DUMPSITE, Page 30

  Everybody was exuberant. Muddy passed out. “Get the smelling salts,” Mother quipped.

  “I’m just kidding,” said the Muddman, “I’m ready when you are.”

  “This could be a fantastic opening event. The movie would get a pile load of advertisement from the show and the heroics Mother showed the other day.”

  “You mean, Crazy Man?” Solly inserted.

  “Carl has rewritten the ending using what happened the other day. I’ve had a chance to read it and it’s very exciting,” James told everyone. “We could have a hit on our hands.”

  “We have also had a few contacts made about using, The Long Road Back,” Vince interjected. “I’ll let you know when we finalize a deal.”

  “The schedule looks a little tight to me, will the movie shoot and the editing of the movie be finished in time?” Mother asked.

  “We have gone over the time constraints and interjected extra time along the way. It still looks like it should be done without any trouble,” Carl spoke confidently.

  “Okay, we will all have plenty of work on our hands,” Mother replied.

  “Count me in when the work starts,” Jonas volunteered as he added. “I’ll be heading to Virginia with Belle to meet her future in-laws and then to Georgia to visit with my son. He’s feeling much better and is looking forward to hanging out with his old dad. We plan on making some alterations to the house. Maybe even adding a recording studio. Belle will be making plans for a wedding. You’re all invited.”

  Everyone accepted the invitation and applauded Jonas who had started to tell everyone he was now Vernon Stallings, Belle Stallings peepaw.

  Solly also volunteered his services. Muddy scratched his head but said nothing. Mother was ready to jump out of his seat with excitement.

  “Let’s eat!” said James.

  “Is this the end?” asked Muddy.

  “No!” Mother responded.

  Epilog — Showtime

  Eleven months – twelve days – seven hours – and forty-nine minutes after the events which transpired, The Norsemen attacked!

  The lights are flashing, the cameras are rolling, the sound check is done, the marquee displays the comeback of, M&M, together again for one more night of fun, frolic and rock ‘n roll! The place is packed with adoring fans, some in wheelchairs but ready to bring back memories of the good times long gone.

  The Muddman is standing stage right, sweating profusely, as he peeks through a small crack in the curtain at the standing-room-only crowd. He is dressed in a white tuxedo which he will rip off as the show builds into a wild frenzy. He is wearing tight black spandex pants, a bunched-up towel and a fluffy white shirt under the tuxedo. This will be followed by his one minute and ten second drum solo. He tested the length at the sound check and found he starts breathing heavily if the solo continues any longer.

  Unnoticed by most, Muddy is holding a small Mirror with a crack in one corner as he stands and waits.

  Mother is ready to jump on the stage. He also has a white tuxedo with a white fedora sitting on his hairless head. His white shoes glisten in the lights shining from above. The band is itching to go!

  There are 44 theaters at various locations throughout the United States showing the live satellite telecast. The seventeen-minute music presentation by The Norsemen will be followed by special renditions of two songs especially written for the movie. The songs, Helen Oh Helen and The Long Road Back, written by M&M. Produced by them, along with good friend, Vernon Stallings.

  The musical presentation will be followed by the premiere of the movie Outta Reach, Just Outta Reach. Written and directed by Carl Kurkonen. The west coast will have a delay of three hours and then watch what the east coast will see in a few minutes. Many west coast fans have flown east to watch the show live rather then wait for the delayed telecast. They are true fans!

  Muddy leans over and tells Mother, “I’ll be right back.”

  “What! Are you gonna split now; when we’re about to knock ‘em dead?”

  “I’m not leaving, just returning the Mirror to the men’s room, maybe someone’s in need of it. I have to do this.”

  “Go do what cha’ gotta do.” Mother tells him. “Be back in five minutes or the show starts without you. We’re doing a live telecast. When we’re announced the show goes on, even if it’s Muddless.”

  Muddy vanishes into the men’s room. The Mirror starts to flash. He stares into the Mirror for the last time and sees himself waving goodbye and then giving a thumb up! A tear falls as he hangs the Mirror on the back wall of the men’s room. Muddy turns and starts to leave. He walks out the door as he sees the Mirror start flashing. “What does the Mirror want now?” A man walks by Muddy but does not acknowledge him. The Mirror has gone back to bright. Before the door is completely closed Muddy hears, “Hi Bruce, welcome back.”

  Muddy hears the introduction of The Norsemen so he starts running at top speed to the stage entrance.

  Mother with the producers, James, Vince and Chuck are waiting for him. He gets there just in time as he and Mother hit the stage with a bounce not seen since the late ’50s. Fortunately then don’t fall. The show goes on!

  THE END