Page 116 of Cookout Carnage
Axle Bodean: Emmett’s isn’t that far from Fairview. It won’t take long. They’d really appreciate it.
Tris:Sorry, I can’t
Tristan drove away from Fairview,the windows up and the air conditioning on. He wanted to insulate himself from the warmth of Kentucky. Despite how things had turned out, he liked everyone he’d met. In their own way, even if they were playing a part, they seemed genuine. Despite wanting to drive north and not stop till he reached Chicago, his inbuilt sense of politeness, combined with a spark of hope, had him signalling left off the highway down a dirt track. He followed it to a large cluster of buildings and parked in a field of cars next to a barn. The doors were shut but Emmett was standing outside dressed as a redcoat and came forward to meet him.
‘My dear boy,’ he said, clasping Tristan’s hands in his. ‘You must forgive us. This was all my idea.’ His eyes crinkled with concern. ‘Sherri-Lynne was in a flap and I saw an opportunity for street theatre like no other. We got carried away with the excitement of it all, I’m afraid.’
He released Tristan and stood, as if awaiting censure.
Tristan smiled. ‘Well, you were all very convincing.’
Emmett perked up. ‘We were?’
Tristan nodded.
Emmett preened. ‘We at MAD do pride ourselves on creating the perfect mise en scène.’
Tristan held his hand out. It was time to go. ‘It’s been a pleasure, Emmett.’
Emmett looked aghast. ‘You can’t go now. You need to see the full range of our abilities.’
Tristan took a step back. ‘I’ve got a long drive ahead of me.’
Emmett took his arm. ‘We’re already into the second act. It won’t be long, and you can’t go without seeing my major general.’
Tristan didn’t want to enquire further about Emmett’s major general so allowed himself to be guided through a small door into the darkened barn. All was pitch black except for the illuminated stage. On it stood Lucille from the coal museum, dressed in a kimono and singing an aria fromMadame Butterfly. Her voice was extraordinary. Tristan had meant to stand at the back but allowed himself to be guided by Emmett closer to the stage and seated in a chair in the front row. Lucille spotted him and a small smile slipped into her song of thwarted love. When she finished to rapturous applause, Tristan looked around him. The small barn was packed but he didn’t recognise anyone.
Next on stage were Richard the Third and The Phantom of the Opera, now dressed as George and Lennie fromOf Mice and Men.They performed the final scene in the play with as much drama as they could. Tristan shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Was every performance going to be about doomed love and death? The dull ache in his chest was morphing into a sharp pain. Everything he saw reminded him of what he had lost.
Thankfully the next performer was Emmett, who sang ‘The Major General’s Song’ fromThe Pirates of Penzanceand used it as an opportunity to show off, with each verse and chorus getting progressively faster until Tristan’s brain went into meltdown and all he could do was join the clapping and hollering that followed. Emmett basked in the acclaim, bowing deep with his arms spread wide. He then motioned the audience to be quiet.
‘And now, for the final performance of the afternoon, we have a very special appearance from a brand-new member of MAD. Ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together for… Miss Sherri-Lynne Bodean!’
From the wings, Sherilyn walked out onto the stage. She was wearing a pair of cut-offs and a T-shirt with a chilli pepper on the front. Tristan held his breath. She faced the audience, her hands bunched into fists by her side, squinting slightly as she scanned the audience. When she noticed him, she blinked.
The familiar sound of a piano and snare drum floated through the air.
She held his gaze and started singing to the tune of ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’, but with slightly different words.
‘Some might say, I’m a fool rushing in.’
Her voice was pure and clear, piercing his heart. Illuminated by a single spotlight, she was natural, beautiful and completely herself.
‘For I can’t help, I’ve fallen in love with you.’
Tristan let out the breath he was holding, the lights around her splitting into kaleidoscopes as his eyes pricked with emotion.
‘I will stay. Guam is not for me.’
His heart stuttered. She loved him. She wasn’t leaving Chicago. She lovedhim.
She stood at the edge of the stage and held her hand out towards him.
‘Take my heart. Take all my life, too.’
He stood and jumped onto the stage, taking her fingers in his.
‘I can’t help it, Tris, I’ve fallen in love with you.’
