"We still have a tour to go on," Dustyn says rather bluntly like he doesn't quite believe that sentence. How can they continue on until the summer, going about their business, giving fans false hope and knowing that three of them are totally walking away for good at the end of it? "We've also got a Greatest Hits coming and some new material to record for that. A compilation album. Should've seen the split coming, really," Dustyn says with a sad chuckle. The plan was always to release their third album, tour, do a best of album and then go on hiatus. Formally departing and selling off label shares was never in the cards. The boys have their reasons but it does seem like betrayal to Dustyn in many regards. "If they were going to do this...I wish they would've waited until after tour," Dustyn sighs and runs a hand through his hair. It's similar to his take on dying. Dustyn would much rather be killed instantly than learn he has so many weeks or months to live. The band might still be going on but now there's a time limit on it and he's only thinking about that date drawing closer. Going on knowing that three members don't want to be there hurts.

"That band changed my life. You know how things were for me before I joined. I was the boy trapped in a village and then I was Dustyn from Weekend. I'm happy being him. I'm happy writing Weekend songs. I'm happy seeing those four boys practically every day. I'm happy travelling the world with my best friends. I...I've been doing this for like 8/9 years. I don't know anything different. I don't WANT to do anything different." It might sound a little selfish of him but this is a decision that was made for him by other people. He hasn't had time to process and plan things. Dustyn is ever the optimist and somewhat naive. Weekend is a good thing and has provided security both financially and emotionally. All good things come to an end, however. "Oscar believes it's time to sign off on a high rather than crash and burn. Scott is approaching 30 and says he doesn't want to keep doing this and then start his own life in his forties or fifties. I get that...I really do...but...it's just so out of the blue. I just...I can't believe that after EVERYTHING we've achieved, overcome and seen over the years, it was just put to a stop on a rainy Tuesday in London." Dustyn stops the sniffling and is taken aback by a sudden realisation after saying that out loud. Weekend actually formed on a rainy Tuesday in London. Maybe the writing was on the wall from the start.

"Go solo?" Dustyn asks with a dismissive laugh. That's never crossed his mind. While he loves to write and perform, doing it alone sounds so bleak and scary. To go from sharing everything with a rowdy bunch of best friends to doing it all alone would be too much of a culture shock for him. "That'd be too much for me. I don't even want to walk away from the label but I can't imagine working with anyone besides my boys. I'd rather just...I don't know...drop the whole music thing altogether and...go live somewhere off the grid and make my own bread." While it's a bit of a joke, that lifestyle probably is the best decision he could make. Staying in the same industry and business circles would cause him a lot of distress. He's an all or nothing kind of guy and if Weekend isn't a sure thing, he'd be best to remove himself from everything music related. Hanging onto things and having false hope would only hurt him more.

"What scares me most is...how calm they are. We've had many fights over the years. People get dramatic, don't answer calls for a day or two, say that they're leaving and that they hate so and so. They never actually do it. So for them to be so sure of it, armed with documents and everything...and for Billy to actually agree with something Oscar put on the table...it really hit home just how serious they are about wanting to go." Dustyn sighs and rests his head on Dallas' shoulder. He hates this. Everything is falling apart, it involves people he loves and the kicker is that they're doing this for their own happiness. He can't be mad at them for wanting to go down a different path. Even his best friend Billy, who's usually a loudmouth, didn't kick off. He sat with the information, thought about it and then came to a conclusion. If Billy's not up in arms then it's very telling that it's a lost cause.

Dustyn's phone pings and lights up with a message from Scott "I'm so sorry, Dustyn. The last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt you. I love you. Please call me when you get the chance." Dustyn doesn't even read the message, not wanting to talk to any of them and also fearing it might be Riley delivering the final nail in the coffin. He doesn't want to deal with it right now so he turns his phone upside down and moves it to the bedside table. "I'm going to be an emotional mess each and every night of this fucking tour. I dread to imagine the final show," Dustyn says, still wiping the odd runaway tear from his cheek. Dallas knows just how emotional and sentimental he gets when performing. This tour is going to be a killer for him. "We'll soldier on through the shows. We're professionals. Somewhat."

"Do you even know where Bali is?" Dustyn asks with a little laugh. He sure as hell doesn't know either. "I don't know. Not sure of the specifics but I know that if Weekend's coming to an end, I don't want to stay in the same circles. I don't want to be bombarded with paparazzi, being asked when I'm releasing my own album and having them press for dirt on the other boys. Oh and I'm sure as hell not stagnating in London waiting on Dancing With The Stars to come knocking. That's just bleak." Dustyn reaches around and starts to stroke Dallas' beard. It soothes him. "Getting away would be nice. I tend to start each new chapter by moving to a new location. A bit like that Red Dead game you play. Ah...my gang's falling apart, eh?" he says with a sigh.

"Also...like...unsure about business things like trademarks and stuff. Five Pesky Kids owns the Weekend brand but if we sell our shares of the company and new people come in...does that mean they own the Weekend name?" Dustyn asks quizzically. He's not too clued up or that interested in the business side of things but he'd rather find out sooner than later. This is important stuff. "Uh, this is not how things were supposed to go. I thought that we'd go on for much longer and just take breaks when it was needed. We were a band that defied expectation and the odds. Sad that we're ending like others." Dustyn snuggles into Dallas, not really expecting a reply to that. He's just airing out thoughts.

Dustyn smiles softly and kisses Dallas on the cheek. "As much as I love you and would like to see you in very short shorts, I think we need this tour for ourselves. If it's the last run then I think it's important we make the most of it together. Also, if you came it'd mean you'd have to travel around with Billy. I know how you feel about him." Dallas doesn't vocalise his dislike for Billy out of respect for his friendship with his husband but Dustyn is no fool. He knows that Dallas has no time for the man. Bringing that tension on tour is the last thing he wants.

"Shay is still in school. Not sure if I want to fuck around with that," Dustyn says with a little sigh in regards to travelling. "Would be nice to go somewhere like that for a bit though. Could clear my head while I figure out what I want to do next. Could also tan my Irish cheeks too," Dustyn giggles, definitely perking up a little. "I'm guessing this is us entering our Beecher's Hope chapter, huh?"

Micah jogs along Neptune Quay with his earphones in, making use of his daily exercise time allowed by the government in the quarantine. Despite the killer virus going around the world, he sort of enjoys the peace and quiet when outdoors nowadays. He's very into his fitness and while the docks provide some great scenery for a run or jog, it's usually far too busy to properly enjoy it. This is nice. Risk of catching a deadly virus aside. As he turns the corner and enters further into the Ipswich Haven Marina, Micah's stomach drops and he stops dead in his tracks. He can't be sure for certain as the ship is further out than he's allowed to venture but, judging by the size, condition and the multiple Google image searches, Micah is 90% positive that it's The Duke. It can't be...yet...there it sits. Out of all the places in the world, it's here...in the middle of a pandemic. What are the chances. Where's a pair of binoculars when you need them?

Micah sits down on a bench, taking the weight off of his quaking legs and trying to think about his next move. That area is restricted, he can't be seen out loitering in this quarantine and he isn't sure what to do now that reality has set in. For the last three months, Micah has been thinking about this man. Erich Hess. Ever since finding out about him, Micah has thought countless times about what he would say to Erich and all the questions that he has for him. All of that has gone out the window. All that's on his mind right now is that damned boat actually being sat there. Micah sighs and takes out his earphones. Listening to Chicago Nobody singing about having sex and snorting coke isn't exactly helping the mood.

Micah's stomach leaps as he sees a figure walk closer from the docks. As it comes into focus, it is indeed Erich Hess. This can't be happening. Stranger things have happened in the world like Donald Trump being elected as President and Scott Wellington landing a record deal but this...this is still a very odd turn of events. It's like destiny. Or cruel fate. Micah can feel himself physically shaking and going cold. He's either panic stricken by the thought of this man being mere metres away or has just been struck down with Coronavirus. This is all happening too fast. As much as he has wanted to talk to him for months, now that the opportunity is here, he's too scared. He can't get his thoughts straight and this is too soon. He's found himself thrown in at the deep end. Micah only went out for a jog. As unprepared and terrified as he is, Micah knows that this opportunity may never arise again. When Erich walks past him, Micah springs up for the bench and blurts out "Excuse me, sir? Are...are you Erich Hess?".

Micah takes his nervous hands out of his pockets just to confirm that he's not concealing a weapon and planning to mug Erich. Not that Micah looks anything like a mugger. He's far too short. Plus his enunciation and the fact that he called Erich "sir" also removed any doubt. He's definitely a university type. "No, I'm not accusing you of anything...". Micah looks him over. This man doesn't seem to age. He looks exactly the same as in the photos his mother showed him. "I um....sorry, this is bizarre..." Micah lets out a nervous laugh and scratches his eyebrow. He's got Erich's attention but isn't sure where to go with it. How the hell does he start this conversation off? He has to be smart and reel him back in. The man already looks on edge and they're near the docks. If he tells him what he really wants to tell him, someone might end in the water. "Uh...the singer, right? I...I...uh I believe you knew my mum?" Micah steps forwards and takes his wallet out of his pocket, fumbling as he opens it. He takes out a small picture of his mother and holds it out to Erich. "She...she used to travel around with you for a bit about 20 years ago. Elsie Delisle."

Micah feels some of the nerves lift when Erich seems to be conversing and also recognises his mother. Would've been awkward if he was an ignorant prick who walked on by or didn't recognise Elsie at all. He'd have to follow and harass him like some crazed fan. Thankfully he doesn't have to take this approach. Obviously Micah knows they did more than travel together. He's living proof. He isn't here for the gory details, however. It's the last conversation he'd ever want to have with Erich let alone be the first. "Yeah, that's mum..." he says with a soft smile, giving the photo another look before putting back into his wallet. When Erich asks how she's been doing, it catches him off guard. It's not an odd question to ask. It's just that, for Micah, it's still rather raw.
"Well she had a baby, moved to Ipswich, married...a couple of times, continued to sing around the towns for a bit..." Micah clears his throat, still finding the next bit difficult to say out loud. "She...uh...she passed away just at the start of the year..." Micah looks away for a moment, averting his gaze from Erich to the boats. It's just momentarily to fight back tears. He doesn't wish to cry in front of him, especially after two minutes of meeting him. "I was wondering if...maybe...we could talk about her. She never spoke much about those days. To me she was always just "mum". I'd really like if we could chat."

Micah nods and walks alongside Erich, still feeling rather apprehensive but it's more so the knowledge of the truth bomb that's about to come and less about Erich now. He seems nice. "Oh, you weren't to know. I understand that she didn't have much contact with you and others from around that time over the last 20 years. She never mentioned names until...well...it was one of the last conversations we had. I knew she travelled around and sang with others for a bit before I was born but you guys were always just that. "Others". She never said much else about those days but if it came up, she would have a smile on her face. She'd try to hide it but I could see it." Micah smiles, remembering his mother's joyful face. When Erich mentions weed and acid, he just nods. It's hardly a shock to him. "Yeah, sounds like mum." Micah laughs and thinks back to his childhood. Elsie was never a horrid drunk or chaotic addict. He just has very innocent memories of her being a bit buzzed and silly. "Mum was always life and soul of the party. Nothing changed there then. She loved a party. Even birthday parties I was invited to as a kid, she tagged along. I'd be playing on the bouncy castle and she'd be drinking a glass of chardonnay...on the bouncy castle too." It's evident that the tales of drug use don't faze him at all. Micah puts his hands into his pockets to protect them from the cold. Being by British waters doesn't exactly warm the soul. "So you knew my mum, huh?" Micah asks, knowing the answer fine well but looking for a way to move onto the topic of her and Erich. "It's OK, I'm not looking for gory details," Micah says with a chuckle, holding up his hands.

"I'm guessing that you weren't exactly love's young dream?" Micah asks with a chuckle. He's well aware this his mother wasn't exactly lucky in love. "It's OK, I'm not going to be mad or anything. My mum...she...she didn't have the best track record with guys. She tried to settle down many times but things always went a bit...wobbly." On the subject of her love life and Erich not knowing what became of her over the last two decades, Micah decides that there's no harm in talking about her marriages. She was an open book. He's hardly going to be tarnishing her memory. Elsie married several times and had a few other relationships in between. Whenever she was somewhat comfortable, something would come along and shake things up. "She married a guy called Noah in 2002. I was raised Jewish because of that relationship," he says with a chuckle. That was one of her wildest moves. "Nice guy. I don't remember any drama. I just remember him being there and then...not. Mum said they just drifted. I met him again last year. Again, was nice enough but it was awkward. A lot of time passed. We didn't have much in common. It's a shame because he was the only one I liked." Micah lets out a nostalgic sigh. "She remarried in 2006. Some guy called Derek. He was a nightwatchman. Hardly seen the guy. I only remember that he liked war documentaries and that is bald head was really shiny. I think that lasted less than a year. She got back into singing after that. She'd perform a lot of covers in bars. Wasn't exactly as wild as her group days but it was a nice little income and she was happy - getting to sing every other night."

Micah clears his throat and looks down at his shoes as the memories start to sour. "She gave the music up again in 2012. Gave it all up for Charlie. See, at the time, I liked him. One thing about my mum was that she always made sure I was happy. She always had a smile on her face. He left about two years later and it wasn't until a few years down the line when I realised how manipulative he was. After him, she was burnt out. Didn't want to return to the stage and she gave up on marriage. Sad to think about how worn out she was with everything but, if anything, those years out of work brought us even closer. We had even more time together. She was like my best friend." Micah smiles, thinking about the relationship they had. Oddly enough, Micah doesn't mention to Erich who his dad is.

Micah looks out over the marina filled with abandoned boats, sitting silently as the world falls apart around them. Despite being broad daylight, it's still an eerie sight to behold. The apocalypse like setting coupled with the fact that the only other person he has met today is Erich, out of ALL the people in the world, seems like a bizarre movie plot or drug induced dream. "My mum was raised as Christian and later told me that she never believed in a God or religion. The Judaism thing was one of her wildest moves post-band. Think she did it just to rewrite her life and start a new chapter. That was only about 18 months or 2 years after she broke away from your group. Very bold move to make but that was her. One of the greatest things about mum though was that, as spontaneous and free spirited as she was, she never did anything that put me in danger. My childhood was entertaining. It was like living with a big Hollywood star...in Ipswich." Micah lets out a little laugh and looks around at his surroundings. Ipswich is nice enough. It has some history, being one of England's oldest towns and the people are nice enough. It's hardly the hub of entertainment, though. Micah nods when Erich says that Elsie had real talent. "Indeed. No stage school or any sort of training. She had a great voice and always got the crowd going. Wish I could've seen her back when you knew her. When she was actually in a functioning band."

"Oh, that Derek guy was as dull as dishwater. Even at a young age I knew my mum could do better. I think she saw him as "safe". Since moving back to Britain, she sort of wanted some stability. What she wanted and what she needed where too different things, though. I never noticed at the time but looking back, I think she got restless. Sooner or later, she'd want to get back on the stage and work at ungodly hours." Micah smiles, thinking about his mum on stage again. She was as equally good at being a parent as she was a performer. He's very lucky in that regard. "She has...had...this friend called Caroline. I think that woman was the only other constant in her life along with me. Mum said she had known her for years. Caroline was Ipswich based though so she couldn't have known her before 2000. I think the old friends shtick was the cover up the fact that Caroline was a drug dealer....or....something along those lines." Micah laughs, shaking his head at the memories of the double act. She was Elsie's drinking buddy. The pair always laughed and Caroline would give him some money every time she came over. It was the best. "Caroline was the only other person to visit my mum in hospital. Even for the visits she never toned it down. Don't think I've ever seen that woman not wearing leopard print."

Micah chuckles and shakes his head. "I'm sorry, sir. I've been chewing your ear off about my life and my mum and I don't think I even properly introduced myself. I'm Micah," he says, holding his hand out to shake. He's definitely far more comfortable around Erich but is finding himself beating around the bush now. It's getting harder to avoid THAT part of the conversation.