As Archer clinked glasses with Caleb and tossed back the fruity concoction, he noticed that Mateo wasn’t there yet. It wasn’t until the shot glasses were collected and tidied away that Mateo came in. He didn’t so much as glance Archer’s way.

They did their own hair and makeup—Betty helped with his, a bit of a stage makeup expert, it seemed—and got into their sparkly white Retro costumes. Archer examined his reflection in the mirror as a thrill raced through him. It might be a tiny cabaret in the Catskills, but he was proud of himself for being there and working hard the past week to learn so much choreography. The audience out there wouldn’t care if anyone was experienced or learned the choreo that morning. They wanted a great show, and Archer was ready to give it to them. And maybe, just maybe, the right person would be in that audience who could give Archer a break.

With a few finishing touches left, Stewart appeared, eggplant suit even more crumpled than it had been that morning. “Gather round, ducklings,” he said, waving his cane.

They shuffled together, arms around each other in a tight huddle. Somehow Archer ended up between Mateo and Caleb, both warm and solid under his hands, although Mateo was taller and bulkier. He could also smell Mateo’s fresh, forest-y scent again. Then Caleb squeezed his waist. Archer turned to him and smiled, squeezing his shoulder back.

“My darlings,” Stewart began. “The moment is upon us. The moment where you smile and shine and dance your fucking hearts out for the good guests of Shady Queens. It’s like I said to Cooper Knox ten years ago before his first show on this very stage—”

Cooper Knox? Archer mouthed at Caleb. Caleb nodded. Cooper Knox was the understudy for Elder Price in The Book of Mormon. Archer had no idea that Cooper had danced at Shady Queens.

“—these guests want nothing less than your best, and nothing more than to feel.” His gaze traveled around the circle. “Are we ready?”

“Ready!” they replied in a chorus.

“Hands in,” Stewart said.

They threw their hands into the middle. Archer’s heart was full as he scanned the smiling faces.

“Judy be with us,” Stewart intoned. “Shady Queens!”

“Shady Queens!” they cheered.

Stewart nodded solemnly. “Places, please.”

Archer took his spot in the wings next to Betty and rolled his neck, pulse racing. The audience hummed behind the curtain, a mass of excited voices. This was it.

Then Francisco’s announcement boomed. “Welcome to Shady Queens Cabaret! We are so pleased to welcome you to this season’s inaugural performance. Please sit back, relax, and let us entertain you as we travel back in time to the era of leisure suits and disco balls, Cher and Studio 54. We give you … Club Retro!”