Rock-a-Doodle: The Golden Rooster - Chapter 14

When Bruno finally came to, he was surrounded by overly bright lights. He at first didn't have any idea of where he was, and his head felt like it was on fire. But then he looked over to see a familiar figure standing over him.

“Finally! You're up. Were we getting worried about ya!”

It was Bosley. In his hand he held a large bottle of water.

“OK now, drink this,” Bosley continued, handing the bottle to Bruno. “It'll help with that headache of yours.”

Bruno's eyes finally adjusted to his surroundings. He was back in his dressing room, having been propped up on the black couch within. But his memory was all foggy; he couldn't quite remember anything past his duet with Red back at the Saloon, and his confused face reflected that, in addition to all the questions he had. He sat up, and started to ask a question.

“Nah ah,” Bosley said, as if responding to Bruno's question, “Drink up. That'll help, trust me.”

Bruno let out a long, drawn-out but gentle sigh as he twisted the bottle cap and threw back as much water as he could.

“Ahhhh,” he sighed again, “Whatever happened earlier, must have been CRAZY....”

“I'm sure it was,” Bosley said, “So, let's leave it at that. Now I'll let ya recover yer strength for a few more minutes. Then we gotta get into the studio and get recording.” He sighed awkwardly. “The record company's gonna be expectin' nothin' but the best from you.”

“OK, Bosley,” Bruno said with a smile. “I should be ready in a few minutes indeed.”

“Glad to hear it,” Bosley said. “You take it easy 'til I get back, k?” He rubbed Bruno's hair, then exited the room...

...Proceeding back to Red's dressing room.

“So,” Red said smugly, “Is our boy up and at 'em?”

“Thank goodness, yes,” Bosley sighed heavily, slumping against the doorway. “But...I wish I knew what exactly caused him to go overboard like that. I imagine he had a messy past....The thing is, how messy?”

“Beats me,” Red shrugged. “But, what if he does go too far? He may not have the stayin' power ya need.”

Bosley sighed again, and shook his head, not exactly sure how to respond.

“Well we seen it before,” Red continued, “They become stars overnight, and burn out just as fast. He wouldn't-a lasted long anyhoos.”

Bosley chuckled weakly. “Well, ya know me,” he said, sounding agitated, “I prefer to disagree with ya on Bruno. I'm gonna find a way to get him the fame he deserves. This here incident is only a bump in the road.”

Red's smug smile dropped. “Ya SURE about that?” she asked. “Ya never know what all will happen further on down the line...”

“You're right, Red,” Bosley nodded. “And that, makes the positive outcomes that more excitin'. We just gotta keep on workin' towards it. Heck, I'll even work overtime for him! And you can't stop me, or him!”

Red's mouth stretched out into an unamused frown.

“So from now on,” Bosley continued, “No more outings with just the two of ya. Gotta have at least a group of three. Oh, and don't open up any cans of worms he might have. After all...” He narrowed his gaze at her. “I know the ones YOU got.”

Red's face relaxed somewhat, into a more solemn expression. She knew what Bosley was talking about.

“Fair 'nuff,” she said, sounding somewhat defeated and annoyed. “Now go and shape him up, if ya can.”

“I will, thank you,” Bosley nodded, before leaving Red alone once again.

On the way back to Bruno's room, Bosley ran into Carl, coming in from outside.

“Hey, Carl,” Bosley greeted. “Say, you look more cheery than ya were earlier. Where were ya at?”

“Oh, thanks for noticing, Bosley,” Carl said, looking very proud of himself indeed. “Well, I can't exactly tell you, but it made me feel better indeed. Let's just say something that's been weighing on my mind. But, the bulk of it has been taken care of, and the rest of it is being looked into even as we speak. But you know what would make me feel even better? Is if Bruno was awake.”

“Well lucky us,” Bosley chuckled, “He woke up a lil' while ago. I was just gonna get him into the studio.”

“And THAT would make me feel even BETTER!” Carl snapped. “Anything to keep him busy and keep him from becoming tabloid fodder!” He let out a heavy breath, as if to calm himself down. “We have enough of that already with Red. We want him to be a STAR, not a SCANDAL. And YOU...Remember to do EVERYTHING YOU CAN to keep his reputation secure. Now if you'll excuse me, I have another meeting...” Carl wiped his brow and then walked back off.

“Good thing I care more about his reputation than anyone else,” Bosley said to the dead air, “And not just for the hollow reasons...”

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Soon Bruno and Bosley were in the studio, beginning work on Bruno's first singles. Bruno and members of his band each had their own separate recording booths, although Bruno was allowed to bring his guitar with him. Meanwhile, Bosley had taken on the duties in the engineering booth.

However, throughout the first part of their sessions, Bruno did not seem like himself. His voice wasn't quite as golden as it was when Bosley had first discovered it, and he didn't have the drive that he had before. He kept flubbing his lines and stopping in the middle of his songs.

“Sorry,” Bruno apologized embarrassingly after interrupting his singing yet again. “I'm just...I'm just not feeling it.”

“OK, that's fair,” Bosley said. He then addressed the rest of the band, telling them to take a break, before walking into Bruno's recording booth. “Listen, Bruno...Whatever's weighing on yer mind, try and get it off. Put yourself more in the here and now, and enjoy yourself.”

“I'm trying, Bosley,” Bruno answered, as if out of breath. “But I think...I think me going to that bar...I think it dug up some...Skeletons in my closet.”

“I can understand that,” Bosley said gently, putting his hands on Bruno's shoulders. “OK...In that case, maybe you need more time. Tell ya what...” He removed his hands, and both looked at each other with concern in their eyes. “I'm gonna take a powder room break myself. That should give YOU more time to clear that mind of yours and get back to makin' records. OK?”

“I got it,” Bruno nodded and smiled. “I'll find some way to clear my mind.”

“Good,” Bosley said, patting Bruno's back. “When I get back, I expect you to be more ready to go. OK?”

“OK,” Bruno nodded again.

So Bosley exited the studio, leaving Bruno alone with his thoughts. As much as Bruno tried to clear his mind, as Bosley had told him, the thoughts pestering him would not leave. Those thoughts have plagued him since his trip to Mackey's. They had become more faint, to the point of replaying as mumblings, but he still knew what they meant. The voices of mocking and anger...

But suddenly, a British sounding voice entered his head...

“My dear Bruno, they simply do not understand. But I do...I always will...”

Bruno knew exactly who that voice belonged to. And he knew that he DID understand...Maybe, all too well...