Pretend This didn't Happen

Universal strings cry

Back inside and enjoying the show, performed by The Band without Gary, now including three youngsters including Rhiana. Diyari was very excited to tell his daughter of their new arrangements, though he thought they'd best sleep on it seeing as the sun had already set. Rhiana would get the news in the morning. Gary unbuckled his jeans making room for his expanding belly and the next serving of grub he was about to go to the buffet for, thinking it was a good thing a city trip was scheduled tomorrow.

The atmosphere inside the place rocked and then it rolled. Gary enjoyed the show very much yet  he wondered how he was going to report to Sylvia when he himself had no idea over the last few days how he was even going to call the portal to open correctly without Margo's song. This disturbed Gary greatly as he sat and began sweating bullets just thinking about it.

"There you are" Andrea sat with her husband and Diyari. "Something is troubling you my love." Andrea stated "At least you're sweating it out now and not while you're sleeping. What's wrong hubby?" After Gary explained what was bothering him Andrea suggested he lay off the poutine and other things he allowed into his body that caused these toxic reactions "have you forgotten already hubby?" Andrea asked, explaining that there was a recording done of Margo's song and he could call on her anytime with it while she is in the other dimension. Gary was relieved and stood, making his way to the restroom before serving himself another plate. 

"Now would you look at that" the planet was completely unrecognizable when the portal was opened the next evening.  Gary's comfort level much expanded due to the new jeans, two sizes larger, allowed for this expansion. "Would you listen to that also" Gary cocked his head  and cupped his ear to the sound. These notes spoke to him, almost as a cry to return. 

All fell silent listening to these universal strings cry, Gary stood and walked onto the stage to answer the notes. Putting the strap over his shoulder Gary played a rhythm of welcoming sadness in response which was answered by a completely unknown entity atop the highest in point view of the landscape shown about to sacrifice a gracefully aged, bound and tied, Margo. "No BBQ tonight," Gary stepped on the Boss, distorting the scenario, an incredible rainfall began to fall dousing the flames which were beginning to grow beneath Margo.

Bubba exited the kitchen holding BBQ tongs, "OH my," agreeing upon looking at the projection "no BBQ." A now fourteen year old Jackson ran toward Margo, releasing her from her bonds, the fear evident in their demure "wow, I never seen this movie before." Nothing could have prepared the fat assed Bubba for what was to happen next.

"Holy shit!" Turning Bubba quickly made his way back into the "I need to lay off the pork ribs." Bubba coughed "I am going to have a heart attack," addressing Connie "can you believe I was just out there in the dining area and people entered from the television?" A distressed Bubba sat next to the grill, clearly agitated, leaning against the wall.  

"Yeah," addressing Bubba "stuff like that happens here" Connie told Bubba "How do you think you came to be here? Personally I think Gary could have just bought a pair of BBQ tongs." A bewildered expression crossed Bubba's face as he thought about it before getting back to work alongside of Connie.

Margo was holding Jackson's shoulders standing behind him with a confused look on her face but recognizing Gary and her surroundings slightly. Shouting from where she stood Margo said "It took you long enough!" Jackson now looked up at the woman standing behind him asked for reassurance. "It's OK." Margo reassured the boy "this is where we came from, these are good people" Margo told Jackson who was supporting a solid gold electric 8 stringed guitar.

"OK" Jackson strode onto the stage standing beside Gary who asked him what the extra two strings were for. "I'll show you" a self confident Jackson said and started playing. Margo walked to the rear of the stage seating herself behind the 10 piece drum set and started banging out a melody as Gary set up a mic so she could sing.

Gary picked a Gibson Les Paul copy to accompany and challenge the Golden 8 string Jackson sported. "Come on boy," Gary spoke into the microphone addressing Jackson "let's rumble." Margo cried a lust filled scream mixed in bloody pain into the microphone and pounded out a drumroll on all six toms, including the two floor toms and both bass kicks as well as the snare.

The projection showed a planet overcome by lightening strikes and exploding mountains and entities leaving the planet in hordes with the crash of the symbols. "Cry now fuckers!" Margo shouted into the microphone "you were going to eat me!" Relaxing to a rhythmic melody between the snare and hi hat, Margo wept for the extra terrestrials whom had been so easily deceived by malevolent entities.

Jackson relaxed his chordal pattern, clearly unable to outdo Gary but having really given him a run for his money. Gary smiled and tasseled the boy's messy long blonde hair "you're good. You are going to tell me where you learned to play like that sometime" Gary insisted. "Coffee break though for now buds," Gary started walking off the stage.

Jackson looked to his left as Gary walked away "nice, these guitars have my name on them." Jackson then told Gary "you hurry back now, you hear? I'm not done with you yet."

Gary looked back to the boy from the bottom of the staircase "yeah sure, after a coffee and a smoke." Making his way to the table below the vent which sucked the nasty air from the dining area Gary rolled himself a smoke and Claire brought him a coffee.

"I thought you were going to bring Josh back here today?" Claire mentioned.

"I did," Gary said "he was hanging out with Diyari when I last seen him. Don't worry," Gary told Claire "Sylvia is keeping an eye on him." No sooner than he mentioned this the three of them entered, Gary pointed to the door where they had just come in and proceeded to roll a cigarette.