September, 1990.
Tokyo, Japan.

Steven and I are out on a day off touring the city.
" How was the crowd last night? Joey said they were trippin..."
" He did, huh?"
" Yeah he said they didn't talk or show emotion much, like it was blank."
" Yeah? Well all crowds are different, and I was told it's just a sign of courtesy, you know? Like they have your full attention."
" Interesting. If I was out there though, I would have probably felt like I was really doing something wrong, you feel me?"
" Brazil's kind of like that too, I've noticed that most countries besides the US get riled up different ways, you know? But you gotta rub 'em the right way. Americas just loud all the fuckin time but, Asia and Europe are somethin' different."
" Now that I think of it, it's so much better to have diversity. Like what if you got the same crowd every night? Wouldn't that drive you crazy, Steven?"
" Sure would.
" So, how do you do it Steven? How do you perform so good, please every crowd, and still manage to have a wife and kids that love you so much?"
" Youre still hooked on that baby thing aren't, you?"
" Yeah..." I mope, " I wanna be a mom, man. I want one to call my own, I mean how cool is that?"
" It's a lot of responsibility" he replied, with no hesitation.
" yeah but so is gettin' married, an' I've already done that. I've already got a house I live in, what else is left to do than start a family? An' I don' mean gettin' rushed to do it, cause it's what married people do, but I mean...man. I want my own kid."
" It's pretty neat, I have to say it gives you something to look foreward to. You know...hope."
I grinned, I could just imagine right then and there.

***

" I miss you." He almost whines like a schoolboy, like we're on a different wavelength.
" This is the third time you've called today. Are you sure you're okay?"
" Yeah, I'm fine, but I miss you."
" ...Maybe you need some rest? How long were you at the studio today."
" Too long, baby. Way too long. Oh I forgot to tell you something."
" Yeah, what's up?"
" You know my car, the Honda?" He was so drunk. It's like I could smell it through the phone.
" What about it..."
" You know something? You're voice sounds almost the same on the phone...as it does in person...you know that? Holy fuck."
" The car. What's up with the car?"
" What car?" Jesus Christ.  " I didn't total any car."
" You what?" I sighed, " slash, you didn't. please tell me you're joking."
" Oh yeah. I did."
" Do you even know what you're talking about? I know you're drunk..."
" I'm not drunk, you're fucking drunk."
" Call me when you're panties aren't in a twist, dumbass." I realized this was what I was working with, since the herein was almost fully out of the picture--he was gonna be drunk all the damn time.
" Nah, I'm serious....listen...I was driving home from the studio, and this guy was making a left turn, you know? Well he was in my fucking lane, in my way. And I swear to god, no, I swear to the fucking lord, man, he just wouldn't move. So I didn't even think to stop...so I smashed into his motherfuckin car...on purpose."
" You are bullshit. One hundred percent."
" No no no, slow down. listen to me. You're not listening. So I smashed his fucking car, babe. His drivers side is creamed--But I can't fuckin leave the scene cause our cars are stuck together!"
" Is there anyone there with you who's sober??"
" He just made me so fuckin angry. And then I realized I probably shouldn't have done what I did..."
" Because any normal person would have dealt with the problem rationally....instead of hitting someone they just don't like!"
" Then the guy looked really confused, like puzzled...and he said to me, you're fucking drunk, and I said no, you're fucking drunk. We were both pretty fucked you know? So we just kinda let it go...the guy had no insurance."
" Slash! I swear to-"
" Look! I've gotten in trouble with the law too many fuckin times now, I can't  get in more fuckin trouble. We can't afford to get into fuckin trouble...Fuck!"
He exclaimed, and he hit something.
And it made a big noise.
He was being pretty damn serious.
It got really quiet, and he sighed really heavy.
" I promise I won't do stupid shit like that again. I wasn't thinking...I'm sorry.  I'll get the car fixed, I'll fix it all."
" Hey, it's alright. We all fuck up sometimes? But I also know that you're drunk, and you're gonna forget that you told me about this." I laughed.
" I Tol' ya I'm not drunk. Fuck, I'm so tired."
" Then go to bed, stupid." He laughed, I did as well.
" Wait, didn't you wanna talk about somethin?"
" No it's okay, it can wait. You definitely need some sleep, you're all bent out of shape."