Alain didn't go to the anti-racism rally: he was against racism, of course, but he couldn't be bothered actually protesting about it; and besides, he was busy: so though he went into the city,, it was because he was on his way into Myer to buy a gift for his nephew.

"Where did you get the money to buy a PlayStation?" asked Mal when Alain invited him around on Friday night after he'd concluded his shopping trip.

"It's a PlayStation 2" Alain corrected him.

"Whatever."

"They're pretty cheap now" said Alain. "Plus I got mum and dad to help out. Come on, let's start it up!"

"I thought it was a present?"

"It is, but I've got to make sure it works, don't I? Anyway, Christmas is still a week away! I can't have it sitting around for a week without using it, can I? It just wouldn't be right!"

"I guess not."

"Here, man. I've got two controllers and everything. We can both play!" Alain turned on the televisoin and waddled on his knees over to the PlayStation 2, which he'd already unpacked. "Now, where the fuck's the 'on' button?"

"It's that little one with the light" said Mal.

"How do you know?"

"Steve's got one."

"Oh" said Alain. "Hey, how is the band going, anyway? You had any gigs recently I should have been at?"

"Nah, mainly rehearsals" replied Mal. "But get this! You know 8-Point Records?"

"No."

"Well they're gonna put one of our songs on their next compilation!"

Alain swung around, forgetting about the console for the moment. "You signed with them or something?"

"No . . ."

"Well make sure you get any royalties that're coming your way."

"I really don't think it's gonna make a lot of money . . ."

"Royalties. Dude, you're too nice. I know about the music industry. I've read stuff you

wouldn't believe. People will walk all over you if you don't fight for yourself. Are they gonna put all your names in the credits?"

"All whose names?"

"The band members, of course!"

"Oh. I don't think so."

Alain sighed and rolled his eyes. "Dude, how the hell are you ever gonna get famous? If you don't get your name in the credits, you're just you. Name in the credits on a fucking album, all of a sudden you're the guy from the band! You see?"

"I really don't think that many people are gonna buy the album" said Mal.

Alain shook his head, and turned back to the PlayStation 2. "Man, sometimes I wonder why I try to help you at all" he said. "Now let's kill some shit!"