Back story: I had a very hard spring. An attack on me professionally left me feeling very alone and unsure of myself and I had two major outlets: writing and music. I discovered the band Theory of a Dead Man and their clever lyrics (from their album Savages) spoke directly to me during my struggles. Their other albums are also cleverly written and many of their songs just made me laugh out right. I feel a kinship with these men.
I listened to them so much that, while thinking of my unfinished stories, a new story developed in my mind based on their lyrics. I couldn't help it. And it got so bad that I created an outline, ages for each character, a tour schedule, and even a prequel. I hope you love it as much as I loved developing it.
If you haven't listened to any of their songs, I will try to link you to their youtube page so you can have an idea how it's going to fit into the story.
This first chapter is not specifically linked to any song, but here's a link if you want to get a head start. You know how FF loves links (NOT!) so this is what follows the initial youtube prefix:
[slash] channel [slash] UCcFUPGt_tgcP5iMxiBDsXoA
I love these guys and I have since met them (VIP tickets at one of their concerts in October).
(Life has righted itself since then, btw.)
Let me know what you think...
*squeals loudly and claps*
Bella stared at her computer screen not quite knowing what to think of the message. She wanted to write the article, but the terms for access were strange to say the least. They wanted her to travel with them for two weeks while the band toured and she wasn't even granted access to the band members during that time. It was shit.
Bella Cullen was a nationally recognized journalist who was successful enough to basically choose for whom she wrote. Most celebrities wanted her to pen an up close and personal piece because her style and reach crossed cultural lines and expanded her subjects' sphere of influence. She'd offered to do a piece on Theory of a Wolfman.
It was true that the band sold out huge arenas in cities across the country and teenagers everywhere were caught humming their tunes. Most kids didn't actually sing the lyrics in front of their parents because their profanity filled songs would make most mothers frown. But Bella was sure that the band would want a chance to explain the origins of their music and songs and possible provide a way to open a dialogue between the generations.
Yes, that's what she wanted to do. Provide an avenue in order to open discourse and help parents understand why kids and young adults were drawn to the crude and misogynistic lyrics of this particular brand of contemporary hard rock. Yes. That was her goal. She should write that back the publicist who'd communicated directly with Bella instead of going through her agent.
Bella was perplexed by the message blinking at her from her screen. Who was this Carli Mason and why did she think Bella would have to spend two weeks on the road with them in order to write a good piece?
Mrs. Cullen,
On behalf of the members of Theory of Wolfman, I would like to extend an invitation to accompany the band for a period of two weeks while on tour this summer. I will be available to you to answer any questions you have about the history of the band and approved information about individual band members. There may even be opportunities for individual interviews depending on tour and personal schedules.
Attached you will find our standard legal contract as well as our non-disclosure agreement. Please review these documents and contact me if you have any questions about any items or stipulations. I have also attached the summer tour schedule and an agenda of what a typical day on tour looks like. Please peruse this information and let me know if you are interested and which dates look best for you. I will do my best to clear or accommodate my schedule so that I can be as helpful as I can to you.
I hope you don't think me presumptuous, but I find it much easier, and faster, to communicate directly with you instead of through my agency and your agent. Of course I expect that your representatives will review the legal attachments, but coordinating dates and travel plans will be much easier if done directly between you and me.
I am familiar with your work Mrs. Cullen, and I look forward to meeting with you and developing a professional relationship with you.
Sincerely,
Carli Mason
Senior Publicist
Theory Of A Wolfman
Bella struggled with how to let this woman know that she really only needed about a three hour block of time. And Bella was sure that once the band members knew who wanted the interview, she was confident that she would be granted her request. Bella clicked on the reply button and typed an impersonal response explaining that she, Bella, was already well acquainted with the band members as she had grown up with them in small Washington town. She gave personal information about the lead singer, Paul and drummer Quil. Bella elaborated on a funny anecdote about Embry, their bassist, and finally explained that Jacob, the guitarist, was her best friend all throughout high school. Surely the band could give a block of time for an old friend.
Bella clicked send without even proofreading the message. She was irritated that this Carli woman thought she could control her access to the boys with whom she'd spent her entire childhood. She guessed that she should have at least opened the contract and schedule and looked at it, but she was too annoyed with the whole proposal.
Bella picked up her phone and called Alice. Bella may no longer be married to her brother, but Alice was still the best agent west of the Rocky Mountains.
"Bellllla!" Alice sang. "It's so good to hear from you! Are things all set for your summer tour with TOAW?"
"With who?" Bella asked. She actually realized that Alice was making an acronym, but Bella was tired of the culture that shortened everything. She thought it actually lessened the meaning and significance of too many important things.
"Jake's band, silly! Their publicist said she was going to email you directly," Alice said.
"Oh, yeah. She did. What's this about a two week tour? Honestly, I only need a few hours, Alice. Can't you do something?" Bella whined.
"Don't you think it'll be exciting? You're not doing anything major this summer. Nothing that can't be done remotely from your laptop. Go and party with the band!" Alice said. "I wish I could come with you. I love their stuff!"
"Alice," Bella interrupted, "their publicist won't guarantee me access to the guys. She stated it 'might be possible if band and personal schedules permit.' Like I haven't known these guys my whole life. I don't want to go through her Alice. Can't you just get me Jake's number?" Bella's computer sounded, indicating she'd received an email and Bella glanced over at it.
"Well, I tried. I thought it'd be pretty easy to track down Billy's phone number and get it that way, but the number they had when you were young has been changed and now it's all unlisted. Have you checked with your dad? Don't he and Billy still hang out?"
The email was from that Carli woman. Bella clicked it open. "Yeah, they do, but I haven't really talked to Charlie in a while and I really don't want to call him just to find out a phone number," Bella said while she waited for the message to load.
"Bella," Alice chastised, "you told me you were going to call him for Father's Day!"
"I did call him. And I left a message. He must have been out fishing," she said distractedly. The message was short. Bella read it while Alice droned on about the importance of family and keeping in touch with them.
Mrs. Cullen,
Jacob and the other band members are aware of who you are and what you desire. The terms of the contract were drafted by them. If you find the terms unacceptable, perhaps you can write your article unassisted by the band. But the members of the band are also aware that will limit the scope of your piece and compromise the quality of the work that you usually produce. This extraordinary opportunity has been offered to you because of your previous friendship with the members of the band. We sincerely hope you consider and accept the offer. I have forwarded the attachments to your agent, Alice Cullen Hale.
Please let us know at your earliest possible convenience.
Again,
Carli Mason
"Bella, are you even listening to me?" Alice asked. "Hello?"
"Yeah, I'm here. I just got a message back from Carli Mason. I can't believe this shit! Alice, you are cc'd in all these messages."
"I know," Alice sighed. "I read them. Did you even look at the tour schedule? They work hard and they're quite busy."
"Alice," Bella tried again.
"Bella, you need to go," Alice's voice was soft, but serious. "You need to clear the air with him. It's hindering the rest of your life and it's affecting your writing. Go on tour with them for two weeks. Realign your chi." Bella rolled her eyes. Alice's new obsession was yoga and she was always rambling about chi and chakras.
"Alice, I just want to ask them about their lyrics. I know their life stories. I don't need two weeks," Bella protested.
"Bella, it's been ten years since you saw any of them. The last time you saw Jake he was working part time as a mechanic on an Indian reservation. A lot happens in a decade. Aren't you proof?" Alice asked.
That took the wind out of Bella's sails. The last time she saw Jake she was a mousy clutz from a Podunk town in Washington. She'd run off to the big city to make something of herself. She married the boy who unlocked the world for her and then finally divorced him when he wouldn't let her go out into it. Now Bella was a self-made, confident, successful journalist who was respected around the world. She could spend two weeks with her hometown buddies of old couldn't she?
"Fine," Bella finally agreed. "You look over the contract and make sure I'm not getting screwed and I'll look at the schedule and let this Carli person know what best suits me."
"Yaaaaay!" Alice cheered and Bella heard her clapping in the background. "I just know this is going to be your best piece ever! This is really going to open your world, Bella. I can just feel it!"
Bella wasn't so sure. When she first dreamed up the project and had Alice's agency contact the band's publicist, Bella expected that Jake would contact her personally.
He hadn't forgiven her.
But she had an invitation. She decided that two weeks would be good. He'd always told her he'd wait for her.
"You're right, Alice," Bella said, cutting Alice's summation of the contract and the terms, "I need this. I think Jake needs this, too."
"Bella?" Alice asked.
"Yeah, Al?" Bella had opened the schedule Ms. Mason sent.
"Have you listened to all their songs?" Bella was comparing her calendar with the schedule. She was trying to decide which cities would be the interesting to visit.
"Ummm, no. Not all of them. I was concentrating on The Bitch Came Back, Bad Girlfriend, and I Hate My Life. Why?" Bella decided that late July looked good. She'd done her research on these songs and other songs in the genre of their ilk.
"You may want to listen to the songs on all four albums and look closely at the lyrics," Alice prodded.
"Sure, sure, Alice. I will before I get there. I'll write Ms. Mason back," Bella sneered the name, "and tell her which dates look best pending the signed contracts."
"Okay," Alice chirped. "I'm glad you're going to do this. It's going to be good."
Bella hoped. Her life had been so dark for so long. She needed Jake in her life again. This was the first step. She guessed she'd have to do it on his terms.
Thoughts?