section7mfu | ABC Affair 2019

H is for Howling the Blues

Illya was mesmerized by the music as he sat with a beer in one hand and a large slice of pizza on the table in from of him.

“What an astounding song, and the sound of his voice is impressive. Who is this?” His question was directed to the waitress who had won the job of serving the cool looking blond.

“That's The Animals. They’re British, like the Beatles.” Illya shook his head, and the girl took note of his resemblance to the musicians she so admired.

“They don’t sound like the Beatles, this singer’s voice is very powerful. You can feel his pain.” Illya wondered at his own comment, the idea of expressing deep emotion was very much a part of his own Russian heritage.

The waitress stepped back as Napoleon slid into the booth, smiling at her as he did so. This had to be her lucky day with two such handsome men in her section.

“Anything for you sir?” She hoped he’d order a lot, stay for hours just so she could chat with them once in a while. Maybe a little flirting was in order.

“I’ll have what he’s having, thank you.” She smiled back at him and went to get his order started.

Napoleon took a look at his friend, noticed the lack of stress on his face.

“It’s good to be home, to be uninjured and free of duty for a day or two. How do you feel?” Illya had sustained a few bruises on their last mission. They were both due for some down time after continent hopping for two weeks.

“I am fine, the beer is cold and the pizza is … very good.’ Illya paused to hear the ending strains of the song he’d been listening to.

“Do you know this group, The Animals? The song is so different from what I’ve associated with rock and roll. I suppose blues has influenced many of these musicians, definitely with this song.”

Napoleon let his friend linger over the virtues of House of the Rising Sun. He had heard other versions of it, including Bob Dylan’s. Thinking over the lyrics, the weary agent wondered if the lives he and Illya lived were perhaps what was drawing the Russian to a song about a life full of regret.

No, sometimes what they did, trying to save the world, brought discouragement or pain… sometimes both. But it was a calling, and one that had no room for regret.

Perhaps the House of the Rising Sun could carry a message of hope as well.

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