CHAPTER 210: Free Publicity

Yep, that's me there with the lovely Colleen right behind.  She's actually at my home and we're going to spend time together...just the two of us.  How has this happened?  Well you're not going to believe this but she approached me...apparently from next semester the school's going to produce a weekly newspaper and Colleen is one of their star reporters.  They need stories and she remembered that I had just started a band and she now wants to do a story about it...so she approached me down at the park and asked for an interview.  Well, that's good free publicity AND she even remembered my name correctly this time!  Big win for me, eh?

"Welcome to my humble home, Colleen.  How's the newspaper going?  Got any good stories lined up?"

"Oh lots!  The problem will be working out which ones will go in the first edition.  I want one of my stories in it, maybe even the front page!" Well, that's enthusiasm for you.  I like her style.

"I suppose I'd better tell you all about The Bluestones then" I say, smiling warmly at her.

"The who?"

"Not The Who, The Bluestones.  That's the name of our band" 

"Oh, I see.  Groovy name.  Where did you get the idea to call yourselves that?"

"From a blue quartz gem I bought at the market.  It was actually the suggestion of...." and that's where I stop myself from continuing that sentence because the idea came from Lulu Strang, who is hated by all the girls at school for some reason I haven't yet worked out.  Best not to bring her name up in this conversation with Colleen... "...erm...a collective decision by the three of us:  Rohan, Efrain and myself"

I show her inside and I offer to get her some refreshments but she says all she wants is a glass of water.  It might not be an exotic cocktail but I make an effort to present it to her as if it was.  I show her the couch and invite her to sit next to me.  Already I can feel my heart beating faster just by being near her but I try to maintain a cool exterior.

"Well, can you tell me a bit about yourselves...who are you, who plays what, etc?" 

"I'm Jamie McGregor" I give a little self-deprecating laugh when I say my name.  I'm not sure she's impressed by that.

"I play guitar and sing a bit.  Then there's Efrain Webber, bass and vocals and Rohan Elderberry, keyboards"

"And vocals?"

"We're not sure if he can sing at this point."

"And what about drums, or a lead singer?" 

"No drummer as yet but we might not need one"  I avoid the topic of lead singer because Lulu wants to do that; sure, she's got a terrific voice but there's that unpopular tag she has.  I know it's cruel on her but I figure we build up the band's reputation first and then unveil Lulu as our singer.  Or we can put her in a mask and refer to her as 'The Mystery Singer'".

Right about then, Dad suddenly appears and he's got this glint in his eye that I think is one of approval of something.

"Oh, hello Jamie.  I didn't realise you had company"

"Hi Dad.  Yeah, this is Colleen and she's at school with me.  She came over to interview me about the band and my music."

"Hi Mr McGregor.  I hope I'm not intruding" 

"You're not.  In fact, it's fortuitous you being here at this time..." he says, enigmatically.

"Why's that, Dad?"

Dad said nothing but instead cleared his throat and nodded in the direction just past me.  I look behind me and see there's a guitar on a stand!  I look back at Dad with a puzzled look on my face.

"Yep...it's that guitar you said you wanted.  I got a promotion at work and kept my promise that when money wasn't so tight I'd get you one.  Now your band can really get going..."

"Wow...Dad...that's fantastic!  Thank you!  Thank you so much!" I go to hug him and stop myself, because Colleen is watching, so I change it to a hearty handshake instead.

"Didn't you have a guitar before, Jamie?"

"I had to borrow one, Colleen.  But, hey, this one is good and there's no going back now...The Bluestones are really going to be in business!"

"So, Mr McGregor, do you support your son's musical ambitions?  What about Mrs McGregor?  And your neighbours?"

"Sure.  It's a bit of harmless fun and it's good for Jamie to have a hobby.  Both Mrs McGregor and I support him and his band.  We're not sure about what the neighbours think, though..."

The guitar sounded good, but it needed tuning properly.  I strummed a few chords and nodded appreciatively.  I turned to my Dad and Colleen to check out what they thought.  Dad was smiling and Colleen looked on with interest before she checked her wristwatch.

"I've just seen the time...I need to head on to the Casbah Gallery for my school project that's due in next Semester."

"Sorry to hear that...I was hoping to show you some of our setlist."  I was just starting to ease up around her and now she has to go.  Improvise, Jamie, improvise....

"Maybe another time, Jamie"

"Hey, as it happens I have to head that way anyway...they have a music room.  How about we head down there together and we can continue with the interview?  Then, when we get there, you can do your stuff and I can do mine?"

She nods and says "OK" and inside I cheer whilst outside I maintain my cool.

"...and although The Beach Boys are our main influence I've recently been digging Bob Dylan and Donovan.  Well, we're here."

"We are.  That was really interesting what you were telling me."

"I hope I'm not boring you"

"Not at all, this is really good.  Lots of things that can go in the article."

"You know, if you've got any follow up questions, don't hesitate to ask"

"Shall do.  OK, we'd better get inside"

As we head inside the gallery I know I'm here under some false pretentions.  I don't really have to go to the music room here, it's of some usefulness and it's not urgent, but the chance to hang out with Colleen is a 1 in a 1000 one and after the pool party fiasco I want to make a good impression on her.  I try to be cool about this, that our interests are just happening to coincide this time but she's a classic beauty...at school guys either pine for Judy Keith or Colleen Corby and there are many who would give anything to be in my place right now.

"So...I'll see you later.  Good luck with your project, Colleen."

"Yeah, I'll see you around."

"Look forward to it"

There's a brief, awkward pause between the two of us.  I make what I think is a warm, friendly gesture of thanks and she kinds of nods and heads off.

 I head up to the music room and strum around for a bit.  The guitar here has a lovely, clear quality to its sound and the acoustics in the room are fantastic.  I rarely get a chance to come down to the Casbah and practice because it's always fully booked out at weekends and it's more expensive to hire than the snug at Desert Bloom Park.

I don't know how long I was playing for...30 minutes, 45 maybe but I wanted to head to the bar to get a drink so I put the guitar down and left the music room, whereupon I bump into Colleen!  She was still here.

 

"Hi there...I didn't know..."

"I didn't know you'd still be here"

"Yeah, likewise.  So, Colleen...how did your project work go?"

"Great, thanks.  I'm doing a thing about pop art so there's lots here to take a look at.  I'm going to buy a book from the gift shop so I'm heading downstairs now"

"Right...right...well, I'm done as well.  So....we're going the same way, I guess?"

"Yeah, sure."

Well this conversation is flowing with wit and repartee...I'm so nervous I don't know what to say.

We head downstairs and I see the cafe area is still open.  

"Do you have to head straight home, Colleen, or...."

"I'm not in a rush" 

"Would you like to get a coffee before you go?  I was going to get one as I worked up quite a thirst in the music room."

"Well, if you're getting one then sure"

Whilst she goes into the gift shop to buy a book I go to the cafe and order a couple of coffees.  I sit at the counter, eagerly awaiting her return.  I can feel my heart beat faster but at the same time I can also feel my stomach churning.  Eventually she comes and joins me in the cafe.

"Thanks Jamie...hmmm that tastes good."

"Did you get that book?"

"Yes, thank you.  It's what I need for my project.  The trouble with the local, general bookshops is that they don't have those really rare and niche interest books on art and literature I'm in to and it's too far and expensive to go to the really top stores so this small gift shop came up trumps."

"I'm glad it's worked out for you"

"Hmm, and I hope things go well with your band.  The last time I saw you there was talk about getting me and Judy free tickets to your next gig:  Is that an offer that still stands?"

"Absolutely!  We need to build an audience and it doesn't hurt to have a friend in the press" I say, smiling to her.  I wonder if she reacts to me calling her a friend?

"Hello Colleen...are you ready to go?" that was another voice entering the conversation.  A guy's voice.

"Almost, David.  Well, it's been a blast today, Jamie.  See you later" 

I look around and see that the other guy is none other than David Watts:  The #1 head honcho at school.  Of course he'll be dating Colleen...of course!  Colleen grabs her book and purse and goes over to greet David, who doesn't even acknowledge my presence!  Then she takes his arm and they saunter off together.  Who was I kidding?  I never stood a chance today with her.  OK, she's the school newspaper reporter, that is all.  A strictly business relationship from now on.  Time to go home, salvage some positives like the new guitar and an upcoming story in the school newspaper.  Not a win on the romance front, but...hey...free publicity.