Scratched Record-
Disclaimer- I do not own the storybook or movie, A Clockwork Orange or its characters. I also don't owe the play Hamlet, or it's characters and quotes.
Plot Summary- Alex fancies a girl who works at the record shop he goes to. However, the girl well pretty and music literate, is too pure and trusting. Will Alex take advantage of the young lady? Or will she be an exception to everything he has always stood for?
Chapter 10: Happiness
"Alex, my boy, what can I do for you?" The minister of interior's voice was friendly, but Alex could see him squirm through their little play. It was obvious he (Alex) was nothing more than an inconvenience to the whole government. Better swept under the rug and forgotten like most mistakes were desired to be. Alex had simply been smarted than most mistakes.
Alex walked in, allowing the door to be shut behind him. He lay across the couch, giving the MOI a friendly smile. "Horrorshow office, friend."
MOI hated seeing him on the couch, but responded ever so kindly. "Glad you think it so; took many years of hard work and honest. Work I hope your not here to disrupt…"
"Don't be bezoomny! Thy wouldn't messel ruining the hard work of such fine blokes…As it so happens….I want to be a part of that work.
MOI lost his smile the minute those words left his mouth. "I don't understand….You already work here."
"I mean real work, veck. A real job, real hours, and real cutter." Alex stretched one leg over the other, shooting him a confident smirk. "That is, if you shilarny yours truly to come forward about all the vred you millcents, government sorts, and others wise put him through. Oh! The press would find it so horrorshow, would they not?"
The look on the older mans face was one of anger, disgust, and hopelessness. There was no way he could refuse Alex's demands. As usual, the young Alex was leading this dance of civility and kindness, and just as the undercoating was revealed—so was the fact that the young man had won.
"What's with the sudden interest Alex? I thought society was of no interest to you? Now, you wish to play Mr. Everyman?"
Alex tsked. "Not filly, veck….No, no. I stand before you a new man, sir. I say on to you, my intentions are sladky, even if they seem oozhassny."
MOI narrowed his eyes, gauging Alex and his word. He was taught never to trust the young—today's youth being so troublesome and what not, but a part of him realized just how valuable Alex could be. He certainly wasn't politician material, but he could prove to be an excellent leader. He could very well be the very thing to stop his generation.
Alex simply wanted to move deeper into society. He didn't expect to make much out of this job or to become the best whatever he could be. He was running out of money—money that he had attained in less than honorable ways. And if Ophelia considered her father's money to be blood money—than she certainly wouldn't approve of the money he had now.
This was the next step to becoming a normal man—and there fore the next step to acquiring a life with her.
()
"Really? Social work?" Ophelia asked, apparently shocked when Alex had told her about his new job at the Jazz bar. "Doing what exactly?"
"Reporting." He explained simply. "They fancy your Uncle Alex to write a full report regarding the patterns of youth and their fashions. If his report does well, they may ask for an entire book."
"A writer?" Ophelia gave him a confused look. "I didn't think that was what you wanted to do with your life."
"Not ideally, no but… I don't viddy it as a career, simply until something better comes along." When the waiter came back to the table with their drinks, Ophelia politely thanked him and asked.
"Pardon sir, but where's the band tonight?" She motioned her head to the empty stage, where instruments stood like haunted houses. He meekly shrugged.
"Apologies ma'am, we received news earlier that they were involved in a car crash. Two of them in the hospital. I'm afraid no music tonight." The look on Alex's face struck the fear of bog into the waiter. "We are allowing people to improv on stage if they so like though. Kind of an amateur night. Perhaps someone will stand up and fill in."
The waiter hurried away. Ophelia took a sip of her drink, completely oblivious to the smile on Alex's face, at least until she lowered her glass. "Alex?"
He stood and reached out his hand for her. "What do ye govoreet, beloved? Shall we leave our mark on the lives of these vecks and devotchka's?"
She frowned, looking very nervous. "You mean…perform for them?"
"Indeed so."
"I…I…."He didn't wait for an answer; he reached out and took her hand dragging her out of her seat and across the room. Alex pulled Ophelia on stage and guided her to the occupied guitar stand.
"This is what you shilarny, is it not?" Putting the Guitar over her shaking body. "Just one warble for your Uncle Alex."
With a sigh, Ophelia gripped the guitar. Alex took his spot at the piano, waiting for her song request. "Ring of Fire…" He frowned, which she reacted to with a smile. "Don't give me that look Alexander… You're the one who wants to do this."
Alex, who didn't much care for Johnny Cash, reluctantly started playing the song his lover requested. Ophelia soon accompanied him on the guitar. After a moment or so, she started singing as well.
Love Is A Burning Thing I Fell Into A Burning Ring Of Fire
And It Makes A Fiery Ring
Bound By Wild Desire
I Fell Into A Ring Of Fire
I Went Down, Down, Down
And The Flames Went Higher
Ophelia turned slightly to look distinctly at Alex.
And It Burns, Burns, Burns
The Ring Of Fire
The Ring Of Fire
He smirked, noticing the way she moved with the music and swayed her hair. The crowd watched both of them; not because he was a known criminal and she was the daughter of Bill Sybalt—but because they were truly remarkable—even if the song they were playing wasn't jazz.
The Taste Of Love Is Sweet I Fell Into A Burning Ring Of Fire
When Hearts Like Ours Meet
I Fell For You Like A Child
Oh, But The Fire Went Wild
I Went Down, Down, Down
And The Flames Went Higher
And It Burns, Burns, Burns
The Ring Of Fire
The Ring Of Fire
Ophelia looked and felt at home. She vaguely recalled singing this song when she was younger, when she dreamed of singing as a career. Before she was alone in this world and forced to work at a record store.
And now that she was no longer alone; no longer performing alone, she felt ready to dream once more.
Love Is A Burning Thing I Fell Into A Burning Ring Of Fire I Fell Into A Burning Ring Of Fire
And It Makes A Fiery Ring
Bound By Wild Desire
I Fell Into A Ring Of Fire
I Went Down, Down, Down
And The Flames Went Higher H
I Went Down, Down, Down
And The Flames Went Higher….
And It Burns, Burns, Burns
The Ring Of Fire
The Ring Of Fire…
With an ending note on the piano, the song ended. It was immediately celebrated with clapping an whistling. Ophelia was shocked; even Alex couldn't believe the joy the crowd felt at their performance.
"Have one more in ye?" Alex asked smugly. Ophelia had to take a deep breath to keep herself composed.
"I think so…"
()
"Drinks from the couple over there." The waiter said, setting down two glasses of wine. Alex boredly glanced over to the door, where an elderly couple was getting ready to leave. Each of them nodding to him; Alex nodded back. This had been the fifth drink bought for them that night.
Ophelia picked up her glass and lifted it to them. "Alex, it's amazing, isn't it? They really liked us."
"They fancied you most I viddy." He said, returning to his date who was blushing like a schoolgirl. "Ye even have made a fan out yours truly."
"Please, your piano playing was so elegant, I was almost moved to tears. Your hands are so….wonderful, I feel like I could kiss them."
"Perhaps later, darling." Alex said with a devilish look. A man in suit interrupted the young couple. A greasy sort of gentlemen, he looked like the type of man lost in generations before him.
"Pardon me, but you two were incredible tonight. Are you two professionals?" Ophelia shook her head which raised his eyebrows. "Really? Well… Look, I'm the owner of this bar. Mr. Hackler, and you two really brought the crowd up tonight. Would you ever consider performing again? I'd pay you for it, naturally."
Alex watched as Ophelia beamed. Whether she had been nervous, unsure, or afraid to perform; her reaction now had proven she wanted to perform.
"We'll govoreet the messel." Alex said, waving his hand. The owner appeared insulted but bowed and backed away. Once he was gone, Alex leaned towards his girlfriend. "Well?"
"Well what?" Ophelia asked.
"Would it rock your gulliver to perform at your beloved place? To perform warble anywhere?"
Ophelia frowned. "It would but… I'm not sure if I could, Alex. It's all I've ever dreamed of but..."
She rubbed her hand over face, tapping her toe against the table. "Maybe it couldn't hurt to try? I'm just… so nervous about it not going the way I'd like it to."
Alex took her free hand into his. Ophelia's hand tensed around his. He thought about what he was about to ask her; trying to decide how to best put it. "Ophelia…"
"Yes Alex?"
"My new job… It'll pay a lot of cutter. Enough where… you wouldn't have to work anymore. You could concentrate on your music." Alex said, marveling at the wide eyes he enjoyed so much. "As long as you live with me, take care of my needs, I'll take care of yours."
Alex noticed the uncertainty in her eyes. "I'm not trying to keep you inside like your pe. All your Uncle Alex shilarny is for you to be happy, and if your warble is that…"
Ophelia practically jumped across the table to kiss him. Alex deepened the kiss and released her so she could speak. "I don't know how I could ever repay you."
"I could messel something." Alex suggested playfully. Ophelia smiled and kissed him again, wrapping both her arms around him.
It was a just reward for doing good.