Different Circles

Another thing that was obvious to Jake was that lack of rehearsal time. They were just a little bit off up there, not quite in perfect synchronicity. That came primarily from being out of practice. True, they had been touring for months together and he could sense their camaraderie and familiarity with each other, but it did not take much of a break for all of that to start to deteriorate. Jake’s understanding was that Matt and his band had been in Rio since their last European show more than three weeks ago. It was obvious they had not found a way to do a couple of dress rehearsals before taking the stage. And, on that same note, everyone except Matt was probably using unfamiliar equipment since their primary equipment had to be in a shipping container out on the ocean currently.

He set himself up for a mediocre performance, Jake thought, part of him sad about this, but part of him actually gleeful as well.

Jake’s mental criticisms turned back to awe again, however, when Matt played out the primary solo for the piece. It was a blistering shred that lasted well over two minutes and went through three separate tempo changes and two changes of distortion level brought about by manipulation of the effects pedals.

Goddamn, Jake thought, impressed. He has done nothing but gotten better since we parted ways. His fucking fingers are moving so fast I can’t even see them.

The solo wound down to a climax in which all of the other instruments stopped playing, letting Matt finish it out as a true solo. The last note faded nearly to nothing and then the drums kicked back in, pounding out the authoritative beat of the song. The bass kicked back in and then Matt began to hammer out the primary riff once more. After a few reps of this, the secondary guitar kicked back in and took over the primary riff, allowing Matt to play out some fills while he sang out the last verse and chorus combo.

How easily he can play solo notes while singing at the same time, Jake thought. He was doing what Jake had avoided through most of his show and doing it well.

The song came to an end and the crowd cheered loudly and enthusiastically. Jake could not help but notice, however, that it was not quite as loud and enthusiastic as they had been at the end of his first number.

This gave him a certain amount of satisfaction, made him feel like he had won.

The limousine sent by Music Alive arrived just as Matt reached the halfway point in his set. Jake had stayed in the SVIP long enough to watch three numbers and drink two thirty-two-ounce beers. Now, he and the members of his band, plus Obie, Celia, and the Nerdlys, climbed in the back for the trip back to Caesars in Las Vegas. Their special guests, none of whom were interested in seeing Matt’s show, had already left to avoid the rush.

Laura was cuddled up against Jake’s right side, her eyes now red and half-lidded, a faint odor of Humboldt County skunk bud radiating off of her. She, Nerdly, Pauline and the Levensteins had shared a fatty while Jake had been watching Matt’s performance.

“I never got high with a rabbi before,” Laura said with a giggle. “Kind of a strange experience.”

“He assured me that he does not imbibe regularly,” Nerdly said. “In fact, he says tonight was the first night he has smoked cannabis since he was in college.”

“Why did he decide to fire up tonight?” Jake asked.

“I think it was kind of a when-in-Rome thing,” Pauline said.

“He was very impressed with the horticultural advances made in cannabis production since the last time he smoked some,” Nerdly said.

“He was talking some cool metaphysical shit after we burned,” Pauline said. “I think everyone should get high with a man of God at least once in their life.”

“I’m going to add that to my list,” Jake said, sorry now that he had missed out on the experience.

“How was Matt’s show?” Celia asked.

“They were a little rusty,” Jake replied. “They had a miscue at the opening and their timing was just a bit off at first. They seemed to get their shit together by the time they started the third number though.”

“His sound was atrocious,” Nerdly said righteously. “Not as bad as Pantera’s, of course, but he truly needs to provide more training to his sound engineer.”

“I agree,” Jake said. “Not everybody can have the Nerdlys though.”

“Perhaps I’ll offer to set up his sound for him tomorrow,” Nerdly suggested.

“I’m not sure that’s a real good idea, Bill,” Pauline warned.

“The worst thing that can happen is that he says no,” Nerdly said.

“No, the worst thing that could happen is that he beats your face in,” Jake said.

“I don’t think Matt would do that,” Nerdly said. “Not after I informed him of the existence of internet pornography. I am going to make the offer. My mind is made up.”