Hey Hey, folks! So, I didn't get any complaints about the last couple sections, so I must be on a roll, huh? I better not say much else about it lest I jinx myself. Well, for those of you that did not notice, the last couple sections were jacked up. For some reason, the sections got to the NIFTY mail box incomplete. It could have been Yahoo! Mail, it could've been the application I was writing the story on, shit it could've been a million things. Bless David's heart, he got both Sections 6-10 & 11-13 reposted in their entirety for me. So, go back and re-read them because HUGE chunks were missing. Don't just do it for me. Do it for David. He worked hard to get them fixed for me. This is all fiction--which if you don't believe that--the last three years writing this story has been worth it. LOL If you have any questions or comments, send me e-mail at bbbrokworknprog@aol.com! Here we go again, same old shit again:
"I'm a young woman. I can get plenty of men. But honey, keepin' 'ems the hard part, ain't it? Yeah. Sometimes, sometimes I find I try so hard. Maybe this time, I should be the one to go away. 'Cause ain't it my turn to have somebody grab hold of me and say 'no, don't go, you can't go'?"~Bette Midler.
Bad Boy B-Rok The World Tour (Part Fourteen) By-Lep
"Come on, Booker. Grab your bag." I held Booker's hand and tried to sling as many bags over my shoulder as I could at the same time.
"It's too heavy." Booker whined.
"Come on, buddy. You just have to get it out to the car, okay?" I smiled down at him, feeling like my knees were gonna buckle from all the extra weight.
"Okay." Booker pouted and finally picked his backpack up off the ground.
"Now, we just have to find your Uncle Brian. I smiled down at him and led him by the hand towards the food court.
Brian was such good help. He was thirsty, so he left the small child and myself to go get the bags. Well, Brian didn't actually tell us to go get the bags by ourselves. He told us to wait while he got something to drink real quick. I was just in a bad mood. Too many things had happened too quickly. First I had to leave the tour. Then I found out my sister was dying and wanted me to take her four year old child. Then Brian left the tour. Then I decided to keep Booker. Now Donna was dead and I had Booker. I should've known that would have been the result a couple weeks back, but it didn't really hit until after Donna's funeral.
I was just feeling pathetic. Not even two months ago I just had myself to take care of and was on a world tour with the Backstreet Boys. Now I was back in L.A. with a new "son" and my boyfriend, ready to play Betty Homemaker and negotiate on a role in a new movie. I guess maybe I had gotten to that point where I realized things were never going to be the same again. The fact that I was holding a four year old's hand and helping him thru an airport to take him home didn't help.
"Uncle Matt, can Brian take me to the zoo?" Booker asked as we neared the food court.
"Buddy, we're going to be too busy today. He can take you this weekend, though." I tried to give him a smile as I lugged the bags along.
"But he told me as soon as we got home we could go to the zoo." Booker stopped where he was and began pouting.
"He'll take you, buddy. Don't worry, okay?"
Booker just stood there, the frown on his face running deeper as he dropped his backpack. All I could think about was how much I wanted to get to Barb's house and crawl into bed. Then I'd pull the covers over my head and not come back out for a year.
"Booker, come on, buddy. We need to get going." I stood there watching him.
"I want Uncle Brian." Booker's bottom lip protruded out.
Christ almighty.
"He's over there, buddy. Come on, we'll go get him." I sighed.
"I want him now." Booker folded his arms over his chest.
He was not going to move unless Uncle Brian came and got him. Why did kids have to be so damn difficult? I mean, I know his mother had just died, but did he really think I was feeling great? I didn't feel good enough to eat lunch on the plane, let alone deal with a stubborn kid afterwards.
"Hey, boy." I heard Brian's voice from behind me.
"Brian, please tell Booker he can't go to the zoo today." I turned to Brian with my teeth grinding together.
"Buddy, what's wrong?" Brian walked over and knelt beside Booker.
"I wanna go the zoo." Booker cutting out words in sentences, I learned, was a sign he was being pissy.
"We can go to the zoo." Brian ruffled his hair.
"Uncle Matt said we can't." Booker squinted over at me.
"Why can't we Uncle Matt?" Brian looked up at me with the puppy dog eyes.
"Because we're going over to Barb's house, and she's going to take us over to the new house she found for me to rent, Uncle Brian." My teeth were still clenched.
"Can't we go to the zoo after that?" Brian tried to smooth things over.
"Yes, you can take Booker to the zoo afterwards." I meant to say 'motherfucker' at the end of the sentence, but I didn't think it would go over well with the kid.
"Good. That's settled then. Come on Booger." Brian used his new nickname for Booker that made him laugh.
"Okay." Booker grabbed his hand and followed him towards the exit.
I just grumbled to myself as I carried the bags by myself as I trailed after them. Having one kid was a pain in the ass. Having two was downright unbearable. One I was bound to because he was my nephew, the other I was bound to because he was too damn cute for words. Ofcourse, I was in love with them both. They were just a pain in my ass.
I followed both pains out to the curb. Brian quickly hailed us a cab and helped me shove all the suitcases in the trunk. Once we got in the cab driver and told him the address of Barbara's house, he peeled out and we were on our way. Before we were even two minutes from the airport, Booker was asleep, his head propped against Brian's side. Brian had his arm wrapped around Booker, softly stroking his hair as Booker snoozed. I quietly cracked the window and lit a cigarette.
"Should I take Booker to the zoo while you go look at the house with Barbara?" Brian spoke softly as I blew my smoke towards the open window.
"I was kind of hoping that the two of you would go with me to see the place."
"I know, baby. But Booker is set on going to the zoo. I'm sure if you like it, I'll like it, too. Besides, Barbara scouted it out for us. She usually has pretty good taste."
"Whatever you think, Brian." I sighed and flicked the ashes out the window.
"When do you go in to see Bob about the role?"
"Barbara and I have to go tomorrow morning."
"Okay." Brian answered simply.
I sat there for a minute, smoking my cigarette and staring out the window at the cars that were passing. Booker was snoring softly. You had to listen closely, but you could hear this breaths. Brian continued to stroke his hair as he slept.
"No, I don't want you to." I spoke in a whisper.
"Don't want me to what?" Brian turned his head slowly to look at me.
"I don't want you to take Booker to the zoo. I told him no when we were at the airport, so that should be final. You two need to come with me to look at the house." I looked into Brian's eyes.
"Baby, he really wants...."
"And I really don't give a crap. If we're going to raise this kid, you gotta have my back, Brian. When I say no, you say no, too." I flicked my cigarette out the window.
"Baby, his mother just died." Brian stopped stroking Booker's hair.
"My sister just died, too. I know we need to be good to him until he gets past it, but that's not letting him go to the zoo when we need to get a house first."
"Okay, okay. I understand. We'll go to the zoo tomorrow while you're at the studio." Brian shook his head in frustration.
"Good."
We sat in the silence for the rest of the trip to Barb's house. As soon as we got there, Brian carried Booker into the house and put him in Barb's bed so he could sleep. When he came back out, we paid the cab driver and carried all the bags into the house. Barbara came running out of her office, arms opened wide to me.
"Damn Barb, it hasn't been that long." I laughed as she squeezed me so tight I could barely breath.
"Well it's good to see you again, boy. And you too, Brian." Barbara let go of me so she could give Brian a bear-hug, too.
"It's good to see you, too. How's tricks been?" I teased as she let go of Brian.
"Did I see Brian carry a small child in here?" Barbara completely ignored my questions as always.
"Yes you did." Brian laughed.
"And which one of you was pregnant and didn't tell me?"
"It's my nephew you freak." I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Kylie had a baby?!" Barbara screeched.
"Good lord, Matt has alot to tell you." Brian sighed.
"Yes, let's all three go have a chat." I laughed nervously as I grabbed Barb's arm and led her towards the kitchen.
(Part Fifteen)
"So, you gave up the apartment in New York?" Barbara asked me as we walked into the master bedroom of the house we were looking at.
"Yeah. I don't think I'll be living bi-coastal anymore." I laughed as I examined the ceiling.
"Why would you do something like that? You loved your apartment.
Barbara had been asking millions of questions all afternoon since the four of us left her house to come look at the one she thought Brian and I might want to buy. Her eyes never got smaller than a grapefruit. I think the whole fact that her gay client had gone on tour and maybe deserted his career, then left the tour. Then he had a long lost sister come into his life. Then his sister died and left him with a small child. And now he was looking to become a domestic in L.A. and go back to his career. The things that agents have to put up with.
"Well, Booker turns five on July-Fifteenth, so he'll be starting kindergarten this fall. I can't rightfully be in two places at once. I replied.
"My twenty-one year old star has a five year old son. That's gonna look great in The Enquirer. Hell, we might actually have a story in The Examiner and Globe, too." Barbara sighed heavily.
"Like I have a choice in the matter? Do you think I left L.A. and said 'Gee, I sure wish I had a five year old kid to take care of'?" I turned quickly to stare at her.
"You came back to L.A. to work on your career again. Great. You want to do it while playing daddy. Great."
"This isn't a fucking role, Barbara. I'm not 'playing' anything."
"Matt, you're twenty-one years old. You have a five year old kid in tow. And you may be buying a house with a Backstreet Boy. Does this not register with you?" Barb walked over to the fireplace and sat down.
"Sure it does. It did when Donna first asked me to do it. I don't really see where I had any other options, though."
"You should have said no." Barbara sighed and rested her chin on her hands.
Brian and Booker came dashing into the room, both giggling.
"You've gotta see the backyard." Brian laughed, almost out of breath.
"Why don't you two go see what the kitchen looks like for me?" I smiled. "I'll be down there in a sec."
"Okay, Uncle Matt."
With that, they both dashed back towards the stairs. I think when Brian saw the look on Barbara's face, he knew what we were talking about.
"Well, wasn't that cute? The other daddy playing with his son." Barbara sighed like she was tired.
"Barbara, this isn't a fucking joke. I'm glad you can trivialize it all down to the fact that it's two gay men raising a kid."
"That's what it is, Matt. That's how everyone will see it."
"I'm not gonna tell anyone about Brian. I don't want to ruin either of our careers."
"Get your head out of your ass, Matt." Barbara made my eyes open widely. "You're buying a house together with a 'son' in tote. If you were just buying the house, we could pass that off as just two roommates. But you throw a child into the mix--well the press is gonna eat you alive."
I stood there for a minute, trying to think of some incredibly witty remark to snap back with. I couldn't think of anything that would explain how much I understood my situation. I just walked over and sat down beside Barb.
"I know, Barb." I lowered my head.
"For Christ's sake, don't tell Bob when we go tomorrow."
"Barb, you don't have to warn me as to what any of this could do to me. Trust me, it's all I've thought about for a couple months. I can't help my situation. I can't help the fact that my nephew would have been homeless otherwise. I can't help the fact that I'm gay. And I can't help the fact that that might not sit well with the public. But damnit Barb, my responsibilities are far more important than caring what people think about me."
"We're so screwed."
"WE are not screwed, Barb. If my career fails, you still have your other clients. I only have one career. So, when you want to be upset about this, how about you don't direct it at me?"
"I'm sorry, Matt, but I've worked way too hard to get you where you are today to have this take it all away."
"Well, we'll both just keep working hard to keep it where it is or get better. We're not gonna lose it." I put my hand on her knee.
"I hope not." Barbara managed to smile at me.
"Good, then we agree. Now let's go look at the bathroom in this baby." I laughed lightly as I got up and headed towards the bathroom that was attached to the room.
"They told me it had a jacuzzi tub. They better not have lied." Barbara laughed as she followed me.
"Damn right." I replied.
Brian and Booker were tumbling in the grass, laughing and giggling as they wrestled and tickled each other. I just smiled widely as I watched them. Brian was a good father already. I was still just an actor that was approaching this as I would any other role. Maybe what Barbara had to say had just a hint of truth to it. Maybe I was just "playing daddy". I sure as hell wasn't playing much else.
The backyard was perfect. There wasn't a fence, so I'd have to get one put in. There was a huge pool, but the agent had already told us it needed to be drained and cleaned and the pump fixed. The deck had a few boards that needed replacing. The whole house needed a new paint job and some spackeling here and there. It wasn't going to be too much work, but enough.
"It has a nice backyard." Barbara stated to the real estate agent as she came out of the sliding glass doors to stand on the deck by me.
"Yes, it does. It's in a great neighborhood. Several actors and actresses live in this area. You'll be around people you already know." The agent smiled as he looked at me.
"Right. And how much do we have to pay for this kind of house with a wonderful backyard and neighborhood?" I smiled slowly back at him.
"I thought Barbara had told you that part." The man's smile slowly faded.
"No, I'm afraid not." I glanced quickly at Barb, then back at the real estate agent.
"Well, it's actually a great price, but not cheap."
"And that would be what price?" I rushed him.
"Three million." He answered succinctly.
"A three million dollar backyard. Great." I just turned my head back to look at Brian and Booker playing in the yard.
"It's a great price for this area and a house this big, Matt." Barbara laid a hand on my shoulder.
"I don't doubt you, Barb. I just hope I get that role tomorrow." I sighed.
"You know you're set for it." Barbara laughed.
"So does that mean you'll be buying the house?" The agent seemed to perk up.
"It means I'll make an offer." I turned to him, crossing my arms across my chest.
"Well...." The man began.
"Don't try to argue. Matt is one hell of a negotiator." Barbara laughed as she kept her hand on my shoulder.
"Okay, I'll take your offer to the owner." The man tried to smile.
"Offer them two and a half. Barb can hook you up with a number where you can reach me."
"I don't know if they'll take two and a half."
"Do I need to run down the list of things that need to be done?" I cocked an eyebrow at him.
The man stared at me for a minute, thinking I might back down. He certainly didn't know me. I could see out of the corner of my eye that Barb was fighting off a laugh.
"Okay, I'll see what they say."
"Just let them know that's my final price. If that doesn't work for them, I'll just look at different houses." I replied as I turned to watch Brian and Booker again.
"We'll be in touch. You can show yourselves out?"
"Yes. We'll lock the front door, Jason. Thank you for showing us the place." Barbara replied for me as the man went back into the house to leave.
Barb and I stood there for a minute, just taking in the whole thing. Was I really going to pay that much money for a damn house? Ofcourse I'd spend about one million bucks in rent over the next twenty years, so it'd probably be best if I invested in a house. It'd be much cheaper for the span of my life.
"You're going to have to put in a privacy fence." Barb stated simply.
"Yeah. I'll have to get the pool fixed so we can swim this summer. I need to hire a nanny." I stated slowly, the wheels turning in my head.
"And you might have to get a housekeeper." Barbara added, trying to help me out.
"I need some furniture."
"You'll have to figure out something to do with Booker while you're filming."
"Brian can watch him." I replied.
"Don't you think Brian will want to be on set with you?"
"He can bring Booker with him then." I sighed.
"Okay, I'll stop now." Barb laughed.
"Thank you, dear." I smiled over at her.
"Shall we get the two kids to stop rolling in the grass so we can go home?" Barb suggested.
"Yes and no."
"And that means....."
"We need to take Booker to the zoo." I smiled to myself. "We can take you home first if you want."
"No, I'll go with. I haven't ever been there."
"You've lived here over twenty years and never been to the zoo?" I laughed.
"Hey, not all of us really give a shit about the zoo." Barb punched me lightly in the arm.
"Well, that's what a kid will do to you." I shrugged my shoulders then hollered at the two wrestlers. "Come on you guys, time to go to the zoo."
Brian and Booker both cheered and came running towards us, making Barbara and myself laugh at them.
"Go to sleep, buddy." I laughed as I pulled the covers up to Booker's chin.
"But it was funny!" Booker exclaimed.
I stood there for a minute, trying not to laugh.
"Yeah, it was funny, buddy." I giggled and headed for the door.
"Uncle Matt, aren't you gonna give me a kiss?"
"Sorry, buddy." I smiled and walked back over to the bed.
I ruffled Booker's hair as I leaned down and kissed him on the forhead. Booker just looked up at me as I pulled away.
"What's up?" I asked quietly.
"I'm glad momma let me stay with you."
"Ah, buddy." I sat down on the bed and leaned down to hug him. "I'm glad she left you with us, too."
"Can I sleep with you tonight?"
I laughed loudly and laid him back on the bed.
"Just try it in here for the night, buddy. It's not so bad. Barbara is right across the hall, and Uncle Brian and me are next door. No one is going to hurt you, okay?" I smiled at him.
"Okay. But if I get scared..."
"If you get scared, come get me and I'll come lay with you, okay?" I patted his head and got up. "Sweet dreams, buddy."
"Nite."
I giggled lightly as I closed his door and made my way to Brian and my room. I could hear the sink running in the bathroom, so I immediately knew why Brian wasn't in bed waiting on me. I chuckled to myself, knowing why Brian was still in the bathroom trying to clean up. I walked over and turned the bed down. I heard Brian shut the water off as I crawled into bed, pulling the covers up to my chin and rolled over onto my side.
After a few minutes, the door to the bathroom opened and I heard Brian pad over to the bed and switch the bedside lamp off. The bed moved slightly as Brian slid into bed next to me. I sighed contentedly as I felt him inch up behind me, spooning against me as he wrapped an arm across my waist. Brian began to slowly kiss me from the lobe of my ear down my neck.
"I hope you washed up good if you're kissing on me." I teased him.
"Oh shush, I don't want to hear about it." Brian hissed playfully.
"Booker's still laughing about 'that funny monkey that threw poop at Uncle Brian'." I laughed loud enough to wake the dead.
"Shut up already!" Brian punched me playfully in the arm.
"It was too classic, baby." I smiled and turned over to lightly kiss him on the lips.
"You sure know how to get me excited." Brian pretended to pout.
I rolled completely over to face him and dug under the covers until my hand found the bulge in the front of his boxers. I gave him a few hard rubs, and I had his attention again.
"Okay, so I am excited." Brian laughed.
"I sorta noticed."
"You know what, baby?"
"What?" I asked as I leaned forward to kiss him again, letting my tongue run across his lips.
"I like having kids around."
"Me too."
"Wanna try making another right now?" Brian gave me an evil grin.
"I don't think we'll be able to, but we'll sure try 'til we can't try no more." I laughed.
"Yeah, baby!"
(Part Sixteen)
"Are you nervous?" I asked sarcastically as Barbara paced in front of me in the waiting room.
"You don't seem to realize how important it is that you get this role today, Matt." Barbara practically whispered as she kept pacing.
"We're just meeting Bob, Barbara. Stop pissing yourself and sit down."
"I don't want to sit down."
"Well then stand still, you're giving me motion sickness."
"Why hasn't he called us into his office yet? Do you think maybe he has decided to go with Heath Ledger?"
"I've never seen Heath Ledger do a Brooklyn Accent. Maybe if he was going for the Australian Outback look, we'd be in trouble."
"Well, people can surprise you sometimes. Why the hell are we still waiting?" Barbara repeated.
"Maybe because we got here twenty minutes early and we've only been here for fifteen minutes?" I sighed and leaned back, propping my head against the back of the chair.
"Matt, he should have called us in as soon as we got here."
"Barbara, we should have waited a bit before coming over like I told you. Bob does have other things to do than talk with us today."
"More important than talking with a superstar?" Barb stopped and looked right at me.
"I'm not a superstar, Barb. I'm Matt Thompson, the guy that hasn't worked in a year." I sighed.
"Exactly. Anything can be more important than that."
"Gee, thanks. I was depressed, now I'm suicidal. You sure know how to brighten my day."
Barbara stopped suddenly and squinted at me.
"What's that?"
"What's what?" I rolled my eyes.
"That! On your shirt."
I looked down at the front of my shirt. Above the pocket of the shirt there was a very slight smudge of brown. It was barely noticeable. Unless you were a neurotic talent agent with a cob up your ass.
"Oh, Brian gave Booker some chocolate this morning."
"Great. What's it doing on your shirt?!?" Barb squealed.
"You're right, Barb. Don't sit down. Your tight ass might suck up the chair." I closed my eyes and tried to relax.
"Very funny."
"Mr. Thompson, Bob will see you now." Claire, the receptionist stepped into the waiting room to announce.
"Thank you." I got up as quickly as I could and followed Barbara towards the huge double doors that lead into his office.
"Don't screw this up, Matt." Barbara hissed as we got to the doors.
"Kiss my ass, Barbara. I'm sick and tired of hearing your shit for the last two days. You're with me on this or you're not, but don't give me your grief." I grabbed her by the arm, keeping her from opening the doors.
Barbara just turned to look at me.
"I'm serious, Barb. It's hard enough with all the changes being made to my life as it is. I don't need to hear any of this right now."
"Fine, I'll stop. I'm sorry, Matt. But if you go down, guess who's going down with you?"
"Stop being so dramatic. You have plenty of clients. I'm not going to have to remind you again that I only have one shot at this, am I?"
"Let's just do this. We can argue later."
"Fine. That works for me."
With that, Barbara pulled the doors open. I didn't even look at her again before I walked thru the doors. Bob was sitting behind his desk, but as soon as he saw me, he gave me a wide smile and got up to shake my hand.
"Matt, it's so good to see you again. I hope you had a good vacation." When Bob was being sincere, you just knew it.
"Nice to see you again, too." I returned the smile and shook his hand as Barbara closed the doors.
"Always good to see you, Babs." Bob gave her a wink.
"Same here." Barbara walked over to give him a quick handshake.
"Well, have a seat. We have alot to discuss." Bob waved his hand at the chairs in front of his desk.
His office was humungous. He had a wall of windows behind his desk that overlooked the city. You could see the Hollywood sign in the distance. To the right of us, he had a couch and chairs with a small table between them. His desk was probably ten feet long, but not cluttered. The walls had various promo posters from his many movies decorating them. Several awards and other accolades were sitting on the various pieces of furniture and shelves. This was really the first time I ever paid attention to his decor while I was in his office. He had good taste.
I sat down in the chair on the right. It wasn't some uncomfortable wooden chair that made your ass ache after five minutes. It was more like an easy chair. It had a low back, but it was overstuffed and quite comfortable to sit in. Ofcourse I was sure Barb wasn't too comfortable sitting down while she had that cob up her ass.
"Matt, let me just get this started..." Bob began.
"Hold on, Bob. Give him a chance to prove himself." Barbara quickly interjected.
"I'm sorry?" He turned to her.
"Barbara, just shut up and let the man finish his sentence." I smiled uncomfortably.
"You're going to tell him he's been gone too long, aren't you?" Barbara stood.
"Please, Barbara, let me finish." Bob began to laugh.
"She's a riot, ain't she?" I sighed as I looked up at her.
"Oh yes. Maybe I should hire her for this movie with those dramatic skills of hers." Bob eyed her.
"I'm sorry." She sat down quickly.
"You were saying, Bob?" I helped him get started again.
"I was saying that I have a movie I want you to do. Well actually, Clinnon Davis wants you to do." Bob explained.
"Clinnon? What's he doing directing a studio film?" I was confused.
"Well, as you know, he's done alot of wonderful movies. He's been the hotshot independent film director for so long, no one can convince him to do anything else. Well, we have this amazing script that one of our guys churned out, and we asked him to direct it." Bob explained more.
"And he agreed?" I was flabbergasted.
"Who's Clinnon Davis?" Barb interupted.
Bob and I both looked at her for a second like she was stupid.
"Well, who is he?"
"He directed me in 'Into The Sun'."
"Oh."
"And he's going to be directing a major motion picture this go 'round. He's got control of most aspects of the movie, and we're paying him a bundle."
"This is all very fascinating, but where does Matt fit in?" Barbara acted like the agent she was.
"He won't do it unless Matt accepts the lead role." Bob turned his head back to me.
"Why would Clinnon want me? I haven't done his kind of movie since I was eighteen years old." I asked.
"He said he's never worked with someone so professional. He said as a director, he was a risk taker. As an actor, you are, too. I guess he likes that. You're willing to try new things."
"That's quite an honor." I was very shocked that a director would ask for me specifically.
"Yes it is. I have a lot of respect for Clinnon. And he has a lot of respect for you. That speaks volumes about you." Bob smiled warmly.
"What kind of money are we talking about here? How long is production and where does it film?" Barb spoke up.
"Barb!" I laughed. "Sorry, Bob, she's all business."
"Well, that's what you pay her for, so I won't get too upset." He was amused. "It films in and around Los Angeles, so you're in luck. You're already here. Production will last anywhere from one and a half to three months. It really just depends on how things go, I suppose. And we're offering eight million to you, Matt."
"You paid him ten million for his last film." Barb sat up straight.
"That was a year ago. And his tasks on that film, well, they were somewhat more strenuous." Bob smiled at his joke.
"So, if I get naked for this film, that will take it back up to ten million?" I laughed.
"No. There's no nudity in this film. The truth of the matter is, the budget is very limited on this film."
"I thought this was going to be a major motion picture?" Barb asked somewhat sarcastically.
"It is. But there are going to be extremely elaborate sets, a huge cast, the star director, and ofcourse Matt. We have to manage the money so that everyone gets paid fairly."
"Sounds to me like your explanation comes down to the fact that you're getting cheap in your old age, Bob." Barb stated.
I just sat back and let Barbara handle this. She was usually very good at negotiating price. Bob looked like he was going to crack any minute anyway.
"Eight million is the final offer." Bob sighed and folded his hands behind his head.
"Twelve million is our final offer. Stop being a tight ass, or lose your star director--and leading man." Barb sat back and copied his hands behind the head movement.
"Barbara, we've been working together for how many years now? You're going to jack the price up four million?" Bob sat up quickly.
"Well, I just came up with that. Isn't it nice?" Barb sat up to face him.
"I don't need any actor that bad."
"We don't need your studio that bad. I'm sure Matt can find work elsewhere. I'm sure someone else would love to pay eight million to get Matt in one of their films. Then we can jack their price up to twelve million with no problem. Ofcourse I'm sure you'd hate to lose a commodity like our Matt, here. We both know that a year away from the scene hasn't cooled his talent or fans down one bit. But if you're wanting to get tight fisted on us, well we'll just see how high the price goes with the other takers." Barb made me so proud sometimes.
"Damn you're a ruthless bitch." Bob laughed loudly.
"I'll take that as a compliment coming from you." Barb smiled back.
"What do you have to say?" He turned to me, tears of laughter running down his cheeks.
"Twelve million, Bob. I don't pay her to lower my price." I shrugged.
"Okay. Twelve million."
"And residuals." Barb stated.
"You're pushing it, Barbara." Bob got serious all the sudden."
"Bob, you know I don't settle." Barb gave him a very knowing smile.
"Barbara, you're going to try to negotiate with the wrong old fart someday." Bob sighed.
"But that day is not today."
"Penny on the dollar." Bob stated--and I could tell it was final.
"Accept." Barb sat back with a smile.
"Well, I guess that wasn't too painful." Bob pulled a cigar out of his humidor. "Would either of you gentlemen like one?"
"Gentlemen?" Barb sat up again.
"Well you got balls bigger than the both of us." Bob motioned to himself and then to me.
"Compliment accepted. No, I think I'll just have a cigarette."
"Same here." I pulled my pack out and lit one. "I just have one question."
"What now?" Bob gave a nervous laugh.
"Do I get to read the script?"
"All in due time." Bob waved his hand towards me and sat back.
"You've got an offer of twelve million and a one percent residual, Matt. I don't think Bob would accept those terms if he didn't think the movie was going to make money." Barb tried to soothe me.
"I'm sure you're right." I just sat back and left it in Barb and Bob's hands.
"I'm positive, Matt." Bob turned to look at me. "This movie is not only going to make us all a bundle of money. It's going to make you more famous than you are now." Bob gave a grin, holding his cigar between his teeth.
"I hope you're right. For twelve million, I'll take a chance on it." I smiled back.
(Part Seventeen)
"You know the routine. Sign on the lines with x's by them." I was advised my Miranda, Bob's assistant.
"Yeah, I've been through this routine more than once." I smiled as I leaned down to sign three months of my life away.
Barb and Bob sat in their respective chairs and puffed away as I held the contract in my lap and signed all the lines like a good little boy. As soon as I had everything signed, I handed the stack of papers back to Miranda.
"I'll fax these on up to Harvey." Miranda told Bob before she silently left the room.
"Well, there we go." Bob snuffed out his cigar.
"I guess we better get on our way." Barbara stood quickly.
"Okay." I was feeling quite tired.
"Just remember, production begins in two weeks. Make sure everyting is in order so you can be ready to work your ass off for us, Matt." Bob gave a chuckle.
"I look forward to it." I replied graciously as I stood to shake his hand.
As soon as Barbara had shaken Bob's hand, we were out the door quicker than I could think about it.
"Well, that just bought your house and then some." Barb was rather proud of herself as we headed towards the elevator.
"Bye, Terrie." I waved to the receptionist as we walked by.
"Are you paying attention?"
"Yes, I'm paying attention. I just signed an agreement for twelve million plus dollars. You're thrilled because one-point-two million of that is yours. Plus ten percent of any of the residuals. I'm thrilled because now I can buy the house and not worry my ass off about bills and raising a kid. I know what just happened, you ninny."
"Damn you're cranky today." Barb sighed.
"Excuse me, but who was damning my gay ass all to hell before we signed the agreement?" I asked as we stepped into the elevator.
"Okay, so maybe I overreacted." Barb sighed as the doors shut.
"Hello."
"Shall we go get lunch?"
"No, I have to get home. I promised Booker I'd take him to McDonald's for lunch." I replied.
"Oh."
"Sorry--responsibility and all that, ya' know." I teased.
"Yeah, I know. Well, I may as well go back to the office then. You want me to drop you off at the house?"
"Nah, I'll just catch a cab." I replied as we stepped out of the elevator into the lobby.
"Are you sure?"
"Positive. I don't want to make you go out of your way. I'll see you tonight, though." I replied.
"Okay, bye sweetie." Barb smiled and head out to her car.
I stood there in the lobby, watching Barb walk off to the parking garage. I didn't really know if I wanted to go home or not. I knew I was obligated to, but I really just wanted to run screaming down the street. I wanted to go get Brian and go out and get really drunk and celebrate the agreement I just signed. I didn't think Booker would appreciate that too much, though.
"Uncle Matt!" Booker came charging at me as soon as I had the door closed.
I put my hands out, trying to lessen the blow, but it was an excercise in futility. Booker climbed me like I was a damn tree, ending up kneeing me in the gut.
"Good lord, boy. You trying to beat up your old Uncle?" I was only half kidding.
"Uncle Brian said I could go see Spy Kids tonight!" Booker was more than ecstatic.
"Did he?" I kissed Booker on the forehead and set him down.
"Uh huh. He said I had to be good the rest of the day and I get to go see it."
"Where is your wonderful Uncle Brian?" I looked down at him.
"He told me to bring you the porch."
"Sure you can carry it by yourself?" I teased.
It took Booker a minute, but he finally caught on.
"Noooooo, I'm supposed to bring the porch you." Booker shook his head at me.
"Sure you can carry me?"
"Come on!" Booker was growing impatient as he grabbed my hand and dragged me towards the kitchen.
"Hold on, buddy." I laughed as kicked off my shoes.
I sat on the arm of the couch and pulled my socks off. I never really was much of one to wear shoes in the house. What's the point of wearing shoes when you can go without?
"Okay, let's go." I grabbed Booker's hand again and let him lead me towards the kitchen.
"We got a surprise for you." Booker was giggling as he drug me thru the dining room into the kitchen, towards the porch doors.
"I hope it's something to eat." I ruffled his hair.
Booker didn't say anything as I helped him open the doors and push them back so we could walk out. I could hear the voices of all five Backstreet Boys talking at once as soon as the doors were open. I was more than happy to hear all of their voices. I pulled Booker quickly out the door towards the voices.
I knew I had a huge smile on my face when I turned to look at the picnic table and saw all five guys sitting there waiting on me. All of them turned their heads to look at me at the same time. Brian just gave me a wide smile as he saw the look on my face. He knew I was more than thrilled to see all the guys. Just like old times. Well if I had a four year old child in the old times anyway.
"Oh my God!" I squealed and ran over to hug Nick's neck.
"Dang boy. You'd think you hadn't seen us in months."
"He hasn't buttwad." A.J. laughed and slapped Nick on the arm.
"It's good to see you guys." I kept running back and forth, giving each guy a huge hug around his neck.
I was so busy giving all the guys hugs, I sorta forgot that Booker was even there. Seeing me kiss and hug on men that were strange to him probably wasn't very for him. I stood up quickly, and turned to see Booker sitting in Brian's lap.
"Um, did you meet all your uncles, Booker?" I asked.
"Uh huh. Uncle, um..." Booker stopped and whispered something in Brian's ear.
"Howie." Brian laughed.
"Uncle Howie said he'd take me to Spy Kids!" What could I say, the kid wanted to see that movie.
"That's awfully nice of him." I flashed a smile at Howie that said 'thank you' and 'how sweet' at the same time.
"Well, I figured it would be the least I could do so all you guys can catch up tonight." Howie replied.
I stood there for a minute, getting happier and happier the more I thought about all the crap I could do tonight without a kid to worry about. Then it hit me that all the guys were sitting on Barbara's porch.
"Um, what are you guys doing away from the tour?" I asked suddenly.
"Did you just realize they were here?" Brian teased as Booker played with his nose.
"Well, not quite." I frowned at him. "You guys have another month to go."
"We all decided to reschedule all those dates. We figured you and B-Rok might need us here right now." Nick chimed in and took a sip off what looked like a cup of coke.
"Ah, gotcha. Well that wasn't necessary." I paused. "But thank you. Very much."
"No problem. Don't you think we'd rather be here than out on the road having screaming girls chasing after us all the time?" Kevin rolled his eyes.
"Riiiiiiiiiiight." I laughed as I walked over to sit down on the arm of Brian's chair.
Booker suddenly found an amazing interest in the cuff of my shirt.
"How'd the meeting go?" Brian asked as Booker went back to playing with the button on Brian's shirt.
"It went. I got the role."
"Good job, boy." Brian smiled widely.
All the guys chimed in with their own congratulations as I played dramatic and acted like the big actor.
"So, what's this one about?" Kevin asked.
"How am I supposed to know? I just got the role." I wished it had been a joke.
"Do what?" Nick cocked his head.
"I haven't exactly read the script. I just signed the contract." I sighed and reached down to keep Booker from ripping the button right off of Brian's shirt.
"Why would you do something like that?" A.J. looked shocked.
"I'll give you twelve million guesses." I rolled my head at him.
"Oh. Well, that makes some sense." Howie joined in.
"Not when you're talking about Matt." Brian was still confused. "Aren't you the one that wouldn't hear of being in a movie with Leo DiCaprio and Devon Sawa until you read the script?"
All the guys laughed at his joke.
"Okay, so it's completely out of character for me, I know. But work is work. Clinnon Davis is directing it, and he asked for me specifically. And, well, money is good right now." I explained and waved at Booker.
"Matt's losing his ethics. Okay everyone, run before the fire and brimstone start falling." A.J. pretended like he was scared.
"Oh shut up." I stood up and walked into the kitchen to get a glass of water.
"Yeah, shut up!" I heard Booker echo me.
All the guys began laughing.
"Booker! Watch your mouth!" I poked my head back out the door, trying not to laugh.
"You said it." Booker argued.
"Well, I'm an idiot. Don't say that."
"Okay." Booker slumped down in Brian's lap.
I went back into the kitchen and got my glass of water. When I went back out onto the porch, Booker was sitting on the concrete, off in his own world. I went back to my spot on the arm of Brian's chair and sipped my water while I listened to all the guys catch up on what had been going on in each of their lives. I had been sitting there for a good ten minutes when Kevin finally spoke to me.
"So, how has your life been going?" Kevin asked, motioning down at Booker as discreetly as possible.
"Who me? Oh, kids are great." I reached up and ruffled Brian's hair, making the guys laugh.
"You know you love me." Brian grabbed my hand and kissed it.
"Really. How's it going?" Kevin leaned forward in his chair, propping his arms up on the table.
"I'm doing okay. Never thought this would happen, though." I smiled weakly.
"We hear you're going to buy a house." Nick broke in.
"Yeah. I should take you guys to see it." I suggested half-heartedly before I took another drink of water.
"Matt's a trooper guys. You know he won't ever admit he's miserable." Brian laughed and reached up to rub my shoulders.
"Are you miserable?" Howie cocked an eyebrow.
"No. Just lost I guess." I completed my sentence by looking down at Booker.
"That's understandable." Kevin shook his head in agreement.
"Well, it looks like the kid is down for the count." I smiled when I saw Booker curled up on the porch.
"You want me to take him inside?" Brian started to get up.
"Nah, I'll take him in." I replied and squatted down to scoop him up off the ground. "I'll be back in a second, guys."
"Aight." Nick answered for them all as I headed into the house.
I carried Booker thru the kitchen and dining room to the back stairs. He probably weighed thirty-five pounds, but he felt like a bag of concrete. By the time I got up the flight of stairs with him, I was ready to collapse. I quickly got Booker into the room he was sleeping in and carefully laid him down on the bed. Booker turned over in his sleep and hugged the pillow to him. He sure looked alot comfortable than I did. I was tired as hell.
The guys wouldn't care too much if I laid down for a quick nap, I thought to myself as I gently laid down next to Booker. As if by instinct, Booker backed up in bed until he was pressed against me. I smiled to myself and wrapped an arm around him and laid my head down next to his. I wonder if Booker would be impressed by the deal I had signed this afternoon? Ofcourse, twelve million dollars to a four year old didn't really register. If I told him how many Play Stations that would buy, it probably would.
Laying next to Booker with his tiny body moving up against my chest, it didn't take long before I felt my eyes closing slowly. I just held Booker tighter to me and let sleep overtake me. I'd get up soon so the guys wouldn't worry to much. Then we could all catch up on what had been going on for the last couple months.
(Part Eighteen)
"No cokes, candy, chocolate, caffeine and no scary movies." I instructed Howie as Brian tired to drag me out the front door.
"Okay, will you just go have fun?" Howie asked as he sat on the couch with Booker and Barb.
"Bedtime is nine o'clock sharp!" I hollered as Brian successfully yanked me out of the house and slammed the door behind us.
I let Brian drag me a bit further onto the lawn before I pulled away.
"Damn boy, I think I can walk on my own." I laughed.
"We're out to have fun tonight. Don't worry about Booker. He's in good hands with Howie. If anyone will take care of him, Howie will." Brian laughed with me.
"Are you two gonna come on or what?" Nick poked his head out of the cab.
Kevin was sitting up front with the driver while Nick and A.J. waited in the backseat for us.
"Do not tell me the four of us are gonna sit in the back of that cab together." I giggled.
"Like we haven't done worse together." Brian gave me an evil grin.
"Well we're not doing that again, so don't look at me like that."
"You're such a party pooper." Brian acted like he was upset.
"Yeah, well uh uh." I began to laugh loudly.
"Come on, boy. Let's get our party on." Brian yanked me towards the cab.
Brian and I piled into the back of the cab, having to practically sit on top of each other due to Nick and A.J being there with us.
"So, where are we going?" Kevin asked.
"Crystal Connection, boy." Nick slapped the back of Kevin's seat.
"Works for me." I replied and tried to light a cigarette.
"Boy, don't do that." Brian snatched my pack away.
"Give those back, damnit." I tried to grab them away from him.
"You can have them back when we get to the club."
"I thought I was supposed to have fun tonight?" I turned my nose up at him as the cab pulled away.
Brian just looked at me for a minute, thinking about it.
"Oh fine." He handed them back.
"Thank you." I smiled goofily as I pulled a cigarette out and lit it.
"Can I have one?" A.J. held his hand out to me.
"Hell no! Get your own." I teased, then held the pack out to him.
"Good lord! Like one smoker ain't bad enough!" Brian leaned over me and held his head out of the window.
"Oh deal with it." A.J. hissed as he lit his cigarette.
"Guys, just get along. You can wrestle when we get to the club." Kevin ordered from the front seat.
"Yes daddy!" We all shouted at the same time, then broke out into laughter.
"Don't make me turn this car around!" Kevin laughed with us.
It didn't take very long at all before we were outside of the club in the parking lot. A.J. and I had barely had enough time to finish our cigarettes. When I opened the door to the cab, we all practically popped out. I knew we looked like a damn clown car to the passerbys. When the five of us had successfully gotten out of the car and Kevin had paid the driver, we strolled up to the doors together. It was only eight o'clock, so a line hadn't even formed yet.
The doorman automatically recognized us and opened the door for us, not even asking for ID or asking us to pay the cover charge. Once we were inside the extremely dark entryway, I grabbed Brian's hand and interlocked my fingers with his. I pulled him towards a dark corner and covered his lips with mine, letting my tongue roll into his mouth. Brian reached around and put his hands on my ass and began to kiss me back.
"Come on, boys. No sex in public." Kevin grabbed the back of my shirt and began to pull me towards the main room of the club.
"Hey, we were just getting started!" Brian laughed and chased after us.
I pulled away from Kevin and the five of us walked down the long hallway to the other set of doors. Kevin pushed them open quickly and we were bathed in every color of light imageinable. The intensity of the lights made you feel like you were at a rave. The club was pretty full, but definitely not packed. It was just full enough. The dance floor was crowded with some of the weirdest dressed people I had ever seen in my whole life. Things had changed since we had last been here. Ofcourse that was a couple years ago.
"Okay boys. What do we want to drink?" A.J. stepped in front of us as the doors shut behind us.
"Bud." Kevin piped up.
"Shot of Jack Daniels and a Heinekken." I jumped in quickly.
"Same here." A.J. followed up.
"Shit, why not. I ain't driving. Shot and the beer." Brian laughed.
"Aight, ya'll find a table, and I shall go get a cute waiter to bring us the drinks." Nick winked at me.
"You go boy." I laughed at him as he walked off towards the bar and Brian pulled me along with them.
"I see an empty one over there, Kevin!" Brian shouted over the music as he drug me along side him.
"What am I? Your Raggedy Andy doll?" I laughed and pulled away from him.
"If Raggedy Andy were a blow up doll, then yes." Brian winked at me.
"Oh shut up."
Kevin found the table Brian was talking about and we all quickly gathered around, stopping any potential takers from getting any of the chairs. I sat down in the first chair I could grab and pulled another up beside me so Nick wouldn't have to fight anyone for their seat.
"Is this seat taken?" I looked up to see some toothy drag queen with a feather boa coming out of his ass looking down at me.
It never fails, I thought to myself.
"Yeah, sorry, girl." I lisped back.
"Oh, I see how it is. You're too good to party with me." He responded with a glimmer of teasing in his eye.
"You got it all wrong. You're too good for me. You look fierce." I responded, teasing back.
"Amen, sister." He snapped his fingers in the air and walked off.
"Why do you attrack the freaks?" Brian laughed loudly.
"It's like moths to a lightbulb, baby." I reached under the table and squeezed his thigh.
"Ain't that the truth? Here comes another one." A.J. teased Nick as he came up with a waitress carrying a tray full of drinks.
"Oh shut up." Nick rolled his eyes. "Okay guys, tell the good woman what you had."
"The three of us had a shot and a heiny." I answered for Brian, A.J. and myself.
"I had a Bud." Kevin answered.
"And I'll take this and this." Nick reached onto the tray and pulled off a rum and coke and a shot.
"Anything else?" The waitress asked once her tray was empty.
"Yeah, you may as well bring us another round of shots." Brian suggested.
"I'll be right back, sweetie." She smiled a little too widely down at him and patted him on the shoulder before she walked off.
"I know that bitch did not just hit on my man." I acted like I was about to get up. "I'm gonna whoop that bitch's ass."
"Boy, sit down and do this shot with us." Brian grabbed my thigh and laughed.
"Oh, okay." I sat back down quickly. "She probably wouldn't have been worth fighting anyway."
"You are too much, boy." Nick laughed at me.
"Let's do this, guys." A.J. held his shot glass up.
"What are we gonna toast to?" Brian stopped us.
"Matt, you're up." A.J. turned to me.
"Um, okay. How about this?" I turned to Nick. "Here's to you and here's to me. If we ever disagree, well fuck you and here's to me!"
I slammed my shot back. Everyone laughed at me and slammed their shots too.
"Hot damn! I need another one of those." I turned to look for the waitress.
"This is the Matt we all love!" Brian squeezed my thigh.
"Hell yeah. I knew there was a reason we loved the boy." Kevin laughed at us.
"Here she comes, Matt. Chill out." Nick stated as soon as he spotted her with her tray walking towards our table.
"Woo Hoo!" I cheered.
"You are too crazy." A.J. giggled.
"Here we go guys." The waitress began sitting the shots down on the table. "That'll be ten bucks."
"He's paying." I pointed to Brian.
"Here you go." Brian laughed at me and handed her a ten.
"Okay, you're up this time, baby." I tapped Brian on the leg.
"Aight. Um, here's to damn good friends, damn good boyfriends, damn good kids, and taking advantage of Matt later when he's shit faced." Brian stated before slamming his drink.
"I'll drink to that." I laughed and took my shot.
I lifted my beer and quickly chased the liquor down. Then Lady Marmalade began to play.
"Come on, guys. Let's go dance." A.J. was standing all the sudden.
"Aight." I lit a cigarette real quick and stood.
"You know, baby. I think we'll be safe dancing together in this club." Brian laughed as he looked out at the dance floor at all the drag queens parading about.
"You ain't lying." I laughed and let him drag me out to the dance floor by the hand.
Before I knew what happened, Brian, A.J. and Nick had me in the center of the dance floor and were bumping and grinding on me. I couldn't stop laughing when Brian backed up against me and started rubbing his ass on my leg. Nick and A.J. were on either side of me, slowly moving up and down and rubbing various parts of my body. I stood turgid for a minute, then finally loosened up and began dancing with them. I guess the shots finally started to kick in and I was losing my inhibitions.
Before the song was halfway thru, Kevin had joined us out on the dance floor. He wasn't joining in on the massive orgy that was transpiring before his eyes, but he was laughing at us and cheering us on. I got tired of him just watching and reached over and grabbed his hand, yanking him over to us. Kevin tried to walk away and I reached around and grabbed his ass and began grinding on him. Never since I'd known him had I seen him blush. Well, grinding against him did it. His cheeks turned twenty different shades of red.
The other three guys began laughing and cheering me on as I utterly embarassed Kevin. I just kept grinding, until Kevin finally caught on that I wasn't going to stop. He finally grabbed my hips and began grinding back. I laughed loudly and kept dancing with him as the drag queens and other three weirdos danced around us. After the song was over, a slow song started, and I knew I had to go have another drink.
Obviously, Nick had the same idea as me. When I got back to the table, there were five shots waiting this time. We all made a quick toast and slammed them all down, chasing them with beer. Nick went ahead and ordered us another round of shots before he grabbed my hand and dragged me out onto the dance floor. A.J. and Brian just sat at the table with Kevin and watched us as Nick ground against me 'til I thought I'd have to get a crowbar to seperate us.
"Okay boy, it's time to sit down." I slowly pushed Nick away from me and drug him towards the table again.
Nick followed me over to the table and we sat down at our respective chairs. The shots were already waiting on us.
"Damn, you guys are gonna get sick." Kevin laughed as we all raised our glasses again and drank them down.
"That's the only way to end a night of drinking." I replied with a laugh as I set my glass back down.
"It's potty break time." A.J. stood. "Come with me Matt."
"I ain't holding it for you." I teased as I stood up, already a little clumsy.
"Well damn!" A.J. laughed and snapped his fingers.
"We'll be right back, girls. And Kevin." I smiled as we began to wade thru the crowd towards the bathrooms.
I had to hold A.J.'s hand as we worked our way thru the crowd. I don't know why it is, but everyone seems to convene directly in front of the bathrooms, even if they don't need to use them. A.J. pulled me into the bathroom behind him, slamming the door behind us.
"Goddamn. I didn't know there were so many people here that they could cause a traffice jam by the toilets." A.J. joked as he found a john and began to get down to business.
"I can't believe we're all here grinding up on each other in public." I laughed as I jumped up on the counter.
"So, you have to tell me. How's having a kid?" A.J. spoke over his shoulder.
"It's cool at times. It sucks other times. I guess I thought Brian was the only kid I'd ever have." I chuckled, my stomach suddenly not feeling too good.
"Well, you doing okay with it?"
"Yeah, I guess. I mean, how hard can it be?" I replied.
"Oh please." A.J. laughed as he flushed the john and came over to wash his hands. "Just wait until he goes to kindergarten. Wait until puberty. Wait until he begins asking what being gay is. Wait until he wants a car."
Suddenly, everything in my stomach began to stage a revolt. I jumped down quickly and ran over to one of the stalls and kicked it open. I fell down at my knees and hung my head over the bowl. It wasn't two seconds and everything in my stomach was coming up.
"Matt, are you okay?" A.J. came running up behind me.
TO BE CONTINUED.......