Twenty One Drag Queens

The Hotel de la Salt and the Filter of Destiny

"So, do you know where you're staying for this shoot?" Tyler Joseph asked, scuffing his shoe against the concrete. He was on the phone with his best friend and bandmate, Josh Dun. The music video for their next release, Heathens, was scheduled to be filmed in Los Angeles in a few days, but Tyler had yet to arrange a place to stay.

Josh's voice crackled through the receiver, "Yeah, man." It sounded like he was going to continue, but he didn't.

An uncomfortable quiet hung over them for a moment before Tyler asked, "Where?" He trylered to sound nonchalant.

"Oh yeah, I've got a place out there," his friend replied, again not offering further information. Tyler was perplexed. He had all but assumed that Josh would offer to host him, but it didn't seem like Josh was taking the hint. He trylered again.

"Oh that's cool. You've got a place. That sounds great. You know, to have a place. Come to think of it, I don't have a place. Isn't that something? Where on earth do you think I could possibly stay?" He hinted. Like any good drummer, Josh didn't miss a beat.

"There's some really great hotels out there."

The words hit Tyler like a ton of bricks, flooding his entire being with disappointment. The cell phone in his hand suddenly felt heavy and he let his arm drop to his side. The man couldn't bring himself to speak as his world seemed to flip up, down and sideways.

"Tyler?" Josh's voice sounded small and far away, but the concern in it was unmistakable. "Are you okay?"

Tyler knew he had to say something. He recovered with an awkward cough and said, "Yeah man. I'm good. I, uh, guess I'll see you there then."

"Alright, man. You sure you're good?"

"I'm fine." Tyler snapped, hanging up the phone. But he was not as fine as he seemed.

<>

The phone alarm blared, startling Tyler awake. He groaned. I feel like I only just fell asleep a minute ago!  he thought. He fumbled around blindly trying to shut the phone off. The time read in bright white numbers: 5:30am. The day of the Heathens shoot had arrived. Tyler sighed and began to get ready for the long day ahead.

The hotel he'd ended up staying in was a nice one, but it was eerily quiet without Josh around to talk to. The thought of Josh reminded Tyler that he was still salty about the whole situation. How could he not even think to offer? He tried to keep the salt under control, but he could feel it seeping out of every pore. It was going to be an interesting day.

If Josh could feel how bitter Tyler was, he didn't show it. He laughed and joked with everyone all day, seemingly oblivious to his ill-tempered friend. In spite of all this, the shoot went well. Both band members were exhausted, but Josh still invited Tyler to celebrate with a meal of champions at the good ol' Taco Bell. It was an offer even a tired Tyler couldn't refuse.

"....and then he ate the banana!" Usually, banana stories always got some sort of reaction out of Tyler, but he didn't seem to hear Josh at all. He never even looked up from his chalupa. Josh knew then that something must be seriously wrong.

"Tyler, put down the chalupa and talk to me. What's wrong?" He asked.

Tyler's grip on the fried crap tightened as he glared at the drummer. "No, Josh. I refuse to 'put the chalupa down'. But you wanna talk? Let's frickin' talk then. How'd you sleep last night, buddy?"

"Uh... How'd I sleep?" Josh had not been ready for the passive aggressive tone Tyler had adopted.

"Yeah," The sassy bean shot back. "Did you sleep well? I didn't."