The Day We Forgot The Guitarist

Ray Is Feeling Cranky and Pubescent Today And He Doesn't Know Why

Ray Is Feeling Cranky and Pubescent Today And He Doesn't Know Why

By the time we got to the first stoplight, I began to seriously question why the hell I had let Joe Trohman of all people drive me to the concert. Not only did he consistently drive twenty miles over the speed limit, he had blown through three stop signs and ran over a squirrel. My seatbelt was the only thing that I had to hold onto, so I clutched onto it for dear life. "Joe, could we maybe slow down a little?" I asked him.

"No way," Joe said. "You wanted to get to Chicago, right? If I slow down, it'll take us two years."

I nodded, knowing that I was stuck here for the next few hours. Joe did slow down slightly, but I was still afraid that I wouldn't survive the trip, especially when he almost ran into a truck. "You have to be more careful!" I told him, but he didn't listen and instead hit the gas upon seeing a red light. "We're definitely going to get in trouble for this. You just ran a red light!"

Joe shrugged and asked, "So how has the tour been going so far?"

"It's been alright," I said. "Joe, watch that cone!" Of course, Joe immediately knocked over the orange cone, leading me to wonder if he was actually hearing anything I said.

"That's nice," Joe said. "Frank and Gerard aren't being too irritating, I hope."

"It wouldn't be a problem if we had a better bus," I complained. "Mikey and I can hear everything those two do."

Joe raised his eyebrows. "You mean...everything?" I nodded. "Okay, that must really suck," Joe said. "I'm grateful I don't have to listen to what my bandmates are doing, and usually they're pretty innocent."

"Pete and Patrick just need to get married already though," I said. "They're better off as lovers, and not the other way around."

"No kidding," Joe said.

"Is Fall Out Boy ever going to get back together?" I asked.

"I don't know," Joe said. "Maybe in a few years. I think we still need more time. We're all still in the middle of various other projects. Speaking of that, have you listened to Patrick's new EP yet?"

"Not yet," I admitted. "We've been so busy with touring. Is it any good?"

"Oh yeah, it's great," Joe said.

"I'll give it a listen after all of this is over," I said. "It must be nice not being in one of the most popular emo bands in the world."

"Well, it is nice to have all of this free time, but I miss my bandmates..." Joe said.

"You don't have to deal with your bandmates' annoying habits, or people forgetting who you are," I interrupted. "You have more freedom to do what you want, and you never have to do stuff like this. It must be really nice not being in a band."

"Please don't tell me you're going to leave My Chemical Romance," Joe said.

"My bandmates clearly don't care about me, and neither do the fans," I said sadly. "I might as well not be in the band."

"Don't be stupid, Ray," Joe said. "They need you."

"They've left me behind sixty-nine times!" I complained. "How can I say that they care about me when they barely seem to know that I exist!"

"I've been in that situation before," Joe said, "but you'll be okay."

"Your bandmates never left you at a truckstop," I said. "Much less sixty-nine times."

"I know, but I've felt underappreciated before," Joe said.

"Not by your own bandmates," I said. "Slow down! The speed limit's only thirty five miles per hour!"

"Speed limits are for losers," Joe said. "As I was saying, I do know what it's like, and I know that you can get through this. They won't forget you again. And if they do...let's just say they've made my list of things to do today."

"I know they will," I said. "Wait Joe! Don't run over that poor old lady!"

"Oh sorry," Joe said as the car suddenly screeched to a stop.

"That was a close call," I said. "How did you even get your license?"

Joe shrugged and sped off again as soon as the elderly woman had gotten out of his way. "Anyways, what were we talking about?"

"My bothersome, dimwitted bandmates," I said

"Oh right," Joe said. "Listen Ray, I know your bandmates are stupid, but you can't just leave them. They really do care about you. My Chemical Romance wouldn't be the same without you, or any of your other bandmates, just like Fall Out Boy wouldn't be the same if I had left."

"But all of you left..." I observed.

"It's a hiatus," Joe said. "We might still get back together. You need to stay in My Chemical Romance, Ray. You owe it to the rest of the band."

"I suppose so," I said, running a hand through my 'fro. "We'll talk when I see them."

"Just remember that you're still important, Ray," Joe said.

"I will," I said. I looked out the window and watched the world speed by. By that point, it was a little bit past nine (in the afternoon). The sun had gone down, and the Chicago skyline was in sight. Joe mumbled something about how Chicago was so two years ago as he almost crashed into another car while trying to get off of the expressway. "Long live the car crash hearts, I guess," I said half-heartedly as Joe continued to speed into the city.

By nine thirty, the venue was in sight. I figured that My Chemical Romance was just wrapping up their set. I probably wouldn't be able to play with them for this concert, but I could get on the bus before they left. "Thank you so much for giving me a ride, Joe," I said. "I don't know how I would have gotten to Chicago without you."

"No problem, Ray," Joe said. "It was nice talking to you."

It was right at that moment when Joe, while attempting to park, accidentally hit the gas instead of the brake. The car went flying, and I let out a scream as the car plummeted right into the building.

The entire front half of the car was sticking out into the building, and we could see people wandering around the venue through the windshield of the car. Joe cursed under his breath, carefully opened the door, and exited the car. Once Joe was out, I hopped out as well, and noticed all of the people staring at us. Hoping to avoid the attention, I immediately ran backstage. I was still feeling a little cranky and pubescent, but now was the time to take it out on people I liked.