The van ran out of gas about a mile from town and they couldn’t spare the fuel to fill it up again. Wearily, they unpacked their luggage and started walking. At least the suitcases had wheels on them. Jack, the leader, walked in front of the others. He was really looking forward to this show. They hadn’t had a show in ages, and eating later that night was a really appealing idea.

When they arrived, they got to setting up. Plugging in wires, arranging amps and loudspeakers, hooking up the generators. There was probably only gas enough for about an hour or so.

People began to arrive around noon. They came on bicycles and on foot. Some of them had probably been travelling a day already, maybe two. Nobody had the fuel to waste, but nobody wanted to miss this, either.

The generators roared into life. Jack strode out on the stage, trying to look cocky and self-assured.

“Hello, Cleveland!” He yelled into the crackling microphone. “Are you ready to rock?”