It's all Hollywood people here: the Industry kind, not the kind that used to be his neighbors. The whole thing is just for publicity, Bill wants him to show his face (and his chest: he's been ordered to keep his shirt open as often as possible) in every possible venue.

Despite not showing any interest in his music, Mary is in the audience. Their eyes meet as he steps offstage, and his feet start taking him in her direction, without asking permission from his head first, who knows this is a really bad idea.

Her eyes draw him in, but she breaks the spell before he gets too close, pulling her glance away, as though she had not been looking at him at all. Nico is stopped in his tracks, and the challenging glare from the young actor behind her tells him all he needs to know. Better this way, Nico thinks, he was wading into dangerous waters.

A fashion model Nico recognizes by face, but can't remember by name, approaches to compliment him: Bill has given him strict instructions with regards to models "They prey on rock stars: all those hell-bitches want is your money. Stay away from them!" Nico barely pays attention to her, though he looks her right in the eyes, his awareness is focused on Mary, still standing there with her companion behind her, as though she's waiting for him. The pretty young thing flirting with him wouldn't stand a chance with him, but Nico is powerfully attracted to the glamorous older actress, sophisticated, wordly, talented, she's everything Nicolas admires in women.When she finally leaves, Nico feels like he can breathe again.

He comes home to a blissfully quiet house: if Jackie spent the day watching the gossip TV shows, she's asleep now & won't harangue him about it. Nico practices the Zeppelin song he's going to be recording, 'Since I've Been Lovin' You', a song he learned to play on his very first guitar, a song he cut fingers on back when he was learning the art of teaching strings to sing. He hasn't played this song or one like it in a long time, slow & mournful, a guitarist's song, with a long, tender solo. Nico practices for hours, letting the music drive out every other thought. Because it's all just too much to think about.

NEXT