Aubrey (Axis Rising)

036:

         

******036:

It was a lame ass day.

I had an interview in a private office that looked suspiciously like a home living area, but generic. It was meant to convey that appearance. The journalist was not my favored one, and since I wasn't apprised of the questions in advance and I had nothing to go on, I was understandably annoyed. I had no time to advise my lawyers either.

I put on my cool press smile, and my cooler press demeanor. I could tame this puppy with my eyes closed. If I wanted to.

"So, Rafe, a lot has changed with you in the last year. How are you reacting to the media ostracizing you for turning your band into religious fanatics?" This gal was right to the crux of all tabloid junkies. Her dyed silver straight teased up hair, fell around her face like an 80's TV show. Her eyes were bold and shark-like. Make that eel-like. Have you ever watched an eel in a tank? It sits. And stares.

I laughed. "I'd hardly call us religious fanatics. But if you want me to address the changes in our religious status, that's fine."

"Are you aware that the media is calling you Mr. Aubrey Mann? Another Mann girl collectible?"

I laughed again. She was ringing the dinner bell...

"First I'd be honored to take Aubrey's name, it is one well respected, and well-known in the industries--- both music and film. Next to Barrymore and Hepburn I doubt any other name is quite as famous-- perhaps Sheen, or maybe Tyler. Liv Tyler, being Steven Tyler's daughter, one in music and one in film."

"I understand what you're saying, so I was wondering how you came to be a Mann girl lap dog."

"Oh, man, what can I say? I panted after her, played dead a couple of times, rolled over and sat, I might have even caught the Frisbee in the air. I would do anything, including playing Clifford the Big Red Dog and Lassie all rolled into one for this girl."

This wasn't quite the response she was hoping for.

"Several LGBT major players are withholding their support and actively calling others to do the same on the upcoming Axis tour. How does that effect your production and income?"

"My financial advisor hasn't apprised me of any deficits, and the tour has been sold out for months. No venue has cancelled. I assume we're doing great. Apparently, you need to get some facts straight."

She leaned forward with her phone and showed me a statistical article from some piss-ant periodical I'd never heard of to back up her claims. I scanned it quickly, found three grammatical errors in the first two paragraphs and looked back at her. I shrugged. "Sources?"

She nodded succinctly. "The point is after the staged fiasco in Mexico this past summer, many Axis fans are questioning attending any concert, due to the instability and lack of energy in the band. They aren't sure about the additions of Jeremy and Levi Gunn, and feel they sold out their band to become a part of a has-been group."

"Boy, you're a real ray of extra positive sunshine, aren't you?" I shook my head. "Look, I deal in facts. I deal in actualities, not eventualities. I like to think of Axis as a work in progress. Everything about us screams success, there are bound to be those, like yourself, who choose to spin a negative vibe, but that's not my style, and anyone who has ever talked to me will know that."

"So, you don't deny that the events in Mexico were staged?"

"Are you referring to Teotihuacan? If you are I'm done." She was nodding, her little tape player urgently whining in my direction. "Listen, lady, the events at Teotihuacan were unfathomable, unprecedented, and hallowed, people lost their lives. You have no business disparaging what you didn't even research. Which leads me to my next point--- you don't research, you aren't prepared, and I have no time for this." I got up and without even looking back, left her in the dust.

Literally--- the dust.

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