Everybody Gets Hurt

David came into the store a few days after I threw his stupid girlfriend and her friends out for shoplifting and being irritating. That poor guy looked like he was a mess. I knew he wanted a therapy session so I took a smoke break with him outside. We stood under the awning because it was drizzling.

“Sooner or later, David, you will not want to deal with it anymore.” I said.

“There’s a sweet part of her that’s missing right now.” David said.

“David, people change. Maybe a year ago she was the greatest thing. Can't you see that those two bitches she hangs with feed her all this bullshit and she buys it?”

“She wanted to become a vet. Now she’s all about her modeling and her looks.” David said.

"Modeling." I said with half a laugh.

“I still love her.” David said looking down.

“Well then, you’ll know when it’s time.” I said as I finished my cigarette.

“I’m preparing for the worst so I won’t get hurt.” David said.

“You’re gonna get hurt. Everybody gets hurt. Everybody regrets things.” I said.

“But you’re fearless.” He said.

“Fearless…right. Look, I’ve seen a lot of shit. I like you David, just go with your gut. I wish I did that when I was your age.” I said.

“You’ve been hurt a lot?” He asked.

“More than you could imagine. My first true love who wanted to spend the rest of their life with me dumped me one day like I was yesterday's trash.  I'm...was devastated. You just get stronger every time. That’s why I don’t want to get serious with anyone.” I said.

“Maybe one day you’ll change your mind.” He said.

“Doubt it. It’s better when you get off and get out of the way. There’s less collateral damage.”

I had to get back so I moved away from the wall and patted David on the head. He had morphed so much in a month and a half’s time. He was practically the perfect little new waver. I felt l had to look out for him much the way I did with Max, only I didn’t need to be so bitchy. I treated Max like family. David was like that kid you babysat that you bonded with as he grew up.

“You’ll be all right New Wave Dave. See ya later.” I said.

“Later.” He said as he stood in the rain.

©copyright 2016 Two Purple Lights. All Rights reserved. We don't own the video, we like Peter Murphy.

Friday Night

Friday night I sat out on the fire escape looking at the neighborhood – the seeds of gentrification taking root.  Old buildings torn down and being replaced by high rises.  The University was starting to buy up more property and whiter, more affluent faces were moving in.  The days of early 80’s where Violet and I would sneak out to go to the Biograph to see Rocky Horror were long gone.  How much longer the Factory would be around?  There was an upscale restaurant going in on the ground floor – how much longer would the skate shop and Trax exist in these conditions.

While I contemplated the changing neighborhood, the sounds of Squats’ band, Striking Order practicing played in the background.

“HEY, SHOW US YOUR TITS!”  Some frat boys yelled up to me from the alley below.

“Fuck you!” I yelled as I threw an empty beer bottle at them.

“Whoa bitch!  Calm your shit.  Why don’t you come down here and talk?  We can, ya know, work it out.”  The smug rich kid said as he grabbed his cock.

“You want me to come down?” I asked with a flirty smile

“Yeah, I want you to come down.” He said

“OK.  I’ll be down in a second.”

He had no idea what was about to walk out that back door.  The band just finished a song and there was a collection of fresh cuts, skin byrds and some of the new recruits hanging out.  Billy was leaning against the door dozing off.

“Guys.  There’s some frat boys downstairs who want to see my tits.”

“Everyone wants to see your tits.” Billy said

I glared at him.  “I think we should give them a good scare.  You know, chase them down the alley.”

Everyone agreed.  Squats’ band put down their instruments and the whole lot of us walked down the back stairs.  I kicked open the heavy steel door and out poured fifteen skinheads.

“So, you wanted to see my tits?” I asked, grabbing my chest.  “My friends here don’t take kindly to rich kids coming into our neighborhood and disrespecting us.”

“Whoa whoa whoa, we don’t want no trouble with no Nazis.”

“We ain’t Nazis you little piece of shit!” Squats yelled as he stepped forward.

The frat boys started running down the alley and the crew chased after them until they turned the corner.  We all laughed hysterically as we returned upstairs.

“Hey, uh, Diane.” Squats said “You think those CLAS fuckers are gonna show up?  I hear that Bring It Down has been having all kinds of problems with Nazis turning up at shows.”

“If they do, remember, Medusa Boys, ARA – they’re our allies.  CLAS doesn’t have much reach up here anymore.” I answered “Every since Terri tucked his tail behind his legs and ran back to the south side, they haven’t had much pull.”

“Alright.  It’s just, this is a big show for us, ya know?  Fuckin’ those New York bands have this huge chip on their shoulders and I want them to see a good time here, ya know?  Show them Chicago’s different.”

“I hear ya.  If those guys need a place to stay tomorrow night, they stay here.  We’ll make space.” I said “We’ll even throw a party for them.  No drinking or anything.”

“That would be sweet.”  Squats said with a smile on his face.

©copyright 2016 Two Purple Lights. All Rights Reserved. We don't own the video, we like 

Darren's Journal: 10/25/89

It was around 11PM on Saturday night back in the summer. I was on a date with this guy named Paul and we had skipped out on an invite to go with some friends to see Rocky Horror at the Music Box. We decided to head back toward his place in Boystown since his roommate was out of town. I'm never one to turn down a romantic interlude, so off we went. As we were walking down Roscoe, a group of four drunken buffoons started to hurl insults at us. Anything you could think of, they probably said. I was a little scared, but Paul took the lead and tried to defend me. In a matter of moments, they started to punch and kick him bloody as I screamed for help. A few minutes later, some of the residents came out and one guy chased the three guys down the street with a baseball bat. Someone else called the police and an ambulance for Paul, since he was roughed up pretty good. Thank goodness it was nothing life threatening.

After talking with the Police, I headed home on Paul's insistence since he was going to be checked out in the ER and he didn't want me to be there all night at Illinois Masonic with him. I got home after 2AM and went to my room and started crying. Why is it so hard just to be gay and left alone? Why should we be targeted? I hope the new decade would bring change. The bashing has to stop. We're not harming anyone. We just want to have a right to be able to be ourselves. 

I'm fine with people not caring for the lifestyle choice, but to each his own. In reality, its no different from a straight person. Gay couples go grocery shopping and see the Cubs play. They just don't stay home and fuck! People wake up. This is the land of the free, right?

Good night
Love Darren


©copyright 2016 Two Purple Lights. All Rights Reserved. We don't own the video, we like The Smiths.

David's Journal: 7/30/89

Jenny made me a couple of tapes to listen to and I've been playing them non stop. One is Standing On a Beach by The Cure and the other is Black Celebration by Depeche Mode. I'm actually playing that right now.  I have Music For The Masses already and I love that record. She also dubbed me a copy of 101. I listen to R.E.M. a lot. I love the Green and Document records. My cousin got me into them and U2 back at the end of Freshman year. He goes to Northern Illinois University. He also loaned me a Smiths record that I'm beginning to like called Hatful Of Hollow.

Jenny is out again with Charlotte down by Belmont and Clark and to that place Medusas. I wish I was there. My parents wouldn't let me go  in a million years! They'd say its in a bad neighborhood. I bet its so cool. Jason and Rusty had been telling about it since the start of our Sophomore year. Jason and Rusty started going last summer and love it! They all tell me I'd like it there. Instead, I'm sitting outside by my pool, writing into my journal by pool light.

I just wish I wouldn't be so afraid to express myself and dress the way I want to. Like those bands on MTV. They look so unique and thats what I want to be -- unique. Right now I'm just normal and nerdy David Fletcher who has a awesome new wave girlfriend and a couple of punk rock friends. It sucks being stuck in the house on a Friday night in summer when there's people I know living on the edge. I want to live on the edge! I can only imagine what that could do for my photography. It would be great! And to be popular and cool,  rather than be the guy they all pick on. That's what I want.

I would do anything just to be popular.


©copyright 2016 Two Purple Lights. All Rights Reserved. We don't own the video, We like Depeche Mode.

You're in Terror's House

I sat at the kitchen table, last night’s eyeliner running down my cheeks, trying to think of what to tell the boys.  First things first, I’d have to clean myself up.  Shower, put on pants, wake up the boys and round up rest of the crew.

As I got into the shower, I could hear a couple of the guys stirring.  I opened the door a little bit and yelled “DON’T GO ANYWHERE!”

After cleaning myself up and getting dressed, I walked into the kitchen area of the loft, where I found Billy-Club, Denny and a skinbyrd I’d never seen before.

“Who’s this?” I asked pointing at the girl

“Oh, uh, she’s uh, ya know, with me.” Denny said.

“Yeah, I’m with him.” She repeated

I looked her up and down, noticing a couple questionable tattoos on her arms.  Then I saw the bomber jacket on the floor by the door adorned with questionable patches.

“Whatchu be about?” I asked

“What are you some kind of spic or something?” She asked “You sound like one of those fuckin’ Mexican gangbangers ‘whatchu be about homes?’” she mocked

Denny and Billy tried to slink away from the table unnoticed.

“FREEZE!”  I yelled. “Denny.  Did you bring a bonehead into the Factory?”

“Well, I was a little drunk, so…”

“I’m going to ask you again, nicely, before I deal with this cunt.”

“What did you call me?” She yelled as she jumped up from her chair.

“SIT THE FUCK DOWN, BITCH!” I yelled, “You have no idea where the fuck you are, do you?”

The Swasi-girl froze and looked around, looking at Billy and Denny, who were now smirking and trying not to laugh.  Then she looked at my tattooed arms down to my hands, adorned with words “Terror” on my right and “Crew” on my left.

“That’s right.  You’re in Terror’s house, now sit the fuck down!”

She quickly sat down knowing what was about to happen and said “Uh, sorry.  I, uh, didn’t know.”

“Denny.  Did you fuck a Nazi bitch in our home?”

“But, Billy said that like, there was this Terror Crew hazing where you had to either curb stomp a CLAS boy or ya know, fuck one of their girls.”

I looked at Billy, who was trying really hard not to laugh.  “You’re a real piece of shit, you know that?”

“So, that isn’t a thing?” Denny asked, looked dumbfounded and confused.

“No Denny, that isn’t a thing.  Billy was taking a piss at your expense.”

“Come on Diane, you gotta admit it was a little funny, right?” Billy asked “Right?”

I just gave him a cold stare and walked over to the Nazi girl, straddling her and sitting on her lap, playing with her stubbly head. “Now, I know you Nazis don’t like people of color and I know you don’t like Jews.  Let me ask you something.  How do you feel about Polish people?”

“Fucking cockroaches.  As bad as the fucking Mexicans!” She said staring me in the eye.

“What are your thoughts on Lesbians and Gays?” I asked leaning in close to her face.

She was shaking and clearly horrified.  I give her credit for standing her ground, despite knowing what was about to happen.

“Diseased shit!”

“Oh, honey, that isn’t nice.” I said as I stood up got behind her, putting my hands on her shoulders.  “So, I bet it would make you reaaally mad to know that a Polak Dyke is going to kick your fucking ass!”

I grabbed her by the back of the head and slammed it into the kitchen table. “You fucking piece of shit Nazi!” I yelled as I kicked her repeatedly with my bare feet. “Don’t EVER come back up to the north side!  You’re not fucking welcomed here!”

She balled up, crying, bleeding from the mouth and forehead “Run and tell your CLAS boys that a fucking Polak beat the shit out of you!” I yelled as I repeatedly punched her in the head.

Denny and Billy dragged me off of her, kicking a swinging my arms.

“Alright Diane, she gets the message.” Denny said as he pulled me away.

“Now I have to take another shower you fucking Nazi cunt!” I yelled as Denny shoved me into the bathroom. “I swear Denny, if that piece of shit is still in this loft, it’s your ass that gets kicked next!”

I leaned on the sink, looking at the blood on my knuckles and feet and said “fuck.”  I closed my eyes, hung my head and thought about Bubsy.  I could hear the comedy of errors going on outside the bathroom, with Denny, Billy and now two of the other boys awake trying to figure out what to do with her.

©copyright 2016 Two Purple Lights. All  Rights Reserved. We don't own the video. We like Ministry.