Gorillaz – An Alternative Beginning
What is happening now? Do you want me to tell you or would that be 'spoilers'? (Those who watch Doctor Who would get that)… Just read the thing, I won't spoil it for you.
Another New Member
It had been a few days since the band last spoke of the superhero team 'incident' and Murdoc had hoped that 2D had forgotten about it. To be fair even if 2D had forgotten Noodle might not have. Murdoc had promised 2D that they would speak about it today and he was doing all he could to avoid him for that reason alone. Luckily Noodle didn't quite understand the deal that they made but there was every chance that she would randomly scream about it and remind 2D. If Murdoc isolated himself all day then there was a slim chance that he wouldn't go through the embarrassment. It was like taking two small children to some really embarrassing pantomime and being dragged on stage to be humiliated by a hyperactive idiot in a panto costume.
If there hadn't have been a knock on the door though he might have gotten away with it.
He crept out of his Winnebago and into the front room. Opening the door he found a Fed-Ex crate on his doorstep.
If there's a small Japanese girl with a guitar in there Murdoc thought I'm going to have to send her packing ….. already got one!
He carried the crate into the front room and shut the front door. He looked at the label on the box. It was addressed to Kong but, according to the label, it was addressed to '23'. What the hell was a 23? Did the person get something wrong? There was a return address on the label as well but that was written in scribble. No one could make out those lines! Unless?…
"NOODLE! Get in here!"
"OK!" Noodle called back. That moment the crate rattled and there was a screech from inside. Murdoc yelped and, in the space of a panic, he unveiled his angel form. He was about to fire-blast whatever Demon may be lurking inside when...…
"MURDOC-SAN!"
He turned to see little Noodle standing behind him looking up with big eyes. He returned to his human form and stepped away from the crate. He pointed to the label's return address.
"What does that mean?"
The guitarist crept over to it and looked at the label.
"Mr Kyuzo!" she cried.
She tugged at the lid yanking it off instantly and peered inside. Her face lit up.
"SARU!" Murdoc had to cover his ears at the girl's scream.
"What the hell is a saru?"
His question was soon answered. Noodle reached into the box and pulled out a monkey. She held it like a baby and cooed too it in her language. The monkey wore a tiny Arabic looking waistcoat and a tiny matching fez. It looked at Murdoc and gave him a cheeky, big toothed grin that monkeys sometimes give.
"Murdoc-San, saru!" said Noodle holding it up to him.
"That's a monkey!" he couldn't quite believe that she was sent a monkey in the post.
"Moon-key? Moon-key saru in English?"
"I think so, yeah."
Noodle cuddled the monkey tighter and it pulled a face indicating it couldn't breathe.
"I know the feeling pal. Noodle you're killing it. Careful!"
Noodle loosened her grip and the monkey pretended to faint in her arms.
"What's going on here?" called a voice.
2D and Russel came into the room and saw Noodle's new pet.
"Wow! You go' a monkey? That's so cool! 'As it got a name?"
Noodle looked at the monkey and shrugged at which point it decided it was bored and leapt out of the Japanese girl's arms to go exploring.
"Why did she get that?" asked Russel.
"How the hell am I supposed to know? She yelled something about a Mr Kyuzo, whoever that is" Murdoc replied.
"Hey Noodle," said a muffled voice. 2D was looking in the box. His top half had disappeared into the box and his legs were sticking out looking very undignified. "There's a letter in 'ere for ya bu' it's in scribble. Ah can' read it."
He pulled himself out of the box grasping the letter. Noodle snatched it out of his hand in case it was top secret for her alone (not like the others could understand the writing anyway!), tore the envelope open and read the letter.
(Translated from Japanese)
23,
I have gained word of your new life. My assistant in England has told me all about your journey, your struggles and about your new friends Russel, 2D and Murdoc. I also understand that you have changed your name to Noodle. I still call you 23 in case I am incorrect. I am very pleased with you and I wish you luck on your journey to success. I have trained you well, you should be fine. Shiro also sends his best. He is safe do not fear.
I have also sent you someone. Bear in mind this isn't a typical monkey. I found him a few years ago in an illegal private zoo. He was half starved and on the verge of death but I managed to rescue him. He was too weak afterwards to look after himself so I had to do something. He is like you, part bionic. He doesn't look it but in time it will show. I am trusting him with you but I'm sure you will be fine. He doesn't have a name yet but I'm sure you can think of one.
Hopefully we can meet again in the near future. Again I wish you luck in your future work and with your new family. I will keep an eye out for your name.
Mr Kyuzo
Noodle smiled and sniffed to fight back crying with happiness.
"Noodle? What's happened? What's wrong?" Russel asked. None of the boys understood what was happening.
Noodle looked at her family and sniffed again. She went over to them and hugged them all at the same time. 2D was caught in the middle but he was so thin that she managed to hug Murdoc and Russel too. Russel awkwardly patted her on the back.
"Shiro and Kyuzo safe. Noodle safe too…with family."
Murdoc, Russel and 2D looked at each other in amazement as the realisation hit them hard. They were the kid's family! Despite everything a big black American, a blue haired pill-popping half-wit and an unpleasant demonic green man were joined together as a family for a small Japanese girl! 2D patted Noodle on the back too and even Murdoc joined in which was something he never did.
There was a sudden thud from behind them which ruined the moment. The monkey had returned from its adventure around Kong Studios and it had a new toy in his mouth which he was chewing happily. For once 2D was the one who was cheesed off by this.
"OI! Tha's me mike! Put it down!"
The monkey's new toy just so happened to be 2D's brand new microphone. The singer stormed over to the monkey with his hands on his hips and held one of his hands out.
"Give!" he demanded.
The monkey looked at 2D's hand, looked at him and then carried on chewing as if nothing had happened. 2D clicked his fingers.
"Oi! Drop it. Ah said drop it!"
Again, the monkey paid no attention to the agitated singer.
"He's not a dog Faceache; he's not going to listen to you."
But 2D was still determined to get his microphone back. Then there was a loud snapping sound. The monkey was startled at the noise and then pulled a guilty smile. 2D screamed.
"AARRGGHH! PUT THA' DOWN! PUT THA' DOWN RIGHT NOW!"
The monkey put it on the floor and crawled off. He was bored of it now anyway. 2D's new microphone lay in a heap of broken plastic, wires and circuits. It couldn't be returned now, it was ruined!
"Ma mike!" 2D clutched his head tightly digging his fingers in his hair "Tha' monkey's eaten frew ma mike!"
"Whoah …. ah've never seen you this stressed before" said Russel.
The monkey sniggered in the corner. 2D looked hilarious to him. The singer glared at him.
"Mike-eater!" he yelled.
The monkey screeched a louder more high-pitched laugh. Noodle laughed too. A lightbulb shined over her head.
"Monkey name Mike-eater."
"What about just Mike?" asked Russel. Maybe it was just him but he thought that Mike-eater wasn't really a good name for a monkey.
"Yeah!"
The monkey, or Mike as he was now known, sat next to where Murdoc was standing. Murdoc gave him an evil grin that made Mike yelp and cower.
"This looks like my kind-of pet. Do you know if he has any other microphone eating friends Noodle?"
The bassist went to pat him on the head but instead Mike bit Murdoc's hand. Murdoc screamed in pain and retreated quickly clutching his hand. Russel ran to Noodle and covered her ears just as Murdoc began to curse and swear loudly. This was something she didn't need to hear yet.
"Finished?" the drummer asked as Murdoc stopped yelling.
"Yep." Russel released the girl's ears. 2D sniggered.
"Maybe e's ma kinda pet too! Wait…if 'e ate ma mike an' 'e bit ya 'and then…"
"Shut up Faceache! You are so annoying sometimes! I swear you only have half a brain in there and all it thinks about is ruddy horror films, ruddy painkillers and…and…and bloody superhero teams!"
Oops. That was meant to be kept quiet today. A voice said in his head busted Murdoc old pal.
"Hero teams…OH YEAH! Ah forgot 'bout tha'! Fanks fer reminding meh. You mus' be keen if ya reminded meh."
Murdoc's eyes were tightly closed with disappointment and failure.
"Anytime" he said through gritted teeth.
"By the way, is everyone still in wiv the superhero team fing?" asked 2D. This was Murdoc's last chance to get out.
"Actually mate I…"
"NOODLE HERO! TAIYO!" cheered the Japanese girl.
"Russ?"
"Yeah sure, sounds interesting."
"Muds?"
Everyone turned to look at the shrinking bassist. 2D's eyes grew with sadness. They were his innocent and sad puppy dog eyes.
"Muds?"
Murdoc hated that look. It always looked like he was going to start crying if he didn't say what he wanted to hear. He looked at Noodle instead. NO! Her look was even sadder! He tried to fight it but in the end he gave up. The looks all beat him.
"Fine ….. fine ….. absolutely F**king marvellously fine …. " he replied quietly.
"YAY!" cried Noodle.
"So, it's decided, we're gonna be a team. Let's get cracking then. Follow meh."
2D went out the room followed by Noodle and Russel. Murdoc stayed where he was, glaring at the floor. What an idiot! He should have got out when he had the chance!
"Ya comin' Muds?"
"Yeah!" Murdoc called back. He stuck his hands in his pockets and slowly left the room. From the corner he heard something. He turned to see Mike looking up at him with a large grin on his face. Murdoc snarled at him.
"Shut up you banana brained moron!" he shouted and disappeared from the monkey's view. Mike stuck his tongue at the annoyed bassist and wondered off to find another chew toy.
I found Mike the monkey! I wondered how he was going to get his name and so I came up with that little amusing thing with the microphone. Poor Murdoc though, now he's got to be in it whether he wants to or not. Never mind eh?