The Rock Princess and the Thriller Writer

The Rock Princess and the Thriller Writer is a short story written by Matthew Reilly, released online and available to read on his website.

Synopsis

The "Rock Princess" is a popular and well-known young rock star, while Mark Ridley - the "Thriller Writer - is a thriller novelist with a more humble following. Their careers and publicity make it seem like such individuals would never meet, and yet one night - while both are touring through New York - they meet in the restaurant of the hotel they are both staying at. Princess's boyfriend, an equally famous musician, has blown off their date to attend a party, reducing the rock princess to tears when he calls her to tell her his plans. Dining alone nearby, the thriller writer, unaware of who she is, asks if she is alright. The rock princess sees that he genuinely doesn't known her and is genuine in his concern, and soon the two begin talking.

The writer admits that music isn't his strong suit, but promises to buy princess's latest album to check out her songs. In turn, the princess inquires about his novels, though she hasn't heard of them since thrillers aren't her typically genre of choice. Despite this, they enjoy each other's company, but after speaking for several hours, the writer excuses himself since he has an early morning train to the next destination in his tour. While she is disappointed, the princess recognises that she too has an early flight, and so the two bid each other good night.

The next morning, while checking out of the hotel, the rock princess overhears a pair of desk clerks gushing over Ridley, and is surprised at the writer's popularity since she assumed only men would fans of the genre he writes. Additionally, one of the princess's backup singers, Vanessa, also notes Ridley's popularity, and indicates that she will be making a move on him if she ever happens to meet him.

Both the rock princess and the thriller writers' respective tours take them to different parts of the United States, but now the princess sees Ridley's books at several airport kiosks during her travels. Their tours do eventually meet up again in Dallas, but while they're booked in the same hotel as one another, neither realises this or even meet. Vanessa does happen to recognise Ridley and approaches him, surprising the writer since he usually isn't recognised by face. At first Vanessa holds his attention by claiming to be an avid reader and a fan, but soon he the writer is only listening out of politeness as she begins talking about herself and putting down the rock princess. Needing to attend an interview, the writer excuses himself, and the next day he checks out early to avoid meeting Vanessa again.

On his way to San Francisco, the thriller writer spies a magazine article about a break-up between the rock princess and her boyfriend in an ugly manner, and he wonders if she is okay. As it happens, they happen to both be sharing the same hotel once again, and when she sees him, the rock princess approaches the writer and asks to join him.

They both admit to have sampled the other's respective works, and that they are finding themselves enjoying the books and songs they wouldn't normally read or listen to. The rock princess asks why the writer didn't tell her how famous he actually was, and he when he in turn asks if it would have made a difference and learns that it might have, Ridley responds that is shouldn't make a difference, since people like Vanessa are inclined to try to attach themselves to him because of his popularity. The princess points out that she is not like Vanessa, which the writer agrees with. Both suddenly feel a desire to see the other again, but the writer is concerned that they might not be compatible and that the princess might not be interested in a quiet author like himself. The writer soon decides to ask the princess out anyway, and the two soon agree to have dinner together in two weeks' time.

Following a successful dinner in Port Douglas, the rock princess and the thriller writer continue seeing each other over the next two years. While the pairing doesn't interest many in the various gossip magazines, neither care about the public's opinion and continue their relationship, living happily ever after.

Characters

• The "Rock Princess"
• Mark Ridley / The "Thriller Writer"
• "Serious Music Dude"
• Vanessa

Trivia

• The synopsis on Matthew Reilly's website for this short story incorrectly states that Mitchell Raleigh, a character that appears in the short stories A Bad Day at Fort Bragg and Time Tours, is the protagonist.
• The character of Mark Ridley is a play on Matthew Reilly.
  • This is the second short story character to do so; following Mitchel Raleigh.
• Some of the novels Ridley is said to have written are references to some of Reilly's early novels.
  • Ice Mission is a play on Ice Station.
  • The Curse of the Incan Temple is a play on Temple.