Decline and Fall of Alternative Civilization

by G S Oldman

  ~ ~ ~

  Friday dawned a nice, hangover-free day. There was an early lunch show at a barbecue joint worth checking out (free food!) and then the party where CrabAbble knocked a definite home run and an unsuspecting crowd realized that northwest bands weren't all grunge and shoegaze. There was a growing rumble about the incident at the previous night's SADS show. Word traveled fast, and with many day-show performers having official showcases as well, an air of apprehension settled like the proverbial elephant sitting smack in the middle of the room. Dedra got into a conversation with a knowledgeable local guy who said that SADS were probably going to challenge "The Man" and go ahead with their show as planned. His parting shot to her was, "You guys be careful tonight, OK?"

  Back at the house, June was making decisions on her outfit/lipstick choice for the night when there was a polite knock at the door. "June, is that you in there?"

  "Uh, uh?yeah."

  "Could I please use my bathroom for a minute? I gotta go really bad."

  "Oh. Uh, uh?I'm done. I'll be right out. Sorry."

  As she emerged, Doug ran past her, shut the door, and seconds later she heard "Aaahhhhhhh." June resisted the urge to laugh out loud as she grabbed her bass and marched to the front porch. Band members were scattered about the house; she could hear voices in the kitchen and spare bedroom.

  After a couple of minutes his voice came through the screen door, a tired yawn saying, "Thanks. Sorry I couldn't hang with you guys last night. The girlfriend, y'know."

  "That's all right. It was an OK night." She thumbed away at twangy notes. "I hope you two had a good time, whatever you did."

  "Aaaaaah?Angela can sometimes be no fun. Whoops. I wasn't supposed to say that."

  "Oh." June smirked, averting her eyes. "Well?"

  "Yeah. You would've been much better company last night."

  "Me? But you hardly know me."

  "Oh, uh?yeah. That's?I mean, all of you woulda been a bit more fun. Yeah." He scratched his head. "I didn't get much sleep. I'm gonna make a pot o coffee. Want some?"

  "That would be lovely, kind sir."

  "So be it." He ducked back into the house.

  Omigod. June closed her eyes. It was a bad time for goose bumps.