life on tour//Jake kiszka

another day at the office?

After living in a small town in the north of England all your life, a lot of things change when you move to New York. Although you miss your family, you're happy because you know they are happy for you, without this you wouldn't be the person you are today.
You always thought England lacked opportunity and that you didn't feel free-so New York seemed like the perfect place. You work in the media/journalistic sector for a leading magazine company and you often lead interviews with the top artists and mainstream celebrities. It's what you've always wanted. If you were asked 5 years ago what you wanted in your life it would be this, even though somethings just aren't right.

Just like every morning you stroll into work with a spring in your step,waving and saying "hiiiii!" to every possible colleague (after all you were voted happiest AND smiliest person in the building last year, you couldn't let the people down). You don't think there will be a day were you don't hum a tune as you enter the building.Today it was 'black smoke rising'-one of your childhood favourites. As always,the tune grew to a murmur,a whisper, finally almost to the point were you serenade your whole team.

Heads begin to raise like a skulk of foxes-even those who probably found your cheeriness appalling for a Monday morning.Frantically, you fiddle around with your skirt trying to pull it down;it's like you've flashed back to secondary school. Your row is walking out of the exam hall and the paranoia of your skirt being tucked in your shorts takes over your body. However, your singing is still consistent but it's volume does decrease slightly until you hear a familiar and distinct voice from behind.

"...from the fires we've been told.Its the new age crisis..."

Quickly you realise what's happening and in a state of panic, terrified at the thought they heard you singing their own song.As if you've lost all control of your body, taking in this surreal moment,you turn around and blankly stare at josh.

"O-omg hi!", you finally stammer trying to control your excitement.
Playfully josh fires back,"You should have your own tour with that voice!"
"I won't quit my day job", you chuckle,"are you here for the 9:00am interview?"
"I hope so or I got out of bed for nothing" yawns jake.
"Can you point us in the right direction before josh climbs on a desk again thinking he's captain cook!", shouts Danny.

Not taking your chances on the seriousness of Danny's statement, almost jumping for joy, you wander towards the interview room with the boys.
Overwhelmed with the whole situation you squeak, "You did a collab with the right person this morning since I'll be taking the interview!"

"After you've wrapped up here do something fun with the rest of your day. You can do your write up from home",tiredly whispers your boss.
Could this be a better morning?
You don't think so. You've never felt better, you're glowing with positivity and everyone knows it.
Swiftly you begin the interview knowing that you'll just have to ask the same scripted questions like "did you ever think you'd be this popular?" and "where do you derive your music from?". By now you've taken so many interviews you don't need the script. However the boys, polite as ever, humour you as they see you dreading to carry on.
After 5 treacherous minutes of tedious questions, the interview atmosphere isn't there anymore, just a group of people who happen to share the same interests. You to feel a genuine spark begin to burn in your gut that rises up through your body. A connection that you've never felt between anyone before and you don't want it to end. Conversations so enthralling that they seem like they'll never stop.
Nearly an hour passed and chatter is still flowing as you walk into the heart of New York, knowing the relationships just blossoming already have to wilt away.
Although you're low in spirit, enthusiastically you wave good bye and begin to shout.
"...good luck with your tour, have an amazing ti-"
"Do you want to come on a ride around the big apple with us, none have us have ever seen it propperly!" Hollars Sam.
Giddy with an overwhelming joy you respond with "yes! I've lived here two years and I haven't even seen half of it!"-who'd wouldn't jump at the chance?

You skip towards the black cab and jump in and of course they're already blasting the tracks of their childhood.
"Your top 5 artists-GO!",shouts josh.
Quickly,without a moment of thought you fire out your top 5 "bowie, the stones, Zepplin,the Beatles and probably you guys;I grew up with your music! I actually went to see you when I was 15 in Newcastle."
Jake struggling to even speak over his intoxicating laugh,"Really, what are the chances! I actually remember that show, straight after we went out around the town and some man tried to f-fight Danny."
Abruptly Danny declares "that wasn't even funny, I was genuinely scared. I thought
his knuckles were going to leave a dent."
"I think the real question we are all forgetting to ask is what's your favourite Beatles album?",inquires sam.
"It's a tough one but I have to say the magical mystery tour closely followed by Sargent pepper",you answer with a sense of certainty.
You aren't even fazed by the fact you haven't done any sightseeing, you're having too much of a good time to worry.

"Have you always wanted to work in media?",Danny questions.
You reply,"Yeah I suppose. Ive always loved to write and I did love the creativity of it all."
"You did?", interrupts josh.
"I don't think many people realise how much each writers work is changed after editing.There's near to none individuality in our writing anymore.",you begin. "I really
wanted to be a travel writer but I doubted myself on how It could live my life on nothing. I do love my job now, it's amazing meeting so many inspirational people but it can be tiring know your write ups really come to nothing."
"Would you leave everything behind to become a travel writer if you could keep living to the standard you are now", asks josh.
"I probably would. I moved to New York for new opportunities and to see a different part of the world but other than my job I could have stayed in England, I haven't seen anything i planned to",you despair.
"Well why don't you come on tour with us and write about the places we visit.You wouldn't need money to support you,we would." Protests josh. Followed by a chorus of "yes it would be great!" and "this is your chance!" by Sam, Jake and Danny.
Is this what you've been waiting for all your life?