Lola again

 

This is my workplace, the Plumbob Pictures Backlot.  This is the dream factory and the nightmare haven.  It actually doesn’t seem that big.  But it’s actually huge.

When I tell people my parents were musicians and I’m a lead actor, they’re a little surprised.  But when I tell them my parents compose music for movies and television, then they understand why I do what I do.  It begins to make sense for them. 

You all have to understand, we are a creative family, first and foremost. 

That’s my dad’s mom, Jamie Jolina.  Even though she was a doctor, I’ve heard she was a good enough guitar player to play professionally. 

That’s my dad’s half-sister, Margaret.  What did she do?  She was only the most accomplished writer in Sunset Valley history.  She wrote twenty-six novels, mostly of the science fiction variety.  She’s most famous for the Moon Colony series of books.  These are the same books my boss wants to write a screenplay based on.

 

This is mom’s dad, Sir Edward Bellingham.  From the stuff my sister found, he was a jack-of-all-trades sort.  He painted, he wrote, he traveled the globe.  He was a photojournalist who went missing when mom was a little girl. 

 

So I had a little get-together at my house to celebrate my promotion to lead actor.  Of course I had Kyra over…

…Devin and Jupiter too, although I have NO idea why Jupiter wore a tux…

…and of course there was Kaydee (Devin’s GF)…

I introduced Kyra to Silvah Spencer, and in no time they were exchanging digits and advice about the best places to shop in Bridgeport. 

And then… then there was Lola.  She showed up to the party late and would. not. leave. 

“Sebastian, I would like to ask something of you,” she began as I munched on my pb&j sandwich. 

She looked pretty distant as she finished her plate.  “I’d like to ask this in private, if you don’t mind.”

“Sebastian, I’ve heard that you play a mean guitar just like your father, and my band’s guitarist quit last week…so, I was wondering…”

She took out her drum set and started playing in the middle of my bedroom while I painted her picture.  If mom’s painting lessons have stuck, this picture should turn out pretty nice. 

“I was wondering,” she continued above the din of her drums, “if you could replace him.”

I sighed.  I told her I’d think about it. 

“So, did you enjoy your meal?”

“Yah, the sandwich was delish.  Is that gourmet peanut butter?”

 

She looked away for a moment.  “So, have you thought about it?”

“Thought about what?”

“My proposition – to have you join my band.”

She stared blankly at me as I explained, “Lola, I can’t do it.”

“What do you mean you can’t do it?”

“I’m already signed on for a major movie project.  I’m sorry, Lola.”

Having to say no to her was not easy for me.  But it was the only thing I could tell her.