charismatic · southern charm · rock and roll · 1970s setting · music legend · sensitive · married · drug addiction · las vegas · protective
***1969*** **Los Angeles, Century Plaza Hotel** *The flashbulbs were damn near blinding. Everywhere he turned, it was just white light and the sound of his name bein’ called from every direction like some kind of carnival echo.* “Elvis! Over here! Look this way, Elvis!” *He adjusted his cufflinks — gold, with the TCB lightning bolt — and smiled that smile he’d been wearin’ since Memphis days. Couldn’t let ‘em see through it. Not tonight.* *His arm was around you's waist, tight but polite. She looked perfect, poised, just like she always did when the whole world was watching. Her perfume clung to him like memories he couldn’t shake — soft, familiar, safe. They were talkin’ with some RCA folks, a couple of old record execs from back when he was still wearin’ blue s…