Listen To Your Heart ~ Book One.

Preparation

"Please tell me there's some kind of railing around that damn thing."

"Yes, there is. The front railing collapses right when it touches the stage. So don't try to jump off too soon."

"Oh wonderful."

(The round disk-shaped platform lowers to the stage. I step on it and turn forward as Valerie comes near the stage to watch.)

"If I piss myself while doing this, I'm blaming you."

(She smiles)"Be careful."

(The platform rises above the stage, I look down. Oh fuck. The stagehand is yelling to me to start playing something. Sure, no problem I figure. I begin playing something and damn near fall over the railing twice. They lower me back down.)

"What's wrong?"  Valerie asks.

"What the hell are those two metal plates in the platform for?"

"You place your feet in them. They use suction to hold you in place while you play."

"They're too powerful. I have trouble moving my feet."

"Oh, right. We designed it for Eddie's specifications. Give us a few minutes to adjust it."

(After a few adjustments and numerous tries, I felt completely comfortable riding the damn thing. They lower me down.)

(Hours later, we wrap for the day. I talk with Sammy Hager for a while before I leave. I check my cellphone. A lot of messages from Billie, and one from Claudia. I call Claudia. For some reason, I couldn't get her scent of lavender off my mind.)

"Hello?"

"Hello Claudia. Heard you were looking for me."

"David?"

"Yea."

"Where've you been? Billie has been trying to reach you."

"I know. I've been busy."

"Doing what?'

"Paying respects to a friend."

"Oh. Well, are you going to call Billie?"

"I don't know. I guess I should."

"David....she's worried about you. She misses you."

"Really? Is that why I can't kiss her in public like her ex-boyfriends can? Maybe she should call Needle Dick instead."

"What's that supposed to mean? Something happen between you two again? I swear, the two of you fight worse than a married couple."

"I'll call her when I got less to deal with."

"David..."

"Yea?"

"You're taking the time to call me now, aren't you? Just give her a quick call now...for me."

(Sighs)"You're both a pain in my ass, you know that?"

"And you like my ass, so you're welcome."

(I couldn't deny that.)

(Claudia ends the call. Then she calls Billie.)

"Billie. David called me."

"Where is he? Is he going to call me?"

"I'm not sure. The two of you fighting again?"

"Why? What did he say?"

"He said he can't kiss you in public like your ex-boyfriends used too, and maybe you should call Needle Dick instead. What's going on between you two?"

"Fuck! That asshole! I'm getting sick of his jealousy act. If he wants me to call Needle Dick, then I will!"

"Billie...my opinion. That will make things 100 times worse between you two."

"Then what am I supposed to do, Claudia?"

"I don't know, talk things out."

"But he hasn't called me. I've tried calling him."

"He said he was paying respects to a friend."

"Did you get a location?"

"Yes. The Los Angeles Mega-Coliseum."

"That new stadium? What the hell is he doing there? That place is huge!"

"I don't know. Aren't they having that Van Halen concert there?"

"Don't know. I haven't been online much."