The Voices in my HeadAlready? It's Only Been Three Years...PART TWO
October 29th 2006 17:04
(The following is the result of an overactive imagination of a rabid Alice in Chains fan. While much of this is based on interviews and an actual performance of AIC, on MTv Unplugged in 1996, it is written as a fictional account of that event.)
Jerry helped Layne get into the beat up car he drove. Layne teased him mercilessly about it.
“I cannot believe you are still driving this piece of shit, “ Layne said, slinking down in the seat as much as he could, as if afraid someone would see him riding in the car.
“Like you fucking care, you shit yourself.” Jerry said matter of factly, fastening Layne’s seat belt, to which they both started laughing.
That’s where they were. That’s what their entire musical compatibility stemmed from. The tragedy of life as the comedy of life. They laughed about it because there was nothing else that they could do about it.
“Where are you taking me?” Layne was smiling a lot right now.
Jerry knew that when he went to the kitchen to find something for Layne to eat, which turned out to be spaghettios, Layne went back in the bathroom and shot up between his toes. Jerry didn’t begrudge Layne that. It was all Layne had to get through the day. He had stopped getting pissed a long time ago over Layne’s use. He had resigned himself to knowing that Layne was Layne. His pain and suffering were part of the success of Alice in Chains. Jerry would have gladly went back to obscurity if it meant Layne would come back from the death he would soon be facing.
“We have to meet with someone from MTV and then I gotta get you cleaned up, man. You look like shit.”
“I do not look like shit. I’m sexy.”
“Better.”
After the meeting, the band rehearsed for a couple of hours. Layne messed up on a couple of songs, but they hadn’t played together in a long time. Three years, in fact.
Jerry about came. This was it. This was his high. He had messed with drugs. He still did on occasion but the music, playing the guitar, playing and singing with Layne and the boys was what got him off more than anything did. The group decided not to rehearse so that the entire experience would be organic. For all they knew, this would be the last performance they would have. They always had to assume that. That connection was the cause of their success as a group. They didn’t take it for granted. They got off at every performance because of the unknown.
After they got their song order and ran through it a couple of times, Jerry grabbed Layne and headed off to get his haircut. Layne’s cornrows hung past his shoulders and were a massive ball of hair. Jerry didn’t know how long it had been since Layne had even washed his hair and he wasn’t about to touch it when helping Layne get showered that morning. It was a job for a professional.
Jerry had called ahead to Aimee’s and made an appointment for Layne. Aimee was the stylist who always did Layne’s hair. Aimee liked to tell everyone she was the official stylist of AIC but nobody else got their hair done but Layne. Weaves, cuts, colors…Layne was all about his hair when he was coherent. He chose wacked up shit that freaked people out. The band teased him about it constantly.
Just as they were walking into Aimee’s, Jerry smiled. He was inspired. Layne was out of his head and Jerry had to take care of everything, once again. Well, that was okay by Jerry. He sat Layne down in the waiting area in the back, reserved for high profile clients, got Layne a coke and went back in to talk to Aimee.
“Hey Aimee, listen, Layne is sort of indisposed right now. He’s…reaching his inner place, getting in touch with the music and shit. He doesn’t want anyone to talk to him at all today. Aimee’s eyes nearly closed from pleasure. She loved artists.
Jerry continued knowing that he was going to hell officially for what he was about to do. “So, he asked me to let you know what he wants and to make sure no one talks to him again until I pick him up.” Aimee was nodding furiously.
“Of course, anything. What would he like me to create today?”
Jerry fought the urge to roll his eyes and told her in minute detail exactly how Layne’s hair should be done. “OH! And one more thing, Aimee darlin’”, Jerry charmed her, “Layne doesn’t want to see himself today. It interferes with the connection between body and mind. You understand…”
Aimee smiled in orgasmic bliss, “Oh, of course! Not a problem. I will just do his hair in my private office.”
“Perfect.” Jerry kissed her on the cheek and smiled on his way out the door of the salon. Jerry called the rest of the band as soon as he got to the car. Jerry’s laughter could be heard all the way down the street.
Jerry guided Layne walked through the talent entrance at MTV, who was blissfully stoned out of his mind and completely unaware of the stares he was getting.
The rest of the band was rehearing one last time on a couple of songs when Jerry walked Layne onto the stage.
It was like a cartoon reaction, as mouths dropped, music trailed off, and then laughter. Long. loud obnoxious, gut wrenching laughter. “FUCK, man…what did you DO?” “I thought you were kidding, I swear to God, man, he is gonna kill you.”
Layne stood there looking at them somewhat confused and then joining in, he looked at Jerry. “Aww fuck, man, what did you do now?”
Jerry led Layne to a mirror. Layne stood there, letting his mind wrap around it. The cropped short hair, parted to one side like a catholic school boy…with the possible exception of the pink swatches running through it. Layne deadpanned to Jerry, “I am a sexy motherfucker.”
In the background, a guitar became a billboard.
(I apologize in advance for any irregularities in regards to shooting up, drug use, etc. I have never done it. )
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Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
Any time you wish to visit you're welcome at my place.
katyzzz
Comment by The Voices in my Head
The Voices in my Head
As for what you find loathsome, I am not sure this has much to do with the story.
As for the story, I was writing about Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains. If I had written the story in any other way, I would not have been honest to their story. As a heroin addict, Layne was not given to say things like, "Golly Gee." Not sure if you did, but there are two parts to this story...perhaps reading both, if you have not already, would give you a better sense of the characters.
It is also possible that you just simply will not like it, regardless...*smile* I am sorry you didn't care for it...but someone once said, "If you built a house to please everyone, you would have a crooked foundation."
Thanks, and I do come by quite often to look at your art.
Come back,
Voices~
Comment by katyzzz
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Yes, I did realize all the points you are now making.
For people like me who abhor such language there doesn't seem to be a solution.
I realize you are not writing for ME, but I think often overall descriptions, such as "there came a long blast of his normal range of colourful expletives" serves the point equally well, rather than specific details and repetition.
Your point is well made, it just doesn't work for me.
It wasn't that I didn't like what you'd written, it was just that the language and the way delivered was a big turn off and yet I do tolerate quite a lot of unpleasant language on various blogs, maybe, I just don't like having spelled out to me what I already know in what seems to me to be an offensive manner.
Once again, it was the language that put me off, not what you are writing about.
I'm really glad you visit my sites. I'd love to have your comments, good or bad, from time to time.
I hope my comment to you was not interpreted as a personal indictment.
katyzzz
Comment by The Voices in my Head
The Voices in my Head
Oh absolutely, I did not take it to be an indictment.
I do love to write about the darkness of life and the gutterfilth that plagues our society. My thoughts are that if I can help someone to experience it, to see how awful certain choices can be, that they may think twice about doing it themselves. No one could certainly say that the above post was in any way promoting drug use...However, I can certainly understand that some would not care to know about it.
Perhaps if you read, 'The Hourglass', my work would be redeemed in your eyes...
Do come back,
Voices~
Comment by katyzzz
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It really was the language not the theme. I think all issues are up for airing and should be.
The drug problem is huge. Tolerance does not seem to have worked. But I don't really want to go down this road as being seen to be offering solutions.
Keep up the good work, whatever the language, and I shall return, I'll just take less interest when the language is obscene and this is not just restricted to drug issues.
I'll drop by again soon.
katyzzz
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
I enjoyed the read adn thought I'd leave a paw print whilst I'm here, too...
ooh okay, maybe a comment as well then. I don't like swearing, violence or drugs, but there are certain stories that can carry it. I believe yours could carry both because of the theme. I love the 'inside' feel of this story, like you were really there. Maybe you could hang out with some druggies just once to get a deeper feel. I did once and it was truly scary, yet they seemed harlmess for the most part (when on drugs, not so when coming down.... run for the hills....
I like the way you've captured the commeraderie between the two men, even though one obviously doesn't approve of the other's behaviour all the time. He does it to meet the needs of his own agenda and calls into question the quality of friendship and the often symbiotic purpose it often serves.
Well done sweetie, I'll look forward to reading more.
Lilla...
Comment by The Voices in my Head
The Voices in my Head
I didn't do a good job on this story...Jerry loved Layne. Completely. He tried everything to get Layne to stop. He stopped speaking to him for a long time, he tried to get him into rehab..I really think that if it would have done any good, Jerry would have broken up the band to see Layne get better, but he knew that Layne was not going to quit...AIC gave Layne something to live for, something positive to do with his time.
I have always held the opinion that there may have been an even deeper relationship there, that Jerry may have been in love with Layne. There is substantial reason to think this, that I won't get into here.
Another theory that I have is that quite possibly Jerry introduced Layne to Heroin...Jerry messed with drugs quite a bit too, he just had a better grasp on it than Layne did.
As for hanging out with someone addicted, I have my own Layne, in a manner of speaking.
I do not like swearing either, but I am sure you can appreciate that, "Golly gee, the needle fell out of my arm, darn it!" would not have served Layne's voice truthfully. This is how the man spoke. I have seen him in countless interviews, performances, etc. His lyrics even contained swearing. The life of a heroin addict is not prose filled, I am sure you would agree. It was not gratuitously done for shock value. As you have read a lot of my other work, you will know this is true. There is a difference between obscene and essential.
Thank you, as always for your comments! I have missed them!
Come back,
Voices~