they were both slightly buzzing, jack and lucky, as they stepped out into manga land. neon and flashing light, night sounds and the press of a crowd all blended seamlessly into the buzz, amp-ing it up. look, lucky squealed pointing down an alley at a flashing neon squid. jack nodded, grabbed her hand and darted out into the human stream.
they did actually walk, dodging in between the people, but in her head it was hyper stream. lucky was almost surprised as they ducked into the little bar. it was narrow but it was deeper than you could have imagined, and somewhere in the back was karaoke.
i've never done that, she said to jack.
really?
just like now, i've been places where it was going on around me, but i've never knowingly gone to a karaoke bar.
alright, well, you're doing it.
you'll have to ply me with alcohol first.
are you saying you're afraid.
no. i'm saying. alcohol first.
ma'dame. jack bowed slightly from the waist and rolled his hands in the general direction of the bar. please please please tell me you have hitachino xh lucky chanted audibly. he smiled, she was like a child, an alien child. and even though he didn't really care that much about karaoke, and he'd heard her sing, he really wanted to see this.
karaoke is...different, she said. it's not like singing with someone who is playing live with you where you kind of have an energy with them that leads you. karaoke is more like singing along with the radio. i tend to be off.
what do you mean, off?
well, when i sing with someone i know what comes next. sometimes, when i'm singing with the radio i hold the notes longer or syncopate slightly; people who hear me always consider this wrong.
you finish that beer. i'm going to get a list of songs.
we have to do a goofy duet. i think that's a rule.
jack came back waving a little piece of paper. we are not, he said, spoiled for choice.
oh, i see. i want to do in spite of ourselves is that available?
no, smiled jack, but you have now chosen the song we will do.
how have i done that?
you picked country as a category and english as the language so the winner is:
when you say nothing at all
jack and lucky walked together to the back of the bar in a slightly synchronized shuffle, walking without looking where they were going, memorizing lyrics.
on the stage was a reasonable facsimile of a jpop star performing drunk in love.
after we finish the duet, maybe you can do that number.
that request will only be performed back at the capsule. you still want to do this number?
yes, jack said, looking lucky right in the eyes. yes, i do.
