Thursday Nights in Downtown Cruel Tokyo #06-08

14p, Parts 6-8 of "Thursday Nights in Downtown Cruel Tokyo written by Damir Bojanic with illustrations by Sharan Dhaliwal

If you're reading this then you're either about to begin reading the multi-faceted epic that is Thursday Nights In Downtown Cruel Tokyo, or you're currently an avid reader.

After much discussion with some of you, I feel that I owe a short explanation in particular to the current readers who are still trying to work out what exactly is happening. No spoilers, just simple basic facts and 'ground rules' to understanding the whole concept.

Before I do that though, i'm going to give you a short history lesson. The title "Thursday Nights In Downtown Cruel Tokyo" is also the name of my very very first ep circa 2001. This was a time when i had absolutley no musical knowledge or understanding and used computers to cut up songs and reconstruct them as my own soundtracks to a concept story that i would make up as I went along. The order of the songs would determine how the story goes from start to finish and would accompany a certain scene within this pseudo-film that never existed.

As more 'soundtracks' emerged, more characters were born all unrelated it would seem, until somehow I found myself relating them all in some form of conspiracy against myself. By the time I started recording the vocal songs with singing, I kinda abandoned that whole aspect until perhaps a year later I actually found myself writing songs relating back to the concept story however loosely connected they may have seemed. So then I ended up writing albums to coincide directly to the story.

A few more years pass, and here I am writing out the actual story in full primarily for my own well being otherwise my head will explode if I try to unravel it all in there. At least on paper (or wordpad) I'll end up having something to show for it all. So basically, this is all for my own sake but if anyone enjoys it on the way then it's an added bonus.

Anyway so back to the basics, my writing style is somewhat different to what you may be used to such as in a book. I'm not a english literature student and i've never set out to be a prolific writer at all, I just find my own way of writing works best for what I do. It may read as immature or even just plain lame at times, but i'm not going for any awards here.

First of all, the narrative and the monologue are combined. There is no jump gap. Most of the chapters take place within the character's head, jumping from my perspective as narrator, to the character's feelings and thoughts within the blink of an eye. It reads as I write it basically. It's the only way I feel I can actually drag you into each character and make you feel them. Sometimes my own feelings and thoughts are thrown in there but don't take any notice of them... lol

Secondly, each chapter skips an alternative character each time. I'm not out to deliberatly confuse you, but you have to figure out which of the numerous storylines you are reading for yourself at the beginning of each chapter. The main story line involves Jamie and he is usually every other one, whereas the other storylines fit in between his chapters.

Thirdly, in case you hadn't realised, the different stories are all linked in some kind of way. You won't know right now but they will all merge soon enough... trust me.

Fourthly, the chapters are in a sequence for a reason but they don't necessarily read in a chronological order if you get me. However you must read the chapters as I write them, don't jump and read ahead otherwise 1) you'll get confused 2) you'll ruin it!

Fifthly, i've now resorted to making up words, but im still goin to go ahead and just put -ly on the end every number such as...

"Sixthly", all the main characters are in fact some form of myself. You can probably get that from reading it. I would say the whole thing is based on a true story, which is technically true. However the events that TNIDCT are based have been manipulated in a my usual surreal manner.

Seventhly, i suppose i should warn that there is a lot of strong language and graphic violence involved and yadda yadda and its the only thing that makes stuff interesting sometimes but there, i've warned you.

Eightly, the ending is still undecided. As of writing this i've only got as far as 20 chapters. A fair bit has happened already but by no means has this story even kicked off yet, i'm still in the introductory stages for all the characters, and to be honest i can't wait to get to the best bits yet at the same time i don't wanna rush ahead of it and spoil it. Like i say, i still don't know how its all gonna end and i'm probably looking at about 300 chapters in total, haha! A lot of work but i guess i will have to discover how i feel over time about all my characters (my babies) and decide what is the best ending for the whole saga.

Ninethly, enjoy. If you don't like it, give it time. If you still don't like it then don't read it. Simple as. But if you do enjoy it, then "get in!"

Much love

Damir x