The Guitarist Association

By T.M. Greene

About the Book
The Guitarist Association is a story about three friends who live in one of the most exciting times in American History: the 1960s. It's about their perspective toward music, politics, and the changing times through the television program they have. It’s about music people love and still relate to even today. This vivid, engaging tale brings the reader back to one of the greatest eras in music.
About the Author
T.M. Greene was born in Washington, D.C. He enjoys writing, drawing sketches, walking, collecting things, watching film and television, reading books, and playing video games. He also enjoys spending time with friends, going to events in his hometown, and traveling, buying, and listening to vinyl records. The Guitarist Association was originally a one act play that Greene turned into a novel.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Company
• Release date: Nov 3, 2023
• ISBN: 9781645308393

Book preview

Chapter Two

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Melody and Karen Cornell were two sisters who lived in San Francisco. They were the eldest of four; Karen was born in 1941, Melody in 1942, and their two younger siblings Crystal, and only brother Justin, were born in 1947 and 1949, respectively. Crystal and Justin were still attending high school while Melody and Karen were college students attending the University of California in Berkeley.

Their parents were involved in World War II. Their father, Thomas Cornell, fought on the front lines in Europe, and their mother, Gloria was a nurse in the States. As Karen was the eldest, she had been closest to her father; until she was about 8 years old when her brother was born. Karen grew up to be a bit of a tomboy. Melody was a lot closer to their mother and was a lot more lady-like. That was at least until her and Karen were in high school. As they got into high school they started to hang out at various coffeehouses and clubs. They hung out with various beatniks, drinking coffee, smoking hashish, listening to Rock & Roll music, and learning about blues and folk music. Ever since, Karen and Melody spent a lot of their time singing, writing, playing guitar, and collecting records.

As of late, Melody and Karen had been interested in politics. The country was going through Civil Rights protests, The Bay of Pigs invasion, The Cuban Missile Crisis, and escalating conflict in Vietnam. The two of them had a great respect for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the late President John F. Kennedy. They missed participating in the March on Washington, but they watched the news-footage and tried to have their own Civil Rights rally. They had been so taken by Kennedy that they went to school particularly to study politics.

On a Friday afternoon, Melody had gone out shopping and came back to the dorm room she shared with Karen. Karen was just sitting on the chair by the desk, listening to Joan Baez singing We Shall Overcome and playing along on guitar. Melody sang along with the record as she walked in.

I love Joan as much as anyone else, but you should stop listening to this depressing stuff, sis, Melody said.

Who could possibly cheer up? Karen replied, bitterly. And I’ve been doing some more reading.

She showed Melody a newspaper about the escalation in Vietnam.

It’s been really easy to get depressed, given the last couple of months, Karen went on.

You’re still beat up over Kennedy? Melody asked.

I suppose so, Karen said, miserably.

I know, Melody said. He was the man who you’d think would make great change in the country. The reason for us getting involved in politics.

So we could do our part in stopping racial injustice and possibly unifying the country, Karen said.

I know we missed that March on Washington, but we can’t just wake up one morning and expect paradise. We have to start somewhere, and let it grow, like with the others, Melody told her.

The others? Karen asked.

All of the other guys on campus are really getting interested in our type of stuff, Melody said.

We’ve got people following us? Karen asked, surprised.

I’ve started to get people listening to folk music and going to the back to the coffeehouses. We might get a chance to do our own peace march this time, Melody said.

That’s if the Dean doesn’t try to throw us out, Karen said.

In the meantime, check out the stuff I bought, Melody said.

She picked up a few records, a new dress, and a ukulele.

That’s nice. If we’re going to be playing Elvis’ Blue Hawaii, said Karen side eyeing the ukulele.

We’d still need one of those pedal steel guitars, and I’d have to get one of those grassy hula skirts, Melody said.

Are you sure your boyfriend would be comfortable with you showing off that much skin? Karen asked. I’m sticking to Folk music.

That’s nice and all, but you really need to check out this, Melody told her as she pulled out a copy of Meet The Beatles!.

You’re still going on about that group? Karen asked.

They play good music, Melody replied.

Melody had been going around and listening to a few more things on the radio. She heard She Loves You and loved the song. She went around looking for other songs by The Beatles, and picked up whatever songs she could find. She absolutely loved the song I Want to Hold Your Hand. Karen wasn’t as receptive of the song; although, she really liked the song Please Please Me.

You just couldn’t get over that song of theirs, could you? Karen asked.

The thing about you, Melody started, "is you don’t want to open yourself up to the fun things in life. You want to stay focused on the serious stuff. On the other hand, I’ve got this excellent music to help lift my spirits."

You think I’m negative? Karen asked.

I’m just saying you need to loosen up a little and enjoy the nice things in life, Melody told her.

Sure, Karen said.

Melody went to the record player and showed Karen the leafy plants in her bag.

Our favorite plant. Joe doesn’t know I bought it, Melody said.

Just like old times, Karen said laughing.

They smoked some grass, sprayed cans of air freshener and opened their windows, while listening to the entire ‘Meet the Beatles!’ album. Track by track, they enjoyed it. They played it a second time while singing and playing guitar along with the record.

Wow! That was fantastic, Karen said.

You see what I mean? Melody told her.

All right, you got me there, Karen replied. So, what’s their story?

They’re a really popular group from England, Melody explained. They finally arrived in the country earlier today. You should have seen reaction when they arrived in New York.

Having been convinced that this is a group worth finding out about, they went to a place where a TV was, and they watched the news. They saw the press conference and admired The Beatles’ funny and witty personalities.

I’m sure Joe wouldn’t be caught with his hair as long as theirs, Karen remarked. Where are they going to be anyway?

I think they’re doing select concerts, but they’re going to perform on The Ed Sullivan Show on Sunday. I was thinking that we should throw a party, Melody told her.

That’s a good idea, Karen agreed. I want to see if there are any musicians on campus.

For the next two days Karen and Melody, spent the weekend reading up on The Beatles, while playing along to the Meet the Beatles! record constantly. They started inviting people in on the fun. Melody’s boyfriend, Joe, remained uninterested.

Finally, on Sunday night they went to a friend’s dorm room, because they had a television set, with a bunch of people.

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Beatles! Ed Sullivan announced.

The Beatles appeared on screen, and everyone started chattering. They started their performance with All My Loving. Next they sang Till There Was You, with each member’s name appearing on screen. The Bassist: Paul.

Okay, so there’s Paul, Melody said. Let’s see if we can name the rest.

Appearing on screen next was the drummer.

That one is Ringo! Melody said.

The drummer’s name popped up: Ringo.

Next, the lead guitar player.

George! Karen said.

The lead guitarist’s name showed up: George.

Then finally was the rhythm guitar player.

John! Karen and Melody shouted together.

The Rhythm guitarist’s name popped up with a side caption: John. Sorry girls, he’s married:

Well, I guess he’s off the market, Melody said.

The Beatles finished up the first half of their performance with She Loves You. Other acts followed: Fred Kaps, Frank Gorshin, Terry McKermontt, Tessie O’Shea, McCall & Brill. One act they did like was the segment from the cast of Oliver. They especially liked the young actor playing the Artful Dodger. The Beatles came back on and resumed with I Saw Her Standing There and I Want to Hold Your Hand. Then the show concluded with Wells & The Four Fays.

Everyone was excited. Some girls even cried at the end of the program. Oh my gosh, I can’t get enough of those guys, someone said.

Are you two gonna have any more Beatle parties? a student asked.

For the rest of the night, they continued to play music with everyone else. They were nearly reported by their neighbors for being too loud. They agreed to meet the following two Sunday nights to watch The Beatles on TV, albeit in different dorm rooms.

Chapter Three

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As school was getting closer to exams, Christopher found himself prepared, but distracted. The Beatles arrived on the scene, and they sparked his determination to play rock music again. His short film had gotten him a B+. He had gotten back into practicing instruments. He had also been collecting even more records. The two records of the year so far that he’d liked best were The Times they are a-Changin by Bob Dylan, and Getz/Gilberto by Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto. However, the big record he wanted was The Beatles Second Album.

Christopher eventually pulled through and managed to pass. On April 23rd, he turned 21, and left to celebrate at the beach with the friends he made in orchestra.

Man, those tests were brutal, weren’t they? Christopher asked.

We don’t have to worry much longer, William said.

Have any you guys heard the newest album from The Beatles? Christopher asked while he got out his acoustic guitar.

Chris, how long have you been waiting at record shops to get that one album? Aaron asked.

I’ve been doing nothing but trying to find this one record, but I came across other records at the shops that are really good, Christopher told them.

He handed them the record, The Beatles’ Second Album.

They played the whole album on his portable record player, and there were some great original songs, a few classic Rock & Roll numbers, and some really good Motown covers.

This is actually nice, Charles said.

You see why I love this band so much, said Christopher.

I suppose, Juan said.

Do you think those ‘long-haired guys’ can really take over Elvis? Charles asked.

Elvis has been hailed king for eight years, said Darryl.

But he’s mostly doing movies now; and I dig the long hair, said Christopher.

"Chicks dig the long hair," Aaron said.

But did you see how crazy the people went when they were on TV? Don’t you guys wish that could be you? Christopher asked.

The other guys seemed apathetic. Minutes passed and the discussion turned into what they were going to do after graduating.

I’m going to be a football star, William said.

Cool! Juan said.

Hopefully I’m going to play for the Rams, then I can move me and my family out of Watts, William said. It’s getting really bad back there, especially with those racist cops.

You do it, man. Help your family. Follow your dreams, Christopher told him.

That’s if it’s at least profitable, Aaron added.

I’m going into Law, and hopefully get my own law firm, Charles said.

I’m going to start writing books, Juan said.

What kind of books? Darryl asked.

There were a couple of biographies I wanted to do, Juan said.

Well, I was thinking about agriculture business, said Darryl.

Like a farmer? Charles asked.

Sort of, Darryl replied. I’d still be doing some business stuff.

I’m joining the army, said Aaron.

Everyone was taken aback.

Really? Charles asked.

Yeah, I don’t want The Reds to take over, he told them. They got real close to us in Cuba.

So, in response, we try to get a piece of…what was that country called again? William asked.

Wasn’t it Indochina? Charles asked.

No, it’s called Vietnam, Christopher said.

I don’t care what it’s called, as long as we can stop The Commies, Aaron said.

Come on man. It’s a tiny country that people barely know about. Kennedy didn’t want to send US troops over there, said Darryl.

New President, things change, Aaron said. With Johnson, it could be different.

What? Are you trying to be a great American hero like in one of those old John Wayne movies? Christopher asked.

What about you, man? Aaron asked him. Are you gonna be there to film my exploits? Make me a movie hero?

Yeah, are you going to be the next Cecil B. DeMille or what? William asked.

To be honest, I was thinking about starting a band, Christopher told them.

Really? Aaron asked, unimpressed.

I think he’s taking his record buying too seriously, Juan joked.

You’re getting out of college after taking film classes, and you want to be in a rock & roll band? Charles asked.

Hey it’s his life, Juan said.

Yeah, but I just thought that if he played his cards right he could end up directing a James Bond movie, Aaron said.

You know him, William said. He takes his music to heart.

I was actually hoping you guys would join in, and we could have a group ourselves, Christopher said.

Sorry, but I’ve got other things to do than the orchestra, Charles said.

You should really keep to film-making, said Darryl.

I’ll go back to it, Christopher told them. You guys don’t think outside the box much.

Yeah well all that crazy stuff is up in San Francisco. That’s about as far out of the box as you can get, Juan told him.

San Francisco, you say? Christopher asked, very intrigued.

Christopher had loved the music of his youth and what the British were doing, and now he was convinced that he should get back to music. It was obvious that a lot of the guys were more focused on conventional careers, so he would have to go elsewhere. He decided that if there were more like-minded people in San Francisco, then that was the place to go to make his band. For the time of being, he had papers and exams to finish.

Chapter Four

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After multiple warnings, and numerous incidents, Karen and Melody were expelled from the University of California. They went back to their dorm room to clean it out.

Mom’s going to kill us, Melody told Karen.

Us? She’ll go easy on you; she’s gonna let me have it, Karen replied.

"She’ll probably say, You should set a better example for your siblings," Melody said in a convincing imitation.

It was worth it. Those old geezers tell us we’re a bad example for the other students, just because we disagree with the government, Karen said.

They act like ‘grass’ is really bad, Melody said.

Do you have any on you, ‘cause I’m kind of pissed off right now? Karen asked.

I gave the rest of our stash to my roommates as a parting gift, Melody told her.

Great, Karen said flatly.

Don’t sweat it, Melody told her.

What do you mean? Karen asked.

The guys in the culinary class want to experiment with cannabis in food. They’re probably going to have a bake sale later on, Melody said.

Later that day, Melody got a letter from her boyfriend Joe, a letter that upset her.

What’s wrong? Karen asked her.

Joe dumped me, Melody replied.

Really? To be honest, I always thought he was kind of a candyass, Karen said, under her breath.

Their family had not been very rich, but their parents knew a lot of people with some influence from their war days. Karen made it clear that she was not going to be a debutante. Melody on the other hand, did, mostly for her mother. She had met Joe at a ball when he asked her to dance. They got along fine, but she was too interested in what Karen was doing and lost interest in keeping up appearances.

"And he had to be cruel about it. He said, ‘I don’t love you anymore’," Melody told her.

He didn’t, Karen said.

It’s right here, Melody told her, and handed Karen the letter.

Dear Melody,

I heard about what happened regarding your expulsion, and quite frankly I am very disappointed and embarrassed by your behavior. I have expressly told you not to get involved with troublesome groups. I have tolerated your sister, but now I see her influence of you far surpasses my own.

I am formally breaking up with you. I do not love you anymore. I require back the gifts I sent to you. I simply cannot be associated with your type of behavior. My family commands much more respect.

Sincerely, Joseph

What a bastard, Karen said.

After a brief pause, Karen said, Well, sorry Mel.

Why are you sorry? Melody asked.

I probably could have been a better influence and hung out with more, dare I say it, civilized company, Karen said; then mumbled. Provided that your boyfriend didn’t have his head up his ass.

Are you kidding? I wouldn’t have traded that for anything. Especially him, Melody told Karen. I mean, as long as we weren’t doing something to actually hurt someone. We’ve got our own rights to talk about politics. And how much more dangerous is marijuana than alcohol anyway?

Wow Mel! You’re a lot tougher than you look, Karen said surprised.

Did you seriously think that I paid attention to those debutante classes? Melody asked. In fact, give me that letter.

Karen handed the letter back, and Melody proceeded to write:

Why don’t you just go ahead and settle down with the most plain Jane girl you could find then! You’ll be someone else’s’ problem. Don’t talk about Karen like that. She is worth 10 of you. You can have your things back. I have no love for you anymore either. P.S. ~ Go screw yourself.

That’s more like it sis, Karen said.

You should be doing a lot better than me, Melody said.

Not really, Karen said. Kevin’s too concentrated on his class work, and he had to miss out on the last couple of parties. Hell, I barely even get to talk to him anymore.

So, I guess it’s just us? Melody asked.

It’s all good. We can get our school money and figure out our next move, Karen told her.

I saw that a couple of places have vacancies, Melody mentioned.

They told their parents what the situation was. Their parents were definitely not happy. They got their money and managed to get an apartment close to downtown. Days later, they convened at a local record store and discussed the jobs they just got.

I’ve got the job at the restaurant, Melody said.

Lucky. I’ve got the job at that dumb grocery store, Karen said grimly.

Don’t worry. This isn’t going to be permanent, Melody said optimistically.

I know, but I still hate it. They can write you off for whatever little thing, Karen said. After Martin Luther King gave his speech about equality, all we were trying to do was bring people of different races together and be united in America. Like good politicians.

I guess the school just didn’t like the pot, Melody said.

I think it was more than the grass. They just didn’t like us being the free thinkers, Karen said.

Why would we want to be like the politicians? They’re just a bunch of lying snakes, said Melody. Of course when we started, we wanted to be like Kennedy.

And look what happened to him, Karen said.

I know, said Melody.

Do we just drop out of the political scene? Karen asked.

Don’t get ahead of yourself. We didn’t go to college for nothing, Melody told her. We can still send letters to local senators and congressional representatives, and anyone can run for mayor.

I can dig it, but for the time of being? Karen asked.

Let’s just go back to doing what we do best: music, Melody told her.

Melody pulled out the records she was going to buy: The Times they are A-changin, by Bob Dylan; Judy Collins #3, by Judy Collins; and The Beatles Second Album, by The Beatles.

So are we doing the folk scene or the rock & roll scene? Karen asked.

Why not both? Melody asked. We learn these songs, and then we can play at clubs. You think you can handle it?

Don’t you remember how great I was back when we were in coffeehouses? Karen asked her.

Good. All we have to do is look at all the possible clubs in Frisco, Melody said.

They spent the rest of the week playing their records, working, practicing guitar, singing, and scouting for places to perform at.

Chapter Five

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The Abbey Roadhouse was a quaint little nightclub. The place wasn’t as roomy as the neighboring clubs, but it was a nice place for beginners. Karen and Melody had frequently visited this club while they were in college. Now that they were free agents, they could have more fun.

By June, Christopher had finally established himself in San Francisco after graduating with a degree in film. He was compelled by the idea of there being a lot more free thinkers in San Francisco, and now he was on his own with just his guitar, his record player, a suitcase full of clothes, and his records.

Wednesday, Christopher arrived as they were doing open stage shows. He saw a few people perform. The two who stood out the most were two very pretty girls with chestnut brown hair, who were obviously sisters. The taller one with long flowing hair had a beautiful voice. The shorter one with glasses and shoulder-length hair, was a good lead guitarist.

Thursday, Karen and Melody went to The Abbey Roadhouse, only this time as spectators. This time there were a few people; some were good, some were alright. One person they had thought was good was a guy who was kind of tall and had short, sandy brown hair. Melody thought he was really good looking, but was he dressed in a business suit, while others wore slacks and long-sleeve shirts. He had a few folk numbers and played whatever rock numbers he could on his acoustic guitar. He was confident when singing, but he played a very short set.

Friday afternoon, Christopher was standing in line for the open stage sign-up sheet and right behind him was Melody.

Hello, Melody said.

Hi, Christopher replied.

I saw you perform yesterday. You were good, Melody told him.

Thanks. I saw you and another girl the day before. You both were excellent, He said.

That was my sister. We’ve been coming here for a while, she said. Usually everyone is mostly local. Are you new around here?

I came from LA, and was just wandering around, hoping to perfect my musicianship, he said.

What do you play? she asked.

Well, I’ve played just about everything when I was in school. From piano to drums. Now I’ve switched to guitar, he explained. I just know a few instruments.

Good luck, she told him; he was next to sign up.

Thanks, good luck to you too, he replied.

Later that night, Christopher had gotten his turn to sing, but again his set was very brief, only three songs. The people still applauded. He left the stage and on his way to the tables. Then Melody approached him.

Do you have a dime? she asked.

Sure, he said, pulling a dime out of his pocket, and handing it to her.

Thank you, she said.

She went to the club’s payphone to make a call. She didn’t get an answer for a several minutes. Christopher noticed and went to ask.

Any luck? he asked her.

No. My sister is probably passed out somewhere, she replied.

She had one too many ‘dimes’? he joked.

You could say that, she said. Karen knows we’re due to perform on stage together, but since she’s not here I guess I’ll just leave.

Hey, wait; I think I might be able to help you, he said.

You would? she asked.

Sure, it’d be my pleasure, he said.

Thank you, she said happily.

I’m Christopher Green; people usually call me Chris, he told her, while extending his hand.

Nice to meet you Chris. I’m Melody Cornell, she replied, shaking his hand.

Melody informed the announcer that she was going to play with Christopher. While the other people were performing, they talked and got to know each other.

What kind of music do you and your sister play, he asked.

We usually play folk songs like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Peter, Paul, & Mary, and also a bit of The Beatles, she told him.

That’s great. I have most of their records, he said.

Melody and Christopher had some time until was their turn. They went over what they like to sing; they tuned their guitars. Then the announcer came on.

Next up is Melody Cornell and Christopher Green singing a collage of folk and pop songs, he announced as they got on stage.

Hey everyone. Karen isn’t here, so Christopher has agreed to sing with me, Melody told the crowd.

They went on stage and played a set list of: A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall, With God on Our Side, Kumbaya, Puff, the Magic Dragon, Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right, The Bells of Rhymney, Thank You Girl, Don’t Bother Me, I Call Your Name, I Want to Hold Your Hand, I Saw Her Standing There, Do You Want to Know a Secret?. They both sang beautifully with great vocal harmony.

The crowd applauded, they gave a bow and left the stage.

You were amazing, she told him.

Me? You’re the one who was amazing, he said.

Thanks, you really saved my neck, she told him, and kissed him on the cheek.

Uh, my pleasure Melody, he said somewhat stunned.

You can just call me ‘Mel’; all of my friends do, she told him.

Sure thing, ‘Mel’, he replied.

Christopher and Melody went to get a drink and sat at a nearby table.

That last song, it was the Beatles, right? Melody asked.

"It’s from their very first album Please Please Me," he explained.

"I haven’t heard it until now. I thought the first was Meet the Beatles," she said.

It was their British album that a friend of mine got on subscription from England, he replied.

I should hear it sometime, she said. I’ve been out of touch with The Beatles for a while.

Why is that? he asked.

Cause me and my sister picked up a record from this new British group called The Rolling Stones, she replied.

Another band came on stage and started playing a few songs; they took some time to listen before they went back to talking.

So, what do you and your sister do? he asked.

We were at Berkeley, but we recently got expelled, she said plainly.

For what? he asked.

Apparently we were disrupting the campus, she said. Karen and me called it what it really was a ‘demonstration,’ but the morons in charge called it a ‘riot’; and the marijuana we grew in the greenhouses probably didn’t help.

You and your sister are like freedom fighters and radical thinkers? he asked.

You could say that. Just don’t tell me you’re one of the straights, she said.

I’m just a guy who loves music and wants to be with other like-minded individuals, he told her.

Well you’ve come to the right place, she told him.

I’ve just come from UCLA, trying to break into movies, he said.

You want to make movies? Far out, she said. What kind of movies do you want to make?

Small things. I was thinking about doing television, he explained.

What are you doing here if you want to do television? she asked. That kind of stuff is usually in LA.

Next to film, music has always been a passion of mine, he told her. I’ve been in plenty of bands and was hoping to start my own. Especially since The Beatles arrived in America. A friend of mine said that San Francisco was the place to be.

What do you play then? she asked.

Anything I could get my hands on; guitar, bass, piano, drums, trumpet, he replied.

Wow. That’s impressive, she said. Me and my siblings had a few piano lessons. My older sister and I are focused on playing guitar at the moment.

So am I, he said.

Well we’re mostly doing folk music. Kind of like Joan Baez and her sister Mimi, she said. But every now and then we do a few British numbers.

Christopher stared at her for a good bit and thought hard. Melody loved music, had a wonderful singing voice, and was learning different songs.

Hey Mel, would you like to join my band? he asked her.

Um, sure. I guess, Melody said after thinking for a few seconds. But you’d have to include my sister.

What all does she play? he asked.

Mostly Guitar. She’s really good, she told him.

I’m convinced, he said, remembering their set two days before.

The performing band started playing, Do You Wanna Dance? Christopher and Melody giggled.

If there was ever a song to play, Melody said.

"If that’s the case, do you want to dance?" he asked her.

Okay, she said enthusiastically.

Christopher and Melody danced hand-in-hand together for a while to fast songs and slow songs.

After twenty-five minutes, it was time for Melody to leave.

Can I walk you home? he asked her. I’d love to meet Karen.

Sure, she said.

They left the club, and took a trolley car. They spent the trolley ride talking about music and all the things they liked as kids: Disney films, Disneyland, and Warner Brothers Cartoons. They both loved books like The Hobbit, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Alice in Wonderland. Melody and Karen were reading a lot of newer books such as On the Road by Jack Kerouac, The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan, The Graduate by Charles Webb, Stride Toward Freedom by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Silent Spring by the late Rachel Carson. Christopher hadn’t really been reading anything new, as he was mostly focused on films. The James Bond films had gotten him to read some of the novels. He was still reading comic strips and comic books.

Chapter Six

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Melody and Karen’s home was very bare-minimum. Things were still in boxes waiting to be taken out and put up. The only real things they had set up were their records, record player, portable radio, and their guitars were lined up. There wasn’t much furniture. The walls had little decorations. There was only one portrait on the wall, and it was of Melody and Karen’s family.  

Karen, I’m home! Are you here? Melody yelled.

Yeah, I’m here, Karen yelled back, from the next room.

Oh, would you like anything? said Melody, turning to Christopher. We have coffee, tea, orange juice. I was going to make a pizza.

I’m good for right now. Thanks, Christopher said.

They went around to the room in the back to find Karen laying down on a couch.

Where the hell were you when I needed you? Melody said. We were supposed to perform.

Get off my back, Karen replied, irritated. I had a bad day at work. My boss was being a pain in the ass. Then I was hanging out with The Merry Pranksters, and they gave me some Special Kool-Aid.

Did you have a good ‘trip’? she asked her.

Yes, I did. Now I want stop talking to you and get back to it, Karen told her, both annoyed and tired.

Wait Karen, I brought a friend. He wants to meet you, Melody told her.

Hello miss, Christopher said trying to sound formal.

‘Miss’? What are you like 60? Karen asked.

Uh, no. I’m 21, Christopher said nervously.

That young? You should loosen up kid. You don’t have to call me miss, Karen said.

Okay; hello Karen, I’m Chris, he told her.

Hello Chris, the obvious contender for Melody’s boyfriend, Karen replied.

Really Karen? Melody asked, slightly annoyed.

Don’t worry. If it’s all the same to you, I’m going back to my nice little trip and crash on the couch. Bedroom’s all yours. Just try not to make so much noise, Karen told them, indifferently.

Uh, uh, uh… Christopher stammered.

Christopher was slightly embarrassed, just now realizing how the situation looked. He turned to Melody to apologize, but she was blushing and smiling at him. She clearly liked him, and it was easy to like her. Melody was beautiful, kind, smart, and loved music. He found himself feeling less embarrassed.

Well…? Christopher asked.

Well? Melody replied, playfully. I guess that pizza is going to have to wait.

He walked over to her and found himself face to face with her. He leaned forward slightly to kiss her, then she grabbed him by surprise, pulled him towards her, and kissed him. Roughly thirty-five seconds later, they heard Karen clearing her throat.

Um, I can still hear you two. Didn’t I say you can have the bedroom? Karen asked.

Sorry, they shouted back.

Melody made a zipping gesture across her lips. Christopher gave her a wink, and followed her upstairs…

Damn it, I love San Francisco! Christopher said, the following morning.

They were having Frosted Flakes, toast with strawberry jam, and orange juice. Christopher had gotten up early to get his records from his motel room, and brought the lot.

You actually are pretty cool, Karen said, while going through his list of records.

So are you two, he told them. You were at Berkeley?

Until they threw us out. Now I’m working at the worst possible grocery store. My manager is a real jackass,