Freddie And The Fahrenheits

Freddie's Fabulous Phone Call

Friday 10th September 1976

The next morning, Freddie had the hilarious task of explaining why his friends were asleep on the sofa with a pink fluffy blanket over them. He also had to break the news that both of them had lost the bet and the twenty pounds were his, including the extra five for Elton's very loud snoring. It took video evidence to convince the singer to hand it over, but he didn't do it willingly.

"I can't believe we let you in on that stupid bet." He muttered. "I'd be ten quid richer if we hadn't."

"What's done is done." Freddie said smugly. "You can't go back on a bet."

"Yeah Elton, plus you're the one who bet me in the first place." David smirked before walking off.

"I'm going to check on the kitties." Freddie said. "Oh and Elton, don't forget to call your band up!"

"Alright, alright!" Elton snapped, sounding just a tad miffed. "I'll do it now!"

So he got up and went to the phone, huffing and puffing all the way. He quickly dialled the number, pressing the buttons harshly as he waited for someone to answer.

"Hello?"

"Davey, hey!" Elton said. "Are the rest of the band with you?"

"Oh, hi Elton!" Davey said. "Yeah they are, everyone except Ray."

"Oh." Elton said. "Can I call you back?"

"Nonsense, he'll be here in a minute!" Davey laughed. "I'm guessing it's important, you always go off like this when you're fretting about something you either don't want to tell someone or is super important."

"It is." Elton said. "It's about you guys."

"Don't tell me it's another firing like you did with Dee and Nigel last year." He said.

"It isn't."

"That's alright then." Davey said. "Hey, I've just remembered - we've heard about Queen; John told us yesterday."

"No wonder." Elton said. "Was he angry? Me and Fred both haven't seen him since the night before it all went down."

"A little." He said. "But he said it'd been brewing for a while."

"I could see that." Elton said. "Remember when we were in the studio on the same day? That tambourine nearly stayed stuck around Roger's neck."

"Yeah, I do." Davey said. "But please tell Freddie we send our condolences."

"I will." Elton chuckled. He was treating it like someone had died. But then again, maybe something had. Queen had been put to sleep for eternity, like the climax of a fairytale.

"Oh, Ray's here!" Davey said suddenly. "One second."

There were hushed voices on the other side of the phone. They were saying stuff like "no, we're not getting fired" or "it sounds very bloody important". Then, Davey started talking again.

"So, what is it you wanted to talk to us about?"

"You see, we've had an idea." Elton said. "Basically, we've started a band. Me, Fred and David Bowie - you know the guy. And we wanted you to be our backing band. Like The Elton John Band you're already known as but with two extra people."

The phone went silent again and the hushed voices resumed. Elton couldn't make out what they were saying this time, and a part of him wanted to be sick and scream at the same time.