The Neon Bloods performed their song at a different bar. 

The lights dim as Mallory closed his eyes and sang a melancholic tune. 

"God, can you give 

Any empathy 

To this Fool's plea? 

I swear I'll give up my dignity

 my wealth 

My health

Everything I can and can't see

Can the pain just.. 

Fester faster? 

hurts lesser?

Hurts faster? 

Fester lesser? 

Everytime I think of you

It feels like my teeth

Is getting pulled out

Without anesthesia

Everytime I see 

your torn picture

My heart breaks

And scatter

Can the pain just.. 

Fester faster? 

hurts lesser?

Hurts faster? 

Fester lesser?"

Applauded and enthusiastic screaming filled the room while Mallory blown kisses to their audience. 

Hours later after their gig, his band packed up and a female teenager with skimpy attire walked up to Mallory, who sat on the stage stairs and checked on his makeup in his pocket mirror. 

He turned up to the girl, stood up and greeted her. 

"Hi! what do you want, sweetie?" Mallory asked amicably while dusting his jeans. 

"I just wanna ask, was the song's name Fool's Plea? I love that song."

Mallory pocketed his mirror and politely focused on the girl. "I'm glad you like the song."

The girl nodded then spoke. "I also just want to say that it's cool that you are covering The Porcelains."

Mallory's eyes narrowed and his lips curled down. They weren't covering a song. The song that they performed earlier was theirs, not from some other band. 

"Fuck you." he spat as he walked out of the bar, away from the confused girl. 

A few minutes later, he was smoking on Rez's car while staring at the night sky. David Bowie's song, 'Major Tom', was playing on the car radio. He was about to take a sip from his wine bottle when.. 

"Hey Starshine." Roxette whispered as she came out from behind the car. 

He spilled his wine in surprise, soaking his legs. He turned around angrily and pinched her ear as she winced. "Ow!" Roxette yelped. 

Mallory let go of her ear and scolded her, "You son of bitch. Don't sneak up to me like that!"

"Oh, sure. When you do it, it's fine." she complained as she rubbed her ears. 

"Quit your complaining." he said as he took a gulp from his liquor. "Why are you here?" She pulled out her gin and spoke. "I don't let my friends drink alone." 

Mallory laughed contagiously clinked their glass bottles.

"How sweet..but where are the guys?" he asked. 

A group of guys coming from the distance ran towards the car. Rez bumped into the car, spilling more wine at Mal. He rolled his eyes before going out of the car. 

"You bitches, be careful!" Mal yelled to Rez. 

Rez glared at Mallory, but then guffawed as he looked at the singer's soaked pants. 

"Dude, did you pee?"

"No, I did not!" Mallory yelled angrily. He turned his head to the other men coming their way. His eyes widened in fear as he saw Don racing with Learone. 

"Oh no, my husband" Mallory gasped. 

Roxette laughed heartily while Rez raised his eyebrows and joked. "I thought I am your husband". 

Mallory smacked Rez's arm in annoyance."I was drunk when I said that!"

"Hi, Mal." Don greeted as he slowed down from running and winked discreetly to Mallory. His eyes darted at the wet pants and looked back to his friend's embarrassed face. Learone halted and panted as he reached the car. 

"Why do you smell like wine?" Don suddenly asked. 

"He spilled his wine." Roxette said as she poked her out the car window. 

Don shook his head and took off his suit coat. "Tsk. Tsk. Wrap this around your waist." He said as he offered his coat to his soaked friend. "I'll buy you another pair of pants."

Mallory stared at the coat and tried to hide his flusteredness. "Really?" He asked as he took the coat. 

Don smiled and grabbed Mallory by the arm. "You might get a fever. It's very cold tonight." 

Mallory glimpsed at Roxette, who just raised her thumbs up.

"I and Rez will wait for you, Sweetheart. Don't worry about it!" Roxette reassured. 

Rez shrugged his shoulders. "Go off with your sugar daddy, cheater." he jested. 

Mallory rolled his eyes as Don stared confusingly to the group. 

"It's an inside joke. Don't get jealous, Don." Roxette chuckled. 

"I am not jealous." Don denied with furrowed brows as he pulled Mallory to the street. "Let's go."

The group in the car waved at them goodbye. Mallory returned the wave and walked with Don towards the street. 

As they finally approached the pedestrian lane, they checked at the traffic light. It's still flashing red. Mallory sighed and looked to his left. He took a look again as he saw a familiar face a few feet away from them. 

He nudged Don and pointed his lips at the person wearing a white masquerade mask, striped red and black t-shirt, and pants with an illustration of a white snake circled around his right leg. 

"Who's that?" Don asked with a puzzled expression on his face. 

"That person is Darlow, the singer for the new band The Porcelains. Some girl thought he was the original singer of our song and It pissed me off."

"Why is he wearing a mask?" 

"I don't know. Want to ask him?" Mallory joked as he tilted his head. Their attention was caught by an old crackhead at the opposite side of the street, pointing menacingly at Darlow. 

"Best stay that side of that street, Motherfucking creep. Or I'll knock you out!" the old man warned. 

Darlow side-glanced at Mallory and Don like a statue. 

"Poor guy." Mallory commented as Don shrugged. "He shouldn't be wearing a mask."

The traffic lights turn green. Darlow hasn't moved an inch but the crackhead raised his voice all of a sudden. "I said don't come here, mother fucker!"

"Leave him alone!" Mallory yelled. 

"Shut up, Nancy boy! Don't tell me what to do!" 

Mallory sighed and came closer to Darlow and held his arm, bringing him to the other side despite the old man's protest. Don followed the two quickly as the crackhead became agitated. "I said don't come closer-". 

Don snapped his fingers behind his back as they crossed the road. The crackhead collapsed like a rag doll to where he stood and fell fast asleep. 

Darlow and Mallory finally crossed the road and looked briefly at the snoring old man. "What just happened?" Darlow whispered with fear and pure confusion. 

Mallory shrugged and laughed it off nervously. "Let's just ignore that guy." 

"Why are you wearing a mask?" Don imterjected. "Is Halloween early?"

"Haha. Oh, this mask? We were filming a music video and I decided to go out and buy some drinks while wearing my costume." the masked man explained. He  checked his wristwatch and darted his eyes to Don and Mallory. "I should hurry now. Bye!" He then nervously fled from the two and jogged to the nearby mall. 

Don waved goodbye and shouted. "Good talk!" 

"He's getting more awkward than before the last time I talked with him. Mortimer and him will get along just fine." Mallory said. 

Don held Mallory's hand and smirked, "We get along better. Come on, let's buy your pants."