"Alright everyone, last stop. Downtown Los Angeles. Get your sorry butts off on the double so we can go home and get some sleep." The conductor said exhausted before opening up the door to the bus. A couple of teenagers pushed past him giggling as they rushed to step out. The conductor mumbled under his breath and shook his head . He spat tobacco out of a window, looked up at Alexander and said "Fucking starlets. Ever since those blasted pictures started becoming popular, more and more of them have been coming here from all over the country. They'll be out on the streets starving in a week and turn to whoring to survive you mark my words." Alexander shrugged and got off, wondering if the old man was just disgruntled or had he seen this play out many many times before.

He slung his bag over his shoulder and walked towards the exit. Cabs lined up the street and the drivers ever eager to get more passengers were hounding the tourists. There were promises of tours, lavish beachside hotels, meetings with hollywood agents. Whatever tale they could spin to grab that extra customer, they spun. Unsurprisingly , Alexander saw the two young starlets get into one of the cabs giddy with excitement. The cabbie gave him a smirk, pleased with himself. "Strike one for the starlets. Maybe the ol' man was right." Alexander chuckled to himself.

He avoided the cabs, and walked over to a vendor nearby. "Pack of Camels." he said and pulled out a handful of coins, the last amount of he had. Taking one out of the pack the vendor gave him he put the rest in his pocket. Placing it delicately in his mouth he gazed at the clubs and bars on the street across as he lit the cigarette. Taking a long drag, he felt the familiar burn in his throat and closed his eyes. He knew he had to be smart, smarter than the starlets had been for sure. He rested his elbow on a wall and placed his sack near his feet as he let the smoke slowly drift out of his nostrils. 

Alexander had come here with eyes full of dreams just like so many others seduced by the glamour of this city, but he was practical enough to know that no record label would sign a stranger off the streets. He would have to build a reputation maybe find some influential people to put in a good word for him. But before he could do any of that he had to arrange food and lodgings. He would have to find a job. Hopefully the clubs down the street would be willing to hire him as a part time singer. Knowing it was his only option, he picked up his sack and crossed the street.

He moved towards The Griffin's Roost. The bouncer gave one glance at his sack and disheveled appearance before shaking his head. No amount of begging or pleading could convince him to let Alexander in. Defeated, Alexander moved along the street. A similar situation transpired at the next three clubs. No one would let him in to see the manager. Desperate now, he looked around wondering what to do. To his delight, he spotted an open window in an alley next to The Patriot. He tucked his sack of clothes behind a dumpster and edged towards the window sill. Taking a cautious look inside he squeezed through quietly landing on the floor below.

Quickly standing up, he walked briskly across the empty room towards an office. As he neared the glass door, it opened and a balding man walked out with a cigar in his mouth. "And who the fuck are you supposed to be?" He pulled out his cigar and said, puffing out a large cloud of smoke in Alexander's face in the process. Putting on his most charming smile, Alexander replied "My name is Alexander Knight. I'm here to audition for the job of part time singer in your fine establishment, sir."

The manager chuckled "Already got a part timer kid. Frank! Kick him out." The bouncer heard his name and walked in. His eyes found Alexander and he squinted in recognition. He walked forward and grabbed Alexander, before dragging him towards the door. Alexander anxiously tried to break away from Frank's grasp as he said "Please Sir, if you could just hear me sing, I'm sure I-" But he was interrupted by the manager "Save it kid. Come back when you grow a pair of tits 'cause that's all drunk folk here care about. And remember-" Whatever else was said never entered his ears because at this moment Frank hurtled him out the door and onto the street. 

Alexander landed face first on the rough asphalt below. His head rung and his eyes spun as he tried to reorient himself. He could feel blood dripping down his cheek and he dabbed it with his sleeve. Sighing he gave one last glance to the door before he walked back to the alley. To his surprise the sack of clothes he had hidden was now gone, probably stolen. It seemed there was no honor among thieves. They just had to kick a man when he was down.

His body bruised and his spirit broken, he wandered around aimlessly till he reached a park. Exhausted from his journey and his recent unsuccessful endeavours, he sat down on the pavement with his back next to a lamppost. One of the people walking by kicked a can towards him. His grumbling stomach made him pick it up and look for some food, but he found none. Dejected he placed it beside him and closed his eyes. He wondered if the starlets had indeed been smarter than him, for they were probably sleeping in warm beds with filled bellies right now. His emotions a mess, he did the only thing that ever calmed him down. It started off with a hum, before turning into a quiet whisper..

Spent my days with a woman unkind
Smoked my stuff and drank all my wine.
Made up my mind to make a new start
Going To California with an aching in my heart.
Someone told me there's a girl out there
With love in her eyes and flowers in her hair.

The more he sang, the louder his voice became, till the song turned into a melancholic ballad. Unbeknownst to him a small crowd had gathered around. The song continued and the crowd seemed enraptured. As it neared it's climax a few tears could be seen slowly sliding down, much like the blood slid down the cut on Alexander's cheek.

They say she plays guitar and cries and sings.
La la la la
Side a white mare in the footsteps of dawn
Tryin' to find a woman who's never, never, never been born.
Standing on a hill in my mountain of dreams,
Telling myself it's not as hard, hard, hard as it seems

He hummed a little longer before he sighed and grew silent. The sound of metal against metal woke him up from his reverie. A young girl , roughly 10 years of age slipped a quarter in the empty can propped beside him. Alexander was slightly taken aback, but before he could respond someone else slipped a coin into the coin as well before walking away. Over and over it went till the can was full and the crowd dispersed. Alexander sat there dumbstruck, unsure of what had just happened. When the full realization came crashing down on him he couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head. Picking the can up he stood and brushed off his pants, curious to see what else the city held , now confident that if this went on, his journey towards his dreams at the very least would not be worse than the starlets'.

The breeze blew lightly through the trees, the smells of spring floating along as the day drew to an end. Birds sang their nightly songs as the Sun set over the horizon, casting a hot pink and orange glow over the west coast. One particular bird seemed to be catching everyone's interest, however... Including Elyan Llewelyn's. He wasn't a talent scout, or anything of the sort, but he did know when something sounded like warm, smooth butter over a piece of toast.

Ely followed the sounds across the park to a quickly amassing group hovering quietly around a canary so entrapped in his own mind that he was oblivious to the growing spectators. The young lad's voice flowed sweetly at first...

"Spent my days with a woman unkind
Smoked my stuff and drank all my wine.
Made up my mind to make a new start
Going To California with an aching in my heart.
Someone told me there's a girl out there
With love in her eyes and flowers in her hair."

Then, as if he fell even deeper into his own world, his voice grew and grew, burning with the intensity and emotion of a roaring fire, beautiful and fierce, warm and dangerous, bright and awe-inspiring...

"They say she plays guitar and cries and sings.
La la la la
Side a white mare in the footsteps of dawn
Tryin' to find a woman who's never, never, never been born.
Standing on a hill in my mountain of dreams,
Telling myself it's not as hard, hard, hard as it seems"

Ely smiled as the young man brought himself back down towards the end of his song, humming softly until a young girl made her way over and dropped a quarter into the tin can beside him. The *clink* of metal on metal was enough to snap the man out of his bluesy daze and it brought a smile to Elyan's lips. He slipped his hands into his pockets as the crowd quickly filled the lad's can and then were on their merry way. As the young man stood, Ely finally approached.

"Kid, you got some talent, you know that? I mean, I'm no talent scout or anything, but, damn... I'm impressed. You look a little rough for the wear though. You doin' alright?" He fished his money clip out and retrieved a handful of bills, easily enough for a cheap room...For a few nights. He stuffed the bills into the can before standing back up.

"What's your name?" Ely smiled facing the man, his hand outstretched. His black, three piece suit made him look at least moderately more well off than most of those who were troubled with the Great Depression.

Alexander, looked at the stranger infront of him. The man stood there in a nice suit which overshadowed his own, something tailored to him and not just bought off the racks. He was someone wealthy, that much was clear not just from the suit or the money but with how he carried himself. Full of confidence, free of worries, he stood tall with his arm outstretched. Alexander was in awe of him but at the same time he was suspicious of the man's intentions. 

"Knight, Alexander Knight." He said as he cautiously shook the man's hand. His eyes, held prisoner by the stranger's gaze sparkled somewhat as he smiled and joked. "Remember this day sir. Once I become as famous as Louis Armstrong, you'll be able to tell your grandkids you saw my first performance in this fair city." 

Hoping the man had a sense of humour Alexander let go of his hand after the jest. His eyes went to the handful of bills. While he was sure, something like this was nothing to the man, heck his shoes were probably worth more than that, it was a considerable amount to Alexander and much more than the rest of the money in the can combined. His stomach grumbled as if to convince him to accept the money but his hand hesitated. He looked up at the stranger again and wondered just why was this man helping him so. Was he simply a good Samaritan? Or a connoisseur of music? Or did he hold intentions that were far more nefarious? Considering how strong his presence was and how wealthy he seemed it could very well be the latter.

Deciding not to risk it, Alexander pulled out the bills, leaving just one inside. He rolled them up, chuckled then autographed the one on top and handed all of them back to the man. Owing a powerful stranger a favour this soon after entering the city would not be ideal. "Forgive me sir, I can not accept this. I mean no offense, but my mama raised me to be proud. I fear till I've not struggled and exhausted all my options, my pride would not allow me to expect handouts."

He hoped he wasn't risking offending the man by refusing his generous donation, for if he was he felt his time in the city would be rather short lived. Curious to see how the man would react, he pulled out a cigarette from his pocket and said "Ofcourse, if you introduce me to someone who can give me a chance to make some extra dough as a bartender or a waiter perhaps, maybe even a dishwasher...that would be a different thing altogether." He placed the cigarette in his mouth and lit it as he subconsciously offered one to the man in front of him.

Taking a long drag to collect his thoughts he paused  to let the smoke cascade out of his nostrils before he said "A life spent romanticizing singers who sleep on benches and sing in the streets, trading shelter for a song or two, and now I get to live it." He turned to the man and winked "How could I say no to that?"

As they shook hands, Ely and Alex held their gaze, but it was Alexander's words that broke the silence of the majestic moment. Elyan chuckled and nodded on with him as Alexander took the money from him and rolled it. "I'm certain I'll remember the day, there are no qualms about that. It's not, well... That would be a bit of a stretch. You hear people singing out here all the time. But, you don't always hear them with your talent and range, lad. So thank you, Mr. Knight..."

He was about to ask where Alex was from, but the autographing and handing back of the roll of bills caused him to lift his eyebrow as he took the money back, a look of question on his face. He could see Alexander studying him, the sides of his lips curling back into a smirk. The kid wasn't a hand-out kind of guy. That impressed Elyan even more. It looked like Alex had nothing but the clothes on his back and was armed with no more than a voice like hot caramel drizzled over smooth, creamy, vanilla ice cream, and he still wouldn't take the money because his momma raised a proud boy? This kid was gonna go far on his ambition and his work ethic.

Ely unrolled the bills and pulled half of them out, sitting them on the ground and placing the can on top so they wouldn't blow away. He stuck the others back into his money clip, including the autographed one, and stuffed his hands in his pockets. His eyes studied over Alexander for a bit before he smiled wide and took the cigarette offered, placing it between his lips and lighting it. One long drag and an exhale, a plume of smoke rolling upward through the breeze and into the clouds.

"Like I said, no talent scout or anything, but... There is a new club on the scene; The Phoenix. Guy named Dominic_Lombino or Lombini or something like that owns it. You might want to check it out. And take the money, kid..." Ely began to turn around, taking a drag on the cigarette... "Clean yourself up before you go and give it a shot. I don't think they have any entertainment scheduled yet." He exhaled again... "And if they don't want that? Start working there, and just sing while you do... You'll get put on the stage in no time. You've the voice of an angel in the city of angels, kid... You're exactly what we need around here."

Elyan continued to turn and began to walk away, "Thanks for the cigarette and the song, Mr. Knight. I look forward to seeing your name in lights... Soon..."

Short of being stopped, Elyan would make his way across the street and vanish into the crowds of people during the busy night life of LA.