JT walked into the Perche. A rough crowd, long shore men, strippers on the stage, and women sitting on the men’s laps filled the bar. BMI and musician Jagger Diggs sat in a back area where a woman kissed his neck and flirted with him. On a small stage located in the back of the bar, a man finished playing a guitar. He left it on the stage and walked back to his table. Other instruments were laid all over the stage for people to play. A digital sign located just above the stage read "The Perche Instrument Karaoke Night." The bartender yelled out, “Next! Who's up next?”
A man who was seated towards the front at a table raised his hand and volunteered to play next. JT walked slowly through the crowd and checked out the bar goers around him. He took a seat at the bar and looked in the direction of the stage. The volunteer was Jagger. He walked onto the stage and turned towards the audience. The bartender asked, “What are you playing, mister?”
Jagger said, “Sax.” Jagger picked up the saxophone and started to blow some test notes to warm up.
The bartender yelled over the noise of the crowd, “Alright my man. Let her rip.”
Jagger played the sax as the bartender looked at JT and asked him, “You want drink?”
“Bush Maker. Make it a double,” replied JT.
Jagger played well and the crowd enjoyed it. Jagger finished his tune, exited the stage and sat back down at his table. JT walked up to Jagger's table and sat down next to him. JT told him, “Great tune. You play like a pro.”
Jagger smiled and shook his head up and down in agreement. H said, “Thanks.”
JT wanted to make sure he had the right guy before he took action, so he asked additional questions, starting with, “Do you mind if I sit here with you?”
Jagger replied, “No, not all. You play?”
JT told him, “No. Just here to enjoy the music.”
Another artist, entered the stage and sung as he played the guitar.
JT continued his questioned with, “You from L.A.?”
Jagger replied, “No. Just passing through, man.”
JT then asked, “Where did you learn to play?” “Liverpool,” he replied.
JT asked, “The Beatle’s Liverpool?” and Jagger answered, “Yep, Scouserland. A musician’s heaven.”
JT slammed his glass on the table and said loudly, “Jagger!”
Jagger realized something was wrong. How did this guy know his name and replied, “Who?” JT said, “Jagger Diggs?”
Jagger looked around for a way to escape. He felt like a cornered rat about to be pounced on by a cat. He knew his options were limited and he would probably have to fight his way out.
Jagger yelled, “Frack! You’re an iCer.” JT started to reach for his gun and said, “Don't move!” Jagger flipped the table onto JT's lap and knocked him onto the floor. Jagger had run through the audience to escape. JT tried to grab him, but the crowd stood up and blocked his path. Jagger made it out the back door. The audience loved Jagger so much that they tried to help him make his escape. One of the men in the audience yelled at JT, “Where do you think you’re going? JT pulled out his gun and fired; a blue muzzle flash emitted. JT shot the man from the audience in the leg for blocking his path. JT made one of his wise-ass remarks at the man he just shot, “Out the door. Anyone got a problem with that?”
Everyone in the room moved as the guy who was shot grabbed at his leg and moved aside. He said, “You shot me! You shot me, man.”
JT started to walk out and several people in the bar started to slowly crowd the doorway.
JT warned them again, “Move or I'll shoot you too.” The crowd backed up and parted.
JT exited the back door of the bar. He chased Jagger down the street near the Angel’s Flight train. It was small historic train that only went up and down the hill. He ran from the seedy underling area to the affluents area on top of the hill. Once they exited the bar they had run through the outside flea market to the train platform. JT was about to catch up to Jagger when Jagger turned, pulled a gun from his waistband, and shot at JT. He barely missed. Jagger continued to run up the stairs that paralleled the Angel’s Flight train’s path up the hill. When he reached the half way mark, he shot at JT again. This time JT armed himself with his weapon and fired back. He too, missed Jagger. At the top of the hill there was a water display and a small concrete lined lake with colored lights on the walkways. The crowd changed from old town underlings to the affluents wearing futuristic clothes. Once more, Jagger turned to shoot. He missed, but this time, he killed a woman who was walking near JT. The crowd screamed. JT fired back at Jagger as he turned to run. JT hit him in the back, knocking him forward. He fell face down on a small table face first where two men were having a drink. They jumped up from the table and raised their arms above their heads. Both yelled, “Don’t shoot.”
JT approached Jagger and turned him over as he died. Jagger told JT, “You’re making a mistake.”
JT tried to ask him, “Why'd you come to L.A.?”
As Jagger took his last breath of life, he said, “More life. 1600. 1600.”
Jagger eyes closed slowly as the life faded from his body. He was the first to be iced.