Participants:
Scene Title | Touch of Gray |
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Synopsis | In extremis, some people will reach out to even dangerous places for help. |
Date | January 17, 2021 |
WSZR Building - Broadcasting Booth
But today
My love has flown away
I am without my love
Now laughing friends deride
Tears I cannot hide
So I smile and say
When a lovely flame dies
Smoke gets in your eyes…
"That was the late, great Eartha Kitt singing 'Smoke Gets In Your Eyes' from the classic musical 'Roberta'," comes DJ Lancelot's voice over the radio waves as he leans back in his chair, eyes closed, one hand idly gesturing along with his words as if his listeners could hear him, "Taken from us too soon at the age of eighty-two by cancer, the most hateful of this world's illnesses. Sure, you might say eighty-two is a full life, but you just heard that voice. Every moment we were robbed of it was a sin. Wonderful woman, major activist, never afraid to speak her mind."
Left in the custody of Martin Pines' music collection, his tastes have begun to trend towards the classics.
"I've got some more modern hits coming up, but first I'd like to tell you all a quick story," he says, "In the hopes that a certain person might hear it."
"A few years back, some friends and I were - probably foolishly - venturing somewhere that we shouldn't, I'll spare the details since they're a little embarrassing." Also possibly classified. "There was an accident, and we probably all would have died. We woke up in this old man's place, he'd rescued us and made sure we didn't die, gave us directions to get home. Funny story, turns out he's the father of a guy that used to play the guitar for us at the orphanage when we were kids. Anyway… if he's out there listening to this, I'd really love to talk to him again."
There's a slight edge of emotion that he can't quite hide, somewhat sharp, unsteady, a thread of desperation if one's listening closely. "So if you're listening, please come see me."
Silence for three beats, before he says more cheerfully, "And now, here's the Grateful Dead."
Must be getting early clocks are running late
Faint light of the morning sky looks so phony
Dawn is breaking everywhere
Light a candle curse the glare
Draw the curtains I don't care 'cause it's alright
I will get by
I will get by
I will get by - I will survive
I see you've got your fist out say your piece and get out
Yes I get the gist of it but it's alright
Sorry that you feel that way the only there is to say
Every silver lining's got a touch of grey