The line up

As we walk to The Silhouttee Saloon, Sila asks "So anything I should know?"

"If you go into the pit expect to get hit. Otherwise, just do what you want. Anyone gives you shit or anything, go to Big Ed."

"He's the bouncer?"

"Yeah. You'll know him when you see him."

"So he's my white knight if I need him?"

"More like grizzly barbarian."

Sila laughs for a second. "I'll keep in mind. Anything else?"

"You might want these." I hand her some foam earplugs.

"Oh. Thanks."

"No problem."

Outside The Silhouttee Saloon, I see a small line up with some bald guy with stubble and thick-rimmed glasses at the end of it. He takes a final drag of his cigarette before we approach.

"Hey." I say.

A cunning smile lights up his face. "Hey girls."

"Someone likes what he sees."

"Can you blame me?"

"Not at all. I'm Roxy."

"I thought you were pretty, but Roxy will do."

I give his cheesy line a chuckle, before he looks to Sila. "And this must be sexy."

"Umm, I don't know about that."

"Don't be like that, Sexy." Sila trembles with nervous laughter, as I look to the bald guy. "Sila's a bit shy, but she's alright."

"Sila huh? That's a nice name."

"Well I didn't pick it, but thanks."

"So do you have a name?"

"Will."

"You from here?"

"No I just moved down here a month ago."

"Ah, cool. Yeah, we're both local, but it's Sila's first show."

"Really?"

Sila nods. "Yep."

"You excited?"

"Yeah."

"That's the spirit. So you know the lineup Roxy?"

"Only the headliner Elder Goose. I think the rest are new bands."

"Guess they're good then?"

"Wouldn't be here if they weren't."

That's when the line starts moving. We follow it, meeting the giant that is Big Ed. We greet each other with a nod before we enter the lobby where I pay for both tickets. Inside, we're met by the dive that is The Silhouttee Saloon. Posters of gigs past coat the walls, and there are about ten meters of beer-stained floor space between the bar to our right, and the stage to our left. Crammed in the far right corner is the sound engineer, and in the near right are folding tables covered with merch with band members eager to make a sale.

"So what do you want to do first?" I ask Sila.