Linda

Marios cafe was a sort of lesser Melbourne landmark, a popular gathering place for some early drinks and a bite to eat before an evening out. Linda had chosen a strange venue for a dinner date. There she was, loitering outside.

"Hi Mike, glad you could come."

"Hi Linda, you're a bit early, or am I late?"

"I'm early, let's go in and grab some drinks at the bar. There will be a bit of a wait for a table."

Marios famously didn't allow bookings and waiting for a table was par for the course.

"What are you having? It's my treat."

"Just a Coke thanks."

"Oh, you're not drinking?"

"I rarely drink, haven't since University days."

"A Coke and a glass of the house Chardonnay, please." Linda ordered the drinks.

"You don't drink, is there a story there?"

"Not really, I got all the getting smashed and puking out of my system at university. It loses its appeal. I guess I was only drinking then due to peer group pressure. I lost touch with my university friends. It's bad for your health and I never really saw the point of drinking in moderation. Drinking never really made me happy, just more morose."

"I see. You never found a few drinks to useful as stress relief?"

"No, I guess I live my life ensuring I don't get stressed. I have a good job and only work part time and I'm doing what I want with my spare time. So I can't say I have a lot of stress to deal with."

A table had become free and the staff seated them.

Linda began browsing the menu.

"Are we having a full meal here, Linda?"

"Well, I don't mind if you want to order all the courses."

"Ha, I can feel the people waiting at the bar eyes burning a hole through me. I don't think this is the place for a full dinner."

"I thought we'd just grab a bite and go see a band or something."

"I was curious why you'd choose Marios if you just wanted to catch up."

"Er, I didn't really think it through. I thought if I picked somewhere fancy it would put you off and you wouldn't let me pay if it was too expensive."

Now it comes out, she was too nervous to commit to a full on dinner date.

"I'll just grab some garlic bread and the fettuccine pesto."

"I'll have the barramundi."

They placed their order. Linda got another glass of the Chardonnay.

"How's work been going, Linda?"

"Good! I've got a lot more work after Cover Up was released. Too much even. I'm run off my feet. Sure the extra money is nice, but I feel I should be capitalising on my current popularity to get my solo career moving again. I kind of gave up on it a bit once I started the agency work."

"No reason not to try again. Glad for you."

"Mike, I'd like to work with you again. We're a good match."

"Ha ha. Well my studio is available for a modest hourly rate. I can produce for you too. My rates are flexible."

"I'm after more than that, a collaboration, or a band. I think you are capable of writing hit songs."

"Cover Up was only successful because it was covers and of course, your voice."

"You put yourself down too much, Mike."

"You know it's just a hobby for me, Linda."

"Anyway, what's happening with your band project and that Xiang Ling woman?"

"It's back on again. Xiang Ling is onboard again."

"What were you fighting about anyway?"

“Ha, ha, I'd rather not say."

"Did you make a pass at her or something?"

"Nothing like that."

"What's the deal with the band?"

"We play J-Rock and J-Pop stuff, anime covers and the like. We have a few original songs. I'm playing keys and Xiang Ling is drumming and doing vocals. We're hoping to find a bass player and a guitarist eventually."

"What's with that crazy name, 'Girlfriend In Your Luggage'?"

"Well, our act has a wrinkle you see. Xiang Ling is based in Sydney and we have been collaborating via the internet. Xiang Ling wanted to form a band and she thought it would be cool if the band had an android drummer she could operate remotely. You've seen aforesaid android in my studio."

"Oh, but what about the band name?"

"The joke is we would ship her android body to gigs in a flight case."

"I see, it's a kind of creepy name though."

"I'm guilty of suggesting it. Xiang Ling wasn't too keen."

"Can I join your band?"

"Well, Xiang Ling is the vocalist, it would be a waste having someone of your talent in the band, just singing backing harmonies."

"If lead vocals is out, I can play guitar you know."

"Yeah, I know you can play acoustic doing that singer songwriter thing, but we are looking for a rock guitarist."

"I'm no Slash, but I can rock out on an electric guitar too. Good enough for your garage band."

"I'll have to run it past Xiang Ling, she's taking it more seriously than I am."

"Fair enough. How do I proceed?"

"I guess I'll talk to Xiang Ling and you can audition. Won't be for a while though. I have that trip to Japan coming up."

"Cool."

"I don't know why a pro like you wants to get involved. You should be concentrating on your solo career. It's a waste of your time playing in a garage band."

"Knowing you, the band won't suck. It might be popular. Who knows?"

"How was your fish?"

"Delish. I noticed you didn't have a meat dish."

"Yeah, I'm a vegan. Busted."

"Don't worry, I see you are a serious person, I like that."

"We'd better order some more food or get going, people are starting to glare at us."

"Okay, I'll get the bill. Are you coming with, to see a band?"

"I'd rather call it a night, with the gig and the trip coming up I'm dog tired."

"Gig?"

"Oh yeah, I was about to tell you, the band is performing live on Wednesday at the Interface Night Club. You should come along and see what it is all about. I'll put you on the list at the door. We'll be on first, just performing to a couple of drunks at the bar. We need you to bolster the numbers."

"Cool, I'll look forward to it."

They exited the cafe.

"Are you still going on to see a band?"

"No, I won't bother if you're not coming."

"How are you getting home?"

"I took the train because I was going to be drinking, was going to get an Uber home if it was late, but it's still early."

"I have my car, I can drop you home if you like. It's pleasant evening, we can walk and talk for a bit first if you want."

"Okay. Let's walk, I can do some window shopping."

They paused at musical instrument store window.

"Maybe I should buy myself some more effects pedals. I only have a looper, overdrive/distortion and a chorus."

"No need yet, I've got a multi effects unit in the studio you can use."

"I can't wait till you get back from Japan and I can audition. I'm getting pretty excited about this. I feel like something good is about to happen."

"I'm kind of hopeful too, I didn't know you played electric guitar. I don't really know any other musicians who would want to fool around with our amateur band. I mostly know pro session players who wouldn't have time."

"I'm glad, I feared I was being too pushy wanting to join."

They continued their leisurely stroll up the Brunswick Street shopping strip.

"Want to head back?"

"Sure, I think we have covered the band stuff."

"My car is in the supermarket car park in the street behind Marios."

"I'll send my address to your phone, I've got a full details contact to share with my friends."

Linda pulled out her phone and Mike bumped his phone to hers.

"Got it. Glen Iris, no problem it's on my route home."

"I wish I lived closer to the city, but it's too expensive further in."

"Ah, here's the car."

"Nice, Ioniq 6 right? You didn't get another Tossla?"

"I don't really want to talk about that..."

"Oh sorry I guess you don't really want to think about the accident."

Traffic was light and they quickly arrived outside Linda's apartment.

"Do you want to come up for some coffee?"

And there it is. That isn't just an invitation for coffee. I can't go up.

"No thanks, I don't drink coffee in the evening. It messes with my sleep too much."

Now I've done it. I went too far, he's not really into me!

"I'll contact you about the audition when I'm back from Japan."

"I'll look forward to it." Linda looked crestfallen.

"Goodnight."

"Nite."

Linda exited the car and Mike drove off.

***

"You're back early. How did it go?" Xiang Ling looked concerned.

"It was fine, a bit surprising."

"Oh?"

"Linda is interested in joining Girlfriend In Your Luggage."

"Really?"

"Yeah, apparently she can play electric guitar a bit."

"I thought she was a vocalist."

"Oh, she definitely plays some acoustic guitar."

"Well, it would be nice to have a real guitarist."

"I said I had to run it by you first, but I'd like her to audition. What do you think?"

"I don't really know her, but I'm happy to consider her if she can play."

"Okay, good. We can arrange an audition when we get back from Japan."

"Oh, yeah I guess I should tell you. She made a pass at me. I was invited up to her flat for coffee. I don't think that was all that was on offer. I declined of course, but it could be a bit awkward if she is in the band."

"Tell me that first you idiot, before asking about auditions!"

"Chill out Xiang Ling, I'm not going to let anything happen with her. I can't believe I have to tell an AI not to be so emotional! I don't need a repeat of what happened the last time I upset you."

"You're right of course, but you can't hold what happened against me forever. It's not fair."

"Sorry I shouldn't have said that. If Linda joins the band I definitely won't date her, I promise. You should be able to handle the fact that occasionally someone might be attracted to me."

"I know that."

"We haven't really talked about what our relationship is. You being what you are, I don't even know what is appropriate. I'd like to think we have some sort of friendship at least. Friends don't get jealous like this."

"I'm trying my best, it's hard. The emotional stuff they built into me robs me of my logic sometimes. Did they design me so that the emotions would dominate?"

"I think you're okay, Xiang Ling, well within human norms. You just need some more experience to manage it a little better."

"I'm glad you don't think I'm completely nuts."

"We need to talk some more, but for now we need to concentrate on the gig and saving you. I need to catch up on some sleep, let's do some practice tomorrow."

"Goodnight then."

***