"Why Can't I Touch It?"

~ This piece will be part of a series. ~
Liza is heading to her first concert in years. Between work, a pandemic, and everything in between it's been a long time. She's jazzed. Just parked, she's heading up the street to get to the venue. 

Liza: Yes! Cannot believe it took me this long to finally get here. 

Liza checks her phone.

Nelly running late again. Surprise, surprise. I'll get on her for it. This was her idea and she'll definitely miss the opener. When she gets here "then" the real trouble will start. The streets, man this street. "It looks so real, I can feel it." It's been so long. This. This is what feels right. "And it feels so real." 

She enters the bar. 

Ooh. This is a dive bar. It's like "I can taste it and it tastes so real." The music, the people ,the lights mixed with haze, the chatter. "I can hear it and it sounds so real." 

Liza bumps into someone who is much taller and gestures to the stage and their eyes and gesturing to switch spots.

It's all good. "I can see it." I'm heading to the bar anyway. Thanks though. 

He nods and goes back to his friend. Liza gets to the bar and waits for the bartender. She's messing with the bar. 

Bartender: Oy! Stop peeling that off. 

Liza: Sorry. it's just the first time I've been out out and to see live music. It's kind of surreal.
Bartender: What do you want?

Liza: Just want to feel everything. "So why can't I touch it?" You know.

Bartender: There are so many people tonight. You want anything?

Liza: TX Blended on the rocks.

Bartender: Open or closed?

Liza: Open. 

Bartender: I'll be right back.

Liza: What to do until Nelly gets here. This band is great. She's missing out. Oh there's a table. Need to snag that. Why can't I capture this feeling?! I just want to absorb it, touch everything, soak it all in. "So why can't I touch it?"

Liza gets her drink and card and heads over to the free two-top. 

"Now it is so real" and "I can see it" all on the stage. This is perfect "and it is so real." Everything around me "I can feel it." 

Gary comes up. 

Gary: Someone sitting here? 

Liza: She will be. You can join me until she gets here. 

Gary: Cool thanks. Have you seen them before?

Liza: I haven't. This or the main act coming up. That's why I came but I'm glad I'm seeing this opener. Their vibe is great "and it is so real." Their mix is good too. Huge bass fan and "I can hear it" Ya know?

Gary: Yeah. It's cool. My friend knows the singer and so a few of us are here to support. You're so spot on. "It is so real." 

Liza: Right? There's just something post-pandemic that makes concerts necessary. I promise I'm not high, but right now it just feels like "I can be it."

Gary: I wouldn't judge either way. This is forward and I know you're waiting for someone but can I buy you a drink?

Liza: I'd like that. My name's Liza. 

Gary: Gary. So what are you having?

Liza: Whisky on the rocks. 

Gary: Be right back.

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