Enjoy the Silence/Synopsis

## Enjoy the Silence

Up in his bedroom, Joe is looking angrily at one of Corkindale's rats. The pitiful little beast is looking hopefully back at Joe through the tightly closed bedroom window. Joe is furious, and he tells the rat that he can go to Hell, they are done. He pulls open his door and is startled to find his father is just outside the door. His father, Jason, naturally wants to know who Joe is talking to, and Joe explains it away, saying he was talking to himself mostly. Jason tells him he seems more angry than nervous or excited, like he wants to kick the crap out of someone. Joe replies that he's fine, and he goes to the hall bathroom, shutting the door behind him. His dad follows down the hall, telling Joe he isn't.

Jason explains how he's been trying to be Cool Dad, trying to give Joe space,    because he remembers what it was like to be his age, vaguely, but he has to be Dad Dad now. He knows there is something wrong. He admits he can't make Joe tell him what that is, and he knows that, but he can ask. With an earnest expression, he says he's asking. While Joe looks at himself in the mirror, his father assures him that he can talk to him, always, about anything.

The door to the bathroom swings open, and a very conflicted Joe steps out. He looks about ready to give in, but instead he turns away, saying he can't. Standing alone by the window at the end of the hall looking dejected, Joe's dad says okay as he rubs his neck.─────────────────────

Evening has come to Walker's Point High School, and it's time for the Battle of the Bands. Joe looks out from behind the stage from where Baby Heist is waiting their turn in the locker room turned green room behind the stage. The band on stage has the house rocking and cheering. Looking somewhat abashed, Joe admits he didn't think there'd be so many people. He turns to the others and tells them he'd hoped there wouldn't be so many people. Twirling a drumstick, Charlotte announces with a huge, confident smile that it'll be awesome, because they are awesome. Then she says softly that, well, *she's* awesome, and the guys can coast on her leftover charisma. With a stoic expression, Fletcher states laconically that it'll definitely … be. Paulo simply looks on from the back. Sean tells the gang they got this, that Baby Heist is ***ready.***

With a sigh, Joe pulls his guitar out of its case, wishing he wasn't playing this piece of crap. Under his breath, he adds that he also wishes his life wasn't a raging dumpster fire. Louder, he continues, saying but mostly he wishes he didn't have to play with *this*. From the wings, Joe's father asks him how about he doesn't. In his hands, he's holding the white Ibanez JEM7V electric guitar he used when he was touring with Shwarma Chameleon. Stunned that his father would do this, Joe tentatively reaches out. Pushing the guitar into Joe's hands, his dad tells him he wants him to use this guitar. The rest of the band looks on with stars in their eyes as Paulo records the event on his phone: they know quality when they see it. Jason makes sure to let Joe know the guitar is expensive and of great sentimental value; it's the only thing he has left from the band besides fuzzy memories and a stiff knee. He tells Joe it's the most important thing in the world to him, then he quickly amends that by saying except for his mother and him. Joe tries to refuse it, but his father won't let him, saying it was never right that he was keeping it to himself. Jason tells his son that that guitar, and Joe, were meant to be onstage. Then he tells Joe to go kick some ass. The others make happy noises, and Sean asks him if ***now*** he's ready. Joe answers simply, "Hell. Yeah."─────────────────────

It's their turn now and Baby Heist takes the stage as the band before then vacates the stage. Charlotte, sticks in hand, leads the way, with the guys and their guitars following like ducklings in a pond. Paulo plays caboose with his laptop bag on his shoulder. Up on stage, Joe shades his eyes from the lights, trying to spot friendly faces in the crowd. His mother is already seated, and his proud father is joining her, up in the bleachers where they're safe from the antics of the excited students. Behind them stands a young woman with a mane of feathered black hair who seems to stand out from the crowd. Corkindale is standing watch just outside the gym by the electrical panel, just keeping an eye on things. Phoebe stands watchfully in the crowd with her Nikown camera at her side. She's doesn't appear to be enjoying the concert, possibly anticipating trouble. Directly behind her is that Devourer from the hallway at school where she was checking up after Joe had his fight with Corkindale. The soul parasite riding Pratt is in the audience. He's wearing a surgical mask to hide the missing teeth that had been knocked out while the creature was taking possession of Pratt's body. The person on his left seems to be suspicious of him. Baby Heist tunes up and takes their positions on stage. The soul parasite riding Hemsworth is also in the audience, although no one is taking note of him and his odd eyes.     Charlotte starts things off by rapping a cymbal and loudly announcing they're Baby Heist, and they are here to annihilate the audience with music. Yaslatol, wearing Evans' shape, mostly, finds this agreeable, hissing out a yessss.

As the music begins, Joe strikes the classic pose of all guitarists everywhere: his arm in the air with a pick in his fingers, ready to stroke a song from his instrument.

## References

1. ↑ Enjoy the Silence **John Amor** May 17, 2019 *in a reply to* **EmmaWolfnight** May 17, 2019