As “Get it on” drew to a close, the DJ said, “Hey Alice – this one’s for you,” as the heavy power-chords of the first few bars of “School’s Out For Summer” boomed out over the speakers. “Did you bring any phallic symbols with ye?” shouted Gemma to Sean. “Heh?” “Did ye bring any phallic symbols with ye?” shouted Gemma again, grinning as she spoke. Sean didn’t understand the question but replied, “only a made-up guitar, lyin’ under that sofa.” “At least ye had the sense to leave it there.” Kevin was by now in some sort of semi-trance state, oblivious to the people surrounding him. Sean hadn’t realised that he was such an Alice Cooper fan. Fiona motioned to Gemma that they should go for a walk. Sean guessed that maybe she was a little miffed that Kevin wasn’t paying her enough attention. “ We’re goin’ here,” motioned Gemma to Sean. “OK – I’ll see ye.” Just as the two girls were leaving, Sean and Kevin were joined by Noel Mc’Canny and Brian Mc’Gonigle. Mc’Gonigle was dressed as a vampire. His face was white as chalk, except for a red, imitation bloodstain around his mouth. Mc’Canny, who was an Arsenal supporter, was dressed as Charlie George, the long-haired Arsenal footballer. As Mc’Canny shook his wig-covered head and enthusiastically played air-guitar, Mc’Gonigle was waving his arms and spreading his cape whilst singing the lyrics with a strange, Bela Lugosi-like expression on his face and making clawing gestures with his hands. Gemma gave Sean an enigmatic smile as she went on her way. Did this mean that she liked him, thought Sean, or was she just giving a hint of her opinion on the sanity of “Dracula”. Kevin, upon recognising his two fellow classmates, greeted them by wriggling the “snakes” head close to their faces. At the end of “Schools Out”, the D.J. announced,”Well – what about one more from Alice – this is his latest one.” More heavy, crunching guitar chords followed as Alice’s latest hit, every bit as thunderous as the last one, belted out from the speakers.
“I’m your top prime cut of meat – I’m your choice!”
All four punched their fists in the air, singing to the chorus;
“I WANNA BE ELECTED.”
“I’m your yankee doodle dandy in a gold Rolls Royce!”
“I WANNA BE ELECTED.”
“Kids wanna saviour – don’t need a fake!”
“I WANNA BE ELECTED.”
“We’re gonna rock to the rules that I make!”
“I WANNA BE ELECTED.”
All four classmates were in rock’n’roll heaven and a few interested observers including a Frankenstein, a Klu-Klux-Klan Grand Wizard, and a gorilla came over to watch. All four dancers were sweating with exertion. As “Elected” drew to a close, the D.J. interjected, “Now we’re going to have a change of mood folks – with a song that was No1 for five weeks in July this year. It’s Donny Osmond and Puppy Love!” “I was just gettin’ warmed up,”said Noel. “Me too,” said Kevin. “Jesus – I’m sweatin’ like a pig.” “Come on and we’ll sit down a minute,” said Sean. “He might play some good stuff later.”
The four classmates went looking for a seat. There were wooden benches at the side of the hall and a few spaces were free. As they sat down, Sean noticed that his two sisters were out dancing with two bigger fellows whom he didn’t recognise. He also recognised big Grainne. She was dressed up, though it wasn’t obvious to him what she was supposed to be – maybe an opera singer. “Hi Kev – there’s your big woman over there.” “Who!” “Big Grainne – remember the spud-gatherin’.” “I didn’t recognise her – I hope she dosen’t recognise me either.” “Ye don’t fancy her then.” “She might make a good dominatrix some day, but, naw – she just dosen’t do it for me. That blonde I was with earlier was all right though.” ”Ye might be in there Kevin. Maybe ye should have paid her more attention.” “Treat ‘em mean – keep ‘em keen Sean. Poor oul’ Patsy – he’ll be cheesed off about missin’ this tonight.” “Aye – I would have been over to see him – but I didn’t want to catch the flu meself.” Out of the corner of his eye Sean spied a pretty girl who immediately caught his attention. She was dressed as a Red Indian princess with her jet-black hair flowing down her back. It was Geraldine Donnelly. He experienced a sudden surge of adrenalin, coupled with butterflies in the stomach. This was a feeling he wasn’t comfortable with, but he couldn’t do anything about it. He deliberately said nothing to Kevin about her as he didn’t want to be “slagged off” for fancying her. “Hi Sean,” said Kevin excitedly as he nudged him with his elbow. No reply. “Sean – is that your Mary out on the dancefloor dressed as a tennis player?” “What?” “Is that your Mary?” “Aye.” “Who’s that big fella with his arms around her?” “Dunno.” “He’s makin’ me a bit jealous.” “She’s two years older than you Kevin. Sixteen year old girls don’t go out with fourteen year old boys. They’re only interested in ye if ye’re the same age or older.” “D’ye think? Jesus – she’s got lovely legs, your Mary.” “She put some sort of fake-orange tan on herself to look like Chris Evert.” “She could win a prize for the sexiest woman here the night,” observed Kevin “I wonder what time they call out the first, second and third at?” “About half-ten I think,” said Sean. “Yer man the D.J. and the woman with him have to see everybody first.” “They give ye some money if ye win, don’t they?” “Aye. D’ye fancy yer chances?” “I dunno. I mean lookin’ around ye – anybody could win it. I suppose it’s a matter of gettin’ yerself noticed,” noted Kevin. “You’ve definitely done that Kevin,” laughed Sean. “A wee fiver would come in quare ‘n’ handy Sean,” replied Kevin.
At about twenty-five past ten the DJ announced, “Ok - as you all know, we’re gonna give out some prizes for the best fancy-dress costumes on display here tonight. We’re gonna call the eight finalists up onto the stage and just like the oul’ boy in Miss World – I will announce the results in reverse order. Heh-heh.”“1st one up – Frankenstein.” Frankenstein made his way up to the front, doing a stiff, awkward walk with his arms out in front of him as everyone cheered. “2nd one up – Alice Cooper.” Kevin grabbed his snake and made his way to the front amidst another loud cheer. “3rd one up – Imperial Grand wizard or Mr Klu Klux Klan-Man. Whichever ye prefer to be called mate.” “4th one up – the first female – I think anyway. It’s Chris Evert.” “5th one up – another lovely lady – Pocahontas.” Sean’s heart skipped another beat as Geraldine Donnelly walked gracefully to the stage. “6th one up - another horror-story – Dracula.” “7th one up – another rock-icon – Marc Bolan.” Sean – who hadn’t even entertained the thought of being up on the stage, swiftly grabbed his guitar from underneath the nearby sofa and made his way to the front. “And finally – the last one up – it’s Catweazle.” As “Catweazle” ambled up to the front, the attendees were cheering and laughing. “Now – as I said folks – I’m gonna announce the 1st, 2nd & 3rd prizewinners in reverse order. In 3rd place – it’s the King of Glam Rock – Marc Bolan.” A clearly surprised Sean went forward to collect his £2 from the DJ as he crowd cheered wildly. “In 2nd place – and a prize for £3 – it’s the lovely Pocahontas.” A delighted Geraldine put her hands over her mouth as she stepped forward to collect her prize-money. “And now the one you’ve been waiting for - who is it gonna be?” he asked the audience as he cupped his hand around his ear in anticipation of an enthusiastic reply. He wasn’t disappointed. There were cries of different vocal frequencies as the audience clamoured for their favorites. Catweazle, Alice and Frankenstein seemed to be among the more popular choices. “And the winner is ….,” spoke the DJ as he lowered his voice, anticipating the audience’s total attention.“ALICE COOPER.”
For Kevin the night was going from good to better as he strutted over, imitation snake wrapped around his neck, to collect his £5. As the DJ shook hands with him, he asked Kevin, “Well Alice - is there anything you’d like to say to the people here tonight,” as he handed Kevin the microphone. “Aye – it’s a dream come true y’know - an hour ago I was singin’ about wantin’ ta be elected – an’ now I am!”. “Spoken like a true politician - what d
o ye call the reptile?” “Gloria.” “Hee-hee. Give them all a big hand folks!”. The DJ led the clapping as the eight finalists made their way down the stairs.
As Sean made his way down the stairs, Geraldine was just in front of him. Sean decided that this was the chance he needed to say hello to her. “Well Geraldine – will ye be spendin’ yer hard-earned money wisely?” “Sean! – aren’t ye lookin’ the part tonight.” “So are you. I’ll have to split the winnin’s with our Mary though. She did me face for me.” “I knew they’d vote a girl in the top three – but I thought your Mary would be the one. She really does look like Chris Evert.” “She’s goin’ to have te soak in the bath tonight to get that stuff off her.” In the background the DJ had just resumed playing records. “This is an old tearjerkin’ ballad from last year – remember the Chi-Lites and ‘Have you Seen her’”. “Oh – I love that song,” said Geraldine.“D’ye fancy goin’ out for a ____?” Sean was just about to finish the question when “Frankenstein” took Geraldine by the hand and said something to her like”Comin?” Geraldine waved Sean goodbye with her other hand as she was led out to the dancefloor.
Sean’s heart sank. Various emotions hit him all at once. He guessed from the intimate way that they communicated that Geraldine and “Frankenstein” were boyfriend and girlfriend. He was sad, deflated, jealous and above all, sorry for himself. He walked back to the sofa, slung his guitar under it and squeezed into the last remaining space, practically wishing that the world would swallow him up. He might have been a winner at fancy-dress, but he was a loser in love, and that hurt.
As he sat in the corner of the sofa, Sean watched the couples smooch to the sound of the Chi-Lites. Kevin, who had put the snake under the sofa, was dancing with Fiona, the blonde girl he had met earlier. Mary was with the fellow she had been with earlier. He didn’t see Siobhan. He found it hard to take his eyes off Geraldine and her boyfriend. They were smiling at each other, exchanging little kisses, and seemed so happy in each other’s company. Sean couldn’t imagine himself functioning on this level of intimacy with a girl; it was like straight out of a chapter from one of his sisters’ romance novels. Despite the fact that her boyfriend did not appear to be terribly handsome, Geraldine seemed enraptured by his company. One fact was clear to Sean. “Frankenstein” obviously possessed some intangible quality that Sean felt deep down he didn’t possess. Was it charm – was it charisma? Was it an extrovert nature or just a lack of shyness? As the pair kissed, Sean looked away as he just found it too upsetting to watch. He was pleased to see Kevin and his blonde companion Fiona getting on well. Kevin came across to some people who didn’t know him terribly well as a little lippy and arrogant. But Sean knew that, deep down, he had a good nature and that, despite the misfortune he had to bear with the premature demise of his father, he never felt sorry for himself and had the dignity to keep his grief private.
“With all the people I know,
I’m still a lonely man.
You know – it’s funny.
I thought I had her in the palm of my hand.”
The words of the song summarised exactly how Sean felt. As he looked around the hall, watching so many people he knew, laughing, singing, dancing and enjoying each other’s company, he felt so lonely inside. Moreover – it was a profound loneliness – totally unlike any feelings of loneliness he had experienced as a child without any brothers. This was loneliness on a totally different level. He closed his eyes, hoping that it would go away.
As the end of “Have you Seen Her” gave way to the beautiful opening bars of Elton Johns “Your Song”; Sean, who was fond of the song, reflected upon the lyrics, wondering whether it was possible to be as blissfully in love with another person as the songwriter implied. He was sure that his father and mother loved each other, but his father would never express his love in such gushing, sentimental terms. He doubted very much that the songwriter was a rural, Irish catholic, or if he was, he was untypical of the breed. Maybe the song was some skilfully created, romantic illusion – written solely to make money, rather than human emotions put to pen as a consequence of direct personal experience. “How wonderful life is – when you’re in the world.” He particularly pondered upon this lyric. He thought about his mother’s eldest sister, Josephine. She was a nun and had spent some time in Africa. She was always happy and smiling and yet she had no “special” person in her life. Perhaps some people were more dependant than others for companionship. Sean certainly couldn’t envisage life in the priesthood as a route to blissful happiness. He also intended to travel when he got older – to experience life and to learn from people who were not so influenced by the philosophy and ways of Irish Catholicism.
Kevin and Fiona were by now looking very much like boyfriend and girlfriend. As the song drew to a close, they both made their way to the exit, presumably for a bit of ‘courting’. Sean had the sofa all to himself. Gemma, Fiona’s friend; having finished dancing with Noel McCanny, came over and sat beside him. “You look in a bit of a bad mood,” she remarked to Sean. “Ach no – I’m just a bit sleepy.” “It’s past yer bed-time then?” “Maybe – I see your mate has gone out with my mate.“ “Aye – she has a funny taste in men has Fiona.” “Kevin’s allright - he just takes a bit of gettin’ta know.” “What about you – do you take a bit of getting’ta know?” “What do ye mean?” inquired Sean. “Well – ye don’t seem to be just as extrovert as yer mate.” “I’d probably be a bit more introspective than him.” “What were ye introspectin’ about a minute ago – dreamin’ about bein’ the real Marc Bolan?”. “Well – I was just thinkin’ about what I was goin’ t’do with meself when I get older,” retorted Sean, who wasn’t about to confess his feelings about Geraldine Donnelly to a girl he hardly knew. “And have ye any definite plans?” “Maybe travel a bit – what about yerself?” “Well – me elder sister’s a nurse over in London. She trained up in the Royal – but when she qualified she wanted to get out of Belfast. I might give the nursin’ a go meself.” Gemma and Sean continued their conversation. Suddenly – as the lights came on The D.J. said, “Well – that’s another Hallowee’n night over. Take care on the way home everyone – and remember – there’s no such thing as ghosts! ”
“I better go look for Fiona here – her da’s pickin’ us up,” said Gemma as she got up from her seat.“Gemma!” replied Sean, as he reached under the sofa for the rubber snake. “Do ye want to take Gloria out with ye?” “Not on yer life!” giggled Gemma. Sean went looking for his two sisters. He met Siobhan, who had just returned from the cloakroom with her coat. “Where’s Mary, Siobhan?” “She’s gone out wi’ big Shuggy.” “Who?” “Big Shuggy – ye probably don’t know him. He plays football for Cuchullains.” “Can’t say I do.” “Me and you’ll go down and wait for daddy – she won’t be long.” Sean went back to retrieve his “guitar” from under the sofa. As he and Siobhan made their way out, he met Geraldine Donnelly on the way on to the cloakroom. He had momentarily forgotten about Geraldine and couldn’t help being captivated by how beautiful she was. She was wearing a low-cut suede dress, which revealed a little cleavage. He’d rather not have met her at all. She bade Siobhan and Sean goodnight in her usual pleasant, friendly manner. Sean and Siobhan bade her likewise. Mary caught up with her younger brother and sister a few minutes later just before Peter arrived to take his children home.
CHAPTER 8
Christmas Eve 1972.
School had closed for a fortnight three days ago and the pre-Christmas tests were over for another year. Sean thought that he had done O.K. overall, though he was convinced he had failed Latin, with Irish being a possible borderline case also. He had postponed buying his new guitar and amplifier until the New Year as his mother had advised that a few pounds could be saved by waiting for the January sales . Kevin was by now going out with Fiona, but had been seen kissing another girl from the convent under the mistletoe at the bus-station on the last day of term. His sister Mary had told him that Fiona had found out about it and was an
gry. Mary had also told him that she had heard that Gemma was showing a bit of interest in him. Sean didn’t know how to react to this. He was flattered but would rather hide the fact from Gemma that he was shy and inexperienced with girls. He thought about what he would do if he met her at a disco over Christmas.
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