Date: Tue, 24 Oct 2000 12:54:53 -0500 From: fsw99 Subject: Chapter 52 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 Fifty Two The boys were all nervous. They had never done anything like we were going to do. I think I was more nervous than any of them. I have no idea how they ever talked me into a crazy scheme like this. I know why Mike is a great agent. If he can talk me into doing what we were about to do, he could talk anyone into booking the band. How do I get myself into situations like this???? They had put up a big curtain in front of the stage, so no one could see what was going on behind it. I was glad. I didn't want anyone to see me like this. What was I doing here? I am a writer. I will always be there for the boys, but I didn't want to be a part of this!!! Too late now. Damn Mike Johnson!!! I roamed the stage like a mad man. I was scared shitless!!! We finished the sound checks, and peered out at the crowd. SHIT!!! I saw Mick Jagger!!! Oh, God, there are Billy Gibbons, Dusty Hill, and Frank Beard of ZZ Top!!! What are they going to think about what we are going to do? I was white as a sheet!! Mike finally arrived, and started to work his magic. "Guys, are you about ready? This is going to be the best day of your lives. Just trust me, OK?" Trust him? I wanted to strangle him!!! "Look, all you have to do is play the first song. You have it down. Then Stan will give his speech, and get off the stage. You play the second one. We bring on Keith, Mark, and Alex. We play one song, they exit, we close, and you take a thirty minute break. Then, you do your set, and you are free to mingle with the crowd. It's simple. You are ready. You sound terrific. You learned all the new music really fast. If you do this, you are IN!!!! Trust me. You are about to be stars!!!" Mike said. We ALL looked like we wanted to strangle him. But, it was too late now. "Is everybody set? I can announce you at any time. You get ready and tell me. You are going to be great, I guarantee you!!!" Mike said. SHIT!!! I am about to embarrass myself in front of lots of REALLY FAMOUS PEOPLE!!! Well, might as well get it over with!!!! (OK, for you poor people that have NO MUSIC TASTE, ZZ Top is a 3 piece band. Billy Gibbons is the lead guitarist, and in my opinion, one of the top 10 best guitarists ever!!! Dusty Hill is the bass player. They both sing, and have maybe three foot long beards. Frank Beard is the drummer.) They have long beards!!! So do we!!! All of us!!! Fake, off course!!! And they expect me to sing the first song!!! Well, sing doesn't exactly describe `LaGrange`. It was ZZ Top's first big hit. The song is about the "Best Little Whore House in Texas", that actually did exist. Billy Gibbons uses a really low voice during the song. No one could reach the notes but me, which explains why I am also wearing a fake beard, which is strangely shaking from side to side. Oh yeah, I guess it is because my knees are also shaking. How do I let myself get into these messes? All I did was tell them a story about the first time I ever saw ZZ Top. Mike loved it, and said he wanted me to tell the audience the same story after the first song. I agreed to that, then Isaiah tried to sing the first part of LaGrange, and couldn't hit the notes. Mike stopped the music and started to stare at me. He then said, "I don't think anyone in this band can sing this part. The notes are too low. Who do we know that has a really low voice that could help us out?" Then all the guys got really big grins on their faces and walked slowly over, surrounding me. "Yeah, who do we know that has a really low voice?" Paul asked, with a giggle. "Oh, no! Not me! Don't even think about it! I'll tell my story, but that is it!" I had said. And yet, here I am. I've got to learn to say no to the boys!!!! "Is everyone ready? Stan?" Mike asked. I just nodded, and waited to have a heart attack and end my life behind this curtain. But then, the curtain was pulled and the band went into the slow introduction. And then I began to "sing". "Rumor spreading round, That Texas town Bout that house outside LaGrange You know what I'm taking about Just let me know, If you want to go To that home out on the range They got a lot of nice boys, ha Ah hum hum hum Ah hum hum" Then, the song kicked into a higher gear. I knew the words then. The are kind of foggy now. Maybe my sub-consciousness is trying to block out painful memories. Hehehe But anyway, the crowd seemed to love it, even the three members of ZZ Top. Everyone in the audience had big smiles on their faces. And, I have to admit, the boys tore up the song. They really played it great for having first played it three days ago. We all got a standing ovation when we finally finished. (This following story is true, guys!!!) "Thanks, everyone. Thanks a lot. As you can tell, I am not a member of `Too Young To Be Scared`. I told them the story I am about to tell you, and they wanted me to repeat it here. I have no idea how I got talked into singing that song, but I did. I first saw ZZ Top in 1974. It was my first date with my ex-wife. There was a band headlining named Deep Purple. I really liked them, so I went down when tickets went on sale to buy two. There was no such thing as Ticket Master back then, so you had to buy the tickets at the stadium where the concert would be held, and they always went on sale at 10:00 am on a week day. There were very few people in line, and those that were there were buying tickets in the middle section. I had a brand new Visa card. I bought the first 10 seats on the first row in the left section and the first 10 on the second row. They were $7.50 per ticket. Hehehe Times have changed, huh? I sold the other 18 for 2 for $25.00. My first and only try at ticket scalping. Every time I would sell a pair of tickets, my girlfriend and I would go out that night and spend the money. I would have made $85 and got my tickets free. By the time the Visa bill came in, I had two tickets and no money, and it took over a year for me to pay the bill off completely." The crowd roared with laughter. Not everyone here had started out rich, and I saw several heads shake like, `Been there`. "The reason I am telling you this is that there was a band backing up Deep Purple that I had never heard of. They had just released their third album, named `Tres Hombres`. They came on a BLEW AWAY the crowd. We were sitting in the first row on the aisle, which put us right in front of Billy Gibbons. When they finally finished, Deep Purple wouldn't even take the stage for way more than an hour," I said. "I remember that. It was in XXXXXX. They replaced us on their tour right after that night," Billy Gibbons said. Again, the crowd roared. "Yeah, and now we are going to blow you away playing your own music," Paul kidded. "PAUL!!" I yelled, turning around to stare at him. He blushed, and the crowd went into hysterics. When they finally stopped laughing, I continued. "Anyway, Mike thought up our little skit idea, so if you don't like it, it is his fault. I finally get to leave the stage for the next song. It is what we all felt like when Mike first told us about the idea on Wednesday of this week. The boys had never played any of these songs before then. Hope you like the next three songs. This one is named `Got Me Under Pressure`. One, Two, Three, Four," I counted, and almost ran off the stage. The boys tore into the song, which has a very fast pace. ZZ Top had written it to open the Eliminator tour in 1984. The audience was rocking with the boys when it was finally over. I walked reluctantly back on stage. "Where are the guys?" I asked. "We have no idea," Phill replied. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have three young men who are going to help us out with our next song, and they aren't quite ready yet, so we are going to take a short break until they are ready. Sorry for the delay," I said. All three members of ZZ Top walked up and introduced themselves to everyone, including Tim, Tom, Brian, and Nate. "You guys were great," Dusty Hill said. "What else are you going to play?" "`Sharp Dressed Man` and `I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide`," I answered, slightly intimidated at meeting them wearing a fake beard. "Awesome. We can't wait to hear them. You have only been playing them for three days?" Billy asked. "Yes, sir," Robbie said. "Uhm, Phill and I kind of re-wrote the ending to Nationwide. I hope you don't mind." "No, we don't care. What did you do?" Billy asked. "Well, we extended the ending by about 5 minutes. The song sounds like there are two guitars playing, anyway, and we jam on and on. We did it the first time we played it and Mike liked it, so we are going to do it that way here," Phill answered. Billy and Dusty looked at each other with their eyes wide. "That's a really good idea. We might try that in concert," Billy said. "Uhm, Mr. Gibbons, uhm, well, you could try it out right now if you wanted to," Paul said. "Paul, when are you ever going to learn?" I asked. "No, that's all right. What do you mean? Jam with you guys at the end? I think that is a great idea. Want to, Dusty?" Billy asked. "Sure. OK, let's do it this way. You guys take the first two guitar solos, Ed, you take the first bass solo, and then Billy takes the next guitar solo, and I take the next bass, and we keep rotating. OK with you guys?" Dusty asked. All the boys didn't have to answer. Their huge smiles told the story. "I think that sounds like a plan," I said. "OK, let us get our guitars and get plugged in. We will be right back. Oh, and one more thing, guys. No more `Yes, sir` and Mr. Gibbons crap, OK? Our names are Billy, Dusty, and Frank. Use ‘em, OK?" Billy said. "Yes, sir, Mr. Gib, uh, Billy," Robbie answered. Billy just laughed and off they went. The boys were almost floating, they were so excited. By the time they were plugged in and had tuned their guitars, Alex sent his valet to tell us that they were ready. We re-drew the curtain, and I went back to the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are ready once again if you are." Everyone applauded, and the younger people made their way closer to the stage, including Isaac, Taylor, and Zac Hanson. "As I have said, we have three volunteers that are going to help us out with this next song. Please give a round of applause for your hosts, Alex, Mark, and Keith Ericson. This is called `Sharp Dressed Man`. The curtain were pulled back, and the band started the song. Alex, Mark, and Keith were dressed just like the words to the song. Isaiah started singing. "New shirt, New shoes, And I don't know where I am going to Silk suit, Black Tie, I know you know why They come running just as fast as they can Cause every boy's crazy about a sharp dressed man" The three boys would point to each article of clothing as Isaiah sang the words, and now were dancing all over the stage as the band played the musical part of the song. Isaiah then continued. "Gold watch, Diamond ring, I'm not missing a single thing Cuff links, Stick pin, When I step out I am going to do you in They come running just as fast as they can Cause every boy's crazy about a sharp dressed man" The three boys ran off the stage, as the music kicked quickly back in, but were back just as quickly, but they now had on coats and hats. "Top coat, Top hat, But I don't worry cause my wallet's fat Black shades, White gloves, Looking sharp, Looking for love They come running just as fast as they can Cause every boy's crazy about a sharp dressed man" The guys danced to the beat for the rest of the song, swirling their coats around them as they used the rest of the stage for their act. When the song was finally over, the audience gave everyone a huge round of applause. God, Mick Jagger was smiling and applauding for us!!! I came back out and said, "Thanks again, everyone. We have one more song for you before we take our break. Then, the guys will be back to play some of their own music. I have one more surprise. Mr. Billy Gibbons and Mr. Dusty Hill have agreed to jam with us on the end of this song. I hope you enjoy it. This is `I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide`. One, Two, Three, Four." Phill and Robbie kicked into the opening guitar leads as the crowd got a little closer. Everyone seemed to really be enjoying hearing the guys play. Nationwide starts off kind of slowly, but at the end, the pace picks up quickly. That is why Phill and Robbie added the extra ending. When the song finally reached the end, Phill, Robbie, and Ed walked to the front of the stage, with Billy on one end and Dusty on the other. They didn't just play an extra five minutes. It was more like ten, and the crowd was into every minute of it. The applause was deafening when they were finally finished. Everyone had huge smiles on their faces, even Billy and Dusty. They had enjoyed it as much as the boys had. The boys removed their beards and got down off the stage. They were amazed how many people came up to them to tell them how good they were. Even the Hansons. "You weren't nervous up on stage, were you?" someone asked with a British accent, laughing. I turned around and my mouth dropped. Standing next to me was Mick Jagger. I tried to pull myself back together, and said, "No, not nervous. Petrified was more like it. Do you still get nervous?" "Sure. Every night. If you don't, you are dead, you know?" he kidded. I smiled back. "Hey, did you know that three of the boys in the band, plus the two running the sound board in the back were all born in England?" "No way. Where? I would love to meet them," Mick said. "Come with me and I will introduce you to everyone. I know they would love to meet you, too," I said, leading the way. Man, Mick Jagger was acting just like anyone else. I was immediately more at ease. And the boys were, too. Maybe we did belong with this crowd after all. **************************** After about thirty minutes, the boys came back on stage and played four more songs. They played their favorites, `Long Time` from Boston and `Lorelei` from Styx, but then added two of their own. Mike had said since they had finished recording them, it was all right now, even though the CD had not been released. They played `Drop Dead Gorgeous` about a boy Jimmy had a secret crush on at his school before he met Paul and `Coming To Get You` last. The crowd really loved the last song, and wouldn't stop applauding. The boys were all kind of stunned at how everyone had enjoyed their music. More and more people came up to them to congratulate them, until I finally had to get them to follow me so we could shower and change clothes. Zac Hanson had made friends with Tim and Tom very quickly. "Hey guys, can I come with you?" he asked. "Sure, we don't care. Let us ask Stan, though," Tim said. He ran over to me. "Stan, can Zac Hanson come back with us?" "I don't care. You guys are friends already?" I asked. "Yeah. He said he doesn't get to hang around many kids his own age. He is really cool. We both like him. I'll go tell him," Tim said, as he ran over to join Zac and Tom. We all were a little tired and sweaty, so we took our time taking our showers and getting dressed. Zac was surprised that we had the suite right next to his own, and commented on it. We all got drinks and relaxed for a few minutes, until everyone headed for the bedrooms to change clothes and shower. There were three large bedrooms, and it took everyone a couple of minutes to find where their clothes had been stored. The maids had laid many large plush velour towels on their warmer, with a variety of shampoos and conditioners with different type of soaps, anti-allergic ones, scented ones, etc... They were surprised when they went back in their walk in closet to see that all their clothes had been carefully laid out for each of them. There was a small name tag for each person, so they knew which Tux was for whom. Their brand new shoes were there also, with boxers or briefs for each of them. On their vanity counter, they found a variety of perfumes laid out for them to pick from. Phill wasn't surprised, already have experienced the way the Ericson family treats their guests. I found Tim, Tom, Paul, and my clothes in one closet. We all started to undress. Zac just sat down on the bed and watched. "Do you mind if I ask a question?" Zac asked. "No, go ahead," I answered. "Well, I noticed you had changed the words to several of the songs. Like in `Sharp Dressed Man`, you changed the words from `Every girl's crazy` to `Every boy's crazy`. I was just wondering why," he asked. "The fact that all of us are gay might have something to do with it," Paul said. Tim and Tom blushed like crazy. I whirled around. "Paul, you and I are going to have a long talk when we get home," I said. "Why? Mike is going to tell everyone, anyway. What is the big deal if Zac finds out from me now, or when our CD is released?" Paul asked, as he stepped out of his pants. He had me stumped on that one, so I didn't answer. "All of you are gay? All of you?" Zac asked, staring at Paul, and not so subtlety. I noticed, and my eyes got big. Maybe we weren't the only bands out there that had gay members. "No, Brian and Nate aren't," Paul said. "All the rest of us are." Tim and Tom just blushed even harder. "God, Paul," Tim said. "Don't worry, guys, it doesn't make any difference to me. I have lots of gay friends," Zac said, as he closely watched Tim take off his pants. I was beginning to think he had gay friends, too. Tim looked up at him and said, "Thanks." "No problem. I mean it. I am just surprised that you are going to let everyone know." "None of us are ashamed of it. We are all couples. Me and Jimmy, Robbie and Phill, and Isaiah and Ed. We don't care who knows. So, Mike is going to play that into free publicity for us when our CD is released," Paul said. "Oh, you'll get lots of publicity, all right. Are you both together, too?" Zac asked Tom, who was removing his pants as Tim pulled up his Tux pants. "Yeah," Tom said in a small voice. "That's cool, too. Nothing wrong with that," Zac answered, smiling at both of them. They hesitated, and then smiled shyly back. I just watched with my eyes wide. They might get to be more than friends, the way this is going. Comments can be sent to me at fsw99@mindspring.com.