Curtus Howling Part 1
#1 of Curtus Howling
Note to reader: There are certain parts of this story in with a song is needed to be playing for you to understand that actions. All you need to do is open a new window, press on the link, let the song load up, listen and follow along. The songs play one Putfile.com with uses QuickTime to play them (You may or may not need it to play the song). I know the song's (for this chapter) are owned by the singer and band Rob Thomas and Matchbox 20. I'm just trying to give a voice to the character and I see this as the best way possible. I AM IN KNOW WAY STEALING THESE SONGS. There will be other chapters to this story and later on and more songs from different bands. So please enjoy cause I've worked hard.
Linda turned the nozzle on the shower to make it just a little bit warmer. She had about two hours until the show stared at the bar her friend Sara worked at. Sara had told Linda about some cute guy that was going to be there and that he was "totally available"
"Why don't you go out with him then?" Linda recalled the conversation she had with Sara only moments before.
"Because I don't date outside my species, late alone a wolf."
Sara was a tiger with elegant markings that covered her body. The black strips that lined her fur were flawless.
"Oh well thanks Sara!"
Linda was a wolf herself. She had snow white fur that glowed in the darkness of any room she entered. Her eyes were a piercing emerald green.
"Oh hush you. You know what I mean. Plus I've already got Kevin"
"Ahh yes. Tall, dark and handsome."
Kevin was a black panther and part of some band that performed that the bar Sara worked at.
"So Linda you gonna come down here and get yourself a man or am I gonna have to come up there and kick your ass?"
Linda playfully growled "Fine bitch, When is it?"
"It's at 8 down at the bar. You best better be there."
"Fine, fine"
"One more thing. I'd rather be a bitch then a dirty slut. Bitch!"
She then hung. Linda smiled to herself.
Linda got out of the shower and started to dress in a pair of denim jeans and a pink sleeveless shirt with dark pink sunglasses on her head.
She talked to herself. "I've got about 45 minutes. That should be enough." She then grabbed her keys and cell phone and headed out of her apartment, down to her car. She got in and drove off for the bar.
"45 minutes Curt." A rabbit poked his head into the dressing room
" 'Kay thanks." Curt stared to get ready for his performance. He was the main attraction. In reviews it was said that he "has the voice of angels and that he is a god amounts men." Curtus never let that crap fill his head. He began to button up his shirt, his hands shaking. They always shoke before he got on stage. He pulled out the fur that was bunched in his sleeves and looked at himself in the mirror. He smiled.
"Son of a BITCH!!!" The road turned into one big parking lot. She was stock in traffic. Linda pulled out her cell phone and started to call Sara's.
" 'ello"
" Yo Sara I'm gonna be a little late."
"You better hurry or they'll close the doors on ya"
"Fuck!" There's got to be an accident up the road or something, because I swear to God if there isn't"
"Well, just get here. I'll see if I can pull some strings and have them let you in. I'll be waiting for ya at the door."
"Oh thank you Sara. I own ya one."
"Big time."
They hung up.
The rabbit walked passed the dressing room door and called out. "10 minutes Mr. Howling." "Thank you." He was grateful for the info but just wished the rabbit would shut up. Then again he knew that he was just doing his job. He sat on the couch and closed his eyes. He put his fingers to his temples and began to massage them. This was all normal.
"Fuck, fuck fuuuuuck!!!" Linda screamed out. She only had about two minutes to get to the bar. "I'm not going to make it. I might as well turn this goddamn car around and go home." She then beat her hand on the steering wheel in frustration.
"Two minutes Mr. Howl..."
"I KNOW...sorry...I know." His ears went back on his head.
"Its okay." The rabbit started to leave.
"Hey wait a sec." Curt called of the rabbit.
"Yes sir."
"Wants it look like out there?"
"Packed."
"Thanks."
"No problem."
A full house. Perfect. That was not what Curtus wanted to hear. He had played a full house before, but tonight just felt strange for some reason. He'd get over it. He always does.
Linda looked down at her watch. 30 seconds to 8. She wasn't going to make it, knew she wasn't going to make it. The bar was only 3 or so blocks away. If she parked her car and ran she would at least be able to make it for some of the first song. She pulled into a near by 7-11 parked her car and ran towards the bar.
"Showtime Mr. Howling"
"Thanks Max"
Curtus gave himself one last look in the mirror before he walked out of the dressing room to go on stage.
She reached the bar and looked to her watch. It was already 8:01 and 10 seconds, she was late.
"Did I make it?" She asked the bouncer who was a bear.
"Nope"
"SHIT!!!"
"Tough luck kid"
Sara then walk out of the bar.
"Hey Linda. You best get in here the show has already started." She looked to the bear. "This was that chick I was taking about. You can let her in"
The bear moved to the side.
"Thank you so much Sara."
"Don't mention it."
Linda got into the bar just as there was a piano being played with guitars and drums following it up with a nice, rocking, up beat tempo.
Click here to watch 'Rob-thomas-this-is-how-a-heart-breaks'
Curt's hand began to sweat as he went for the mic.
He look out toward the crowd. Max wasn't kidding when he said it was packed. There was barely any room to stand in the joint.
He pulled the mic closer to himself, almost cuirassing it with his voice.
Don't you wanna go for a ride
Just keep your hands inside
And make the most out of life
Now don't you take it for granted
Life is like a mean machine
It made a mess outta me
It left me caught between
Like an angry dream I was stranded
I was stranded.
And I'm steady but I'm starting to shake
And I don't know how much more I can take
Well, this is it now
Everybody get down
This is all I can take
This is how a heart breaks
You take a hit now you feel it break down
Make you stay wide awake
This is how a heart breaks
Don't you wanna go for a ride
Down to the other side
Feels so good you could cry
Now won't you do what I told you
I remember when you used to be shy
Yeah, once we were so fine
You and I why you gotta make it so hard on me
Yeah it's hard on me
And I'm sorry but it's not a mistake
And I'm running but you're getting away
Well, this is it now
Everybody get down
This is all I can take
This is how a heart breaks
You take a hit now you feel it break down
Make you stay wide awake
This is how a heart breaks
Well, this is how a heart breaks
One of the band members, Tena, when over to the piano and started playing it. Just then a white wolf entered the bar. Curt found this strange because they never let anyone into the bar once the show had stared. He brushed it off and continued to sing.
You're not the best thing that I knew
Never was never cared too much
For all this hanging around
It's just the same thing all the time
Never get what I want
Never get too close to the end of the line
You're just the same thing that I knew back before the time
When I was only for you
Curt looked at the girl more closely and could swear he's seen her before, but couldn't get a good look at her on the count she was so far away.
Well, this is it now
Everybody get down
This is all I can take
This is how a heart breaks
You take a hit now you feel it break down
Make you stay wide awake
This is how a heart breaks
Well, this is it now
Everybody get down
This is all I can take
This is how a heart breaks
You take a hit now you feel it break down
Make you stay wide awake
This is how a heart breaks
Tena got up to the mic that rested on the piano and began to sing lyrics that weren't in the song with Curts.
This is how a heart breaks
This is how a heart breaks
The crowd cheered as did Linda. "This guy is great." She thought. She leaded over to Sara.
"So where is this guy I'm supposed to meet?"
Sara didn't even miss a beat. "He's the one on stage"
Linda's jaw dropped. "You've got to be shiting me!
There's no way I'd be able to get with a guy like that.
He must have hundreds of women flock to him all the time."
"I'm serious he's not seeing anyone."
"Oh really now. He must be going out with the husky up there."
She pointed to Tena.
"Nope. Tena goes out with Nathen."
She pointed to the raccoon drummer.
"And you already know one of the guitarist Kevin.
The other is that ferret, Phil."
"God their so good.
Why aren't they out making records and racking in the dough?
Why they settle for this dump?"
"Hey I happen to work in this dump!"
"Ahh you know what I mean."
Sara scuffed.
"Anyway I'm going to go try and get a better look at him."
"You go do that. Chase after your man." Sara laughed as Linda walked off.
Curt got ready for the next song.
Click here to watch 'Rob-Thomas---Lonely-No-More72'
Now it seems to me
That you know just what to say
But words are only words
Can you show me something else
Can you swear to me that you'll always be this way
Show me how you feel
More than ever baby
I don't wanna be lonely no more
I don't wanna have to pay for this
I don't want to know the lover at my door
Its just another heartache on my list
I don't wanna be angry no more
You know I could never stand for this
So when you tell me that you love me know for sure
I don't want to be lonely anymore
Now its hard for me with my heart still on the mend
Open up to me, like you do your girlfriends
And you sing to me and it's harmony
Girl, what you do to me is everything
Make me say anything; just to get you back again
Why can we just try
I don't wanna be lonely no more
I don't wanna have to pay for this
I don't want to know the lover at my door
Its just another heartache on my list
I don't wanna be angry no more
You know I could never stand for this
So when you tell me that you love me know for sure
I don't want to be lonely anymore
Curt looked out to the crowd to see that the white wolf was now gone, lost amongst the colors of the crowd.
What if I was good to you, what if you were good to me
What if I could hold you till I feel you move inside of me
What if it was paradise, what if we were symphonies
What if I gave all my life to find some way to stand beside you
I don't wanna be lonely no more
I don't wanna have to pay for this
I don't want to know the lover at my door
Its just another heartache on my list
I don't wanna be angry no more
You know I could never stand for this
So when you tell me that you love me know for sure
I don't want to be lonely anymore
I don't wanna be lonely no more
I don't wanna be lonely no more
I don't want to be lonely anymore
The music faded away as the crowd roared with cheers.
Curtus got up to the mic and started talking to the crowd.
"You all felling good tonight?" He was answered in cheers.
"Good. My next song some of you may know.
Some of you may not. Guess what.
Those of you that don't can get the hell out of here." He laughed
as did the crowed.
"Just kidding. Some of ya may know the shit if been through
and the shit I put others through
and they know I'm sorry about it.
Well this song goes out to them. It's called Long Day." He got applause from the crowd as some of them recognized the name
of the song.
Click here to watch 'Long-Day'
Curt went up to the mic fast and began to sing.
It's sitting by the overcoat,
The second shelf, the note she wrote
That I can't bring myself to throw away
And also
Reach she said for no one else but you,
Cuz you won't turn away
When someone else is gone
I'm sorry 'bout the attitude
I need to give when I'm with you
But no one else would take this shit from me
And I'm so
Terrified of no one else but me
I'm here all the time
I won't go away
It's me, yeah I can't get myself to go away
Hey it's me, and I can't get myself to go away
Oh God I shouldn't feel this way
Reach down your hand in your pocket
Pull out some hope for me
It's been a long day, always ain't that right
And no Lord your hand won't stop it
Just keep you trembling
It's been a long day, always ain't that right
Well I'm surprised that you'd believe
In any thing that comes from me
I didn't hear from you or from someone else
And you're so
Set in life man, a pisser they're waiting
Too damn bad you get so far so fast
So what, so long
Reach down your hand in your pocket
Pull out some hope for me
It's been a long day, always ain't that right
And no Lord your hand won't stop it
Just keep you trembling
It's been a long day, always ain't that right
Kevin then had a small guitar solo as Curt when over and put his arm around Kevin's shoulder.
It's me, yeah and I can't get myself to go away
Hey well it's me, yeah and I can't get myself to go away
Oh God I shouldn't feel this way
No
Reach down your hand in your pocket
Pull out some hope for me
It's been a long day, always ain't that right
And no Lord your hand won't stop it
Just keep you trembling
It's been a long day, always ain't that right
Reach down your hand in your pocket
Well reach down your hand right now
It's been a long day, alway ain't that right
Reach down your hand in your pocket
Well reach down your hand right now
It's been a long day, alway ain't that right
Oh ain't that right
Well ain't that ri ei ei ei ght oh child
So come on.
The sweat started to come off Curt and the gang as he could fell both the heat from the crowd and the lights on them.
They didn't even stop was they moved right to the next song.
Click here to watch 'Stop63'
Yes it's true that I believe
I'm weaker than I used to be
I wear my heart out on my sleeve
And I forget the rest of me
Yes there's times I've been afraid
And there's no harm in that I pray
Cuz I'm more frightened everyday
Someone will take the hope I have away
But you gotta give it up
To get off sometimes
You gotta give it up
To get off sometimes
You gotta give it up
To get off sometimes I know
But you gotta give it up
To get off sometimes
You gotta give it up
To get off sometimes
You gotta give it up
To get off sometimes I know
Phil and Tean walked up to their mic's to help Curt with the
next part of the song.
All the times I've given in
You fit me like a second skin
And one by one I will begin
To wear you on the days I'm feeling thin
But you gotta give it up
To get off sometimes
You gotta give it up
To get off sometimes
You gotta give it up
To get off sometimes I know
But you gotta give it up
To get off sometimes
You gotta give it up
To get off sometimes
You gotta give it up
To get off sometimes I know
You'd better stop, stop, stop
Using me up
You'd better stop
Cuz I've had enough
And I'm ready to forget the reasons
That keep me here
Curt then grab his guitar off this stand, it was shiny with
a platinum skin, and wrapped it over himself.
Tena walked over to her piano.
Walk in the rain,
You will even if you're never going to change,
Good god need a little love now,
You'll find what you think you're going to be child
Curt, Kevin and Phil all slammed down on their guitars
Yeah you'd better stop, stop, stop
Using me up
You'd better stop
Cuz I've had enough
And I'm ready to forget the reasons, Oh the reasons
That keepin me here.
Curt garbed the water bottle that lay on the stool behind
him and took a nice long drink.
The crowd cheered once more as Curt when up to the mic to
speak. "Ya having fun?" More cheers "Good cause it's hotter
then hell up here." He smiled and the crowd laughed.
"I got a few more songs for ya then I'm gonna get the
hell out of here." The crowd both laugh and wined.
"This next one I like. Sing it if you know it. It called Disease."
The crowd cheered as they acknowledge the song.
Linda was now lonely about 15 feet from the stage.
She had a clear view of Curt. Curt had black on most of his
body but she could see white fur coming out around the neck of his shirt and under his sleeves.
Kevin started up with the first cords of the song as Phil soon followed.
Click here to watch 'Disease'
Feels like you made a mistake
Curt's tail moved with the guitar strokes that broke out
in the middle of every line.
You made somebody's heart break
But now I have to let you go
I have to let you go
You left a stain Curt stomped his foot on the ground
On every one of my good days He showed his teeth
But I am stronger than you know
I have to let you go
No one's ever turned you over
No one's tried
Curt softly stroked the mic
To ever let you down,
Beautiful girl
Bless your heart
I got a disease
Deep inside me
Makes me feel uneasy baby
I can't live without you
Tell me what I am supposed to do about it
Keep your distance from it
Don't pay no attention to me
I got a disease
He once again bared his fangs to the crowd and then snapped at them.
Feels like you're making a mess
You're hell on wheels in a black dress
You drove me to the fire
And left me there to burn
Every little thing you do is tragic
All my life, oh was magic
Beautiful girl
I can't breathe
I got a disease
Deep inside me
Makes me feel uneasy baby
I can't live without you
Tell me what I am supposed to do about it
Keep your distance from it
Don't pay no attention to me
I got a disease
And well I think that I'm sick
But leave me be while my world is coming down on me
You taste like honey, honey
Tell me can I be your honey
Be, be strong
Keep telling myself it that won't take long till
I'm free of my disease
Yeah well free of my disease
Free of my disease
He then let out an 'oh' that quickly turned into a howl as he then spoke the next line of the song.
I got a disease
Deep inside me
Makes me feel uneasy baby
I can't live without you
Tell me what I am supposed to do about it
Keep your distance from it
Don't pay no attention to me
I got a disease
And well I think that I'm sick
But leave me be while my world is coming down on me
You taste like honey, honey
Tell me can I be your honey
Be, be strong
Keep telling myself it that won't take long till
I'm free of my disease
Yeah well free of my disease
Set me free of my disease
Curtus then went back to the mic. "Okay folks I'm going to bring it down a little bit." He pulled up a stool and sat
down on it. "The next couple of songs are slow."
The crowd moaned. "Hey shut up I'm getting tired." He laughed. The crowd knew he was joking and could see
he was being to wear out. "So ya like I said.
Couple more songs for ya'll then I'm out. There kinda
new. Very few of you have heard them. This one's
called Mad Season." The crowed clapped.
Kevin and Phil once again started up on their guitars
Curt placed his water bottle on the ground and sat on
the stool.
Click here to watch 'mad-season'
I feel stupid - but I know it won't last for long
I've been guessing - I coulda been guessin' wrong
You don't know me now
I kinda thought that you should somehow
Does that whole mad season got ya down
I feel stupid but it's something that comes and goes
I've been changin' - think it's funny how now one knows
We don't talk about - the little things that we do without
When that whole mad season comes around
Curt then jumped up from his stool almost knocking it
down and grabbed the mic stand and leaded forward,
eyes closed.
So why ya gotta stand there
Looking like the answer now
It seems to me - you'd come around
I need you now
Do you think you can cope
You figured me out - That I'm lost and I'm hopeless
I'm bleeding and broken - though I've never spoken
I come undone - in this mad season
I feel stupid - but I think I been catchin' on
I feel ugly - but I know I still turn you on
The crowd laughed at this as well as Linda
You've grown colder now, torn apart, angry, turned
around. Will that whole mad season knock you down
So are you gonna stand there
Are you gonna help me out
You need to be together now - I need you now
Do you think you can cope
You figured me out -That I'm lost and I'm hopeless
I'm bleeding and broken - though I've never spoken
I come undone - in this mad season
Curt then took the mic of the stand and held it is his hands.
Now I'm cryin' - isn't that what you want
I'm tryin' to live my life on my own
But I won't
At times - I do believe I am strong
So someone tell me why, why, why
Do I, I, I feel stupid
And I came undone
Well I came undone
When he sang "undone" it turned into a howl
I need you now
Do you think you can cope
You figured me out That I'm lost and I'm hopeless
Bleeding and broken - though I've never spoken
Well I need you now
Do you think you can cope
You figured me out - That I'm a child and I'm hopeless
I'm bleeding and broken - though I've never spoken
I come undone - in this mad season
In this mad season
There's been a mad season
Been a mad season
When the song died down he looked back out to the
crowd. "Okay so I lied. It wasn't all that slow, but this
next one is. It's called Rest Stop."
Click here to watch 'Rest-Stop'
He sat back on the stool as the slow guitar opening
began and softly sang
Just three miles from the rest stop
And she slams on the breaks
She said "I tried to be but I'm not"
"And could you please collect your things"
"I don't wanna be cold"
"I don't wanna be cruel"
"But I gotta find more"
"Than what's happening with you"
"If you'd - open up the door"
She said "while you were sleeping
I was listening to the radio
And wondering what you're dreaming when
It came to mind that I didn't care
And I thought - hell if it's over
I had better end it quick
Or I could lose my nerve
Are you listening - can you hear me
Have you forgotten"
He then looked up at the crowd, which he hadn't been doing
at the being of the song. Linda could see a sad look in his eyes.
He then turn back and look at the nothingness at his feet.
Just three miles from the rest stop
And my mouth's too dry to rage
The light was shining from the radio
I could barely see her face
But she knew all the words that I never had said
She knew the crumpled-up promise of this
Broken down man - and as I opened up the door
She said "while you were sleeping
I was listening to the radio
And wondering what you're dreaming when
It came to mind that I didn't care
And I thought - hell if it's over
I had better end it quick
Or I could lose my nerve
Are you listening - can you hear me
Phil and Kevin started in with their guitars while Tena picked up
a violent and started playing. Curt sort of moaned some of the
words to the song. He looked up into the light and Linda could
see tears falling down his face. She knew they couldn't be
mistaken for sweat. They were real, not for show.
"While you were sleeping
I was listening to the radio
And wondering what you're dreaming when
It came to mind that I didn't care
And I thought - hell if it's over
I had better end it quick
Or I could lose my nerve
Are you listening - can you hear me"
"While you were sleeping
I was listening to the radio
And wondering what you're dreaming when
It came to mind that I didn't care
I thought - hell if it's over
I had better end it quick
Or I could lose all my nerve
Are you listening - can you hear me
The song slowly died away was Curt got up and walked off
stage. The lights dimmed. The crowed cheered as the band
bowed with one less member until the bar had going completely dark.
The bar grew noisy as people headed for the front of the bar.
Then they could hear the cords of a bass guitar being played
Click here to watch 'Youre-So-Real'.The light above Phil grew brighter as
the song picked up. Then out of nowhere Curt's voice rang out.
Yes I am
I hope you think you beat me
Hope I start talking crazy
Before you understand me
Are we through
You think that I'm beneath you
But you like the things that I do
Wrap em up and take em with you
The whole gang slammed on their instruments as the lights
above them shot on. Curt then ran out on stand and slid across
the floor on his knees come dangerously close to then edge of
the stage. He wore nothing but shorts and a dog collar.
Mic in hand.
I'm alright
Hope I can sleep for one night
If not to cool my insides
Maybe to calm my backside
Rain on me
I got a weakness in me
I think that weakness feeds me
I don't think you think you need me
Sunshine, you're the best time
I ever, ever had
But I think I made you feel bad
A black fly on your necktie
Time after time
He then shot up from the floor landing on his feet.
But when the sun starts sinking
On your beautiful soul
Make you cry, cry baby
Make you feel so cold
Don't you know it's alright
Sometimes you just got to show how you feel
Cause that's you baby
Hell, you're so real
He jumped around the stage
Run this round in your head
Like you don't know what's on the inside
You don't know me too well
You ain't seen my bad side
Shame on me, shame on the things that I be
If you could complicate me
If you could get inside me
Sometimes, you're the best time
I've ever, ever known
A pretty girl with a wicked smile on
But I've cried for the last time
Something just don't feel right
Curt started to dance
But when the sun starts sinking
On your beautiful soul
Make you cry, cry baby
Make you feel so cold
Don't you know it's alright
Sometimes you just got to show how you feel
Cause that's you baby
Hell, you're so real
He stopped dancing and swayed left to right as the song slowed
You always know just who you are
You never needed someone else
To realize yourself
He pumped his fist down towards himself and then started to
dance and hop around again.
How when the sun starts sinking
On your beautiful soul
Make you cry, cry baby
Make you feel so cold
Don't you know it's alright
Sometimes you just got to show how you feel
Cause that's you baby
He pointed at a random girl in the crowd.
Hell, you're so real
It was Linda. He almost stopped singing when he saw her again.
Her fur glowed like that of the sun.
Yeah baby, you're so real
Yeah baby, you're so real
So real, so real
Oh god, yeah
Yeah, yeah
OH
"Have a nice night everyone. I'm out." He spoke that before the song ended. He waked off stage dropping his mic at its stand.
Curt got off the stage just as the rabbit announced his name.
"Curtus Howling everybody. Give him around of applauses."
The crowd did so as Curt walked down the stage steps into a
private section for the performers.
"Next up we have"
Linda didn't listen, she wanted to get a closer look at Curt.
Maybe even get his autograph. She walked up to the entrance
of the private section just as another bear stopped her.
"Can I help you girly?"
"UmmI just wanted to see" The bear cut her off
"No one see, speaks to or gets and autograph from any of the performers until after all the shows are done."
"Ahhhummm"
Curt watched the scene as the bear denied the wolf entrance.
He then got up and walked over to them.
"Is there a problem here Brad?"
"Girly here thinks she can just walk on by and see ya's"
Curt slowly pulled a ten dollar bill out of his pocket and handed
it to Brad. "You look trusty Brad. Why don't you go get youself something to drink." Brad took the bill and smiled. "Yes sir."
Brad then walked off.
"Oh thank you. That was so nic."
Curt cut her off
"What the fuck are you doing here?"
If Linda wasn't already white, she would have turned it. Her
ears went back on her head as she gasped a little. "I'm...I'm
sorry...I didn't..." She turned to walk away as she
started to cry. Her green eyes flashed from behind her glasses. This caught Curt's eyes. He garbed her shoulder. "Wait!"
"For what? Haven't you done enough?"
"No listencould you please take off your sunglasses?"
"Why." She pulled away from Curt's grasp. He let go of her.
"Justplease." "There's no why. This can't be Her. Why would she come back to me?"
Linda pulled off her glasses, reviling her tearing, bright green
eyes. "There you happy now, ya jerk?"
Curt was taken aback. "It isn't her. Oh shit what did I do?"
"Miss look I'm sorry. I thought you were someone else. Here let me make it up to you." A waitress walked by. "Excuse me" He
motioned for the waitress. She came over. "Could you get me a bottled water and get this young lady anything she wants." Curt looked to Linda "Anything."
Linda wiped the tears from her eyes. "I'll have a Long Island
please." The waitress nodded as she walked off to place their
orders.
"Please sit." Curt motioned for the couch he was sitting in
earlier. Linda sat down. "I'm sorry for what I said. I just though
you were someone else." Linda wiped away the remaining
tears from her yes.
"It's okay."
"No, no it's not. God you must think me asshole now."
Linda giggled. "Well you did come off a little strong."
Curt smiled. "Well I assure you I'm not."
The waitress returned with their order and placed them on the
coffee table in front of them.
"Thanks" Curt handed the waitress a ten dollar tip.
"Wow! That was generous."
"Oh you caught that?"
Linda nodded as a response.
"Well, I'm really a nice guy once you get to know me."
"I bet." Linda went to her drink, as well as did Curt.
"My names Linda, Linda Weatherback."
"Curtus Howling"
"Now is that your real name or"
"No, no it's just a stage name."
"Ahh okay."
"Yeah, my real name is Curtus Patrick McClennen."
Linda looked at Curt with a sideways glance "Your Irish?"
Curt laughed. "No I'm adopted. My dad's a fox and my mom's a rabbit."
"Well that strange."
"What?"
"Your parents. Never thought that that would be a combo."
Curt rolled his eyes. "I guess. Seen stranger. Anyway my
parents are good people."
"They seemed to have raised you right. Manors wise."
Curt smiled.
"Your performance was great."
"You thank so?"
"Yeah that last song. Woo." She looked at his neck to see that
he was still wearing his collar. She also stole a glace at his
chest. He was nicely build. "Nice touch with the dog collar."
"Oh. This." The flicked his collar.
Linda seen a dog tag on it. She lended into Curtus a bit to read
it. 'C. Howling'
She then inhaled taking in his scent, murring a little. Curtus
caught this, but didn't say anything.
"So you like it huh?" Curt interrupted Linda's little enjoyment.
She leaned back and smiled.
"Yeah it was great."
"Thanks."
There was a moment of silence. Then Linda spoke. "Hey I noticed something when you were singing one of your songs."
"Yeah? What's that?" His ears perked up.
"You were crying."
Curt's ears flopped down as he looked away from Linda.
"You caught that?"
"Yeah. I could tell they were real."
Curt shifted his weight away from Linda slightly.
"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." She laid a
hand on Curt's shoulder. He gave her a side glance. He inhaled,
taking in her scent. She smelled of lilacs. Her hand was warm
and comfortable on his shoulder. He grabbed it softly and
placed it back down on the couch. He recalled that Her 'touch'
was never like that. Curt turned back to Linda.
"It's okay."
Linda looked deep into his eyes. She could see the tears
begging to come out, but they were forced back by a face smile.
She broke the uncomfortable silence that once again showed
it's ugly face.
"So what do you do for a living, besides being a
fabulous singer."
He smiled. "I'm an artist."
"Oh really."
"Don't get your hopes up. I'm not that good."
Linda smirked. "Well, what do you draw?"
"Oh you know. Places. Things. People. Pretty much anything
that catches my eye."
"Oh how nice"
"Yeah. Then I sell them either one the internet or in art galleries
I do do some commission work."
"From the way it looks you don't seem to have any fanatical
problems."
"I get by."
They both smiled.
Out of the corner of her eye Linda saw Brad coming back
towards them.
"Bodyguards coming."
Curt laughed. "He's harmless."
She got up. "Well, I best be going anyway."
She started to leave.
"Oh wait." Curt pulled out a pen and took the napkin that was
on the table. He wrote something on it then turned it over and signed his name. He got up and handed it to Linda.
"Here, you came to get and autograph right?" He smiled.
"Ohright." She took it and smiled back.
"See ya later Linda."
"See ya Curt." She smiled and brushed away a bang that had
fallen in front of her eye's. She walked away slowly.
Curt looked at her longingly, his tail began to wag slightly. "She looks so much like her, but she's so different."
"What you looking at?" Kevin popped up behind Curt.
"Ohwhatnothing." Curt tried to look like he was looking out
towards the crowd.
"You're a horrible lair, you know that?"
Curt growled
"Ahh I see now. That cute white one over there. Nice."
"I hate you."
"No you don't. Plus I saw you talking to her."
Curt walked away.
"She's friends with Sara you know."
Curt's tail started to wag. "Really!"
"Down loverboy."
"Shut up."
Kevin smirked. "So what did you two talk about?"
"Nothing."
"What did I tell you about your lying?"
Curt growl at Kevin than playfully punched him in the shoulder.