though my mind could think I still was a mad man

[waywardnoblet]

Someone in the Conrad basement's common room is playing electric guitar and belting out "Carry On Wayward Son" at the top of his lungs. He's quite good, actually, but there's one problem.

Well, two problems.

1) He's drunk.
2) There's no guitar.

He's playing air guitar, you see. Actually, literally, for real playing air guitar.

Chuck has no idea what's

Comments

[rattle_thecages]

There is someone else in the basement's common room, curled up in an armchair reading a book nearby Dan. Rachel Dawes is staring at Chuck with a similar expression of bewilderment. She is not impressed.

It figures the first time in a week Rachel decides to leave her room and brave the world once again she is met with air guitar and leather pants.

Really? Really?

Plenty of thoughts race through her mind but the one that sticks out the most is dear God how do we make it stop?

[findaconstant]

You don't, Rachel. You can't.

"Only heaven waits for youuuuuuuu!" Chuck half sings, half howls, dropping to his knees. He has quite the flair for performing! Performing and annoying people and generally being an ass.

Dan gives Rachel a helpless look. He knows what she's thinking. "I think leaving is a good idea," he suggests, cringing at the notes.

Notes? Those aren't notes. Those are... audible pain.

[rattle_thecages]

Rachel doesn't look over at Dan just yet. She is staring wide-eyed at the man now dropping to his knees. Dear God, why. The man is wearing leather pants. The man does not have a guitar and somehow he is playing the guitar.

"There's no reason to leave," she reassures Dan at last, with a finality that's the slightest bit forced. Not even leather pants and Kansas will drive her away from her favorite armchair. It's possible she's trying to prove something to herself.

She's certain the man will kindly stop playing once they ask him to turn it down.

Rachel has not met Chuck Noblet.

"Sir?" Rachel clears her throat. "Excuse me?"

[waywardnoblet]

No, she has not.

He doesn't have his fire extinguisher with him now, though, so that's good.

When Chuck hears the fine lady calling to him, he stops playing and fixes her with a crooked grin. Obviously, she is a fan. Chuck wants to know why she hasn't thrown her panties at him yet.

"Yes?"

Dan's going to go back to staring, now. Maybe this woman has some tricks up her sleeve. (Or a tranquilizer gun. That would also work.)

[rattle_thecages]

Rachel has a taser! But she thinks that may be a bit extreme for this sort of situation.

Oh.

She also hadn't been counting on him stopping immediately. And with a grin, no less. She now feels a bit guilty.

She motions to his empty hands. Rachel looks at Dan again, as helplessly as he'd looked at her moments ago. "We were just...wondering how you were...playing."

[waywardnoblet]

Chuck staaaaares.

"Are you retarded?"

HE HAS NO TACT, OKAY?

"I'm playing with my fingers. And my guitar. And years of experience. See? This is a guitar." He holds it out. That's when he realizes there's nothing in his hands.

"...uh."

[rattle_thecages]

Rachel rolls her eyes.

She's not about to be offended over the ramblings of someone who is clearly certifiable.

"No, that is not a guitar. There is no guitar, as you can see now. Thus the question." You jackass.

[waywardnoblet]

He flails his hands around in front of him for a moment, quite dumbfounded.

He could've sworn...

"Well. I really don't have an answer for you."