Lifespan Deathwatch

[Damien McEwan]

It took few seconds for the band to register what was going on.

The lead guitar player, the first to realize what was happening, darted to center stage and slammed the singer to the ground, and in that moment, the power completely blacked out.

The band rushed to his aid, and the dozen or so customers that filed into the club early for the show, held their mobile devices aloft for light in order to look on with concern as best they could.

Alia walked onto the stage, announced she could help, and knelt over the singer and took him by the hand as he lay unconscious on his back.

With her free hand, she slapped him across the face as hard as she could.

The singer slowly came around. groggy, drained, and very confused.

Alia smiled down at him and said, "It's not your time yet."

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When the ambulance arrived, loaded the singer onto a gurney, and allowed the drummer to ride along with his friend, the two remaining bandmates decided to announce that the show is officially canceled.

Jaina overheard this, but in spite of being just as concerned for the singer as everyone else, she had an epiphany and quickly explained her idea to Keighley and Alia. With Jaina taking the lead, the trio approached the pair, and offered them an alternative.

Jaina illustrated the concept to the musicians. Alia reassured them that their bandmate will be fine, and Keighley volunteered to talk to club management and convince them to remain open.

After some debate, and explaining the logistics, the two members of the Spiderbabies agreed to the plan.

The Spiderbabies walked onto the stage with Jaina in tow and addressed the crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the bassist began, "Due to tonight's accident, and complete lack of power, we obviously had every intention of cancelling the show...but we don't want that now."

The lead guitarist took over. "Guys and Girls, we would like to ask for your help," he began, "and to better explain what we need from all of you, please allow me to introduce Miss Jaina Coahuila!"

He then encouraged her with a nudge to take center stage.

Suddenly, Jaina's living a personal nightmare. She HATES being the center of attention, but here she is, and now, she has no choice but to work through it.

"Hi!" she said to the crowd, which has actually doubled since the accident happened, and the audience all said 'hi' back to her.

She stood there for a few moments with her hands clasped behind her back, nervously rocking from heel to toe, until she finally swallowed her fear and allowed her demeanor to turn on a dime.

She radiated positivity as she explained her plan to the thirty or so people in front of her.

When she finished, she was pleasantly shocked when the audience erupted in cheers and applause directed at her, with each and every one of them, customer and club employee alike, ready to volunteer and help do whatever it takes.

The show must go on.

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Jaina and a handful of fans helped the Spiderbabies clear the stage and load their equipment back into the van.

Fans helped Alia visit the other bars and clubs on the block to explain the incident and collect donated supplies.

Keighley, with the club employees and remaining fans, helped set up the place and put the word out on the neural-net.

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