2.0 - Philosophy of the World

Timeline Zeta

Germany

Berlin

2012.12.21

21:36:17 Central European Time

As Friday evenings go, this one wasn’t anything special for the members of a band that played at 'Indie Night', in a small bar in Berlin.

While the last notes of their song faded into silence, the singer put down her guitar and smiled at the small crowd of listeners.

“So then, we have been 'Monster Group', and this was our last song, 'Surreal Number'.”

A few people clapped politely.

Others finished their drinks in silence.

The singer left the stage.

Followed by the bassist and the drummer.

Their performance might not have been the most memorable, but their appearance sure made up for it.

The guitarist, Natascha Sonja Hibben, was a rather tall woman with long blonde hair and blue eyes, wearing a white dress with black ribbons as ornaments.

Behind her followed the bassist, Selena Christos Mercuri. A small woman with short purple hair and dark purple eyes, wearing a black, gothic style dress with butterfly ornaments.

The last to rejoin the group, after taking a bonbon out of his pocket, was the drummer, Ritchie Redford Kluge, nicknamed Red. A man of average height, dressed in a gray suit, above a white shirt, wearing a black tie. He had short white hair and red eyes.

After they had passed the next group, Selena turned to Natascha. "So, what do you think?"

“Surely, they will talk of this for years to come,” said Natascha. “The only band talented enough to play three different songs... at the same time.”

“Oh come on, even I know we weren't THAT bad,” Selena pouted, then looked back at Red. “Got any strawberry ones left?”

He shifted through his pockets, took a count of the remaining bonbons and replied, “Nope. Two lemon, one orange, and one apple flavored.”

“I swear, the two of you are gonna die from diabetes," Natascha said in a judgemental jab.

“Give me strawberry, or give me death,” Selena lamented loudly. “Come on, there gotta be one left, don’t tell me you ate all three!”

“Nope. The early bird catches the worm,” Red said.

“And the early worm becomes dinner,” Selena countered.

“I know a way to get you your treat," Natascha said. “If you take over dish duty tomorrow,. Do we have a deal?”

“Deal,” Selena said.

Natascha stopped suddenly, then leaned towards Red.

“Oi,” Red said, “what do you wa…”

Their lips met.

The strawberry bonbon departed.

“Tse, have it your way,” Red responded as he fetched an apple bonbon from his pocket, “I’ll let the manager know about next week.”

“Are we seriously canceling the gig because of that game?” Selena asked.

“Yes, at least if the two of you can’t find a substitute drummer to replace me next week…” Red said, waving his hand as he walked away.

Red returned to Natascha about five minutes later, after he passed some members of another band in one of the small hallways leading to the backstage rooms.

They met in one of them.

“He said it’ll be fine, but we’ll lose our spot if we bail again,” Red said.

“We better limit your screentime then,” Natascha nagged.

“Did Selena leave already?” Red asked while casually dodging her comment.

Natascha moved out of the way, revealing Selena standing in the back.

Selena pulled down one of her lower eyelids and stuck out her tongue, revealing what remained of the Strawberry bonbon.