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

Under Pressure

Another day, another album session. Work on A Day at the Races  carried on.

"Is Mal up yet?" Brian asked the next morning as the band, minus Mal, assembled in the kitchen.

"Yes, I brought her a plate. She didn't feel like coming down," said Freddie.

The others didn't need to ask why. That was perfectly obvious.

Roger didn't miss the way Brian was eyeing him over the rim of his coffee mug. "Will you stop looking at me like that?"

"I will, once you apologize to my sister - really apologize - for breaking her heart."

"I've tried-"

"Well try harder."

This was going to be a long day.

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It was very difficult working on an album when one bandmate was completely and utterly pissed at the other. 

Freddie did a good job of trying to keep everything -  and everyone, for that matter - on track, but it was very tiring, and this was only the first morning. 

"Lunch time!" Freddie called, clapping his hands over his head.  "Let's take a break, shall we?"

"Good," sighed John, exchanging a glance with Brian. "Finally."

The five headed back to the kitchen. Mal cut right through and headed for upstairs.

"Not going to join us, Darling?" Freddie called.

"Um, no thanks. Not hungry," was all she said. They heard her door shut behind her. 

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"Who is it?" Mal called from inside her room when she heard a knock at the door that evening. It had been a long day for everyone. 

"It's me," came Brian's voice. 

"What do you want, Bri?"

"I want you to follow me."

"Why?"

"Cause I wan't to show you something."

She opened the door and followed him as requested, though with a heavy sigh.  "Where are we going?"

"The roof."

"Huh?"

"We can get the best view from up there."

She didn't ask any more questions, and just continued to follow him.  He was clearly up to something. He had four beer bottles and the biscuit tin tucked under his arms. 

"Here we are!" he at last declared. They had reached the top floor lookout, a small balcony. The night sky above them was clear - allowing a perfect view of the stars. 

"You're probably hungry." Brian popped the lid off the tin and handed it to her. "Tuck in."

"Yeah, thanks."  She wasted no time in grabbing a handful of the small biscuits while he cracked open two of the four beers.  

He handed one to her and held his own up. "Cheers."

"Alright, what are we toasting to?"

He shrugged.  "Good music, good friends, and this incredible universe." He looked up at the stars that fascinated him so much.