|
My reoccurring problem regarding the Dead shows was that I got too excited about seeing them and often took my drugs too soon and in too large a dose...especially on the first night of a series of shows. This was the case one afternoon in Atlanta as I geared up to see the Dead at the Omni (it was '91 or '92 I think..) I was with a couple of my buddies at Underground Atlanta and we decided to have a few drinks at Fat Tuesdays. We went straight for the 509 octane I believe it was called. It was a very potent grain alcohol drink. We managed well however taking our little baggies of white powder to the restroom for frequent toots. The grain alcohol had little affect on us as long as we had our higher powder. This is when that hit of acid begins to burn a hole straight through the tin foil, straight through the wallet, and it just has to be consumed! I just couldn't wait for the show and I went ahead and took a hit of blotter...seems like it might have been a snowflake. An hour later we were still drinking 509 octanes and powdering our noses when things began to fall apart. My perception seemed limited to what seemed to be a slide show. Still pictures of reality. I stood and watched a still picture of my buddy lying next to the water fountain, sound asleep and snoring. I stood and watched a still picture of two policemen looking at me. My next still picture was of me on a bus. I got on the first bus I saw. Next a man was telling me that the bus route had ended and I would have to get off. "Where am I," I asked? "Georgia," the driver responded. Next I remember I am on a train and the train stops in Atlanta somewhere. Finally I find myself in total darkness leaning up against a wall. The darkness begins to give way and the light brings shapes and forms to my surroundings. I am standing on a busy street corner and I am holding a stack of newspapers...maybe ten or fifteen newspapers...they are heavy. I put the stack down on the sidewalk and look down at the front page. There is a picture of Jerry on the front page. "Oh yeah, the show" I thought. I stepped out to the curb and waved for a taxi. A taxi appeared immediately. I got in and said, "Take me to the Omni." I scrambled around digging through my pockets looking for my ticket. I found my ticket and lots of other things that would come in handy later. The taxi let me out right at the front entrance of the Omni. I wondered where my buddies were but I was sure I would find them later. I snailed my way with the crowd through the ticket gate and into the Omni. Within seconds of walking in the lights dimmed and the band began tuning up for the first set. Captain Slack
back to story page |
|