He stood back stage, lingering in the darkness. A fixed expression was on his face, one of concentration. If anyone that weren't familiar with him were about, they would swear he was going to barf, or jump someone coming off stage, but of course that wasn't the case, he had been there before, people were aware of his presence, in fact he had a girl standing not too far away from him with a clipboard. Her hands made him nervous, they were nearly caught in suspense, raised towards him. She was secretly trying to brush his costume, his metallic coat which enshrouded him, he could sense her slight arousal with her unsteady breath and what bit of light there was bouncing of her bosom. Her nerves were levelling with his, but being aware of her arousal made him confident that he was doing his job to his best. He felt a smile crack his cheeks into a mischievous grin, she too smiled back after a breath hitched in her throat. He knew it was not long now, the costume he was wearing felt like his, and he could feel his back twinging like a cat about to attack. He could hear the voice in his head, his own voice egging him on.

He could hear the crowd's breath, clapping, screams of great expectation, then a click. He looked to his right, a man was signalling to him, well to the girl. It was the girl's suspended hand which connected to his shoulder and he felt his now confident feet march forward, he slipped under the curtain and was greeted by Woody's back. He made him self known by tapping him on the shoulder, the dirty blond haired man steered his head around and smirked before hitting his drum sticks together. The electric guitar roared, and he swooped around the kit and rocketed himself towards the microphone. His velvety voice blew between his lips.

'Well she's a tongue twisting storm, she will come to the show tonight
Praying to the light machine
She wants my honey not my money she's a funky-thigh collector
Layin' on 'lectric dreams'

He sensed Mick hovering in the shadows to his left jamming on his guitar, playing the riff, he could feel the rumble hit him in the back, through his chest, it was being played at the audience but through him first, so hypothetically it was being playing for him, as romantic as it felt...it was nothing more than someone playing an instrument, but he was sure other members of the audience were convinced there were sexual elements that held the band together. Ziggy smirked as he bellowed 'Come On...Come on!' It was good to think like that, it helped him get into character, and to know people worshiped the sex, made him believe more of the rumours and the story he was creating from fiction were true.

Ziggy battered his eyelashes at the audience, and thanked them for coming before he and the band quickly exited.

An announcer came over the PA system "Would everyone please make their way to the exits, please take all personal items, the gift shop is still open!"

A cool breeze greeted him as he stepped off stage, and he felt traces of Ziggy go with it. His end of show rigout was drenched in sweat and he hastily made his way back to the dressing room being closely eyed by a dozen stage hands. He hoped to catch up with the others before they discussed after show plans. The corridor leading to the rooms were drafty and his teeth chattered as he his bare legs grazed a leather sofa out in the hall, he saw Trevor and Woody disappear through one of the doors, and to his surprise he could see Mick had lit a cigarette and was leaning against the fire exit. He was very tempted to delay his change and share the freshly lit cigarette, but Mick had made no eye contact with him to suggest that kind of invitation. So he shuffled in with the other musicians into the one main dressing room. "That was far out, the audience were on their freaking knees man!" Woody exclaimed kicking of his boots. "We need to move my kit forward slightly, I can't see the women at the front."

Trevor barked. "Who'd wanna see that ugly mug?" Woody playfully threw the drumsticks at him.

"I don't think you'd of been satisfied with the line up today dude, there were a load of men in."

Both Woody and Trev heads snapped around to look at David. Woody raised an eyebrow. "Now you say I don't think you woody would be satisfied, but you David would." David put on a fake laugh, despite thinking Woody's remark sounded spiteful.

"No wood...that's not what I was suggesting." Keeping his voice breezy. "But if you think that then you're falling for it just like the public are." Trev clapped Woody on the back as if he were stupid.

"-And you sure play the part well." Mick strolled in flicking the cig into the waste bin. David ignored the other musicians stares, and began to de-robe next to a screen. "It's called a persona." Mick did inverted commas with his fingers. "We all play our parts on stage it keeps the audience on their toes."

David glanced at Mick from behind the screen 'Proper little peacemaker.' He shook his head and smiled feeling more and more like David as he stripped off his skimpy outfit.

"We've had this discussion before with David about two years ago."

A voice came from behind the screen. "Won't hurt to hear it again!"

"Yes-Maybe you blokes should... I don't know get more involved, Trev you could ruffle Woods hair or something, I don't know..." Mick was very encouraging and used gestures, David's smile once again nearly cracked his face as he concentrated on the fastening of his shoes, in the corner of his eye he swore he could see Mick staring at him through the thin screen. He noticed Mick's voice had got quieter and slurred. "I don't know you could lick his boots –". David couldn't help but frown at this remark.

Trev interjected "If you haven't noticed Wood is behind a drum kit, whose gonna see me lick his shoes."

"When did I say shoes?"

"You suggested lick his boots!" Trev voice had gotten really loud, and Dave was forced to look up from what he was doing.

"No I said drumsticks..didn't I?" Mick looking very puzzled. David remained quiet peering through the screen. "Where would I have got shoes from?"

David quickly pulled on his hard collar shirt before stepping around the screen. "People mix up words when they in stressful positions...no big deal."He gave Mick a quick glance. "May I suggest Wood when you're on stage... kiss or put the drumsticks near your mouth before drumming."

Surprisingly Wood uncertainly nodded. "I'll consider it." Mick stepped back from the shock of Wood taking in something suggestive.

David continued pursing his lips. "Trev...you...bob your head up and down when I thrust in your direction, and smile when you see me and Mick interact..." Trev tipped his head from side to side so he resembled a dog. "Just pull a face like you're watching porn." Trev's frowned, as the others laughed.

"Trev watches porn." Woody was doing a goofy laugh.

"I think I more concerned by what David thinks some ones face looks like when watching porn?" Mick added before stuffing a load of beer cans into his duffle back.

"Okay I'm off then."

For a second David's heart sank. "You going already?..I thought us guys were heading to the pub." He felt stupid for bringing it up when they were obviously not. Mick hung in the doorway, the clockwork fulling turning in his head.

"Erm I can't I'm going to see my moth-"

Susan popped her head around the door. "Are you ready Mick?" Mick was still facing the others when he heard her.

"Err yeah...just a moment?" He cringed as Trevor and Woody cooed. "Shut it...we going for an Indian meal." Susan tugged on his sleeve. Mick heartedly smiled at Dave who had knitted his non-existent eyebrows. "I'll see you at rehearsals...new costumes I here."

David quickly made himself look occupied as he replied, he began to fiddle with the fly of his nylon trousers. "Err yes I think so, well see yer' then." He glanced up to see Mick disappear around the frame with his 'Bitch!' Dave quickly looked around to reassure himself he didn't say it out loud. He saw Trevor fiddling with his guitar, and Wood staring at his reflection.

"Aww dang I was going to cop-off with her tonight, looks like he's beaten me to the punch."

David dragged himself from his inner and darker thoughts. "Erm... yeah me too." He added. Yeah that covered it! -What the fuck... covered what?

He jumped as Trevor twanged his guitar. Remembering it was around 11:00, he might as well arrange to meet Angie in a bar. He glanced at his reflection in the mirror. The glitter was still plastered on his forehead, and his lips were still posy pink. Suddenly everything became muted, he heard a voice say. 'Covered what David?'

To be continued.