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fellowshippers2004-08-14 11:12 pm
apple-scruffer.livejournal.com) wrote in fellowshippers2004-08-14 11:12 pm
An Evening with Lonliness (1/1)
Title: An Evening with Lonliness
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
mjjgoddess
Rating: PG-13 for language, tame otherwise
Pairing: Billy/Piano, Various/Drinks
Beta:aire_blair. :) Sorry for the misunderstanding, I owe you a DomnBilly cookie.
Summary: Billy IS the Piano Man.
Feedback: Helps my self-esteem get out of the 9th circle of hell.
Disclaimer: AU. Set in present day, somewhere in New York. And if I owned Billy, do you really think that I'd allow him to be in here? I'd beshagging him everyday trying to return him to Scotland. ;)
Notes: Okay, well, some time ago,desire_billy came up with the idea to have Billy in an AU based on Billy Joel's song "Piano Man". (You can see the original post over here) Almost two months later, and here is my humble offering. :)
Archive: My Memories (which I need to redo *hangs head in shame*).
The bar's quiet, rather unnatural for nine o'clock in the evening, the standard "heavy traffic" time. Billy comes in, as he always does, striding purposefully towards the upright in the corner, opening the lid. He spins his stool upwards and sits down, nodding a quick hello to Sean. The manager smiles and continues polishing his glass before Billy launches into his standard opening, a rather jaunty ragtime tune. Between the bars of Scott Joplin and the next, a more blues-filled Etta James tune, one of the nightly regulars comes in and sits at the table next to the piano.
"Tonic and gin, please," the old man says quietly, even as Sean puts the full glass down before him. He sips at it slowly, eyes wandering over to where Billy is seated, the melancholy Etta James number reverberating throughout the mostly empty room. Once finished, the old man applauds, then beckons for him to come closer, one crooked finger motioning towards himself. Billy obliges.
"Son," he wheezed. "Would you be able to play me..." The rest is murmured into his ear.
Billy leans up and puts his hands on the keys, thinking. He looks back at the old man.
"I've never heard of it, Ian," he says softly, his thick Scottish accent twisting the words until it sounds like I've na'er heard ay it, Ian. "How does it go?" The old man shrugs.
"I can't remember. I used to know it, but...that was back a long time ago...when I was your age." He pauses and takes another sip. "Just thought you'd might know it."
Billy smiles sadly, feeling rather sad for the old man. How in the hell does "Peasey Weasey" go? he thinks to himself, playing "The Very Thought of You" instead. Ian finishes his gin and tonic and stands, leaving as he always does, alone.
*****
Elijah is usually the next to come in, and today is no different. He smiles and laughs, joking with Sean before waving to Billy.
"Oh, come on, man," he says, huge grin permenently affixed on his face. "Give us a freebie, huh? Billy needs to join in the revelry!"
"He gets quite enough money to be able to pay for his own," Sean says, a smile tugging on the corners of his mouth. He and Elijah have this argument all the time. "And you said that the last time!"
"Well, all right," Elijah says. "Billy needs it because...because if I don't get it for him, who will?"
"Yeah, and are you gonna pay for it, too?"
"Of course not! A man's got to be able to keep his money in his pockets, after all." Elijah's voice changes into a thick British accent, which he only does when truly desperate. "Oh, come on, now, luv, you've got so much ale inside that tap. Caan't you spaar jus' a little for ol' Billie heare?"
Sean chuckles, a deep, low rumble, and reaches for a glass. "All right, but just this once. After this - you're paying for it."
Elijah raises his hand in a form of salute. "Ay, guv'nor. Thanks a million, mate." Grinning, he takes the beer and places it on top of the upright (always putting a napkin down first - Billy would kill him if he left rings on his precious instrument), waiting for Billy's rendition of an old Barry Manilow tune to wind down. When it does, he takes both a clove and a regular out of his pocket.
"Smoke?" he offers. Billy spins around and nods, taking it (and a five-minute break) while letting Elijah light it. They both inhale and blow, taking full pleasure in the smoke and flavors. Billy smiles, looking over at the younger man.
"How're you doing?" he asks softly. Elijah looks down, clove in mouth.
"Pretty lousy, actually." The smile disappears from his face, which is enough to make Billy sit up straight, cigarette dangling forgotten at his fingers.
"What's the matter?"
"...I'm dying."
Billy gasps, eyes going wide. Elijah catches his look and shakes his head hastily.
"No, I don't mean literally! God, Billy, take a fucking breather." Elijah smiles again, this time more strained. "I just feel like I'm dying here...stuck here. I mean, yeah, the show's going all right, but...I feel like I can do more...so much more." He looks up suddenly, blue eyes wide. "I want to go to LA...and become an actor."
Billy's silent for a moment, thinking it over. "Good for you. How're you getting there?"
"I don't know," he admits, studying his mug. "Until I get enough money scraped together, it looks like it's gonna be awhile."
"Aah. You tell anybody else?"
"Just Hannah. She thinks it's a good idea, anyway. She's helping me save for it for now, maybe get an apartment or something."
"...She's a good kid."
"The best."
There's silence for a beat, not awkward, but comfortable. Finally Billy stubs out his cigarette and drains his beer. "Sorry, mate, I gotta work again. They don't pay me for nothing."
Elijah smiles and stands again. "I'll see you around, then, yeah?"
"Of course. Take care." Billy looks up once more at him, then starts in on "Unchained Melody". By the time he reaches I neeeeed your love, Elijah is gone.
*****
Of course, Ian and Elijah aren't the only ones to come in everyday, but they are, by far, the most recognizable. Still, that doesn't stop Billy from saying the occasional "Hi" to Andy or Dom, who're talking silently in the corner, or to Miranda, the other bartender who's famous for shooting her mouth off about politics and whatnot.
"All I'm saying is that George W. Bush is an idiot, and I personally CAN'T WAIT until Kerry's in office!" she was currently yelling at some drunk asshole. Billy rolls his eyes. His gaze shifts to two very different men sitting side by side at the bar.
"Yeah, I finished the book yesterday, I'm planning on taking it somewhere and maybe getting it published, but that's only if the real estate goes through. I get that sold, and there's a bonus in it for me," Andy says.
"Yeah, man, but...don't you ever feel bad about never getting married? You're pushing forty, you know," Dom reminds him, as he always does.
"Look who's talking, you're almost 30, and you're still in the Navy! When're you settling down, finding yourself a girl and having some kids to run after?"
"Aw, no man, I'm no good with kids. Last time my brother and his kids were around, I almost beheaded the youngest one. I don't want any accidents. And besides, look at these muscles." He holds up his arm and wiggles the muscle, causing the rather-small tattoo to jump up and down. "Bet you can't do that."
"Like I'd want to!" Andy replies laughingly. "Anyway, I don't need to get married. I'm happy enough by myself."
"Uh-huh, sure you are. Oy! Can we get another?!" Dom twists around in his seat a little.
"YOU ARE A FUCKING SEXIST PIG, YOU KNOW THAT!? YOU ARE - "
"Ah, she's gonna be a while," Dom mutters, turning back to smirk at Andy. Billy rolls his eyes, in the middle of "Isn't it Romantic?" Sean's not gonna be pleased.
"MIRANDA! WHAT have I told you about bothering the customers?!" His voice was now clearly heard over the jabbering of others, pulling her away by the arm.
"He starts in on me, and I can't help it! He says that Bush is - "
"I don't care what he says, he's just a pompous ass, but while he's in here, HE'S OUR CUSTOMER. You HAVE to treat him with respect, and if you don't, you know what happens..."
Billy finishes his song, a small smattering of applause following it. Over the din of the crowd, he announces softly,
"If anyone has any sort of request, I'd be more than happy to try it - "
Instantly four or five songs are shouted up.
"'Tonight Tonight'!!!"
"'Melt with You'!!!!"
"Know any Bon Jovi?!?!"
Billy smiles and waits for the actual requests. Finally, Dom yells out:
"Oy, what about 'Piano Man'?! You used to do that one all the time! Y'know, the one by Billy Joel?!"
Billy smiles and sits back down. "Oh, ye mean this one?" He runs his fingers up the keys, then launches into the song. The entire place becomes instantly quiet, listening with solemn reverence at his take on it, his Scottish voice filling the tiny pub. Soon a voice joins him - some drunken slob who's so soused he doesn't realize he's singing Weird Al Yankovic's parody, "Spiderman", instead.
"SLING US A WEB, YUUR THE SPIDERMAAAAN," he screams, swaying in his chair, beer bottle in hand. Dom smiles and joins in singing the original version, his and Billy's voices blending perfectly despite Mr. Overachiever. Soon, another voice joins him - and another. By the time they hit the last verse, the entire pub is singing along - tuneless, yes, but still singing.
As he continues to play, Billy thinks about the people at the bar, and he is almost shocked to see how close some of them are to the actual song. Actually, everyone in the place can actually fit into it - after all, why else do people come to bars but to get drunk and try and find true love somewhere between their third martini and their second whiskey shot?
Shrugging, he sighs and continues playing, the last chorus being sung so incredibly loud, the roof should fly off by the force.
Sing us a song, you're the piano man
Sing us a song tonight
Well, we're all in the mood for a melody
And you've got us feelin' all right.
*****
As Sean closes up for the night, he glances genially at Billy, who's drinking the last dregs of his beer while putting his coat on.
"Tomorrow, then?" Sean calls out, waving another clean glass.
"Aye. Tomorrow," Billy says happily, putting his hat on. Sean smiles and puts the rag over his shoulder, stacking the last of the glasses into their shelves. "See you, Sean."
"Bye, Billy!"
He lets himself outside into the chilly night air, walking home and humming a little. The road is deserted, as most roads late at night are, and his mind drifts again...
He thinks of Sean, alone in the bar, cleaning up and closing for the night before heading home to an empty house...
He thinks of Ian, just wanting to hear a song from so long ago while waiting for the last of his days to be spent...
He thinks of Elijah, the happiness slowly being squeezed out of him as he suffocates in this backward town, no hope for a real life unless he leaves the only home he's ever known...
He thinks of Miranda, stuck with her politics and opinions, wanting to at least have somebody to badger into believing what she does...
He thinks of Andy, isolated with his real estate and books, too focused on his career for a wife and other such things...
He thinks of Dom, too afraid of commitment and responsibility to allow for any thoughts of the future except for the same lonely job he's had for six years go through his mind...
He thinks of all the other patrons who came into the bar tonight, and all the other nights, sharing a desolate drink with loneliness before leaving by themselves again...
And he thinks of himself, a catalyst for a group of abandoned and outcast souls, and realizes that...maybe he isn't as alone as he thinks.
Author:
mjjgoddessRating: PG-13 for language, tame otherwise
Pairing: Billy/Piano, Various/Drinks
Beta:
aire_blair. :) Sorry for the misunderstanding, I owe you a DomnBilly cookie.Summary: Billy IS the Piano Man.
Feedback: Helps my self-esteem get out of the 9th circle of hell.
Disclaimer: AU. Set in present day, somewhere in New York. And if I owned Billy, do you really think that I'd allow him to be in here? I'd be
Notes: Okay, well, some time ago,
desire_billy came up with the idea to have Billy in an AU based on Billy Joel's song "Piano Man". (You can see the original post over here) Almost two months later, and here is my humble offering. :)Archive: My Memories (which I need to redo *hangs head in shame*).
The bar's quiet, rather unnatural for nine o'clock in the evening, the standard "heavy traffic" time. Billy comes in, as he always does, striding purposefully towards the upright in the corner, opening the lid. He spins his stool upwards and sits down, nodding a quick hello to Sean. The manager smiles and continues polishing his glass before Billy launches into his standard opening, a rather jaunty ragtime tune. Between the bars of Scott Joplin and the next, a more blues-filled Etta James tune, one of the nightly regulars comes in and sits at the table next to the piano.
"Tonic and gin, please," the old man says quietly, even as Sean puts the full glass down before him. He sips at it slowly, eyes wandering over to where Billy is seated, the melancholy Etta James number reverberating throughout the mostly empty room. Once finished, the old man applauds, then beckons for him to come closer, one crooked finger motioning towards himself. Billy obliges.
"Son," he wheezed. "Would you be able to play me..." The rest is murmured into his ear.
Billy leans up and puts his hands on the keys, thinking. He looks back at the old man.
"I've never heard of it, Ian," he says softly, his thick Scottish accent twisting the words until it sounds like I've na'er heard ay it, Ian. "How does it go?" The old man shrugs.
"I can't remember. I used to know it, but...that was back a long time ago...when I was your age." He pauses and takes another sip. "Just thought you'd might know it."
Billy smiles sadly, feeling rather sad for the old man. How in the hell does "Peasey Weasey" go? he thinks to himself, playing "The Very Thought of You" instead. Ian finishes his gin and tonic and stands, leaving as he always does, alone.
Elijah is usually the next to come in, and today is no different. He smiles and laughs, joking with Sean before waving to Billy.
"Oh, come on, man," he says, huge grin permenently affixed on his face. "Give us a freebie, huh? Billy needs to join in the revelry!"
"He gets quite enough money to be able to pay for his own," Sean says, a smile tugging on the corners of his mouth. He and Elijah have this argument all the time. "And you said that the last time!"
"Well, all right," Elijah says. "Billy needs it because...because if I don't get it for him, who will?"
"Yeah, and are you gonna pay for it, too?"
"Of course not! A man's got to be able to keep his money in his pockets, after all." Elijah's voice changes into a thick British accent, which he only does when truly desperate. "Oh, come on, now, luv, you've got so much ale inside that tap. Caan't you spaar jus' a little for ol' Billie heare?"
Sean chuckles, a deep, low rumble, and reaches for a glass. "All right, but just this once. After this - you're paying for it."
Elijah raises his hand in a form of salute. "Ay, guv'nor. Thanks a million, mate." Grinning, he takes the beer and places it on top of the upright (always putting a napkin down first - Billy would kill him if he left rings on his precious instrument), waiting for Billy's rendition of an old Barry Manilow tune to wind down. When it does, he takes both a clove and a regular out of his pocket.
"Smoke?" he offers. Billy spins around and nods, taking it (and a five-minute break) while letting Elijah light it. They both inhale and blow, taking full pleasure in the smoke and flavors. Billy smiles, looking over at the younger man.
"How're you doing?" he asks softly. Elijah looks down, clove in mouth.
"Pretty lousy, actually." The smile disappears from his face, which is enough to make Billy sit up straight, cigarette dangling forgotten at his fingers.
"What's the matter?"
"...I'm dying."
Billy gasps, eyes going wide. Elijah catches his look and shakes his head hastily.
"No, I don't mean literally! God, Billy, take a fucking breather." Elijah smiles again, this time more strained. "I just feel like I'm dying here...stuck here. I mean, yeah, the show's going all right, but...I feel like I can do more...so much more." He looks up suddenly, blue eyes wide. "I want to go to LA...and become an actor."
Billy's silent for a moment, thinking it over. "Good for you. How're you getting there?"
"I don't know," he admits, studying his mug. "Until I get enough money scraped together, it looks like it's gonna be awhile."
"Aah. You tell anybody else?"
"Just Hannah. She thinks it's a good idea, anyway. She's helping me save for it for now, maybe get an apartment or something."
"...She's a good kid."
"The best."
There's silence for a beat, not awkward, but comfortable. Finally Billy stubs out his cigarette and drains his beer. "Sorry, mate, I gotta work again. They don't pay me for nothing."
Elijah smiles and stands again. "I'll see you around, then, yeah?"
"Of course. Take care." Billy looks up once more at him, then starts in on "Unchained Melody". By the time he reaches I neeeeed your love, Elijah is gone.
Of course, Ian and Elijah aren't the only ones to come in everyday, but they are, by far, the most recognizable. Still, that doesn't stop Billy from saying the occasional "Hi" to Andy or Dom, who're talking silently in the corner, or to Miranda, the other bartender who's famous for shooting her mouth off about politics and whatnot.
"All I'm saying is that George W. Bush is an idiot, and I personally CAN'T WAIT until Kerry's in office!" she was currently yelling at some drunk asshole. Billy rolls his eyes. His gaze shifts to two very different men sitting side by side at the bar.
"Yeah, I finished the book yesterday, I'm planning on taking it somewhere and maybe getting it published, but that's only if the real estate goes through. I get that sold, and there's a bonus in it for me," Andy says.
"Yeah, man, but...don't you ever feel bad about never getting married? You're pushing forty, you know," Dom reminds him, as he always does.
"Look who's talking, you're almost 30, and you're still in the Navy! When're you settling down, finding yourself a girl and having some kids to run after?"
"Aw, no man, I'm no good with kids. Last time my brother and his kids were around, I almost beheaded the youngest one. I don't want any accidents. And besides, look at these muscles." He holds up his arm and wiggles the muscle, causing the rather-small tattoo to jump up and down. "Bet you can't do that."
"Like I'd want to!" Andy replies laughingly. "Anyway, I don't need to get married. I'm happy enough by myself."
"Uh-huh, sure you are. Oy! Can we get another?!" Dom twists around in his seat a little.
"YOU ARE A FUCKING SEXIST PIG, YOU KNOW THAT!? YOU ARE - "
"Ah, she's gonna be a while," Dom mutters, turning back to smirk at Andy. Billy rolls his eyes, in the middle of "Isn't it Romantic?" Sean's not gonna be pleased.
"MIRANDA! WHAT have I told you about bothering the customers?!" His voice was now clearly heard over the jabbering of others, pulling her away by the arm.
"He starts in on me, and I can't help it! He says that Bush is - "
"I don't care what he says, he's just a pompous ass, but while he's in here, HE'S OUR CUSTOMER. You HAVE to treat him with respect, and if you don't, you know what happens..."
Billy finishes his song, a small smattering of applause following it. Over the din of the crowd, he announces softly,
"If anyone has any sort of request, I'd be more than happy to try it - "
Instantly four or five songs are shouted up.
"'Tonight Tonight'!!!"
"'Melt with You'!!!!"
"Know any Bon Jovi?!?!"
Billy smiles and waits for the actual requests. Finally, Dom yells out:
"Oy, what about 'Piano Man'?! You used to do that one all the time! Y'know, the one by Billy Joel?!"
Billy smiles and sits back down. "Oh, ye mean this one?" He runs his fingers up the keys, then launches into the song. The entire place becomes instantly quiet, listening with solemn reverence at his take on it, his Scottish voice filling the tiny pub. Soon a voice joins him - some drunken slob who's so soused he doesn't realize he's singing Weird Al Yankovic's parody, "Spiderman", instead.
"SLING US A WEB, YUUR THE SPIDERMAAAAN," he screams, swaying in his chair, beer bottle in hand. Dom smiles and joins in singing the original version, his and Billy's voices blending perfectly despite Mr. Overachiever. Soon, another voice joins him - and another. By the time they hit the last verse, the entire pub is singing along - tuneless, yes, but still singing.
As he continues to play, Billy thinks about the people at the bar, and he is almost shocked to see how close some of them are to the actual song. Actually, everyone in the place can actually fit into it - after all, why else do people come to bars but to get drunk and try and find true love somewhere between their third martini and their second whiskey shot?
Shrugging, he sighs and continues playing, the last chorus being sung so incredibly loud, the roof should fly off by the force.
Sing us a song tonight
Well, we're all in the mood for a melody
And you've got us feelin' all right.
*****
As Sean closes up for the night, he glances genially at Billy, who's drinking the last dregs of his beer while putting his coat on.
"Tomorrow, then?" Sean calls out, waving another clean glass.
"Aye. Tomorrow," Billy says happily, putting his hat on. Sean smiles and puts the rag over his shoulder, stacking the last of the glasses into their shelves. "See you, Sean."
"Bye, Billy!"
He lets himself outside into the chilly night air, walking home and humming a little. The road is deserted, as most roads late at night are, and his mind drifts again...
He thinks of Sean, alone in the bar, cleaning up and closing for the night before heading home to an empty house...
He thinks of Ian, just wanting to hear a song from so long ago while waiting for the last of his days to be spent...
He thinks of Elijah, the happiness slowly being squeezed out of him as he suffocates in this backward town, no hope for a real life unless he leaves the only home he's ever known...
He thinks of Miranda, stuck with her politics and opinions, wanting to at least have somebody to badger into believing what she does...
He thinks of Andy, isolated with his real estate and books, too focused on his career for a wife and other such things...
He thinks of Dom, too afraid of commitment and responsibility to allow for any thoughts of the future except for the same lonely job he's had for six years go through his mind...
He thinks of all the other patrons who came into the bar tonight, and all the other nights, sharing a desolate drink with loneliness before leaving by themselves again...
And he thinks of himself, a catalyst for a group of abandoned and outcast souls, and realizes that...maybe he isn't as alone as he thinks.
no subject
no subject
You should've posted it - it might've been interesting!
*gives Billy cookie*
no subject
no subject
*giggleblush*
*gives Billy cookie*
no subject
no subject
That really means a lot to me. Thank you. *gives extra large Piano-Playing Billy cookie*