Date: Tue, 19 Sep 2000 07:54:37 -0500 From: fsw99 Subject: Chapter 30 of One Big Happy Family Legal Notice: The following story contains descriptions of graphic sexual acts. The story is a work of fiction and has no basis in reality. Don't read this story if: **You're not 18 or over, **If it is illegal to read this type of material where you live, **Or if you don't want to read about gay/bi people in love or having sex. The author retains copyright to this story. Placing this story on a website or reproducing this story for distribution without the author's permission is a violation of that copyright. Legal action will be taken against violators. E-mail responses to the stories, story suggestions or other 'constructive' comments or advice may be sent to me at fsw99@mindspring.com. Chapter Thirty "What? We come in here, and all you do is cut us down and make fun of us. Then, you hear us play four songs and you want in the band? No way!!! Go start your own band. We don't need you," Paul said loudly. Everyone had gathered around listening, and everyone shook their heads no. No one thought adding Jimmy was a good idea, especially after all the work the band had already put in. "Just hear me out," Jimmy said. "I am sorry for the way I treated you. Just give me a chance. Let me play `Long Time` with you just singing. If you don't like the way I play, I won't ask again. If my own brother won't let me in his band, why should I expect you to? But I have lots of songs that Brian and I have written just waiting for an opportunity like this. You can't keep playing other groups songs, once you start to make it. I love both Boston and Styx, and have almost every song they have recorded memorized. Please!!! Just give me one chance," he begged. "Jimmy really is good. Just give him a chance and he can show you. I think you will really like our songs, too," Brian said. "I don't know. I like playing keyboards. Your brother is in a band? What is their name?" Isaiah asked. "You don't know? I thought that was why you came here in the first place. His name is Kenny Wayne. You still don't know?" Jimmy asked. "Kenny Wayne Shepherd?" Robbie asked, his eyes getting wide. "Yeah. The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band. He recorded his first record here. I helped produce it, but didn't get any credit for my work on the album. I am good enough to play with him, but he won't even talk to me about it. He even changed recording studios for his second record. My Dad was totally pissed!" Jimmy said, laughing. "I would love to be able to blow him off the stage. We might could do it. Who knows, maybe we could even start to open for his band. They are always looking for younger bands to open for them. No one would be younger than we would be." "All this sounds too easy. I want to hear you play. I want to see if you can back up all of this big talk," Paul said, glaring at Jimmy. Clearly, Paul didn't like Jimmy at all. "Great. Brian, you record us, OK? Let me get to the organ. Then, you count off, OK?" he asked Isaiah. "Sorry, I don't even know any of your names." Everyone introduced themselves and shook Brian and Jimmy's hand except Paul. He just walked over and sat down behind his drums. "That's Paul," Ed said. "I don't think he likes you too much." "Well, I can understand why, I guess. Look, I'm sorry. I have been cooped up in this studio 10 hours a day all summer, and I am about to go stir crazy. I am even looking forward to school starting to give me something else to do. Just listen to me play. If I am good enough and you let me in the band, I will apologize to all of you every day for a month. Just listen, OK?" Jimmy said, as he ran to the organ. If anything, he was eager to show what he could do. Brian settled into place with the headphones on and motioned to Isaiah that he was ready. "OK, let's try it once and see. One, Two, Three, Four," Isaiah counted. Jimmy started the solo, and everyone could tell the difference right away. He even added little bits here and there that actually improved the song. His parts in `Long Time` were also a big improvement, and Isaiah's performance was lots better, because he could strut about the stage as he sang to his audience of eight people. Mr. Shepherd had walked in during the song, and was totally surprised to see Brian in the recording booth and his son playing with the band. He was amazed at the quality of the sound, and replaced Brian in the recording booth. The song finally finished, and Jimmy ran for the booth, only to find his Dad sitting in it. "Care to tell me why you are playing instead of recording them play?" he asked Jimmy, as he walked into the main studio. "Dad, they are what I have been looking for all this time. I asked them to let me play one song. I want to join them, if they will let me," he said. "With your attitude, I'm surprised they even want to talk to you, much less let you become a member of their band," Mr. Shepherd said angrily. It was plain that he was still mad at Jimmy. "Dad, please! Let me talk to them. I just want to see if we can play one of Styx's songs. `Lorelei` is made for a dual keyboard lead and when the second keyboard part finishes, that would be when Isaiah gets up to sing the lead part. It could be a killer song that way," Jimmy said. Isaiah looked away, thinking about the possibilities. Jimmy was right, it could work great. "I don't know. I don't think you deserve to be in a band, the way you have been acting," Mr. Shepherd said. "Dad, they haven't said I can join yet. Give me thirty minutes, OK? I swear I will totally change my attitude. I want this. Please?" Jimmy begged. "OK. Thirty minutes. But, we are still going to have our little talk, you understand?" he asked. "Yes sir," Jimmy said, with his head hung low. Mr. Shepherd turned and walked out the door without another word. You could almost see steam coming out of his ears. "What do you say, guys. Can we play some more together? What did you think?" Jimmy asked. "I think we sound just as good without you," Paul said, as he walked up. "You want to hear the difference? Let's all listen, and then all of you decide," Jimmy said, as he ran for the control booth. He quickly reversed the tape, and brought it back to the start. "Too Young To Be Scared's first song, `Peace of Mind`" played over the speakers, followed by the music. Jimmy played the first two songs, then fast forwarded to where he had replaced Isaiah on the keyboards. "Too Young To Be Scared's `Long Time`, take two," played, and then the music with Jimmy included. When the song finished, Jimmy came walking back out with a big grin on his face. "So. What did you think? Am I in?" No one said anything. Everyone just kind of looked around at each other. Everyone knew that the second recording did sound better than the first, but they also knew they had no idea what they would be letting themselves in for with Jimmy. "Guys, I know I am prejudiced because Jimmy is my friend, but you really did sound better the second time," Brain said. "The guys have been playing together for awhile now. I don't know if they are ready to make that kind of decision after less than an hour. We also can't throw away our recording time in case they decide to leave the band as it is," Stan said. "Don't worry about the recording time. If I am in the band, we can have all the time that we want. Brian is my writing partner, and he will be glad to record us anytime you want. If you decide you don't want me in the band, I will still give you enough time to redo all the songs by yourselves, even if it goes over into another day. Just give me a chance. You heard how we sounded together. Let's play a few more songs. I will record them for free. Let's just play `Crystal Ball` and `Lorelei` again. Then you can compare. Isaiah, you know what I mean about the dual keyboard part in `Lorelei`, right?" Jimmy asked. "Yeah, I do. I think it will work, too. Do you have another keyboard here?" Isaiah asked. "Yeah, but it would take too long to set up. Just sit beside me for now. If you let me in the band, we can then set up for real. We can even take one of the smaller studios and leave the equipment set up all of the time. I can record there, too, but the quality isn't quite as good. It would be great for practicing, though," Jimmy said. "What do you think, guys?" Isaiah asked. "The second recording did sound great," Robbie said. "Let's at least give him a chance," Ed said. Paul looked angrily at everyone and then walked back to his drums. "I don't care, one way or the other," he said. "One minute he is a total jerk, and now he wants to be everybody's friend. He even named the band Too Young To be Scared. Didn't everybody hear that?" "Well, actually, you said that, not me. Remember? I asked you if you weren't scared to embarrass yourselves and you said we are too young to be scared. I liked the name right away, and it is better than putting unknown on the tape, isn't it?" Jimmy asked. "You know, I like it too," Isaiah said. "Me too," Ed agreed. "Why is everybody on his side all of a sudden?" Paul asked. "Hey, everybody can be an ass hole every now and then. Especially you. We gave you a second chance when we first started, remember? I think that is least we can do for Jimmy. He does play really well, you know," Ed said. "Whatever," Paul said, as he sat down behind his drums and glared at everyone, especially Jimmy. Brian started the recorder again. They played the same two songs a second time and everybody knew before they had finished that the new ones were better than the first try. Isaiah's confidence had grown greatly since giving up the keyboard responsibility to Jimmy, and his performance just added more life to the band. Robbie and Phill even started moving around more when they played their solos and the whole effect was lots better. The duel keyboard leads in `Lorelei` were especially powerful, as Isaiah got to his feet right as the song exploded with the guitar leads dominating. As soon as the last song was finished, Brian stopped the recording. He came out smiling, and said, "You want me to play it back?" "No, I don't think we need to. I think everyone knows we sound better with Jimmy than without him. All of us needs to talk before we decide whether to take him into the band. Can we have a few minutes alone?" Isaiah asked. "Sure. I will just go get some of the recordings of the songs I told you about. Take your time," Jimmy said, as he and Brian walked off. When he was out of hearing range, everyone crowded around and Isaiah said, "He is really good." "He is being really nice now, but what if he goes back to how he was before?" Paul asked sulkily. "We can let him in the band if we decide to. We can also kick him out if we want," Ed said. "Or, we can just beat the shit out of him like we feel like doing to you at times." "Really funny, big brother," Paul said, laughing. "I would really hate to have to put some knots on your head if you tried." "Oh yeah?" Ed asked, as he grabbed Paul. "I need a little help, guys. I think Paul needs a little attitude adjustment like Jimmy does. Everyone helped Ed subdue Paul and lay him down on the ground, where Tim and Tom gleefully ticked him until tears were running down his cheeks. "OK, OK, he can be in the damn band. I give up. QUIT!!!" Paul yelled. Just then, Jimmy and Brian came running back into the room carrying several cassette tapes. "What's up? What are you doing to him? You don't have to do that to get him to accept me in the band. If he really doesn't want me in, I won't join." "Actually, this has nothing to do with you. Paul needs a little attitude adjustment every so often." Ed said, as he walked closer to Jimmy. "You know, your attitude earlier today wasn't very good, either," Ed continued, as he walked around Jimmy and started to make him walk closer to the rest of the group. Ed was lots bigger than Jimmy, and he had a pretty mean look on his face. Jimmy started retreating slowly, not taking his eyes of Ed. "Do you know how we keep our band members in line when their attitude gets really nasty, like yours was today?" Ed asked, almost sneering. "No, how?" Jimmy asked shakily. "Like this," Ed said, as he grabbed Jimmy's wrists with both hands. "Guys, number two for treatment." Everyone grabbed Jimmy, like they had Paul. Even Paul helped. Being on the tickling side was lots better than being the one on the receiving side. "Nooooo!!! Quit!!! I give!!!! I won't act like that ever again. Noooo!!!" Jimmy yelled. Jimmy was especially ticklish, and his tears started immediately, especially with so many hands available to torture him. Brian just stood back and laughed. "OK, I think that is enough, guys," Stan said. "Let him up," Paul said, surprising everyone. Paul had just gone through the same treatment, so he said that out of sympathy. Maybe he was beginning to get over his hate for Jimmy. Everyone now looked at Brain. "Hey, guys, I haven't said anything bad to any of you. I am just a song writer. I don't play anything good enough to be part of your band. I would like to work with you on some of the songs that Jimmy and I have written, but I don't need to be number three for treatment. I think I get the message." Everyone just laughed along with him. Jimmy was almost out of breath when he finally got to his feet. "You said you only do that to band members. Does that mean I am in?" he asked, excited. "Almost. We need to talk to you first. You made a `fag` joke when you saw Keith kiss Phill. The first thing is we have to get over is this. All of us are gay. Everybody! How do you feel about that?" Isaiah asked. "All of you?" Jimmy asked. "Yeah. All......" Isaiah paused, as he counted. "All 13 of us." "Even them?" Brian asked, as he pointed at Tim and Tom, who went beet red immediately. "Yep, even them," Phill answered, smiling at his brothers. "None of us exactly go out and tell anyone we meet, but we are gay. If either of you have a problem with that, then we need to end this before it starts." "No. No, it is fine with me. It's just kind of a shock, you know? I have just not known any gay people before, and it will kind of take me a little while to get used to the idea, but it's not a big deal for me at all. I was just kidding around before," Jimmy answered. "It doesn't bother me, either," Brian added. "Yeah, kidding around. Real funny, pal. How would you like us all to kid you that your brother is a big time rock star, and you are stuck in this studio?" Paul sneered. "I guess that would hurt me as much as my comment hurts you," Jimmy said honestly, looking straight into Paul's eyes. Paul stared at Jimmy for several seconds, and then looked away. "OK, I still don't like this guy, but he is good. Let's play some more. I am bored with all this talk." "So, I am in?" Jimmy asked. "Looks like it for now. You understand we can all vote and kick you out at any time, don't you?" Isaiah asked. "Look, when we get rolling with Brian and my new songs, you are all going to be kissing each of our butts. Let's play some more without the recording machine on. I want to see what else you can play," Jimmy said. "Man, that sounds like you might need another attitude adjustment to me," Ed said, as he walked slowly towards Jimmy. "No!! Sorry!! I am sorry. I just want to be part of the band, not totally control the band. I am just excited that we might actually start to perform some of the songs that Brian and I have written. You don't understand. My brother is famous. Everyone thinks I am a failure because I don't have my own band. I can't sing very well. I can do backup singing, but I can't be a lead singer. I don't play lead guitar like my brother. Keyboards is like a back-up instrument in a band. I thought I would be stuck here, working for the little bit of money my father pays me to record other bands for ever. Don't you see? I want this!!! I will do anything to make us successful!!! I want this so bad, I can taste it. You don't know what my life here is like. I am not gay, but if I have to suck all of you off to get in this band, I would do so, just to get away from this place," Jimmy said, as tears appeared in the corners of his eyes and he walked away. "Guys, Jimmy isn't really a bad guy. He just hates it here all of the time. Just give him a chance and you will see," Brian said. Everyone looked at each other, and then Stan walked over to Jimmy. "Look, I don't have a clue what you have been through, except what you have just told us. But, we all love each other, and we will be glad to help you any way we can," Stan said, as he put his arm around Jimmy's shoulder. "And as for having sex with all of us, nobody here makes anyone else do anything they don't want to do, so you can forget that." "Thanks," Jimmy said, as he finally burst into tears and hugged Stan as he cried. Everyone just stared for a while, looking at an entirely different side of Jimmy for the first time. "Hey look, you are really good. Everyone knows you are. I think you will be a welcome addition to the band. In a few years, all of you really might make it in music," Stan said. "You don't get it, do you?" Jimmy asked, drying his eyes on his t-shirt and breaking away from Stan's hug. "I don't want to be in a high school band. OK, I am three years younger than my brother. My father pushed him constantly to get better and better. He doesn't care about me at all, except as a worker here. My brother made it, and I am stuck here. I helped him the whole way. I helped him when he was writing his songs. Brian and I are lots better at writing than he is. When I came up with a good idea, he would just take it like it was his. He wouldn't even tell Dad the idea came from me. My Dad is disappointed that I didn't follow my brother's footsteps, and along the way, make him a bunch of money. Kenny is the golden child, and I am the outcast. These guys are really good, for where they have come from, and I will push them until we make it bigger than my brother ever thought about. You have to understand, I am going after him, and I won't stop until we are lots bigger in music than he ever thought of being." Stan just stared at Jimmy, as he tried to understand the hate he saw in his eyes. The hate wasn't good, but he could clearly see that Jimmy was driven in his passion. "I don't know what to say. Everyone wants to get as good as they can be, but you might have bigger expectations than what this band is capable of. It isn't going to be easy, you know." Jimmy looked up and noticed everyone looking at him. "Guys, come here a minute please. I don't want to have to say this more than once." Everyone walked closer, and then he continued, "I started hanging around here every day five years ago when I was ten and Kenny was thirteen. My Dad used to own his own record label, and we have recorded or produced some really big bands. We really do sound good. We sound better right now than a lot of bands we have recorded here, no kidding. If I can get my Dad to help us by promising to let him record our first album and be our agent, we might really make it fairly quickly. He has years of experience, and he can make little suggestions here and there that could really make a big difference to our sound in the long run. Plus, he has lots of contacts as far as getting contracts to play around the country." "Wait a minute. We were hoping to get to play in bars around a college campus. Now, you are talking going national. Don't you think you are being a little unrealistic?" Isaiah asked. "Full of shit is what I think," Paul said. "OK, don't believe me. Just tell me that I can do anything I can to make us succeed. I think that is fair, right? If I can't do anything I just said, we will try to be the best local band around. Is that fair?" Jimmy asked. "Yeah. I think we just want to take this one step at a time," Robbie said. "OK, can we just play some more? I think I might need a little more practice before we start headlining at the Forum in Los Angeles," Paul said. "There goes that attitude again. You want another treatment for it?" Ed asked, walking slowly towards him. "I am just tired of all the talk. We came here to be recorded, not make a documentary," Paul answered. "I agree. I am anxious to be able to play some more with you guys anyway. Isaiah, pick out some more songs. Let's just play for a while, and then I will ask Dad to come and run the recorder for us when we are ready. He really is better than Brian or I at controlling the volumes of all the instruments," Jimmy said. "We can do that. We have been practicing using the sound board Keith bought us," Tim said. "That's great. We will need someone to do that, as well as control the lights, when we really play. I think it might be better to have Dad do it when we want to record, though. I think he might have a little more experience. What do you guys think?" Jimmy asked both Tim and Tom. "Yeah, I think that is a good idea. He does probably have more than a week's experience, doesn't he?" Tom asked, giggling. Everyone broke up in laughter. "Yeah, slightly more than a week. More like two or three weeks," Brian laughed. The boys finally set up and started playing. Every song seemed to take on new life with Jimmy at the keyboards and Isaiah free to sing without any restrictions. Isaiah started to become more and more animated, and his voice improved with his increased motions. Everyone was impressed with the new sound, even the band members themselves. Everything seemed to be going great. All they needed now was to convince Mr. Shepherd to help them. That wouldn't be very easy, however. He was still pretty mad at Jimmy. Comments can be sent to me at fsw99@mindspring.com.