Hours later, the lounge started to fill. It was becoming packed inside; tables and chairs had to be pushed aside to make room. More people filed outside, anxious to get in. Backstage, everyone was prepping for the show, except for the main attraction. He was asleep.
"Brian. Bri—Jesus Christ! Brian! What the hell are you doing?" asked one of his other bandmates.
"What? I just took a nap. I'm fuckin dressed aren't I?"
"Yeah, but you only have ten minutes to get ready."
"For what? They're my fucking songs, I'm not gonna forget."
"Okay." he said quietly. "Are you alright? It seems like you're the only one not happy about this."
"Why? Do you want me to be? Cause I'll—"
"Just be ready when they call you." he muttered, starting to get annoyed.
The band opening for the show was still performing.
When they finished, a short, chubby man stepped out from behind the curtains. He talked to the impatient crowd, stalling them so the opening band could clean up. But as soon as Brian's band came out, they started chanting.
"BRI-AN! BRI-AN! BRI-AN!" they said in unison.
Unable to hold them off any longer, the man decided to make his introduction.
"Alright folks. Without further delay, I present to you…Mr. Brian Slade!"
The crowd roared.
Brian drew a long, tired sigh and proceeded. He waved once at the audience without even looking at them. Then he went straight to the microphone.
"I love you Brian!" someone shouted.
He nodded once.
"This first piece…is called 'Love of My Life.'" He pulled a bar-stool that was placed on-stage for him and sat. A pale red beam of light shone down on him as he began.
Love of my life, you've hurt me
You've broken my heart and now you leave me
Love of my life, can't you see
Bring it back, bring it back
Don't take it away from me, because you don't know
What it means to me
Blonde hair. A blonde head in the crowd, turned away. Brian's eyes lit up and followed what he beheld as he continued to sing.
Love of my life, don't leave me
You've taken my love, you now desert me
Love of my life, can't you see
This someone was making way through the people, farther and farther from the stage.
Bring it back, bring it back
Turn around, turn around.
Don't take it away from me, because you don't know
What it means to me
It wasn't him.
Brian stood up, looking like he was about to cry.
You won't remember
When this is blown over
And everything's all by the way
He held the microphone closer to his mouth and sang more fervently.
When I get older
I will be there at your side to remind you
How I still love you—still love you, he sang slowly, painfully.
Back—hurry back
Please bring it back to me
Because you don't know what it means to me
Love of my life
Love of my life….
They cheered. They cheered for him, their lonely muse. He held his head back, forcing down the tears.
He went on to sing his other songs, which had none of the passion as the first. And after each one, the people worshipped him; they died between songs. They were brought back to life once his sweet voice touched the air again.
Disclaimer: I don't own the song "Love of My Life." It belongs to Queen.