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“Enter,” I said to the familiar knock, already getting into character.
“Ready, Doktor?”
“Indeed!” I proclaimed, striking a dramatic pose.
There were a few doubletakes as I strode through the lobby a couple paces behind Stephanie, and they weren’t just on account of the equipment we were lugging.
Even with all of us, plus gear, the bus was roomy and comfortable once we got onto it, the AC working overtime. Either by accident or design, it just so happened that I was sitting with the beautiful Becca. The sparks between us were flying like fireworks, which was really only fitting, considering the occasion.
I tried to ignore it, but to no avail. I was still finding myself scanning her gorgeous body, but Becca didn’t seem to mind the attention at all. Never had I wished I could read minds more than in that moment.
I even would have settled for being an empath. At least then I would have known if she felt the same way I did.
It occurred to me to try and touch her. Nothing too serious, just a touch on the knee, see how she reacted. But the timing didn’t seem quite right yet.
It just wasn’t the kind of guy I was. I liked to go after what I wanted but I also had patience and I wanted to make sure that Becca wanted it, too.
The grounds looked wonderful. The crews Stephanie hired had done a great job, and in a relatively short time. For a while there, it looked unlikely that the event would be happening, and I feared that we’d accidentally become the new Fyre Festival-like fraud, but Stephanie had said to leave it to her and, as usual, she came through with flying colors.
“The stage is this way,” Stephanie declared, when the gear was organized and claimed.
After hauling our necessities to the main stage, we got some help from the crew setting up. My rig was in the front, and Loki’s Laugh’s was behind me. I was the opening act, after all. Then Loki’s Laugh would go, and then some other bands on the Suspicious Activity label and others.
It was a position I’d gotten well used to after the last European tour. The only difference was that, there, no one knew who I was.
“That everything?” Stephanie asked.
“Yes, ma’am,” Ragner said, saluting.
“Don’t get smart, or I’ll cancel the whole thing. You are released. Have fun but don’t get too drunk.”
The Loki’s Laugh boys saluted, like loyal soldiers, and marched off to enjoy the festivities for as long as they could. As the day cooled, excitement grew for what was to come.
I paced backstage, trying to psych myself up for my North American debut. It seemed like everyone in town turned out for the event, and there would be industry types in the crowd, either by intent or coincidence.
If I did well, it could be a whole new chapter in my career. If not, there might be some venom online, but it likely wouldn’t affect my European following too badly.
Mostly I just wanted to play a good show and to help everyone have fun. That was why I did this, after all. If I was just looking for money or fame, I’d have gone on a reality show.
The stage lights went dark and that was my cue. Under the cover of darkness, both from the night as well as the lighting crew, I made my way out to my rig, the goggles firmly on my head.
Flashing a cocky yet flirtatious smile to the audience, I revved up the drum machine. The deep, sinister beat was permeating the night, leading the way into the beginning of the main melody.
The lights came on as I hit the crescendo of the first movement. There was spinning and flashing all around the place, following the organized chaos coming out of the sound system. I loved the energy of performing in front of a crowd.
There was always a fair bit of nervousness mixed in with the excitement, though. Now, when I dared open my eyes, a mass of people— over one hundred thousand, according to the advance estimates I’d heard Stephanie bat around— were moving and churning like a storm on the ocean.
They really liked me. Careful not to let the fame go to my head or distract me, I played the song through to the end without a single mistake. I did the same for the rest of the set.
As I hit my last note of the night and heard the fireworks go off behind me, I was drenched with sweat, my lab coat was in a pile beside the synth, and I was transcendently happy.
I didn’t know if it was an American tradition to throw a bucket of ice water over the opening act at the end of their set, but that was what happened with this crowd. It was cold but refreshing. And very much appreciated.
