Every Saturday, we’ll be posting a new illustration by David Lester. The Mecca Normal guitarist is visually documenting people, places and events from his band’s 31-year run, with text by vocalist Jean Smith.
An excerpt from Holding Up The Falling Snake Sky: a novel-in-progress.
“This is a video of Alberta’s opening event,” Nadine said. “I think it’s a good idea if we watch it.”
Nadine glanced at Martin who leaned back in the swivel chair and folded his arms across his chest. The video began with a shaky, handheld pan around the room as people wandered in through the front door. The camera stopped on Alberta who was busy straightening a painting on the wall. Arms outstretched, her white tank top pulled up and away from the waistband of her jeans. Martin burst out laughing.
“What’s so funny?” Nadine asked.
“First of all, who wears jeans to their own opening and second of all, you can see a bit more about Alberta right there,” he said pointing and laughing.
Nadine scrutinized the video, wondering what Martin was referring to.
“Her ridiculous tramp stamp!” he said, still pointing at the tattoo that was only partially visible between her jeans and the tank top. Nadine paused the video and walked toward the wall trying to see what the tattoo said.
“The words Long May You Run,” Martin said. “With an illustration of a leaping salmon on a fishing line.”
The closer Nadine got to the wall the more difficult it was to read.
“You know the Neil Young song ‘Long May You Run’, right?” Martin asked.
“Of course,” Nadine said walking back to resume the video.
“Did you know it was written about a hearse?”
“Oh god,” Nadine said. “Did she know what it was about?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Martin said, shaking his head.
“How did you end up knowing about her tattoo?” Nadine asked as the video panned the room showing various attendees standing in groups holding plastic cups of red and white wine.
“My daughters told me.”
“Right. I guess they’re around the same age.”
“Word travels pretty quickly in small communities,” Martin said. “I think Alberta had a boyfriend who was a sports fishing guide,” Martin said chuckling.
“She’s never mentioned anything about that to me.”
Continued in Vol. 340
“Texada Warns Me” from Flood Plain (K, 1993) (download):
