Jukebox Books
by Mark Christopher Garrett
Welcome to Jukebox Books where every story reminds you of your favorite song!
Table of Contents
Episode 1: Faithfully
Episode 2: Home Sweet Home
Episode 3: Livin' on a Prayer
Episode 4: The Sound of Silence
Episode 1: Faithfully
The sound of a short sliding glass door clossing in the rain dimminishing the sounds of the patter.
Loose change is heard swishing in a pocket, then the sound of a coin dropping down a mechanized slot triggering a dial tone, then one by one each number hand dialed one number at a time, actually having to take the time for it to dial back to zero inbetween each digit, finally it goes through and you can hear it ringging on the other end, . . . then a light click as someone on that other end picks it up.
"Hey baby how's it goin'?"
"static, . . . shhhhhhhh . . . . . muffle, . . . indiscriminate words, . . . "
"Yaaaa, you need to speak up baby, I can hardly hear you . . . ." as a waterfall of rain beats down on top of a phone booth lit by the flickering light of an old gas station.
. . . a call comes from the darkness, out beyond the rain . . .
"Common we need to go, everyone back in the bus . . . now, . . . lets go, . . ."
"Baby, I need to go, I will call you again when we reach the next town, . . . babe, . . . ya there, . . . I miss ya, . . ."
a faint female voice sighing permeates thru the steam of the phone booth, . . ., "just another highway run?!?, right?!?! . . ."
Bus lights light up as the sound of an old motor turns over then revs up,
a final call from out of the black abyss, "The Bus is leaving, are you staying or what?!?"
" . . . I love you . . . I gotta go . . . (click)"
as he hangs up the phone and runs towards the already moving bus, everyone mocking and mimicking him, . . . "smootchy, smootchy, . . . oooh I loooove you, . . . oooh la la, . . . ", and laughter echos throughout the bus as he steps up into it, the rain pattering onto the glass and the wipers whip the excess water droplets off the huge windshield one swooshing sweep at a time.
Looking up at the driver as he takes each step, "Where we headed . . . ?
The driver closes the bus doors, looking up into the full moonlit sky he knods, "Into the midnight sun . . . "
Mimicking and Laughter still chimming throughout the the bus . . . "Cut it out.", resonates a smooth deep calm confident voice from the dark depths of the back of the bus. Suddenly the only sound heard was the reving and shifting of the engine and the squeak in the floor every time he took a step down the narrow path towards complete darkness as his eye had not yet adjusted to the minimal light contained within the bus.
Breaking the silence and the darkness a match strikes from the same place the voice originated from, exposing for a brief second the face of the one speaking, "Come here. Ahhh, don't mind them, they are just jeleous because they have nothing back home like you do. You should cherish it."
"I do, . . . very much so, I apreciate this great musical opportunity, . . . it's just sometimes I wonder if I have made the right choice, there is so much I am leaving behind."
"Whoa, whoa, wait right there, you havent left anything behind, lose that mentality right here and now. You are building a future for yourself, her, . . . and the kids, . . . ., you do have kids right?!? . . ."
"Well, funny you should mention it, we do have the one, but I just found out, and no one else knows is we have another one on the way."
"Congratulations!"
"Please don't tell the guys, they kid me enough as it is."
"Ya, . . . no worries, . . . hey, better get some sleep, tomorrow is going to be a busy day, one of our bigger shows, so I need you 100%, ok?!"
"You got it!", as he turns away to head to his bunk, ut before he could move a step a hand reaches out and touches his arm, "I mean it now, I need you at 100% not just tomorrow, but at everyshow, and that dosen't just mean getting to bed on time although that is part of it, a big part of it as a matter of fact, what you are going to find son is all the pit falls we all find while traveling on the road trying to Make It, first you got the booze,then the fast women,then comes the drugs,before you know it your life is just one great big party, until one day you wake up and realize none of it is real, so like I said, stay wise, focused, learn as much as you can, keep your nose clean and above all other things mind your own business, that's the lecture kid, now seriously get some sleep.
As he walked toward his bunk sometimes stepping over people he did not recognize, the only sound left was the now steady hum of the engine and the occasional snore from one of the band or crew already alseep or passed out.
Being an "Official Band Member" has it's priveledges as it comes with it's own personal bunk, only typically it is expected to be shared with . . ., and well in this case it looks like a four legged furry friend has alreaedy claimed it . . .
"Hey boy!" he whispers as he cozzies up next to it all along while scatching it on it's chin. The full moon the bus driver mentioned ealier is now staring down into the side window bathing him and the k9 in silver light.
"This is crazy, I can't sleep . . . ", he pulls a pen from his jacket pocket and looks around for something to write on. Frustrated at not being able to find anything at first he then gets creative and eyballs a piece of a napkin that is sticking out of an old fast food bag that just now caught his attention when the bus' A.C. kicked on and made it blow as if meant just for him to see at that very moment, waving like a banner in the silver light of the moon.
Reaching over he pulls it out slowly, then with one quick snap whips off the goo that was sticking to it, "Good that will do, . . . now . . .", reflecting on his day and the love of his life he is deeply inspired and begins as if in a dream to write down some words, all while humming a melody silently in his head until he fell asleep.
Waking up with dog fur in the mouth and someone starring down at you holding a steaming cup of something, nudging you with their knee, "Wake up sleeping beauty, get up!, There is coffee and breakfast set up out side, better hurry up before all the groupies eat it up. Anyway, sound check is in half an hour and that means they expect you there in 20, got it!"
in a yaungingly voice, "Got it.", streatching and looking out the window at the sun now rising and kissing the outer tinted bus glass, mirroring it back into infinity. "Come on boy, are you hungry?", the hound barely looks up at him then rests it's head on the arm rest while letting out a huge sigh, "I see, well some of us have work to do. I will see you later then."
Walking in to the arena for the very first time he stops in amazement, just then some bandmates walk up behind him, one still chowing on a dougnut, the other one popping the top off a beer, taking a swig of it then chuckingly mummbles, "This never gets old . . ."
"What's that?" said the newbie.
"This!" as he points up at the stage and the giant production that goes with it, "This, right here never gets old, it's what it is all about, . . . common' boys sound check!"
The 3 of them look at each other and just like kids begin to take off running towards the stage as if they were kids again.
When they arrive the stage manager innundated in wires looks at at them, "Where's the voice?"
"The Voice!, is that what we are calling him these days, don't know, didn't see him on the bus, thought he was already here."
"Well obviously he's not!"
"And I am not his keeper, so complain to someone else, the rest of us are here, right on time!", as two of them plug in and the other one twirls two drum sticks then in unisen all begin to rock out at the exact same time.
Then they all suddenly stop . . . "Spectacular!", snarked the stage manager, "That is the exact adrenaline we need when we do it for real later tonight, as you can see I do not have everything plugged in yet so if you guys give us 20 or 30 you can start sound check them, . . . "
"Oh, ok, but you are worried about the voice being late."
The trio decide to play on even without amplification as they make up a song mimicking the stage manager, heavy, riffing, speed base, and them chanting "the voice is late, the voice, the voice, the voice is late!" over and over again.
Later that evening they were all backstage preparing for the show. The stage manager is a little frantic as the opening band is finishing up their set and sees the headline act not yet in their stage gear.
"Come on already, you guys, get with it you go on after this song!"
"Oh please, this song is 22 minutes long, we have plenty of time."
"Yes it is 22 minutes long and it started 20 minutes ago, now lets go . . . !"
The band begin to chuckle, then burst into all out laughter, "This isn't funny guys, you need to hurry."
Thats when they all drop their robes and are fully stage ready, "Ahh, you guys!!!, . . . you got me, . . . good one, now get on out there.", newbie walks up to him, "hehe, we couldn't resist, it was the drummer's idea, he said this way we woudn't have to worry about spilling beer on our outfits or anything. I was wondering if . . ." as he hands the stage manager over a small camera, "Could you?!"
"Ya, sure kid, (as he starts picking hair off the shoulder and sleeve), and you were worried about spilling beer, ok, of course kid, everyone, hey look this way, now all of you squeeze in there real nice, . . . ya like that, . . . perfect!" snap, the bulbflash goes off the picture is taken and then they are rushed off escorted into their playing positions, all while being temporarilly blinded by the flash bulb.
As the temporary blindness wore off the rest of the gig proved to be just as blinding with all the stage lights and pyrotechniques going off, it deffinately was a circus life.
After the show the guys all went for pizza, the newbie decided to take it easy and hang out back at the hotel so he could call his girl. Usually they would already be back on the bus heading to the next town, but luckily they were booked here for 2 nights and that means Hotel Room and
more importantly, . . ., showers!"
Watching them all leave in a cab, he drops the blinds fully then picks up the phone off the table and walks over to the chair where is settles comfortably in it and dials.
Before the phone even rings on the other end his nerves start to jump out of his chest, so he stands back up and begins to pace as the phone begins to ring on the other side, "Wow, I did't have this kind of nerves before my first big show, this is crazy!", as he is now looking down at his trembling hand.
He the realizes no one is answering the phone so he hangs it up, sets the phone down on the chair, then turns to the door by the window with the blinds, peaks out them, then opens the door and takes in a deep breath of fresh city air, complete with smog and everything.
He closes the door, "What was that?!? Disgusting.", he then opens up the fridget and pulls out one of the drummers beers, he looks everywhere for a bottle opener to no avail, then it hits him, twist off!
Before he has a chance to open it and refresh his tastebuds from the faul outdoor stentch he hears two things simultaneously, the first is the door opening, and the other is the phone ringing . . .
In walks two of his bandmates, one heads straight to the bathroom and shuts the door, he nods at the other one, who is now asking him, "You gonna get that . . .?"
He picks up the phone and puts it up to his ear, "Hello."
"Hello, did someone just call me from there, I got to the phone late and it said this was the number that called."
"Yes, yes, it's me baby, hi, how are you doing?"
"Not good, I can hear you a lot better though."
"That's because I'm back at the hotel why everyone else is out partying!"
Just then the bathroom door opens wide and out walks a tornado, "Whoa, I wouldn't go in there for at least an hour . . . heeey, that's a twist off beer, got another one of those.", "Not, now, were leaving remember, just came for the wallet, and then as if two drunk sailors the two start to sing, "The voice, the voice, the voice forgot his wallet." as they serch and destroy,ultimately finding it then making their way out the door and back down the steps to where the cab and the voice remain waiting.
"Hi baby, I missed you so much, you have no idea how busy today was . . . "
"BUSY?!?, Sounds like you are in the middle of a party, thought you stayed back?"
as she berates him over the phone he finally finds the time to twist the top off the beer and get a swig in, "But baby, . . ."
"Don't but baby me nothing, did I just hear you pop the top off a beer and swig it, right in front of me, after telling me you don't drink and your staying in, . . . I don't think so!" click, . . . dial tone . . . .
He sits back comfortably down into the chair as he set the phone back on the table and once again the room is dead silent and he is all alone.
He starts to fumble through his pockets and thats when he pulls out the lyrics he had wrote down the night before. He flatens them out on the table looking at them hard, then without hesitation sits the beer down and picks up a small keyboard leaning on the wall.
He then starts looking everywhere for a pen. When he finally finds one it comes complete with it's own letterhead so he decides to write that which he can not express over the phone to his girl back home.
Ironically, some verses and passages ended up in his new song while others in his letter, it was hard seperating the two at that moment as the feelings ran so strong for each they were as one.
When he got done with each he signed them both the same,
"I'm forever yours, faithfully."
He only has one secret request of each.
That neither prevent him from the other.
As he is folding up the letter and putting it in his pocket the front door burst open once again.
"Oh, what did you guys forget this time?"
"Forget?!? We brought you back a pizza, thought you might be a little hungry after the performance you gave today."
"Thank you guys, listen, I worked on a new song while you were out"
"Oh check this guy out, he's trying to get head starts without us!" they all laugh, "gotta write when the inspiration hits."
"That you do, lets see what youve got here." said the voice
He looks up nervously at the lead singer and hands him over the freshly written lyrics, while simmultaneously start playing some chords on the little keyboard.
The voice starts to sing as the drummer starts thumpin', the bass player quickly starts recording it. They were about to kick into the 3rd verse when a loud pounding on the door shook everyone out of their vibe.
The music stopped, they all looked at one another, "Thats a good energy." said the voiceas he opens up the door, "Do you guys realize what time it is, management is getting calls from all over, so before they call the cops on us and you end up back in the bus I suggest you keep it down a little,... especially since the rooms are paid for and non refundable!"
The voice as if motionless then slowly shuts the door in the managers face and the band start to laugh out of control. A voice goes fainter outside the door, "Nice song though . . ." to which they all continue laughing.
"He's right though!" said the voice, "This is a good song, all about restless hearts and sleeping alone, a really good song, I say we work on this one tomorrow at sound check.", as he clicks the lights out, . .
"Heeeey not yet!", "Ya, but you heard . . ." "Ya, but newbie never even ate his pizza yet, let the man have some light for his dinner at least, I hear he has a warm beer to go with it.
Early the next morning he heads to the front office to see if they have any envelopes and postage so he can mail his letter. While there he sees a post card from the area so instinctively he picks on out, one he thinks will be perfect for the kids. "And this too!" he tells the clerk, "I think I do this each place we play so they can see what I see, what do ya think?", "Those are some lucky kids, and here is your change." a he reaches over the counter with a small brown baggie and a couple of nickels in his hand.
"Thank you, is there a mail box anywhere around here?"
The clerk points over by the window, "Pick up is daily at 5 no Saturdays, no Sundays, so this will not go out until monday."
Thinking quickly in his head about his upcoming itenirrary, "That's o.k., monday will be fine."
He then heads out and is the last to get into the cab that takes them down to the arena for sound check. That day he felt better than ever like finally everything in his life was starting to work out and things over all were moving in a more positive dirrection.
At sound check the band worked on the new song and even sounded better that it did at the hotel. At first they just played it back stage accoustically with a couple of guitars and the voice of course, and on stage they would work on bits and pieces of it but never anything major as they wanted to keep it a surprise until they were ready.
That night durring the performance the voice was introducing all the band members and for the first time introduced the newbie as a permanent member of the band and then withouth prior warning he starts tosing acapella the new song, kid in awe at what has just happened and wipping back tears of joy now finds himself fumbling to the piano keys as his part is about to start, up yup, right on time without skipping a beat and the band played that song like they have never played it before.
The tour continued on, they played night after night, town after town, sometimes actually staying in one place long enough to enjoy it, but never breaking his promise to himself of sending off a postcard at every stop back hme, and this one was no different. After making his purchases and getting back on the bus to head to their final night of the tour he couldn't help but to think back and reflect on it all, the ups and downs, all the detours in the roads that got him hear, without hitting the traditional pitfalls, . . . he absorbed it all in then heard a voice from the deep dark recessess of the back of the bus speak up, "Hey newbie, come here."
Newbie scratched good boy on the head and whispered into his ear, "Save my spot.", then headed to the back of the bus.
"Sit, I need to go over some things with you real quick.", he takes a deep breath, "after our final show of the tour tomorrow you will have 2 months off, then we regroup to start the new album after that with you officially in the writting sessions, how about that, which brings me to your little diddly you surprised us with mid tour, it is slated to be recorded for the next album, but I have to tell you, it may not out perform it's current stats.", the newbies eyes got big, "They never told you did they? Look, remember that first time you played that song way back, . . . man I can't even remember it was so early on in the tour, well anyway, they produced a recording of that live take and it has been all over the radio waves, which brings me to this little item, it is your royalty check for that song as well as your other earnings from the live shows like merchandising and such, like what we talked about."
"Right, like what we talked about, only then it was all pretend money, now it is real."
"Ah, yes "REAL" that does remind me, one last thing, your insurance pappers came in and it seems they are denying something until they can verify something or other, It looked confidential so I sugest you and your old lady look it over together. Other than that, stay healthy,don't puton to much wait and enjoy the time off with the family cause when we are back pn tour it will be bruttal again, but thanks to cazy guys like you and the wonderfull music you all make together it makes it all worth while."
That last night on stage was as magical as the first and everyone could feel it!
After the show everyone was getting together for one last hurrah, everyone but you know who of course, so they all said their goodbuys in the parking lot, "Well I guess this is it." "This is'nt it,
go visit you family, and don't be surprised if you get a surprise visit from one of us, then another one chimes in, "Or all of us."
"Thanks guys, I will never forget this."
"Ya, ya, don't go getting all sentimental newbie." "Ya, don't cha gotta be with your wifey, smootchy smootchy." as they all start teasing him just like that first day on the bus. Cabby speaks out from inside the passenger window, "You gettin' in, meters runnin'."
Newbie closes the door behind him, "Where to hot shot.", taken aback for a moment as he realizes he has forever lost that nickname, then replies, "Airport, please.", "That all ya got?", "Ya, just me and my duffle, everything else is where I'm headed to.", "Oh, ya where is that?" "The windy city.", "Windy City! Only one airline goes there, have ya there in a jiffy."
It's a brisk clear night as the plane takes off from the runway, looking out the window he spies the moon glaring back at him just like the first night in the bus, only this time it is radiating a golden bronze as opposed to silvery blue.
The windy city lives up to her reputation again as there is heavy cloud coverage upon arrival with no visibility of the moon or anything else for that matter what so ever, just debris blowing arround everywhere.
Stepping out of the airport and flagging a cab, "Home sweet home."
After the short ride home he picks up his duffle ever so quietely as if not to wake up anyone, then in same fashion shuts the taxi door behind him, then looks around to see if anyone saw him, "Are you O.k. Sr? You are not about to do something illegal are you?"
"No, I live here, see here are my keys, I just came home a night early and I do not want to wake anyone up, . . . it's a surprise."
He tips the cabby and the cabby speeds off. He then tip toes up to the front door freezing in place when the motion detector turned on the front porch light, then realizing no one woke up continues his trek extending his hand with the key ready to enter the key hole when out of the blue the front door opens and oblivious to the fact that he is standing there he witnesses his girl half dressed kissing another man, then he hears the man say, "I'll call you tomorrow.", she kisses him again passionately then as if startled all at once they stop kissing and she turns towards the front entrance and outside to a man she once knew now holding a duffle.
Without hesitation she barks, "Well what did you expect, your never home.", then turns to her lover, "call me tomorrow, . . . early."
"I don't uunderstand, what is going on, I sacrificed everything for you . . .",
"Sacrificed?!?, oh like when your partying and boozing it up all the while telling me your all alone, you mean like that?"
"That's not how it happened."
"What do you mean you sacrificed for me, where were you during the doctors visits, where were you at all the birthdays and events and family functions, yes your a good provider, your dream finally paid off, only at what cost, we never see each other anymore, and I guess ultimately I needed more that just the money."
"Is that all I was to you?!? Money?!?"
"No, of course not, but I have kids and in this day in age one needs to provide for their well being . . ."
"You mean we have kids . . ."
"No, I mean "I", didn't you read the insurance papers? Your were denied because the kids are not your blood type they can't be yours."
"But, . . . I don't understand, I have been calling and we have talked, I always thought after that letter I sent you that everything was fine, I never knew . . . "
"Letter, what letter?, Oh it really wouldn't of mattered if I read the letter or not, I had already moved on by then. You see I had needs and you werent here to meet them."
She closes the door and the windy city begins to rain.
Our piano man takes a deep breath looks bothways up & down the sidewalk then proceeds down the one with the path to the closest pub and the only sound that of the rain pattering down onto the pavement. With each step fading into the darkness.
On the other side of the door in dry silence stands a woman clenching her letter she keeps in her pocket at all times reading the last sentence out loud,
"and I know that lovin' a music man aint always what its supossed to be, but you stand by me, and for that I'm forever yours, Faithfully."
Episode 2: Home Sweet Home
3 knuckle knocks onto the screen door,
no response, just the vague noise of a radio playing in one of the back rooms.
3 more knuckle knocks a little louder on the metal part of the screen door, . . . he hears footsteps aproaching, then out slings the screen door, then the footsteps retreat back in.
"Yes Ma'am, I was wondering if . . .", and before he could finish his question his girl was out the door and slamming it behind her.
"Come on silly, that's just my mom, we don't want to be late, it's not often I go somewhere that requires reservations, must be someplace very special."
While walking her out to his sports car and opening up the door for her, "It is special, what a great choice of words for you to use, how fitting." After closing the door behind her he walks around the car by the back side, looks around, then gets into the driver's cockpit seat and closes the door softly and gently but ever so firmly.
He takes the scenic route to the restaurant at the Marina then pulls right up in front of the pier at the grand entrance. The valet's walk over towards the car and open the doors, one lends an arm for the young lady to grab onto and pull herself up out of the car and the other one was handing over a ticket stub for the car then got in the car while the other gentleman closed the door behind the young lady then in a dash it vanished leaving the young couple just a couple of brickstones away from one another."
"Ya hungry?" he asked politely
"Yes, but I am more curious as to why the big to do."
"What big to do?!?", he asks as the Maitre D opens the doorway for them.
"Oh, nothing I guess.", she pauses while he whispers his name into the Matre D' ear, which inturn he spins picks up two menus then gives them bothe the international follow me sign of the moving pointer finger signaling this way.
Then without skipping a beat she picks up right where she left off, "Oh, you know, like dressing up for one, I didn't even know you owned anything like that actually."
"I, don't."
"Right, exactly, and the car for seconds, when do you ever borrow your brothers car and when do you ever pick me up?!? he nods in agreement, "Oh, wait, those are'nt your brother's clothes too, are they?", . . . again he nods, "O.k. anyway, mentally erase that image, but last but not least
we never ever go anywhere that requires reservations, unless you want to count meeting at the drive in with friends or at the movies at the mall and most those times we never even made it there on time, so ya, why the big to do."
"Well then, if you want to insist in calling that, sure we can the big too doo, you sure are full of euphanisms tonight."
The two are seated at one of the best tables overlooking the bay. He claps his hands and a cadre of bus boys come out each carrying a specific item and before you knew what was going on it was all over and a caraf of wine was setting out and two glasses setting empty next to two glasses of ice watter.
"Silly me Sr, I forgot, but you will not be needing these as your meal will be coming out as planned.", he then dashes away as quick a the busboys did.
"See, that kind of big to do stuff, something is up!, Are you trying to butter me up?!"
"Is it working?", he asks while opening the bottle of vino,
She smiles back, "Maybe a little."
Then out of nowhere another busboy pops up and places bread sticks on the table, while yet another one sprouts up on the other side with butter. Then gone in a flash.
"O.k., you busted me, I am trying to butter you up, but just a little bit and really like you said earlier for something special."
"Oh, do tell . . ." her eyes light up as he reaches into his jacket pocket to pull something out, fumbling for it he blushes and turns red.
"Take your time . . .", you can see his sigh of releif when he finally grabs what he was looking for and begins to pull it out. He slowly poises himself proper and under his breath begins to speak, "Well you know I have always been a dreamer right? Dream big is always what I say.", all of a sudden her look turns to shock then terror as she realizes that what he is pulling out of his jacket pocket is not a small ring box, in fact it is not a jewelery box at all but an old folded up piece of paper that looks like it was ripped out of a magazine.
As he begins to unfold it and she see's the image on it her terror turns to rage as she stands up to dart out of the restaurant only to have her shoulder knock over an aproaching busboy's tray which in turn created a domino effect with the entire procession and food went everywhere.
". . . and you say that is the last you have seen her"
"Ya man."
"Oh, well thats old news, I'm sure she has forgotten about all that by now."
"Are you sure, she seemed pretty heaved, I mean I could see like veins popping out of her head and everything, it was actually kind of scarry."
"Wow, so what set her off, what was it you were pulling out of your pocket that you wanted to show her?"
"Just this old ad I pulled out of a magazine that I have always kept with me for inspiration."
"Oh, let me see it, what is it?"
"Nothin' much just this . . . " and as he hands his valued treasure over to his friend his friend begins to laugh, first just a little but then uncontrollably.
"I don't get it, what is so funny?"
"You are mam, this is just a cigarrett ad."
"Ya, I know that, but he is on a horse on a ranch and that is my dream to one day get out of the city and have my own ranch."
"Man you are a long way from that life, you must of taken a wrong turn somewhere between city boy and wanna be rock star. How the heck did you end up down this path, this musicians life?"
"Easy, when she gave up on me, I gave up on my real true dream of being with her on our ranch, so I turned to what I was always good at, my second passion, music. That night I was going to finally tell her that I had made up my mind and decided what I trully wanted so I set everything up real special like and . . . "
"Ya, before you go getting all teary eyed and all, will you get a look at this ax."
"This what?"
"This guitar man, it is out of sight."
"What guitar?"
"The one right here man, on the other side of the paper."
"Oh, ya that, I ripped the ad out of an old music mag I had . . . oh no! . . ."
"Oh no what?"
"I bet she saw this ad and jumped to the conclussion that that was the decision I had made . . ."
"Whoa, thereby making the decision for you by not really knowing your true intent, . . . then you actually gave up your true dream and went down a road of torment and blues, all over a simple misunderstanding, wow dude, too deep for me, but it sounds like the two of you need to talk.
How long ago was that?"
"Oh man that was forever ago, at least a year, maybe even a year and a half, I was so high when I left that town, high on life, high on music, just high on living and following our dreams, in the end maybe I just convinced myself that I had to run away high, that way I would never come home low."
"Don't take it so bad, it dose not mean that either of you were wrong, it was what it was, now it is what it is, and the bigger questions yet is what are you going to do about it?"
"Well funny you should ask as I wrote her a letter telling her exactly how I feel and that I will be coming off this long and winding road and headed home sweet home!"
"Have you mailed it?"
"No, well not yet . . . Why?"
"Oh no reason, what else does it tell her?"
"Oh not much, just the usual stuff, like how all the songs are about her and when she listens to them she can take me into her heart and really feel me in her bones, you know that kind of stuff."
"Ya, that kind of stuff, how originally cliche."
"You think?"
"For a safisticated woman like her?!?"
"Ya, who am I fooling, she will see right through the letter won't she?"
"Ya, let me see it."
he hands the letter over and unfolds it while reading it, chuckling along the way, "Oh, no, . . . oh,, . . . no we can't send this letter definately not, I especially like the part where you make it all about yourself again about you being an open book and such, who taught you how to talk to women?"
"Hey, that's one of our most popular songs."
"Ya, and a song has a beat and you can dance to it a woman has a lot more than that and if you really want to try again with this one when we get back home sweet home then you will need to up your game.
"Will you help me?"
"Of course I will, but first things first, lets burn this letter before someone leaks it to the press."
"Leaks it to the press?"
"Ya, your a rock star now, the tabloids would eat this stuff up so be carefull what you put in writing, . . . and what you do publicly."
The two spent the last two nights of the tour planning the homecoming. Everything was to be perfect and this time to make it even better he hired a limosene with a chauffere so he could spend more of his time with the love of his life.
That night all is going according to planned. He is even more nervous than the first time he took her out. The two also bribed the limo company so now his band mate is driving as he didnt want to miss out on any of it, plus one never knew when he would need his help with something or other.
"Hey man stop being so fidgity your shaking the limo."
"Can't help it, I'm nervous."
"Nervous?!? Your a rock star, your get up in front of thousands of people all the time and pour your soul out how is this any diff.?"
"Because it's her, I don't know, she just does something to me, youll see when you meet her"
"Alright pal, is this the place?"
"Uhm, ya I think so it looks familiar.", he then sees the screen door open and the young ladies mother standing at the doorway.
The limo pulls into a complete stop, "Are you sure this was a good idea, you know, come it up in here un anounced and all, what if she is not home?"
"Well it is a little to late to chicken out now don't you think? Thats not her is it?!?"
"No!, that's her mother you fool."
"Oh good, I thought I was going to have to do an intervention."
They look up again and the screen door has slammed shut
"Sounds like that is your cue my friend, your up. . . . oh, wait, wait wait, . . ."
"What, whats wrong?"
"Oh nothing, I just want to give you the full rock star treatmen and open the door for you like a professional."
"Oh, ya that would be nice wouldn't it?"
His bandmade gets out playing the part of chauffere ever to a t and opens the door for his buddy, trying his best not to laugh much less cut a smile. He then reaches in and pulls out a dozen roses.
"Here Srrr. do not forget these." as he hands them over and winks at his friend.
"Thank you."
As he walks up the sandy drive way the screen door opens back up with one quick sweep and out stomps a young pregnant sassy woman breastfeeding her infant.
"Yes can I help you? Are you lost?"
Then behind her a voice emerges and out the the shadow a face to go along with it, "Who is it dear, a salesman, tell them we don't need anythi . . ."
"Oh go back inside, I got this." as she walks fully out and lets the screen door slam fully behind her.
"Hey wait a minute, don't I know you?, Havn't we met before, I know it was at that waterbed company right?, look I already told them I didn't mean to break the bed we were just trying it out and it popped.", she turns around behind her, you won't tell my husband will you?", and when she turns back around the the car door is slamming and the limo is skidding out of the sandy driveway in reverse, then spinning it's wheels as fast as it can in the sand to go 90 for nothing the whole time his bandmate in the front laughing and joking,
"Ya, I'll see it when I meet her alright! haha"
"Oh hush."
"Hang on to that ad my friend, and all those romantic dreams, wrong lady she has definately fallen off the silver screen, and by the way welcome home sweet home."
Episode 3: Livin' on a Prayer
Sun sets through the glass pains comming in via the kitchen window, albeit a tiny one but never the less at this moment sunkissing the entire room with it's kind warm calming glow.
Accompaning the warm glow are the visuals of fresh puffed cigarett smoke dancing in the sunlight, and the occasional smoke ring or two.
And underneath it all the smooth atmospheric tones of a melodic guitar being played as if in some far off fantasy twilight sci fi world with hints of dystopianism intertwind within it.
This is where our story takes place, once upon a time, but not so long ago.
The illumination of the room brightens and the smoke rolls as the kitchen door is opened from the outside, and in blows the Empress of Enchantment as well as some leaves. In she twirls ever so delicately setting the groceries consisting of one full retro brown paper ready to burst due to the melting ice cream and next to the bag is delicately placed a bottle of wine and a 6 pack of beer, not just any beer either but a nice smooth lager, one of the fancy ones in the green bottles.
A fresh puff of cigarett smoke is exhaled ever so slowly as the sound of a zippo snaps shut.
The empress continues twirling and dancing to the music as she slowly undresses one piece of clothing at a time, first her mittens, then seductively her long see through scarf, now she was free to bend down and take off her goloshes, masterfully while still spinning and dancing not skipping a rythm.
Finally she removes her jacket and hoodie, simultaneously and hangs them on the coat rack and in one seemless motion reaches into the brown bag and begins to put every thing in its own special place, . . . proper, . . . all while flowing to the sounds, light and shadows expressed withing the room, now dancing around as if on their own as more and more glorious sun set light is cast throughout the apartment as each glass item she puts away reflects and refracts the light in it's own special magnificient way, all interplaying with the flow of the cigarett smoke and the other worldly musical composition.
As the Empress of Enchantment puts up the last of the items she reaches down with one hand to pick up the wine bottle, reaches up with the other to pull two dinky cups from the semi bare cupboard.
Then she as quietely as she can walks over in a dancingly fashion but as to not make a sound into the main apartments living room where the love of her life is playing his little heart out on his 6 string, blinded to her arrival, . . . or not . . .
She sets everything down onto the coffee table without making a sound as she sits in one of the chairs, that happens to creek.
The love of her lifes eyes open and he smiles at he. He then looks down at the coffee table and see's what she has placed upon it and he looks back up at her with a look of surprise yet approval and nods accordingly while soloing a sirens space melody.
He nods at her again as if to give the whole go ahead and open it up, pour some in the glass look, but then again he could just have a kink in his neck,she gambles on the side of fate and reaches to open up the bottle only to realize she had failed to bring a bottle opener with her.
She rythmicaly stands and dances ever so elequently back into the kitchen after all she is the Empress of Enchantment.
She opens the first drawer where she expects it to be yet it is not there.
She goes to slam it shut then looks over at her boyfriend, so she slowly and quietly slides it shut. She then looks all over the counter tops and such for it but can not see it or find it anywhere.
She got so frustrated that she never realized the mucic had stopped and while she was taking a step back to get a broader picture of the kitchen he kissed her on the back of the neck to which she screamed spun around and was about to smack the $%@ out of them when she realized it was the love of her life.
"Hey Tommy, sounding great in there. Is that one of your new ones?"
"Ya, you like it, I was able to wor . . ."
"Not now Tommy, I have something important I need to tell you."
"Well O.k., what is it?" while glancing over at the wine bottle still sitting on the coffee table, "Must be awfully important for you to bring home a bottle like that.", he said out loud while also thinking to himself and those green bottle beers, hehe)
"Exactly Tommy, all in order to celebrate!", as she now more frantically is looking for the opener.
"Celebrate what?"
"I want it to be a surprise, . . . to tell you with your glass of wine, you know like a real toast."
"Well stop looking around like a chicken with it's head cut off, you will not find the bottle opener here, remember we let my brother borrow it last week when he took out that new girl."
"Oh, the one from the drug store?" "Ya, her." "Oh, darn, ya I remember now. Well now what de we do."
"Well if I remember correctly you also put away some fancy green bottle beers why don't we swap out the wine for a couple of those instead, what else did you get from the store?"
"Ha, not much at these prices, but I did get some fresh cheese and some veggies."
"Sounds great, snag all that from the kitchen and I will rewind what I just recorded and we can play it back and listen to it together for the first time."
"You were recording?"
"Ya!"
"Figured as much, thats why I was so quiet."
"Ya, it's weird, like I now I'm recording internally so technically it shouldnt matter, but a part of me knows it does down to the tinies vibes in the room, so I guess it just seems more natural to remain silent and let the music express itself."
"Sounds great, I can't wait to tell you about my day, I am so exited."
"Ya, I can tell, and I need to te . . ."
"We do still have the beer bottle opener don't we?, . . ., ah yesssss, found it! wooohooo!"
as she comes bouncingly back into the small apartment living room, "Tommy!, . . . did you hear me, I found the beer bottle opener so we are in business!"
Tommy was tuned into the winding sound of an old style cassette tape rewinding nearing it's completion, he waits for it, then the switchover until he hears the sound of magnetic tape slowly dragging forward, once he is content it is playing he then turns around towards the Empress of Enchantment holding 2 beers in green bottles, one in each hand, with the now setting sun glowing deep hues of orange, burgundy and royal purple behind her, glistening through the sparkling green bottles casting infinit lite into the otherwise small dark apartment. Full spread of veggies, cheeses and deli meats sprawed over the table complete with an assortment of potato chips, corn chips, a variety of crackers and two loafs of fresh baked unsliced bread, one Cuban and one Italian.
"Wow, when you said you wanted to celebrate you wern't kidding were you,now thats a spread."
He reaches out towards the beers in green bottles and the opener, "Here, let me get that for you."
"Oh thank you as she hands it all over and preceeds to sit back down in her original seat.
"I meant to do that you know."
"Do what?"
"That old tape sound in the beginning, I wanted it to sound like that,Ihad to record that and put it on the digital recording, . . . you know to make it sound more authentic and stuff, so out with it
already, what are we celebrating because I have some news of my ow . . ."
"Yes, that is what I have been telling you and we need our drinks to toast like I had said earlier."
"That you did." he replied as a matter of factly as he sat down on the couch, placed the opener on the coffee table . . . "I need those open pleas . . ." she starts to command as he gives her the international shhh sign of the finger on the lip while the other reaches toward the green bottle beer, picks it up, twist of the top then flings the cap into the kitchen garbage like a flying U.F.O., then hands her the bottle, repeats the process on the second only this time he reaches up until the green bottle touches his lips, downs a swig, then looks at her, "You were saying."
"Yes, exactly like I was saying I am so exited you will never believe what happened to me today, . . . well to us really as this will effect both of us which is why I wanted to celebrate, I can't believe I forgot we let your brother borrow the . . ."
"Gina!!!"
"Yes, I know I am getting there, it's just . . ." she takes a sip of the green bottle beer, "Oh, that is a good beer, I don't even normally like beers, but that is a good beer . . ."
"Gina, out with it . . ."
"I bought a car . . . "
"You did what?!?"
"I bought a car?"
"Ya I heard you, I just don't, . . . how?"
"Well a friend was moving so her dad had it cheap, and I got a small advance from the diner, that and you said you thought you would be getting a raise soon down at the docks it just seemed like the right time to move forward in life, and I can take you to work and you can take me to work, it will be a lot mor cheaper and safer in the long run then all the buses and subways we take."
"No, you can't, . . ."
"No I can't what?"
"More importantly No We Can't that is what I have been trying to tell you about all night since you got home, I lost my job today, I'm out. You know the Unions been on strike and everything, I had to make a stand and choose a side, I did and now I know longer have a job. Hope your not mad at me."
Getting up out of her seat and walking over to the couch sitting in his lap, "How could I be mad at you, you didn't start that fight, they did.", then she reaches out and puts her arms around him, "I was more worried you would be mad at me for borrowing all that money and getting us in deep with car payments and stuff."
"Gina, I don't think I could ever be mad at you we will figure it out, I'm going to shop my new song around, listen to it . . .", as he springs up bouncing her to her feet and twirling her around while he sings, "Take my hand, where half way there . . ."
"Tommy!, . . . oh, nevermind!"
"Nevermind what?"
"It's just sometimes I wish you thought more about our future, thats all."
"Gee, I thought I was."
"You now what I mean."
"No, actually I don't, but thinking back to earlier you did cut me off and implied that what you had to tell me was important, implying that what I had to say was not, so I guess that tells me every thing I need to know about how you trully feel about my musical carreer."
"Thats not fare and you know it, you make it sound like I am attacking you or your ability to play, you know I am not, I am only critiquing the part where you call it a carreer but up until not it has only cost us money, never made us any."
"Oh, so its about the money now . . ."
"Noooo, I merely stated that because you called it your carreer, oh never mind you will never understand."
"No, it it you that will never understand, would you like another green bottle beer?"
"Yes please."
The next morning the place looked in shambles, clothes strung all over the floor and remnants of veggies and such littering the coffee table
Gina sneaks out of bed so early in the morning some still have yet to go to bed, but such is the case of the life of a waitress that has to prep for breakfast everymorning at the local diner.
Somedays she feels lucky when she can pick up a second shift and make some extra cash.
Tommy gets up not too long after Gina and heads out each day on his quest to find work, . . . any work.
If all else fails he goes to day labor but even they don't always have work and when they do they become long days. Between her earlymorning schedule and his all the time never know what
schedule the two rarely saw one another and when they did it was so brief and in passing that only moments of time felt like memories from another world or a distant past.
Gina did notice unlike that night of the falling out that the tiny little apartment was looking much nicer, . . . cleaner maybe, . . . tidyer?!?, . . it was hard for her to pin point exactly what it was but their was an air of proffesionalism about the place, everything cleaned polished spiffy and in it's place, the apartment never looked better, and in the kitchen was an old cookie jar where everyday she would bring home her pay for love, tips can add up quick.
This evening she does the same as she does everyday she works only while putting up her tips she spots some food on the table with a note on it.
She walks over to it picks it up and reads it, "This is whats left of mine, it was yummy!,yours is in the microwave just heat itup for a minute or 2 at the most, I found work be home later love Tommy"
Gina smiled and picked up his mess and tossed it out on her way to the microwave to heat up her dinner stoping along the way to wash his fork so she could use it. Then openening the steaming hot microwave door, "Lasagnaaaa, . . . mmmmm", then she gets a weird look on her face and peeks into the garbage, "that's not what he had, . . . not sure what he had, lasagna sounds great." taking a bite while walking back into the living room
She sits in her usual chair and leans back to relax taking in a deep breath while savoring her food. She opens her eye as she sits up swallows and comes back to reality.
"Mmmmm, that is a good frozen lasagna!", eyeballing whats left of her dinner tray she sighs, "I really do nee to get out more . . . " 2 more bites then she sets the empty dinner tray onto the coffee table and while sitting back up is when she finally notices . . .
At first she just thinks it is her so she get up to throw away her dinner tray, yet the entire time her eyes are scanning the entire apartment for what she is looking for, and even though she can wash her hands in the kitche where she is she feels compelled to use the sink in the bathroom located within their private bedroom, where all along the way she scans for what she is looking for but yet to no avail.
After giving up the search she sits back down in her favorite seat then looks up again in even more bewilderment, "Wait a minute, it is not just his guitar that is missing like I first thought but all of his music gear is missing, whats up, what did he do?"
"That little snake! I bet he is out husseling some new kids into being a rock band, telling them how cool it is, all about the sex, drugs, and rock and roll. And here I am working my tail off at some low rate diner where everyone takes me for granted, is this really what my life has come to. I just don't think I can take any of this any more or any longer I just want it all to go away, I need to run away, I have let everyone down, and for what some snake . . ."
Then 3 knocks tap on the door, then the doorbell chimes, thinking to herself, "impatient little . . ."
Gina peaks out the peep hole and recognizes the face, one of his band cohorts . . .
She opens the door, "What do you want, Tommy aint here, I assumed he was with you guys."
"Ya, well as per usual you assumed wrong, I havn't seen Tommy in a couple of weeks at least, not since he got that septic job, boy now that's a shi . . ." "Watch'it now, keep it clean! What are you talking about."
"Oh, you mean why am I hear!", as he reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a usb thumb drive and hands it over to her, "For this, to give you this, well not you, but Tommy, any way he left it in the equipement he sold us and I just wanted to return it before we lost it, he was one of the best you know sure hate to see him give up so soon."
"What are you talking about?"
"Wow, you really don't know do you, . . . he must really love you lady, I've got to go, better ask him what this is all about.
She closes the door behind him, she didn't need to ask him what it was about she already knew. She looked over at the book shelf where all the music equipement and recording gear were, then over at the couch where Tommy's guitar used to sit,pretty much 24/7, then she looked over at the cookie jar, then she sat down on the floor and cried.
Gina stood back up grabbed the cookie jar and headed out the door.
She gets to her car and pushes the overdue bills sitting on the pasenger seat onto the floor,then sits the jar safely in it's place.
After turning the car over and heading out like a bat out of hell Gina puts the usb thumb drive in the vehicles player, the sound of a cassette tape comming to a rewind stop plays as she remembers, then the magnetic rubbing of the tape begins and with it the playing of the music she remembers so well from that night.
After the atmospheric song ended another song began to play, "Oh, what do we have here.", she thought to herself, then the chorus kicked in and she started to remember it, "This is that song he was trying to play for me that night and I blew him off, . . . I blew his song off, . . . I blew his dream off, how could I have been so nearsighted, ughhhh!"
She starts to tear up but immediately composes herself as she pulls into Tony's Septics. She pulls right up to the front door, leaves the car running, gets out then opens the door to the office an lean in, "Hey Uncle Tony, long time, I hear Tommy's workin' for ya where is he I need to see him and don't tell me he's not or I'll . . ."
"You do'thave to threaten me little darlin, you know I could never lie to you, here . . .", he pulls a business card from his coat pocket and writes an address on it then extends his hand out to hand it to her. She walks in and takes it. "You tell Aunt Betty that . . ." "You tell Aunt Betty yourself, she's been a little pissed you haven't been around in a while, says you only stop by when you
want or need something."
"As does everyone Uncle it's what makes the world go around its what keeps you in business but all of a sudden when I do it . . ." "So, well see ya next weekend?", "Sure, see ya uncle and thanx for the address", "No problem you just saved me from having to figure out how to get him home, by the time you get there his shift will be over so you can take him."
She grins at him snarkely as she shuts the door behind her and gets back into her still running car. Defying most traffic laws and some of the laws of gravity she finally makes it to her destination, the address on the business card, but by the time she gets there shecan't remember being upset, she can't remember being mad, she is now jus happy and the only thing in her mind is that new song of his she heard, the one he tried to play for her that night.
Gina walks onto the job site and sees Tommy all by himself putting up all the tools, she pauses and watches him for a moment. He senses anothers presence and turns only to see a silouette and a moving shadow.
"Who is there, I'm just rapping up, I willbe out of here in no time,just waiting on my ride . . .", that is when he hears his song being sung, "Take my hand well make it I swear . . ."
"Gina?!?, is that you?", the two run towards each other and embrace in a twirl as he lifts her up high over his head then brings her back down close to him, "What are you doing here, how did you know I was working here, who told, Freddy?" she start to whimper, "Hey, hey stop, no don't do that whats the matter,is something wrong why did you come all the way out here?"
"Yes something is wrong, our life is all wrong, this isn't what we are supposed to be doing, you were right all along, and I was wrong."
"What are you talking about."
"All your music stuff, you sold it all, why?"
Because you matter more to me than . . ."
"And that is why I am crying because I put you in that position, to have to choose between me or your dream and I had no right to do that, I heard your song, it's good, I mean, it's really good. You are an incredible musician . . ."
"And you are an incredible person . . .", cutting him off as per usual, "Ya, but why sell all your music stuff?"
"Because we needed the money, and I didn't sell all of it, I kept the guitar, the only part I really needed I guess. I saw the bills and the car was getting ready to get taken by the bank, and we also had a huge electric bill due to all this cold weather. Plus the other usual suspect bills . . ."
"No, no, no, I have made every payment on the car there is no way we are behind on the payment, as a matter of fact I only have 3 more to go . . ."
"Yes, that was for what you borrowed from the diner that they loaned you to put the down payment you needed on the car with the bank, and yes the diner will be paid off in 3 more payments, but the bank however never received a single payment . . ."
"Oh, . . ."
"It's o.k., I actually have a plan. wanna hear it, well hear it goes. I too have a cookie jar and between the two of us we have enough to pack up and head out to where we have always wanted to go, the place we always said we would need to be if we wanted to make it bigtime, to make our dreams a reality, and you have dreams too of running away from all this I know you do, (as he starts to sing) So take my hand were half way there, whoa livin'on a prayer.
Episode 4: The Sound of Silence
"No, I'm telling you, it's like your actually there, you know, like you are actually living it . . ."
"But it's all just a dream right?!?"
"Sure, . . . but I'm telling you, I am there."
"Well, your here now and as the loud speaker just mentioned cleanup is needed on isle 4, . . . so'oooo"
"Oh, ya sure, right on it!"
After picking up all the knocked over dog food cans from the end cap display that had been knocked over on isle 4, our hero finishes out his shift with only one thing on his mind, those dreams he can't seem to shake free from.
"Hey, you need a lift?" his coworker calls out to him as he is clocking out.
"Nah, thats cool, thanx though, I apreciate it. I just kind of want to take the long way if ya know what I mean."
"You sure, it's late, you closed tonight remember."
"Ya, exactly, I know, that is why I want to take the long way, under the moon light . . . ."
"What for, it's dangerous out there, especially this time at night."
"I'm not sure really, it's just in those dreams . . . "
"Oh, there he goes again with the dreams. Look kid, let me tell you a little secret, keep your dreams to yourself."
"Why, do they bother you."
"No kid, it's a tip for you, to keep you safe."
"To keep me safe?!?" How?!?"
"Kid look it's simple if the wrong people know what your dreams are they can use that information to hurt you and take advantage of you."
"How?!?"
"Come on kid, don't be so knaive. Anyway, you sure you don't need a ride."
"Ya, I'm sure, thanx. See ya tomorrow."
"No you won't, I'm off, Ha!"
The two part ways and our dreamer starts walking. First just out of the giatnormous parking lot, then once he arrived at the street side walk he looked up into the moon then headed towards the subway just 2 blockes over and 2 blocks down. The best part is the first part just 2 blocks over and that is a little food truck dreamer stops at from time to time, and tonight was one of those times.
As per usual it is so late that he is typically the only customer so he and the chef usually end up striking up odd conversations and tonight was no different.
"What a'ya have? The usual?"
"No, cookie, tonight I think I want to try something different."
"Chef, it's chef, . . . I am not in the Army no more . . ."
"Yes cookie, I get it, . . . I mean chef, . . . um let me try the number 8 please."
"The number 8?!? But you don't like . . ."
"Like I said cookie/chef, something is telling me to try something new."
"O.k. then, one numbe 8 coming right up." as he rings a bell and turns away from the service window, spins and faces the stove, reaches for some ingredients like a tasmanian devil and within minuts spins back around with a small feast towards the service window.
"Mmmmm, that looks and smells great, hey you know what, can you go ahead and make me my usual so I can take it with me please." he asks while walking toward the outdoor dining pic nic tables.
"Yes, of course, it will just be a couple of minutes."
As he is removing the food items from the bag and laying them out on the dining table, "Take your time, I am in no hurry."
The chef hurridly makes the dreamers usual favorite dish, he then shuts down his sign and promotional lights and decides to go ahead and walk out the food as this is his last customer, but when he arrives at the table with the to go dish he realizes none of the food was touched.
"Is something the matter Sr, you have not touched your food, is there a fly on it?"
"No chef it's perfect, have a seat, this one is yours and I'll take that one."
"What?"
"Sit, you are eating with me tonight, now hand me mine, my usual favorite please."
"You tricked me!"
"Yes I did, haha. I thought you might like to eat as well."
"Thank you son, how considerate of you, please forgive me if I don't talk much as I am starving."
"No worries Sr, so am I.", the two didn't speak another word as they sat in silence and devoured all the food the chef had made, cookie finishing first, getting up and after giving the dreamer the international Ill be right back symbol dashed off back into the foodtruck only to reappear several minutes later with drinks and dessert.
"Thanx!" said the kid, "just what I needed to wash down all that amazing food."
The two, now contently full, enjoy their ice cream sundays at a more leisurly pace and end up striking up a converation.
"That thing that hangs in your window, I see you use it as a symbol for your truck as well, does it have a meaning?"
"Yes, those are dream catchers. They help protect from evil."
"Dream catchers?, . . . that sounds very interesting."
"Why?, are you interested in dreams?"
"Arn't we all?"
"We are all indeed, well put son, wait here." as he stands up and heads back towards the food truck . . .
"Oh, no please, I am stuffed I couldn't eat another bite . . ."
"Who said I was getting food, I'll be right back, throw all that trash away for me please."
Kid was about to yell back they already had then looked around and probably figured he meant all the other garbage other guest had left behind, so he smiled and grind and thought to himseld, "Clean up on isle grassway."
Then before cookie returned the kid was sitting back at the table like he had never moved.
Chef comes back, and looks around, "Wow, I was just joking, . . ." "Oh, no worries, I do stuff like that all the time."
"Well here, I wanted to thank you proper for dining with me tonight, it really meant a lot. I wanted to return the gift and you had mentioned about the dreamcatchers, and I remembered a promotion we had a while back and we had a bunch of dream catchers made for the event and here is one that is left over and it is yours.", as he dangles it in front of him.
"What?!, no I couldn't"
"From the sounds of what you were telling me tonight, you need this, not only will it help protect you from evil but it will help guide your journey as well.", as he waves it infront of him now as if to hypnotize him with it.
"O.k, thank you" as he reaches out for it and accepts it's spell, the wind picks up, the leaves blow and the tied up lights begins to swing and he snaps back to himself.
"Oh no, what time is it? kid asks as he jumps up.
"Oh roughly midnightish, give or take, why."
"Because the last subway train comes just after midnight and I do not want to miss it, I've got to go." as he starts to run down the road.
"Don't you mean the last trolly comes after midnight?" yells out cookie
As he headed down the cobblestone street the silence of the night was deafening. The street was familiar like an old friend and the further he walked into it the darker it became.
He became restless as strange visions creeped into his mind that he could not understand but left him pondering in silence as the cobblestone road narrowed and seemed to contine forever.
Then, just up ahead he saw what appeared to be the subway station, yet tonight it appeared a little different.
He walked up towards it and stood underneath a street lamp, paused and turned up his collar to avoid the cold chill in the air, and when he turned toward the subway station and out of complete darkness his eyes were pierced by the shimmer of neon light.
But, before he could reach to open the subway door he froze in silence panicked as out of nowhere people of all sorts started to appear out of the darkness. People of all sorts, all ages, all types, just minding there own business walking by, more and more of them maybe ten thousand all having strange conversations. It even appeared as if they were somehow all talking but without speaking, and for some reason he knew and he could understand.
But then he realized that they were actually just listening, but never actually truly hearing the words or message meant by those words.
Some were even writing songs and creating works of art yet never sharing their talents with the rest and thus forever hiding their true selves and identities and within all this of this was pure silence that no one dare break.
Our dreamer hero has seen enough and can no longer hold it in so he speaks out towards the crowd, "Fools, please head my words as you do not know and I might be able to teach you." he says passionately as he reaches out towards them.
Yet his words fell out of the sky like silent raindrops that know one heard except him as they echoed in the wells of silence.
The people it seemed all began to pray to these neon gods they had made, all up and down the cobblestone road a mecca to capitalism anything and everything one could imagine and want, and out the corner of his eye he saw a sign that was flashing out a warning. Oddly enough it seemed as if it were still forming. Our dreamer approached it closer and closer as the flashing warning sisgn slowly formed and this is what it said.
It told him that he would find his answers in the graffiti left on the subways, trains and barrios, that the prophets chose to communicate to us in that way.
All of a sudden the sounds of silence stopped as the conducter whispered in his ear, "Hey sleepyhead, last stop you getting off?"