Hi, it’s me, Layla, remember me? Yeah, I know, I left you at rather a cliffhanger, didn’t I? Sorry about that… It’s just, so much happened right after my first meeting with Bob, I felt quite overwhelmed.
Much time has passed since that day and I’m still not sure I want to talk about what happened. But I figured, I could at least summarize the course of event that took place right after I left you guys hanging. After our first meeting… Well maybe I’ll just tell you about my life right now instead. It’s rather as hectic as it was before, except now, we’re 60 years in the past. I know… It doesn’t make any sense, right? Wait ‘till I you all about it, then you’ll understand.
************
Where do I begin?
Well, right after that awkward first encounter, Danny and I were invited to come in by Bob and his friends. Once we were all inside, there followed a long and heavy silence. I didn’t know where to put myself and neither did Bob by the look of him. I tried hard to come up with something to say, but the situation was so unusual my brain didn’t seem able to function normally.
After what seemed like an eternity, one of the boys (not Bob), finally broke the silence:
- So… uhm, Layla, right? asked Ed.
- Yeah, that’s my name, I awkwardly answered.
- Well, it’s nice to meet you, I’m Ed.
- Uhm, yeah… nice to meet you too, Ed… Oh and this is my friend Danny, by the way.
I looked at him for the first time since we entered the house, he had quite the stunned expression on his face. I signaled to him to say something, but he was paying no attention to me at all.
And so, the awkward silence resumed and after a while, Bob stood up from his chair, excused himself and left the room. I can assure you this was not what I expected would happen this morning when I first left the house this morning. But I guess, it’s difficult to know how such a strange meeting might unfold, after all.
We talked some more with the boys after Bob’s departure. He never came back after that by the way. Ed tried to get him to come back in the living room with us, but he refused, and I must admit, I felt rather humiliated. I had been so excited at the perspective of this meeting, but after such an unfolding, all I wanted to do was leave.
Ed really tried his best to cheer me up, he even asked Danny and I to stick around for a while, but by then, I was quite ready to leave. And so, we left, thinking we could slowly make our way back home. But oh, how wrong we were, for, I don’t know how, but we were now somehow stuck in the 60s.
************
And that pretty much sums up my first encounter with Bob. Bob from The Cockroaches. I must admit, to this day, I still haven’t gotten around the idea that my mysterious correspondent ended up being famous teen idol Bob Vernon, from the bloody Cockroaches. That was another big news to digest after the humiliation of the first meeting.
But Danny and I didn’t get much time to get accustomed to the idea for we soon realized the extent of the fucked-up situation we were in.
There was a lot of screaming, a lot of freaking out, a lot of questions. It took us quite some time to finally calm down, to assess the situation a little better. And in the end, we decided to accept things as they were, to take things one day at a time, thinking, maybe everything would resolve itself naturally. But they didn’t and so stuck in the 60s we now still were.
It took us a while to get used to the idea, but after a while we accepted the situation as it was and simply started our life again 60 years in the past. We found ourselves an appartement, jobs, some new friends, and that was that.
************
I was getting ready in my bedroom when the doorbell rang. Not bothering to answer the door myself, I let Danny go. After a while though, not hearing anything back from him, I shouted at him: “Danny, who is it?” but I never got any answer, so reluctantly I got out of my bedroom to see what was going on.
On my way to the living room, I called for Danny a few times, but again I never got any answer back. I was beginning to slightly worry when I found him standing motionless by the door.
- Danny, I called. Danny, helloooo, who’s at the door? Danny? Hey, what’s wrong?
But again, I got no answer from him. He was just there, standing and starring at whomever was at the other side of the door. I stood on my tiptoes to get a look past his shoulder, being much shorter than him, it was the only way I could hope to see a thing, and that’s when I understood.
Ed, Ed Oliver from the Cockroaches was standing at our front door.
- Oh… Ed, hey… uhm… Hello. What a surprise, I struggled to say while trying to move Danny out of the way. I’m so sorry about Danny, he doesn’t usually act like this, I added. Danny, will you get out of the way, you’re being rude!
And finally, Danny snapped back to reality.
- Oh, uhm, oh… I’m… I’m so sorry, he managed to stutter still staring wide eyed at Ed.
- Ed come on in, please, I invited after Danny at last moved out of the way. Take a seat, wherever you like. Our home is your home.
- Thanks, that’s very kind of you, said Ed. I’m sorry to barge in on you like that.
- Not at all! We weren’t really doing anything…
- Yes! Please feel free to barge in on us at any time! enthusiastically added Danny, finally regaining some sense.
We all sat down, Danny and I on the couch, Ed in the armchair. Then followed a long awkward silence. I was looking everywhere around the room, except where Ed was sat, not knowing what to say. Danny was staring insistingly at Ed and Ed was staring at the floor.
- Sooo… what brings you here Ed? I finally picked up the courage to ask.
- Well, I was in the neighborhood, and I thought I’d drop by, say hi… he explained.
- That’s so thoughtful of you, said Danny.
- Yeah… okay… but how did you know where we lived?
After another silence, Ed finally replied:
- Well, I have a friend… uhm Todd, he works at Biba, and he told me about a girl who works there with him and her strange friend who always looks clueless and well, I figured it might be you, so I asked for your address. I hope that’s alright?
- I guess so…/Yes, it’s absolutely alright! said Danny and I simultaneously.
- Sorry, apologized Ed. You think that’s weird, don’t you?
- No, no, not at all! I just don’t understand why you wanted to come here in the first place.
- Surely you can understand.
- No, I don’t, I’m sorry.
- I mean, one day you just barged in on us without warning, after all this weird stuff with Bob, no explanation, nothing and then you were gone, just like that. It’s pretty confusing, don’t you think? And Bob doesn’t want to say anything about it either, so I figured, I’d come here and ask.
- Alright, fair enough. I suppose you do deserve an explanation.
I looked at Danny, panic in the eyes, not knowing exactly what I should or shouldn’t tell Ed. After all, I couldn’t just tell him the actual truth. He was going to think I was mad. Imagine me telling him Danny and I came from the future. What would he think? No, I had to come up with some kind of plausible story for him. The problem was, I didn’t know what had happened on Bob’s side. How had he and his friends lived the events of those strange mailbox exchanges.
- Well, you see… I started, stopping mid-sentence trying to think of what to say next.
I looked at Danny, he was looking at me, the both of us completely uncomfortable.
- You know what, said Ed. Never mind. I shouldn’t have come here uninvited, asking for an explanation like I was owned one.
He got up to leave. I started panicking. I didn’t want him to leave, not yet.
- Wait, Ed, stop! I almost shouted. I’m sorry, we’re sorry. It’s just… the story is quite unusual, and, well, I’m not sure you’re going to believe it, really.
- Try me, said Ed, sitting back down in the armchair.
And so, I began telling him my story, our story, the story of the weird mail exchange that happened between me and Bob. The random objects appearing and disappearing, the notes and at last the trip Danny and I took to meet Bob and us arriving 60 years in the past.
Ed didn’t interrupt me once while I was talking. I must give him credit for that for that story was a pretty weird one, and in his stead, I would’ve had thousands of questions to ask. But then again, he didn’t really say anything at all either when I was done speaking.
The tension in the room was unbearable. I’d thought he would have either got up to leave or called me crazy and laughed. But he did neither.
- Oh my God Ed, say something, I finally begged.
After a while, he finally spoke:
- I had a hunch this was going to be some kind of weird story, he said at last.
- Wait. So, you believe me?
- I don’t know… Your story is kind of bonkers but then again, the whole thing has been insane from the beginning.
- Yeah, I know… I sighed.
After that, we talked for a while until Ed had to go.
- Thanks a lot, I said to Danny, after closing the front door behind Ed.
- What? I didn’t do anything! he whined.
- Exactly, you didn’t do or say anything at all to help me when Ed asked for an explanation.
- What was I supposed to do? You seemed to have the situation under control. I didn’t want to mess things up by saying the wrong thing!
- No, you were simply too busy fangirling to say something!
- And how exactly do you suppose I should act when a dead member of my favorite band of all time shows up at our front door!
- I guess you’re right…
- I wonder if he really believed you or if he was just being polite.
- I don’t know. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
************
At first, we didn’t hear anything back from Ed for a while. I pretended not to be bothered but in truth, I was a little. I mean, I get it, the story I told him was pretty wild. I couldn’t blame him for not staying in touch. And I couldn’t blame him for thinking me mad. I didn’t want him to think me mad, of course, and I guess that’s why his long silence bothered me a little.
Who knows what he had told his bandmates about me, about us? Or even worse, who knows what he had said to my co-worker at Biba. I hadn’t seen Todd in a while, we rarely worked the same shift, and I must admit I was glad of it now.
Imagine he would’ve sent a worldwide broadcast telling everyone I should be locked up or something. Of course, I should’ve known he would never do such a thing. He had always been the more sensible member of The Cockroaches. In fact, he even came to visit us again after a while. The poor guy even excused himself for not coming earlier, he had been so busy with band business. Thankfully, Danny was a bit more relaxed on Ed’s second visit, it made things way less awkward.
Anyhow, we had a nice afternoon, the three of us. Ed had plenty of questions to ask. We tried our best to answer all of them, even though it was a little but tricky sometimes. We didn’t want to give away too much, avoiding “spoilers” from the future, especially regarding his life and that of his bandmates. Who knew what the consequences would be if we ended up telling him everything about everything.
Thankfully though, Ed understood and accepted pretty quickly that there were certain things we simply couldn’t divulge to him. I’m no Doctor Who but even I know one mustn’t fuck with time traveling or the consequences might be severe.
After those first few minutes of curiosity from Ed, we eventually moved to a more day to day kind of a conversation. Us getting to know the real Ed and he getting to know us better. It was all very nice and enjoyable.
When he left, he promised us he often come to visit us, as often as his busy schedule would allow him. And he did. Once we even went to his gorgeous appartement and at other times we went out together. I can say that after a while we all became great friends.
I liked Ed a lot, he was such a kind, down to earth and funny guy. Although, I’m not sure Danny always got his sense of humor, it was kind of dark and sarcastic, but I really enjoyed it, it was exactly my kind of humor. After a few months of knowing him, Ed eventually introduced us to one of his bandmates, John. I was a bit nervous when I first saw him at Ed’s place. I thought, well if John was here, the two others might show up at some point, meaning Bob too, and I wasn’t too sure how I felt seeing him again about our first awkward meeting. But thankfully, only John graced us with his presence that day.
He was such a blast, him and Danny hit it off right away! They were the same type of people. It was really funny seeing those two together. After knowing John for a while, he gave me one of his many rings to replace the one I’d given back to him, the one Bob had sent me through the mailbox and one of his favorites. It was such a sweet gesture. I never took it off after that. Danny was so jealous; I think he was starting to have a little crush on John. And I think the feelings were mutual for when I told John about it, he immediately gave him one of his rings too. Truly adorable!
************
One day, we were hanging out with Ed at our place. He had become one of my closest friends and was here quite a lot. Well anyways, we were hanging out, the three of us, when suddenly, Ed, after a little silence in the middle of our conversation, invited us to a party, a party that was taking place at Bob’s, in the evening.
- Today? Asked Danny. It’s a little short notice, don’t you think?
Danny and I were absolutely not on the same page regarding the subject. He was complaining about how little time he had to prepare whereas my complaint was with the three letters name Ed had ushered: Bob.
I still hadn’t seen him since our first uncomfortable meeting at their recording studio and now Ed was inviting us to a party at his place. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it, but I certainly wasn’t too excited about it.
- I know what you’re thinking, Layla, said Ed, interrupting my thoughts. But really, I assure you, you have nothing to worry about. You probably won’t even see Bob at all, it’ll be so busy.
- How do you know that?
- I don’t, but you won’t be alone. I’ll be there and so will Danny and John.
- Don’t you think it’ll just be awkward?
- Come on Layla! It’ll be fun! whined Danny. In fact, I should probably go and prepare if I want to be ready on time.
And with that, he left.
- I promise I’ll stay by your side throughout the entirety of the evening.
- You don’t have to do that, it’s fine.
- But I want to, you’re my friend, Layla.
- I think it’ll be easier for everyone if I don’t show my face at that party, Ed. I’m sure Bob doesn’t want me there anyway.
- Please Layla, I want you to be there! It won’t be fun otherwise.
- Oh, alright then. But you promise you won’t leave my side, if I have to count on Danny for support, might as well not show.
- Promise.
- What’s the party for anyway?
- Oh well… Bob is celebrating his two weeks anniversary with his new girlfriend Babsy.
- Two weeks anniversary? You must be joking right?
- Wish I was, but no…
- Alright then, I better go and get ready.
- Great, I’ll pick you and Danny up at eight!
************
We arrived at Bob’s place at around 8:30 PM. It was already packed full of people. If Ed hadn’t insisted so much and promised to stay by my side, I would’ve left as soon as we arrived. My anxiety really skyrocketed at the sight of such a huge crowd of unknown people. Danny, on the other hand, felt immediately right at home. He ditched us as soon as we set foot inside Bob’s house, accompanied by John.
Ed and I were left alone, and I felt really bad for him. I was never the best company in such circumstances. He tried his best to make me feel at ease and even introduced me to some of his friends there. And after a while, I must admit, I really did feel a little bit better. Everyone was kind of in their own bubble, not giving a damn about what was happening around them.
I didn’t see Bob during the was majority of the evening and I started to think I wouldn’t see him at all for the entirety of the party. But fate had other plans for me. At some point, Ed wanted to go get a refill on his drink, so he got up from the couch we were both sat at and left me with some of his friends.
I waited for him to return, but he never did. And at that point I wouldn’t have minded. But at some point, one of his friends, Leon, I think, was starting to get too friendly with me, if you know what I mean, and I couldn’t make him leave me alone. When he groped my chest uninvited, that’s when I really lost it. I slapped him hard in the face and left.
I shoved my way out of the crowd spread in every corner of the house and made my way upstairs, passing by a lot of couples making out, some others vomiting. It took me a while to find an empty room, but eventually I did, or so I thought. I shut to door, nearly slamming it and collapsed against it, sighing in relieve.
- Who’s there? said a voice
- Oh sorry, I thought this room was empty. I didn’t mean to bother you. Uhm… where are you though?
- I’m under the bed…
- Under the… bed?
- Yeah. Hello.
I approached the bed and kneeled to get a better look under it.
- Bob, is that you? I asked, startled upon recognizing the host of the party.
- Layla? he said, coming out of his hiding spot.
- What are you doing under the bed? / What are you doing here? we both asked simultaneously.
- Ed invited me, I answered.
- Oh, well… okay…
- So… why were you hiding at your own party?
- Babsy wants to get married… So… this must be our engagement party, he laughed bitterly.
I looked at him in astonishment. At this point, we were both sitting on the floor, next to the bed.
- Haven’t you two been together for only two weeks?
- Yeah… Wait, how do you know that?
- Well, Ed told me… He said this was your two weeks anniversary party.
He didn’t say anything for a while. He looked rather lost in his thoughts. It felt weird seeing him again after such a long time. After a minute or two, he finally snapped back to reality and looked at me, frowning.
- What’s wrong? I asked.
- What are you doing here?
- Well, I told you… Ed…
- That’s not what I meant. Why did you come?
I stared blankly at the wall across from me, suddenly feeling really tired and regretting ever coming to this party.
- I don’t know, I finally answered after a while.
- You have nothing to do here, snapped Bob, out of nowhere. I didn’t invite you.
He suddenly got up from the floor, went to his bedroom door and opened it.
- Please leave… he said.
Without saying a word, I got up and left. He then closed the door behind me. And without a second thought, I left Bob’s house and this awful party. It’s only when I arrived on the street that I remembered Ed drove us here. I couldn’t go home. Feeling exhausted and upset, I sat on the sidewalk. I could’ve cried at that point. I simply couldn’t understand why Bob was acting this way with me. It made no sense. The others were fine with me, although I hadn’t met Brian yet.
That night, in the end, I decided to walk home alone. I didn’t have in me to go back inside and find Ed. I simply couldn’t risk bumping into Bob again. What’s more, I didn’t want to annoy Ed either. I think he’d had enough with me for one night and after all, he wasn’t my babysitter. As soon as I got home, I locked myself into my bedroom and crawled into bed. I fell asleep without even bothering to take my clothes off, my face still full of makeup.
************
When Danny came home in the morning (yes because he’d stay the night at Bob’s house with John, which pissed me off, because, why didn’t Bob have any problem with Danny and yet couldn’t stand the sight of me? Sorry, I’m rambling).
Anyway, when Danny came home, we got into a major fight. He was so angry because I’d disappear from the party last night. Apparently, the went looking all over town for me when they realized I wasn’t at Bob’s anymore. Ed was in such a state of panic, he refused to go home before they’d found me. At some point, Danny, John and even Brian, who’d come along to search decided to head back to Bob’s to get a bit of rest, yet Ed still refused to go along with them, he kept searching.
It's only when Brian suggested in the morning that I might have gone home last night that they all decided to go and check. And indeed, here I was. When Danny and I began to fight, that’s when Ed, John and Brian decided to go. They probably figured it was best to let us sort our issues together.
Danny simply couldn’t understand how I could disappear like that without telling anyone. I tried to make him understand, but he wouldn’t let me explain properly. So, in the end I figured I’d let him take out his anger on me until he eventually calmed down. After all, I deserved it. I shouldn’t have left like that.
Eventually, after a while, Danny did calm down. Silence fell between us, and we just kept on staring at one another without saying a word.
- I’m sorry, I finally told Danny.
- I’m sorry too… Why did you disappear like that?
- I saw Bob…
- Oh no… What happened?
- He wasn’t very happy to see me… He told me to leave.
- Oh no… I’m sorry Layla.
- I simply can’t understand why he is acting the way he is with me, I sighed. Did you see him last night?
- No, I didn’t. In fact, I don’t think Ed or even John saw him either.
- I think he was hiding.
- What makes you say that?
- Well, when I found him, he was laying under his bed, so…
- How strange… But then again, he always seemed like the weirder one amongst The Cockroaches. Don’t you think?
- I don’t know, I shrugged.
- Did he tell you why he was hiding?
- Something to do with his girlfriend wanting to get married or whatever…
- Wait… wasn’t yesterday’s party supposed to be their two weeks anniversary?
- That’s what I asked him too! But then he asked me to leave…
- Hum, that’s very strange…
************
A few days after the party I decided to pay Ed a visit. He hadn’t been around or called since that day so I figured he too must have been angry with me for disappearing. Danny also told me that Ed had seemed rather upset and worried during their search of me.
I didn’t want Ed to be upset with me, he’d been such a good friend since I’d met him, a real comfort in the stranger situation Danny and I were in. I knocked at his door that afternoon, only it wasn’t him who answered the door but someone I recognize as being Brian.
- Hi! he greeted.
- Hey… is Ed home?
- Yes of course, my lady! Whom shall I announce?
- Oh sorry… I’m Layla.
- Ah! So, you’re the famous Layla! At long last we meet. I’ve heard so much about you. Come in, come in!
- Thanks, I said a bit intimidated at Brian’s chaotic energy.
- I’m Brian, by the way, he said while he ushered me inside.
- Nice to meet you, Brian.
- The pleasure is all mine, answered Brian with a wink.
He led me through the hallway and then into the living room where Ed and John were both sat on one of the couches. When he was me, Ed immediately got up, looking slightly awkward.
- Hey, he greeted.
- Hey, I greeted back.
We stayed silent for a minute, Brian and John looking at us in expectation.
- Look Ed / Listen Layla, we both started at the same time, laughing when we realized we had spoken simultaneously.
- You go first, said Ed.
- I just wanted to tell you that I was sorry for disappearing on you at Bob’s party without saying anything, I blurted out.
- Wait, you’re sorry?
- Well, yes… of course…
- I should be the one apologizing really.
- What? Why?
- Well, I promised not to leave your side at the party, but I did. I already felt bad when I came back from getting a drink and didn’t see you where I’d left you. I thought you’d left because you were mad at me. But then I found out about what Leon did and I felt even worse. I really shouldn’t have been gone for so long. It’s just, I came across Babsy, Bob’s girlfriend and she really didn’t want to let me go, she talked for ages. I didn’t know how to tell her off.
- Ed, you’re really sweet, but you really don’t have anything to be sorry for. You had the right to go and hang out with other people at the party, it’s completely normal. I appreciate the fact that you made so much effort to make me feel comfortable. It was more than what I should have been allowed to ask from you.
- It really wasn’t a bother. I did it because I wanted to. I wanted you there and I wanted to spend time with you.
Not that I want to fall into sentimentality, but what he had just said to me had touched me so much that I rushed into his arms, giving him a tight hug. And to think I thought he was mad at me.
- Get a room! Shouted Brian from behind us.
- Shup up, Brian, laughed Ed.
************
- Hey Danny?
- Yes, Layla.
- Do you ever wonder why we were brought here?
- What do you mean?
- Why are here, in the 60s? Why Bob? Why The Cockroaches? What does it all mean?
- Not really, no
- Seriously? Doesn’t it bother you at all?
- Nah, I’d rather just enjoy my life here without asking to many questions.
- But surely, there must be a reason for all this, a purpose.
- I really don’t know, Layla. I think you should simply let it go and enjoy your life.
- I guess you’re right…
************
One day, out of nowhere, Bob decided to show up at our front door. I was alone at home at the time and when I saw his face through the peephole, I panicked. I didn’t know what to do, he was the last person on earth I wanted to see. I didn’t want to open the door nor talk to him, especially not while I was alone.
But he insisted and kept on knocking so eventually I let him in. We both sat awkwardly in the living room, staring at the floor. The tension was unbearable. It kind of felt like our first catastrophic meeting.
- Is there anything I can do for you Bob? I finally asked, not bearing the silence any longer.
- Uhm… well, he mumbled, awkwardly.
- Yes?
- I came here because… because… uhm… well, I wanted to apologies for… well… for my behavior the other night, at the party.
- Okay…
- Okay? Is that it?
- Well, what do you want me to say?
- Gee… I don’t know, apology accepted.
- Why would I accept your apologies, they didn’t seem very sincere to me.
- What more do you want?! Do I need to get down on my knees and beg?
- There is no need to be so dramatic!
- But I really don’t get what you want from me! I mean when Ed asked me to come here and…
- Ah yes Ed, I see. Of course, I should’ve known you wouldn’t come here on your one free will to apologies.
- No but wait…
- I think this conversation is over. There is no need for you to stay any longer, you can go.
- Oh, come on, Layla! There is no need to be so cold!
- I’m the one being cold yet you’re the one who acted ridiculously on our first meeting! I mean, did you have to get up and leave like that?
- You’re not going to tell me you’re still bitter about that, are you?
- I’m not bitter! It just doesn’t make any sense! Why were you acting like that? I didn’t do anything!
- I just… I just… I just wished you never showed up in the first place, that’s all!
- What… Why? I literally didn’t do anything.
- I don’t know… When I saw you for the first time, I had the feeling you were going to turn things upside down for me and the band, and I didn’t like that feeling…
- That’s it? That’s your excuse?
- It’s not an excuse, it’s the truth of what I felt!
- In this case, I think everything has been said. There is no need for you to stay any long or to ever come back here.
- I agree!
- Well then, you know where the door is.
This concluded our long tumultuous conversation. After that, he got up and left, leaving me alone, angry, and frustrated. Who did he think he was? The audacity of him! I hope I never have to see him again for I was definitely done with Bob Vernon from The Cockroaches. He may be the reason Danny and I ended up here, but I sure as hell hope our paths never cross ever again.
He was officially dead to me!
Wait a minute…
DEAD!
************
The idea of Bob’s death had been nagging at me since I first thought about it. Now I understood why I had been sent here; to avoid the killing of one of the most famous rockstars in the world! How could I have forgotten such an important event, poor Bob, assassinated in cold bold by some lunatic fan. It all made sense now.
************
- Are you sure? asked Danny for the thousandth time after I told him about my theory.
- A hundredth percent sure, yes.
- Oh my God! I mean, it would make sense, yes.
- Only… there is one problem.
- Which is?
- I don’t exactly remember when the killing took place…
- Oh, that’s easy! It happened on the fourth of November at around nine PM.
- Are you sure?
- Are you doubting my knowledge of my absolute favorite band of all time?
- No… but look! I said, showing Danny the calendar. November the fourth is tomorrow!
- Shit! No way!
- Yes!
- What are we going to do?
- I don’t know! I don’t even know where it’s going to happen, my memory is so fuzzy.
- Oh, honestly Layla, and you call yourself a fan!
- That’s beyond the point!
- Sorry, sorry… But everyone knows it happened right in front of the Octopus Garden theater, where Bob had been to see Babsy rehearse for a new experimental play.
- Where was she during all that? I don’t remember any mention of her.
- They got into a fight during rehearsal, and she left angry, alone, before Bob.
- Oh…
- Yeah, charming right?
- That’s not important. What really matters is what we are going to do about it. Any ideas?
- No… I really don’t have a clue, sorry…
************
Today was already the fourth of November and I still had no idea how to prevent the assassination of Bob. Danny had suggested simply telling him not to go to the Octopus Garden theater that particular night but there was no way we could convince him to listen to us without asking a thousand questions, reasonably so and we simply couldn’t tell him it was because he was going to get murdered if he did. So, we ruled that idea out.
Then Danny suggested telling Ed about it. But this too proved to be impossible for he had gone back home to visit his family that week, so he was out of the equation too. So was Brian, whom we simply didn’t know enough to involve in such a tricky situation. And of course, Danny didn’t want to involve John either. Because “Poor John wouldn’t know what to do either” and “there was no need to bother him with any of it”. Like I knew what to do! John could’ve at least spoken to Bob and convinced him not to show up at that damned theater. But no.
And so, a couple of hours before the fatal even, I still had no idea what I was going to do to prevent Bob from being murdered.
************
- Ok, so… Stabbing, right?
- Yup, a lot of times.
- Charming. Now we only have to figure out how to actually stop the damned thing.
Danny and I were hiding in a dark alley near the theater, waiting for the fatal moment to happen. We had decided on improvisation. Not the best idea to stop a murder, but we had no better idea. The both of us were completely clueless. With a little bit of luck, thinks would go our way and we would manage to save Bob’s life. Do I sound convincing? Because I’m not at all convinced.
- It’s almost nine! Oh, I’m so nervous I could pee myself.
- I know, me too!
I had a baseball bat, as a weapon. Wild, right? I thought maybe it would knock out the assailant, giving enough time for Danny to warn Bob and get him out of the way, while noticing the police at the same time. Well look at that, I did have a bit of a plan after all! Great.
- Oh my God, there he is! shouted Danny.
- Who? I asked, looking in every direction.
- The bloody killer, Wayne Andrews!
- Shit! Where’s Bob?
- I can’t see him… Oh, wait, there he is! He’s coming out of the theater.
- Alone?
- Yes!
- We need to move, and quickly, otherwise it’ll be too late!
Everything went really fast after that. The time it took Danny and I to get close to Bob, Wayne Andrews had already taken out his knife and was pointing it at Bob, approaching fast. I panicked, started running, baseball bat raised high. Danny stopped walking, freaking out, that’s when he started screaming “Bob, watch out!”
Bob turned around, staring at Danny. Then he noticed Wayne Andrews and the knife. Andrews had been a little baffled by Danny’s screaming, he hesitated for a second, which left me enough time to catch up to him, smacking him hard in the face, knocking him out cold. Then everything was silent, until Bob decided to speak.
- You… you… I think you saved my life… he stammered, still shocked.
- I think I just did, yeah… I answered.
- What the hell! He then proceeded to shout.
- I don’t know…
It took a minute for the shock to wear out. In the meantime, some police officers had come up to arrest the assailant, asking us some questions before leaving, probably to the police station. None of us really paid any attention. More and more people started to show up, so when we finally came back to our senses, we decided to get on moving.
We were all silent for a while, none of us really knowing what to say. Bob and I were walking side by side, Danny trailing a little bit behind us.
- I don’t know how I could ever thank you enough for saving my life, Layla, Bob finally said.
- You don’t have to thank me really. I guess you could say my purpose has been filled.
- What do you mean?
- Oh nothing… never mind.
- Hey, about last time we spoke…
- Oh, never mind about that. It doesn’t matter anymore.
- Well, for what it’s worth, I’m really sorry.
- Thank you, Bob, I really appreciate it.
And with that, we kept on walking silently. All the pieces of the puzzle finally fitting together. The purpose of this strange adventure fulfilled at last. And now, we could all go on living our lives in the 60s, or not. I guess we’ll have to see.
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