Alright, here we are at last.
Zenna: Don't worry, I'm an attention hound, :P.
I found some of the original lyrics I wrote for my high school band, Sedated Titans, in an old tab book, so I'll fit them in here. Being that I never got around to recording more than a few guitar tracks with my drummer's help, they're to be taken as lyrics. I wouldn't really consider it poetry. If I still have the tracks on my computer I'll put it on my you tube at some point.
Chapter 17: Finding Myself
"I don't care anymore if I let you down
I believe that I need to be free
I'm so used to my life with you around
I don't know anymore the real me
And I thought that I found myself today
And I thought that I had control
All the change in my life just fell away
For a moment I didn't need you."
- Smile Empty Soul
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"Got the power," Mordecai said as he began to unravel the extension cord.
Muscle Man lifted the last stack of speakers onto the stage, turning to help Skips with the drum set, "Here's the last of the gear."
Martin wheeled the cabinet to the right side of the stage and began plugging it into the head, "Amp shouldn't take more than thirty seconds to warm up."
Mordecai looked over the wave of people watching them put the show together, the feeling of hundreds of eyes looking back at him was powerful to the point he had to look away. The drum set was nearly assembled, all that remained was the crash symbols that were rolling across the stage with Muscle Man in chase.
He remembered Lyle from the DMV, he was on the left side tuning his bass, a low thud rumbling the stage as he did so. He didn't know the drummer, but recognized the green mohawk from Anarchy.
A loud buzz pulled him from his observations and made him turn around. Martin checked the tuning of his guitar and locked his tremolo. Playing a quick riff, he nodded and turned toward the microphone stand.
Following Skips and Muscle Man off the stage, he turned once out of sight and watched from the wings.
"Good afternoon everyone," he said loudly, "We are The Lone Rangers and we will be performing for your listening pleasure!"
A burst of applause mixed with several screams assaults the stage.
"First off, we'd like to thank Mr. Maellard and Benson for having us here."
Scattered applause echoed before eventually falling silent.
"Come on, is that the best you can do?"
This time, the applause increased, being joined by cheers and shouts for them to hurry up.
"Alright, alright," he said, kicking a pedal board in place beside the microphone, "We'll get playing. All I ask is that you…"
Grabbing the microphone, he shouted, "Put your heads against the speakers and blow your brains out!"
A furious barrage of applause and screams assaulted the stage, bringing a silent laugh from those inhabiting it.
Glancing down at the set list taped to the stage floor, he signaled the drummer to begin.
Clacking his sticks together, he counted down and played a fast, steady beat consisting of the bass drum, hi-hat, snare, and floor tom. Lyle fingered the first chord and slapped the string on his bass, slowly turning the increasing the volume to create a swell that the stage lights mimicked perfectly.
The fans that recognized the song gave another cheer as they continued.
After adjusting the settings, Martin stood and the other musicians instruments fell silent along with the lights. Then his guitar rang out, a loud, crunchy sound resulting from the muted strings. Then his fingers slid between the first three frets in an order he'd memorized over years of playing.
Repeating it once more, the lights flashed back to life as the drummer and bassist joined in, adding to the riff before slowing down.
Fingers stretching to make the chord, Martin strummed and stepped to the microphone, letting the note ring into silence.
"They say things started out slowly."
Lyle muted the second string on his bass and increased the tempo.
Strumming again, Martin continued, "Like a shot in the dark, or a running start. Things can never end badly, unless it's us, then we're a tragedy."
Another bass riff before Martin continually strummed the same chord.
"I've had enough, time to get rough, gonna stand my ground when push comes to shove! Because, baby, if this is love I hate that stuff."
Everything slowed to a crawl, the dull thud of the bass droning alongside the guitar's rhythmic harmony.
"It's about time. I'm not gonna," Martin began as the drummer played a quick fill.
He continued as he adjusted his fingers to the power chord and strummed quickly as the others leaned toward their microphones.
"Take, take, take, take, take all you're giving!"
Leaning around the pillar, Mordecai watched the crowd, the massive assembly of screaming fans easily in the double digits. Everything was like a pulse, everyone swaying back and forth as they shouted the lyrics, their cries barely audible over the ear-splitting music being thrown at them.
"Make, make, make, make, make up for living! I can't find another way, other than to say. I'm gonna-"
Repeating the riff, they finished the chorus with Martin singing the final line.
"Take, take, take, take, take my life away. Away from you!"
Mordecai sighed as the interlude began, turning to walk off the stage with his hands on his head.
"This sucks," he said out loud, knowing no one will hear him, "How am I supposed to keep up with that?!"
Pushing through the crowd in line for drinks, he started toward the house, "I guess I better get ready."
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"So, this is the place," Eileen said as she pulled the keys from the door and stepped aside for Caroline to enter.
"Wow," she said while walking into the apartment, looking over the hallway while walking into the first room she seen.
It had a faded green couch with a darker green sheet draped over the back. An older console TV rested across from it with a brown rug in between. A desk sat in the far corner with an older desktop computer atop it.
"It's a little dusty right now," she said, following her into the room, "I was staying with a friend for awhile and I'm in the process of moving back in. I'll have it cleaned before you move in. Well, if you do."
Caroline nodded, "The computer work?"
Giving a shrug she shook her head, "It did. I haven't used it since I got my laptop."
"Perfect," she said, wiping the dust from the monitor, "I love messing with these old things."
"Cool. The bedrooms are this way."
As she turned to follow her, Caroline tripped on the edge of the carpet and faceplanted onto the floor.
"Ow," she mumbled, not making the attempt to stand.
Leaning through the doorway, Eileen seen her laying on the floor and blinked, "Are you dead?"
"I'm fine, just a little clumsy," she replied, her voice muffled by the rug.
After another moment she climbed to her feet and dusted off her clothes.
"You're sure you're alright?"
Laughing nervously, she nodded, "Yeah, I'm fine. Happens all the time."
"Ok…" Eileen said as she started through the doorway again, "This is the kitchen."
Walking to the end of the hall she found herself in a room slightly larger than the one they just left. Running along the walls were a newer looking row of light blue counter tops with white and blue cabinets above. A sparkling polished aluminum sink was installed next to a grey dishwasher that looked as clean as the sink. A large, wood covered double door refrigerator filled the space beside the sink. Along the other wall was empty counter space leading to a newer gas stove the same color as the dishwasher.
"The table and chairs are new," Eileen said as she ran her fingers across it, "And will likewise be cleaned."
"Great," she said with a nod.
"The bedroom," she said, crossing the room to a door opposite the other, "Is over here."
Opening the door, she walked inside to make sure everything was still in it's place. Despite the thin layer of dust on the desk and dresser, it looked exactly as it did the last time she seen it.
"Has it's own full bathroom, same as mine across the way."
Other than the few pieces of furniture, the room was empty, allowing plenty of floor space for any additions she'd want to add. The bathroom was clean and the tile shimmered in the light filtering in from the room.
"Cool."
Sighing while she leaned against the doorpost, "That's pretty much it. Any questions?"
Shaking her head, Caroline walked back into the kitchen, "Nope, not really. All I'd need to know is when I can move in."
"You're okay with the rent?"
Giving a nod, she began opening the cabinets, "It's cheaper than a lot of places I had on my list."
"It's not really about the bills," Eileen said, pulling the door closed, "It's more about having someone else around. So, why're you moving to the city?"
Pausing, she closed the cabinet and turned around, "School, mostly. Where I'm at now doesn't really have much in that department. Work is another thing, unless you want to haul slag at the mill, it's pretty much dead."
"There's plenty of places around here. I could talk to my boss, if you'd like. Another one of the waitresses has been calling off a lot so he was planning to find someone to fill in."
"That'd be great," she said, glancing at her watch, "I have to get back to the park, I promised a friend of mine I'd check it out before I left."
"Great, I was planning on going there myself."
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The applause rang out as a now shirtless Martin wiped sweat from his forehead and waved toward the side of the stage.
"Next, we have a surprise for everyone. Mordecai and the Rigby's own, Mordecai!"
Mordecai took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage, the acoustic guitar in one hand, a bottle of water in the other. He tried to avoid looking to the crowd, but ultimately failed, the continued cheering wearing him down. Nearly everyone recognized him and clapped approvingly.
"You go, bro!" Muscle Man's voice echoed from somewhere to the side.
Handing the water to Martin, he slid the guitar over his shoulders and plugged the cable in. Martin gulped down the water and connected the cable to his amp with a splitter, allowing both guitars to be used together.
"Alright, you remember everything?"
Mordecai nodded, mentally replaying the chord progression in his head.
"If you run into any trouble, turn your volume down and I'll fill in," he said, giving a slap on the back before walking back to the microphone.
Martin's voice sounded distant as he gave the opening, and the clacking of the drumsticks echoed inside his head. Another deep breath, and he began, his left hand fretting the chords while the right strummed.
'Once, let it ring. Again, four times really fast,' he thought, doing his best to keep from messing up.
Muting the top three strings with his left hand, Martin began strumming, keeping pace with the country rhythm.
"Well, it's Friday night, and everything's alright. Gonna hit the town when the sun goes down. Seen you in the corner, taking some guy's order, when you looked at me, i felt my blood run colder. Stealing glances all night, not enough nerve to fight, cursed myself, wished I was just a little more bolder."
This was the part Mordecai was dreading. Sliding from the simple chords, his fingers fluttered over the lower frets before jumping back to the chords.
"When the check came, it was time to run, me and the boys were lookin' for some fun. Leaving you behind, I couldn't lie, your number on the bill nearly made me cry."
As he finished the last words, he stomped on one of the pedals and strummed, holding the note. The bassist joined in along with the drummer, and after a moment they continued into the next verse.
Mordecai adjusted his grip on his pick and double strummed quickly.
"It's Saturday morning, anything but borin', bout to call you up and begin our story. Got a pocket full of cash, a half tank of gas, dressed to kill, all spurs and flash. Time to paint this town red, white, and blue, the only thing I'm missing is a girl like you."
This verse ended the same way, but continued into the chorus, the tempo increasing along with the distortion of Martin's guitar. Thankful he was now being drowned out, Mordecai glanced at the crowd who showed no sign of caring about the notes he missed. The feeling of the attention they were receiving made his nervousness grow to the point of breathing heavily.
"It's our first date, and I just can't wait-"
However, the audience's attention had suddenly shifted from them, to the group near the snack tables.
Everyone stopped playing as they watched a group of men in volleyball jerseys start shouting at the assembled workers, Muscle Man and Skips slowly decreasing the gap the between them.
"What's going?" Lyle asked as he walked toward center stage.
"I better go find out," Mordecai shouted as he set the guitar down and jumped off the stage.
"Yeah, you do that."
"So, what's the plan?" the drummer asked as he began twirling his sticks.
"I know a fight about to start when I see one," Martin said with a grin, "We do what we came here to do."
Lyle nodded and ran back to his amp as Martin turned the volume and gain settings to full.
The weather around here made this a late update, and I apologize for it being yet another short setup chapter. I'm going to do an update for Who Made Who?, then I have a request I have to finish.
Also, I'll announce that I have a Regular Show zombie story in the making. It isn't a conventional zombie story, and it's mostly inspired by Steven King's Cell. I don't know when the first chapter will be up, but it's something to keep an eye on if you want to.
Sedated Titans, Take It Back, and First Page © Me. No copyright infringed by using my own lyrics.
They are protected under a creative commons license. If you want to use them, ask me first. Same goes for our older, worse off lyrics you can find on google.
Alright, thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed it.