The Time Traveller
10: Hessleton 27-03-84
What is wrong with Ippy tonight? I wish I knew, so that I could help him, but his mood seems to flit from one extreme to the other. Something has made him change, become more erratic. If I only knew what?
When we went back to the band’s coach that evening, for another round of fan-on-heroes action, Ippy had taken too many shots too quickly and was already unconscious on the floor. Frankly I remember very little of that gig tonight. I’m thinking Ippy is going to remember even less.
#
The cut and thrust, the endless party and the snifter of narcotics was spent, as usual, and the festivities were winding down. It’s how all nights occurred of late. There was a pattern emerging, to be sure. Even though that was true, we were still young. It’s what the young do. Some of us, however, were still in the mood.
“Alright, Ed! Steady on the Jack?” admonished Susie, as Eddy slugged back the bottle of whiskey sour, like it was lifesaving water.
His eyes bored into Susie and Comfy as she stared lost in Comfy’s eyes, a little part of a sheet to the wind, I should say, and Comfy responding by fondling her softly. So jealous. So desperate. Look at her?
“Did you see him?” asked Ben suddenly, breaking my thoughts.
“Who?” asked Corakayla, sucked into the conversation.
“Near the back, yeah. Saw him when the lights went up.” said Susie, still lost in love’s world. Sickening.
“Who you all talking about?” asked Corakayla again.
“Tell the kid.” sighed Ben.
“Wait, I’m not a -“ Corakayla began to protest.
“Rory Read.” muttered Callum, giving a little chirp of joy as he Kinged a piece in the Draughts game he was playing against Freddie. I was happy Freddie was happy. It lit up his face, changed his countenance, made him look less serious all the time. There were flashes of the child, yet also of the potential lover, stalking his prey.
Corakayla looked suddenly excited and she involuntarily bounced on her chair beside me, “Rory? He was there?”
“He usually is, kid. About the time we get going, every tour. Everyone read the letter?” asked Ben of Woodrowe.
“What letter? And don’t call me kid, okay?” expressed Corakayla finally.
Ben then turned darkly to her, his words like tar, dripping from his black lips, “Then don't act like one, girl.” Corakayla saw suddenly the disparity between the two peoples - the band and the fans - in that instant. She nestled seekingly into me, where I held her protectively.
Callum broke the mood, “Different lawyers, same crap.” he shrugged. He took a swig of the bottle Eddy had left behind and whooped once again at his success at the board gaming.
“So this is about Rory Read’s threat to sue over songwriting credits?” asked Viv, seemingly oblivious to the darkness.
Eddy then sang up, grabbing the bottle back from Callum, “He got what he deserved. End of. Alright?” he said, taking a long swig from the bottle.
Viv put his hands up defensively, “Didn’t want to offend, Eddy. Sorry.”
“Well.” murmured Eddy.
“Ed. Steady on.” admonished Susie, now staring at him with a look that could kill.
“Oh, whatever.” he said, standing. He took himself to the bunks of the coach and found one currently occupied by Loffie. He slid in and summarily fell asleep. Whether Loffie was asleep also was hard to tell. Her thin frame, her long eyelashes, her silken dark hair all remained motionless, even when Eddy’s hand reached over her and pulled her sleepily to him.
There wasn’t much to say by then. The atmosphere had soured considerably, and I think we learned a lesson or two. Not least to avoid band discussions, and keep it light, dude. Keep it light.
Eddy’s drinking would eventually contribute to his demise, of course. What a painful way to go. Mind you, as far as it could be said, he likely had very little idea what was going on, even as his brain turned to mush.
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