Kate- Cere, activate the overlay."Room's packed tonight, who's playing?"

Cere- Cyberanthraxxx, a Neo-Punk Restoration band. They mix a bit of electro in but mostly they like playing with trashes... like literal trash.

Kate- Never heard of 'em before, any cred?

Cere- They are on the most wanted list for political anarchism and anti-capitalism propaganda, they can hardly leave the Astro without getting shot.

Kate- Neat! So, the real deal then? Artists unbound and all that Jazz? Kinda sad mom won't let me get that bounty. Hey, isn't that one of Black Industries' board members? I think I met him once, the copyright claim on that 9mm print... doesn't he look a lot like the drummer?

Cere- Good catch! The one and the same, I can even tell you he's the one who initiated the complaint against the band. Older pictures of his son are a match for the drummer, though they are officially estranged and he has been officially disinherited.

Kate- T's kinda twisted... It might be one of those cases of "there is no such thing as bad publicity" going on here. That would be some cheap guerilla marketing. Might not be so legit punk after all. Or maybe when his son ran to make "musak" he got pissed and now he can't un-ring that bell.

Cere- Is anything truly legit these days?

Kate- Guess not... No skin on me though. 'S long as the sound's bearable, isn't by the way... if I'm to stay a bit, maybe I should arrange for a sort of "extradition"?

Cere- The crowd seems to disagree with your taste.

Kate- Won't argue with the absence of it, they are free to enjoy hot garbage mixed with metal-on-metal friction.

Cere- You know, sometimes you start with the right attitude... just to murder it the next second.

Kate- Charmin' like that!

*mumble* "Y know, not much changed here, the room is still painted black. Same red velvet curtains hanging to disguise the steel beams and on the scene. Same overly cold air pumping the stale one filled with body odors. Queen Victoria is... no she ain't serving drinks but Peele is... why doesn't it all feel the same? Why the strangeness? Everything feels more... distant like I'm not part of "it". Like I'm looking from outside through a thick window."

Cere- You've been gone a long time. You changed a lot since the last time you were here, you are not the same. It stands to reason you don't feel the same and probably never will.

Kate- Right... did... lived on my own, makes sense. Guess'll never feel like that again.

"Shit! *mumble* stupid tears."

Cere- It's alright you know, to feel pain, to grieve for what is lost to time. That's your childhood's grave you're in front of right now, that you feel. Those emotions are called nostalgia and regrets. Allow yourself to feel them fully, crying will help you get through, you'll feel better after. If you put a lid on it you'll just choke and poison yourself slowly, crying helps mend the wounds, to get through losses.

Kate- Right... just nostalgia, no shame. Shit, 'm getting too old for that sentimentality.

Cere- Shit Kate, soon you'll need an exo-suit to carry you around and you'll start gibbering about the good ol' days and the nasty attitudes of today's youth through your falling teeth.

Kate- If I start to do that you are hereby authorized to pilot me to a rejuv clinic by force. I pre-authorize a line of credit for it for the occasion. *shiver* Old age... terrifying disease.

Cere- Seriously though, people are never too old to cry. That's just part of grief whatever your age. Pain isn't a weakness, pain is a sense, and emotions are the same. Emotions are basically like seeing, but for your mental state, they show you what's inside. Blocking them is like closing your eyes, it doesn't stop the ugly shit from happening behind. Open your eyes, open your mind, and face reality otherwise, things will get worse. You don't close your eyes when bullets fly, do you? Same thing.

Kate- I guess...

Cyber Attaxxx's signer: "Alright you disgusting maggots! You fuckers were an ICE crowd!"

Crowd- *Booooh* "Bad pun! That was some shameless trash!" *Ahahahaha*

Signer-"This is our last one for the night! One, Two, One Two THREE FOUR!"

Firefighter- "Kate! Cherry sent me to get you, she's done with the makeup, still has fifteen for you if you wanna talk some more, you know, before you get smashed face."

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

Kate- "Charles? Little Charles? You got... big."

Firefighter- "I go by Firefighter now..."

Kate- "A bit on the... nose no?"

Firefighter- "Goes with the job... and my fire hose... or pole, whichever position it is in when the ladies make their inspections."

Kate- "Right... anyway, I'll talk to you later to catch up."

Firefighter- "Sure! Got a place to be anyway."

Kate- "Fire drills?"

Firefighter- "Gotta be ready to extinguish the fire."

Kate- "So cringy..."

Shit, the first show is done, the crowd's moving, this is getting tight!

Girl's voice- "Sorry!"

Kate- Don't be sorry, just don't touch me!

Guy's voice- "Whoops!"

Kate- Whoops my ass! Too close, they are fucking too close, can't breathe, any clear spot? The exit, where's the fucking exit? Gotta leave or 'll be crushed!

Cere- Kate... Kate... calm down, you are starting to panic again, I'm here, you're not in danger.

Kate- Too many people, can't see an attack coming if there is a hidden weapon.

Cere- They screen for that at the entrance, you're safe, I promise.

Kate- Rationalize the danger... safe... fuck stupid lizard brain! Error 404 rationality not found!

Cere- We'll do an exercise, move toward a wall and face the crowd... good. Alright now use your eyes, only your eyes, describe to me what you see in as much detail as you can and don't stop until I tell you to. Use your voice to do it.

Kate- "OK, OK, I got this... I see Phil, the sax guy, he's coming up on the scene with his gangster suit n'hat from the roaring 20's He got older, bits of grey everywhere and his eyes corners are not as smooth as they used to be, he'll need the cure soon. The other four are following him, the same suit n'hat.

Cere- Instruments?

Kate- Drum, cello, trumpet and guitar.

Cere- What else?

Kate- Old instruments, lots of patina left by time, real ones, made with real material, not virtual instruments just made to look similar and processed virtually. They are starting to play, all cigar smoke n'silklike, ambient Jazz. Feels like 'm in one of those Noir VR detective stories back alley. Peeps in the crowd are switching avatars for period stuff with hats, glitter dresses and all that. I can see one with a glittering satin emerald dress, real material, nothing virtual the spotlight starts to follow her. She's dancing with a guy, probably dance softs involved, she's too perfect, even her auburn hair is flowing perfectly... that's a bit much!

Cere- How are you feeling now?

Kate- Better... but you already know, you freaky toaster, why do you even ask that stuff?

Cere- For your own benefit, so you reflect on how you got back control, you can do it if you put in the effort. Think of this like a muscle you train, at first it will be hard, but the more you train the easier it will get. You always will have to exert some energy, but at some point, it will get easy enough you won't think much of it.

Kate- Shit! Cherry! She's about to hop on, that's her band heating the room right now.

Cere- Don't freak out, she knows you had a small episode, I told her. She knew it could happen. You still have a few minutes though.

Kate- Better to just connect us.

Cherry- "Poulet"? Are you OK?

Kate- Better, still dealing a bit though, I think we're a bit short on time, don't want to break your momentum just before. Just wanted to let you know I'll be OK.

Cherry- Alright then! Try to have some fun, I know it's rough right now but a bit of a drink and seeing family can help. I know it won't be easy so soldier on for them OK? They really want to see you, if it gets too intense get yourself a room and try to calm down, if it doesn't work sleep a bit, it will do you good.

Kate- I'll try.

Cherry- Good enough. I'm done mother henning, for now at least. Have fun, later "zosio"!

Kate- Later.

"Alright let's get that drink!"

***

Kate- "Whoopsies, sorry! My bad, I'm a bit drunk ya see!"

Girl- "No big sis!"

Kate- Man, that thing is like a fuckin truck! I feel so much better right now, everything feels smoother, less edge, more velvet. That's why I love ma boose!

Phil the sax guy- "Alright you animals, we know why you all came tonight. Tonight is a special celebration with all the big classics you guys are craving for. I won't waste your time with the presentations, ask your cere if you are really that clueless! Raise the curtain!"

*deep growl and squeaks from the mechanical curtain*

Kate- Oooh nice satin dress, the guys must be going insane right now... doesn't hide much.

Crowd- *AAAAAAAAHOOOOOOOOOOOO*

Kate- Heh so classless...

Cere- Like you're one to talk.

Kate- Fair, though that was too much.

Cere- That's actually a running gag she started a few years back.

Kate- Really? Though I guess that would be in her cards for her.

Cherry- *Sounding a bit like Jessica Rabbit's "Why Don't You Do Right"*

I need a man...

Why a man?

For all I care, she could be a robot,

All I want is to be richly bought,

So I can become a sexy mascot!

I don't care for babies,

All I want is rubies!

Give me silver, give me gold,

Or anything of old.

I don't care for a romantic,

As long as to please me they are frantic.

Give me gems, give me silk,

Or I won't drink any of your milk.

I might be a plastic girl,

Doesn't mean I don't like real pearls.

You know I won't ever care for you,

I know it makes your balls blue.

Give me love if you want,

Give me cash 'cause I can't!

I don't care for babies,

All I want is rubies!

Give me silver, give me gold,

Or anything of old.

I don't care for a romantic,

As long as to please me he's frantic.

Getting tired of Queen Bee?

I don't care if you divorce me...

All I want is half of your money

You know you like me, honey!

*Crowd cheers*

Kate- She hasn't lost any of it... oh, a quick change, transparent vinyl 50's astronaut suit? She's really going for all the early classics. She hasn't done that one in years, I remember well she's now going to do that kitsch planet-to-planet "sexploration", Barbarella style, with all the well-proportioned "aliens" while riding the emblematic red rocket all the way.

Cherry (singing):

I'm a space cadet,

Just looking for love,

From Mars to Venus,

I'll take it all!

On my little red rocket,

I'll travel the galaxy,

Sampling every flavour,

Of interstellar ecstasy!

I'm a cosmic vixen,

Just lookin' for thrills,

From Mars to Venus,

I'll get my fill!

*Rocket engines revving in the background*

On my little red rocket,

I'll travel the galaxy, Sampling every flavour,

Of interstellar ecstasy!

Kate- "Shit, ain't seen her perform like this in ages... takes me back..."

Cherry (continuing)- In the arms of my Martian,

We'll dance back and forth on the stars,

Our love will be written in legend,

Leaving celestial scars!

I'll float through the cosmos,

In search of sensation,

With each personal encounter,

A thrilling self-exploration!

Cere- "She is renowned for her blend of suggestive humour and showmanship"

Kate-"They really eat it all up, don't they?

Cherry (singing): Past my asteroid belts,

Into my personal black holes

We'll send probes and rockets,

Cum with me to explore,

My celestial body!

Touch my planet and moon,

Our playground and stage,

Together we'll invade,

With lustful rampage!

Cere- "Indeed, it's quite a performance."

Kate- *long breath*

"Thanks, Cere."

Cere- "You're welcome, I'm always here to help."

Kate- "One last look... probably won't see any of this anytime soon... if ever"

Cere- "Take your time."

Kate- "Yeaaahh...."