AUGUST 7th 1994AD
Bordeaux, France
"I never did like your songs, your character, or your music in general. My daughter loves it. The youth love it. And they are all looking foward to your preformance tonight. To that degree, I can only say one thing. Thank you."
The car Daisuke rode in was pulling up to the concert hall, and the mayor of Bordeaux was personally having him driven there. The mayor let out a sigh.
"Thank you for making a trip here. This war was weighing heavily on our people. Despite avoiding the fate of Paris, we still felt the effects. Our young men sent away to fight so close to home. The fears of air raids. The specter of nuclear weapons. The rationing of foods, supplies, and the like."
They stepped out of the car, walking towards the backstage area. Mr. Yamashida lingered a few feet away. He had been surprised by the mayor's request for being the one to drive with Daisuke, though he knew not to argue. He did a very good job of hiding his annoyance.
Daisuke smirked at that thought and made a mental note to give the man a day off in Madrid with a list of restaurants he could enjoy. For putting up with him the man had earned it. The mayor thanking him caught Daisuke off guard. After all he was just a musician. The mayor spoke again.
"What I really want to say here is that your coming down here lets the children and the teens enjoy something together. It may not be all of them but those that are here love your music. Ah, stereos were almost banned because of you guys. But to see so many of them happy after such a rough time with war? I'll take off a few points in the polls for that. And for the backstage pass for my little one."
Daisuke laughed for the first time since arriving in France. It felt good to do so. All the refugees, the shattered skylines trying to claw a grim reminder into the sky, the overall mood of the place weighed on him. Bordeaux was almost surreal in that regard. Looking to the mayor before he went to the prep room, he paused to think of the right words. Then he realized it.
"Mr. Mayor, we do what we do so that people can enjoy music, arts, and a gimmick here or there. I pushed hard for this tour extending to Europe for this reason. After a time of war, if I can grant some people a few hours of escapism, help them be happy about something, then I will. It won't ever be enough for them, but I'll help where I can."
"Yes yes. Now make this a good show then eh? I absolutely do not need a riot."
"Godzilla has never had a bad show Mr. Mayor. Expect only the best." Mr. Yamashida interjected. Daisuke nodded in agreement, and entered the ready room. Soon he'd be back on stage and he intended to give Bordeaux the best show they'd had in years.