MAY 2, 2004
Ronnie ignores Dave's complaints about the length of his shower. The shower schedule has been a point of contention ever since the band got their bus. Rather, the lack of schedule was the major issue. Nevertheless, Ronnie just needed an extra long shower this morning as far as Dave is concerned. Nothing more.
The tour is now well underway, time flying by faster than any of them can comprehend. Playing shows in the UK has become second nature to them, and their first stops in America have gone over surprisingly well. Today is a real test, though-their first festival. Coachella's time has come.
While the band eats their pre-show breakfast, courtesy of McDonald's, Ronnie expertly dodges Mark's comment about him seeming 'spacey'. It's easy enough to curb the concern; he just tells the guys that he's nervous about the set. Brandon agrees and laments over his outfit options. The younger man is looking right at Ronnie while he speaks and this he can't ignore nor dodge, much to his demise.
As he chews on his McMuffin with a bit too much focus, Ronnie admits to himself the truth he had hoped would miraculously vanish in the hours since he woke up: he had a sex dream about Brandon.
This wouldn't be a big deal if it hadn't happened since Ronnie was a teenager; you know, when it's considered normal for those things to happen. He's had dreams since then that toe the line between horny and weird, but the mysterious ways of the subconscious almost always took over before anything got too steamy. But this time, his mind must have worked extra hard to make everything feel real. When Ronnie woke up, he practically gasped as if it were a nightmare. In a way, it kind of was. Not so much that it was scary, but in that he is now scared to fall asleep again
Contrary to popular belief, waking up in a tour bus with an unrelenting boner and the object of your affection laying in the bunk above you is not the start of some wonderful porno. It's sweaty, uncomfortable, and guilt-inducing. The guilt comes not only from the fact that Brandon doesn't deserve to be whored out in Ronnie's dreams, but also from the fact that Ronnie loved it.
Ronnie looks at Brandon discreetly, who is cutting his Hotcakes into small bite-sized pieces. He gently sways to the mixtape Dave put on the bus radio. Brandon's actions feel all the more innocent in light of Ronnie's shame. He's just grateful that Brandon can't read minds because he's fairly certain it would be his last day in the band if that were the case.
After breakfast, Jeremy tells the four men that they'll be pulling up to the festival grounds in about ten minutes. He explains the rigamarole that they'll have to perform for check-in. Wristbands, lanyards, food vouchers, directions to their backstage tent. Given their low billing, the large tent will be shared with other artists performing on the same stage. Jeremy tells them they should change on the bus and take whatever they'll need before the show with them since getting back to the bus will be time-consuming. He also warns that it's very hot and tells them to prepare themselves. With every detail, Brandon appears more and more eager to get off the bus. Meanwhile, Ronnie realizes he may have to avoid watching Brandon change.
When the bus finally parks in the artist's lot, Jeremy instructs the band to be ready in no more than twenty minutes.
"Twenty?!" Brandon shrieks, "Jesus, I would have done my make-up sooner." Brandon leaps up and heads to his bunk area to grab his bag.
Ronnie is suddenly grateful for his early shower because he doesn't have to change. One benefit of being a drummer is that no one expects you to wear a suit jacket while you're swinging your arms like a madman. His Willie Nelson t-shirt and jeans will have to suffice for the Coachella crowd.
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Hopeless Haze - Volume I: Hot Fuss (Remastered)
Romance"If Brandon cared, he would wonder if Ronnie was also deep in thought about something and has only just absentmindedly found something for his hands to play with. But as Ronnie runs his fingers through his hair, Brandon finds that he does not care a...
