Chapter 1: Loss but not forgotton

Jack Geream retrieves some of his memory and then express his emotions through 'Hotel California' while collecting some money along the way.

Jack Geream sat on a rusted chair, holding up his beloved guitar in his stone cold hands. His hair waved through the air that passed by. His eyes mist with tears. He wore his old worn out polo and jean, near his feet was a small tin pot where small coins populated.

His guitar was worn and dirty, but Jack didn't mind. He loved his guitar, it was the gift he got from his wife before she was brutally murdered by a zombie. She died in a corner next to Jack's bathroom. He will never forget that sight, rushing into his room just to find his wife dead.

Tears dripped down Jack's eyes.
The memory of his dead wife never brought him any joy.

Jack took a huge breath and sighed. His fist clenched the guitar and sweat poured down his palm. Other survivors walked along the road near Jack, they took one look at him before heading on,  their guns in their hands in the way of a first-person shooter.

Jack took another sigh and wiped his tears away. He composed his mind and positioned his left  hand, his left hand stroked the wire like how he used to stroke his wife's hair after she had her shower.

He opened his mouth and started singing:

"On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night
There she stood in the doorway
I heard the mission bell
And I was thinking to myself,
This could be Heaven or this could be Hell
Then she lit up a candle and she showed me the way
There were voices down the corridor,
I thought I heard them say... "

Jack deep dark voice attracted some survivors, they began huddling together near the music. The people who still had their family member hugged them as tears rained down from their faces.

"Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place
Such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the Hotel California
Any time of year, you can find it here"

Jack looked up from his guitar and looked at the family members hugged each other, tears rained down from his face because he was reminded of how much he loved his wife.

"Her mind is Tiffany-twisted, she got the Mercedes bends
She got a lot of pretty, pretty boys, that she calls friends
How they dance in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat.
Some dance to remember, some dance to forget"

His fingers hugged the metal wire how like he would hug his wife. Other survivors started dropping small amount of money into the tin pot, some clapped to a basic rhythm they learned in school.

"So I called up the Captain,
Please bring me my wine
He said, "We haven't had that spirit here since nineteen sixty nine"
And still those voices are calling from far away,
Wake you up in the middle of the night
Just to hear them say..."

Jack took a silent breath and continued.

"Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place
Such a lovely face
They livin' it up at the Hotel California
What a nice surprise, bring your alibis"

More and more survivors were coming, dropping small coins into the tin pot.

"Mirrors on the ceiling,
The pink champagne on ice
And she said "We are all just prisoners here, of our own device"
And in the master's chambers,
They gathered for the feast
They stab it with their steely knives,
But they just can't kill the beast"

"Last thing I remember, I was
Running for the door
I had to find the passage back
To the place I was before
"Relax," said the night man,
We are programmed to receive.
You can check out any time you like,
but you can never leave"

Everyone raised their hands and gave a hug applause. Cheering and whistling was heard from the crowd, more money flowed into the almost-filled tin pot.
Soon, everyone retreated back to what they originally intended to do. Two figures walked toward Jack.
"Nice guitar skill you got there." a citizen commented.
"Thank you." Jack said.
"Where did you get that guitar?" the one next to him asked.
Jack took a huge sigh and lowered his head.
"Oh, I am so sorry," Do Khoi quickly apologized" I didn't mean..."
"It's ok." Jack interrupted.

Jack packed up his tin pot and started counting all of the money he made, the citizen ravaged his pocket and pulled out $200, the other did the same.
"Here, take it."
"Oh no thank you." Jack replied.
"Why?" the citizen asked"Don't you need the money?"
"No, I just play because I love to play."
"Then why did you put a tin pot on the floor?"
"I didn't."

Jack packed up his things and started walking  toward the bank.
"Good luck!" the citizen shouted as he returned his $200 into his pocket.
"I look forward to seeing him again."
"Me too." the other said and gaved a cheery laugh and waved goodbye.

Author's Note

Atmosphere is the key, along with the song choice. The grammar and dialogue are still important though. Also, could thiss story be sold?

Reviews

[Cheyenne]

This is a very good start. :) I can't wait for more.