iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

he snickers at this, shaking his head as they turn down a street which will lead them back up to the venue.

000

‘the bhagavad gita covers it, y’know. lots of representation for clumsier folk.’

000

with a coy grin, he taps his nostril with his index finger. he then lifts his cigarette to his lips for a drag.

000

‘s’right. was one of the thirteen commandments.’

000

he watches as eric takes a seat, the lit end of his cigarette smoldering away between his clasped fingers. ‘much of th’same. did meself a great disservice earlier by having been a bit naughty.’

000

‘you’ve got me word. i shall not laugh!’

000

he looks up with a weary smile. ‘same boat, i assume?’

000

sitting in the dining area of the tour bus, smoking a cigarette. up far too late.

000

‘ye might not believe me… but so am i.’ he says through chuckles.

000

he begins to snicker at eric does his bit, smoking his cigarette down to the quick. he tosses the butt to the ground, stepping on it to put it out. ‘very nice! verrrrrrry nice.’

000

‘might cheer me up, y’know.’

000

his smile warms and he claps eric gently on the back, clutching the back of his neck and giving his friend a little sway. ‘ta, el. i’ll keep that in mind.’

000

he nods as they amble onward, taking the comfortable pace of an easy stroll. ‘… i appreciate it. m’very grateful t’have such a good friend as yerself. i think i’ve always felt better workin’ it out in me head before i bothered anyone else.’

000

a soft sigh. he takes a long drag, blowing it out slowly. ‘dunno. it’s been a hard couple of years. some days, i dunno if i’ve got it in me. ‘course, that’s just ego. but it is hard sometimes. t’reckon with it, y’know. really put it behind ye.’

000

‘ah, good lad.’ he matches his friend’s grin before staring out at the horizon. nothing but sand, cacti, and short buildings. nothing like home. ‘just had t’get out into th’sun. we’re movin’ on t’salt lake city… n’then denver after. won’t be as warm n’lovely out.’

000

‘not where we’re walkin’… but what we’re walkin’ away from. where’s yer sense of adventure, el?’

000

george doesn’t waste any time bringing the cigarette to live, pulling on it to ignite the end as eric holds the flame. he breathes out a steady cloud, smirking at his companion. ‘true friend, you are.’

000

‘might, yeah. hard up, it seems.’ he snickers, plucking a ciggie from the pack and wedging it between his lips. the sunshine feels good on his face as they breach the confines of the rehearsal space.

000

he halts in his looking, a charmed expression on his face as he watches eric produce a pack like a master magician. following his friend out toward the open air, he nods. ‘well don’t mind if i do, mister idle.’

000

he watches eric spring up, amusement curving his lips. ‘nah. walk?’ he suggests, digging in his pocket for a pack of cigarettes.

000

after a few private conversations and check-ins at the close of their rehearsal, george jogs over to where eric is seated, a friendly smile on his face. ‘haven’t gotten tired of it, yet? y’know… s’the same set as th’show.’

000

‘think i’ve got some gum in me pocket. or a ciggie…’

000

george watches in amusement, teeth showing under his mustache. he lifts the glass in thanks, nodding his head once. ‘ta. don’t s’pose ye expect a tip?’

000

george scans the remains of his glass to see that there’s a gulp left. not wanting to be left behind, he shoots it, keen eyes looking around afterward for the bottle.

000

adjusting, he fishes a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket, wedging one between his lips and lighting it up to have a drag. ‘aw yeah! yer made fer salmon, luv.’ he says with a nod, cracking a grin after.

000

he looks upon it with curious eyes, chuckling to himself. ‘now ye just look pink, ey? got any lotion yer puttin’ on? reckon showerin’ hasn’t been pleasant…’

000

‘ohhh, stop it.’ he shakes his head again with a soft smile. ‘ta, anyway. n’ how’s yer sunburn?’

000

‘we’re all th’stars. how’s that?’ he says with a resolute nod as he reclines into his seat. one leg dangles comfortably over the arm of the sofa as he rests back upon his elbow. ‘enjoy th’show, then?’

000

‘course i did! you n’ ravi were th’stars of th’show, really.’ shaking his head of curls, george takes another couple gulps before raising his glass in another cheers.

000

‘cheers yerself! quite an opening performance.’ he takes a few swings of the bubbly, wearing a satisfied smile.

000

‘please do, i’d be very glad t’partake.’ he says jovially as he slinks into the hotel room, quickly plopping down onto the sofa.

000