60

Jackie didn't have to be told twice to drink the beer. The weird dude with the shorn head soon vanished after giving Jackie a Rolling Rock. Jackie shrugged and wandered back inside where a clot of people had formed, two deep, clutching the stage. Judging by the rising volume level and expectant quality in the crowd, he had wandered in at exactly the right moment.

"Ooh," he said out loud. He walked to the bar and tapped H. on the shoulder.

"Hi Jackie!" she said, and they hugged.

"Have you been here long?" Jackie asked.

"No, not very long."

Jackie nodded.

"Have you seen them before?"

"Yes," Jackie said. "A long, long, long time ago. They used to be one of my favorite bands."

A wave of applause as the band walked out.

"What happened?" H. asked, being drowned out by applause.

A voice came over an unseen public address system. "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. Please welcome ... the Sharp Eyed Readers!"

The crowd cheered. The lead singer, George Evans, smiled at someone offstage and stood at the mike with his guitar strapped on while the bassist, George Jacobs, began the bassline.

H. pressed Jackie's back, signaling she wanted to speak to him in the loud crowd.

"I think that PA is pretty cheesy," H. said loudly. Jackie felt an electric charge and fibbed. He pressed closer, gesturing he needed to hear it again. He just wanted her talking in his ear again.

"The way they announce the band over the PA, I don't like it," she said.

He nodded agreement.

Drummer George Meyer, shaggy and smiling, did some fancy brushwork on the cymbal rim.

Lead guitarist George Guerrero played a sweet, resonant hook that echoed through the chamber.

Lead singer George Evans held his face close to the mike and sang the lyrics.

"Wow," said Jackie out loud.

H. turned around. He covered his mouth. He hadn't expected his voice to carry so well - the band really wasn't that loud, at least not yet.

She leaned in to hear his reaction. "I haven't heard this one in a hell of a long time." Jackie slipped his arm around H.'s shoulder.

H. smiled.