A week went by without much incident. Lily was once again in the spotlight singing on the piano, as well as helping out backstage, helping with the wait staff, and in the kitchen when asked. Still, Lily had a lot on her mind today before another shift and show. 

Why would Lady's check bounce? Marty and the Molly-Wood were always good for paying people. Was the Molly-Wood struggling money wise? And that magic. Not many people used magic these days, and stuff called war magic was illegal. Stuff like that was only used in crime and war, stuff the majority of people didn't and couldn't use. She knew Lady. She worked at the Molly-Wood for eleven years. That entire time no one knew she could use war magic. She seemed stressed of late and grumpy. She does have two kids in tow. Were things not going well at home?

Many people don't like magic users these days. Some do dangerous things so some of their worry was justified. The general consensus everywhere was split down the middle. Half were okay with it and half stayed far away from anyone with magical prowess. After what Lily saw yesterday, and having that happen from anyone anywhere, who could blame them. Most magic was used for either medical reasons or entertainment, yet the news, which Lily hates ever listening to, kept saying modern medicine and the internet were replacing magic all over in both departments. 

Was technology really taking over and making magic a thing of the past? That would be a dreadful sight. Lily and her sister loved using magic. It certainly got them out of tough times back then, and it's the reason Lily had a career in entertainment. She wouldn't be here, in more ways than one, if it wasn't for the gift of being adept in magic. Internet, travel, and the idea that magic hurts the planet all pointed to magic becoming a thing of the past soon enough. That thought frightened Lily.

“Lily?!” Linda yelled.

Huh!? Oh, sorry sis. Just got a stuffy brain today!”

“You're gonna be late and you don't even have your bag ready.”

Lily sprung out of her chair to gather her things. Within a few minutes, she was almost out the door when her sister stopped her by the wrist.

“Lily, take care of yourself today. You're looking a bit pale.” 

Lily knew her sister was just looking out for her with that, but she just stuck her tongue out at her. She had work to do.

Lily went on her way towards the Molly-Wood, the desert wind was in her hair and smelled of sand and sun, as it always did. The warm weather and the  sun setting, dimming the town, made it kind of hard for Lily to keep her eyes open. She let out a yawn and stretched her arms, and suddenly felt a new brand of fatigue in her bones. There was no time to rest, she had a show to do, and it was starting pretty soon. Lily might need to run over to make it.

“Excuse me,” a woman in a black, dirty cloak held out her begging cup. “I'm sorry to ask, but I need to feed my child. Anything to spare?”

Lily rubbed her eyes, looked to her side and saw a baby girl, no older than one, sleeping in a wagon pulled by a string. Most of the bedding was newspaper and a single dirty blanket.

“Hmm, let's see what I could spare…” Lily hands the woman a ten dollar bill.

“Bless you dear. Thank you so much.

“No thank yous are necessary, just happy to help.” Lily let out a big yawn.

“Miss, you look pretty tired. Are you overworking yourself?

“Hmm, maybe a little… but who isn’t these days.”

“True as truffles, but that’s not a reason to work yourself to death. I would know. It's… how we lost the little one's father.”

“Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. But I'll be fine. I have work to do.”

“Would you care for a cup of energy remedy tea? I know where we could find some. I would brew it myself if I only had the money for ingredients.”

“Well, that would be nice…”

“Hey! You two!” A blaring voice shouted through a scratchy megaphone.. This bulbous heavyweight stomped his way up to Lily and nearly put the megaphone speaker in her face. “Did I just see you hand a beggar some money? You should know that panhandling is illegal in these parts.”

“Illegal? That's ridiculous! Since when?!”

“Since years ago. Do I need to write you a ticket? Maybe a stay in jail?”

“Sir, she's just looking out for her child!”

“Don't care. If you have money for beggars, you have money for the city. I’m writing both of you a ticket each.

“My dear, don’t get in trouble for our sake.

Lily puffed up her chest and looked the taller officer straight in the eye, “I’m not letting this jerk intimidate me! You’re supposed to be a man of justice, aren’t you? This isn’t fair!”

“Talking back to an officer huh? Maybe I need to bring you in!”

As the officer grabbed Lily's wrist and the two tugged and pulled, Lily accidentally swatted the megaphone, magic energy passing in the split second she touched it. In that split second, the megaphone short circuited and gave the man an instant zap of electricity. So much so that it sent him to the ground reeling with smoke coming from his hand as well as Lily's. He might as well have grabbed a lightning rod.

“Oh no! I'm so sorry!” Lily goes to the officer's side, lights up her finger to summon a small ball of glow, and puts the ball into the officer's mouth, making him swallow it.

“Ugh… Mmm! What flavor is that? Cherry? I love cherry!” The officer scrambles up to his feet then pauses, noticing the pain was gone and he is now fit as a fiddle. As well as he was dealing with someone with magic abilities.

“Okay, the bottom line is that, if you two are not out of my sight at the count of five, you’ll be eating pig slop for a long time in the pen for attacking an officer.”

 Lily had a shot of fear run through her, but she had more annoyance in her head dealing with a jerk like this. She took the mother by the hand, made sure she had her child in tow, stuck out her tongue at the officer and led them away. 

When the three were out of ear shot, the mother had to inform Lily. “I’ve seen a lot of cops turn a blind eye to beggars. I’ve seen cops harass beggars just to give them their begging money too.”

Lily stopped and turned around, “That’s just plain evil! How could they! How could they even have such a horrible law!”

“That man was lying. Begging isn’t illegal, but panhandling is. It’s a complicated law.”

“It’s stupid.”

After a few more blocks, Lily and her two guests arrived at the Molly Wood. She would guide them in and over to the kitchen, which appeared empty for now.

“Miss, are you sure I should be here?”

“Shh! My boss isn’t here right now I don’t think. We’ve got a big beautiful kitchen to ourselves. Would you like some tea?

“Well, I have you to thank for saving me and my child. Certainly. In fact, I think we have here the right ingredients for the tea I mentioned earlier. You seem like you need it.”

“Do I really look that sleepy to you?”

“Yes, and overworked. They’re not mistreating you here are they?”

“Of course not!”

Lily wanted to help, but the mother insisted she prepare the tea alone. “Hard work makes it more special and its effects more potent,” she said.

Some of the ingredients had magic properties in them, ingredients Lily was surprised they even had at the Molly-Wood, especially since they never used them. Dicing herbs and boiling water took up more time than expected. Thankful none of the staff asked what they were doing. Lily spent the waiting time playing a little with the baby, who was giggling all over to Lily’s faces and games.

The two sat down in the break room, poured themselves some cups, and enjoyed the aroma and taste.

“This is lovely,” Lily said

“Why thank you.”

“I- don’t feel any different?”

“Give it some time, trust me.”

After tea time, Lily said goodbye to the mother and her child. They obviously couldn’t afford tickets for a show at such a prestigious place. All she could do in her power was wish them the best. Sure she was a stranger, but Lily couldn’t help but get a little misty eyed when they left. If only there was more she could do for people like her.

Despite the farewell, and all the comments about her being tired that may have been true, Lily was feeling better than ever. She scrubbed down the floors and stage with enough vigor to make them shine. She broke out the vacuum and brushed up every crumb and lump of dust in record time. Mid dinner service when the dirty plates were piling up, Lily scrubbed them down and got them dry, clean and ready again like no one else. Everyone on the staff was both astonished and a bit concerned about what had gotten into her. Lily just kept a wide smile, thanking people for their praise. 

Then came for her musical performance, and Lily was practically bouncing around the stage before the curtains were up. Once they were and the show was on, she was spinning and twirling with her spells along with the lights, both enchanted and operated by the staff, who couldn’t keep up with her. Her songs were wonderous, the energy of magic was pouring out of her, and it all was contagious for everyone in the audience. 

It was one of the most energetic and fantastic performances Lily ever gave. Once backstage, still catching her breath, Lily had a loopy head space and a bright grin on her face. She felt like she could do another thousand numbers before going home. Then Bill, the new bouncer, let a man into the backstage area startling Lily a bit.

"Lily? You got a VIP visitor." 

“VIP? Since when do we do that?” 

“Let him answer that, I'm just following orders from Marty.”

The man was dressed in a sharp, black suit, wore sunglasses indoors, and had a bright smile on his face the moment he locked eyes with Lily.

"Fantastic show, Little Miss Sunshine, but I must ask, aren't you looking to expand your talents?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean getting yourself an agent! And you're looking at one right now!"

"An agent?! You mean you can get me more work?"

"Oh my efforts will go farther than that. Sign with me, kid, and you'll be touring all across the world, with your melodies heard everywhere you go. You'll be rich! You'll be famous! You'll be a star!"

“Really! You're one of those big shot agents!” 

“The best there is in fact!”

Lily could see it now, her name on every marquee in the country. It was practically her dream to be a singing sensation. It was a dream she thought at times wouldn't come true, and now it was. Thinking of all the places she'll see, the money she'll make, the hearts she'll touch with her music.

"Hehehe! Are you sure this isn't a dream!? It's all so sudden!"

"Trust me, Miss Sunshine, you've got what it takes. But if you're still on the fence, I understand. It takes new and bright stars time to adjust. Here's my card, give me a call once you've got yourself ready for the new spotlight. I'll also be hanging around here at the Molly-Wood. Don't be afraid to talk to me then."