The Collaboration - Chapter 11
Chapter 11
By 2:30 they were still at it; Calad, deciphering the story and songs and Adam, devouring his words. For the purposes of better story telling, Calad agreed to give a temporary name to his nameless character so they wouldn't have to keep saying "the guy" all the time. They decided on Jack. Then Adam asked, "What happens when Jack goes with Death?"
Calad said, "That is described in the next track. 'The Telling Truth' is a reprise of a shorter version from an earlier track on the record called 'The Writing Writer'. One is a lamentation of the mistakes in Jack's life, and the other is the reflection of his life...kind of like when you hear about a person's life flashing before him before he dies. Jack realizes that his life and all life was never worth it to begin with. Everything is burning out of existence, and he is there to see the end of all that is. This song is how I define Jack's perception as he watches the despair of the world."
"'Despair of the world'," Adam repeated softly, taking his time to let it sink in.
Calad elaborated, giving his definition of despair and going into the 'Butterfly Effect' and how everything affects something else. If hopelessness touches one person, it only stood to reason that someone else in the world just got everything they ever wanted. He said only the end of everything was real despair. Adam had looked confused until he remembered this was all just creative interpretation; they were talking about a fictional world.
Then Calad said, "Jack isn't feeling any of this, though. It is the sprit of the world that cries out in agony. Jack is just watching it as he feels his own life slipping away."
"And what is Jack really feeling, then?" asked Adam.
"Well, Death sings the song, too; he's kind of standing back and watching Jack who's watching the end. Jack doesn't care about any of it. That's why he doesn't despair. Death is with him so he feels..." Calad's eyes wandered, trying to find the perfect word.
"Hope?" Adam said, secretly in a 'say it ain't so' manor because it was just too freaky about what Monte said the other day.
Calad looked at him, bouncing his head as if to say, 'you could say that.'
"Death is his hope," he continued, "because Jack's going to get what he wants. Your voice in the song will reflect that, I believe. That promise, that long awaited wish now made a reality. That's what I have planned for you, Adam."
Adam nodded, watching Calad sip some water from the bottle. He leaned back on the couch and ran his hands through his hair and sighing. He couldn't believe how quickly the time passed. This was a lot to take in, and Adam had no idea that so much thought went into High Rock.
Then, setting down the water bottle, Calad suddenly changed gears and stood up. "I think this might be a good time to play you something. Maybe you could sing a little...as a bit of a favor so that I can hear it with my own ears."
"You want to teach me some of it now?"
"Just a little, nothing strenuous," Calad mumbled, turning on his amp and adjusting the volume. Then as he plugged in his guitar, he said, "Again, I have to apologize for the improper instrument. This song was meant to be played on my other guitar, but you won't get the proper appreciation for it anyway until you hear it played in the studio."
"I can't wait," said Adam. He wondered how the other guitar got broken.
***
Calad performed the song "From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness" section for section on the Fender and sang the lyrics that went with it. Adam definitely recognized the voice from the CD he'd heard and liked hearing it live, too, but Calad didn't sing as loud as he could have. It was like Adam really wouldn't get to hear the song until he flew to Milwaukee. Based on listening to this rough, unfinished version, Adam didn't think about it in a way of like or dislike...and Calad didn't seem to want to know either way, which was a relief. All Adam knew was that this was High Rock and not only was he going to be paid a lot of money for singing it, he also realized that he was actually enjoying himself with this session and with Calad. Though he was shy and seemed to concentrate only on the task at hand, Adam enjoyed how patient and respectful he was.
The musician had Adam stand in the middle of the room with him as he taught him a little bit of the song and had Adam sing it with him. Adam felt like it was on one of the mentor weeks on American Idol all over again. Calad would have Adam sing a section alone while he played, just so he could get a little familiar with his voice sounding like High Rock and then Calad would join in.
Adam asked, "Is that ok; is that how you want it to sound?"
Calad said, "I'm not concerned with that now. I just wanted to try it out with you. You're a quick learner, Adam. Did anyone ever tell you that?"
"Thanks...but I still want to know what I have to do for the future so that I'm singing it correctly. Maybe you could sing my part the way it's supposed to sound, and I'll hear the difference?"
Calad sat on the chair again, the Fender in his lap. "That shouldn't be necessary. It has to come from within."
"So...I'm supposed to guess? Because I'm not sure I understand," said Adam.
Calad said patiently, "What I mean is you already have the sound in you..." He thought for a moment. "Have you ever acted? You know, like in a school play or anything?"
"Yeah, I was on a stage since I was a kid. It's what I was doing before I auditioned for Idol."
Calad nodded. "Well, that's perfect then." He took a sip of his water, and Adam looked at him, thinking, Did I miss something? Calad caught his gaze and then said, "Pretend you're in a Broadway show, and you're cast as the empathic guide called Death. You have a job to do, and you also know that you happen to be the most important thing in Jack's life. In these last moments, he is like an addict, and Death is a drug. Death doesn't take advantage of this but is just there...for him."
Adam wanted to sing it again, so Calad willingly indulged him and played to accompany. When he was done, Adam wanted to know if that was closer and if he understood the character right.
Calad said, "The only way you'll be more perfect is when I fly you out to Milwaukee, and you sing with the track the way it's meant to be heard."
Adam felt a sense of accomplishment. Then he realized how hungry he was getting. This felt like a good stopping point so Adam offered to make them both something. "I've got some cold cuts, some cheese...we could have a real spread here." Before Calad could answer, Adam was gesturing for him to relax and he headed into the kitchen.
"A - Anything but salami..." Calad called, timidly.
"Kay..." Adam sang back from the kitchen. He worked quickly and not long after had cheese, crackers, bread and some turkey and ham lunch meat waiting on the kitchen table. There was also a variety of condiments arranged in a tidy fashion. The only thing left to do was get his guest.
When Adam returned to the living room, he found Calad had fallen asleep in the chair. He leaned against the back and his head was to the side and down a bit. After seeing this, Adam wasn't surprised. He couldn't believe the kid made it this long. Glancing at the Fender that Calad had set on the floor, Adam looked back at the young man and was suddenly struck by something.
Oh, my God...It's him!
How could he have missed it before? That expression, the pitiful vulnerability and restlessness...it was the look for the video that Adam had been searching for.
Almost as if Calad had heard his thoughts, he sort of startled himself awake for apparently no reason. He inhaled as if surprised and sat up, looking at the floor.
"Calad?" Adam approached.
Calad looked up as Adam knelt in front of him; the tired look was still in his eyes. Now that Adam saw in Calad what he'd been looking for, every expression Calad had was perfect, it seemed. He only hoped there wasn't too much sparkle in his eyes while he stared at the boy.
"How long have I been asleep?"
"Five minutes, tops."
"Good, I was afraid I'd missed my flight." Calad rubbed his eyes, saying he should probably go soon.
"Well, do you have time for a bite? I got everything ready," Adam coaxed. "Besides, you should get some more sleep. You look like hell."
"I can snooze on the flight," Calad said, like it was no big deal.
"No, I mean you might fall asleep at the wheel. Why don't you let me drive you back to the airport? Either that or call a cab."
"What about the rental?"
"I can always have someone return it," said Adam. "You really need some sleep. Are you sure you can't postpone your flight, maybe go back tomorrow? You could crash here. In fact, I insist."
Calad, looking so tired and miserable just looked at him, no energy to argue. Adam sort of decided for him and took his hand. "Come on, get up. You've gotta eat something quick before you sleep. Plus, there's one more thing I want to talk with you about."
End of Chapter 11