Shit, yeah, man, fuckin' A

Can I talk about something other than emotional problems? I mean, is this therapy or something? I'm not quite sure what this interview stuff is all about.

It's just a way to get you to talk. You've said to me that no one ever asks you about anything. So now here's your chance. But let me give you some advice: Don't analyze it too much. Seriously. Because that's one sure way to make it (and me) disappear. Don't try to define it.

But...

No analyzing.

Yeah, man, but what about...

Stop. Stop now.

But...

What were you going to talk about anyway? Something going on?

Uh, there's this songwriting competition, eh? It's about songs that are social or political in theme, and it's held at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas, which I've been to many, many times. I even played main stage once. Anyway, I'd love the chance to go back, so I planned on entering this song I wrote years ago. Then I just recently discovered that songs that are older than two years are ineligible. So, I was disappointed, you know?

That sucks. I see why you'd feel bad.

But there's more. So yesterday I got out the kitchen timer and decided I'd write for 15 minutes. Anyway, I ended up writing for two hours and got the first draft for the lyric. And I've been whittling it down, you know, and rewriting, and putting some guitar and working on a melody...

Really? That's really good. That's excellent, farmboy. Congratulations!

Yeah, well, I was hoping to get it done and recorded today, because the deadline is tomorrow.

Tomorrow? No shit?

Shit, yeah, man, fuckin' A. So I'm thinking about taking a personal day and doing a better job rather than doing a half-assed job, y'know. Because it has the potential for being good and...

Do it. No work tomorrow for you, that's what I say. Even if there were no competitions, I'd say take a fuckin' day off and finish it. Because this is what you are, a songwriter. Ain't no contest, farmboy, you got to call in and do this song.

Yeah, I know. (laughs) It's really good to hear it from someone else, though. Thanks.

I hope you get in the competition. I hope you get to go to Kerrville and see all your old pals. But mostly I'm glad to see you excited about songwriting, about music.

Yeah, me too. Hey, sometimes...

Yeah?

Um, I forgot what I was going to say.

Let me know when you remember. I'd like to know.

I will. (pauses) It's okay to do this music stuff, right?

Do you really have a choice?

Good question. Guess I'm taking a day off. Hey, about what I was going to say...

The thing you forgot?

Yeah. (quietly). I like talking with you. Thanks, man.