It was a nice, sunny day in Prague. This summer was truly hot. Amelia went for a walk because she wanted to take some photos. She had been waiting for this day for months. She took this opportunity to rent an apartment with a view of Charles’ Bridge. Her excitement built up all day as she thought about Palaye Royale’s show that night. She needed to be patient, though.
Amelia took her favorite Nikon D-90 camera and started her photo-adventure on Charles’ Bridge. She planned to share this experience on social media, titling it “In the Footsteps of Oblivion.” All fans of Palaye Royale would love the photos from the places where the band had shot the music video for the song “Oblivion.” Amelia was jumping up and down for joy. Her plan was finally coming true. She had been dreaming of attending a concert of her favorite rock band and, at the same time, preparing a photo report from the magical places connected with “Oblivion.”
She arrived in Prague alone. Her friends didn’t like this kind of music, and her best friend didn’t have enough money to pay for the trip to Prague, rent an apartment for the whole weekend, and buy a ticket for the show. Amelia had been saving money since she found out about this event. But that’s what she does. When she wants something badly, she focuses on achieving her objectives.
There were lots of tourists on Charles’ Bridge, as usual. It was very difficult to take photos in such crowded conditions. She needed good shots, but unfortunately, other tourists were continuously ruining her efforts. One guy photobombed just as she was taking a photo of two pigeons fighting against the backdrop of the monuments from the “Oblivion” video. She swore because that was her best shot. Now she understood why the film crew who shot the “Oblivion” video had started working at dawn. After about two hours, she decided that she had some good photos to prepare the first part of the photo report from her stay in Prague. Amelia started walking back to her apartment when she realized that she didn’t have her key. Panic seized her because she had left the concert ticket inside the apartment.
“Oh my God! I must find this key now. Think, Amelia! You were only on Charles’ Bridge, so it must be somewhere there.”
She searched the bridge meter by meter. Suddenly, someone appeared in front of her. Amelia was so surprised that she jumped back.
The boy started laughing.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I see that you are looking for something, and I want to help you.”
“Oh yes! I need help. I’ve lost my key to the apartment. This is a big tragedy for me.”
“It’s true. This is a tragedy. We must find it.”
For an hour, they looked for the key, but it was like finding a needle in a haystack. Amelia was losing hope and imagining that she wouldn’t be able to attend the Palaye Royale concert. Tears ran down her cheeks.
“Hey girl, don’t worry! I’m sure that we will find this key. And even if we don’t, you can call a locksmith.”
“Listen, I’m not from here. I came only for the Palaye Royale concert. I’m renting the apartment, and I know that the owner is not available today. But I have a ticket inside. I’ve destroyed my dreams.”
The boy looked at her mysteriously.
“What a coincidence! I’ve come for the same concert. Wow! Now I’m sure that our search will be successful! Look over there.”
He put his hands on her shoulders and turned her around, pointing to a spot near the Pieta monument. And then she saw it. It was the lost key that they had fortunately found. Amelia rushed up to the monument and picked up the key.
“You are my hero!” she shouted with joy to the boy. “Oh my God. I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Amelia.”
The boy shook her hand and introduced himself timidly.
“I’m Rally. Nice to meet you. Where are you from, Amelia?”
“I’m from Poland, from Danzig.”
“From where?”
“From Poland. From the city of Danzig It means Gdansk.”
Rally seemed amused.
“What’s so funny?”
“It’s nothing. I just thought of something related to my family.”
“And where are you from?”, asked Amelia.
“I’m from Los Angeles.”
“And you came here from the USA even though they have shows there?”
“It’s not true that Palaye Royale has a lot of performances in the USA. In America, they are not as popular as in Europe.”
“Oh, is that so? I was convinced that the whole world loves them.”
“Furthermore, I can tell you that I’m working at the time of the concert. But you should seize the opportunity if you can,” Rally smiled brightly.
“So, you can make the best of a necessity. Great idea! Are you alone or with friends?”
“I came with my family. Me and my brothers are always together. And you?”
“I’m alone. My friends don’t understand Palaye Royale’s music. To them, I’m a musical black sheep. But for me, everything the band does is truly art. I love Remington’s voice. It seems to be the voice of my soul. Emerson’s drums create amazing vibes, and Sebastian’s guitar completes the whole.”
“I guess that’s what makes their music consistent. But what do you think about Remington? What is he like?”
“I didn’t think about that. To me, he is a great artist, but I hope that in his private life, he is as good as his music.”
“Interesting,” the boy thought for a moment. “Amelia, maybe we can meet at the concert. I’ll be working, but I can wave to you from time to time.”
“That would be nice, Rally. I’ll give you my number. Give me a missed call, please. I’ll write your number down because I don’t answer unknown numbers.”
Rally was surprised, but he gave her a nod.
“It’s getting late. I must go back to the apartment,” Amelia said.
“May I walk you there? My hotel is in the area.”
“Sure, my apartment is very near. You know what? I feel with you like with an old friend. Maybe in a previous life, we were friends because you remind me of someone.”
“Really? I’m happy that you think like that. It’s great to hear.”
When they arrived at Amelia’s apartment, she took out her camera.
“Rally, may I take a photo with you? At the concert, there will be so many people that it will be impossible. And I would like to have one photo with the man who saved my dreams from total destruction.”
The boy smiled mysteriously.
“Okay, one photo won’t do any harm.”
Later, Amelia thought that it was the best photo she had ever taken.
Three hours later, Amelia was ready for the best night of her life. She went to Malá sportovní hala and saw a long queue of other fans. She was surprised that people had come so early. She had planned to be one of the first, but at least she was halfway in the queue. Amelia came up with an idea to send a message to Rally.
“Hey Rally, it’s Amelia. I’m waiting in front of the hall. How are you?”
“Hello Amelia, sorry but I have much more work than I thought. So I can’t text you. But don’t worry. I remember about you. Please be very near to the stage, we’ll see each other for sure.”
“OK. But if it isn’t possible because of so many people, I would like to thank you once again for your help. I will always remember you. You have an open invitation to Danzig-Gdansk. See you.”
„It’s very likely I will use your invitation, thanks. See you soon.”
After two hours of waiting Amelia finally entered the hall. She took the opportunity and occupied the place near barriers. She was looking for Rally but she saw him nowhere. The truth was that he didn’t tell her what he was going to do at the concert. She deducted there was no point looking for him at that moment.
The hall was filled with people. Amelia, like all the others, was waiting impatiently for beginning of the show. At last they heard first bars of „Nightmares” which sparked an outburst of uncontrollable enthusiasm from the crowd. All members of Palaye Royale appeared on stage in plumes of smoke. It was poetical. When Remington turned towards her she was speechless. There was nobody else but Rally himself standing in front of her.
Amelia was completely shocked when she finally understood who was her companion for the whole evening in Prague. And now she sees this man on stage, singing her favorite songs. He was smiling to her and waving as he promised. She couldn’t tell why she didn’t recognize Remington when they had met on the bridge. But it doesn’t matter now. The reality is better than her dreams.
During the performance Remington left the stage and gave his fans fives. He reserved the best high-five for Amelia. Now she knows the answer to Rally’s question about Remington.
She can say for sure that Remington Leith is as unique as his music.
Translation by Izabella Raya and Adam Kuźmiński