I’m with the Band
By Melanie Brown
Copyright © 2005
Part 6
The next morning found us all at the studio bright and
early. We were finally getting the hang of things. Mom let me sleep a little
longer than usual because I had gotten in so late. I surprised myself at how
quickly I was able to get dressed and put on my make-up. I wasn’t trying to be
glamorous…just presentable. A t-shirt, sweater and jeans and I was ready for
the studio.
We were all sitting in the control booth waiting for
Mr. Johnson to come in and get us started. I wanted to listen in to John and the
guys as they were talking about their expectations of today’s session.
Instead, Scott, the sound tech, was again trying to teach me how to use the big
control panel and what each knob and dial did. I did want to know all that
stuff, but I could tell that Scott just wanted some excuse to talk to me.
Mr. Johnson finally arrived, listening to his iPod and
actually humming one of our songs and smiling. I had a fleeting thought that
space aliens had replaced Mr. Johnson. Draping the headphones around his neck,
he said, “Great session last night, guys. Absolutely great.”
John and Fritz exchanged glances with ear-to-ear
grins. Fritz said, “Thanks Mr. Johnson.”
Looking at John, Mr. Johnson said, “This morning
before we get started on your and Michelle’s duet, I’d like to re-do your vocal
from last night. It was good, but if you can put a little more edge to your
voice that song could easily be a third single.”
John and Fritz high-fived each other and John said,
“Let’s do it, man!”
I stayed in the control booth with Mom and Scott while
the others filed out into the sound studio. Scott let a frown cross his face
when he saw that Mom was staying. Thank you Mom!
I had fallen asleep in a chair with my head resting on
Mom’s shoulder. I was awakened by a gentle nudge and Mom’s voice saying, “Wake
up, dear. They’re ready for you in the studio.”
I blinked in the light a few times and tried to get my
bearings. Finally I felt awake enough to leave the control room. I walked
into a sound booth positioned so I could see John in his booth. I put on the
headphones and spoke into the microphone. “Testing…testing…Scott can you hear
me okay?”
Through the headphones, I heard Scott
say,”Roger-dodger Michelle. You’re sound just perfect…as always.”
Through the control booth window, Scott gave us a
thumbs up sign and Mr. Johnson nodded to Juan who started a count-down of the
beat and all the guys came in right on cue.
While we were singing, I saw some movement in the
control booth. It looked like someone was delivering something.
The song ended and Mr. Johnson said, “That was great.
Let’s do it again.”
After the third time, Mr. Johnson said, “Take a break
guys. Your voices were starting to sound a little strained.”
I saw Mom waving at me to come into the control
booth. I walked in and Mom had a goofy grin on her face. “What’s up?” I
almost added “Mom” at the end.
Mom just pointed to the desk behind her. On the desk
was a glass vase filled with a dozen roses and other assorted flowers.
Knitting my brows together I asked, “Who’s that for? Where did it come from?”
Mom said, “They’re for you! Aren’t they beautiful?
Look, there’s a card.”
I plucked the card from the bouquet and opened the
envelope. Inside was a handwritten note that said, “Thanks for making my
birthday party a special occasion. Can’t wait to hear your album. Love,
Tommy.”
Mom looked at the note, frowned and said, “Tommy?
Tommy Kincaid from the party last night?”
I just looked at her and said, “Yeah, that Tommy.”
Mom’s eyes grew wide as she asked, “That was very
sweet of him. Ah, how old is Tommy, anyway?”
I shrugged and said, “I dunno...I didn't think to
ask!" I paused a moment, then was suddenly offended. "Mom! Don't
look at me like that. We're not dating for crying out loud!"
Before Mom could say anything else, Sammy entered the
control room, took a quick look around and said, “Michelle, did a guy send you
some flowers?” He began to grin. My face began to turn red.
Just then, another delivery person knocked on the
control room’s door. She was carrying another bouquet of roses. Mom directed
the delivery girl to the desk with the other bouquet. I didn’t like the looks
of this one bit.
I took the card from the bouquet and read it. Mom
looked over my shoulder and said, “Julia? Who’s Julia?”
The card said simply, “Enjoyed meeting you. Hope your
album is a smashing success! Yours, Julia”
“It’s from Julia Briggs!” I gasped. It was bad enough
for Tommy to send me flowers, but Julia too?
Scott let out a low whistle and said, “Wow. She’s
hot!”
Mom said, “Isn’t she on that soap opera? It’s ah…it’s
ah…”
“Yes, it’s her.” I said quickly.
“Why did she send you flowers?” Mom looked at me
funny.
I hesitated a moment, then said, “Just like Tommy, she
just wants to wish us good luck.”
Scott cheerfully volunteered, “I heard she’s a
lesbian.”
Sammy started to laugh uncontrollably. “You…you got
flowers from both a guy and a lesbian? I can’t wait to tell John!”
“Don’t you dare!” I cried out, but it was too late as
he was running out the door. Through the window, I could see him quickly tell
John and the others. It wasn’t hard to read John’s lips as he cried out, “No shit!?”
They all started laughing, including Juan.
Before I could say anything else, Mr. Winters with
Brooklyn in tow entered the control room. After exchanging pleasantries with
everyone, Mr. Winters turned to me and said bluntly, “Michelle, you need to go
with Ms. Farrell. You need to hurry. You’re doing a last minute fill in.”
I just blinked at him a moment. “What are you talking
about?” I finally said. “We’re in the middle of recording our album.”
Hal Winters frowned as he said, “This should only take
a couple of hours if you do exactly what the photographer says. It means
exposure and it’ll be easy money.”
I was starting to get mad. “Photographer? Photographer?
Please! Not another stinking photographer! We’re in the middle of recording our
duet!” I stamped my foot.
Mr. Winters frowned some more. He obviously wasn’t
used to someone trying to tell him ‘no’. He said, “It’s for a print ad. I had
sent your pictures to a particular ad agency hoping they’d be interested in
using you for product endorsements after you got famous. But, the girl they
were going to use for this one ad bailed on them at the last moment. Having
recently seen your picture, they decided you would be a perfect ‘typical high
schooler.’ Brook’s got your change of clothes in the car. Brook, would you
mind bringing that stuff in?”
Looking at me, he continued, “As soon as Brook comes
back, change! We have to hurry on this. This could lead to some good
opportunities for you while you’re waiting to become famous.”
I just stood there dumbfounded.
* * *
As we drove to where the ad was being shot, I asked
Brooklyn, “Don’t you get tired of hauling me around?” I had my arms folded
across my chest and was pouting.
Brooklyn just laughed. “Tired? Cha-ching!
Hal is paying me pretty darn good to haul you around. But I have to admit, I
enjoy taking you around to places. You’d be surprised how many new female acts
I have to make look high-fashion who are dumb or just flat-out jerks. A lot of
them are real bitches. And, well, so are even some of the other, older clients
I have.”
She looked over at me and smiled, “I like you,
Michelle. Even though they pay good, I get a little tired of all the phonies.
You’re the real thing…a genuine girl-next-door.”
I smiled weakly. Now I felt like a complete asshole.
I was a lie and it was making me feel dirty.
Brooklyn continued smiling as she said, “I saw those
flowers. I’m glad Tommy likes you. He’s the real thing too. I think you two
are a good match.” Frowning, she took her eyes off the road to look at me
briefly then added, “I’d advise you stay way away from that Julia. She’s a bad
apple.”
“She seemed nice enough to me,” I said wrinkling my
brow. Not to mention that she’s one of the hottest babes on television right
now.
Brooklyn shook her head. “Don’t be fooled Michelle.
Besides what you’ve probably heard by now, which is true by the way, she’s also
into drugs, alcohol – you name it. She has a good agent that keeps the
positive PR spin going, but she’s just no good. I like you, Michelle. I don’t
want to see you get hurt.”
* * *
I came back into the studio not long after lunch,
still wearing my “high school girl” dress. Brook had just dropped me off and
sped away to one of her other clients. I looked at the plastic bag I was
holding and shuddered. I looked around for a trash can.
John spotted me from across the room and shouted,
“Michelle! Get your be-hind over here. We need to get started again.”
As I approached, Mom got up from her chair and asked,
“How did the ad go?”
I looked down at the floor and said, “It went okay I
guess. It didn’t take very long.”
John pointed and asked, “What’s in the bag?”
I knew I should have tossed it before coming inside.
I said “It’s some free samples of the product the ad was for.”
“Cool, let’s see it.” John said.
“No. Let’s get on with the session.”
Sammy said, “What’s in the bag? You have to show us
now!”
Fritz yawned, “Yeah, the suspense is killing me.”
I stood there, not wanting to move. “I don’t want
to.”
Mom said, “Oh, just show them what’s in the bag so we
can get this album finished while I’m still young.”
“Fine!” I shouted as I dumped the contents onto a
nearby table. Several packages spilled out.
John picked up a packet and said, “What the…” And
then a wide grin spread across his face. “This…this is what you were
endorsing?” He burst out laughing and tossed a package to Fritz. I could feel
my face begin to glow red.
Fritz started to laugh. “You stood in front of a
camera and said you use these?”
“It was a print ad, not a TV ad,” I glowered.
Sammy picked a package off the table and read slowly
and aloud, “Tampax Satin Teen tampons.”
I was mortified as all the guys in the band roared in
laughter. I’m sure the crew standing around didn’t understand why it was so
funny. Mom put an arm around me as if to shield me and said, “That’s enough
guys! Knock it off!”
My picture and those tampons were going to be in every
teen and women’s magazine for the next six months. The ad agency said they
were going to try to negotiate with Mr. Winters on my becoming a spokeswoman
for the product for their coming ad campaign. I’ll protest, but I know I’ll
lose.
* * *
About eight o’clock that night, things were winding
down. The album was all but finished. Mr. Johnson said we should be through
recording sometime after lunch Friday. Then they’d start the post-production
work, mixing in some professionals on other instruments to give us a bigger
sound.
Mr. Winters had stayed with us most of the afternoon.
I really would have thought he’d be much too busy for that. But he stuck
around and on more than one occasion would pull John aside to suggest
improvements. I was surprised that John seemed to respect Mr. Winters’
opinion. That whole afternoon, the Band was a well oiled machine.
We were standing around talking about what was left to
do on the album when I saw in the corner of my eye, some one come into the
studio.
A voice called out, “Michelle! Hey!”
I turned around and gulped. “Tommy! What are you
doing here?”
Tommy walked up to me and asked, “Are you hungry?”
When he said that, I realized just how long ago I’d
had a real meal…no breakfast, I was shooting an ad during lunch and I had a
Twinkie for an afternoon snack. I’m said, “I’m getting there. I think the
guys were about to head down to Burger King.”
Tommy smiled and said, “Well, some friends and I
happen to have dinner reservations tonight at Geoffrey’s down in Malibu. I
thought you might like to join us.”
I looked down at the dress I was wearing and had been
in all day. “Ah, well, I’m not really dressed for a night out.”
Tommy shrugged. “You look fine. It’s casual place.
If you need to change, we can stop at your hotel. The cab won't mind
waiting.” I looked at Tommy and he was just wearing a nice shirt and slacks,
no tie or tux tonight.
I thought hard. I just didn’t know what to do. The
thought of going on a date as a girl made me ill. But we’d be flying home
Saturday morning and here was a chance to hobnob with more celebrities. I knew
what Mr. Winters would say. I looked at Mom with raised eyebrows.
Mom hesitated, then came up to us and said, “I’d hate
to tell Michelle she shouldn’t go, but I’m not sure if she’s ready for yet
another wild Hollywood party. She’s only fourteen you know.”
Tommy smiled and said, “I know. I just turned sixteen.
But it’s not a party or anything. We’re going there for dinner. I think she’ll
have fun.”
Mom looked at me and asked, “That party was one thing,
since there were adults and security and all. I'm not so sure about this. Do
you want to go Michelle?”
I wanted to say ‘no’. But the siren call of the
paparazzi and hanging around the rich and famous was too much. Softly I said,
“Yes.”
Tommy glanced over at John and the band. He pointed
at John and said, "Hey, are you guys the band?"
Mr. Winters said, "Tommy, let me introduce you to
the band. Michelle you've already met. Ms. Gray is the band's manager."
He pointed at each and stated their names.
Tommy smiled and said, "It's great to finally
meet you guys. I have to admit, I'm looking forward to hearing your first
CD."
Fritz said, "It'll be out in July at a music
store near you."
Mom said, "Michelle will have a solo on the CD.
We're hoping it'll be a cross-over hit."
"Wow, a solo, huh?" said Tommy with a grin.
"Can you sing part of it?"
I looked at him sideways and asked, "Now? A
cappella?"
Tommy shrugged. "Sure. Why not?"
Sammy said, "Go ahead, Michelle. Show him what
you've got."
This was kind of embarrassing. I hesitated, then
said, "Well, okay. I guess."
Mr. Johnson turned around and said, "Scott, get
her a mike."
"You're going to record this?" I asked,
incredulous.
Mr. Johnson shrugged and said, "If it's sung in
this studio, it's recorded. Scott, cue Michelle when you're recording."
Scott nodded, placed a microphone in front of me and
sprinted into the control booth. I watched him flip switches and move knobs,
then he pointed straight at me.
I took a deep breath, swallowed, started tapping a
beat and then started singing. The sound of my voice, alone in the studio, was
unnerving. I was going to just sing through the first chorus, but since they
were recording it, I decided to do the whole song.
I'd come to love the song. While it was more of a
medium paced Country song instead of a fast rocker, it had enough melancholy to
make it a little sad, but fast enough to dance to.
While I sang, I mostly kept my eyes closed. It was
embarrassing to sing by myself in front of an audience, but when I did take a
peek, everyone was staring at me with the oddest expressions. That was
especially true for Tommy. No one moved or made a sound until I finished.
Even then, there was silence for several seconds. Then Tommy began to whistle
and applaud. The others joined in.
Tommy shook his head. "That was absolutely
wonderful, Michelle! Very beautiful!"
Mr. Johnson said, "I'm glad we got that
recorded."
Tommy took my hand and gave it a squeeze. "Count
me as your first and most avid fan, Michelle! You have a beautiful
voice."
I could feel my face turning bright red again. I
looked at the floor and said, "Thanks!"
"Hey, why don't all you guys come with us?"
asked Tommy. "My treat. It'll be a blast."
John looked over at Mom. Mom just said, "How
could we refuse? Thank you."
* * *
It was a great place. Great food and a great place
for star gazing. I couldn't believe all the celebrities there.
When it came time to order, Tommy told me it was his
treat and to order whatever I wanted, the sky was the limit. To the guys, he
just said he was picking up the tab.
While we were waiting for the order to arrive, Tommy
introduced me to all his fellow teen actors who were scattered about at
different tables. The one thing I didn't like was the fact that Tommy treated
me like a girl instead of just as a friend. He dragged me around by the hand
and when we stopped to talk to someone, he'd place his arm around my waist. I
really didn't much like him touching me.
We had a very enjoyable meal and Tommy was very
talkative. He asked us all kinds of questions and seemed sincerely
interested.
As we were finishing up, Tommy saw the producer of his
current movie project come in and he excused himself for a few moments to go
have a private chat. I had to use the "head" as my ex-Navy dad still
calls it in the worst way and began to wonder what I should do.
I leaned towards Mom and whispered, "Mom. I
gotta go to the bathroom real bad."
Mom looked at me funny and said quietly, "So go.
You're a big girl."
"Mom! That's just it." I took a
quick look around before continuing. "I'm not a girl."
"Well, Michelle, no one else knows that. Just
remember to sit down and no peeking!"
"I can't go to the women's room!" I
whispered back to her. The thought mortified me.
Mom frowned and picked up an empty glass and handed it
to me. "Well, then put this between your legs and use it under the
table."
I looked at Mom sideways as I held the glass in my
hand. "You're not serious...are you?"
Mom took the glass away. "Of course not, silly!
Just go. No one will care."
I hesitated a moment, the looked around. Frowning at
Mom, I got up and headed towards the restrooms.
It was a smorgasbord of celebrities along the way.
There were comedians, actors and rock stars all doing a normal thing like
eating dinner. Even though I was a budding celebrity, I felt so out of place.
Then I mentally admonished myself. They're just people, I told myself. Famous
people... Rich people...
I walked up to the women's restroom door. I hesitated
a second, took a deep breath, then walked in like I owned the place. Crap! I
said to myself as I saw the restroom wasn't empty. It was also bigger than I
thought it would be. There was a couch along one wall and a mirror on the other.
Several women were standing there checking their hair and make-up. There
weren't any toilets here.
I walked a little further and saw the stalls. I was
in luck. There was one open. Mom didn't need to remind me to sit down. Even
when I knew I was by myself, I would always sit down just so I wouldn't forget
and be standing when some girl walks in, like they always do in the movies.
The women's restroom certainly seemed to be a very
busy social experience. It's not that guys won't talk to each other in the
restroom, but it's mostly do your business and leave.
And, finishing my business, I stood up, straightened
and smoothed my dress and left the stall. I had to shoulder my way to the
sinks to wash my hands. As I was washing, I heard a voice come up from behind.
"Well, if it isn't Hal Winters' latest singing
sensation!"
I turned around and it was Julia. My God, if it was
possible she was hotter than ever, wearing an extremely short red dress and
matching heels, with legs that went all the way up. I should never play poker
as I'm sure she read my expression. "Julia! It's nice to see you
again."
She smiled and said playfully, "It's always nice
to see me! I'm surprised to see you here though. I thought you'd be busy
recording."
Her dark brown, satin-like hair flowed over her
shoulders and her deep blue eyes sparkled in the light, her perfect breasts
heaved with every breath..."Uh...well...we're just about ready to wrap it
up. Tommy came by and invited to come to dinner with him."
It was for the briefest of moments, but a pissed look
darkened Julia's flawless face. "Tommy brought you? How sweet of
him."
I smiled and said, "Yes it was. He brought the
whole band with him, actually."
"Terrif. Maybe you can introduce me to the
band." Julia studied me a moment, then said, "Interesting outfit you
chose for tonight. Is that the latest in high school attire?"
Part of me was really annoyed at her remark about my
clothes. I said, "As a matter of fact, it is. I was shooting an ad today
and I just didn't have time to change. Tommy's invitation wasn't
expected."
"That's just like Tommy, isn't it?" Julia
cooed. "Always expecting you to be at his beck and call -- never giving
you chance to get ready properly. A girl needs time to get ready for a
date." She took a step closer to me and said, "Tommy just doesn't
understand things like that."
Her perfume filled my nostrils. In fact, it kind of
clashed with my own. I drank in her beauty. But I was nagged by that same
stupid part of my brain that asked how she got her make-up so flawless. I
said, "Well, he's a guy. What can you say?"
"That's right. Girls understand things like
that." Julia took a step closer to me and whispered, "Nobody
understands what a girl wants better than another girl. Wouldn't
you...agree?"
In my head, I was crying. The most beautiful girl on
the planet was coming on to me and I wanted to dive head first into her heaving
cleavage. But she only wanted me because she believed I was a girl. Before I
could think of something to say, a voice came from behind Julia.
"Going after the young ones, now, eh Julia?"
said a very catty voice. I looked up and saw the 20-something woman who
spoke. I recognized her as one of folks Tommy introduced me to. She was on
another soap that was gaining audience over Julia's soap opera.
Scowling, Julia hissed, "What are you talking
about, Kara?"
Kara Dirne smirked as she casually said, "Your latest
victim is only fourteen. Tommy introduced us just a little while ago."
Julia turned to me and asked, "Is this
true?" I nodded meekly. Kara walked away holding in a laugh.
Julia's eyes flashed and she whispered melodramatically,
"I don't give up easily, honey." She suddenly licked my ear, turned
and left the restroom. I don't know how she expected me to react to that, but
I was left feeling extremely dirty.
* * *
We were heading towards the elevators of the hotel.
John and company were ahead of Tommy and me. I was walking slowly, deep in
thought.
"You sure are being awfully quiet,
Michelle," said Tommy. "You were real quiet all through
dinner." He paused a moment and said, "Is it something I did?"
Before I could answer, we reached the elevators. Mom
and John and the others piled into the elevator car. I hesitated a moment.
"You guys go on up. I need to talk to Tommy for
a minute." I said to Mom. I hated having to pretend Mom wasn't my mom.
John called out, "Hey, thanks Tommy! We had a
great time." The others agreed.
"Hey, any time, guys. Good luck with your
album!" Tommy said as the elevator doors closed.
Tommy turned back to me and said, "Is it? Is it
something I did or said?"
I let out a quick joyless laugh and shook my head.
Looking down at the floor, I said, "No Tommy, it's nothing you did."
I looked back up at him and said sincerely, "In fact, you've been
wonderful to me. Thanks for a really good time."
Tommy smiled and said, "You're welcome.
But...there's a problem...?"
I nodded. I didn't really intend to, but I blurted
out, "It's Julia. She came on to me in the restroom. I guess it kind of
scared me."
Tommy frowned and said, "I don't blame you for
being scared. I would be too, with her."
I smiled weakly and said, "Well, I guess I don't
have to worry about it since we'll be heading home Saturday."
Sighing, Tommy said, "I wish you weren't going so
soon. But you'll be back in a couple of months, right?"
"Yes. We'll be shooting a video and we'll be
part of a quick concert tour."
"Well, I'll certainly look forward to seeing you
then!"
I hesitated a moment trying to think of the right
words to say good-bye. I wanted to let him know that I really did appreciate
him taking me places I normally wouldn't have been able to go.
Tommy misread my hesitation and took the initiative to
lean forward, take me in his arms and kiss me. It was a long, deep,
in-case-I-don't-see-you-again kiss, tongue and all. I wanted to gag. I wanted
to throw up. My mind screamed to push him away, but I fought it down, knowing
I had to act like a teen girl. My guess, most teen girls would sell their own
grandmothers for a chance to kiss Tommy Kincaid.
He finally pulled away and I tried to regain my
composure as I pressed the elevator button. We stood there in silence as we
waited for the elevator to arrive. The door finally opened.
I stepped inside and looked at Tommy. Still not fully
composed, I said in a breathless voice, "Good-bye, Tommy."
I'm sure he misread the tone of my voice, as he said
as the door closed, "See you soon, Michelle."
On the ride up, I wondered where I could find some
gasoline to put on my tooth brush...
* * *
We all stood in the lobby of LAX. Mr. Winters and
Brooklyn had come to the airport to see us off.
"Mr. Johnson said you guys really came through
the last couple of days. He really does think the CD will be a big
money-maker." Hal Winters said. "I think you guys did a great
job."
Brooklyn suddenly reached out and gave me a big hug,
saying, "I'm gonna miss you, girl. To me, you're not just another
client." She looked up at the rest of the band and said, "Good luck
to all of you. It's been a fun week."
I hugged Brook back. It's not every day I get to hug
such a beautiful woman. I said, "I'll miss you too, Brook. I've
forgotten how to dress myself!"
Brooklyn laughed. "You'll do fine, I'm sure.
You have a good head for fashion." I heard John stifle a chuckle.
Mr. Winters turned to me and said, "Oh, I almost
forgot. Congratulations, Michelle. You're the new teen spokesgirl for
Tampax."
* * *
End of Part 6
restarted since 8/31/05