Of Wanders and Lust A Novel by Luis Soto-Ortiz (a.k.a. Popmartfan) Version 1.0 (Abridged) Dear Reader, I began writing this novel in April 2017. The challenge I imposed on myself was to write a short story or play where the characters are musicians and what they say comes from their own lyrics. I did not know what the plot would be about but nevertheless I embarked on this project with enthusiasm. Eventually some themes came to my mind and I slowly developed them into different scenarios. This project grew to become the short novel that you are about to read. There are many relevant themes in this novel, some of them sad and others uplifting. You will see a group of musicians traveling together to different cities who, despite their different political and religious beliefs, they nevertheless stay together and help each other overcome difficult situations. You will see that the novel has several protagonists (heroes and heroines) which I will let you figure out who they are. You might even identify and relate to some of the characters. Although there are very serious themes that the novel touches upon, there are also many lighthearted moments which I hope will make you laugh or at least bring a smile to your face. I do not mean to insult anyone by the jokes or events depicted in the novel. I am not planning on making any money from this novel because I am using lyrics that are copyrighted. I do hope that by reading this novel you become a better person, someone who is more sensitive and appreciative of cultural, political and gender differences. In a time when polarization is rampant, I hope this novel brings us together, not divide us. Feel free to contact me to let me know whether or not you enjoyed reading the novel and what are your suggestions for improvement. Sincerely, Luis Soto-Ortiz This novel is dedicated to all the ladies around the world, especially to those that I had the fortune to know on a personal level. You make the world go round! Chapter 1: Lost in New York Scene 1: Proctor and Gamble Scene 2: Panic! At the Disco Scene 3: Bringin͛ on the Heartbreak Scene 4: Civil Disobedience Chapter 2: Freedom in Berlin Scene 1: Brotherly Love Scene 2: You Can͛t Always Get What You Want Scene 3: It͛s All Happening at the Zoo Scene 4: Should We Talk About the Government? Chapter 3: A Musician in Paris Scene 1: With a Little Help from My Friends Scene 2: Life in Technicolor Scene 3: In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida Scene 4: Love Is All We Have Left Chapter 4: Doin͛ It In Las Vegas Scene 1: Gambler͛s Delight Scene 2: Ladies͛ Night Scene 3: A Get Together to Tear It Apart Chapter 5: The Lamb Lies Down on Hollywood Scene 1: A Sort of Homecoming Scene 2: A Celebration! Scene 3: Headbanger͛s Ball Scene 4: Living to Tell the Tale ͞KĨtĂŶĚĞƌƐĂŶĚ>ƵƐƚ͟ Bono of U2 is standing with his back toward Author: Luis Soto-Ortiz the window and he is looking at the gamblers (a.k.a. Popmartfan) in the room. He is wearing a cowboy hat, a Started writing on April 3, 2017 brown leather jacket, blue jeans and brown boots. He is wearing sunglasses to make him Last updated: August 27, 2021 look like a U.S. secret service agent. Every now and then he turns his head toward the window and tries to listen to any strange noises CHAPTER 1: LOST IN NEW YORK coming from outside. Not hearing anything remarkable, he starts pacing back and forth making a facial expression of a tough guy who has Ă͞ĚŽŶ͛ƚŵĞƐƐ ǁŝƚŚŵĞ͟ĂƚƚŝƚƵĚĞ. He ************************************* patrols near the window for fifteen minutes to SCENE 1 - Proctor and Gamble ensure that there is no suspicious activity occurring outside. Not seeing or hearing In a small town in the heartland of the United anything, Bono walks through the tavern and States, a group of gamblers are playing poker looks at the players in each table. He was and drinking whiskey after the tavern has hired for the night to proctor the gamblers closed for the day. The tavern is spacious and and to deescalate, if necessary, any well-lit and caters to a clientele of a certain arguments that may arise between them. reputation. The smoke from the cigarettes and Gratified that the conversations between the pipes fills the entire room. The windows are gamblers are friendly, Bono returns to his post shut and the curtains are drawn at the request near the window to keep guard there. of the patrons, to keep eavesdroppers from looking inside and hearing their private ŽŶŽ͛Ɛ arrogant swagger suddenly vanishes conversations. when he hears a crow cawing outside as if heralding impending danger. Bono stealthily peeks outside from one side of the window, but he does not see anyone. He calls Joni Mitchell to come to the window and look outside to see if she sees anything peculiar. She does not see anything except the crow and tells Bono: JONI MITCHELL: There's a crow flying The atmosphere is lively, enhanced by the Black and ragged. wine that is being consumed. An eclectic selection of rock and pop music blasts through the loudspeakers that are hanging from the ceiling. Yet, despite the cheerful atmosphere, there seems to be an air of secrecy and evasion, as if some of the gamblers are trying to hide from someone. 1 Bono takes a sip from the bottle and continues monitoring the tables and sings about his own gambling misfortunes that left him bankrupt: U2: I'm just a singer Some say a sinner Rolling the dice Not always a winner. He points to his peers who are fully engaged in Joni Mitchell their games and says: Joni sits down with the gamblers once again. U2: Bono patrols the area near the window Not part of the crowd nervously. To calm his nerves, he asks the But not feeling alone ďĂƌƚĞŶĚĞƌƚŽďƌŝŶŐŚŝŵŚŝƐ͞ŵĞĚŝĐŝŶĞ͘͟The Under pressure bartender knows exactly what Bono is But not bent out of shape. referring to and promptly brings him a shot of Jack Daniels. Bono continues wandering around the room aimlessly. He gulps another shot of whiskey Another fifteen minutes pass by and no and tells his loyal friend the bartender as if he sounds are heard outside. Bono is now were his ex-lover: completely relaxed having drank several shots of Jack Daniels. Once again, he walks around U2: the tavern to monitor the interactions You drove me to drink between the gamblers to ensure that they But hey, that's not all bad remain peaceful. The copious amount of wine Guess I've been greedy that Bono drank sends him back in time to his All of my life days of love and romance. He remembers his Greedy for the good things failed relationship with a beautiful girl he As well as the bad. dated several years ago. Their breakup caused Bono to fall into a depression and alcoholism Bono thanks the bartender for his generosity, that he is still trying to recover from. The and hands him the empty bottle. Bono ends memories of their romance haunt him. Bono his monologue by crooning a la Frank Sinatra: starts drinking directly from the bottle of Jack Daniels and walks around the room aimlessly. U2: He starts singing to release his emotions and Two shots of happy imagines that his former lover is in front of One shot of sad. him. He says to her: Now inebriated, Bono returns to his macho U2: posturing and staggers around the room to You think I'm no good look at the games being played. He I know I've been bad. approaches a table feeling like a four-star general, almost expecting a military salute 2 from his peers. A gambler who has had too Chrissie tells him: many drinks tells Bono as she giggles: THE PRETENDERS: ABBEY GLOVER: Don't be ashamed to cry I'm having too much fun! 'cause I've seen the dark side too. Another gambler who is on a winning streak Chrissie adds: tells Bono with joy: THE PRETENDERS: PINK Won't let nobody hurt you Today's the day I'll stand by you I've been waiting for Take me in. Yesterday is so far away. Bono smiles and thanks Chrissie for her kind words. Deep in his heart Bono knows that Chrissie cannot replace his ex-girlfriend in any way. He tells her: U2: There is nothing you have that I need. Bono walks away to proctor a group of gamblers playing in a different table. One of them notices the incongruous attire that Bono is wearing and tells him sarcastically: BUSTED: I like the way you dress. Bono replies in jest: Pink U2: The right to appear ridiculous Chrissie Hynde looks at Bono͛ƐĨĂĐĞ and sees Is something I hold dear. that he has tears in his eyes. She asks him: A gambler asks Bono if he wants to play a THE PRETENDERS: game of poker, but Bono declines the Why you look so sad? invitation. Bono is bankrupt, having lost all his Tears are in your eyes. money gambling. This is the reason why his girlfriend left him. He chose to work as a Bono tells Chrissie: security guard for the night to earn money to pay for his lodging. Bono tells the gambler: U2: Haven't been with a woman U2: It feels like it's been years.