Monday night. Beauty Bar. Stephin was DJing. I didn’t want to fawn. So I pretended that I didn’t know or care who he was. However, I *did* want to talk to him. So I waited for the right moment. It soon came.

Stephin: (plays “My Friend Jack” by The Smoke)
Me: Is this THE SMOKE?
Stephin (glumly): Yes.
Me: Would you do me a favour and play “Don’t Lead Me On”?
Stephin (deadpan): You want me to play another song by the same band? NO.
Me: Okaythanksbye!

Bonus moment of hilarity, part one:

Our new barfriend Niko, having no idea who he was, calling out “STEVE! STEEEVE!” to try and get his attention. Us being sufficiently horrified.

Bonus moment of hilarity, part two:

Drunk, brave Indra approaching Stephin at the end of the night, saying something cute and sincere like she’s sorry she is being such a cliche and she’s too old to be doing this, but she thinks his music is really wonderful. How does Stephin respond? “Thank you. Thanks.” But dourly. And with SUCH GREAT SADNESS IN THE EYES.

In conclusion: Stephin Merritt = human Eeyore

THE MAGIC END