Syncopated Rhythm

by Erik Schubach

  I was shaking my head. “You... Satin Thunder... my car... no...”

  Amber wiggled her eyebrows playfully. “Well since you can't form a complete sentence, I'll put you at ease.” She winked and my knees went wobbly a bit. “They are just Kim and Skylar, just like I'm just Amber Lee. They won't care about your car, they aren't like that. So let's get this party on the road.”

  I glanced over and Skylar was just nodding in support. I couldn't read Kimi at all, she seemed to have zero emotion on her face but her brown eyes were sparkling, she seemed to be studying me and taking in everything around her at the same instant.

  I wordlessly led the way to the dark depths of the parking structure, I was embarrassed that I had to park near the Hellmouth, but not as embarrassed as showing one of the most successful bands in history my car.

  I got up to Baltar and quickly opened the door and pushed the seat forward and started bailing out the back seat. I heard Kimi snort and Skylar utter, “It is exactly the car I would picture for you Kylee. Unique and cute with nostalgic flare.”

  If I thought I was blushing enough to die at that point, Amber had to go and add, “I know right? It is perfect!” I could feel even more heat on my face and neck.

  Kimi placed a hand on my shoulder and said softly. “It is fine Kylee. We're real people and don't care whether your car is messy or not. Just let us get in.”

  I closed my eyes and took a deep breath then nodded and opened my eyes. Kimi had to be close to six feet tall and she just folded herself in and over the speaker to sit on the passenger side. She giggled a little as she pulled some papers out from under her and put them on the floorboard in front of her.

  Skylar winked at me as she slid into the back seat and pulled the drivers seat back upright. OMG! Skylar fracking Roth just winked at me! This is too unreal. It was impossible enough at lunch when my legs touched Amber LaLanie's, gawd I was terrified to move, I was heating up in all the embarrassing places. But now this?

  Amber was comically knocking on the passenger side window. Oh. “Oh!” I hopped in and reached over and unlocked her door. She shot me a grin that had me thanking God I was sitting or else I would have been knocked on my butt by it. Every time I looked at her all I could see was that sexy mane of brown and white hair she was hiding away beneath that pink wig.

  I pumped the gas and turned the engine over. He wouldn't catch. So I pumped a few more times and the engine groaned as the starter tried to work its magic. I stopped trying and put my head on the steering wheel in embarrassment as I reached for the hood release. I took a quick breath and grabbed the can of starter fluid from beside the parking brake.

  I looked at Amber quickly. “Hang on a sec. I got this.” Then I jumped out and raised the hood and unscrewed the wing nut from the air cleaner and lifted the cover and shot a good amount of starter fluid directly into the barrels of the carburetor and ran around to the drivers seat and cranked the engine over and Baltar sputtered to life.

  I shot a weak smile to the women and ran back out and fastened the air cleaner cover and slammed the hood. I wordlessly got into the driver's seat and shut my door. I put the starter fluid back in it's spot and took a deep breath as I put on my seatbelt.

  Skylar spoke with that damn sultry British accent, “I simply LOVE this car!”

  I glanced around and the other two were smiling and nodding. I let out the breath I was holding and allowed myself to smile sheepishly at them. Then Skylar said, “Issaquah if you would my good woman.”

  I started driving toward the garage entrance and I saw Kimi going through some of the trash in the back seat. Gawd, can I die now? She asked, “These storyboards back here... did you do these? These are some awesome ideas for some well known videos. These would have improved them greatly.”

  I blushed again and nodded. Amber was reaching back and Kimi handed her some. Then she agreed. “Wow, you have a great eye Ky. These play directly to the artist's strengths.”

  I reached over and grabbed the papers from her and stuffed them between the seats. “Not good enough to have the producers use them.” I paused. “Maybe if I was one of the plastic Barbies they would notice me.”

  Kimi sounded mad at me for some reason. “Bullshit. Why would you want to be a fake Popsicle stick yes-girl? You stand out Kylee! This is good stuff, it's the producer's problem if they can see it.”

  I just wanted them to drop it. I quickly slid the iPod toward Amber. She looked at me then took pity and cued up some songs to save me. I gotta tell you, there is nothing more surreal than having three rock legends singing in your car and having a great time. Amber kept bumping my arm at the chorus' of the songs. Soon Skylar was bumping the back of my seat at them too.

  I finally started singing with them to Untouched by the Veronicas. They were all grinning as I mangled the notes. But they seemed to be having a great time. Oh good gawd, did Amber just lick her lips? I had to look away, she was warming me up again. I stared at the road and belted the next song out with them. It was so frigging fun! None of them made fun of my singing, I may have invented some new sour notes. By the time I was taking us down the exit into Issaquah, we were laughing and having a great time.

  Amber put her hand on my shoulder and gushed, “You are too much fun Ky.” She left her hand there for a second or two longer than absolutely necessary. She keeps making physical contact with me... it is killing me! Am I just imagining this stuff? No way she could possibly be interested in me. I could hear my pulse pounding in my ears.

  I followed Kimi's directions through the streets that with splotchy snow and ice. We were just at the base of the snowline of the Cascade range. We pulled into a long driveway through the trees. The snow was deeper here since it was shaded by the trees and the driveway was packed snow. I saw a huge mountain man looking guy on a four wheeler that had a blade on it, moving the snow off the parking lot that we emerged into.

  I gasped as I saw a beautiful log construction lodge that seemed to be growing out of the snow and the mountainside. It had the forest and Cascade Mountains as a backdrop. Valentine's Cascade Experience, the rustic sign by the entrance read. Why did I know that name? Wait, was this Bobby lady they were talking about Roberta Valentine? She was like a flipping legend around here, what was the name she went by? Oh, Silent Bob! This was her lodge!?

  We parked in a “reserved” spot near the front of the huge packed parking lot. A young blonde teenaged girl came running out to greet us. She was beautiful! Her twinkling eyes looked exactly like Skylar's and she had a curly lock of pink hair on her left side. You couldn't stop yourself from smiling back at the positively infectious smile on her face.

  We disembarked from the car and the girl was instantly hugging Skylar. “Hi mumsy.” She said with an accent that matched her mother's. Then she turned and hugged Kimi, “Hi mum.”

  The young girl turned her sparkling blues on Amber. They squealed like a couple school girls and hugged. “Amber! Mum said she'd try to get you out here.”

  Amber grinned and looked the girl up and down almost like a parent would, and nodded. “It is so good to come visiting. I missed you at Christmas.”

  Then The girl turned to me and cocked her head cutely. Kimi spoke up, “Samantha, this is Amber's keeper, Kylee. Kylee this exuberant, bouncing young lady is our daughter, Sammie.”

  I put my hand out and she grinned and hugged me instead. She giggled then said, “Nice to meet you Kylee. It's about bloody time. Aunt Amber has needed someone to keep an eye on her mischievous butt for quite some time.”

  Amber laughed. “Hey! I'm not that bad... well... fine. I am... but hey! Watch it little lady!”

  Sammie just rolled her eyes playfully and led the way up the stairs to the covered, wrap around porch, bypassing the lower retail area that looked packed to the gills. We entered into a large open space that had a little cafe in it. I glanced over to see a glass elevator beside a huge staircase. The timber framed interior of the lodge was just as rustic and spectacular as the outside. We a
ll walked up the stairs to the third level and Sammie led us into a gorgeous living area.

  Amber grabbed my hand and dragged me to the sunken seating area by the roaring fire in the freestanding fireplace. We sat and the others joined us. Before anyone could speak I heard some tapping and clicking and clacking coming down the hall.

  A woman with beautiful black hair was coming down the hall with a loaded backpack slung over one shoulder. She had leg braces on both legs and a single cuff crutch. Her right leg seemed to be spasming to the side as she approached us with a huge smile on her face.

  A sweet voice, with probably the thickest Australian accent I have ever heard said, “Amber! I'm so glad the girls got you to come!”

  Amber jumped up and gave the woman a big hug. “Hi Bobby! They were quite persuasive. Where is your beautiful bride?”

  Almost on cue I heard more creaking and clacking coming down the hall. A exotic looking tall woman, also with a leg brace, came walking out with another huge backpack slung over her shoulder. Amber released Bobbie and pulled the smiling newcomer into a hug. “How's it going Blake? Looks like you two are ready to head out to the mountain.”

  Blake nodded with a grin as they disengaged from their hug. “Can't keep old Silent Bob inside for too long, she get's antsy. Ro and I are just camping for the weekend. I sure hope you are going to come around to visit after that. I hear you are stuck here for a couple weeks still.”

  Amber grinned and nodded then turned to me. “Blake, Bobbie, I'd like you to meet Kylee. She's my evil keeper while I'm here in the Emerald City.”

  They both shook my hand, Bobbie held on as she met my eyes. “You must be something special if Amber didn't ditch you and brought you along.”

  I grinned and said, “Oh she tried, but all I had to do was follow the trail of destruction in the china shop.”

  Bobbie snorted as Amber tried to defend herself. “Hey! Is this pick on Amber day?”

  Blake laughed. “Every day is pick on Amber day woman!”

  Amber comically squished up her face in thought. “Hmmm... You're right!”

  The two women winked at me then started toward the door. Bobbie called back, “Well ladies, we best be off if we want to get above the ridge before dark. And Kylee, it was a pleasure to meet you.”

  I gave a tiny wave. I don't know why I was blushing so much. I found it odd that I had absolutely zero doubt in my head that those two would have no problems in the wilderness, it seemed to radiate off of them, and their braces wouldn't slow them down one bit. I guess that is part of the legend of Silent Bob.

  Then Amber sat back down beside me and Sammie sat down on her other side with a sketchpad. Skylar joined us as Kimi called out. “Beer? Soft drink? Water?”

  Amber opened her mouth then shut it again as she looked at me then said with a smile, “Cola would be great Kim.”

  Then she looked at me. I squeaked out, “Cola please.”

  Sammie looked back with a grin. “Beer.” It was comical, Kim's face didn't change nor move a muscle as Samantha laughed and said, “Cola please mum.” Then Kim smiled. She came back with a beer for herself and colas for Skylar and the rest of us. Kim picked up a sketchbook of her own.

  Amber put her drink on the table and reached up and started removing the pins in her wig. “Let me get this thing off before I start sweating by the fire.”

  Kim and Skylar's eyes swung toward her and Sammie was suddenly standing and whispering, “Aunt Amber...” She was tilting her head toward me.

  Amber chuckled. “Oh its fine ladies. I had a... malfunction... today and Kylee had to rescue me. She... knows. She hasn't uttered a single word to anyone and didn't go running off in terror.”

  Sam sat back down with an unreadable smile on her face and she said, “Oh good. I don't know why you are so sensitive over it anyway. I like it.”

  Amber smiled at me then pulled the wig off and threw it on the table then let her frigging gorgeous mane of hair fall around her shoulders. She fluffed her hair up with her fingers then grabbed her drink and leaned back in the cushion to take a sip.

  I swear to God I was almost drooling as I stared at her. Damn, is it hot in here? Why the hell did she hide it away? It was fricking beautiful, like a snow leopard. I heard my name and realized someone was speaking to me. I pulled my eyes away from Amber who was staring right back at me with a shy grin. I turned to Kimi. “Huh?”

  Skylar laughed a bit as Kimi repeated. “I was asking what exactly you do at Art in Motion. I mean, artist babysitter doesn't seem to be in your wheelhouse.”

  Oh gawd. I shrugged. “Ummm... well I am a production assistant intern. After getting my masters in Fine Arts for Cinematography I found out the hard way how hard it is to break into the film business. This was the only place that even looked at me. But when you got interns that look like Leanne who came from the New York Film Academy, a normal girl like me... well... I get the coffee.”

  Then I glanced around. “Not that I'm complaining. I know I have to start somewhere. I'm just hoping to get a real production assistant placement once I finish the internship. I keep sending them ideas and keeping notes at all the meetings so they can see I'm serious.” I shrugged again.

  Amber perked up. “Your stuff is creative and insightful from what I have seen of it so far Ky. Can we see your idea for the group shoot again?”

  I blushed and fished my iPad out of my bag and pulled up my storyboards then I pulled up the “Rock the Angels” file. I wanted to shrink away as the presentation played. Everyone was leaning in to watch. Both Kimi and Sammie seemed extremely interested in parts of it.

  Then Amber asked, “Do you have the original presentation?” I nodded and started it up and watched the plain Jane group shoot. I mean don't get me wrong, it was good, but it lacked something. There needs to be something that just sticks in your head and defines the video in a sea of music videos. Something to make it memorable.

  Then Sammie asked if she could see mine again. I played it again and both Sammie and Kimi paused it at points and looked at my sketches then continued on. Kimi spoke first, “Your idea definitely packs more of a punch. I agree with you, what we are doing now is the 'safe' route. But let me ask you, how long did you work on this, I mean there is a hell of a lot of effort put into that.”

  I shrugged and Amber spoke up. “She did it last night. She couldn't sleep after I brought her out for Karaoke.” Was that pride in her voice? I just wanted to shrink away into nothing I was blushing so much.

  Samantha asked, “You did those sketches and animations last night?”

  I shrugged again. “I didn't have much time to flesh it out, but I think it conveyed my intent ok.”

  Kimi grinned. “Ok? I think you missed Sammie's point Kylee. That is a hell of a lot to draw in one night let alone animate it like that. I should know. It is amazing.” She held up her sketchpad and showed me the picture she was working on. It was a sketch of me without my glasses and I looked... pretty. Sam held her's up too. It was a group sketch of us all playing twister. I snorted a little and she grinned like an imp. Both of their work was freakin' fantastic! Wow... just wow.

  Then Skylar spoke softly, “I'd prefer to do your video than the one they are making now. With such minor tweaks you created something memorable.” Amber and Kimi nodded in agreement.

  I nervously pushed my glasses further back on my nose and I whispered, “Can we change the subject please?”

  We all kicked back and started talking about all sorts of topics. Work and music seemed like taboo topics amongst the women so I made sure to steer clear of that too. I caught myself on more than one occasion forgetting they were famous people and was drawn into their personal world and marveled at how “real” they really were. They were so easy to talk to especially Amber. Damn, her spectacular grey eyes are killing me!

  Sammie and I played some muti-player online games with each other, I learned that her pink lock of hair was inspired by her fist meeting with Amber when Sam was three. Then she had m
e show her the application I used for sketching on my iPad and also the animation program that automatically animated my sketches. All I had to do was sketch two pictures for every second of animation and map the “hard points” and the program drew the twenty eight other frames in between for me. Kimi was looking over our shoulders with great interest at that point.

  We slipped back into conversations about embarrassing times of our lives. Skylar had disconnected her prosthetic foot and curled into Kimi on one of the couches. Kimi absently massaged her stump for her, I swear to Cthulhu that Skylar was purring. I caught myself more than once sneaking a peek at the colorful tattoos covering all of her scars on the right side of her body, beautiful is not a strong enough word for them. They seemed almost organic, like they were a part of her.

  At some point Amber had wound up laying down on the couch with her legs over Sam's lap and her head in my lap. I found myself absently stroking my fingers through her hair as we spoke and laughed at everyone's stories. I froze up when I realized what I was doing, but Amber cutely pushed her head into my fingers to get me to continue. Gawd she is gorgeous! I wish that one day some guy or gal as hawt as her would notice me; her scent was driving me crazy.

  Before I knew it, it was six and Kimi switched on the TV for the news. No, not Kimi, Kim since... “For the love of God Ky, call me Kim!” I giggled at my inner monologue and Amber tilted her head up to look at me. I just rolled my eyes and she grinned and we turned our attention to the news. Her hair is so soft!

  After the national news and weather, the local stories began and I almost spewed the soda I was sipping. There was some “breaking news”.

  On the screen was our group surrounded by people entering the Cafe on the Corner. I watched as I and the other keepers were making a shield around our artists. Then Amber reached out the door and grabbed my hand and dragged me in. I remember how the heat was spreading up from our contact when she didn't let go until we all went to sit.

  The news anchor was saying. “In breaking news today, some of the most recognizable names in music, congregated at Cafe on the Corner in what was apparently an impromptu meeting with screenwriter Babette Stevenson about casting for the upcoming film, Heartsong Warriors. The big questions are, who is Babette Stevenson and how did she get such big name talent for her production? Conrad Chase was able to shed some light on these questions and more.”