That Thing You Do! (Multiband Fan Fic)

Chapter 13 - Monroe & The City Lights

Dylan's P.O.V

I pulled out the certificate, reading over it.
"A brewery... Frank Monroe..." I mumbled.
"He was gonna open a pub, called the 'Underground' or sumthin'?" Stevie shrugged. "This was him."
I took the photo Stevie held, putting the certificate back in the box.
"Jesus, you look like him." I held the picture next to Stevie, seeing the identicality.
"Y'ah, I know... I can't help thah." Stevie frowned.
"It's not a bad thing." I told him.
Frank was sat down, looking up at the camera, not caring at all.
"He seemed like a good man." I commented, putting the picture back.
"Y'ah, I don' really remember much of 'im..." My drummer shrugged, looking through one of the books, a photo album.

"Tell me what you do know?" I asked him, watching his face as he stared at one photo in particular.
"He were funny... He only cared about Cortney an' Katie... He loved music. It was ev'ythin'. He was jus' an honest guy. Katie loved 'im an she really looked up to 'im. She even took 'is catchphrase..." Stevie was so tired, mumbling in places.
"The 'rock and roll' thing? I like that. It's so obvious, yet unexpected." I smiled.
Stevie nodded. "Yeah... It could be like the S. Tyler scream... How ev'ryone wan's 'im to do the scream, and go crazy when he does... Ya know, like 'Dream On'." Stevie smiled at me. "People could start askin' her to say 'rock an' roll'."
"Yeah, maybe." I nodded, smiling at him.

"Can I ask yuh sumt'in'?" Stevie sat on the bed, the box between us.
"Sure." I nodded for him to go.
"Why not share the room with us? Like, why don't you share?" Stevie scratched the back of his head.
I chuckled, watching him. "I have two younger brothers.... They're dickheads, man. Curtis is younger than me, by six years. I had to share a room with him, once Leighton arrived. Imagine, sharing a room with a two year old... I got no peace. I swore, on my life, I'd never be put back into that mental space. When I'm alone, I sleep better. I don't have to worry about some rat cutting off the strings of my guitar, then telling my mom I did it, so I'd have to mow the lawn, just to get money for new strings... He'd wet the bed, and tell my mom I told him a scary story, when I was passed out, or he'd say I threw water on him, and there'd be no glass or bottle in sight, but mom would still believe him. There was his side of the room, and my side. I got a bed, he got the 90% of space left... I just can't share. I can't sleep, right, even if the door is locked!" I frowned, thinking back to it.
"Thah really sucks, man. I'm sorry... I'm an only child, so I don' know how you mus feel..." Stevie frowned. "I'm sorry I asked, Dylan..."
"Don't be..." I looked at him. "You're one of my two best friends. You've got every right to know. I shouldn't be keeping you in the dark, like that. You or Monroe..."
"Well, thanks fo' tellin' me." Stevie gave a small smile.
"Wanna go out for a smoke?" I asked him.
"Y'ah." He nodded, before we both got up and left my room.

. . .

Katie's P.O.V - One Week Later

"I love how we keep saying we're going to stick to the plan, but end up spending a week at Stevie's." I smiled, sat in the passenger seat.
Dylan laughed, driving. "At least your guy came in when you said he would." He glanced back at Stevie, who was smoking a blunt.
"Y'ah!" Stevie was baked.

We've been on the road, to New York, for one hour. We stayed a week at Stevie's cause on the day we planned to leave, Stevie ran out of dope, but said his dealer would be around in two days, so we decided to wait.
We practiced and practiced for two days straight, which was amazing. We even did an awesome cover of this song Dylan likes, 'You Don't Mess Around With Jim'.
It was epic!

Stevie zoned out, enjoying his bliss, so Dylan and I had the berries on stand by. Vivian packed us two packs each of Stevie's favourite berries. She said they were to share, but we were just giving them to Stevie.

We made it to the city, within an hour and three minutes. I've been here a handful of times, always enjoying it, every minute.
"Hello, New York!" I smiled, winding my window down, taking a look.
Within three minutes, we were in traffic. We had to laugh.

"So, there're some really great venues, along here." Dylan pointed out a street, on my map of New York. It was really his, but I found it in the glove compartment, and finders keepers.
"OK, so we scope out this- bass!" I looked up to Dylan, seeing a guy walking passed carrying a bass guitar case.
Dylan looked to where I pointed, watching this guy walking along. "That a man or woman?" He asked.
The guy was tall, very tall, with long blond/brown hair, wearing leather pants, a cut up tank top, with black boots. He had a tattoo on his right arm, but I couldn't read what it said.
"That's a man." I nodded. "He doesn't have a chest."
"OK... Remember him." Dylan said, as we started moving again.

. . .

Once we checked into the hotel, we instantly hit the streets. Stevie was slowing us down, but we were just exited to see what New York had to offer.
We walked with Stevie, both him and Dylan smoking cigarettes, when we reached the first venue. It was a thirty minute walk, but I was honestly so excited to be in NY. I could walk these streets forever.

The duo finished their smokes, standing outside, and we headed in.
We paid at the door, finding stools at the bar.
"I.D?" The bartender asked.
'Shit' I thought.
"Here." Dylan handed his I.D over.
The man checked it and smiled. "What would you like?" He handed the licence back to Dylan.
"Three colas, one with vodka, two with ice." Dylan ordered.
"Coming up." The bartender smiled, as the first band took to the stage.

"How?" I looked at Dylan, sat in the middle of my band.
"Fake. Vodka is for me. Ice for you two. Sober up Stevie a bit. Don't let him talk to anyone." Dylan warned me, nodding at Stevie, who was looking at the stage, behind us.
"OK." I nodded to Dylan, watching Stevie.
I turned to the stage and I saw our guy. Standing off on the drummers left, plugging his bass in, and tuning up.
"Bass." I pointed at him.
Dylan looked over and we grinned.