Mollie's Story

Mollie’s Story

Smash goes the bar. I swing my sledgehammer again and slam it into the bar again. I’ve got the Trousers latest album playing in the background and I’m humming along to their current number one hit “Love Gets Me”. Demolishing the bar and putting the new one in is the last thing I need to do before the last finishing touches go up and Mollie’s can open on time. This has been my dream forever. To have a bar where people can come and listen to great music, hang out with friends, and have a great night out. I give the sledgehammer a few more swings and the job is done. I wipe the sweat from my brow and sigh. Now to take all this junk outside to the bin, then I can call It a day. I’ve been doing all this work myself to save some money and to prove to myself that women can do anything they put their minds to. As I’m hauling out the smashed bar pieces I notice a strange looking floorboard. I bend down for a closer inspection and realize it’s loose. I manage to take out the piece of floorboard and discover a secret hiding place. Inside is a metal box and I pull it as curiosity takes over me.

I pry open the box and discover it has a few papers in it and a black moleskine notebook that looks used and worn. I open the book and flip through it. It’s full of entries and notes. I sit down and start to read the first entry.

Tonight’s gig was amazing! We totally fucking killed tonight’s set. We just played at The Haven and the place was packed! Our manager Greg told us just before we went on that a guy from Heavenly records was in the audience so we were extra pumped when we hit the stage! I’m flying so high right now as are Harley (our lead guitarist) and Jed (who plays drums ). The three of us have been playing together since we were in college. Playing everywhere and anywhere that would let us and tonight we hope is our big break! I hear our manager Greg calling us…OMG this is it…..this is the moment…..

Holy crap on toast is this what I think it is? My hands are shaking and I take a few deep breaths. Could this really be what I think it is? Am I holding Brett Warrant’s note book? He’s the lead singer and bass player of Trousers. While this bar has been closed for years before I bought it, it was called Hoolihan’s and musicians from all over played here. With all the dive bars Seattle has been a great spot for bands to play. Could this have accidentally been left behind and the owner put it here for safe keeping? I turn ahead a bunch of pages and see a song that confirms my suspicions. It’s the lyrics for Shooting Star which was the first hit on the radio for Trousers.

As I lay here and close my eyes

Your face appears as we said goodbye

I wasn’t ready to watch you leave

But you watch over me I believe

Like a shooting star across the sky

Like a shooting star passing me by

If I could make a wish come true

It would be to spend another minute with you

Wow this is totally Brett Warrant’s book. I let a small shriek at my awesome discovery. Oh my gosh I’ve got his journal and songs and parts of songs right here in my hands. The fan in me is flying high! This is like the ultimate fan item to have. Wait no. That would be wrong. This isn’t mine. I’m sure Brett was looking for this when he lost it. Though I did buy the bar so is it technically mine now? The struggle between my angel and little devil on my shoulders is real. I know deep in my heart what needs to be done. I must return the book, but how? I look on their fan page and take a look at their tour schedule. Of course they are overseas in the UK touring right now. Hmm now how to get their attention? I know , I’ve been posting my renovation progress on social media so today’s post can include my amazing findings. Then I will also post on the fan page and tag the band and all the lads. Hopefully I can get it shared enough so that they see the post.

A week later and I’m still not sure the guys have seen my post about the black moleskine book. The new bar is coming along nicely and Mollie’s is set to open in just over 2 weeks. I’m bone tired by the end of each day but I still find time to read a bit of the black book every night before I sleep. Last night’s read was especially eye opening.

We’ve been on the road for the past year non stop. I feel so exhausted. The night at The Haven changed our lives when Heavenly records offered us a contract. We went straight into the studio and recorded our first album and it skyrocketed up the charts. Our lives have never been the same. I love meeting our fans and being onstage in front of thousands of people. I don’t even mind all the interviews and all the media attention, though I could live without the paparazzi in my face all the time, but it is a small price to pay for our fame. I think the thing that surprised me the most throughout this process is that I find myself changing a bit more everyday. I’d like to think that I was once a very trusting, open person but with fame comes seeing the true side of those around you. Unfortunately, I’ve had to cut people out of my life who I thought I would be friends forever with. I find it’s harder to let people get close to me and I’m so thankful to have my awesome bandmates to lean on and hang with. We’ve all become so much closer through this crazy, magical ride we are on.

This entry left me thinking instead of sleeping for at least an hour last night. While I am a die hard fan of Trousers, I’ve always seen them as people; and as such have always strived to respect and treat them as people. It’s hard to believe that anyone would want to take advantage of them like that. I vow to myself that no matter who comes to play at Mollie’s to always make sure they feel like people and not just “the talent”. The bell ringing from above the door breaks me out of my daze.

“I’m sorry we’re not open yet” I call out. I look over my shoulder and stop dead in my tracks as Brett fucking Warrant is standing in the doorway.

“Sorry if it’s a bad time,” he says to me.

My mouth opens and closes a couple of times when I manage to finally regain my composure.

“No not at all. I’m guessing you saw my social media post,” I say while inside my head I tell myself of course that’s why he’s here nerd.

“Well actually it was one of our staff that saw the post but yeah that’s why I came. Do you really have my notebook? I thought it was gone forever,” he says hopefully.

I hold up my finger to indicate I will be right back and head to the backroom of the bar where my purse is. I quickly walk back out front with the black notebook held high in my hand and a smile on my face.

“Here it is!” I say excitedly.

Brett takes the book from me and starts slowly going through the pages. The look of awe on his face brings tears to my eyes.

“I can’t believe it. I just can’t believe it,” Brett says as he starts to get choked up and I notice his eyes are glistening as well.

“This book has everything from the time we got signed to recording our second album…all my songs, notes, thoughts. You could’ve sold this and made a ton of money,” he says to me.

“Never even thought about it. Ok if I’m being honest I thought for just a few moments about keeping the book I am such a huge fan; but the truth is I always knew the book was never mine and I just wanted to return it to you. I hope you don’t mind. I've read a bunch of the book but I promise to never tell anyone what I read,” I assure him quickly.

Brett reaches inside his jacket and pulls out an envelope. “I don’t mind that you read it at all. Here’s a little something from me to you for going through the trouble and making sure I got my notebook back. It really means a lot to me,” he says.

I take the envelope from him and peek inside. There is a cheque for $20,000. I hold the envelope back out to Brett “this is way too much. I can’t take this from you. Really I was just doing what I thought was right,” I explain.

I can tell that Brett is pondering my request to take the money back. “How about this. I see that you have a stage here so you can have musicians. So why don’t you keep the $20.000 and you can have a rock battle royale for new talented up and coming artists. I can talk to my bandmates and I’m sure we could arrange for us to come and judge for you. You can use the 20 g’s as prize money. What do you think? It could be a great way to launch your new bar and get the word out,” he explains.

“If you’re sure that it wouldn’t be too much trouble for you and your bandmates I would love to take you up on the offer!” I exclaim.

“It’s been a long time since anyone that I’ve met has treated me like a normal person. I’d love to help you out. Maybe I could even take you out to dinner to hash out the details if you’re game,” he asks.

Oh my gosh is this really happening? Brett just asked me out! EEEK!! “I think that sounds great,” I manage to say somewhat calmly.

That night Brett and I went out to dinner and made plans for the Battle Rock Royale. It’s going to be a great event and who knows maybe the start of something amazing with an ordinary rock star