Playing Along (20 page)

“Actually I did. He sent me an e-mail saying that they’ll be ready with a proposal soon. You know what, mate, I’ve got to say I completely misjudged those two. I thought it would be rubbish, but I was really impressed with their approach. You were right.”

“I shouldn’t say I told you so. But I told you so.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’m looking forward to seeing what they get back to us with.”

“They
should
come here at some point, don’t you think? To, you know, look at the studio and everything and talk to the tour manager.”

“Let’s check out what they come up with first, but to be honest, I wouldn’t mind meeting her again anyway.”

George’s stomach lurches. Great. Gabe fancies Lexi. This is not on. What’s he supposed to say,
hey matie, that’s my future girl you’re imagining naked
? No, he can’t possibly reveal how much he likes her. For a start, if any of the others find out, he’ll never hear the end of it. He wants things to manifest naturally now, not become a spectator sport. If he just ignores the comment, though, Gabe will assume she’s fair game. He needs to think quickly.

“Yeah, well, I’m sure those two were an item,” George says, fumbling to find a reason to put Gabe off.

“Seriously? Her and Russell?”

“Gabe, it was so obvious—the chemistry between them. I can’t believe you didn’t pick up on it. I reckon they might even be married.”

“Married. Really? Was she wearing a ring?”

“Pretty certain she was.”

“Bummer. I guess I’ll concentrate on the bio fuel.”

“Yup.”

“I don’t really have time for a girlfriend anyway.”

“You really don’t. We’re far too high maintenance… and all the travelling and everything, it would never last. Mark and Anna have to work so hard on it, you know. I see a relationship counsellor in their future.”

“You do?”

“Don’t say that I told you, okay?” says George, snapping shut his notebook. This detour seems to have done the trick. He hopes he’s not laying it on too thick.

“No, no I won’t. Counselling. I didn’t realize.” Gabe looks concerned.

“It happens.” George drums his pencil on the cover of his notebook and points across the room, “Karen’s waving. Must be ready for rehearsal.”

He stands and loops his arms around the back of his head, feeling quite pleased with himself, for all the wrong reasons.

LEXI
December 11
^th
, 2009
Venice, Los Angeles

The day of the mega presentation has arrived. Russell has orchestrated the whole thing with precision, instructing Gabe to have access to two computers in London, one on which he and the band can watch the PowerPoint, and one on which they can video conference with Russell and Lexi.

“I don’t really need to be in on the conference, do I?” asks Lexi, suddenly feeling acutely self-conscious about seeing George again, even if there are thousands of miles and millions of pixels between them.

“Of course you do!” says Russell, aghast. “Lexi, we’re in this together now—remember? I told you if things took off we could become partners and this might very well be the beginning of things taking off.”

“I know. I know. I just don’t like being on camera.” Lexi takes a sip of her green tea while it is still too hot and burns the tip of her tongue. “Ouch.”

“Well, that certainly didn’t come across on
Good Morning LA
. Mildred said you were born to be in front of the camera. In fact, she was talking about it again only last night.”

“Oooh. You saw Mildred again last night? What would that be, date number three?”

Russell raises his eyebrows, “Four actually.”

“How have you managed to sneak one in without me noticing?”

“She came over here with Cherub on the spur of the moment. She’s been chewing her tail, poor thing, and Mildred wanted to get my advice on cat supplements.”

“A double date!” says Lexi, opening up her mail application. “I’m sure you pointed her in the right direction, Russell.”

“Actually, we spent quite some time googling and we discovered that a cat’s tail quivers when it’s in love.”

Lexi laughs. “You did, did you? Well? Was Cherub’s tail quivering?”

“No, but I think mine was!”

“Russell Hazleton!”

“I didn’t know it could happen this quickly, Lexi.”

“I’ve heard tell it can happen even quicker. In seconds. Not that I have any experience of that,” she hastily adds.

“We just seem to be on the same wavelength—about everything. Plus she’s so supportive of the business. She’s been telling everyone.”

“Here’s the proof,” says Lexi, “we have about twenty new e-mails all making inquiries. Russell, I think it’s wonderful, you and Mildred are great together.”

“I can’t put my finger on it, Lexi, but it’s like you’ve been my good luck charm. Ever since you answered my ad, things have really turned around for me.”

Lexi feels like crying. What’s with the weeping all the time? Has she become a crier? It’s got to stop. She much prefers it when she’s in control of her emotions. “I have that effect on people,” she says, trying to rush the moment on. “Now, what time is it in London?” Lexi checks her watch.

“It’s five in the afternoon,” answers Russell, “and we’re set to go in fifteen minutes. I’m feeling very optimistic. I’m sure Gabriel and George will be most interested in our presentation. I’ve downloaded some of their albums as well and I think they’re really rather catchy. Not my kind of thing, mind you, but very appealing all the same.”

Lexi nods, thinking she must sneak to the bathroom and check her hair in the next ten minutes. “Yes, they are,” she says. “Very appealing.”

GEORGE
11
^th
December, 2009
Camden, London

LEXI
December 11
^th
, 2009
Venice, Los Angeles

George doesn’t know where to put his hands. He is trying to concentrate on the computer moving through the slides of the PowerPoint but all he can think about is Lexi. If he glances over at the laptop, he can see her sitting beside Russell, looking very composed, one leg crossed over the other with her hands resting in her lap. Her lips look deliciously pink. But he’s not supposed to be looking at her. He’s supposed to be paying attention to the presentation. When he does pay attention, he thoroughly approves. They’ve come up with some stellar ideas, but he’s finding it impossible to stay focused. When they’d first popped up on the screen she seemed very relaxed and confident, waving a casual greeting. He had felt intensely uncomfortable and only managed to raise up the palm of his hand like he was giving a stupid stop signal. Now the final chord for “Third Row” which he’s been grappling with for days has unexpectedly arrived in his head.
She’s my muse
he decides.
Even a trace of her brings me to life
. He wants to get to the piano. He wants to pick up the laptop and dance it around the room.

Lexi is trying to sit still. This is the strangest set-up. She can see the whole band and Gabe on the screen in front of her, watching another computer running the PowerPoint, as Russell eloquently talks them through each slide. He has reminded her to join in whenever she wants to add something or expand on what he’s saying, but she doubts she will. When the video meet-up first began she had attempted a jovial wave at the screen and said “Hello again,” and then had felt incredibly foolish, as if she had made the most senseless comment imaginable. She thinks it’s best to say as little as possible.

Seeing George again reminds her that they are worlds apart. Worlds and oceans. Dreaming about him is ridiculous. Anyway, he’s far too cool for school and certainly too cool for her. He barely managed to raise his hand earlier on and now he looks distracted. It was different in person. He’s very likely bipolar. Perhaps this whole clean cut image is just a mask. A clean living musician? It’s a blatant oxymoron. Clean cut to a rock star most likely translates into shooting up heroin five times a week instead of seven. Smoking dope instead of crack. Having only the occasional orgy. Looking at him now she guesses he is totally stoned, along with the drummer who appears to be twitching. She is completely prepared to forget about any further useless daydreaming, when he turns his head towards the camera and smiles, like a fourth grader sneaking a peek at a girl in the neighboring row of desks. At this point, Lexi forgets everything else instead.

***

“So there you have it, chaps—a comprehensive overview of what is possible for Thesis. The word possible being the key here. Because of course how much difference you make in the world, and how exactly you inspire your hundreds of thousands of fans to emulate you, is
your
choice. Everything seems impossible until you give it a go, right? I dare say the four of you would have once thought it impossible to reach the heights you have achieved today. Had that thought stopped you, well, you would never have continued striving. It’s when we talk ourselves out of things that the possibilities sadly disappear.” Russell pauses for effect. “Questions?”

George loves Russell. He says all the right things. Of course he’s not going to stop striving for Lexi. If he doesn’t try, he’ll never know.

Was Russell a mind reader on top of everything else? Lexi thinks she might add writing horoscopes to his repertoire. Is that what she’s been doing recently, talking herself out of the possibility of love? Surely not! She just doesn’t want to set herself up for disappointment anymore. Look where all her fantasizing has led her in the past. Russell’s talking carbon emissions, not romance. She’s reading meaning where none exists. Or is she?

“Exceptionally wise words, Russell,” says Gabe, brimming enthusiasm.

“Yeah,” says Simon, “I really like the ideas for the product line and the special edition items—wicked. It captures the uniqueness we always envision for the band. You’ve really understood that.”

Mark nods in agreement, “Defo. This is the direction we need to be taking.”

“Russ, is it true, mate, that the biggest problem with the global warming is because cows fart so much?” George can’t believe Duncan’s just said that. Now Lexi’s going to think they’re a bunch of adolescent plonkers.

Lexi can’t believe the drummer’s just said that. She’s loath to quote Bradley but seriously, that’s hilarious.

“Actually, Duncan,” says Russell, “as ludicrous as it sounds—there is an element of truth in your question. When cows pass wind they release a gas called methane which penetrates the ozone layer contributing to harmful environmental effects.”

“See guys, I know my shit!” says Duncan proudly, flicking an elastic band at Simon.

“Yup, well no cows on the tour, so that’s a relief. Shall we get back to what effect
we’re
having on the environment?” says George, desperately attempting to restore order.

“I reckon
your
farts might rival a cow’s any day!” retorts Duncan.

Lexi wants to laugh. At this stage it’s hard not to.

“Please forgive his retrograde behaviour,” says George, “Duncan’s renowned for lowering the tone of the proceedings.” Bloody Duncan. Lexi must be appalled.

“Might I suggest if there are no further questions that you take a little while to discuss matters and get back to us,” says Russell. “Once you give us the go ahead, we can have our lawyers draw up a consultation contract.”
Wow
thinks Lexi, silently applauding Russell. Lawyers? She didn’t even know they had any. If he’s nervous, he’s not letting it show a bit. Meanwhile, she’s been sitting beside him mute.

George likes the sound of that. Contract means a deal. Deal means contact. Contact means he can see Lexi again—in the flesh.

“Sounds good!” says Gabe. “Great to see you both and we’ll be in touch very soon.”

“Yeah, wonderful, Gabe,” says Lexi, not wanting to log out having barely opened her mouth.

“Cheerio then, gentlemen,” says Russell and presses exit.

GEORGE
11
^th
December, 2009
Camden, London

George relaxes back in his chair. He’s glad that’s over with. Now things can get moving.

“Did that chick just say ‘You’re wonderful, Gabe’?” asks Duncan, who obviously has no intention of maturing anytime soon.

“What?” says Gabe, looking very disconcerted. “She said I was wonderful? Did you hear that George?”

George is supremely agitated. “No I did
not
hear that, Gabe.”

“She’s a hottie, huh. I say let’s go for it!” Duncan drums on the table with his fingers.

This is getting worse by the second. Now they’re all after her. It’s extremely doubtful that she’s unattached. She appears to put a spell on every man she meets.

“Look guys, there’s nothing to go for, those two are married!” says George, a little louder than intended.

“I mean, let’s go for the contract,” says Duncan. “But really? Married? That Russell has got it going on, man!”

“Who cares,” says George, dismissing the fact that he’s blatantly making this up. Anything to get them off her scent. Anyway, for all he knows they might well be married. “Let’s get back to the contract. What do you two think?” he asks, turning pointedly to Mark and Simon. George is working on learning how to share.

“I think we should use them. It seems like money well spent to me,” says Mark. “Anyway, by all accounts things aren’t going well in Copenhagen at the summit, so it’s up to individuals to do whatever we can.”

“I’m in,” says Simon, “Russell’s a dude.”

“Excellent,” says Gabe, “love it when a plan comes together. I’ll call them tomorrow and seems fairly likely that we’ll need to get them over here pretty soon to do their eco audit.”

George releases a breath. Just what he’s been waiting for. So, he might have to fend off a few rivals or even overthrow the current king, but he refuses to be deterred.

LEXI
December 11
^th
, 2009
Venice, Los Angeles

Russell looks elated. “If I do say so myself, I think that went swimmingly.”

“It did,” agrees Lexi, “there was nothing for me to add, you were on a roll. I’d be very surprised if they didn’t say yes!”

Russell picks up Boris and kisses him on the lips.

“Boris, my dear, I think you and I should take our lady friends out for a celebratory drink this evening.”