WAIFU RADIO: Love Live Actually (Part 1)

🎧 SONG 1: "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina & the Waves 🎧

Fast forward to four years later, right around the dawn of Christmas time. A young British loner going by the name of Oliver Shelby, was quietly walking by the sidewalks on his way to work, all the while ignoring his own surroundings that embody the rough vibes of modern London. On his left side, the loud double decker buses cruising the city's tried-and-true roads. On his right---the equally loud and violent blokes drinking in the pubs near the place he works; a small but vibrant record store called "Black Lion Vinyls", located somewhere within the streets of Soho, in-between two tall houses and a string of roads nearby.

This song plays on his headphones, and walks to work in a "Christian Bale in American Psycho" kind of way. Upon entering Black Lion Vinyls, he immediately notices his co-workers Jesse and Phil bantering about random, useless topics by the front windows.

"Morning, Oli!" Phil happily greets him, waving his hand as Oliver puts away his headphones and briefly glances at him.

"Did I miss something?"

Phil: "Oh, not much at all...Jesse and I were just having a quick smoke and bantering about our favorite ambient records."

Oliver, realizing how late he is to work compared to everyone else, slowly rushes to his cashier, joining in with Jesse and Phil on their random conversation.

Oliver: "Come on, Phil. Do I have to say this again? Everyone who listens to ambient music, day-in and day-out, knows that you can't top Brian Eno, or Another Green World. You simply just can't!"

"Aphex Twin would like a word with you." Jesse silently quips, while resting his shoulders on a pop vinyl shelf. "So do the Boards of Canada, Tim Hecker, Burial, Prurient, Flying Lotus, and Richard D. James."

Oliver: "You just said Aphex Twin's name twice. That last one doesn't count. Anyways...gather 'round---I got something special for you blokes."

Oliver then pulls out a small ticket from the small bag he carries around his waist, and showcases it to his co-workers as if it were a rare jewel. 

"Over the next weekend, I'll be leaving for New York City for Christmas." He gleefully announces. I even got three tickets for you guys so we could see the Statue of Liberty together!" He then sticks out a still, open smile on his face.

"Oh, that's sweet to hear!" Phil cheers, glancing over the flight tickets with Jesse as if they were gateways into Willy Wonka's beautiful little chocolate factory instead. 

"I probably should've told you this before---but I've always wanted to go to NYC ever since I was a young lad. I remember being around six years old and pulling my dad's shirt, while he was watching TV---crying out 'Daddy, I wanna see New York!' One time he yelled out, 'No, son. NYC is filthy and disgusting, and reeks of capitalism."

Jesse shakes his head. "I don't think your dad said that...ever. Not even once."

"Really?" Phil scoffs at him in utter shock. "I could've sworn he said that, especially that last part. But then again, your memories as a 6-year-old become quite hazy as you grow older."

Jesse, giving time for everyone to think of their words, drops one of his eyebrows down.

"...Aren't you 29?"

Phil: "Oh, bugger off. I know how old I am..."

He then turns his attention to Oliver, still resting on his cashier and waiting for customers. "So, what's our plan?"

"See the Statue of Liberty, of course..." Oliver replies. "Then, I don't know---you two do a little bit of Christmas caroling out in the streets while I stay behind at the hotel binging The Big Bang Theory or whatever they play on those high-definition televisions in those hotels."