CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Johnny was sitting up in his bed that evening writing in his diary the events of the day. His ears were still ringing some from the concert, but it didn't stop him from writing down what had happened over the last few hours…
When Mr. Statorowski told us not to worry about getting to Newport from Ventnor, he wasn't kidding, he wrote. Who'd have thought that instead of taking public transport or a hired vehicle, we'd get to ride in the private bus of the act we were going to see!
Johnny remembered the looks on everyone's faces as they got on the tour bus and saw just who was in it. Eddy's jaw had dropped the most as it was one of his favorite late 70's – early '80's bands: The Police! Greeting them all with an "'ello" and a firm handshake was Sting himself!
"I heard that there was going to be a famous band reunion gig at the festival, but I never thought it'd be you guys!" Eddy breathed in reply to Sting's handshake.
"Well, thanks to Chuck 'ere", Sting replied – gesturing to Mr. Statorowski who had first greeted Sting as an old friend – "I – and the rest of the lads – are glad to 'ave you along with us. The local bobbies are escorting us to the gig, and you'll all have great seats to enjoy the show!"
Both the guitarist - Andy Summers - and drummer Stewart Copeland nodded at Sting's comment.
"Any friend of Lindsay is a friend of ours", Sting added waving to her and delivering a wink. Lindsay blushed and smiled. Rolf looked mystified, but Lee gave her BFF a vexed look.
"You never told me that you were friends with The Police, Lizzy!", Lee exclaimed, "I thought we were BFF's with no secrets!"
"When Chuck took me on his company tour, Miss", Sting said to Lee in explanation, "Lindsay was a lot younger – not to mention shorter – than what she is now. She was there with her dad, and I took a liking to 'er. That was a while ago, so she probably didn't think that I'd remember 'er".
"You're right about that", Lindsay replied.
"But I could still recognize that cute face of 'er's", Sting finished, "but I never thought she'd grow up to be so tall!"
With that, he smiled at Lindsay, who stood up and hugged him.
"Definitely taller than the last time you gave me an 'ug", Sting said playfully.
"I have to inform you, Mr. Sting", Edd said formally, that one of your songs was very inspirational to my pursuance of science. It was called 'Walking on the Moon'. I hope that you and your colleagues will be able to play that song this evening", he requested.
"Consider it done", Sting replied with a smile, "I quite like that song meself".
"I wish I'd known beforehand that I was going to meet you guys. I'd have bought along with me my LP copy of 'Zenyatta Mondatta", Eddy said, "I'd have loved to get all your autographs on the cover".
"Tell ya what: You 'ave Chuck send it to me by mail, and me and the lads will sign it for you and send it back to you. Okay?" Sting said. Eddy nodded enthusiastically.
After Sting, Andy, and Stewart quickly greeted the others, the driver of the tour bus asked everyone to be seated as they were heading off to the venue.
The only ones of us who didn't seem all that surprised about knowing that The Police were going to be the act – apart from Mr. Statorowski – were Lindsay, Lee, and Marie, Johnny wrote next, "but that didn't stop them – and the rest of us - from chatting to the band members while en route to Newport. Sure, they are a lot older than their heyday, but their presence alone convinced me that they were going to be a splash at the festival!
As the bus moved off, Mr. Staorowski explained to the teens that the reason why he was so close to the Police was that his company was one of the sponsors for one of Sting's U.S. tours several years ago. Sting was very impressed by the company when he was taken on a private tour, and since both Mr. Statorowski and Sting had shared several interests, they ended up becoming friends and kept in touch. Sting had provided the passes and as a result, here they were.
That's so neat, Mr. S", Ed said, "so now we're all here comfy and looking forward to hearing them play".
May, who was sitting beside her boyfriend, nodded. She hadn't heard the Police before, but she knew that this was going to be something to enjoy watching…
Johnny thought for a couple of minutes, then he put his pen back to his diary:
We really got the VIP treatment once we arrived at the venue. Went to the dressing room with the band, then after their preparations, we were escorted to seats in the left wing of the stage. Looking out at the crowd when the Police came on, they really went ape at the sight of them!
The concert was a great success. For over ninety minutes, the band – with Sting leading of course on vocals and the bass guitar – were wowing the crowd with classic songs from their albums like 'Roxanne', 'De-Doo-Doo-Doo, De-Da-Da-Da', 'Don't Stand So Close to Me', 'Every Move you Make', and of course 'Walking on the Moon' with Sting dedicating the song to Edd as 'as aspiring scientist and friend of the band'. Edd blushed at that, with Marie smiling, then leaning over and kissing him on the cheek.
Rolf, Kevin, and Nazz who – like May - had not previously heard their songs – still enjoyed seeing and hearing the band play and were really caught up in the atmosphere of the concert. Likewise, Jimmy and Sarah.
"This is really becoming a kick-ass vacation!" Eddy exclaimed, "and there's still a ways to go!"
Johnny himself was more impressed with all of the young women in the audience screaming and vying for attention. Maybe he should learn to play an instrument and get into a rock band, he thought…
Anyway, Johnny wrote, after The Police had finished their set, we remained in the wings and watched the next act play. It was none other than Elton John! Like The Police, he was getting on in age, but man, he could still play!
After the teens had finished watching Elton John's set, they were escorted over to the area that controlled the lighting and sound for the concert venue. Both Edd and Eddy were very impressed at how the people were expertly controlling both lighting and sound to enhance the various acts.
After several minutes of watching the light and sound operators, they were then escorted over to a very luxurious lounge with a sizable buffet table where Sting, Andy, and Stewart were waiting for them. They had all showered – gigs like that made them sweat a lot! – and changed clothes and were waiting for the party to rejoin them so that they could all eat together.
After Mr. Statorowski and the teens had all gotten some food and drink, they headed over to the set of sofas where the Police were seated. They took their seats and started to eat whilst chatting…
"Don't you watch the other acts from the wings when you're done?" Kevin asked Sting as he gestured to a closed-circuit TV showing the stage.
"I regard that as bad luck", Sting explained, "besides, after all the sweat we bled throughout the set, a shower was the priority!"
Andy and Stewart nodded at that.
"Not to mention having a quiet and comfy place to unwind after playing", Stewart added.
"I thought of that line in a Dire Straits song when I saw you play", Kevin said: "'Get your money for nothing and your chicks for free!'"
Some of the teens nodded at Kevin's quote from the song 'Money for Nothing', but Andy looked at Kevin with an earnest expression.
"It's not as simple as that, Mate", Andy said to Kevin, "these concerts do take a lot out of us physically and the recent reunion tour had us going to 151 different locations worldwide. And we aren't as young as we used to be!"
"And after taxes, plus paying other expenses, our net income from these gigs isn't as great as you'd think", Stewart informed them all.
"But looking at – and hearing – you all performing tonight though, I'd have thought you were all indefatigable", Mr. Statorowski said as he ate his sandwich that he got from the buffet, "I don't know where you all get the energy, to be honest!"
"Neither do we at times, Chuck!", Sting replied with a chuckle. The others laughed at that.
"Am I missing out on something?" Elton John said as he entered the lounge. He had just finished his gig, and like The Police, he had evidently showered and changed, and was now heading over to the buffet to grab a bite to eat.
"Still got it, I see, Elton", Sting said as he got up and walked on over to him.
"Same to you, Mate", Elton replied with a smile as he shook Sting's hand and then gave him a quick hug, "That long hiatus you all took didn't seem to harm your act. The crowd loved you!"
"You weren't exactly small beer too you know", Sting responded, "anyway, as soon as you grab your grub, let me introduce you to some friends of mine from over the pond".
Sting introduced all of us to Elton John, Johnny wrote next, and I have to say that if nothing else, the memory of this is going to be one from this trip that I'm going to cherish!
Just then, there was a knock on Johnny's bedroom door. Johnny put down the diary, stood up, then went over to the door and opened it. It was Nazz.
"Hi, Nazz", Johnny said, "I thought you'd be getting ready for bed. Today was quite a full day!"
"I've still got some ringing in my ears from the concert", Nazz explained, "and since I wasn't tired, I wanted to see if you had the time to go over some ideas that I have for your comic book. Can I come in?"
Nodding, Johnny stood back in order to let Nazz enter. Johnny was extremely touched that Nazz would take the time to talk to him about his comic characters. For her part, Nazz really wanted to make sure that Johnny would not feel the odd person out. Kevin understood, and he could trust his girlfriend in regard to Johnny.
While Johnny and Nazz were talking about plots and ideas, the other teens were settling in in their own bedrooms getting ready to hit the sack. All of them had the same ringing in their ears from the noise of the concert and were having some trouble relaxing as a result. Edd was no exception.
"Concert-induced Tinnitus really makes it difficult to try and sleep", Edd said to himself, "so perhaps I'll turn on the radio here to a music station at low volume. That should help counteract the ringing a considerable amount".
He had just gotten out of bed and was heading over to where there was a radio sitting on the dresser. He was about to turn it on when there was a knock on his door. Quickly putting on his dressing gown, he went over to the door and opened it. It was Marie.
"Hiya, Oven Mitt", Marie said to her boyfriend, "Can I come in?"
Like Edd, Marie was wearing pajamas covered with a dressing gown, and she was wearing pink bunny slippers. Her hair was tied in a bun.
"By all means, Marie", Edd replied with a smile, "but I thought you'd be asleep by now. I do hope that nothing is wrong with you".
"Apart from my ears buzzing some from the concert, I'm fine, Dreamboat", Marie answered, "but first, just kiss".
At that, Marie hugged Edd and together, they kissed for several seconds.
"One bad thing about this type of vacation is that we don't get much make-out time", Marie sad after she broke the embrace, "so I'm making up for lost time".
Edd smiled, then he went pale as he saw that Marie had removed her dressing gown and slippers. Marie saw Edd's expression.
"Relax, Cutie", Marie said, "I'm not going to get freaky on you tonight, but I think that we have to have some trust-building measures because I can see that you're still scared".
"Trust-building measures, Marie?" Edd questioned shakily. His throat felt suddenly dry.
"Double-Dee", Marie replied, "Eddy told me about the time that you had seen those hard-core porn magazines he got from his brother. He also told me about your reaction".
"I never want to treat any woman like what I saw in those…" Edd responded, his voice trailing off as he remembered with disgust the graphic photographs he had seen.
"I know you don't, Oven Mitt", Marie replied softly, "but you're scared that you could end up being like that because of the addictive nature of sex, right?"
Edd blushed and nodded, not speaking.
"I've thought it out, and I realize that we both have to trust each other, so what I am going to do is to sleep with you in the same bed tonight. Don't worry, we're wearing our pyjamas, and I trust you not to do anything untoward. Can you trust me not to do the same to you?" she asked him with a loving – yet earnest – expression.
"Are you sure about this, Marie?" Edd asked, "because I've never had someone sleeping with me in the same bed all night before. I might be restless, or snore, or…"
His voice tailed off as Marie put her middle finger of her right hand over Edd's lips. As Edd quieted, she went to the bed, pulled the covers clear, laid down on the bed, then patted the area beside her for Edd…
Shaking some, Edd got into bed next to Marie. Marie leaned over to him and kissed him on the lips.
"Goodnight, Dreamboat", she said softly. With the she turned on her side facing away from him.
"Goodnight, Marie", Edd replied as he turned off the bed lamp.
As he drifted off to sleep, he wondered if he could be brave enough to shake off his fears in order to fulfill Marie's desires, yet be able to not succumb to the feelings of lust that he knew that every male had in their subconscious…
