(Untitled)

[bloody_rockgod]

Charlie hasn't played in the bar for a while, so he's at the piano, playing Bach.

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[symbiote_venom]

There is a little boy sitting at the bar, no older than five or six years old, watching him as his legs swing back and forth. He wears blue shorts, a red t-shirt, and little sneakers. His golden blond hair is short, and his bright blue eye seems to cry out with youth and innocence.

"You play real good, Mister."

[bloody_rockgod]

Charlie grins at him. "Thanks."

[symbiote_venom]

"But I like the Sesame street song more. That's old people music!" He makes a face, then bursts out into a fit of giggles.

[bloody_rockgod]

Charlie laughs. "Well, son, it is mostly old people in here." He thinks a moment--he's watched a few episodes of Sesame Street, and there are some songs that just stick with you.

Sing
Sing a song
Sing out loud
Sing out strong
Sing of good things, not bad
Sing of happy, not sad

Sing
Sing a song
Make it simple
To last your whole life long
Don't worry that it's not good enough
For anyone else to hear
Sing
Sing a song

La la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la

Sing
Sing a song
Sing out loud
Sing out strong
Sing of good things, not bad
Sing of happy, not sad

Sing
Sing a song
Make it simple
To last your whole life long
Don't worry that it's not good enough
For anyone else to hear
Sing
Sing a song

[symbiote_venom]

The boy claps his hands together and bursts into giggles again, humming along. "See! Way more fun than old people music!" He nods, as if to affirm this fact, smiling to reveal little white teeth.

[bloody_rockgod]

"Well, all music has its good points. Like if it's fun to dance to or tells somebody special why they're special or just is fun to sing, like the song says."

[symbiote_venom]

The boy nods again, his smile never slipping. "Ya, I guess. But still, how can you play some of that? I like some old people music, but most of it seems so slow and boring!" He makes another face, kicking his legs and humming the tune some more.

[bloody_rockgod]

"Have you got a particular song you like? I don't know many kids' songs--I tend to just make them up as I go along."

[symbiote_venom]

"Play anything! Just nothing slow and boring. I don't mind, I'll listen and be good, honest!"

And besides, this little boy doesn't know many children's songs either. But why give up the ruse so early?

[bloody_rockgod]

Charlie laughs. "All right--you're the kind of audience I like."

If I Had $1000000 (If I Had $1000000

[symbiote_venom]

By the end, the boy is jumping up and down on the bar-stool (perhaps not a good idea) and clapping his hands. "Yeah! See, that's good old people music!"

[bloody_rockgod]

Charlie cracks up.

"I'm very glad you think so."

[symbiote_venom]

"How'd you get so good, Mister? Were you always that good? I used to have a little toy piano, but my Mommy threw it out." He pouts, his mind so easily switching from one thought to another.

[bloody_rockgod]

"I've been playing since I was a lad--younger than you. I practice very day, sometimes for hours."

[symbiote_venom]

"Younger than me?" There is a pause, followed by a smile. But this smile is not the same, innocent smile. There is something knowing and sinister behind it. "How would you know how old I am, Mister?"

[bloody_rockgod]

"Because I've met children before," Charlie says, starting to frown.

Okay, he likes children just fine--but sinister children?

RED ALERT.