Encounter

Part 3:Rock and Roll All Night (a.k.a.): Guess Who's Coming To Dinner

Note: A disclaimer.

To all my U.K . Wattpaders, please forgive  me if  I do not state  the proper protocol for palace state dinners and performances. I research and research, but sometimes I just can't get it right, so I will evoke literary license, and just make it up. 

Four weeks of rehearsals  passed rather quickly and all were ready for this gig. All except Freddie, he Just wanted it over and done with. He needed to get away, he was exhausted and this command performance was the last  thing on his mind that he wanted, but Queen was a democratic group and the three of them wanted to play at the palace so the palace it was.

Miami ran into the studio excited and  out of breath. 

"What's up" asked Brian.

" I have good and not so good news. Which do you want to hear first?"

John groaned and put down his bass and walked over to Miami. "Okay, Miami, let's have it, what now?"

"Okay, I'll soften it first with the good news.  It's a closed performance, absolutely no reporters at all." 

This was really good news to the band, although frequently derided by the press they were absolutely loved and adored by their fans.

"Okay" piped Freddie, let's have the "not so good" news.

"Everyone must, and I say again, everyone,  must wear masks. It's a masked ball" said Miami. Elton is wearing a mask from New Orleans and Rod is wearing something he wore to one of his kids birthday parties. Surely, Freddie, you must have enough masks for your band?"

"Why do we have to wear one, we're the entertainment?" Roger said.

Miami shrugged as he walked out saying, "Command performance."

"Come on over this evening, guys, and we will go through the masks that I have at home" Freddie said.

All nodded and went back to rehearsing, being the consummate professionals that they are.

In the evening:

After 3 bottles of Stolichnaya, a pizza and a tupperware full of Jer's cheese biscuits, the band had their masks and spent the rest of the evening with abandoned frivolity. This was not a normal occurrence within the bands structure, but occasionally they needed to let go , and this was one of those times.

Nervousness was normal to any artist performing for the royal family and Queen was no exception. Although Freddie knew Princess Diana and Brian was on friendly terms with Prince Andrew, you could almost smell the angst and anticipation.

They all arrived at the palace around the same time and their respective  crews began the arduous task of setting up on the portable stage erected in the front of the ballroom. A screen was placed in front of the stage to allow the musicians the privacy of getting ready and to keep the prying eyes off of these rock stars. Princess Diana was in charge of the entertainment as she was friendly with these personalities and wanted to keep the shock value down to a minimum before the guests knew who were playing in front of them. 

The Lord Steward  of the palace quieted the room and started his speech. Pounding his staff on the floor to gather attention:

"Your Royal Majesty, Prince Philip, princesses, and princes, royals from all over the Kingdom, and, you know who you are. (This garnered tittering from the tables for they all knew that Lord McClane was a bit of a comic.) Allow me to present for your pleasure and ours, the one and only, Rod Stewart.