by Jan Miller
Craig opened the door, saw wife and daughter standing just outside and declared "Honey, I'm so sorry. Phoenix and I were…" He was interrupted by Sykes barreling past him…out the door…running straight towards Libby. Terri screamed, Libby smiled at the dog dashing directly toward her, then Craig shouted "Sykes, it's ok. She's a friend." The crowd of on-lookers were to be more astonished at what was about to occur than the horrible images they had already envisioned happening.
Sykes stopped directly in front of Libby and lay down at her feet. Libby, completely unaware of the terror in her mother's heart, smiled and hugged Sykes who in turn licked her face. "See Mommy…we did come to get a puppy". Craig was at Libby's side in a flash, wisely stroking Sykes and smiling at the child to hide the fright he had just experienced. The on-lookers buzzed in amazement at the scene…the little girl hugging the great beast that looked like it could devour her in an instant.
Phoenix suddenly appeared at the door, now wearing a large sun hat. "It would seem that two members of the Carpenter family have conquered Sykes' heart today. For that reason, I want you to see my home, and hear a guitar that has not been played in a while. Join us, please!" At that proclamation, he was joined at his side by the woman in the onion skin cover-up. He smiled to the crowd moving towards the patio door, but under his breath he whispered to her "It appears he has made his choice." The woman smiled graciously as guests filed past her and whispered back "So I have witnessed."
Terri angrily took Craig by the arm and insisted "I want to leave this place…right now." Craig stood up from petting the dog and pleaded "Just one song... for the article. I have to hear him. Please, honey. Besides, Libby has found a friend." Terri cringed as she looked down at the black beast her daughter was petting. "He loves me, Mommy." At that, Craig seized the opportunity by picking Libby up, calling "Sykes come on", and heading into the mansion with the crowd. Terri reluctantly followed.
Inside, Phoenix's man servant had moved the Marshall amp and guitar into the center of the open hall. He held the gold guitar…its power cord plugged in and its leather guitar strap attached. Phoenix strode to the center of the room, gazed around, and waited for the crowd to quiet down to the command of his upraised arm. Even though he still appeared aged beyond his years and quite frail for a seventy year old, a sudden twinkle had come into his eyes. There appeared to be a sudden infusion of life into his spirit. Craig wondered if perhaps it was the brandy working its magic.
"Today, you're going to hear a Black Raven classic like you never heard it before. Remember 'Midnight Clash'? Well you are now going to hear the original master of that recording but a live performance of the guitar part." The crowd heartily approved with applause, hoots, and whistles.
With a wry smile, Phoenix added "But not played by me…by my new protégé, Craig Carpenter". Dumbfounded, Terri turned to Craig and demanded "Did you know about this?" Craig quickly whispered "I swear to God I had no idea". Craig curiously nodded to Phoenix and approached him, taking the Les Paul and putting his arm through the strap. Phoenix handed Craig a golden guitar pick and whispered "I know that you can do this one. Burn it for me." The man servant started the play of the tape machine from the library. Speakers throughout the house rocked with the drum intro. Craig tapped the side of the guitar awaiting his turn to play, repeatedly checking the volume knob to make certain the guitar was on at full tilt.
Craig hit the signature intro riff that set the feel of the song as he noticed the audience moving to its driving cadence. He then let loose with the opening solo, gasping slightly to hear Ian's vocal track come through so clearly as if he had been standing next to Craig, twirling his hand mic, and gyrating hypnotically as was his fashion. As the track built with intensity, Craig played more and more intensely, leading into his solo or "vamp" as it is known in the music world. He bent the strings just as Phoenix would have done…taking notes a full three steps higher as if the guitar was screaming for its life. Then he assaulted the neck with a fiery, blistering ascending run…capped off with three more screaming bends in perfect synch with the crashes of the cymbals. The song reached its climax with a wild scream from Ian, and a booming power chord by Craig. For a split second there was a bewildered silence---the audience overwhelmed by what they had witnessed. The inspired playing by this unknown commodity dressed like an off-duty insurance agent…coupled by the eerie sound of the late Ian Logsden was beyond all of their expectation. They erupted into applause and screams of "Fuck, Yeah!"
From her viewpoint hallway up the stairs, the reaction was not lost on Edon, the woman in the onionskin cover-up…which, from where Craig was standing, appeared transparent. His reaction to her appearance was not lost on her either.
Surrounded by newly acquired admirers, Craig politely pushed his way towards Phoenix who took the guitar and handed it the manservant. "Welcome to your new life, old chum" Phoenix said to him. "Phoenix…I just don't know what to say" Craig babbled. Phoenix stopped him with a finger to his lips. "Then say nothing now. Deeds speak more strongly than words. You wife is tired…take her and your Libby home. We'll speak again…soon."
With Libby in his arms and Terri leading the way, they found themselves alone in the chartered boat. Tired to the point of being numb, Terri held Libby on her lap during the drive home No one spoke. Craig was physically driving the car, but his mind was on another planet of fantasy. In bed that night, while Terri snored from deep sleep, Craig' mind replayed the day: the images, the sounds, the joys, the terrors.
******
Craig awoke that Sunday to the sound of the TV and to the smell of fresh coffee. He staggered into the kitchen where Libby was sitting the white plastic table having her breakfast. Since the tiny kitchen doubled as the laundry room, Terri in her bathrobe stooped to retrieve more clothes from the dryer. She noted his presence but said nothing, letting her mood simmer as she awaited the words she expected to hear from Craig. She had been rehearsing her responses for nearly an hour. He was clearly walking into an angry ambush.
Libby got the ball rolling, saying "Daddy, I liked Sykes. When can we go see him again?" Not even waiting for Craig to reply, Terri unloaded: "Hopefully never. That was an awful day. I hate that place and those people. And I definitely don't want Libby around that monster. I almost had a heart attack. It was going to kill her". Craig cautiously tested the water by adding "Yes, but fortunately Sykes is a well-trained dog. He clearly liked Libby." Terri fired right back "That's more than I can say about those people. Yuck…they give me the creeps…especially that almost naked vampire woman hanging around Phoenix. Is that is daughter or his pet groupie?"
Craig finally dove into the deeper water asking "So did you hear me play? What did you think?" Libby smiled and said "Daddy, you play guitar good!" Terri brushed past him to get more coffee. "I suppose that guitar cost as much as our car. You won't be playing anything like that again." Craig ruffled at her answer and exclaimed "Our car? Honey that guitar is worth more than our car, this house, our salaries and probably the president's too." She took her coffee and brushed past again without looking at him. "You mean my salary…since I'm the only one here who has one."
The debate was interrupted by a knock at the door. Grabbing a clean towel to wrap around his boxer shorts, Craig partially opened the door, peeked outside and said "Yes?" To his astonishment, there stood Phoenix Gressil's manservant with something held just outside of sight from where Craig stood behind the door. The manservant spoke: "Mr. Gressil wants you to have this. He says that there is a note inside for you." With that, he held up a black leather guitar case. "Tell Mr. Gressil I said thank you very much". Craig hauled the guitar case through the partially opened door and into the house. Looking out the door towards his driveway, he saw a site that would definitely get the neighbors gawking: a Rolls Royce town car sitting in his drive with the engine running. Then he caught a glimpse of someone he hoped Terri wouldn't see: Edon sitting in the back seat. "Oh Christ, that's all I need this morning" he muttered to himself.
&n
bsp; "Who is it" Terri whispered from the kitchen. "Don't you dare let them into this house, Craig". Laying the case onto the sofa, he announced "It's okay. He's gone". Venturing into the tiny space that passed as their living room, Terri asked "What's that doing here?" Craig curiously answered "Don't know, but let's see" Opening the case, he gasped. "Oh Jesus Christ…he didn't…no...no...no; he couldn't "
Terri leaned over his shoulder, spilling her coffee on her robe, to see what was in the case. There it was…the 1959 gold Les Paul guitar. A note was pressed between the strings to keep it in place. Craig opened the note and it read "Enjoy it, but bring it with you when you come to see me in a day or so. Don't be long. We have much to discuss….Phoenix."
"Is it really worth that much?" quizzed Terri. Craig could almost hear the cash register ringing in her head. "I'm sure he only means to let me use it for a day or so. He clearly wants it back" he stressed. "Just remember" she replied "that you have an interview article to write and a family to spend time with before you go running off to the bedroom to play your new toy."
******
Returning from the trip to town to deliver the guitar, Edon found Phoenix sitting in the sunroom, looking out over the water. She complained "How can people live like that…in a wooden hut?" Phoenix softly smiled and replied "We did many, many years ago. I drove a bread lorry by day. I played clubs by night. We were poor but young…we could endure anything. Now all I have is money…and leukemia."
Phoenix soberly lamented "The time is running out, my dear. Very soon, very soon…it will all be over. The pact has run its course. He wants to conclude it."
"Craig will come around. The plan will come to fruition. You will see, my love." Edon consoled.
Craig pulled his rusted out Toyota Camry into the driveway of the mansion. Gris met him at the door and let him in. "He is in fine spirits in anticipation of your visit. But please, do not over-excite him. His health is frail, sir." Gris cautioned. Craig followed him to the study, guitar case in hand. After a very brief exchange of pleasantries, Phoenix insisted that they "get down to it" and Craig' eagerness couldn't be obscured. After teaching Craig his favorite scales and fret board drills, Phoenix paused and called Gris to bring in tea (no brandy this time).
"Let's cut the crap, Craig. I'm dying…leukemia…maybe a month or two is all I have left. Dying in England is out of the question due to the taxes. My accountants told me that this geographical area is the best bargain in the U.S., so that is why I am here in 'BFE', as you all call it". Edon will detest it for a while, but it's for her own good. My fortune will thrive and prosper for her here."
Phoenix poured the tea for them both, and then he continued "As for my music, I want it to live through you. I sensed your hunger right away when we met. I know that hunger…it keeps you awake tossing and turning all night. It robs your thoughts during the day. Ii makes you want to smash your fists against a brick wall when life obstructs your study… your practice… your striving to perfection."
Craig was on the edge of his seat leaning into hang on Phoenix's every word, ready to leap to his feet if so commanded. Phoenix concluded "I can give you what you want…what you need. But now I need to know if you are willing to commit all…forsake all…sacrifice anything and all…to meet your destiny. For if you agree, there will be no turning back. There is no path of half-measure. That is the difference between attainment and obscurity."
"I know that in your heart, there is piece that belongs to others…to Terri…to Libby. Know this: they may have a place in your heart, but only as long as their hearts are true to your purpose. You know that table is only as good as the legs it stands on. When one leg is weak, the entire table collapses. There can be no weak leg…no distraction…no interference of any kind. I learned that lesson with my late wife, but through Edon I found the support that only a true believer can give. I tell you this: if your eye offends you, cast it out."
Edon entered the study, as if on cue. Phoenix remarked "Well, speak of…Hello, my dear." She approached Phoenix's chair from behind, placed her hands on his shoulders, and without ever taking her eyes off of Craig, kissed Phoenix on the cheek. "I expected to hear Craig playing the guitar; not a lecture." She mocked disappointment.
Phoenix replied "So you shall hear him, dearie. But I have pushed it a bit too far today and must rest. Do stay and give him a listen. Let me know your opinion of his progress. Your ear is more critical than mine these days." "Craig-- give her a taste, won't you? Maybe the second vamp from 'Fire Dance'?"
Craig mildly protested "We haven't gone over that, Phoenix. Maybe I…" Phoenix cut him off with "Don't tell me you haven't been practicing it, boy-o. Phoenix knows all. Now I'm off for a nap."
Craig reset the tape machine, put his guitar back on, and waited to for his cue from the playback. Edon turned a leather chair to face Craig and reclined back on it. She fixed her eyes on Craig and never moved them. Her face was expressionless as if she were fixed in a trance or meditating on the music.
Some say it is Indian…some say it is Arabic…maybe an agglomeration of both and a bit of Phoenix's own creation, but "Fire Dance" started slowly and rhythmically pulsating with Middle Eastern drums and string instruments. Craig joined in by adding picking a muted chunking triad on the bass strings of the guitar. He flew into the intro theme of the song as the dynamic built something akin to Ravel's "Bolero". Opening his eyes, he saw Edon still in her trance but slowly opening the button to her black jeans, then unzipping them. The more furiously Craig played the Les Paul, the more intensely she played along on her own body, rising and falling with each crescendo. When Craig could no longer contain himself, he laid the guitar down, scooped up Edon into his arms, and then carried her to a nearby leather couch where they furiously made love to the music which replayed on a continuous loop.
"Was that a test of my power of concentration?" Craig quipped as he slipped his pants back on. Rising to her knees on the couch, Edon put her arms around Craig from behind him and slyly replied "You lasted longer than I expected…on the guitar. I must be losing my appeal." Craig whispered "What do you mean---I nearly snapped the neck off of it." She kissed him one long, last time and said "I'll let Phoenix know that you are ready. Then I'll make a few calls to set up your debut." Before Craig could protest, she added emphatically: "I said you're ready!" Craig smiled at her, then cased his guitar and left for home.
******
Entering his home through the back kitchen entrance, Craig brushed past Terri as she was cooking dinner. She did catch wind of tell-tale smell of another woman's perfume as he passed with the sixth sense that women have for such things. Needing a closer examination, she grabbed him by the arm and hugged him in a familial greeting manner. There was something else in the air…perhaps the musk of recent sex.
"I have great news" he nearly shouted in her ear. "Phoenix and Edon think that I am ready to play my first show…a debut. Isn't that fantastic?" Terri relaxed her grip on his arm and replied "I think you have been spending way too much time with those two. What about that article? Is it done? Did you submit it yet?"
Taken aback by her rebuff, Craig muttered "It's done. It's been submitted. So I take it you're not thrilled by the news?" Terri snapped her reply right into his face: "I want my husband back. Libby wants her father back. Understand? I don't know this new you. You play that damn guitar from morning tonight. You're not a kid anymore and you're not that good, whatever Lord Phoenix may say…or that slut that lives with him."
Craig became defensive "Look, maybe you want me to become Elmer, our sixty year old neighbor, dress like I'm going to the lodge golf outing, and get a good post office job. That's not me…I'm not dead yet. Phoenix believes in me, and if the greatest guitarist alive thinks so, then that's good enough for me. I'm doing the show with or without your support."
He stormed off to the bedroom, slammed the door, put on his headphones, and practiced the rest of the evening. Libby asked Terri "Are you and Daddy fighting again? Is it about his new guitar?"
Terri bent down to her, kissed her forehead and whispered "Sometimes I forget which of you is the child and which one is the parent". After putting her to bed later that evening, Terri had a glass of wine and curled up to sleep on the sofa. She tossed and turned her way into a nightmare. In her dream, the dog Sykes appeared through the fog at night. He morphed into Phoenix, all dressed in black. Terri demanded "Why are you here? What do you want?" Phoenix took her by the shoulders and stated coldly "He wants his price paid …through sacrifice. He wants Libby. I am here to take her to him". Then in her dream, Terri cried "No. You cannot take my daughter." When she turned to re-enter her home, Phoenix had changed back into Sykes…snarling and growling at her…blocking her path back into the door.
Terri emerged from the dream soaked in sweat and shaking. She didn't go back to sleep that night. She wouldn't sleep for nights to come either. The next morning while Craig slept, she showered and dressed for work. She left without saying goodbye to him. At the office, she threw herself into her work to try and push the nightmare out of her thoughts; but at her lunch break, she remained at her desk and searched the internet for stories on Phoenix Gressil. Most particularly, she read all she could about the demise of his fellow band mates.
