Who Wants To Live Forever...

We're Just Waiting For The Hammer To Fall - Part 3

A/N - there are several point of view changes in this chapter.  FYI - If you have never watched an episode of the British TV show, Pop Quiz from the 80's, you have to check them out!  There are several with Roger Taylor and one with John Deacon.  They are a treat!  I have one linked above.

** Just a little warning about some homophobic slurs in this chapter

1st November 1984

London

Roger's POV

"We fly out on the 7th of January to Rio and our first show is on the 11th..."  Jim advised as we all sat at the large table in his office.  It was myself, Brian, Freddie and Deacy and Gerry Stickells, Paul Prenter and our main road crew.  "Our second performance is on the 18th..."  he reminded us.  A week later.  It would be fun to spend some free time exploring while there and wondered what might be planned for us.  

"The last item was have on the agenda is we've finalized the release date for your Christmas single..."  Jim announced.  "It will be out on the 26th of November and the next day in the U.S. ..."  he advised.  Deacy made a snorting sound.  

"What's the point of putting it out in the U.S. ?"  Deacy questioned.  We all shared a look of mutual agreement.  Jim sighed as he looked at us all.

"We should at least see if we can make a dent in the charts over there..."  Jim said to be optimistic.  I tried not to roll my eyes.  Our last few singles had done quite poorly.  Ever since they banned our video for 'I Want To Break Free' on MTV we seemed to have lost favor with the American fans.  Our hot streak over there seemed to begin cooling with Hot Space and now we weren't even going to tour there.  It felt like a lost cause these days.

"Speaking of Christmas!"  Freddie chimed in to change the subject.  "Are you going to make an appearance again this year on Pop Quiz's Christmas show?" he asked me.  I had appeared on their Christmas special last year and on another episode back in June.

"No...I'm out this year..."  I confirmed.   "They film it around this time and I've got plans..."  I reminded him.  

"Oh that's right!"  Freddie replied and gestured at me and Brian.  "You've got a little dirty weekend planned...don't you?"  he teased.  Everyone chuckled and I threw a wadded up piece of paper at Freddie.  I noticed Brian trying to ignore the blatant reminder we were headed off for some couple's time on the Spanish island. 

"Is there anything else?"  Jim declared to move us along.  No one commented so he closed his notebook.  "Right!"  he said and stood up.  "We'll meet again on January 3rd unless something else comes up...everyone enjoy your holidays and see you then!"  he advised.  The meeting broke up and people began chatting about their Christmas plans.  Freddie was heading back to Munich to do more work on his solo album and socialize with his German friends. Deacy had been offered a partnership in a studio venture and was taking some meetings about it.  We all parted ways with excitement about playing the Rock in Rio festival after the holidays and Brian and I left our offices to drive home.

"I'm getting excited..."  Brian told me as we got in the car.  I pulled out into traffic and headed for the motorway.  I smiled at him.

"Me too..."  I agreed.  "Do you need to pick up anything on the way home?"  I asked.  He shook his head.

"I got everything I needed yesterday and even finished packing..."  he confirmed.  I wasn't surprised but knew he would fret over forgetting something before we leave in a few days.  It was his nature and it hadn't changed in all these years.  

"I'll finish when we get home..."  I replied. 

As I pulled onto the motorway I checked my rearview mirror so I could change lanes and swore I saw that same green car I had seen a few days ago.  I was instantly annoyed and a bit troubled by it.  I glanced over at Brian.