BlueSilkenSky
Rock n' Roll Doggie VIP PASS
It was seven, right...?
Anyways, here it is. A work of fiction, but it's be nice if it wasn't.
Confusion hits as soon as I’m near the stage. Last time Eric found me by a lucky chance. This time I have no idea how to use my pass. I wander around until someone catches sight of me.
The woman is tall, heavily built, and dark-toned. Her hair blends in with the sky, curling protectively around her throat as she questions me in Portuguese.
My own Portuguese is not the best. I only had time to hastily study a phrase book before getting to the city. I shake my head and wish I had at least learned how to say “I do not speak Portuguese.” Although technically, that would mean I do know…
She pauses, and then repeats her query in halting English. “Do you know where to go with these?” Her hand whips out a backstage pass, identical to mine!
I switch to my own version of English. “No! I have it too.” I open my bag and show her the object.
She looks relieved, and we share a little laugh, finding it humorous that we both have passes and don’t know what to do with them. Then she asks my name.
“Marieke.”
“I am Valeria,” she says. “Where are you from?”
“Holland,” I respond, and she laughs. “That’s far!”
I can tell her English is a bit better than mine. Thinking that this will be an advantage for when we get to meet the band, I say, “Stay with me. Let us get help” and head off, trusting her to follow.
Soon Valeria and I have discovered where to go. The stadium is cleared out and we are all alone, save for the third member of the backstage party- another man from Portugal, although not from Lisbon. We’ve all grouped together and the man has just told me his name is Max when a man approaches us, wearing the tell-tale uniform of the Zoo TV crew. I feel a sudden pinprick of disappointment that it’s not Eric before the feeling disappears as quickly as it has come.
He smiles and says something in broken Portuguese, and I have simultaneous waves of sympathy for him screwing up the language and anger that I can’t understand his words. Valeria sighs with a head shake- sheesh, the guy must have really mangled it, aren’t the crew educated?- and translates it into English for me- “He will take us to the band.”
Pleased, I follow him happily, walking in stride with Valeria as he leads us backstage. Max stares with wide eyes, and a grin breaks over Valeria’s face as they get to see behind the scenes. I am not surprised, though. I’ve seen it before, and this looks a lot the same.
The man is doing the same thing as Eric- he’s looking for the members of the band. I want to suggest going into the dressing rooms when- wonder of wonders- he leads us right into one of them. I’m a bit surprised we’re permitted entrance inside- surely I was an exception last show? Then Valeria squeals and I suddenly realize there are not two, but all four members of the band in here.
While Max and Valeria gape, I scan the room for one person. My eyes dance over Edge, linger a small moment on Adam and Larry, and finally after a while stop their search. It’s taken me a bit to find him because I was looking for someone else, but there’s no mistaking it now. MacPhisto has changed back into Bono, and from the look in his eyes I can tell he’s recognized me.
“Hey, do I know you?” he asks, shutting everyone else in the room up for a moment. “Forgive me if I’m wrong, but- are you Marieke from the last show?”
I smile and say, “Yes.” He remembered my name!
“Well!” he laughs. “You’ve come a long way! What are you doing in Lisbon?” He stands up, and I can’t help but notice that he’s failed to welcome the other two visitors. Bono has eyes only for me. This makes me selfishly happy, but I guess it couldn’t hurt to give the other two their chances…
“I saw the show,” I explain, and then point out to him, “They are Valeria and Max.” The two Portuguese fans stare at me, probably wondering how I’m acquainted with Bono.
He takes the hint and goes to greet them, but in the space of a second before he winks at me. I shrug and smile blandly. His words from our last meeting echo in my ear- You must have a talent for being in the right place, at the right time…
Talk about that! I go over to reintroduce myself to Edge and to become acquainted with Larry and Adam.
There is surprise in Edge’s eyes as he recognizes me. I hold out my hand. “Marieke Lang.” He shakes it, giving his own name- “The Edge.” I suppress a loving eye roll at that. “It is good to see you here!”
“Nice to see you, too,” he says, smiling. “What a lucky girl!” I could agree. I’ve only been to two shows, and met the band at both of them!
One difference is clear. As I watch Bono chatting with the Portuguese fans, I realize that Eric’s not here now. The man who escorted us to the room is standing in the background, not a part of this. In fact, I can swear his gaze is locked on my hips. I am going to tell him to cut it out when the sound of my name brings me back to the real world.
“Marieke, you have to meet the others.” Bono is pointing me out to Adam and Larry, who stare at me with interested eyes. Suddenly I get stage fright. I have spoken to Bono and Edge, but I’ve never met Larry or Adam before. I don’t think I’ve even heard them speak before, except in the Rattle And Hum movie and in a few interviews I managed to catch on the radio or TV.
I clear my throat and manage an awkward, “Hi.” If only those other fans weren’t here! I know I’d feel more comfortable alone. Well, maybe alone with a friend. Valeria looks angry that I’m getting all the attention, and I want to explain about our first meeting. However, I have neither the words nor the time.
“Hey.” Adam looks absolutely cool and comfortable. He’s wearing sunglasses and is sprawled in a chair, at peace. I’m not sure what to think of Larry, who repeats my “Hi,” but doesn’t meet my eyes. He’s very handsome- but very reserved.
Desperate for more conversation, I blurt the first question out. “Are you going to a party tonight?”
They laugh. Bono asks, “Why, do you want to come?”
I am fairly sure he’s joking, but it can’t hurt to take my chances. “Yes.”
Valeria speaks up. “I want to go!”
The band is very amused. “Maybe later, some other time,” Edge murmurs, sounding very friendly. Why can’t it be tonight?
While the Portuguese fans get their moments with Edge, Adam, and Larry, Bono comes back over to me and takes up my hands in his own. I’m startled by those blue eyes, peering directly into mine. “What did you think of the show tonight, Marieke? Happy that we played Bad?”
My English speaking and understanding abilities are impaired by that gaze, and what I end up saying is “Lina is happy.” The words for more, will be, my friend, when I get home are lost on me.
“Is that your friend?” Bono says. I nod and slide my gaze to the corners of my eyes, scanning for anyone watching us. Adam and Edge are over by the Portuguese fans and the man who brought us in here is idly leaning against the door, eyes protective but at least off me. Larry, I notice, is the one who’s checking me out. His eyes are on my boobs for one second before he notices I’m watching and turns his gaze away. I swallow a sigh and am just glad Adam didn’t seem to take interest in me.
My eyes flicker back to Bono, who hasn’t released my hands. “How are you?”
He laughs at the perfectly normal way I ask it, as if I’m talking to a close friend and not the biggest rock star in the world. “Good, and you?”
That’s when I notice that Valeria and Max are asking for autographs. I pull back from Bono and gesture to them, signaling that I want what they’re getting.
It takes him a while to understand, but it finally dawns as Edge walks back over to us. “Would you like an autograph, Marieke?” he asks, shooting a look at Bono as if to tell him the Portuguese fans want him over there. In fact, I can see Max and Valeria closely watching us, wearing matching jealous expressions.
“Oh, okay…” He turns back to them and throws me a glance before going. I wonder if he’s just as interested in me as I am in him.
I nod to Edge and he turns to get a pen from someone while I search for paper. Why didn’t I think of getting autographs?
“Max? Valeria? Can I…” The word for “paper” or “note” dissolves.
“Oh, you can get it from Jack,” Edge says, sneaking up behind me with the pen. He motions to the Zoo TV crew member, who takes a moment to get his gaze off my body and onto his own as he searches his pockets for a notepad. He finds one and holds it out to me, and I hand it over to Edge, who signs it. Won’t this be a great present for Lina!
We wait for the other band members to finish getting pictures with the other fans, and I grow anxious. Soon we’ll be kicked out, and I don’t want to leave. I nudge Edge and whisper those last words to him.
His voice is apologetic, if a bit removed. “The fans usually only visit for a few minutes, enough time for whatever photos and signatures and questions they want. We used to let them stay longer, but some fans got a bit clingy and wouldn’t leave.” Edge pauses and adds, “Of course, it doesn’t help that Bono doesn’t know how to shut up.”
I watch him with the others, chatting up a storm, and figure that without Bono the room would probably be silent.
And then I stare down at Edge’s autograph and suddenly think of Lina, alone in Rotterdam, probably waiting for my return. Even though she chose not to accompany me and see another show, I know she’ll be envious. With her on the mind, I get an idea.
“Edge?” He turns his head to me. “Can you do a thing for me?”
“What is that?” Up close, I notice his eye color. I never knew it was hazel before. The shade is a relief after Bono’s disrupting blue gaze.
“Lina is my friend.” I try to think of a way to phrase this properly. “She… loves you.”
“Now that’s enough to flatter a man!” Bono calls to us from the other side of the room, surprising me. Why was he listening us? Edge just shakes his head, but I spot his smile. “Ignore him. Go on…?”
So far so good. I lean in and ask, “Can you telephone Lina?”
No response. The Edge looks at me and then turns his gaze onto the rest of the band and the other fans. They’re just finishing with their photographs.
Finally he comes back to me and sighs. “Well. The phone’s out there…”
I swallow and say, “Thank you!” No wonder Lina likes Edge so much, if he’s this tolerable with fans.
The two of us move toward the door, and Edge calls over his shoulder, “Marieke and I are stepping out for a bit, there’s something she wants to do…” Adam smirks. “Oh, is there now?” Edge rolls his eyes as we disappear out the door. “You’ll try not to miss me too much, will you?” he concludes. The door closes, but not before I hear Bono saying “And who said we’re ones to miss you?”
The crew member- Jack, I know now- leads us away to find the phone. I wonder if we’re going to use MacPhisto’s phone and laugh inwardly. Edge looks less calm now that we’re out of the dressing room. He’s probably worried that I might try something out here, when we’re alone… But of course I wouldn’t do that. Edge is for Lina, MacPhisto is for me.
Jack shows us to a phone and gives it to me, saying “For your convenience.” I catch the way he lingers on my face, as if he’s anxious for something. Some kind of gratification is wanted from him. Well, whatever that is, I’m not giving in. I fix my gaze on the phone and stab the numbers for our home phone.
Edge and I eye each other as the dial tone buzzes in my ear, a tone I’ve heard so many times before. I say “It might take a time,” and turn my mind onto other matters, questions like what time is it in The Netherlands?
He mouths “That’s okay” and waits for me to give him the phone. I cross my fingers and think Please pick up, Lina.
“Hello?” I jump.
Smooth timing, Lina!
The voice is weary sounding, but it’s still a relief to hear my native tongue. Unfortunately, now I’ll have to hand the phone over to Edge. I resist the urge to say a word as I pass the receiver over to the guitarist, who lifts it to his ear and says in a clear tone, “Hello, Lina.”
I wish I could hear the other end, but my imagination can fill in the blanks. If I know anything, Lina will be wide awake and alert now, demanding to know who it is calling her. This thought sends a flicker of a smile across my mouth, and I watch Edge more carefully now.
He answers her unheard demand. “Well, a friend told me to call you… this is The Edge.”
The response is very easily heard this time, almost drowning out Edge’s teasing query of “Don’t you recognize my voice?”
And then, without warning, the scream ends. I feel my heart stutter and I blurt “What’s wrong?”
Edge presses the phone closer to his ear, and then after a span of a few seconds tentatively holds it out to me. “I think she’s… fainted.”
I stare at the phone and then switch to staring at him, unable to believe that Lina, the strongest girl I know, could have fainted. But I guess there are certain people who bring out certain reactions…
We glance anxiously at one another for a moment before Edge gives an awkward shrug and says “Wow. I feel like MacPhisto right now.”
“Telephoning fun?”
Edge licks his lips. “Er… yeah.”
We continue to stare at each other. Without breaking eye contact, I send the phone back to its cradle and slowly, very slowly, raise one eyebrow- a trick Lina has taught me. Edge doesn’t even blink as he, even slower than me, copies the same movement.
Then we burst out laughing.
“We have to make a… call,” I mutter when I can speak again. It’s not fair to have Lina’s favorite celebrity call her and then just hang up when she faints. Edge should leave her a message.
I take up the phone once more and dial our number. The phone on the other end rings… and rings… and when the answering machine comes on, I guess that Lina is still out cold. It’s a surprising thought.
Edge takes the receiver and says, “Hey. Sorry we scared you with the first call. Your friend Marieke is here backstage with U2, and she put me up to doing this. It’s nice to know I’m loved just as much as Bono! Take care, and have a good night!” He gives it back to me.
Taking the phone, I lapse into Dutch. “You better like this surprise… or I don’t know how to make you happy anymore. Love you, girl! Talk to you tonight!”
Now we’re standing in the hall alone, just smiling. I hang up the phone.
“All right, let’s go back, it is late.” Jack makes a move towards us, as if to lead us back. But I don’t need leading. We walk off, and inwardly I wonder if hanging up on Lina was the right thing to do. She didn’t even get to say a real word to her man…
Then I see a face in the hall that drives my thoughts away.
I break away from Edge and hurry towards that face, calling “Hey Eric!”
Anyways, here it is. A work of fiction, but it's be nice if it wasn't.
Confusion hits as soon as I’m near the stage. Last time Eric found me by a lucky chance. This time I have no idea how to use my pass. I wander around until someone catches sight of me.
The woman is tall, heavily built, and dark-toned. Her hair blends in with the sky, curling protectively around her throat as she questions me in Portuguese.
My own Portuguese is not the best. I only had time to hastily study a phrase book before getting to the city. I shake my head and wish I had at least learned how to say “I do not speak Portuguese.” Although technically, that would mean I do know…
She pauses, and then repeats her query in halting English. “Do you know where to go with these?” Her hand whips out a backstage pass, identical to mine!
I switch to my own version of English. “No! I have it too.” I open my bag and show her the object.
She looks relieved, and we share a little laugh, finding it humorous that we both have passes and don’t know what to do with them. Then she asks my name.
“Marieke.”
“I am Valeria,” she says. “Where are you from?”
“Holland,” I respond, and she laughs. “That’s far!”
I can tell her English is a bit better than mine. Thinking that this will be an advantage for when we get to meet the band, I say, “Stay with me. Let us get help” and head off, trusting her to follow.
Soon Valeria and I have discovered where to go. The stadium is cleared out and we are all alone, save for the third member of the backstage party- another man from Portugal, although not from Lisbon. We’ve all grouped together and the man has just told me his name is Max when a man approaches us, wearing the tell-tale uniform of the Zoo TV crew. I feel a sudden pinprick of disappointment that it’s not Eric before the feeling disappears as quickly as it has come.
He smiles and says something in broken Portuguese, and I have simultaneous waves of sympathy for him screwing up the language and anger that I can’t understand his words. Valeria sighs with a head shake- sheesh, the guy must have really mangled it, aren’t the crew educated?- and translates it into English for me- “He will take us to the band.”
Pleased, I follow him happily, walking in stride with Valeria as he leads us backstage. Max stares with wide eyes, and a grin breaks over Valeria’s face as they get to see behind the scenes. I am not surprised, though. I’ve seen it before, and this looks a lot the same.
The man is doing the same thing as Eric- he’s looking for the members of the band. I want to suggest going into the dressing rooms when- wonder of wonders- he leads us right into one of them. I’m a bit surprised we’re permitted entrance inside- surely I was an exception last show? Then Valeria squeals and I suddenly realize there are not two, but all four members of the band in here.
While Max and Valeria gape, I scan the room for one person. My eyes dance over Edge, linger a small moment on Adam and Larry, and finally after a while stop their search. It’s taken me a bit to find him because I was looking for someone else, but there’s no mistaking it now. MacPhisto has changed back into Bono, and from the look in his eyes I can tell he’s recognized me.
“Hey, do I know you?” he asks, shutting everyone else in the room up for a moment. “Forgive me if I’m wrong, but- are you Marieke from the last show?”
I smile and say, “Yes.” He remembered my name!
“Well!” he laughs. “You’ve come a long way! What are you doing in Lisbon?” He stands up, and I can’t help but notice that he’s failed to welcome the other two visitors. Bono has eyes only for me. This makes me selfishly happy, but I guess it couldn’t hurt to give the other two their chances…
“I saw the show,” I explain, and then point out to him, “They are Valeria and Max.” The two Portuguese fans stare at me, probably wondering how I’m acquainted with Bono.
He takes the hint and goes to greet them, but in the space of a second before he winks at me. I shrug and smile blandly. His words from our last meeting echo in my ear- You must have a talent for being in the right place, at the right time…
Talk about that! I go over to reintroduce myself to Edge and to become acquainted with Larry and Adam.
There is surprise in Edge’s eyes as he recognizes me. I hold out my hand. “Marieke Lang.” He shakes it, giving his own name- “The Edge.” I suppress a loving eye roll at that. “It is good to see you here!”
“Nice to see you, too,” he says, smiling. “What a lucky girl!” I could agree. I’ve only been to two shows, and met the band at both of them!
One difference is clear. As I watch Bono chatting with the Portuguese fans, I realize that Eric’s not here now. The man who escorted us to the room is standing in the background, not a part of this. In fact, I can swear his gaze is locked on my hips. I am going to tell him to cut it out when the sound of my name brings me back to the real world.
“Marieke, you have to meet the others.” Bono is pointing me out to Adam and Larry, who stare at me with interested eyes. Suddenly I get stage fright. I have spoken to Bono and Edge, but I’ve never met Larry or Adam before. I don’t think I’ve even heard them speak before, except in the Rattle And Hum movie and in a few interviews I managed to catch on the radio or TV.
I clear my throat and manage an awkward, “Hi.” If only those other fans weren’t here! I know I’d feel more comfortable alone. Well, maybe alone with a friend. Valeria looks angry that I’m getting all the attention, and I want to explain about our first meeting. However, I have neither the words nor the time.
“Hey.” Adam looks absolutely cool and comfortable. He’s wearing sunglasses and is sprawled in a chair, at peace. I’m not sure what to think of Larry, who repeats my “Hi,” but doesn’t meet my eyes. He’s very handsome- but very reserved.
Desperate for more conversation, I blurt the first question out. “Are you going to a party tonight?”
They laugh. Bono asks, “Why, do you want to come?”
I am fairly sure he’s joking, but it can’t hurt to take my chances. “Yes.”
Valeria speaks up. “I want to go!”
The band is very amused. “Maybe later, some other time,” Edge murmurs, sounding very friendly. Why can’t it be tonight?
While the Portuguese fans get their moments with Edge, Adam, and Larry, Bono comes back over to me and takes up my hands in his own. I’m startled by those blue eyes, peering directly into mine. “What did you think of the show tonight, Marieke? Happy that we played Bad?”
My English speaking and understanding abilities are impaired by that gaze, and what I end up saying is “Lina is happy.” The words for more, will be, my friend, when I get home are lost on me.
“Is that your friend?” Bono says. I nod and slide my gaze to the corners of my eyes, scanning for anyone watching us. Adam and Edge are over by the Portuguese fans and the man who brought us in here is idly leaning against the door, eyes protective but at least off me. Larry, I notice, is the one who’s checking me out. His eyes are on my boobs for one second before he notices I’m watching and turns his gaze away. I swallow a sigh and am just glad Adam didn’t seem to take interest in me.
My eyes flicker back to Bono, who hasn’t released my hands. “How are you?”
He laughs at the perfectly normal way I ask it, as if I’m talking to a close friend and not the biggest rock star in the world. “Good, and you?”
That’s when I notice that Valeria and Max are asking for autographs. I pull back from Bono and gesture to them, signaling that I want what they’re getting.
It takes him a while to understand, but it finally dawns as Edge walks back over to us. “Would you like an autograph, Marieke?” he asks, shooting a look at Bono as if to tell him the Portuguese fans want him over there. In fact, I can see Max and Valeria closely watching us, wearing matching jealous expressions.
“Oh, okay…” He turns back to them and throws me a glance before going. I wonder if he’s just as interested in me as I am in him.
I nod to Edge and he turns to get a pen from someone while I search for paper. Why didn’t I think of getting autographs?
“Max? Valeria? Can I…” The word for “paper” or “note” dissolves.
“Oh, you can get it from Jack,” Edge says, sneaking up behind me with the pen. He motions to the Zoo TV crew member, who takes a moment to get his gaze off my body and onto his own as he searches his pockets for a notepad. He finds one and holds it out to me, and I hand it over to Edge, who signs it. Won’t this be a great present for Lina!
We wait for the other band members to finish getting pictures with the other fans, and I grow anxious. Soon we’ll be kicked out, and I don’t want to leave. I nudge Edge and whisper those last words to him.
His voice is apologetic, if a bit removed. “The fans usually only visit for a few minutes, enough time for whatever photos and signatures and questions they want. We used to let them stay longer, but some fans got a bit clingy and wouldn’t leave.” Edge pauses and adds, “Of course, it doesn’t help that Bono doesn’t know how to shut up.”
I watch him with the others, chatting up a storm, and figure that without Bono the room would probably be silent.
And then I stare down at Edge’s autograph and suddenly think of Lina, alone in Rotterdam, probably waiting for my return. Even though she chose not to accompany me and see another show, I know she’ll be envious. With her on the mind, I get an idea.
“Edge?” He turns his head to me. “Can you do a thing for me?”
“What is that?” Up close, I notice his eye color. I never knew it was hazel before. The shade is a relief after Bono’s disrupting blue gaze.
“Lina is my friend.” I try to think of a way to phrase this properly. “She… loves you.”
“Now that’s enough to flatter a man!” Bono calls to us from the other side of the room, surprising me. Why was he listening us? Edge just shakes his head, but I spot his smile. “Ignore him. Go on…?”
So far so good. I lean in and ask, “Can you telephone Lina?”
No response. The Edge looks at me and then turns his gaze onto the rest of the band and the other fans. They’re just finishing with their photographs.
Finally he comes back to me and sighs. “Well. The phone’s out there…”
I swallow and say, “Thank you!” No wonder Lina likes Edge so much, if he’s this tolerable with fans.
The two of us move toward the door, and Edge calls over his shoulder, “Marieke and I are stepping out for a bit, there’s something she wants to do…” Adam smirks. “Oh, is there now?” Edge rolls his eyes as we disappear out the door. “You’ll try not to miss me too much, will you?” he concludes. The door closes, but not before I hear Bono saying “And who said we’re ones to miss you?”
The crew member- Jack, I know now- leads us away to find the phone. I wonder if we’re going to use MacPhisto’s phone and laugh inwardly. Edge looks less calm now that we’re out of the dressing room. He’s probably worried that I might try something out here, when we’re alone… But of course I wouldn’t do that. Edge is for Lina, MacPhisto is for me.
Jack shows us to a phone and gives it to me, saying “For your convenience.” I catch the way he lingers on my face, as if he’s anxious for something. Some kind of gratification is wanted from him. Well, whatever that is, I’m not giving in. I fix my gaze on the phone and stab the numbers for our home phone.
Edge and I eye each other as the dial tone buzzes in my ear, a tone I’ve heard so many times before. I say “It might take a time,” and turn my mind onto other matters, questions like what time is it in The Netherlands?
He mouths “That’s okay” and waits for me to give him the phone. I cross my fingers and think Please pick up, Lina.
“Hello?” I jump.
Smooth timing, Lina!
The voice is weary sounding, but it’s still a relief to hear my native tongue. Unfortunately, now I’ll have to hand the phone over to Edge. I resist the urge to say a word as I pass the receiver over to the guitarist, who lifts it to his ear and says in a clear tone, “Hello, Lina.”
I wish I could hear the other end, but my imagination can fill in the blanks. If I know anything, Lina will be wide awake and alert now, demanding to know who it is calling her. This thought sends a flicker of a smile across my mouth, and I watch Edge more carefully now.
He answers her unheard demand. “Well, a friend told me to call you… this is The Edge.”
The response is very easily heard this time, almost drowning out Edge’s teasing query of “Don’t you recognize my voice?”
And then, without warning, the scream ends. I feel my heart stutter and I blurt “What’s wrong?”
Edge presses the phone closer to his ear, and then after a span of a few seconds tentatively holds it out to me. “I think she’s… fainted.”
I stare at the phone and then switch to staring at him, unable to believe that Lina, the strongest girl I know, could have fainted. But I guess there are certain people who bring out certain reactions…
We glance anxiously at one another for a moment before Edge gives an awkward shrug and says “Wow. I feel like MacPhisto right now.”
“Telephoning fun?”
Edge licks his lips. “Er… yeah.”
We continue to stare at each other. Without breaking eye contact, I send the phone back to its cradle and slowly, very slowly, raise one eyebrow- a trick Lina has taught me. Edge doesn’t even blink as he, even slower than me, copies the same movement.
Then we burst out laughing.
“We have to make a… call,” I mutter when I can speak again. It’s not fair to have Lina’s favorite celebrity call her and then just hang up when she faints. Edge should leave her a message.
I take up the phone once more and dial our number. The phone on the other end rings… and rings… and when the answering machine comes on, I guess that Lina is still out cold. It’s a surprising thought.
Edge takes the receiver and says, “Hey. Sorry we scared you with the first call. Your friend Marieke is here backstage with U2, and she put me up to doing this. It’s nice to know I’m loved just as much as Bono! Take care, and have a good night!” He gives it back to me.
Taking the phone, I lapse into Dutch. “You better like this surprise… or I don’t know how to make you happy anymore. Love you, girl! Talk to you tonight!”
Now we’re standing in the hall alone, just smiling. I hang up the phone.
“All right, let’s go back, it is late.” Jack makes a move towards us, as if to lead us back. But I don’t need leading. We walk off, and inwardly I wonder if hanging up on Lina was the right thing to do. She didn’t even get to say a real word to her man…
Then I see a face in the hall that drives my thoughts away.
I break away from Edge and hurry towards that face, calling “Hey Eric!”
