. This ones on the house.

Thanks Bill. Then she turned to Cage. Im sorry that happened, Mr. Cage, Madeline said.

Nic Cage turned around, and with smiling teeth he held out his hand to Madeline. She hesitated and then reached out to shake Cages hand. He grasped it delicately, and brought it up to his mouth where he planted a single rose-like kiss directly in its center.

Call me Nic. He released her hand. Why are you apologizing?

Im sorry you had to see that. Im so embarrassed.

I see things like that all of the time, and usually the women who do it arent half as good looking as you.

Madeline blushed; her cheeks now matched her long red hair.

Bill the bartender looked on, smiling. Why dont you have a seat? I was just asking Mr. Cage

Its Nic, Cage interrupted.

Sorry, Bill continued. I was just asking Nic here, he gestured to Cage, what the hell hes doing in my bar instead of hanging out with all the movers and shakers over in Hollywood.

Yeah, Madeline piped in. What are you doing here?

My new movie premiered tonight, Cage sighed, his eyes distant.

Congratulations! Bill exclaimed.

Madeline looked on in awe.

Is that the one where somehow you can communicate with satellites and you see that there is going to be an attack somewhere, and you dont know where it is, so you run to the military but no one believes you? It also starred whats her name, Renee Zelweger, right? Bill asked.

I sure am jealous of her, Madeline said almost under her breath as she looked at Cage.

Cage looked down, Yeah, thats the one.

That looked pretty cool! What was that called again?

The Redeemer.

The Redeemer! Thats right! Man, I wish I could have been at that premiere, I cant wait to see that movie. Bill the bartender was gushing.

Nic Cage looked up, his eyes suddenly sharp and wild.

Dont you dare say that. Cage reached over the bar and grabbed a handful of the bartenders shirt. Dont you ever say that, you have no idea what youre saying.

Cage let go of the bartenders shirt and dropped back down to his chair. Madeline hesitated and then put her arm on Cages shoulder. Cage gripped her hand with his. The bartender stood back.

Im sorry, Mr. Cage, I didnt mean to offend you.

Its ok. Please, call me Nic. I realize that I never answered your question, Cage responded. You see, the reason Im here is that I just cant take those Hollywood phonies anymore, I want to get to where the real people live, and I want to be one of them. So I had my driver take me around and I somehow managed to find your bar, and here I am.

Well, I sure am glad you made it here, Madeline said, her eyes staring longingly at Cage.

Cage turned to her, and his eyes stared back into hers. Madeline was sure her heart had skipped a beat.

Me too, Madeline, Cage whispered.

You remembered my name? Madeline asked, blushing.

Im very observant, its part of my job as an actor.

To Be Continued