LMPYITP: The Random Passages

"It's cool. Video's better than picture."

   Author's Note:

This story takes place during the COVID-19 Pandemic and will reference Tom Meighan's conviction and departure from Kasabian. I wrote a reflective statement regarding my thoughts on Tom which can be found in The Random Passages right before this story here. If any of the content in this story offends you, I'm truly sorry.

Thanks for reading.

Liam lay cocooned up inside his weighted blanket. He grunted and shifted about every so often while remaining hidden inside it, save for the top of his head.

"How long yer gonna keep readin'?" He asked finally peering out.

"'Til I finish this chapter." I replied keeping my eyes on the page I was on.

"How long's the chapter then?"

"Just a few more pages."

He moved again tugging his blanket back up more. "What's that book about anyway? The Jungle. Is it about animals livin' in a jungle or summat?"

"Nope." I turned the page. "It's about people livin' and workin' in the Meatpacking District in Chicago in the early nineteen-hundreds and what it was like. It kickstarted the FDA."

"Oh." He said. "Any pictures in?"

"Nope. It's one where the writing paints the pictures and you gotta use your imagination to see it. I guess they made a silent film years ago but it got lost. I'm surprised they don't make a new movie of it which would be so cool if they did."

And hopefully it would blow There Will Be Blood out of the water. Which was a terrible disappointment even Daniel Day-Lewis couldn't save.

Liam stayed awake with me while I read.

"Read us summat." He pleaded nudging my arm so I couldn't ignore him.

I tried to brush him off a few times until his pestering left me no choice but to acquiesce.

"I warned you!" I reminded him when he started to squirm at the vivid descriptions of butchering and meatpacking during the days of no sanitation rules.

He tutted in understanding then quieted down while I continued reading.

It was quite a time for books in the house. At least for me anyway. Since libraries weren't much of a thing at that point, I found myself scouring Amazon for cheap used books that could be delivered quickly via Prime.

Gene was staying with us, thanks to me. Marcus Russell didn't really have much to do with it. It was all Fiona Shackleton who basked in the glory of her plan. But really, it was my doing. My authority to watch Gene like a hawk entrusted by his probation worker.

The NME kept me busy with work too. Even during the Pandemic, there was still loads of new music coming out.

Noely G.: U listen to that demo I done?

Me: Hard no.

Pete Doherty was promoting some band called Trampoline. Luke Kook and his wife dueted on their latest project. Cam Muncey and Mark Wilson were doing a thing together. And of course, the Jaded Hearts Club was pumping out loads of covers showcasing all their different frontmen's abilities.