Character Collages

Collage for Percy

“Percy let his legs, wrapped in baggy pants, dangle over the side of the train. He smelled the dank coal wafting from the open cars and listened to the bump and rumble of the tracks not far from his feet. The train screeched too and occupied Percy’s mind with notes higher and less pleasing than his fiddle music. He thought maybe he could find a place on the ground in the next few days, maybe build a fire, rest, hunt something decent to cook up and eat. That’s what he wanted. Maybe life was supposed to be that simple.”

Original excerpt from Birdenwheel by Lindsay Anne Rice

#deadhead #birdenwheel #gratefuldead

Collage for Hettie

“As she sat out on her back porch, peeling a bucket of early apples, Hettie scanned the skies for that bird. For the past few weeks, a raven the size of a small vulture had started visiting her porch. As soon as Hettie would come outside, he’d fly away. She knew it was the same one visiting though, because through her window she could see, in the outline of its body, that its right wing had a whole section missing, like he’d gotten caught in a cage or something. He wasn’t a particularly comforting presence, all sooty black, something waiting to turn to ash, and his piercing caws had woken her twice in the middle of the night.”

Original excerpt from Birdenwheel by Lindsay Anne Rice

#deadhead #gratefuldead #birdenwheel

Collage for Rowen

“Jerry and Bob walked on stage, picking up their instruments. The band members looked at each other, and then broke into the funky low-down rhythms of “Shakedown Street.” It was a good surprise for Rowen and he stood up with all the others letting the guitar grooves and the piano notes bend his knees. The band sang, encouraging everybody to find the heart of the city, by just looking around. The music enveloped Rowen. He was cool. It was fine. He watched Bobby’s wrist moving like a steady metronome. The room between the seats began to widen and Rowen let his feet swivel back and forth, feeling the whole audience. It was this kind of groove that he came for and the wah-wah flavors of Jerry’s guitar tempted him further”

Original excerpt from Birdenwheel by Lindsay Anne Rice

#deadhead#gratefuldead#birdenwheel

Collage for Devon

“Devon searched the lot, but he also searched the skies. He didn’t know, maybe PJ was just a bird now. Maybe he swooped the skies over the lot, or anywhere, and listened to the music from above. Or maybe the music and partying didn’t mean anything anymore to him. He was such an institution in the scene though. Back in the 80s, Devon remembered PJ everywhere he went, sitting on a blanket talking to a lady, swinging his goods on Shakedown, twirling with the spinners, holding lofty conversation with Deadhead come lawyers. He could bridge things and people.”

Original excerpt from Birdenwheel by Lindsay Anne Rice

#deadhead #gratefuldead #birdenwheel

Collage for Cass

““You need a ticket, Doll?” He said.
Cass blushed. “Yes, face value. Do you have one?”
He nodded. Cass pulled the cash from her back pocket, but the man pushed her hand gently away.
“No need,” he said handing her the General Admission ticket.
“Really?” Cass asked.
“Yeah, I always bring an extra. Have a good show.” He winked and took off towards the entrance.Wow, Cass thought, looking at the date on the ticket: June 25,1991 Bonner Springs, Kansas. She beamed, holding it as she walked towards Hill.
“Oh, good girl! You got one!”
“Yeah, this guy,” Cass said looking towards the entrance, “just gave it to me.”
“Perfect! A miracle for your first show, you lucky girl,” Hill said.
“Miracle?” Cass asked.

Original excerpt from Birdenwheel by Lindsay Anne Rice

#deadhead #gratefuldead #birdenwheel