Disclaimer: I do not own the show or any part of it. The music in this story does not belong to me from a creator's standpoint, and the respective artists will be credited. A true staff member would write a personal episode, not a piece of fan fiction. Enjoy.
Vinyl Destination
Chapter 1: Cleaning House
11:50 AM
On a Saturday
Tremorton, PA
Jenny's POV
Sheldon invited me over on a Saturday afternoon to help clean out his closet. Our sophomore year was coming to a close, and he sought for a personal reconstruction to enter his second half with, and for some reason, he felt like starting off with his closet. "New clothes, new shoes, new Sheldon," he told me over the phone.
"Why do you need my help?" I didn't have anything against helping him out, but it wasn't even a truly messy scenario. An able-bodied human could have done the job in ten minutes or less.
"Well, I don't need any actual help, but it's always nice to talk with you."
"...Fair enough." I zipped from my house and into his room through the window (over which he had hung an awesome sign that reads "Jenny's Door" above due to my constant popping in and out). "What's up?"
"Nothing much. Just some soul-searching, I suppose." He smiled while taking some shirts off their hangers and setting them aside. He seemed very pleased with this cleanse. "Haven't you ever thought about changing some stuff around?"
"Huh, not really. I've been very content."
"I just think some stuff needs to change in my life." He sifted through some old baseball cards.
"Like what, exactly? Is something troubling you?"
"No. I just wanna do something that makes me feel mature. Think about it, Jenny; after summer, we're no longer underclass. We'll be of the older half. The wiser half. For some reason, I just don't feel super wise."
"What if wisdom is something that just happens?"
"Maybe it is, but I feel as though there's still something to be done." He pushed a few small boxes aside and stopped at a large one. For a moment, it was as though he had frozen in time with a gigantic smile.
"Sheldon? What is it?" He scooted the box out and pushed it to my feet.
"It's my old record player. Totally forgot I had it. The records might be somewhere around here!" The happy scientist ambitiously funneled through the nostalgia rubble. "Hey, here they are!" He proudly exclaimed while tugging a massive crate out from the tiny room.
"How did you find these?" I asked, vividly. There were only a couple times in my life when I had actually seen vinyl albums, and about half of those were from film reels of the 60's in history.
"They've been passed down for several generations. I would listen to them all the time while working in the garage! When I have kids someday, they'll get to hold these." He turned to me and noticed my excitement. "Feel free to look at them and see if there are any you recognize." I yanked the plastic lid off and did just that. They were so beautiful. I wanted to learn everything about them. Sadly, I didn't recognize any of the names, so I read them out loud in hopes that Sheldon could school me.
"What is Close To The Edge?" I was puzzled.
"Haven't you ever heard of Yes, Jenny?"
"Yes?"
"Yes!"
"No. Who are they?"
"Heh, only one of the best progressive rock groups ever!"
"Progressive rock? What's that?" I observed the album from all sides, soaking in the artwork; every last detail. Much green.
"The best."
"Of what?"
"You decide." He smiled at how naive I sounded. I didn't know how to follow up. "Jen, if you want, you can borrow them." If only I could explain the excitement being experienced.
"Are you serious?"
"Of course! Why wouldn't I be? It's what friends do."
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely. I know they're in good hands."
"You sure you don't want them?"
"Completely forgot I even had them. Keep them for however long you want, doesn't really matter to me... just, give them back when I have kids."
"Of course."