My thanks to the kind folks who bought books today. This evening I will once again take copies of Killing to its source, 18th Avenue, where the Santa Rosalia Feast is winding down. I hope I'm as lucky as last week. Meanwhile, here's an excerpt from an unpublished rock n roll epic, Rising Star.
1 "...I know it's only rock 'n roll, but I like it...."*
The small crowd huddled before the stage, which was but a platform that rose a foot from the floor tucked into the corner of the dark, smoky club. In design the place was like a roughly finished basement. The people cheered as the band capped its number with a deafening flourish.
"Awright!" howled the singer, a tall, athletic, bearded blond whose locks fell well beyond his shoulders, whose taut flesh glowed with perspiration. "You're beautiful - at least some of you are. All you pretty girls now, don't forget to leave your name and number. You ugly ones take care of my fat friend back there on drums."
He was bombarded by tiny paper balls. Laughing, he tried to avoid the barrage. The bassist bent, gathered as many of the papers as he could and stuffed them into the pocket of his shirt.
"We're gonna do one more before we go, but before we do let me introduce the rest of the guys. On drums, fatboy himself - Richie DeSalvo." Richie banged out a crisp flourish and clash of cymbals, his dark mane whipping about. "On keyboards, our token Jew - Mitchell Weinstein." Slim, clean-cut, fair-skinned, Mitchell smiled as he sent out an eerie riff. "On bass - nervous Mike Scarpa." Mike bowed his short, compact frame over the fretboard of his Rickenbacker. "On guitar, the ice man - Paul Ranga." Tall, thin, bespectacled, Paul struck a chord on his Les Paul that reverberated throughout the club. "And on vocals, last but certainly not least, the only non-ethnic, non-New Yorker in the group - meet John Doe."
Doe received the most applause and let out an appreciative howl. "You have such great taste. This one's called 'Star Chaser.' You better like it."
He counted time and music burst from the stage. The audience was immediately infected with the energy. Fists flew into the air. Heads bobbed. The sound was hard and fast yet light, accessible. John's voice, as strong as it was, was lost in the volume. He compensated with movement, gyration, gestures. He spun, dipped and danced in place, overcoming the trappings of the tiny stage. The others provided the pace. Mitchell smiled as he worked at his keys. Richie pounded relentlessly on his drums. Mike eyed his fretboard intently, as if fearful of making a mistake. Paul glanced at Mitchell and laughed.
"Goodnight!" said John, breathless, at the end of the piece, chuckling as he was bombarded with more paper. "You're too kind. Oops, here's one from a guy. You'll all get a shot, I promise. And please remember the more needy." He gazed at Mike and Richie.
The applause died as a dance tune came through the sound system. People turned from the stage. Some headed for the exit, others for the bar, a few danced. There was still a buzz in the air.
A blonde brought the band beer, which she deftly balanced on a small tray. "Great show." She beamed as she looked at John. Her leopard skin dress was filled with the body of a goddess.
"Sit down," said John, seated at the edge of the stage, motioning to his lap. Mitchell and Richie, flanking him, laughed shyly.
Her expression became serious. "I can't now. I don't wanna blow this job. It keeps my days free for auditions."
"An actress/slash waitress. I'd've never guessed. If things don't work out, there's always porn."
She stared, apparently unsure if he were joking. "Why don't you wait 'til I get off, that is, if you're still available? I should be out of here soon. My name's Tina."
She smiled and hurried away. Mitchell and Richie, towels in hand, roared.
Visit Vic’s sites:
Vic’s Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic’s Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic’s Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic’s 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic’s 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic’s Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
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