Augustus

So as we were saying... Chris: Well, it's still true! I never wanted an extraordinary life. Neil: Chris would be quite happy living with someone in suburbia. Chris: When you said that, I just got a real pang. I'd like the suburban life. Quite a nice car. Sports car. Actually, my sister's got some friends who have got the life I want. They spend all day playing golf, going to watch Arsenal, going on holidays, tennis, socializing. Neil: Drinking white wine. Chris: A sip of white wine. They've a rather glamorous life. Is that too much to ask for? Neil: [laughs] Apparently, yes. And this has been a terrible second best that you've stumbled into? Chris: Well, I think this has only happened because I wanted something different. Because that's what he's like, isn't he? So, just to clarify: God punished you by giving you the Pet Shop Boys' career? Chris: [laughs] It's been one long punishment! Why do you think I've looked so miserable the entire time? Did I show you the advert for someone to play me in a tribute band? [He finds the advert on his phone. It is a replacement member for the band Pet Shop Boys, Actually. The advert reads 'We're on the lookout for our next Chris Lowe -- could that be you?' then lists the three essential qualifications for the job: 'A love of PSB', 'Under 6ft 2in', and 'A miserable disposition'.] Neil, would you like to offer a counterbalance? Neil: Well, in the eighteen years since the previous conversation, I think we have carried on with expanding the world that we were talking about. And you, unlike your partner in music, have been glad to be doing this? Neil: Yes, absolutely. I think my partner in music has also been quite glad to, really. The problem with Chris is that he thinks he wants a normal life, but he's not a normal person. Chris: [laughing] How dare you! Neil: No, but that's the problem. He's actually not a normal person in any way, shape, or form. That's why the suburban life was doomed. He's a creative person who doesn't really follow a lot of normal rules of behaviour or pursue the way of life that would have led to that. Remember, Chris left college with a lot of student debts -- which were considerable, shockingly large! -- and paid them off by becoming a pop star. Chris: It's not cheap when you're doing architecture. It's not just pen and paper, like historians. We have costs. Neil: I mean, it seemed inconceivable he would get a job as an architect, which could have led to the suburban bliss. Chris: No, I don't think I'd have been very good at architecture. Neil: Well, it's too much responsibility. Something you can't bear. Chris: I know. You can't have someone like me in the office. Neil: You can't even ask someone for a piece of bread in a restaurant! Chris: [laughing] 'Neil, are you going to get some bread?' Neil: I mean, that person can never be an architect. Chris: Well, I just don't like making decisions. Do you recognize Neil's description of you? Chris: Yeah. So maybe it's good this happened? Chris: Looking back, it probably is.

just a cute moment between Neil and Chris

So, I'm a fan of this English duo, right? They're both gay. And like, back when they first started their careers, neither of them were out. They wanted keep their private lives private, you know? They still do, in fact. But even back then, the fans knew. They had a pretty solid reputation for being queer even before anyone officially knew that they were gay. Anyway, they do eventually come out. And for their whole careers, they do basically everything together. Keep a good relationship the whole time. You know, with a lot of these groups there's the inevitable messy breakup, but not them. In fact, they're still making stuff together to this day. Yeah, they're still going in 2025. Who would have thought?