Lords: Part One is one HOT POTATO!
“Here hold this.” NL said handing me a copy of Lords: Part One as we drove downtown to see the Filthies last Friday night.

“Who’s this for?” I asked.

“Kevin Briley of Whiskey Galore.” He explained.

“Here you go.” I said handing the book back to NL as we walked towards Sandrini’s.

Sandrini’s was packed! People milled about aimlessly mingling and drinking as the 28’s played their brand of punk music. Ska King Matt Munoz was at the bottom of the stairs enjoying the night. Kenny of the Filthies and his lovely wife were there too.

“Have you seen Kevin Briley?” NL asked.

“He’s here somewhere.” Kenny said scanning the room.

NL took some photos of the 28’s while they were finishing up their set, and then we looked for Kevin in the crowd.

We ran into Kevin on the opposite side of the bar…

“Here’s the copy of Lords: Part One I promised you.” NL said handing the book to Kevin.

“Cool man! I’ve been dying to read this.” Kevin replied.

The two quickly became embroiled in conversation when suddenly…

“Can you hold this for a minute.” Kevin asked handing the copy of Lords: Part One back to NL while he punched a phone number into his cell phone.

NL handed the book back to Kevin when he put his phone away. Box Jumper was taking the stage and NL went to the other side of the bar to take some photos.

“I’m so excited about reading this book!” Kevin said turning his excitement over Lords: Part One in my direction.

“NL is so great! I could sit and talk to him all night.” Kevin exclaimed as I agreed with him.

I was standing against the wall near the bathroom talking with Kevin about Whiskey Galore’s recent gig in Vegas and telling him how much I enjoyed Whiskey Galore’s music, when a tall dark haired man came and stood on the other side of me.

“Hi.” The tall dark haired man said.

“Hi.” I returned.

“I’m a friend of Kevin’s just down for the weekend.” He continued.

“Oh. Where are you from?” I asked to be polite.

“Well I’m originally from Bakersfield, but I live in San Francisco, I just came down for the weekend to hang out with some friends.” He explained.

“I’ve never heard the Filthies, are they good?” Kevin asked.

“You’ve never seen the Filthies.” I said in disbelief.

“Nope. I met Kenny playing bagpipes for a funeral, but I’ve never heard his band. I thought I’d come out and support his band tonight.” Kevin explained.

“You’ll love them! The Filthies are one of my favorite local bands. I see them as often as I can.” I exclaimed.

The three of us stood flattened against the wall and being trampled by people trying to squeeze past us.

The tall dark haired guy tried to engage me in conversation once again by asking me questions that guys always ask women they are trying to chat up in a bar.

“Do you come here a lot?” He asked.

“No. I haven’t been to Sandrini’s in quite a while. I didn’t expect it to be this packed.” I stated.

“Ever been to San Francisco?” He asked.

“A few times. My dad used to work up there.” I replied.

“What do you do?” He asked.

“I’m an office manager.” I politely replied.

“Is this band the Filthies?” He asked.

“No. This is Box Jumper, the Filthies go on next.” I explained.

“Do you want a drink?” He asked.

“Sure. A diet Pepsi would be great. Thanks.” I replied.

“Can you hold this for me for a minute while I go to the bathroom?” Kevin asked handing me his copy of Lords: Part One.

“Sure.” I said.

Lords: Part One was back in my hands and I felt like I had been playing a childhood game of Hot Potato all night passing Lords: Part One back and forth.

Just then I got a text message from NL…

“I’m over by the stairs.” The message stated.

I looked around trying to find him through the thick crowd of people until I finally saw him on the stairs. He waved me over. Kevin wasn’t back from the bathroom yet and I was still holding his copy of Lords: Part One. What to do with it… I thought. Tall dark haired guy was standing at the bar trying to get the bartender’s attention. I tapped him on the shoulder…

“I’m going to go over there, can you hold this for Kevin, he’s in the bathroom.” I said pointing towards the stairs.

“Sure.” He said looking confused.

I handed off the copy of Lords: Part One to the tall dark haired guy as if it was a hot potato burning my hands, just like the dark and evil forces and corruption in Lords: Part One burned through a young boy and a susceptible community, and went to see what NL was up to.

“I can’t breathe, it’s too crowded in here.” NL said.

“I know. I’m being trampled and smashed against the wall. I feel like a sardine.” I agreed.

We left Sandrini’s looking for some fresh air and a less crowded place missing what I hear was a great Filthies performance. I wonder whose hands Lords: Part One is in now. I thought as we walked across Eye Street.

Lords: Part One is one HOT POTATO you better get your copy while you can!  posted by Matildakay at 11:15 PM