When the World Listens - Duran Duran

Chapter 1, Part 4 - Let's Go Get Some Italian Food!

It was directed at Jack. Simon stopped pacing. Everyone else in the room realised they hadn't asked this roadie his name when he came in. Nick was specifically bothered by this. He had always made it a point to know every roadies’ name. He didn't want people to think he was some entitled brat of a superstar who didn’t care about anyone but himself. He had just been so out of it today that he forgot to ask. He didn’t even ask yesterday, when Jack officially joined them. None of them did.
Jack, who had stepped back around the couch, said “It’s Jack”. Feeling a little awkward, John continued.
“Anyway, we could just send Jack to go get the food. He could read the menu, ring us, then tell us what's on it,”
“You’re just full of good ideas today, aren’t you John?” Simon said with snark. John gave him a confused look.
“It’s a good idea John,” Nick said, ignoring Simon. “But we still don’t know exactly where Jack will be going.”
“That’s true,” said John.
“Yeah,” agreed Andy. A period of silent contemplation fell upon them. While the silence rang, John got up and went towards the telephone. He started to write down the number. Then he discreetly handed it to Jack.
“Thanks,” Jack whispered.
Roger suddenly remembered a place. They had passed it on the way to rehearsal earlier and it had just popped into his head. Roger waited a second before he started speaking. Just to make sure he remembered everything right.
“We passed a place on the way here. What was it called? Erm… I don’t remember but it was just across the street from that primary school.” He said. Everyone stopped to think.
“Ah,” Jack exclaimed.
“I know exactly which place you’re talking about. Yeah, I could pop over there real quick, if you lads want.” Simon walked closer to Jack and placed his hand on his shoulder, in the way a supportive father would.
“Jolly good. Ask everyone else what they want as well. Get them whatever they fancy.” Jack nodded. Simon moved toward the table behind the couch. He grabbed his leather wallet from the mess, opened it, and pulled out three £50 notes. He threw the wallet back onto the table and walked back over to Jack, with a jump in his step. Simon eagerly handed him the quid.
“That should be enough. If it’s not then give us a ring and I’ll bring some more for you,” Simon said.
“Thanks Simon,” Jack said. He exhaled then grabbed the key ring from the table with the phone on it. He unclipped the group van keys from the ring.
“You’ll probably hear from me in about 20-ish minutes,” He said casually as he walked out the door, heading towards the rest of the crew in the house. The band collectively said thank you and then he was gone. John picked up the remote again and flicked the TV back on. The Wheel of fortune program had ended. It was playing a rerun of Waterloo Station now.
During the supper debate, Andy had wandered over to one of the windows in the sizable living room and sat on the floor in front of it.
“I really like Australia.” Andy said, cutting through the noise of the TV. Everyone sat in silent agreement, some of them peering over at the window. They were surrounded by massive trees and plants and the cafe nearby made the air smell of freshly made coffee and pastries. It was a big change from the streets of Central London, where they spent most of their time. Overall this tour, for them, had been one of the most enjoyable tours they had ever been on. It was lucky they got to end the tour in wonderful Australia. They had a couple more shows after tomorrow, but they were all in Australia. Australia was one of those places that you could always go back to. Not for the people or the attractions, but for the cosy atmosphere and the abundance of nature. Something was different there. At least different from London, and certainly different from Birmingham. Something different indeed.