The Troubles

Records and Guitars

"You's promise not to tell anyone?" 

"Yeah, I swear," Joe replied, a puzzled expression waiting on his face, demonstrating his impatience. "Just tell me already." 

After the flood of people emerging from school, Joe had been incredulous at the fact Elliot had chosen to walk rather than cycle, and had to walk his bike the whole way too, just to engage in conversation. Once they'd made it to the alleyway before the crossroads, Elliot had pulled him over to show him his newfound secret passion, looking around secretively before pulling a record out of his jumper. Joe looked at him bewildered.

"Wha's that?"

"It's a vinyl, you wanker," Elliot said, dumbfounded at Joe's lack of intellect. 

"I know that, you twat, but why's it so important?"

Elliot flipped it over, to reveal a white sticky label, with the words, 'Property of Richard Keely' scrawled onto it. Joe looked at Elliot in shock, before looking back at the record in awe. 

"You stole that?"

"Borrowed. I borrow a record, listen to it, and then give it back. Just unnoticed - it's a simple idea, right?" 

"I can't believe you!" Joe exclaimed, a small smile of amusement growing on his face. "You stole it!"

"Ey, keep it down! Borrowed." 

"How many have you 'borrowed' then?"

"About three? And I give 'em all back. Honest, I wouldn't steal one." 

"Oh mate, this can't be good."

"Doesn't your da' have a player?"

"Course, it's his pride and joy." Joe looked at Elliot. "Oh no. Elliot, that thing is his life!"

"Just let me listen to one record! One, I swear. I've barely heard one properly for about three years." 

Joe looked about hastily, before sharing a glance with Elliot. "Alright, man. But one record, right, he'll be home in twenty minutes. I'm not even allowed to listen to music on it."

In a matter of minutes, they were sat in the study of Joe's house, placing T - REX onto the hold, and Elliot pulled the needle onto the vinyl. 'Jeepster' filled the house, and within seconds, Joe's eyes had lit up. 

"This feels amazing, El. I can't believe I'm using this."

Elliot was grinning a small grin, fixated on the way the needle descended into the centre of the record, and the scratching undertone throughout the song, making it feel all the more real. 

"I love music, Joe. I can't tell you. I just -" he trailed off, as Joe gave him a massive grin. 

"You have to learn how to do this. Listen to that! Get a guitar, Elliot, you have to. I'm chipping in 50p, how much is it?"

"I reckon about ten quid?"

"Give me a moment." Joe reached back into the cabinet, pulling out a catalogue, and browsing through the pages. "Look, a telecaster -" he trailed off, and his face fell. "Holy sh-"

Elliot pulled the magazine towards him, his mouth dropping open slightly. 

"£250?! I can't save up for that!"

"Wait, don't worry, this is fancy mate. I reckon you'll get one down at Harper's for way cheaper."

"You reckon?"

"Yeah - this is all sophisticated shit."

The sound of a key was audible from downstairs, and Joe snatched the record off the player, throwing it back into the sleeve, pushing Elliot out of the room and slamming the study door. Elliot shoved the record back up his jumper, as Joe leaned over the banisters, to wave to his dad.