Plot summary - Ben S.

exposition: Two characters are sitting in a back-stage area of a small Music club/Cafe. They both are carrying instruments obviously getting ready for a performance on the stage in the main room. One character is holding a guitar, and the other is sitting next to various cases filled with drums. They begin chatting and complaining about when the other 2 members of the band are going to show up. Obviously irritated, the drummer decides to call their bass player.

Inciting incident: Right as the drummer picks up his phone to call the bass player, the guitarist's phone rings. He looks at the caller ID and see's that it is their bass player. The guitarist picks up the phone and prepares for the expected argument about why she is late. The bass player immediately starts apologizing, and seems truly in distress. We learn that she has just found out her uncle is very ill and had to rush to the hospital to check up on him, she says she is on her way but will arrive 25 minutes late. Right at that moment their second guitarist arrives.

Rising Action: We find out that this particular gig is extremely important to the band and they all need the money badly. They now have a choice between playing the first 25 minutes of a 3 hour set without a bass player, which will surely lower any credibility they might already have as a band but will still get them their pay for this gig, or they can wait the 25 minutes and see if they can convince the owner to push their time slot back. They have a heated discussion about this, and right then the owner of the club walks in. He asks them what is wrong, and says that people in the main room are complaining that they hear yelling noises coming from backstage. The owner tells the band that if they do not start within the first 25 minutes of their regular time slot they will not get paid, but if they wait any longer then he can't pay them. Right then they get a call from their bass player who tells them they have hit a traffic jam and they are going to try and take some back roads but will probably not be able to make the 25 minutes originally promised. One of the members goes out to get a drink and comes back to tell the band he saw a big-time record company executive out at the bar, he thinks that if they play well tonight they may have a chance at a record deal.

Climax: The band has to make the decision about whether they will be able to play or not. They decide that since they all really need the money they have to play this gig even if they don't get a record deal. The drummer in particular is very distressed about this, he needs the money the least out of the rest of the band and it has always been his dream to be part of a big time rock band. The group goes up on the stage, there is the usual cheers but they all notice the record company exec. is looking questioningly at the vacant bass amp. Right before the band leader steps up to the mic the drummer sees the bass player rush back-stage but the band leader doesn't see him. The drummer rushes forward but has issues getting around the drum set.

Resolution: After getting caught on various cords and rushing past instruments and amps he finally makes it to the leader right before he begins to talk to the crowd. Pointing out the bassist running up onto the stage, they both are relieved to realize they made it. They play a great show and are asked to play an on-chore.

Denouement: The record company exec comes up to them after the show and offers them a chance to come to the studio, record some demo's and then if they are good, sign a record deal, record an album, and go on tour. The band readily accepts.