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Players in the Game
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It was one of those nights. A busy
Friday night in the Depot. Michael entered and grabbed a seat near the
door at the landings in one of the large, high-backed wicker chairs at
a
small round glass table for two. He selected the chair that faced the
door, slowly sipping his Saint Pauly Girl. He watched every movement.
It
wasn't long before the Depot was packed from front to back. It turned
into one of the busiest nights. Listening to the radio, it became
obvious that the radio station DJs had not only been to the Depot
before
but were involved in some type of promotional activity. |
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The DJ played songs like New Kid
In Town by the Eagles, Two Tickets To Paradise by Eddie
Money, Miracles
by the Jefferson Starship, Casey Jones by the Grateful Dead, Once
upon a Time in the West by Dire Straits, Soul Man by the
Blues Brothers, Spanish Train by Chris DeBurgh, and many other
tunes of the day. After a while, Michael started getting the feeling
that the arrangement and order of the songs was strange. Spanish Train
was a song he had never heard before. It lamented how God had gambled
with the Devil and somehow lost creating a long running train of those
who died without hope. It was almost as if someone in the bar was
trying
to communicate with Michael through the songs. But we all know that
wouldn't be possible. After all, the radio station was in Canada, many
miles away. But still, the feelings persisted. Apparently, the game was
on and this time someone wanted to make certain Michael knew it. |
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Along comes a familiar face. It was
the card player doing his rounds. Playing his magic tricks. He worked
his way through the large crowd to the bar area, up the stairs and over
toward Michael's table. As his stood shuffling cards, he told Michael
that he was in danger. That he was being watched. Michael's adrenaline
shot up! Was someone playing with his head or was this all some
elaborate ruse? The card player told Michael to keep his wits about him
and to be very careful. The player moved along as if trying to avoid
bringing attention to himself. Michael was left to sit alone and ponder
the feelings of his heart. This was getting very strange very fast. |
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As the night progressed, the songs
began to run together. One, then another. It was as if someone wanted
to
paint a picture of what might be or what might be to come. Songs about
a
special woman, a white room with black curtians by the station, Joe
Walsh's at the station, an american beauty, and Chris DeBurgh's lady in
red, Let it Loose by the Rolling Stones, don't fear the reaper and many
others. It was a dreamy night. Or was someone trying to create a dream
in Michael's mind? The distinction was becoming difficult for Michael
to
make. Nonetheless, Michael found the entire scenario at the least
curious if not somewhat engaging. He did not know where the path would
take him but he felt compelled to follow the trail that lay before him.
The night ended uneventful and Michael returned to his dorm. This time,
with thoughts floating through his head. |
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Funny how others can put thoughts in
one's head and you are left to sort out the true meaning. This new
puzzle in Michael's head was starting to take on a life of its own. Was
it all just some strange coincidence? I think Michael just felt like he
needed to be certain about what was real and what was not and the
meaning of those things he did not yet understand. So despite the
warnings, despite feeling that someone was trying to get inside his
head, he continued his routine. He, after all, he felt he was now
investigating a mystery. |
