“No,” Lennox says. “I already have my dance partner.” He looks at me and smiles. The girls look at me and pout.
“How come you all wanna screw her? What has she got that we haven’t?”
“Manners, for one,” says Hugo. “Now, fuck off.”
Carlie Canterberry glides by, accompanied by a squad of acolytes. “Slut,” they all hiss.
This is followed by a drunk country singer. He stumbles over. “Nice work fellas. You gotta pretty little filly, why not share her about? I’d love to take a ride on her…”
Lennox stands up in an instant, his chair tumbling over. I can feel eyes looking at us. And a lot of phones pointed in our direction. Clara’s agent Tino casually wanders up, takes the country star by the arm, and leads him away. I don’t know why, but it feels as if the whole atmosphere has changed.
Tino is back again. I see him bend over and talk to Lennox. I can’t hear what they are saying. Lennox whispers to Clara, who in turn whispers to Teddy.
Teddy is sitting next to me.
“What’s going on?” I ask Teddy.
“Oh, err. Not sure I know…” he stammers.
“Teddy, you obviously do. Please tell me, I hate to be in the dark.”
Giving a sigh, he takes a phone out of his pocket, clicks on something then lays the phone on the table in front of me.
‘BREAKING NEWS!Following on from the Screech Towers revelations, a source has confirmed that Frenzy Towers is the lover ofallMercury Rising members. A male harem? Maybe Frenzy Towers isn’t quite as innocent as the latest headlines would have us believe! Clink link for more lurid details…’
Screech.
This was him, no doubt about it.
ASA
Finally it is time for the awards ceremony. About time. The sparkle has gone out of our girl after that new piece of crap hit the headlines.
We should be out of here in half an hour or so.
It’s not a full induction ceremony, just a couple of new awards being given. A lifetime achievement for Clara, and another old timer called Salvadore, and then Mercury Rising will get their special “Saviors of Rock and Roll,” award.
What a stupid fucking award.
This place is so crowded. Me and the guys are taken backstage. Teddy escorts Clara. I don’t like it, the only person keeping an eye on Harmony is the general security. I gave them a couple hundred to keep a close watch. But it’s not the same as keeping her close to us.
Just need to get this done with, go back to the hotel and relax.
Unwind in our favorite way.
From the wings of the stage I watch our girl. Her blue eyes are shining, and her skin looks like porcelain. With her hair piled high on her head, her neck looks long and delicate, like a swan.
Swans mate for life, so do Mercury Rising guys.
Clara is getting her award. A slide show of her performing over the last forty years plays. Good that she is getting the kudos she deserves. I look back at Harmony. She is hemmed in by party goers, but clapping enthusiastically for Clara. I watch her take another champagne from a passing waiter.
Good girl.
Finally we are called out onto stage. Smiling, hand shaking. There’s a speech by the president of the hall of fame. Blah, blah, blah. Harmony is a tiny peach in a sea of black tuxedos. I can see her sway as she is jostled. Cannot wait to get out of here.
“Asa,” Hugo nudges me. Oh, right. Another handshake. I’ve lost Harmony now. Where is she?
Ah, there.
