orangetoughguy | log post II

[Green eyes look over the top edge of his shades at Larry's brown ones. What does Freddy think of him? Hard to say. Maybe he'll get a better idea after he talks to the guy. One more drag then the kid's putting his cigarette out before walking right up to Johnny. Bold? Maybe. But this is how he got into the heist club ain't it?]

Hey.

[The kid says to the stranger, about ready to unroll his silver tongue when suddenly...suddenly...something else catches his attention.]

Batman guitar. [Oh. My. God. That's supercool.] Winston.

[Bark bark! Today White's Winston because he does a mean Churchill expression and Orange is Ringo because that's his favorite Beatle to pick on.]

[Talking? That may not be the way to get on into it. After all, there's not gonna be much talking. Talking is what people do in relationships. This here is a two way radio transmission. Larry keeps his arms crossed, if the kid is feeling that up to giving it a go on his own, more power to him.

Except what...?]

Yeah, Ringo?

[Pushing off of the wall he comes closer.]

[Look he's obviously less experienced in the way men cruising for men communicate even though he's pretty good at busting them in LA. Nevermind all that though, Freddy's got more important things to hunt down. Hands are flapping for Larry to come closer and when he does, the kid gestures at the black logo encased in yellow, forming the body of a six string electric.]

Batman guitar.

[Oh there's a Superman one too, and a Flash one, must be a DC sponsored table otherwise a Silver Surfer guitar would make this kid blow it right in his jeans.]

[Flapping hand-like flags sheesh. The old bear is right there looking over his shoulder.]

Oh yeah. Heh.

[Meaning that if Larry thinks that's a little cool to Freddy it must be fucking amazing.]

I wonder how good those work.

[Fucking. Epic. Oh yeah his hands finally go down, a little.]

It kinda looks more like a novelty than a real guitar, but it's still pretty fuckin' cool. [Wait. He looks at Larry curiously.] You play?

[Cuz how would he know how good it can work if he's never worked a guitar, right? Furthermore, how can Freddy have gone on knowing Larry this long without knowing he plays?]

The pieces look alright.

[Not visible shit anyway. He's looking at the strings. That doesn't look like fishing line.]

Nah. I'm a drum man. I seen a decent guitar or two though.

[A paw pats him hard on the back.]

Gonna give it a try?

[Oof from the paw patting--whoa whoa whoa wait. Hold the phone. He's staring at the old man like...just staring. A staring thing who stares.]

You drum? [Oh yeah, they're still at the gaming table. One of those toss a ball into a single can deals. And the balls ain't cheap.] I'm not a lead guitar kind of guy. I'm a bass man.

[Except he's reaching into his own pockets for money.] But I'm gonna try it anyway because...Batman guitar.

I used to play the drums. It's been a long time.

[Shrug. Seeing Freddy enthusiastic about it though makes him feel like it was something jamming in a buddy's garage back in the day. Bobby played the base.]

Go for it, partner.

[Another pat, not so hard and a rub before hands off.]

[And Johnny Unitas, potential third party though he was, is on his way down the boardwalk unaware he was ever even targeted. No harm no foul for anyone. Freddy's too excited about this music man business.]

You never told me that. [Shit does that sound too chummy? Maybe the teenager manning the table--a teenager who definitely doesn't look like any potential third party--won't notice.] I played bass in fuckin' grade school.

[Winding up, and Fast Freddy, usually a short stop player, pitches the ball...overshot and over the can opening by an inch. Damn.]

Trust me, not like I cut a record or anything. Just making noise now and then. Pissing off the neighborhood. It was a good time.

[Larry honestly hadn't thought about it in years. Though in a moment he's back and remembering the way the dust in the garage would dance in what light was left of the day as they tried to bang out whatever was on American Bandstand. The kid's got a knack for that.]

Ooh. Close one. Give 'er another try.

[Oh wait. Johnny U where did you go? Long gone by the time the old man is looking around for him.]

I know how that is.

[Freddy says with a smile, harboring similar fond memories of boyhood and other memories of early adulthood that aren't so fond about his bass guitar. Getting a second ball now, because cost is no issue, the kid winds up and this time attempts an underhand toss. Pong! The ball bounces on the rim again only to roll out and over the side. Damn close.]

Damn.

[Did Larry really want Johnny U? The kid might feel bad for getting distracted if he did.]

[The two of them have rock n' roll fantasies to their credit. Ain't it fucking great to have someone who understands?]

Easy this time. Visualize.

[A coach of an older guy hanging to one side isn't too suspicious is it?

Johnny U was nice on the eyes and a throwback, sure but nothing worth crying about. Besides, the point is that they want something they can both appreciate, right? And it's another excuse to see what Freddy N is working with in his brain. Larry knows he is a Flash Gordon and Diamond Dave sort of a guy for starters, what about the everyday passing fancy that isn't on a newsstand.]

Man... [The younger guy says with a mild sound of defeat, not that he's gonna act torn up or anything. Here though, he offers the last ball to the older guy.] You try it.

[Is that suspicious? Not that Freddy cares all too much because...Batman guitar. Who doesn't want a batguitar, a batar, any way they can get it? And this blondie is just a little too old for it to be considered legally inappropriate. As for the everyday passing fancy you don't find in magazines or on celluloid...well, he's got Larry doesn't he? And Larry's got Freddy. Doesn't get more down to earth than that. A day laborer by the name of Dominguez would be just as nice too.]

Okay.

[His arms uncross and he puts down a coin. Ball in hand he does a few practice swings.]

Hope it's not fixed.

[A laugh there but he's honest. Freddy had some good throws there. Okay. Three. Two. One. CLUNK. Direct hit.]

Huh.

[Shrug there. That could be one prize, yes? A prize for his prize...roommate.]

[Would Lawrence Dimick do something about it if it was fixed? That kid doesn't look like he'd hold up too well against Two Guns or Officer Newendyke for that matter. Even after Larry's comment the kid kind of just gives an anxious laugh at the two men. Come on guys, he doesn't own the thing, he just runs it. Ooh but what does it matter when the older one just landed a perfect shot.]

Holy shit. Holy. Shit.

[Freddy's staring with wide caramel apple green eyes. Then he's laughing and slapping his own paw over Larry's back.] You fuckin' did it!

[Luckily no one gets to find out what happens if the game is fixed. The old bear has an arm on him. Though he feels like it might smart later the way he threw it. Savor the victory though.]

I want the Batman one.

[As if the kid working the booth didn't know for sure. The real prize is the way those green apple eyes are on him and that slap to the back. Once it's in his hands he promptly turns to hand it over to the other man.]

[Push the age difference a little more in opposite directions and it's like a dad just gave his son the best present ever. Change one of them into a lady then no one would bat an eye and probably think the pitcher's gonna score later tonight. Go figure. Either way Freddy's hardly paying attention to what anyone else around them might think of his enthusiasm for the black and yellow instrument now in his hands. Pluck pluck.]

We gotta get it some new strings. [Er wait.] I mean, whenever you're ready to play it.

[Because it's Larry's guitar first or something like that. He did say he isn't much of a lead guitar man, always a supporting bassist but without that understated aura of coolness.]

[Hands in his pockets he gladly accepts the role as father figure of some sort. Brown eyes crinkle at the edges as he watches those flappy hands turn over the new guitar. It is a fucking good prize.

Will the pitcher be scoring later tonight? Larry doesn't doubt.]

I may not be ready to play it. You can hold onto it for now. How about that?

[And he'll have to carry it. Small price to pay.]

Well okay, cause you said so.

[Freddy concedes, seeing right through that knowing Larry probably didn't think he'd be fooled for a second anyway. It's a matter of wit and charm, two things Lawrence Dimick has in spades. With a cheap black strap that came with the guitar in place the kid's got the thing hanging across his back. He gives a casual wave of thanks to the other kid then steps away from the table to re-enter their own world of two's company.]

Man you know I haven't held a guitar in years, since college.

[That's like seven years man.]

Say, I got it. You can teach me a thing or two.

[If he wants to. Really it could be more public relation banter. All good natured, possibly fatherly at that Larry wouldn't mind knowing the basics.

Away they go along the boardwalk. He keeps an eye open for anymore treasures that would warrant another stop. There are a lot of amusing colorful characters--real and stuffed.]

Oh yeah? Fall out of it?

I'm not that good. [Freddy shakes his head but he's wearing a smile too. No shame in his lack of quality as a musician.] I'm not even basically good.

[He's still smiling but when Larry asks if he fell out of it the kid kind of looks away. Just studying the boardwalk, scouting for more potentials, nothing more. Except Freddy's already kind of forgotten that mission because of the batar.]

Yeah, I fell out of it. I wasn't real dedicated to music or anything so it was alright. I pawned my last one. [His only one.]

Better than me. So that's gotta be something.

[Lawrence Dimick is comfortable enough to admit shit like this. Now he wants to see what the kid knows. Already there's potential for even more rock n' roll fantasy material. Did they have a band? Did he write any of his own songs or jam to his favorites?

Pawning. Meaning he had a need for the cash in his hand.]

Hard time.

[This gives the Batman guitar far more meaning.]

Was it a bass guitar?

Well they keep Neil Peart on drums for a reason.

[Freddy jokes because Neil Peart "...is the greatest fucking drummer on the fucking planet!" He doesn't doubt when Larry was beating on those skins he was somewhere close or beyond decent. Maybe that's just the kid's rock and roll fantasy speaking.]

Yeah. It was tough but I had to do it. [Another casual shrug like it's no sore spot in his past. Some people gave up their dreams by putting an instrument up for money. Not Freddy Newendyke. At least it wasn't that bad, he tells himself.] Do you still think about havin' a drumset?

[If Larry thinks he knows what Freddy is thinking with that question he's probably right.]

True. I don't wanna muscle on your territory or nothin'. [He walks close enough to bump him.]

We all gotta do shit like that now and then. [They don't need to talk about it now. Not when they're having such a good time. It's not Freddy's hammer of old but this is a worthy ax, worthy of the Batman insignia.]

To tell you the truth I haven't thought about playing the drums in a long, long time. The sets I played weren't mine. It sure would be nice to get one of my own sometime.

[Oh yeah. He is picking up on that. A drum and a guitar, they have duos like that. Though it helps to have a lead guitar. A guest lead guitar. Oops. That was what they were looking for. Ah well. Not like they're wasting a wonderful day.

Larry pulls his hands out of his pockets with his pack of cigarettes.]

Would you wanna own a guitar again?

[He meets that bump steadfast and strong, perhaps even creating a little recoil because as they say, the smaller pistol packs the biggest kind of punch.]

I'm not torn up about the guitar. [He shakes his head, wearing a smile again because he likes that Larry cares to comfort, cares to keep that good under the boardwalk vibe going, down by the sea. It's really not about the guitar anyway.] So you want something to bang around home?

[Another smile, this one a little more mischievous than the last. He's still considering it though, even if drums aren't a serious pursuit. If they can afford to have them then why not? Why not if it makes Larry happy.] I don't know, maybe.

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