Talk To Me, Dance With Me

Last time with Helene Troy: http://lancemyblogcanbeatupyourblog.wordpress.com/2012/04/10/the-woman-in-you/

Helene spun around, scanning as much of the club as her tired, tipsy eyes could see. Ramona Gallery wasn’t in her sight. Gina picked up her tray full of beer and several shots of tequila then waved Helene over with her free hand.

“Ramona Gallery, the singer right? Red hair, the famous one you used to talk about all the time?”

The sound from the stage increased as The Golden Apples began to close their set. Helene took a drink from her Jack Daniels bottle and shook her head yes as she swallowed and leaned into Gina as she spoke.

“She’s here, but I haven’t a chance to ask for her or give her your note! You want it back?”

Helene realized how much of a break she’d caught by Ramona not seeing her snarky message. She took the paper from Gina, wadded it in her left hand, swigged more whiskey from her bottle. She handed the Jack Daniels to Gina and shouted.

“Find a safe place for this, G. I’ll see you at the after party! You’re on my list!”

Gina smiled and mouthed “love you” and made her way to her round of customers. Helene moved her hands to her hips and wondered how to approach Ramona. As pissed off as she was, she still had to work for Ramona Gallery. Xander’s hands touched Helene’s almost naked shoulders.

“You okay, Helene? You know The Apples are good but you were so much better!”

She forced a smile but looked toward the back of the stage. That’s where Ramona would be, as publicity shy as she acted. Helene turned and threw her arms around Xander. She kissed his neck, tasting perspiration and beer.

“Xander, I need to go! I’m sorry but tonight….”

Before she could finish, Xander leaned in, placed his large, soft hands on her cheeks and kissed her, hard. He released his grip and yelled.

“This is probably the greatest night of your life, Helene! Go make deals and be a fucking rock star! I’ll be here when you get back!”

Helene felt guilty. She laughed inside at the irony of his statement. She made her way through the screaming, dancing throng and opened a door leading to the hallway she was in earlier. Her walk slowed as she heard Ramona’s voice over the music and the chatter of several roadies. Helene felt nauseous as her anger, hurt, and nervousness combined to overwhelm her. She placed her right hand against the concrete block wall and shouted.

“Ramona!”

The sound echoed through the hallway. Ramona looked up with a bothered glance and ended her conversation with two men, one of whom was Kevin Phoenix. Helene seethed but caught her bearings. Ramona walked over with her palms up, with a look of disappointment.

“Yeah, Helene, what is it?”

What is it? What the fuck do you think it is? Who the fuck do you think you are? I just kicked this club’s ass and got a record deal, you arrogant bitch! The thoughts rumbled through her foggy mind.

“Mona, I’ve been calling you for hours! I wanted you to see some of my show! I uh…..”

Helene looked away, embarrassed, She felt like a teenager with a crush. She and Ramona were supposed to be more than this, she had assumed. She watched Ramona look around to see if anyone was paying attention to them. She put out her left arm, and turned Helene toward the bathroom. Once the metal bathroom door was closed, Ramona stood against it and used her left index finger to entice Helene over. Their lips met and Ramona squeezed the back of Helene’s neck, pulling her hair hard enough to cause pain.

“Mona, I thought you were ignoring me and then those Matador guys said you talked to them about me.”

Ramona kissed her again, this time, even harder. Then she pushed Helene away and tightened her lips.

“Leney, I heard you killed. The record guys fucking love you. That’s because you weren’t worried about me. I wanted those guys to know you were solid. I think we’re all going to work together. It’ll be good, Leney. Now, where’s the dress?”

Helene felt lost and stupid. She looked down and remembered the halter that Dawn had given her.

“Mona, I’m sorry I couldn’t wear the dress tonight. This girl I met. It doesn’t matter. I’ll wear the dress next time, okay?”

Ramona crossed her arms and showed no emotion. It seemed like minutes went by before either of them spoke.

“Leney, I can’t believe you didn’t wear the dress. But the shoes look great. You look great. You taste like booze, though. Slow down on the drinking, the after party can make or break you. We’re recording tomorrow night, so be ready. I’ve got to go to some people.”

Ramona turned away and pulled the metal bathroom door open. Helene stood, frozen in disbelief and confusion.

“Ramona! Will I see you later?”

The music faded. The Golden Apples had completed their set. The screams and cheers of the crowd washed over Ramona’s shoulders at she stood at the threshold.

“Not tonight, Leney. Tomorrow, after we record. Congratulations, honey, you did good tonight.”

The door clanged shut. Helene stood in the middle of The Greek rock club women’s bathroom, in tears.

****blogger’s note****

This is a new story episode of The Ballad of Helene Troy. You can find the rest of the story, so far, here: http://lancemyblogcanbeatupyourblog.wordpress.com/the-ballad-of-helene-troy/

Today’s song is what played in my head and later in my computer. I love it and I think Helene would to. It’s Hot Hot Heat’s Talk To Me, Dance With Me. The lyrics are perfect for Helene and Ramona.

The Way We Get By

Last time with Helene Troy: http://lancemyblogcanbeatupyourblog.wordpress.com/2012/01/20/i-will-possess-your-heart/

A slight summer breeze accompanied Helene and Xander on their walk to her apartment. A few blocks away from her place, Helene realized she was looking more at Xander’s smile than the Jack Daniels bottle peering from her backpack. She texted Darcy several times with no answer. They walked inside her building. Helene fumbled for her keys. Xander opened the manually operated elevator. She saw him look around the dingy hallway and grimace as a roach crawled across faded blue carpet. They arrived on the second floor and opened the elevator together.

“Don’t hate on my place too much. It’s rent controlled and no one ever complains about the guitar playing.”

She walked to the door and put in the key. Xander muttered.

“That’s because your neighbors are probably hiding from the cops.”

Helene laughed to herself then turned around to shoot a glare that startled him.

“Helene, I was joking. I’m stupid. I’m so sorry.”

Unoffended by his remark, she didn’t say so. Helene preferred Xander being a little afraid of her. She placed the backpack and keys on the stained green sofa sitting in the middle of the living room. She took the Jack Daniels from the backpack and walked through the apartment. After failing to find signs of her roommate, she walked into her bedroom and put her guitar next to her bed then opened the bottle. The warm bourbon soothed her sore throat. Xander called from the other room.

“Helene, you want me to leave?”

She took another swig and closed the bottle. She placed it on the nightstand and fell into bed. Realizing how drunk she was, she played out a mischievious scenario in her head, to make him stay.

“Come in here with me.”

He appeared in the threshold of the bedroom. Helene got nauseous as she braced herself on her elbows. Her t-shirt crept up her torso revealing her stomach. She noticed Xander’s eyes looking over her lithe body arched on the queen sized mattress.

“Tell me why you paint, Xander.”

He smiled. Taking a couple of steps toward her, his face blushed through a three-day scruff. He straightened his posture and tossed long strands of black hair from his eyes and answered.

“Because painting makes me feel alive. It’s like having my soul defend me to the world.”

Helene thought it was the perfect response. Her smile was unstoppable. She saw the same passion in Xander that rolled through her.

“That’s what music does for me. I play, sing, and write because I have to. It’s how I fight through each day.”

They looked into each other eyes and exchanged broad smiles. Helene wanted to be sober. She glanced at the Jack Daniels and lost her desire to drink. She rolled her glossy green eyes back to Xander.

“My band’s opening for The Golden Apples around 9 tonight. Do you want to see me all plugged in and loud?”

Xander put his hands in his pockets and rocked in sneakers from side to side.

“Of course I do. I’ve seen you before. A couple of times, actually.”

Helene sat up in the bed and extended her crossed legs in front of her. She wondered if Xander was a fan or something else.

“So you knew me before Mickey’s the other night?”

Xander pursed his lips and looked away.

“Helene, I’m not a stalker, I swear. I was at The Greek last year when Slipper Socks Medium opened for Spoon. I’m a huge fan of theirs. You were amazing that night. I checked out your MySpace after that and admired you from afar. Mickey’s was an awesome coincidence.”

Helene liked his awkwardness. She decided to play with him, again.

“Well, I’ve shown you mine. You show me yours.”

He removed his hands from his jean pockets and struggled to respond. Helene stood, got through the dizziness, and pulled off her sweaty t-shirt.

“I’m going to take a shower. I want to remember this night. Next to the fridge is a cabinet with art supplies. My roommate, Darcy, and I used them to make flyers, posters, band logos, and t-shirts. Draw or paint something on the wall across from the bed. Whatever moves you.”

Helene caught his large brown eyes on her chest. Only a small white bra covered her breasts.

“Focus Xander.”

He blushed again, and turned around to leave the bedroom.

“Yeah, I’ll go get that stuff.”

She opened the nightstand to look for underwear and another shirt. Xander spoke from the door.

“Helene, you’re beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.”

She didn’t take compliments well, especially about her looks. She smiled and moved her hands over her body as she answered.

“Flattery will only get you a hard time from me.”

She bit her bottom lip and continued.

“But don’t stop, okay? Now, go in there for a a few minutes. Tickets for this show aren’t on sale yet.”

This is a new story episode of The Ballad of Helene Troy. You can read the rest of the story, so far, here: http://lancemyblogcanbeatupyourblog.wordpress.com/the-ballad-of-helene-troy/

Today’s song started playing in my head as I moved this episode from notebook to computer screen. It’s a simple song about simple pleasures. I think it how Helene and Xander would connect. Here’s Spoon’s The Way We Get By….

Two

Last time with Helene Troy: http://lancemyblogcanbeatupyourblog.wordpress.com/2012/01/11/onlywomenbleed/ 

Helene was drunk at work. Several hours into her shift at Mickey’s Bar’s the bottle of Jack Daniels she hid in her backpack was empty. She felt no guilt. Business was slow and her boss wasn’t around.  Helene’s booze-fueled sullenness generated enough sway to keep her co-workers distanced from her. No one, except patrons, spoke to her for most of the night. Some regulars sitting at a table close to the stage waved her down.

“Helene! You singing tonight?”

She smirked then hissed.

“Of course. Your little monkey girl’s gonna dance for you.”

She turned and bumped into a tall blonde woman. The woman’s amaretto sour spilled on Helene’s waist wetting the bottom of her t-shirt and top of her jeans. Helene cursed.

“Shit! This is the third shirt of Ramona’s I’ve trashed. Damn it!”

Helene stomped to the bar, made another drink and grabbed her acoustic guitar. Walking back to the woman’s table, she spotted Xander at the front door. She handed the drink to the woman and slinked to the stage, biting her bottom lip and smiling at Xander. Leaning into the microphone, she imagined that Xander was the only person in the room and cooed, “This is for you.”

The light strums of “Two” by Ryan Adams echoed through the hushed bar. Helene began to sing.

“If you take me back
Back to your place
I’ll try not to bother you I promise
‘Cause it’s cold in here
And I wish it was hot”

Helene saw Xander walk a few steps toward the stage area, riveted by her performance. Helene’s drunkenness overwhelmed her personality. She grinned and flirted through the song’s intimate lyrics. As she played the last chords, the bar patrons stood and clapped. She murmured “thank you” and walked over to Xander.
 
“Thanks for coming.”

She smiled and pulled strands of long brown hair behind her left ear. 

“So, you want to go get in some trouble?

Xander shook messy dark bangs from his face, blushed and responded.

“Absolutely.”

***blogger’s note***

This is a new story episode of Helene Troy. You can find the rest of the story, so far, here: http://lancemyblogcanbeatupyourblog.wordpress.com/the-ballad-of-helene-troy/ This is also a an answer to Trifecta Challenge’s one word prompt “Sway” http://www.trifectawritingchallenge.com/2012/01/week-ten.html

Today’s song is from one of my favorite artists. Ryan Adams’ newest album is amazing. Two is from his 2007 Easy Tiger record, also good. This song is perfect for this moment with Helene and Xander.

Only Women Bleed

Last time with Helene Troy: http://lancemyblogcanbeatupyourblog.wordpress.com/2012/01/07/dayoldblues/

Talking to Xander on the phone made Helene wistful of her time at the University of Pittsburgh. She graduated two and a half years earlier but the grind of working in New York City bars made it seem longer. She missed clumsiness with college boys.

“Xander, is 2 a.m. past your bedtime? Can you make it?

Helene pulled the phone from her ear and saw a dropped call.

“Shit! I can’t have a normal conversation with myself, much less some cute painter.”

With an hour to get to work, Helene saw the next stop was near Sadie’s apartment and the bodega where she had offered to take in the two kittens. She got off.

As she trudged up the stairs, her phone buzzed. It was Sadie.

“Leney, I’ve got horrible news.”

She hadn’t heard from her since the Darcy drama earlier. Helene threw her long brown hair back and braced for the worst.

“Jamie hurt her knee in a pick-up basketball game this morning. We’re at the hospital. Her doctor says it’s ligament damage. She’s not going to Greece. Her room isn’t available. I’m so sorry.”

Helene felt nauseous as she reached the street. Her mouth dried and her knees buckled. She dropped her backpack to the pavement. She’d be homeless in two weeks. Tears formed in her tired green eyes as she responded.

“I’ll call you later. Tell Jamie I hope she’s okay.”

She knelt to pick up some of the items spilled from the backpack. Her pocket knife had opened slightly, enough for the top of the blade to poke. It nicked the webbing between her right index and middle fingers. Blood began to weep through her knuckles. She licked the tops of her damaged digits. The flavor of metal and salt made her cringe.

“That sexy college daydream of being a grungy itinerant musician is coming true, Helene.”

Her phone buzzed again. It was Xander. She ignored his call and walked past the bodega to the liquor store next door.

****blogger’s note***

This is a new story episode of The Ballad of Helene Troy. You can find the rest of it, so far, here: http://lancemyblogcanbeatupyourblog.wordpress.com/the-ballad-of-helene-troy/   This is also a response to two writing challenge “weep” from www.trifectawritingchallenge.com and “flavor” from www.writeonedge.com Please visit them.

Today’s song is Only Women Bleed from new Hall of Famer Alice Cooper. I know the song’s about a woman in an adusive marriage but it’s tone and some lyrics fit here. I wanted something downbeat.

The Talk

Hey, you got a few minutes? There’s something I’ve been meaning to discuss. I think it’s important. I know you know some of what I’m about to go over. Your friends, your family, the lovely internets; they all have information. I just don’t think you’re going to hear the truth, the real hardcore, TRUTH about what drugs and alcohol are and can do to you. Most people won’t admit what they’ve done and how, if any of it, was positive.

I was young, about 15, when I first started drinking alcohol. I did it because my friends were drinking. I wanted to fit in and see if it would make me feel cool, older, even help me be comfortable around the opposite sex. You know, it did. It’s fool’s gold. What I mean is the high is temporary. When you start drinking, you have no idea what a tolerance is, so you drink too much for your body and you’ll either throw up, get sleepy, or lose your inhibitions so much you’ll do something regretful, if you remember it at all.

Don’t get me wrong, is partying fun? Yes. Blowing off steam can make great memories. The catch about doing it with alcohol or drugs, which we’ll get to in a minute, is, you don’t remember everything. There were concerts by great bands that alcohol took away my recollection of how good the show was or wasn’t. This is why, in 1994, when I saw The Rolling Stones in the Meadowlands in Jersey, I stayed sober. The show was amazing.

The only other thing I want to tell you about drinking is, if you ever consume alcohol stay out of a car. That means don’t drive one impaired and never get in one with someone who’s looped. I’ve lost several friends over the years because they made that mistake.

Drugs are a different ballgame. Most of the greatest music recorded, books written, masterpieces painted and sculpted were from artists higher than kites in March wind. But drugs are bad. I want to tell you to never do drugs but I don’t want to be pious or arrogant. Drugs can be fun. They work. Some of them work really well. But fallout from doing them is even greater than booze.

People seem to love marijuana. It chills them out. It takes away stress, even more than booze does. It never did anything for me. It makes me sleepy, hungry, and paranoid. I can be all three of those things without testing positive for on a drug test. I don’t know if the mary jane is addictive. I think chemical makeup of a person is way unstudied and definitely under discussed. Do I think an mj habit can be detrimental to ambition. Yes? The penalties for getting caught with weed are too severe for having it and trying it. I don’t recommend it, at all.

The only other drugs I’ve tried are cocaine and LSD. I’m here to tell you, they are even better than advertised. They are also really dangerous. I had good and bad experiences with both. There was a time in my life when coke dominated my days and nights. I’m ashamed of this. Cocaine caused some long term heart problems that I deal with today. It also made me dependent on bad people. I understand the allure but I’ve never seen a person who does hard drugs succeed in life, other than artists and I believe they’re the exception. Of course, most of them are dead. It’s like making a deal with the devil. You get short-term awesome, then long-term misery.

Drugs and alcohol are bad. But, like anything, moderation is a key. If you are in a controlled environment with people you trust and no automobiles to drive or police to arrest you and the amount is small, then substances can be a unique experience. But, just like eating McDonald’s everyday is bad, so are drugs and alcohol.

Just promise me you’ll come talk to me if you’re ever in a situation where you need help, advice, or a ride with no judgement til the next day.

****blogger’s note****

Yesterday my friend Scarlet, aka @Scarlet_Ibis was at a D.A.R.E lecture at her daughter’s school and she was struck by the lies and misinformation given. A year or so ago my teenage daughter was given a talk to by her mother and I about booze and dope. It was like you read above. Since my history with both is more chequered than my wife’s I got thrown under the bus and yet, no one died or hated me. In my opinion, this is the talk that needs to be given, not just say no. Feel free to agree or disagree. It’s the internets. Come at me bro.

Today’s song is what they should teach in schools. It’s Lynyrd Skynyrd, 34 years ago, giving you everything you need to know about drugs and alcohol. Here’s That Smell….