Us and Them- Rick Wright

After the Party

March 1967, London

It's not even 11 pm, and I'm already quite drunk. I couldn't remember how many shots I took, and I wasn't even sure what I was doing at this lame party. Jean Shrimpton, who I met through the world of modeling, told me about it. Terrence Stamp, her ex-boyfriend, had been trying to get back together with her, and he was giving her a lot of grief and stress. So, the only thing she wanted to do that night was to go out, dance, and get drunk.

Right now, I don't quite know where Jean is, nor do I care. I entered a room where all that stood out to me was four guys sitting at a table downing scotch.

"Hey, would any of you want to make out?" I said to him. 

"You're gorgeous, but no," one of them with dirty blonde hair said, "I'm married."

One of them with blue eyes, dark eyeliner under his eyes, and crazy black hair walked over to me, "Sure."

So, we made out, and that was the last thing I remembered before I blacked out. 

The next morning

I woke up in a bed that wasn't mine, and Jean was sitting on the edge of the bed, rubbing my back.

"How are you feeling?" 

I immediately noticed the trash can on the side table, so I grabbed it and vomited. I vomited for a good thirty seconds, and Jean held my hair back.

"It's ok, Rey," she said, "It's ok."

"Where- where are we?"

That's when the door opened, and I saw the dirty blonde from last night walk in with the guy I think I made out with. 

"My flat," the guy said, "I'm Syd, by the way. Remember me?"

"Yea," I said, "Did we uh- make out?"

"Yea, and some other stuff," Syd smirked, "But we didn't go too far because you were drunk, and I wasn't going to take advantage of you."

"Good man," I said, "I'm Rey-

"We know who you are," the blonde said, "Reylynn Asher. You're in those magazines. I'm Rick."

I nodded and waved. Jean looked at her watch and grunted, "Shit! I have to go to that meeting in half an hour! I'm so sorry. Can you guys please take care of her? I'll pay you, I'll do anything, I just can't miss this me-

"Jean!" Rick said, "It's ok. You go, and we'll take care of her."

"Thank you thank you," she said, "I'll call you later, Rey."

After puking again, I got up, used Syd's mouthwash, and sat at a small round table where two other men were. 

"Hangovers, they suck," The one with the big nose said.

"Uh, Rey, this is Roger and Nick," Rick said.

I looked at the men, and realized how familiar they looked, "You four, you're in a band, right? Isn't it called like Pink Noise or something?" 

"Pink Floyd," Roger corrected me. 

"Yea, we played at a concert before we went to that party," Nick said, "Our new album is probably going to release in August."

"Oh, congratulations," I said, "What's it called?"

"The piper at the gates of dawn."

"Ah," I said, "So, what happened after I went up to you guys and- you know?"

"OK," Syd said, "So, two wankers started this fight, and then there were rumors the cops were coming, so we ran out, found your friend, Jean, and left."

"Geez," I said, "Thanks for bringing me back. I appreciate it."

"Yea, no problem," Rick said, softly smiling at me.