Jem1985

Jem:
That must have been horrible, having your father so dead set against you learning music.

Riot:
Yeah, it was some kind of macho thing. Are you cold?

Jem:
A little.

Riot:
I'll make a fire.

Riot:
[continuing as he puts kindling in the fireplace] What my father never understood was that my music was the only thing that helped me keep it all together while I was growing up. Every year we moved to a new town. You get tired saying goodbye to a new set of friends every year. [Riot lights the fire]

Jem:
How sad.

Riot:
That's the way it was. But Mom was supportive. She bought me that first guitar. But she wasn't strong enough to stand up against my dad. He was always pushing, mostly for me to join the army. So, finally, I joined. It was the only way I could get away from home. I ended up in basic training in Germany. [montage of basic training]

Jem:
That's terrible.

Riot:
Yeah. I hated it from the day I enlisted. I never could see what my father thought was so great about it. I thought I was stuck there forever. And then, one day on leave, I discovered this rock band called Nirvana. They were fantastic! I went to see them whenever I had a pass. They were doing exactly what *I* wanted to be doing with *my* life. Then, one night, before their first set, there was a big blow-up.

Jerry:
OK, you're half an hour late! This is the *last* time! If you can be here when you're supposed to, then get out!

Ralph:
Hey, no problem. This band is going nowhere anyway.

Minx:
But, Jerry, we can't perform without a backup guitarist.

Riot:
I'll play!

Jerry:
Hey, hold on there, mate! What does a soldier boy know about music?

Riot:
[picks up a guitar] Listen. I'll show you. [Riot plays an introduction. Minx, the drummer, and Jerry join in. The crowd cheers]

Jerry:
Well mate, the audience loves ya.

Minx:
Jerry, he could replace Ralph permanently!

Jerry:
That's a great idea! How about it?

Riot:
But, I-I-I'm in the service! I couldn't.

Jerry:
Oh, come on, mate. We've got a tour scheduled that will take us all over Europe. Say you'll join us.

Minx:
You've got to come. Can you give this up? [the crowd continues to cheer]

Riot:
All right. I'll do it. [Riot shakes hands with Jerry] I'll come!

Jerry:
Great. Well, let's give them an encore, pal. By the way, what's your name?

Riot:
Call me... [the lights go down, a spotlight comes on] Riot!

Riot:
[back with Jem] It was a thrill like none I ever had before. Crowds of people clamoring for us.