SAI LOR MOON: 1987
FOR THE 25TH TIME, NAOKO TAKEUCHI CREATED SAILOR MOON, AND I AM GERALD LOGUE, NOT NAOKO TAKEUCHI
EPISODE 25: NORMAL LIFE
CAVERN MUSIC, FULLERTON, CALIFORNIA
FEBRUARY 1, 1987 11:00 AM
Ami Andersen and her mother, Naoko Mizuno, had stopped in the store, to buy Ami an electric guitar. When they arrived, John McCoy was there, he had come in to fill in for another employee who called in sick. "Hi John," Ami said, when she saw him on the sales floor.
"Hi Ami," John said. "Hi, Dr. Mizuno. What can I do you for today?"
"I was thinking of going electric," Ami said.
"Whatever makes you comfortable," John said. "Is it because when we have our lessons, I play an electric guitar?"
"Sort of," Ami said.
"I do play acoustic on occasion, believe it or not," John said, "But I feel more comfortable playing electric. I mean, I can't tell you when you're ready to go electric, that's your call. Anyways, if you'll just follow me," he said, taking the two of them to a section in the corner of the store.
"What's wrong with all those guitars over there?" Naoko asked.
"Those are all right handed guitars," John said. "These are our left handed models."
"I play left handed, remember?" Ami said. "John told me the first day I could buy a left handed guitar here."
"If it looks like we don't have as big a selection of left handed guitars," John said, "it's because there aren't a lot of left handed guitarists out there. But since we do occasionally get a southpaw ax slinger in here, Dianne felt it made good business sense to carry a few left handed guitars in stock. But there are some well known guitarists who play left handed."
"Jimi Hendrix," Ami said.
"Like you, he's from Seattle," John said. "And believe it or not, he was the same age as you are when he first started playing, 15. And there are others, too. Dick Dale, Tony Iommi, Elliot Easton, Paul McCartney, Slim Whitman, Barbara Lynn. Anyways, if you don't see anything you like, let us know, we can special order it for you."
"How about this one?" Ami said, picking up a left handed Epiphone Explorer, in red.
"Good choice," John said. "This is like my Explorer, but made by Epiphone, which is Gibson's lower priced brand. And just because it's cheaper than a Gibson Explorer, doesn't mean it's garbage, Epiphone makes quality instruments. And we're currently having a special, with any Gibson or Epiphone electric guitar, you get a starter kit free. Portable amp, amp cord, strap, stand, gig bag, picks, and a set of strings."
"Mind if I give it a try first?" Ami asked.
"Sure," John said, plugging the guitar into an amp and turning it on. He put a strap on the guitar, and handed it to Ami.
"Do you think I need the whammy bar?" Ami asked, as she started playing a few chords.
"It's up to you," John said. "My Les Paul doesn't have one, I got it from Ace Frehley, and he doesn't use one. But my Explorer has a whammy bar, even though I rarely use it. I just like having it there in case I need it."
"I think I'll take it," Ami said, after playing for a few minutes.
"You sure?" Naoko asked.
"John usually plays his Explorer during our lessons," Ami said. "There were a few times he used his Les Paul, but mostly he uses the Explorer. Besides, it's a cool looking instrument."
"I'll go grab a starter kit and meet you at the front counter," John said. "And I'll write you up for the order."
They went to the counter, John rang up the order, and Ami paid. "So I guess next week, we'll start on electric guitar," Ami said.
"Since we're here," Naoko said, getting her checkbook out, and writing a check for 3 months of lessons. "I want to pay for 3 more months of lessons."
"That's 4 months of lessons," John said, ringing Naoko up for the lessons. "I forgot to mention, for the entire month of February, every guitar purchase includes a free month of lessons. And I don't suppose you want some help taking that out to your car, either."
"That would be nice," Ami said.
John grabbed the portable amp, as well as the other items that came in the starter kit, and carried it out to Naoko's car, a red 1986 Ford Thunderbird. "Ami and I will be meeting up with your mom in a few minutes," Naoko said. "We're going to get our nails done, have lunch, and pick up a few wigs for your mom."
"Too bad you're a boy," Ami said. "We'd ;love for you to join us if you were."
"I have to work until 1:00," John said. "When I get off, I'm going to grab some In N Out for lunch, stop at the pet store, and go to Mina's to pick Artemis up. Besides, last place you'd ever find me is a nail salon. I'm not exactly the type of person to do their nails, which is just as good, because the smell of nail polish makes me want to gag. Anyways, it's good my mom is getting out. I know she's self conscious because the chemo made her hair fall out. But at least she's responding well to the treatment. I have a feeling she's going to beat this damned thing."
"It has to be rough not only on her, but your whole family," Ami said.
"I just want you to know," Naoko said, "if you or your father need anything, I'm just right across the street."
"Thanks," John said, as his mom pulled into the parking lot in her 1985 Buick Regal.
"John," Caryn Frehley-McCoy said, seeing him outside. "What are you doing out here? I thought you were working."
"Helping us out to our car," Naoko said.
"I'm going electric," Ami said. "I just bought an electric guitar."
"Nice," Caryn said.
Naoko, Ami, and Caryn went to Classy Lady nail salon, where they all got manicures and pedicures, Naoko got fuchsia on fingers and toes, Caryn got a French manicure and maroon on her toes, and Ami got red on fingers and toes. "I really appreciate you two doing this for me," Caryn said. "I haven't really gotten out much since I was diagnosed."
"That's what friends are for," Naoko said.
LATER THAT AFTERNOON, THE EMPURRIUM, ORANGEFAIR PLAZA
"I think I have everything I need," John said, as he pushed his shopping cart to the register. "Litter, cat food, toys. I even got some catnip for Artemis."
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Usagi Tsukino asked.
"You mean a litter box or food and water bowls?" John asked. "Not really, Mina's giving me the ones she has. She figures she doesn't need them, since she'll no longer have a cat."
"Makes sense," Usagi said.
After checking out, John and Usagi went to pick up Artemis. "Hi John, Hi Usagi," Mina Webb said, when they arrived at her house. "I suppose you're here to pick Artemis up."
"I understand if it's hard to let him go," John said.
"I've grown quite fond of the furball," Mina said. "But unfortunately, with my grandma's cat allergy, he can't be around."
"And it'll be awesome to have the two guys on the team together," John said.
"I know we kind of put the team on hold for now," Usagi said, "But I know what you mean."
"And I really appreciate you taking him in," Mina said, hugging John. "I was afraid that if we couldn't find someone to take him in, my parents would have to take him to the pound or something."
"I wouldn't want them to put my bro in the pound," John said.
"You mind not talking about that," Mina said. "Let's just say it involves something I would rather not think about."
"Me neither," Artemis said. "Especially since they'll be doing it to me."
"Ready to go to your new home?" John asked, as he picked up Artemis.
"I got everything you're taking with him," Usagi said, picking up Artemis's litter box, food and water bowls, and cat bed.
"So I guess this is goodbye," Artemis said. "At least for now."
"I'll be by to see you," Mina said, as John handed Artemis to Mina. "I'm just glad you're going to a good home."
"And don't worry," John said. "My parents are aware that Artemis is capable of human speech."
"I'm not all that concerned with that," Mina said. "I'm more concerned that you'll give him a good home."
"Nothing but the best for my feline bro," John said.
They went out to John's car, Mina gave Artemis a kiss on the nose, before giving him to Usagi. "Goodbye, Artemis," Mina said.
"Meow," Artemis said.
""Don't forget," John said, just before he drove off, "band has rehearsal on
"I'll be there," Mina said.
THE NEXT MORNING, EL DORADO HIGH SCHOOL
7:15 AM
"I can't believe the only class I have with any of you is I have psychology with John," Ami said.
"You have to remember," Rae Hinowski said, "We're all juniors, you're still a sophomore. Of course, you're not going to have a lot of classes with any of us."
"Don't feel bad about that," John said. "You can't help when you were born. That just means when the rest of us graduate, you'll be carrying the flag for us for another year."
"That makes me feel so much better," Ami said.
At lunch, John was talking to Stephen Carr, one of his friends, near the outdoor amphitheater on campus. "No, I don't want to go on a date with your cousin," John said.
"What's the matter?" Stephen asked. "You think she's too fat, or a dog, or something like that?"
"That's not it," John said. "I don't want to go on a date with your cousin because I already have a girlfriend, Usagi Tsukino."
"Yeah," Stephen said. "I think I'll set her up with someone who doesn't have a girl...," Stephen stopped talking, as if someone knocked the breath out of him.
"Is anything wrong?" John asked.
Stephen didn't say anything, he just gasped for breath, and pointed at his throat.
"Something hit you in the throat?" John asked.
Stephen didn't say anything, he just nodded.
At that moment, Mrs. Hanks, John's English teacher, just happened to pass by, and saw Stephen gasping for breath. "What happened?" she asked, as John looked down, and saw an apple with a bite taken out of it on the ground at Stephen's feet.
"Someone threw an apple, it hit my friend here in the throat," John said, picking the apple up.
"I'll take him to the nurse," Mrs. Hanks said.
"I just hope he's okay," John said.
After lunch, halfway through John's psychology class, Chris Forney, who was working as an office aide, came to the class, with a call slip for John from Miss Ford, the vice principal, with instructions to escort him to the office. "My advice," Chris said, "be a man and own up to whatever you did, they might go a little easier on you."
"I hate to disappoint you," John said, "but if Miss Foster is calling me for what I think she's calling me for, I'm not in trouble."
Once John got to the office, the secretary let Miss Ford know he was there. "Have a seat," the secretary said. "Miss Ford will be with you momentarily."
John's butt barely made contact with the chair next to the door, when Miss Ford opened the door to her office. "Mister McCoy," she said. "Have a seat," she said, when he came into the office.
"I think I know why I'm here," John said.
"Did you see what happened to Stephen Carr during lunch?" Miss Ford asked.
"Best I can tell," John said, "Someone threw an apple, and it hit him in the throat. Of course, that's just my best guess. One second, we're talking, next thing I know, he's gasping for air and pointing at his throat, and I just happen to see an apple on the ground by his feet. No, I didn't see who threw it, though. I just saw it on the ground after the fact."
"But we can establish you didn't hit him," Miss Ford said. "Anyways, if you don't have anything more to tell me about the incident, you can go back to class."
After school, John went to work, bringing his Explorer with him, as he had a student on Monday afternoons. He clocked in at 3:30, and helped on the floor for about 25 minutes, when he was approached by a brown haired girl, approximately 10 years of age, who was carrying an inexpensive bass guitar, and accompanied by her mother. "Excuse me," the mother said, "I'm looking for John, I have a lesson with him today."
"I'm John," he said "You must be Kirsten. Why don't the both of you go back to room #3, I'll go grab my guitar and join you."
"Okay," Kirsten said.
A minute later, John came into the room, carrying his Explorer. "I hope you don't mind me using a regular guitar," John said. "I wasn't expecting you to play a bass, and the only guitars I own are this and my Les Paul. Anyways, a bass is just a guitar, but only the E, A, D, and G strings, in a thicker gauge, and tuned lower. So what I play will be what I want you to play, just at a higher pitch. Anyways, Kirsten's mom, you're welcome to stick around during your daughter's lessons."
"I'll stick around today," Kirsten's mom said. "Just to observe how you teach. And I don't mind if you call me Kirsten's mom, but my name is Joanne."
"Okay Joanne," John said. He showed Kirsten how to properly tune her bass. "Now Kirsten, mind if I borrow your bass for a minute, I want to demonstrate the different ways of playing."
"Okay," Kirsten said, trading guitars with him.
"Now there are a few methods of playing a bass," John said. He first played with a pick. "Some bassists, like Gene Simmons, use a pick. If you watch any KISS videos, he plays with his fingers, but I've seen them in concert a couple times, and on stage, he uses a pick. "Now take Lemmy from Motorhead," John said, playing the bassline from "Ace of Spades, "he strums the bass, instead of picking it." John then put the pick down, and started playing with his fingers, like most bass players. "This is the way most bassists play, they pluck the strings with their fingers." He then started playing with his thumb, "There are others who play slap bass, using their thumbs, which I don't recommend, at least until you're a bit more advanced."
"How do you play the bass?" Kirsten asked, as she and John traded guitars.
"I normally use my fingers," John said. "But it does depend on the song."
"I think I'll try using my fingers," Kirsten said.
John taught Kirsten about how to press down on the strings, to use the frets, how to read bass tablature, and even showed her how to play a simple bass line. "I have a few rules," John said when the lesson was over. "First, I don't expect you to play a solo that would make Bootsy Collins green with envy right off the bat. Second, I strongly recommend keeping your fingernails short, especially on your left hand."
"Does this mean I can't wear nail polish?" Kirsten asked.
"If you want to wear it," John said, "go ahead. Just keep your fingernails short."
"I could imagine long nails would get in the way," Joanne said.
"Exactly," John said. "Anyways, you did pretty good for your first lesson."
"That'll show those boys who said I can't play the bass because I'm a girl," Kirsten said.
"Who said girls can't play bass?" John asked.
"Some of the boys in her class," Joanne said.
"I'm glad Jackie Fox, Suzi Quatro, Tina Weymouth, Michael Steele, and Molly Hogan didn't listen to boys who said girls can't play the bass," John said.
"Who are they?" Kirsten asked.
"I know Suzi Quatro used to be on Happy Days," Joanne said. "She used to play Leather Tuscadero."
"Jackie Fox was in the Runaways," John said. "Tina Weymouth is in Talking Heads, Michael Steele is in the Bangles, and Molly Hogan is the bass player in my band. Anyways, I'll see the two of you next week."
"You'll see Kirsten," Joanne said. "I just wanted to observe you, to see what kind of instructor you were. I wanted to make sure you weren't going to be condescending, to talk down to my daughter, to try to discourage her from playing the bass. You seem to be competent, and you seem to be okay with teaching girls."
"Actually," John said, "all my students are female. If I had a daughter, I would encourage her if she wanted to play the guitar. Heck, it it weren't for females, I wouldn't be playing guitar myself, I was taught by my mom. One other thing, my band's playing this Saturday, in the central court."
"Hey Molly," John said as he came out of the room, and saw Molly Hogan.
"Hi John," Molly said, grabbing a couple packs of bass strings off the rack, "I needed some strings.
"I'm kind of glad you're here," John said. "There's someone I want you to meet. Molly, this is Kirsten Chaney, she just started taking lessons with me today, on bass. Kirsten, this is Molly Hogan, she plays bass in my band."
"Hey Chaney," a boy Kirsten's age called out, when he saw her. "Didn't anyone tell you girls can't play bass?"
"Nice to meet you," Molly said to Kirsten. "Mind if I borrow your bass for a bit?"
"Sure," Kirsten said, a grin crossing her face, having an idea what Molly was about to do.
"May I have your attention please?" Molly yelled out, as she strapped on Kirsten's bass, and plugged it in to one of the demonstration amps in the store. "This is dedicated to the male chauvinist who just informed my new friend Kirsten that girls can't play bass."
"Prepare to get blown away," John said to Joanne, as Molly began playing a mind-blowing bass solo.
"Thank you," Molly said, after finishing her solo. She unplugged the bass and unstrapped it, as the crowd in the store started applauding. "Take lessons and practice a lot, and one day, you'll be able to play like that," she said, giving Kirsten her bass back.
"I will," Kirsten said.
"Hey you with the red hair," the boy said, "I'm sorry I said girls can't play bass. That was some pretty awesome playing."
"Thank you and apology accepted," Molly said.
The next day, John, Molly, Rae, Mina, Chris Forney, and Darien Shields met up in one of the practice rooms, for band rehearsal. They went through a few songs, and afterwards, they all went to Ruby's for dinner. "I have a question for everybody," Mina said. "Who was the one musician who influenced each of you. Since I asked, I'll give my answer first. Karen Carpenter. I don't think I have ever heard such a beautiful voice."
"Such a shame it was silenced so young," John said.
"Mine would be Joan Jett," Rae said. "Mina, you remember how excited I got that day in your mom's car back in sixth grade, hearing "I Love Rock and Roll" the first time? How it blew me away? And around the time it first hit number one on the Hot 100, that's when I learned about the Runaways, finding out this amazing music was made by teenage girls. I always enjoyed listening to hard rock, Joan Jett taught me I can make it.
"Ace Frehley," John said. "And not just because he's my mom's cousin. The first time I heard "Rock And Roll All Nite", from Alive!, and heard that solo, I may only have just turned 7, but I knew I wanted to play guitar."
"Suzi Quatro," Molly said. "I remember when she was on Happy Days, playing Leather Tuscadero. Until I saw that, I wasn't aware that there were girls or women who played the bass. Afterwards, I wanted to be Leather Tuscadero, to play bass guitar in a rock band."
"Mine would be Doug Fiegler from the Knack," Chris said. "Just like with Rae and Joan Jett, I remember the first time I heard "My Sharona" on the radio, I was blown away. I'd already been playing the guitar for nearly a year at the time, but I don't think I'd ever heard a more awesome song, before or since."
"Cubby from The Mickey Mouse Club," Darien said. "I remember back when we were kids, they used to show the reruns, the original one, not the one from 10 years ago, with Blair from The Facts of Life. For some reason, Cubby was my favorite, and when I saw him playing drums on the show, it made me want to play the drums."
UNTIL NEXT TIME...
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