Will Oldham is playing a free show at Radio-Active Records in Fort Lauderdale, FL today. Sure it may be a sting operation by the feds, but I’ll take my chances. The last time I saw Will he inspired the following short story. EDIT: Great Show last night! He’s playing Miami Sweat records (by Churchills) tonight.
Mr. Chief Billy
Who’s The Boss was playing on the TV. I wasn’t really paying much attention. It was the episode where Tony and Angela have a couple of drinks and end up kissing. They’re laughing, running around the kitchen throwing flour, and chasing each other. Suddenly, they end up in each other’s arms and they passionately kiss. The studio audience goes wild, and I shake my head and go back to something I’m reading on my laptop. I glance up from my laptop because the TV has gone totally silent. I see Tony and Angela both looking directly into the camera as it zooms in tight on their faces. They begin to chant something repetitive that I don’t quite understand, and then it becomes clearer.
“Mr. Chief Billy, Mr. Chief Billy, Mr. Chief Billy…”
The TV screen flickers, and I see an old black-and-white image of an old man with a mustache. I stare at it closely as it seems to be moving slightly. Like someone has paused the tape and is forwarding it one frame at a time. I glance around the room, and when I look back, I notice the mans eyes are becoming large and soft, almost like a gentle, sad monster of sorts. He smiles and says lovingly,
“My dear, everyone cares… but nobody knows.”
And it’s strange because I am overwhelmed with these feelings of peace and joy. I almost feel as if this man is God or something. Then part of the man’s mustache begins to vibrate and move. It morphs into a large, colorful butterfly that seems to flutter right out of the TV screen. Slowly, the butterfly flickers and floats toward me, turning into a kind of rainbow-colored liquid that then swims into my mouth. I don’t panic because the whole time I feel as if I am being filled with this warm, healing light. It’s like I am being filled with love. I blink, and now I’m inside of the TV looking out, looking out at all the families who are gathered in their various living rooms watching TV. I am looking out at all the little kids, moms, dads, and elderly couples. I feel such intense love for them all now. I see the old man again and now he’s sitting in a room all alone. He’s looking at me, and his face begins to decompose as he whispers.
“There is absolutely nothing to be afraid of.”
I blink my eyes again and I’m back sitting on my couch. The TV screen is silent and blank except for the message:
To be continued…
