Drown the Night

TWO

Now rip the wings right off my back
and teach me all the things I lack.
You are the master, I agree,
tested by catastrophe.

Show me how to navigate,
to see, to sin, to orchestrate
the pleasures of a wealthy soul,
with women, smoke and alcohol.

The tasty edge is all I need,
golden, pure and bittersweet,
contents of a desperate kind,
a touch of grace, which takes my mind.

For my demise will be your win,
the game is set, now count me in.

#30

The shiny chrome of the stolen vehicle shimmered in the soft, blue night light in front of the estate of James' parents. Mike and James were busy trying to load the huge 24" bass drum into the small trunk of the old T2 bus. No matter which way around, it wouldn't fit. After their fifth attempt, they gave up sweating. Mike set the drum down on the ground and wiped the sweat off his face with his forearm. Samuel and Aaron lifted another 4x12 guitar cabinet down the stairway of the front door behind him. When they rolled it towards the bus, Mike took a look over his shoulder and couldn't help, but resign.

"There's no way we're getting all of the gear into this shitbox! Just look, man. It's fucking ridiculous."

The group considered the amount of luggage, which had already piled up in front of the trunk. Speaking only of the equipment, there were two guitar amps with a set of giant 4x12 cabinets, the bass combo, a set of PA monitors plus a sound mixer, microphones, a case of cables, two guitars, a bass guitar and last but not least, James' colossal drum set. Not to mention several boxes of booze, food, clothes and camping gear. James picked up the snare and stashed it inside the trunk.

"That's it, I'm done. The rest goes back inside!"

Aaron scratched his head.

"So you're going to play all of the songs just on your snare?"

"Either that, or we'll have to rent the rest on location. I don't really know."

Dom gulped down a dry croissant on his way from the back, he didn't look very happy.

"Guys, we were supposed to hit the road an hour ago. What the fuck is taking you so long?"

His swift address only reaped a groaning resonance. Mike made an effort to point out the obvious.

"Just do the math, man. There's not enough space here. Just because you failed to rent a proper van or us!"

"What? How is this my fault? I told you what happened, didn't I? Just pack up as much as you can. We really need to get going!"

#31

Mike shook his head and returned back inside the house. He strolled through the hallway and took a turn into the office of James' father. His hand slid over the heavy, wooden table, while his fingertips searched for the hidden button. A gentle click confirmed the right spot and revealed a secret whiskey bar beneath the shelf at the window. Mike took a look at the fine selection of whiskeys. Then his gaze wandered outside of the window and to Samuel and Sharyl, who were kissing goodbye in the romantic twilight of the night. She was waving her hair and laughed about Samuel's silly jokes. Mike watched her and how she pressed her body against him. And when they kissed once again, a small needle pinched into his heart. Suddenly a heavy hand pressed down on Mike's shoulder.

"What are you doing, you little perv? You're not watching Sharyl, are you? I'd fuck her too, believe me. Whether she'll enjoy it or not."

Mike turned around and his nose almost touched Aaron's. He was unpleasantly close.