Chapter 10
Alex and Stacy joined the throng of denim clad concert goers heading into the hall. "Let's check out the seats first and then come back out here to see what's at all the concession stands." Stacy suggested looking through the crowd milling around in the lobby.
"Good idea," agreed Alex following him closely into the main concert hall. "The bottom band has gotten started, it sounds like. Really tough gig to be the opening act for someone as popular as the Allmans", Alex shouted into Stacy's hair as he led the way down the left side aisle toward the stage.
"Let's see, Row D, seats 10 and 11 – I think that puts us right in here." Stacy checked the ticket stub he pulled from his yellow striped shirt pocket. "Scuse me, scuse me" he said as he took Alex's hand and helped her slide by some of their already seated Row D mates. "You want to be 10 or 11?" gesturing to the two like numbered seats.
"Doesn't matter to me, I'm just glad the seats are on Gregg Allmans' side of the stage," Alex said looking around at the stage.
"Far out" Stacy dropped into the far seat to Alex' left. "I like this one because I'm right handed", draping his right arm around her shoulders as she sat by way of joking explanation. "How do you know this is Gregg's side? The warm up band's still on the stage."
Alex leaned into his arm and said, "I see the roadies moving his big Hammond organ in right over there." She pointed towards the far end of their row, two seats past them; where there was a ramp stage crew was using to transfer equipment.
"What?" Stacy said shaking his head. "I couldn't hear you," pointing needlessly at the band rocking out on stage.
Alex reached up and ran her fingers through Stacy's beautiful blonde locks to tuck them behind his ear, so he could hear her. At least that's what she hoped that's what it would look like; instead of blatantly like she had just wanted to feel that hair since the first time she laid eyes on him. Um-hmm, his hair shimmered like the sun and felt like silk sliding through her fingers, always a bonus when those day dreams come true! Then she brought herself back to the present (an excellent one at that she admitted to herself) and repeated what she had said into Stacy's ear.
"Yeah, you're right. I see them putting things in place behind the thin black curtain on top of this bands' equipment." Stacy agreed, swiveling his head to take in the sights.
"Hence the warm up band gets called the 'bottom band'" Alex interjected. "When they get called anything at all; usually the crowd, the headliners and the roadies pretty much ignore them."
"OK, so how do you know so much? You seem like you've been to this show a hundred times." Stacy virtually leaned his head against hers listening for her answer.
"Well not this show per se, but rock shows, yeah probably more like hundreds over my life time. My dad was a roadie, guitar tech, security guy, just a general henchman to a handful of bands. It's what he did for a living for as long as I can remember. As one band came in off the road, he would be hired to go out with another. A lot of times he would bring my mother and us kids with him, criss-crossing Europe and the US," Alex semi-shouted above the din.
"That is cool as shit!" Stacy enthused "I've met a couple of people whose parents are in the movie biz, ya know this being California and all, but never one with actual rock and roll 'rents."
With that a hand appeared from Alex's right offering a joint being passed down the row. She took a quick hit and passed it to Stacy, who did the same. "I don't know if I even needed that – there's so much smoke in the air you could get a contact high," exhaled Alex into blue clouded atmosphere.
"And with that comes munchies." Stacy's head and stomach were leading him in new direction. "Let's go out and check out the vendors, whatta think?"
"I'm with you," Alex said as they moved up the aisle toward the lobby. The concession stands were well equipped to deal with the munchies. Sticky sweet or salty goodness? A taxing question for an already buzzed mind.
"Nachos with cheese for me" Stacy decided after a few minutes of seemingly deep thought. "Whatta you thinking about?"
"One of everything is probably out of the question huh?" Alex said wistfully, "Ok let's stick with the basic food group – chocolate ice cream for me." They gathered up their food and started perusing the souvenir stands.
"I can never decide whether I want a poster for my room or a shirt," Stacy commented, munching on his nachos. Which one do you think? That poster over there that says 'Hell Yeah the Allman Brothers', or that black tee shirt with their logo on the front?"
"Definitely the tee shirt- black is great with your hair." Alex said with certainty.
"You are not the wishy-washy type, are you? Stacy taunted. "That's settled then; tee shirt for me. Now what about you? May I suggest a poster to fit the lady's decorating needs?"
"You may suggest, but I 'm really partial to clothes myself." Alex picked up a patch with the band's logo. "I think I can do something with this," she said positioning the patch on the denim hobo bag she was carrying. "Do you like?"
"Looks good, different than what most people would do with it."
With Stacy's apparent approval of the purchases, she reached into her bag and pulled out some money.
"No, no I got it." Stacy countered, reaching into his pocket.
"No, really you've been so generous with tickets and chocolate and everything," Alex said saluting him with her ice cream cone. "Let me get this – besides then every time you wear that shirt you'll be forced to think of me."
"I don't need to be forced to think of you." Stacy said happily and pulled Alex in by her waist for a kiss. While she was otherwise engaged, Stacy slipped the vendor his money.
"Thanks dude, enjoy the show" Alex heard the man say to Stacy as she came up for air. "Ooh, sneaky diversionary tactic!"
"Ooh chocolate flavored kisses, my favorite!" Stacy said dodging the push she aimed at his shoulder and at the same time grabbing her other hand with the ice cream and giving it a big lick. "Common, let's go before we miss the opening notes."
"Let me just hit the ladies room before we sit down" Alex said moving in that direction.
"Alright, listen I'll be right here, right outside the door, just yell if you need me." Stacy sounded oddly intense.
"I'm really pretty good at going all by myself." Alex lifted her chin with a flourish of faux pride.
"Yeah, yeah I know – but – let's just say I've had a bad experience with this in the past."
"You've got me wondering now, did the girl fall in, climb out a back window, refuse to come out? Alex teased. "You're not that bad a date."
"Ha ha, just be careful and hurry up, no major makeup overhauls or anything."
"Like I need one?" Alex arched her eyebrows.
"Nah, you just might want to wipe the chocolate off your chin."
"Way to deflate my dignity. Ok, I'm going in."
"God Speed" Stacy nonetheless took up a sentry position right in the doorway. (A/N Hi Jess! Thanks Aurelia Merula!)
They returned to their seats while the house lights were up for the Allman's stage setup. Sitting down chatting about what songs they hoped to hear and whatnot, they were only dimly aware of the road crew switching out equipment to their left until a British accented voice called out, "Alexandra Boylan? Is that you lass?"
Alex focused her attention on the roadie leaning out of the orchestra pit. "Ian! How are you?"
"Right as rain, luv. What are you doing so far from home?"
"I'm living out here in California now. Ian, this is my friend Stacy, Stacy this is Ian, an old friend of my family." Alex made the necessary introductions. "You're crewing with the Allman's now?"
"Just finishing up a US swing with them, then back home to join Clapton's crew. Eric 'ooked a bunch of us up with these blokes when he was doing Dereck and the Dominos with Duane. I must say we all miss your Mum and Dad being around though. Such a tragedy, that. And what about you and your bruvvers? I hear Page and Plant are taking good care?" the tough looking middle aged Brit looked at Alex with tenderness and concern.
"Oh yeah, we're doing fine. My brothers are over at the farm in Wales working with Robert while they're editing the concert footage and they set me up with a house out here," detailed Alex.
Ian nodded and chimed in: "We're all regrouping in a few months here in L.A. while the band does some recording; I think the plan is to have your brothers flown in then."
"In the meantime, Ian, do you know anybody down here looking for a bartender, back-up singer, you know, something I'm used to, I need to get a job." Alex asked, figuring working with your connections was the fastest way to success.
"Matter of fact, there's that place in Malibu, you remember the one next to the recording studio that everyone used to repair to after sessions?" Ian mused.
Alex shook her head rather blankly, but Stacy had a flash of recognition. "You mean McGuires'? It's next to a recording studio and has rep for being a rock and roll hangout."
"That's the spot, lad. I could talk to McGuire – Lord knows your father and I have pissed away more than a few quid there, Alex." Ian said with a look of fond, if somewhat addled remembrance. "Now pass me that tee shirt and I'll have the boys scribble on it while they're still relatively sober."
Stacy and Alex settled in to enjoying the show, alternately comparing thoughts on the band and dancing ever closer. By the time the encore of 'Sweet Melissa' started its bittersweet melody they were entwined in a deep kiss, dancing relegated to swaying backdrop. As the house lights came up marking the end of the show, Stacy reluctantly took a step back, arms still loosely around Alex's waist. He planted one more short, sweet kiss on her lips as her eyes fluttered open and she exhaled a happy sigh. "I think they're gonna throw us out any minute," Stacy said taking in the now empty rows of seats around them.
"You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here," Ian's jovial voice cut into their private party. "Stacy, 'ere's your tee shirt all signed up by the band, I held the pen in their hands meself! Pleasure meeting you, lad and take good care of our Alex." Turning to Alex he continued: "write your number down for me luv, and I'll see if I can't get you gainfully employed."
Stacy and Alex thanked him in unison and started heading home. Once in the car, Stacy rattled on excitedly about the show, and especially the autographed shirt. "Wow, I was excited about tonight, but it turned out even better than I expected."
"Can I claim any credit for that?" Alex asked looking at him from under her eyelashes as they pulled up in front of her house.
"Well of course, I never would have got an autograph if you didn't know Ian." Stacy answered squeezing her thigh.
Guys and their obsessions thought Alex bemusedly. "I kinda meant for having a good time overall this evening?"
"Oh sorry, I get carried away sometimes on tangents," Stacy apologized scooping her up in his arm and pulling him closer to him. "I had a great time with you tonight," leaning in to kiss her.
Well this is definitely getting back on track thought Alex. "Why don't we get out of this cramped car and go into to my house?" She said putting her index finger on his lips in a gesture both postponing the kiss and inviting him in.
"Let me walk you in, but I promised to be in a surfing contest early tomorrow and I think I'm gonna go home and try to get a few zzz's first." Stacy said while walking her up her steps.
Oh boy we've fallen off track again thought Alex. Stacy leaned in to kiss her goodnight and she decided to give it one more try. She seriously pressed the length of her body against his and turned the kiss up a few degrees of heat. Breaking away only with her lips, she said "are you sure you want to go home? I'm sure I'd let you get a few zzz's eventually." She hoped she reached the right balance of seductiveness and silliness.
Stacy slid his hands down to her hips, kissed her quickly and gently pushed away. "I think if I had that much happiness in one night I wouldn't be able to even stand on a surfboard." He hoped he sounded light hearted enough not to close the door on any possibilities permanently. "Thanks for a great night and I'll give you a call tomorrow."
"Thank you and good luck tomorrow" Alex smiled at him through her screen door as he walked back to his car. Yeah, good luck tomorrow, since you blew your chance to get lucky tonight, she thought with a smirk. And I think I'll call Teddy and tell him to give back that $10 he thought he had won on my love life.