Live Feedleash Log: 07/10/07
Dan Ashcroft says:
*Dan has somehow smashed his way through the barricade around the front entrance of the Trashbat Museum. He stumbles up the staircase, laughing to himself, drunk and carrying a bottle of lighter fluid*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*peers around the dust-covered TBM exhibits and sneers in derision*
Barley says:
*Nathan hurries along the streets towards TBM, not quite sure what kind of a spectacle he'll meet there. He's tired - he's been out and about all day - and he really does not want any shit from Ashcroft*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*speaks to nobody in particular* Better get to work. *walks around the room squirting jets of lighter fuel across everything in sight, grinning maniacally*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*shouts to himself, kicking things over, stamping on them, generally going ape-shit and yelling in triumph*
Barley says:
*turns the corner and sees the TBM door up ahead. It's open* Fuck!
Barley says:
*hurries towards it and peers in carefully* Hello?
Dan Ashcroft says:
*hears Nathan's voice and snarls* FUCK OFF!
Barley says:
*shouts back* Dan? What the fuck are you doing in there?
Dan Ashcroft says:
*stands at the top of the staircase, holding the can of lighter fuel like a gun, pointing it at Nathan* I'm ridding this area of cockroaches!
Dan Ashcroft says:
*aims the lighter fuel down the stairs and squirts some at Nathan*
Dan Ashcroft says:
There's a massive cockroach, there! ha!
Barley says:
*feels strangely calm* Yeah. Look, Dan, just come down, yeah?
Barley says:
Come down before anyone sees that you've broken in.
Dan Ashcroft says:
No! *walks away from the stairs and continues dousing the room in lighter fuel, then tosses the can to one side. It makes a metallic clunk on the wooden floor*
Dan Ashcroft says:
Piss off!
Barley says:
*this can't be good. Runs up the stairs* Dan, for fuck's sake, just come away, yeah?
Barley says:
*tries to grab hold of Dan's arm to pull him with him*
Barley says:
*sees what Dan has done to the place and a wave of anger floods through him* What the FUCK have you done?!
Barley says:
What the FUCK!
Dan Ashcroft says:
*pulls his arm away sharply and pats his pockets, attempting to locate his matches, staring madly*
Dan Ashcroft says:
I'm going to erase trashbat!
Barley says:
This is my museum, you cunt, what are you thinking?!
Dan Ashcroft says:
*finds his cigarettes and places one, unlit, in his mouth, continuing to search for his matchbox, slurs* I'm thinking absolutely clearly, dickbrain.
Dan Ashcroft says:
*gesturing wildly at the room* This place is a fucking disgrace!
Dan Ashcroft says:
*finds his matches and, laughing, strikes one, holding it up to Barley and laughing*
Dan Ashcroft says:
Come on! This will be fun! *waves the match around, laughing and jeering at Nathan*
Barley says:
What? No! *lunges at Dan, pushes him backwards, anything to get Dan and the match away from the museum* Don't you fucking...!
Dan Ashcroft says:
*staggers out of Nathan's path, laughing, moving across the room towards Pingu's old desk*
Barley says:
*Nathan runs after Dan and gives him a big shove in the back*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*the match falls from Dan's fingers and drops on to the desk surface*
Barley says:
FUCK! Dan, you cunt!
Dan Ashcroft says:
*paper starts to smoulder. Dan laughs and staggers away from Nathan*
Barley says:
*hops about,not knowing what to do about the fire. There is no fire extinguisher here, of course*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*sings badly and drunkenly* Burn baby burn! Ha!
Barley says:
*starts trying to pat at it with his hands*
Barley says:
Dan, you cunt!
Dan Ashcroft says:
*jigs about the room, singing* Disco Infernoooo!
Barley says:
*gets some papers from one of the shelves and drops it on top of the fire, attempting to smother it. But, these papers have been doused in lighter fluid and go up in flames instantly*
Barley says:
FUCK!
Dan Ashcroft says:
*continues to laugh to himself, strikes another match and lights cigarette, casually flicking the still smouldering match on to a pile of items that includes Dajve Bikinus' bra*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*feigns apology* Oh whoops.
Dan Ashcroft says:
*flames soon dance to life around the exhibits*
Barley says:
*smoke is starting to fill the room and is getting in Nathan's eyes* DAN YOU WANKER!
Dan Ashcroft says:
*Dan reels towards the main item on his hit list - the Preacherman costume - which rests on a shop dummy*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*Dan unfastens his flies and takes a piss on the costume* Shut up, Idiot.
Barley says:
*Nathan watches Dan in complete disbelief: there's a fucking fire!*
Barley says:
*the smoke is growing thicker by the second, and it's getting hard to breathe*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*finishing his toliet, he re-fastens his flies and then, with a shove, pushes the dummy flat on to the floor*
Barley says:
DAN!
Dan Ashcroft says:
*starts to cough but continues, striking a match and dropping it on to the Preacherman costume, taking great pleasure in watching it catch fire*
Barley says:
*Nathan gives up on trying to find a way of stopping the fire: it's too big now, and it's getting very hot, the flames licking up towards the now-blackened ceiling, and runs over to Dan, grabbing his arm* We have to get out of here!
Dan Ashcroft says:
*his eyes watering and the smoke and flames becoming very thick now, a look of realisation falls across Dan's face as he allows himself to be dragged away by Nathan*
Dan Ashcroft says:
I WON! I WON THAT! *laughing maniacally as he is led away*
Barley says:
*gasping, Nathan finds his way towards the stairs, pulling Dan with him. They tumble down, the smoke not as heavy here*
Barley says:
Fuck, Dan, you twat! *pushes Dan out the door, violently*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*collapses in a heap on the pavement, coughing and spluttering*
Barley says:
*still gasping for air and coughing* What the fuck are you thinking?! What the fuck is wrong with you?! *gives Dan quite a hard kick in the back*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*his face blackened slightly by smoke, Dan peers up at the TBM building through watering eyes and sees the thick smoke billowing from the upper window*
Dan Ashcroft says:
Shit. *suddenly very sober*
Barley says:
Is that all you have to say, you cunt! You set fire to my museum!
Dan Ashcroft says:
*the fire is quite clearly out of control*
Barley says:
You fucking cunt! *gives him another, harder, kick*
Dan Ashcroft says:
SHIT! Get off me! *pushes himself up and rests his back against the wall, catching his breath*
Barley says:
You set fire to my museum, Dan! MY MUSEUM!
Dan Ashcroft says:
*gazes up again at the building. A window shatters and they shield their heads*
Barley says:
*doesn't know how to express all the anger inside him* DAN!
Dan Ashcroft says:
*suddenly concerned, looks to Nathan* We'd better get out of here.
Barley says:
*it's as if he collapses on the inside, no energy left at all* *tiny voice* My museum.
Barley says:
My little museum.
Dan Ashcroft says:
*Dan struggles to find something to say but...can't. He stumbles towards the main road and sees a black cab coming. He glances round at Barley* Come on!
Barley says:
*stands looking up at the flames licking out of the windows, unable to move*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*waves down the cab and calls out to Barley* I'm going!
Barley says:
*still doesn't move, barely hearing Dan's call*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*stands by the cab, holding the door open, looking back at Nathan* Well, bell-end?
Barley says:
*it's almost rather beautiful, the flames and the smoke like that*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*shouts above the traffic noise to Nathan* It's all history, Barley! None of it matters anymore!
Barley says:
*refuses to listen to Dan, still not moving, defiant now*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*mutters, striding towards Nathan, grabbing his arm* Get in the fucking taxi.
Dan Ashcroft says:
*sirens sound in the distance*
Barley says:
*swings round sharply and sneers* I hate you! *punches Dan in the face*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*Dan stumbles backwards, holding his face, swearing. The taxi driver steps out of his cab and closes the door, then steps back in and drives away quickly*
Dan Ashcroft says:
You little fucker! *takes a swing at Nathan and lands a rabbit punch to his stomach*
Barley says:
*doesn't even feel the pain. Lunges himself at Dan, again, and pushes him up against the wall on the other side of the road, hands around Dan's throat* Fuck you!
Dan Ashcroft says:
*winded by the force of hitting the wall with his back, he none the less manages to bring a knee up violently into Nathan's groin*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*the sirens become louder now, drawing closer to the scene*
Barley says:
*collapses to the ground in pain, the world blurred*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*breathing heavily, staring down at Nathan, flexing his fists*
Dan Ashcroft says:
Get up!
Barley says:
*groans* Fuck off.
Dan Ashcroft says:
Get up now or I'll stick my foot so far up your arse, you'll taste leather.
Barley says:
*glances up at Dan slowly* Fine, whatever, yeah? There's nothing left for me to live for anyway.
Barley says:
Just do it, I don't care any more.
Dan Ashcroft says:
Oh boo-fucking-hoo.
Dan Ashcroft says:
*the fire engines make their way along the main road now. Dan panics*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*Dan lunges for Nathan and forcefully pulls him into a standing position, pushing him down the side-street and along the main road before the fire services see them in the area. Dan continues to glance back until they are some distance away*
Dan Ashcroft says:
You could have got us caught!
Barley says:
*lets himself be pushed, not caring any more* Whatever.
Dan Ashcroft says:
*sees another taxi coming along the road* Stand up properly. *flags the cab down*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*Dan pulls open the door of the cab and shoves Nathan inside, then climbs in himself, leaning forwards to the driver* King's Cross station, mate. Thanks.
Dan Ashcroft says:
*Dan opens the cab window and takes some deep breaths*
Barley says:
King's Cross?
Dan Ashcroft says:
*not turning round, still staring out of the open window* Yes. King's Cross.
Barley says:
*sits up* You're not fucking leaving town, Ashcroft: you're going straight to the police to turn yourself in!
Dan Ashcroft says:
Yeah, like that's going to happen.
Barley says:
You set fire to my museum!
Dan Ashcroft says:
*turns and hisses at Nathan, nodding towards the driver* Shut the fuck up!
Barley says:
*realises it's maybe best not to say anything. Gives Dan a sour look and sits back crossing his arms*
Barley says:
*they sit in silence a while, the taxi passing through the dark streets*
Barley says:
*finally Nathan can't bare the silence any longer* Actually, it is a well cool way for TBM to go, yeah?, in a fire. Like, on top of its fame and that. It won't ever grow old and stale now. Always be fresh in our memories, like John Lennon or Sid Vicious. Cool.
Dan Ashcroft says:
*places his head in his hands and runs his hands down his face* For christ's sake....
Dan Ashcroft says:
How do you DO that?
Barley says:
*shrugs but looks smug*
Dan Ashcroft says:
How do you manage to turn every fucking thing around to your advantage? *slumps back against the seat*
Barley says:
Positive thinking? Anything can be turned cool if you want it to. Imagination, yeah? You know all about that: you're a writer.
Dan Ashcroft says:
*makes no reply, grinding his jaw, irritated*
Barley says:
*nods to himself* Yeah, well cool.
Dan Ashcroft says:
*the taxi swings to a halt outside Kings Cross station. Exhaling, Dan pays the driver and pushes open the door, stepping out*
Barley says:
*Nathan follows, not really knowing why. He's always followed the Preacher Man, why stop now?*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*as the taxi speeds off, Dan stands outside the station, pausing to smoke a cigarette*
Barley says:
*scoffs his feet* So, what now?
Dan Ashcroft says:
*Dan's given up trying to question Nathan's behaviour and just takes it as read that Nathan will be around him until he leaves London...or one of them dies*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*blowing a large cloud of smoke into the air* Oh I dunno. I was thinking....maybe a coffee and then I'll fuck off?
Barley says:
Coffee and cigarettes, sounds good, yeah. Where're you going?
Dan Ashcroft says:
*chewing his lip* I'm just...going.
Barley says:
*without humour* Leave me to tidy up your mess, nice one.
Dan Ashcroft says:
Oh come on, you said yourself that it's worked out in your favour!
Barley says:
I'll still have the police after me. And the council, the bastards.
Dan Ashcroft says:
*sarcastic* Poor Nathan Barley. Always so hard done by.
Barley says:
*refuses to take the bait* Whatever.
Dan Ashcroft says:
It makes me want to cry, it really does. *laughs*
Barley says:
At least I'm not running away from my problems, yeah? I'm facing them, come what may.
Dan Ashcroft says:
*tosses his cigarette stub to the floor and expels the remaining smoke, eyeing Nathan*
Dan Ashcroft says:
Wow, you're such a big man. *turns and heads towards the station*
Barley says:
*rolls eyes* Shut up. *follows*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*heads for a coffee shop, glancing up at the train departure times*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*goes to the counter and orders black coffee*
Barley says:
*follows and stands himself next to Dan* I'll get this, yeah?
Dan Ashcroft says:
*reluctantly lets Nathan buy. He might as well get what he can while he still can*
Barley says:
*orders his own coffee and pays*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*frowns, perhaps slightly disappointed that Nathan didn't try to pull any stunts, such as asking for egg or salmon in their drinks*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*sees an empty seating area and takes one side*
Barley says:
*sits down opposite Dan* Not brilliant place, this.
Dan Ashcroft says:
*sips his coffee and glances round at the other customers* Not full of Idiots, that's for sure.
Barley says:
Your idiocy tonight is big enough for all to share.
Dan Ashcroft says:
*ignoring Nathan's comment, Dan taps the end of his plastic coffee stirrer on the table top as silence falls between them*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*twists his mouth into varying shapes and then speaks, peering down at the table surface* I'm leaving London for a while.
Barley says:
Okay?
Dan Ashcroft says:
Maybe a month or two. Or…I don't know...I might not come back.
Barley says:
*doesn't quite know what to say* Right.
Barley says:
Leaving town. Sounds... y'know... like a plan?
Dan Ashcroft says:
*runs a hand across his beard, scratching with his fingertips* It's...necessary. I have to get out of here. Not just because of the fire.
Barley says:
*gives a little snort* Yeah, right.
Dan Ashcroft says:
*lowers voice* Well, yeah, it's partly that. *sips more coffee*
Dan Ashcroft says:
I'm tired of Hoxditch, Barley. You and your Idiot mates. Nobody wants to know about anything else. You've...you've won.
Dan Ashcroft says:
*gulps coffee and winces slightly*
Barley says:
Won? Hollow victory, yeah? It's been over for ages, Dan, the old lot has moved on. Grown up and that. Left-overs and losers are the only ones still keeping it hobbling along, yeah? *shakes his head* I'm getting out too, I think.
Barley says:
*shrugs* Gotta grow up, me, too, yeah?
Dan Ashcroft says:
*raises an eyebrow slightly* You? Grow up? I thought it was necessary for you to live in a perpetual state of immaturity and imbecility?
Barley says:
Yeah, well, situations change.
Dan Ashcroft says:
Don't kid yourself. I know your kind, inside and out. You'll soon infest another square mile of London. Knowing about different types of olives and hummus doesn't make you 'grown up'. It won't be long until you're tagging some poor bastard's zimmer-frame at a bus stop. You can't help yourself.
Barley says:
Whatever. I'll let you know the day I crack, yeah? That'll keep me on the straight and narrow path.
Dan Ashcroft says:
*sniffs and glances at his wrist-watch* Send me a postcard. That's if snail mail isn't too complicated for you. *drains his coffee cup*
Barley says:
I'll get you a postcard with a fire on it, yeah? Mustn't let you forget, Emperor Nero.
Dan Ashcroft says:
*standing up from the table, glancing towards the station platform*
Barley says:
Leaving now?
Dan Ashcroft says:
Looks like it.
Barley says:
*nods and gets up* I'll wave at you from the platform with my non-existent handkerchief, yeah?
Dan Ashcroft says:
I won't be looking. *pulls his jacket tighter and exits the coffee shop*
Barley says:
*mostly to himself* Yeah, right. *follows*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*heads for the ticket booth and joins the short queue of people*
Barley says:
So what are you gonna do about your house? You're not bringing anything. Do you want me to pack and send you some stuff? Like, clothes?
Dan Ashcroft says:
*sighs and rubs his chin in thought* Claire can stay at the house or I'll get Doris to watch it for a while until I decide what I'm doing. I can get more clothes. They do have them up North, you know.
Barley says:
Yeah, Claire might like that, somewhere else to stay for a bit.
Barley says:
So you're going north, then. Home to you mum?
Dan Ashcroft says:
Nope.
Dan Ashcroft says:
*steps forward to the ticket booth and asks for a single fare to Carlisle*
Barley says:
*waits, thinking Carlisle is rather a dull place to go*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*pays for the ticket and pockets it, then turns and walks towards the display screens checking for the right platform number*
Barley says:
*follows, feeling rather like a little puppy on a lead*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*acts as if Nathan doesn't exist but is very aware of his presence*
Barley says:
*shoves his hands deep into his trouser pockets, waiting for something to happen*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*stands at the entrance gate to the correct platform and looks hesitant*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*exhales a deep breath and turns to face Nathan* Tell Claire I'll be in touch?
Barley says:
*nods* Yeah.
Dan Ashcroft says:
*rubs his chin again, looking awkward*
Barley says:
*can't handle the atmosphere any longer and, even though he knows it's probably not a good idea, throws his arms around Dan and hugs him*
Barley says:
I'll miss you, Preach.
Dan Ashcroft says:
*is initially startled by Nathan's actions but doesn't pull away, slowly lowering his arms around Nathan and giving him a half-cuddle, half-manly pat on the back*
Dan Ashcroft says:
Yeah. I expect you will.
Dan Ashcroft says:
*an announcement over the speaker system marks the imminent departure of Dan’s train*
Barley says:
*still hugging Dan* That's your train.
Dan Ashcroft says:
Yep. *Dan pulls away from Nathan's embrace and walks purposefully through the platform entrance, towards the train carriages*
Barley says:
*calls after him* Fuck you later, Preach!
Dan Ashcroft says:
*stopping by one of the doors, he turns and looks back at Nathan* BYE IDIOT! *He presses the *open* button and then flicks a V at Nathan before stepping on to the train, disappearing from view*
Dan Ashcroft says:
*a guard blows his whistle and the train moves slowly forward, gradually gaining speed as it leaves the station*
Barley says:
*Nathan gives the closing door a short, brave smile. He stands there watching the train leave* *to himself* Bye, Dan.