Chapter 159: Scott Building
Thursday, January 12th, Late Morning
(Haley singing in italics)
She stood up from her desk and turned around to look out the window wall of her office. When they built this building, they wanted it to look like an old factory. So, the offices along the outer walls tended to have one wall that was nothing but glass.
It was nice having a wall of glass. This number of windows lit the office nicely with natural light. On the other hand, in the weather like what they have now, it wasn't as fun. It was murky looking, with the overcast, and the lack of color made it less appealing.
Haley James-Scott turned around and looked at her desk. The never-ending pile of paperwork and she needed help, but Keith was overseas. After a deep breath, she shook her head and left her office.
The Scott Building had an advanced security system. The doors would only grant access to you with your ID Badge. They could also track where you were by the same badge. Haley had what was known as the Family ID, or the super pass. Her ID would allow access to any door in the building. She crossed the office to the elevator and rode the elevator down to the Ground Floor.
She crossed the lobby and want to another set of doors. She walked down the small hallway and went through the door with the sign that simply said; Punk'd and Disorderly Studios. She stepped through the door and walked across the lobby. The usual receptionist nodded, allowed Haley through.
Haley noted there wasn't a lot going on here. It's slow at this time of the day, and it was the reason why Haley came down here. She looked into one of the recording booths, Magdalena "Mags" McMichael stood there, looking out into the studio itself.
Mags looked over and nodded when she saw Haley. Haley returned her nod with one of her own. Slowly, she walked over to the soundboard and looked down into the studio.
"Is that Evan out there?" Haley asked.
Mags nodded, "Yeah, he's waiting for someone," she said.
"Yeah, he looks bored," Haley said.
"Yup," Mags said, "Crazy day upstairs?"
"Stressful," Haley said, "Why do you ask?"
"You're hiding down here," Mag said.
"Yeah, well, I was wondering if I could get down in a studio and pluck on some strings," Haley said.
"I could see," Mags said, "Depends on the teaching Evan is doing."
"Oh really," Haley said, "Who's Evan teaching?"
"Jen Parker," Mags said.
"Jenny?" Haley asked.
"Yeah," Mags said.
"I didn't know she's learning the drums," Haley said.
"Yeah, she is," Mags said, "And is doing well at it."
"How long has she been doing it?" Haley said.
Mags shrugged, "A while, I don't know, a few years now," she said.
"She any good?" Haley asked.
"Good enough, there were a few times she filled in for Evan," Mags said.
"I wonder why she started to learn the drums," Haley mused.
"I don't know," Mags said, "Maybe the same reason you come here to play guitar."
Haley shrugged, "Well, let's see how good she is," she said.
Mags nodded and pointed to the studio. Haley watched as Jen Parker walked over to the drum kit and adjusted her stool. Jen pulled her dirty blonde hair back in a ponytail. Evan walked over and looked up at the control booth.
"Mags, play track two," Evan said.
"Okay," Mags said after she triggered the microphone. After a moment, she pressed a button, and the music started playing.
Haley looked out the window. Evan stood off to the side and watched. Jen was beating on the drums and seemed to be doing well.
Haley knew the song, and Jen seemed to be enjoying it as well. Jen seemed to be keeping up with the rhythm. Jen seemed to have enough experience, and possibly talent to add flourishes and fills. The beat seemed right, and Haley nodded.
"What song is this again?" Haley asked, "I'm blanking on the title."
"Left turn on a red light," Mags said, "By Black Foot."
"Southern Rock?" Haley asked.
Mags laughed.
"Why are you laughing?" Haley asked.
"Southern Rock is redundant; it's like saying rock rock," Mags said.
"Like Tuna Fish, Gregg?" Haley asked.
"I'll take that comparison," Mags said.
Haley nodded, "Jen is good," she said.
"I told you," Mags said.
"No, you said she was good enough," Haley said.
"Good was in there," Mags said.
Haley nodded and watch. As the song ended, she turned to Mags. "You still have a guitar here?" she asked.
"Yeah, why?" Mags asked.
"Can you get Keller here to run the board?" Haley asked.
"Yeah, why?" Mags asked.
"Evan can play bass?" Haley asked.
"Yeah," Mags said, "Why?"
"I feel like jamming," Haley said.
Mags shook her head, "Head down," she said, and clicked the microphone, "Evan, get a bass and get Haley a guitar, she wants to jam."
"Jam?" Evan asked, "Who gets the bass?"
"You," Mags said.
Evan shook his head and dug out a bass and a guitar. Haley looked at Evan when he handed her the guitar.
"What are you doing?" Evan asked.
"I wanted to play, and Jen's playing has me inspired," Haley said.
"I hope you know what you're doing," Evan said.
"Have I ever been accused of that before?" Haley asked.
"Good point," Evan said.
Haley smiled, put in earbuds, slung the guitar, and plugged in. Jen looked at Haley.
"Haley, what's going on?" Jen asked.
"We're jamming," Haley said.
"What?" Jen asked.
"You know maybe play a song or two," Haley said.
Mags came over carrying one of her favorite Stratocaster guitars. She plugged in and looked at Haley as she put on a set of headphones.
"So, what do you want to play?" Mags asked.
"How about the last song. Left turn on a Red Light?" Haley asked.
"You didn't know the song in the booth," Mags said.
"I couldn't remember the name," Haley said.
"Are you going to play, Hales?" Chris asked from the booth.
"Yes," Haley said, "And run tape."
"Haley, really?" Mags asked.
"Sure," Haley said.
"Well, count it off," Chris said.
"Evan?" Haley asked.
Evan counted out, and they started to play.
It's nine o'clock at this old station
And my silver linin' ride is right on time
And as I buy myself a one-way ticket
For somewhere else on down the line
And I see that on their faces
Of a people that will never come home
And when I stare into the mirror, mama
See myself all alone
And did you ever stop to wonder
About the times that she laid by your side
When you know that I was right
And you finally realize
You took a left turn on a red light
Sun shines down on the desert
And it seems to make my life a haze
And I dream of my childhood sweetheart
And the freedom that I had in those days
When I wake from all my dreamin'
Will this boxcar always be my lonely home, yeah
Well I don't know where I am
And I really don't give a damn
This crazy life of mine will soon be gone
And did you ever stop to wonder
About the times that she laid by your side
When you know that I was right
And you finally realize
You took a left turn on a red light
Well it's nine o'clock at this old station
Once again my ride is right on time
And as I buy myself another ticket, Lord
For somewhere else on down the line
Well I'll always be a rambler
Well the ones I love always keep tellin' me
You stare too long in the mirror, son
Someday you'll be too blind to see
And now I can stop my wonderin'
About the times that she laid by my side
Now I know that I was right
And I finally realize
I took a left turn on a red light
Haley nodded as the song ended. She stopped and walked over to the drums.
"Not bad," Haley said.
"Thanks," Jen said.
Haley nodded, and the gears in her head started to turn.