Real Life or Fantasy? - 'Bohemian Rhapsody', Roger Taylor

Just Go With It!

"You have to let me join the band!" Mallory cried over dinner the next night. She sat at the table doing homework while Brian finished the dishes. Roger sat across from her at the table drinking beer and twirling his drumsticks.

"School," her brother reminded.

"I know, but it'll take me forever to finish!"

"Four years."

"At least!"

"Four years isn't forever."

"But who knows where we'll all be then? Look, I promise school will get finished!"

"But if not now, when?"

She paused thoughtfully. "Sometime! I didn't say never!"

He sighed. "Mal-"

"Please, Bri! And besides, if you're looking for a new lead singer and bass player, you're already reworking things, so it makes perfect sense that I join in now! Are you going to contact Freddie?"

Brian and Roger exchanged a glance.

"You are! Well he thought I should join, he told me so. He said, 'You should be up there with them'. And I told him my brother wouldn't let me until I finished school." Brian rolled his eyes. She turned to the blond. "Rog, you told me before that you wanted me in the band."

Roger pointed one drumstick at her. "I did. I do."

Brian sighed. "You're all ganging up on me."

"Sorry, Mate," said Roger with a smirk.

"See, majority rules!" She grinned.

"Come on, Brian." Roger came around and sat in the chair next to her. "You know your sister would be a great addition. Like I said, our last show was bollocks. We need some reworking."

"It wasn't that bad of a show..." Brian continued to defend.

"Bad enough that Tim walked out on us."

"Wasn't our fault!"

"'We're never going anywhere with this, guys,'" Roger mocked their former bandmate.

"Well, now's your chance to show him," said Mallory.

"Hey Mal-" Roger put his arm around the back of her chair and leaned in close. "What'cha doing later?"

"Homework," she sighed. "Dull, I know."

"Really, Rog? My sister? I'm right here," cried Brian.

Roger pulled away, raising his hands in surrender. "I'm just making conversation."

"Sure you were. Real subtle, as always."

Mallory raised her eyebrows at Roger. "What did you have in mind?"

Brian sighed and rolled his eyes. "Any ideas on where we could find a bass player?" he jumped in, quickly changing the subject, ignoring the lovesick look being shared between his sister and friend.

"That sounds like the perfect job for you, Brian," Roger said, not looking away from Mallory. "Guitarist to guitarist."

"You're going to help me," Brian told him. Then he turned to his sister. "You think you can get a hold of Freddie?"

"Yes!" She beamed. "Does this mean I'm in?!"

Brian sighed. "Yes, I suppose it does."

"Yes, YES!" she cheered. "I'm glad to see your overwhelming enthusiasm, Big Brother."