Post by Fiona McFly on Jul 4, 2017 5:52:20 GMT
Act IV ~ "In Which the First Signs of Progress on the Album Are Made..."
~12 June 2017 + 0730 GMT~
MILLENNIUM STUDIOS + LONDON'S WEST SIDE
We find the twin-guitar-playing Mercury brothers, Donnie and Eddie, pacing around the live band recording room as they wait patiently for Fiona McFly and the band's drummer, Luke Kimble to arrive. It's bright and early on this London Monday morning, where after a fortnight in which the pair had to do a little soul-searching with their producer, Nigel Richards, the band was prepping to get back to the business of making an album...
...so Luke and Fiona's absence, at first, worried the twins as they took their stations.
EDDIE MERCURY:
Oy, I wonder where they're at...
DONNIE MERCURY:
Aye brother, hope they're alright.
Nigel, over the PA, cleared his throat before speaking in his stately accent.
NIGEL RICHARDS:
(voice)
Well, obviously Luke and Fiona are a little tardy--.
The producer is immediately cut off as Luke barges headlong into the studio, taking his place on the drums whilst Fiona--who on this day, is on a tight schedule culminating with a flight in a few hours--follows suit.
NIGEL:
Ah--about bloody time!
Fiona, hearing her producer's somewhat annoyed tone of voice, nodded as she took her place on synths.
FIONA MCFLY:
I apologise for our tardiness--Luke and I were stuck on the Tube coming from his flat. Hopefully we can get something done thir morning as I have a one o'clock flight to Belfast this afternoon.
Donnie and Eddie both nodded their heads, then became astonished when they saw Luke's new image for the very first time. The drummer's scraggly beard was now clean-shaven, his long hair cut to a high-and-tight military-style trim, and his worn-out clothes replaced by a white business suit with dark sunglasses.
DONNIE:
You're looking spotless there, Luke.
Eddie, usually the cruder gent of the Mercury twins and the band in general, was rendered speechless by his bandmate's change in appearance. Yet Nigel chimed in over the microphone, cutting short any ideas of taking the piss.
NIGEL:
(voice)
Now that we're all set, let's get cracking, there's art to be made! Are you ready, Miss Fiona?
Fiona paused for a moment, adjusting the titanium-rimmed spectacles on her head before closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. Her thoughts began to race in her mind as she heard the proud voice of Regina Kimble beckoned to her, almost as if it was like magic...
"Fiona...Fiona..."
...there was silence in the room, the band awaiting the first strains from her synthesiser. Yet McFly's eyes were still shut, contemplating the ailing former educator and figure who brought her and her husband, Jack Gaither, together.
"You are taking your first steps...now, LIVE in the moment!"
Something began to click inside Fiona's mind, for the phrase Kimble's soothing vocal tones made her recall the moment she put her "Mach 5" go-kart into a higher gear and defeated the bully Scott Farkus nearly 23 years ago, in that high school stadium in dusty Fredericksburg. Instantly, with an aura of absolute quiet throughout the studio, began to play the first bars of her "Overture" track...
...it was all a blur from there--Donnie and Eddie's laser-precise twin-guitar chords and Luke's mad, Roger Taylor-esque drumming kicked into another level, bringing the regal, epic opening salvo to Fiona's Open Book album to a spectacular climax that was worthy to open some space opera.
Then, the three-and-a-half minute track reached its final coda and conclusion, leaving the studio bathed in silence once again. Fiona eased out a heavy sigh of relief, yet still her brows perked up, wondering if Nigel would ask her if she wanted to do another take, citing any flaws within the instrumental piece. But instead, a happy voice shouted over the public address system...
NIGEL:
(voice)
And...put it to tape, guys! Well done!!
Fiona smiled, pumping her fist in delight as Luke humbly looked on, albeit with a tinge of satisfaction. The twin Mercurys high-fived each other, with Eddie screaming at the top of his lungs.
EDDIE:
FUCKING ROCK 'N' ROLL!!!!
It was a quick celebration, but one that was so richly deserved. Fiona shed a tear as he grin became more pronounced--even as Nigel called the troops back into order.
NIGEL:
(voice)
Alright, alright...one track down. Twelve to go. Take as much time as possible to confer on the next song...jolly good show, the lot of you!
Fiona looked down at her iPhone, realising that she needed to be ready for an afternoon flight to her birthplace as soon as possible. Donnie and Eddie skipped out of the live recording room, leaving her and her drummer alone.
And Luke smiled, speaking to Fiona very softly yet grateful of everything she did for him within the last two weeks.
LUKE KIMBLE:
Thank you Fiona...for everything.
FIONA:
'Ey, what's a friend got to do when another's down and seemingly out?
Fiona nodded her head before placing her sheet music in a green folder before placing that in her backpack. Yet before she made her exit, she turned to the drummer who was packing his sticks up for the day.
FIONA:
Say...you want to see where I was born?
Luke mustered a small, but loving, smirk on his face.
LUKE:
I'd be honoured.
Fiona gave him the "thumbs up" as she and the drummer made their exit, happy that they have made progress on an album that was sure to be full of moments from the first note to its last.
~TO BE CONTINUED IN "#FLYHIGH"~
Well howdy there pardner.