Z-A Monday : U

There was an uneven sound as the VW bus struggled into the parking space at the ragtag band's venue, the Monkey's Uncle Club, then an unbearable crunch as it undulated to a halt.

Vic said "Not to worry; My Uncle Uli has a beat up Chevy Uplander he'll be glad to sell for next to nothing."

Noting the urgency of his need for wheels, Xavier nodded ok. The four members of the Verdict, gear already loaded on stage, proceeded to sound check.

Xavier labored through the unscripted practice, unveiling a decent command of the fretboard, though certainly not upstaging Vince on lead. Vic gave him his single order:
"Dude, you're the utility man; don't upstage us, just let the music unfold."

They moved through a varied first set: a little UB40 reggae, an unmistakable U2 cover, an unorthodox tribute to the 80's with some Ultravox, an understated attempt at a sprawling Umphree's Magee jam, some unassuming roots-like, Uncle Tupelo stuff, an "awesome" but unpolished classic rock tribute to Vince's favorite, Uriah Heep, and then, thanks to a couple requests from the floor, a country cover of a Keith Urban tune and an uneven R&B attempt at an Usher hit. There was even a nod to Don Ho with a cover of "Tiny Bubbles", an unexplainable crowd fave, where Vince broke out his uelele.

Xavier played in an understated, unassuming way, strumming softly during unfamiliar tunes. He got by.

During the break, Xavier and his new bandmates proceeded to the bar for a quick brew.
"How'm I doing?, Xavier asked.
"Unbelievable!", Vic responded over the din of the crowd.
Vince agreed, as did Ulf, the nearly uncommunicative drummer. The four joined in some spirited "high fives" and back slaps, feeling that upbeat unity experienced among musicians, urged on by the alcohol.

Xavier heard his cell phone and lifted it to answer. The number he had seen umpteen times flashed on the screen - Wendy's number.
"Hey, Xavier, what's going on? Sounds loud."

Uncertain how to respond, uninhibited by the beer, he proceeded: "Wendy, you wouldn't believe it. I'm in a band tonight. It's unbelievable"

Wendy was unimpressed. "Unbelievable, all right. You know, at the University, you were all about your future. So you go off and...now you're doing this silly useless stuff."

"Useless? This could be unlocking my future for all I know!"

"Don't come unhinged", Xavier thought. "Don't let it get ugly".

"Well, you just took off and...I'm just kind of upset."

"I understand. And it's untrue, I'm not, like, running off and joining the circus."

"But if you keep following every crazy urge, it's just...I'm unable to..."

Xavier saw this was an uphill battle. Wendy was unwilling to understand, and the band was motioning him back to the stage.

"Look, Wendy, I've gotta go. We'll talk later."

"OK, fine, but you'd better 'find yourself'' soon or I'll have to find someone else."

Earlier Xavier had felt so "up", and now he felt nearly useless in light of his unforgiving girlfriend. Playing in the band was unforgettable, but losing Wendy would be unbearable.