mad world- chapter 1
Adam waited to go on the tiny stage in San Diego, absorbed by his thoughts. He was frustrated by where his career was going, not sure that musical theatre scene here was what he really wanted for the rest of his life. As he was thinking to himself, “I gotta get out of this, I gotta get out,” he heard the owner of the little bar announce him as the next performer, and a small cheer coming from the audience. He grinned as he walked onto the stage, looking out into the murmuring crowd for his friend, Scarlett, and his on-again, off-again, friend/ex-boyfriend, Brad. At least, Adam thought to himself, he’s still supportive of my desire to become a rockstar. He stepped up to the mic, relaxing and allowing himself to fade into the zone. “Hey guys, thanks for coming out tonight. I’ve got a few songs for you, I’m gonna start with ‘Mad World’.” He closed his eyes for a split second, concentrating on that place within him that felt every lyric of the song, opening them as he began.
All around me are familiar faces
worn out places, worn out faces
bright and early for the daily races
going nowhere, going nowhere
As he was singing, Adam thought about exactly how those lyrics pertained to him. It felt as if he was going nowhere but worn out places, and needed to find somewhere else. “That’s it,” he thought. “I’m sick of being static. After this show, fuck it, I’m heading to LA. I need to see more than just this empty place, I need more than the couple parts I’m getting down here. I need opportunities, and projects to work on.”
Adam finished the song and apologized to the audience, telling them that was the last song for tonight. “If you wanna see me again, check my MySpace page, I’ll be playing in LA sooner or later.” He heard Brad’s gasp, but didn’t even look at him. The decision was so spontaneous, but felt so much like the right thing to do, he didn’t want any criticism; Scarlett just gave him a thoughtful look.
He got off the stage, apologized to the owner, and walked out the door. Scarlett found him outside, smoking a cigarette, trying to calm himself down after pissing off the person who ran his favorite bar.
“Your idea doesn’t sound half bad. I wouldn’t mind going with you.”
Adam spun around, happily surprised by her idea. “We could find a place together,” she continued, “The rent might be high, but LA’s easy. And we could always check out Hollywood.”
“All I know is I gotta get out of here, I can’t do this anymore. It’s just not enough. Now I just have to explain to Brad....”
*******
Kris stared at himself in the mirror, thinking about what he wanted to do, and what he should do. He’d been chasing after his dreams for the past year in Arkansas, but his time was up. Katy was getting mad that he wouldn’t give them up already. She expected him to settle down, finish school, and get a job, live the “normal” life. But he didn’t want the normal life. He’d been fighting against it for a while, all he wanted was to make good music.
But she loved him, and he loved her. All she wanted was the best for him. “She’s right, she’s right. You gotta make a change.”
I’m gonna make a change for once in my life
It’s gonna feel real good, gonna make a difference
gonna make it right...
I’m starting with the man in the mirror
and I’m asking him to change his ways
No message could’ve been any clearer...
“She just wants me to be happy. She said that’s what she wants; I just have to change my dreams.” He told himself this a few times, still looking at the image on the glass in front of him. A look of determination spread across his features. “I’ll give her what she wants. I’ll make her happy.”
Kris smiled as he thought about how he was going to propose to his girl, the woman of his...changing dreams.
i swear it will get more interesting and exciting...
All around me are familiar faces
worn out places, worn out faces
bright and early for the daily races
going nowhere, going nowhere
As he was singing, Adam thought about exactly how those lyrics pertained to him. It felt as if he was going nowhere but worn out places, and needed to find somewhere else. “That’s it,” he thought. “I’m sick of being static. After this show, fuck it, I’m heading to LA. I need to see more than just this empty place, I need more than the couple parts I’m getting down here. I need opportunities, and projects to work on.”
Adam finished the song and apologized to the audience, telling them that was the last song for tonight. “If you wanna see me again, check my MySpace page, I’ll be playing in LA sooner or later.” He heard Brad’s gasp, but didn’t even look at him. The decision was so spontaneous, but felt so much like the right thing to do, he didn’t want any criticism; Scarlett just gave him a thoughtful look.
He got off the stage, apologized to the owner, and walked out the door. Scarlett found him outside, smoking a cigarette, trying to calm himself down after pissing off the person who ran his favorite bar.
“Your idea doesn’t sound half bad. I wouldn’t mind going with you.”
Adam spun around, happily surprised by her idea. “We could find a place together,” she continued, “The rent might be high, but LA’s easy. And we could always check out Hollywood.”
“All I know is I gotta get out of here, I can’t do this anymore. It’s just not enough. Now I just have to explain to Brad....”
*******
Kris stared at himself in the mirror, thinking about what he wanted to do, and what he should do. He’d been chasing after his dreams for the past year in Arkansas, but his time was up. Katy was getting mad that he wouldn’t give them up already. She expected him to settle down, finish school, and get a job, live the “normal” life. But he didn’t want the normal life. He’d been fighting against it for a while, all he wanted was to make good music.
But she loved him, and he loved her. All she wanted was the best for him. “She’s right, she’s right. You gotta make a change.”
I’m gonna make a change for once in my life
It’s gonna feel real good, gonna make a difference
gonna make it right...
I’m starting with the man in the mirror
and I’m asking him to change his ways
No message could’ve been any clearer...
“She just wants me to be happy. She said that’s what she wants; I just have to change my dreams.” He told himself this a few times, still looking at the image on the glass in front of him. A look of determination spread across his features. “I’ll give her what she wants. I’ll make her happy.”
Kris smiled as he thought about how he was going to propose to his girl, the woman of his...changing dreams.
i swear it will get more interesting and exciting...