Issue 1 Downtime

The pub's stage was set up with drums, speakers, microphones, and other proper accoutrements for a small venue rock concert. Regulars and University students probably already knew some of the upcoming performers from various open mic nights, but not as a cohesive unit.

Nick was busy preparing "backstage," but the show was to begin any minute now. So grab a beer and a seat; the rock shall soon be with you.

"Bring us the rock!"

Melody downed a shot at the bar and looked back towards the stage eagerly.

The lights in the bar dimmed to near darkness as the band members took their places. Nick lifted his red guitar and the lights snapped on as he began a complicated, intense, and skilled guitar solo that seemed to suggest extra fingers. After a minute or so of that, the band shifted into a driving, riff-driven number. The lyrics delivered by Nick's smooth, smoky voice seemed to be about little more than kicking ass and taking names.

It wasn't a "meaningful words" kind of song.

Melody cheered at the songs end.

"So... yeah. Wrote those lyrics after a fight. As if no one could figure that out," Nick said with a smirk and a chuckle.

"Right. Introductions. We are The Fortunate Sons, and if you don't get the reference I feel sad for you."

"I'm Nick Varkan. On rhythm guitar and occasionally harmonica is the Archie Roberts. Next we have Barnaby Mitchell on drums. And last, but not fucking least, Harry Green on bass and backup vocals."

The three did little bows in turn.

"This next song was written, believe it or not, after I met my evil twin. Asshole was fuckin bleach blond," he said, pausing to cringe, "but that's beside the point. I call it Cosmos."

A slow, soulful blues-rock number began. The lyrics were about how easily circumstances can twist who people are, veiled in the language of the eternal struggle between chaos and order rather than between good and evil.

Melody frowned into her drink as memories of meeting her own twin...and several others' far worse twins...crept into her mind.

She ordered another shot of tequila and slammed it back before again turning her attention to the stage.