Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2002 19:44:54 +0000
From: Z master <zmaster125@hotmail.com>
Subject: The producer

Hi guys, I'll keep this bit short. This is the first part of the second
story I have written for Nifty I'm not promising it will be good, but it
should be a lot better than the first. All feedback is appreciated good or
bad, short or long.


I do not know any of the celebrities that I write about in my fiction (at
least that's what I'm telling you) therefore I cannot even begin to claim any
knowledge of their true sexuality (that's for them to know and us to dream
about). If your underage don't continue reading (or just don't get caught)
and if you are offended by male/male (yes that's GAY) relationships than
leave now (I recommend www.noddy.com it's a site that has about the same
maturity level as you must have).

Now on with the story


Part 1

The last note died in the studio and I signaled for the five guys to come
into the booth.
"best one yet boys, you want to listen?"
The response was a unanimous yes so I hit a few buttons and the speakers on
the wall behind me began relaying the recording back. It was just the vocal
tracks for each of them so nothing too exciting but it still sounded great.
Once the song finished playing I began my critique.
"That is the best one yet although there's still something not quite right
about half way through."
I played the portion that troubled me back again.
"There, AJ your voice is too strong but Nick yours isn't strong enough."
"What do you mean Chris?"
"Just listen again Nick"
Again the portion played, I could see in Nick's face that he was really
concentrating. As the room once again became quiet a look of realization
dawned on his face. I smiled at him and then turned to address the rest of
the group.
"Apart from AJ and Nick if the rest of you are happy with your parts you can
go back to the hotel"
"OK, Cheers Chris" replied Kevin
"See you tomorrow" added Howie
"Later" finished Brian
That left just Nick, AJ and I in the booth.
"OK, I think if you go first AJ then you can get out of here too. Any
objections?"
"No that's fine" answered Nick
AJ headed back into his booth and sang his part again weakening his voice
where he needed to; he ran through twice to make sure we had a good
recording. When he had finished he came in and said goodbye before he left.

"Right Nick are you happy with what you need to do?"
"Yeah, but can I run through once before you record?"
"Of course, but why?"
"I just don't want to mess up any recordings"
"I'm sure you won't Nick"
"Still I'd like to do one run through before we record"
"That's fine Nick let me know when you're ready"
He went into his booth and put on his headphones, he gave me the thumbs up.
"Have faith in yourself Nick, I know you can do this." I spoke through the
mic.
I flicked the record button despite his requests, I just had a feeling this
would be good.
"OK Nick go for it" I spoke again
I was right about my feeling and as soon as he finished I signaled him to
come into the booth again.
"That was absolutely perfect Nick, have a listen"
I played back what he just sung and was still amazed just how good he was.
It was the first time I had listened to Nick singing on his own, normally
when I heard him it was as part of a larger group harmony
"I thought I asked you not to record that run through" he said after the
play-back stopped
"I had a feeling it would be good and I was right; besides I never promised
I wouldn't record it"
"bastard" he was smiling so I knew he was only joking
"well I'm ready to mix this lot now Nick so I guess I'll see you tomorrow."
"You don't want to get another recording"
"Like I said, that was perfect I don't need another one. I knew you could do
it"
"OK, but would you mind if I hung around for a bit and watched. I've always
been interested in the producing"
"Of course not; grab a seat."

About an hour later I had the vocals mixed to a point where I was happy so I
began to add in the instrument tracks.
"Why do you mix the vocals first?" asked Nick
"It's a lot easier to tweak any problems if you're don't have to contend
with instrumentals as well"
"But what if there are problems with the instrumental tracks?"
"I've already done the mixing on the instrumental tracks," I added the last
track to the mix, "so with any luck this should be perfect first time
around" I began the playback and we both listened enraptured as the music
filled the booth. The part that sounded wrong was now a perfect harmony with
all five voices blending smoothly together.

"Happy?" I asked as the song finished
"That was really great, I can't believe you made it look so simple bringing
that from what we had before"
"That's what you get from years of practice"
"I could never do anything like that"
"You could Nick. You've got a head start being an artist gives you the ear
and it's lots of simple techniques really. I could teach you if you'd like."
"Are you serious?"
"Of course"
"I'd like that"
"Well, I'm happy with that arrangement so we're done for the night," I
paused for a second thinking about my next comment: "I was going to get a
bite to eat; would you like to join me Nick"
"If that wouldn't be a problem"
"Not at all, where would you like to go?"
"I don't really know anywhere in London." He looked a little embarrassed, "I
never pay much attention to where we're eating"
"Don't worry about it, I know just the place. Is Pizza alright for you?"
"Sounds great."
With that agreed I packed up, making sure to burn a couple of copies of the
arrangement to CD handing one to Nick and pocketing one myself we locked up
and left the studio.

Nick didn't have any transport with him so we had to use my car. I turned
the key in the ignition, slid the CD into the player and off we went to the
sounds of the newest Backstreet Boy single, not even released yet. We
arrived at Luigi's about 15 minutes later and were seated (by my request) in
the far corner of the outside balcony out of sight of the general public.
"That's one fantastic view" commented Nick
"Certainly is" I replied.
The balcony looked out on the River Thames in full view was the greatly
illuminated Tower Bridge. The rest of London also looked fantastic from our
vantage point.

The waiter arrived and took our orders and then the conversation turned to
us. We each talked about ourselves, early life, family, all the normal
`getting to know you' topics. As the bill came I quickly slid it across the
table to myself and checked it before handing it and my credit card back to
the waiter.
"Hey, I was going to get that" Nick complained
"I invited you so I picked up the tab"
"You could have at least let me go halves with you"
"No Nick tonight was on me"
"Alright I can see I'm not going to win, but I'm paying next time" he
conceded
"Agreed"
As we were walking past the front desk I quickly signed the credit card
receipt, pocketed my card and dropped a few pounds in the tip jar.
"Enjoy the rest of your evening" said our waiter by way of parting.
"Thank you, and you too" I replied

We stepped out of the restaurant and began walking casually along the
embankment just enjoying the view and each others company. We were still
telling stories of out youth and generally getting to know each other. Once
we were back at my car I asked Nick if he wanted to come up to my apartment
to continue our conversation; he said he would but was worried about getting
back to his hotel, I said that he could spend the night in my spare room if
he wanted.
"Are you sure that wouldn't be a problem?"
"Not at all Nick, I could do with the company"
"Well if your sure"
"I'm positive, now phone Kevin and let him know that you'll be staying at
mine tonight and we'll see them all at the studio for 10:30 tomorrow
morning"
"OK boss" he saluted as we sped off into the London night. We both laughed
then I handed him my mobile.
"It's on speed dial #6"
"Thanks"

We arrived at my block and I eased the car into a space in the underground
facility it had, entering the elevator I slipped my keycard into the slot
and off we went to the 30th floor.
"Very exclusive" commented Nick as we quickly ascended through the building
"With what you and other Jive groups are paying me I can afford to be
exclusive"
"What are you earning" Nick asked then quickly added "if you don't mind
telling me"
"No I don't mind: about $90 000 which is approximately $135 000"
"Which would certainly explain this" he said as we stepped out into my
penthouse apartment.


Thanks for reading, all feedback is appreciated Zmaster125@hotmail.com