Cally went into the back room of the shop to get the guitar, while the singer, Steve, gave Mal and the drummer a thumbs-up that was so cheesy that even the drummer couldn't help but laugh.

The drummer's mood faded quickly back to its usual grimness, however, when Cally came back to the front of the shop with the guitar in her hand: it was clear just by looking at it that it was second-hand - third-hand, probably. This impression was reinforced by the contemptuous manner in which Cally carried it, barely bothering to keep it from knocking against obstacles on the way.

"Man" said Mal when he saw the guitar, "There's no way Chas it ever gonna even touch that thing!"

"Well give him a chance, at least" said Steve as he took the guitar from Cally. "Eric, d'you have his number?"

Eric, the drummer, pulled his 'phone out of his pocket and dialled the number for Chas, the guitarist. There was an expectant silence from the others for a few moments, and then Eric hung up. "He's not picking up" he said.

"Probably gone to score" said Mal matter-of-factly. "Or maybe he's hitting the pawn shops to look for his gear."

"Score, most likely" replied Eric. "Fuck it" he said. "This day's a write-off. This band's probably a write-off. We sure as hell won't be able to find a new guitarist and get 'em to learn all our stuff in time for the gig. I'm gonna pick my stuff up from your place, Steve, then I'm going home."

"Hang on, hang on" said Steve. "I can play the guitar. I'm not just a pretty face, you know."

"Not even" muttered Cally to herself. She was still waiting for Steve to pay her as promised for the guitar.

The other three ignored her, or just didn't hear her. Mal and Eric's attention was entirely on Steve. "What do you mean" said Eric, "you can play the guitar?"

"I learned, when I was a kid. Not much, but I know the basic chords."

"That's okay!" said Mal happily. "We only use the basic chords!"

"How come you never said this before?" asked Eric suspiciously. "After all the shit we've been putting up with from Chas!"

"Well there wasn't any need. Besides, I wanted to be able to focus on my singing. But in a tight spot I reckon I can handle both."

Mal turned to Eric. "Well we're in a tight spot now" he said.

Eric shrugged. "Fine. Good riddance to Chas anyway, I always said he was more trouble than he's worth."

Steve grinned again and turned his attention to the guitar, stroking his thumb across the strings affectionately. "Awesome" he said. "We're back in business!"

"Oh, joy" said Cally sarcastically. "Now who's gonna pay for that thing?"