“Dan, got a proposition for you.”
“Yeah? Should I be worried?” She laughs and sits down opposite his desk.
“The Backstreet Boys are touring Europe next month.”
“I know.”
“They invited me to join them. They promised me exclusive access to the tour.”
“How long for?”
“3 months.”
“That’s a long time.”
“I know, but you’d get exclusive interviews and stuff.”
“Hmmm, OK then. But you seriously owe me.”
She winks at him with a grin. “Anything you want Dan.”
Nick looks out of the plane window, then quickly slides down the blind.
Jenny watches him. “Feeling nervous Nicky?”
“Just a bit. I HATE flying. It’s unnatural.”
“If God had meant us to fly He would’ve given us wings.” Brian slides down the blind by his window.
Jenny smiles. “Oh I kinda like it. It’s a great rush when the plane takes off. You feel weightless for a tiny fraction of time.”
“You shoulda been an astronaut.” Nick closes his eyes as the plane starts to move along the runaway.
“Nick, ever see that Ethan Hawke film, oh what was it called? ‘Alive’?” He shakes his head.
“Don’t even ask Frack.” Brian says. Jenny grins at him.
Nick opens his eyes. “Huh? What was the film about then?”
Brian groans. “And once again Nicky ignores the voice of reason.”
“Well, Ethan Hawke plays this rugby player. Was he Canadian?” She looks at AJ.
AJ shrugs. “Or American. Great film.”
“Yeah. He plays with this team and they get to some championship finals. So they all get on this plane..”
Nick groans. “OK, think I can guess the ending. They all crash and die horribly.”
“Nope.”
“Oh.” He sits up and looks at Jenny. “So what happens?”
“They fly over this country. Was it Canada?”
AJ thinks a bit. “Or Greenland. Somewhere cold. With huskies.”
“Yeah, and no people.”
“Alaska. That’s it, yeah.”
“Anyway, they crash and…”
“You said they didn’t crash!”
“Well, they crash but they don’t all die.”
Nick looks at her. “So how many survive?”
“Oh about 10.”
“And they get rescued, yeah?” She shakes her head and he sticks his fingers in his ears. “I’m not listening anymore. Lalalalalalala…” Jenny turns back to AJ and grins at him.
“You’re evil.” She nods. “I like it.”
After a while Nick stops humming to himself and gingerly opens the blind to look out at the clouds. Jenny sees him.
“So AJ, then the survivors get hungry and they….”
Nick looks at her and starts singing loudly. After a while, he stops. AJ nudges Jenny.
“Yeah, Jen. Didn’t they start eatin’ each other?”
Nick gasps. “They turned cannibals?!” Jenny and AJ nod. “Urrgh. That’s a damn freaky film.”
Jenny laughs and holds her hand out to AJ. “I think that was a very successful mission.”
“Yep. What a team.” He slaps her hand and grins. “Damn, we’re good.”
The cabin is quiet for a while then Nick nudges Brian. “At least it was only a film huh?”
“That’s the point. It wasn’t.” Nick makes a little noise and snaps his window blind down again. “I did tell ya.” Brian grins at Jen.
“I’m drivin’ everywhere from now on.”
Jenny drops her case on the bed and looks round the room. “Jeez, AJ you didn’t have to get me a double.”
“Well, we wouldn’t both fit in a single.”
“Ah we’re sharing? So, where’s your bed then?” She sits down on the big double bed and grins at AJ.
“You’re sittin’ on it.”
“Assuming rather a lot here AJ.” She looks at him wickedly.
He puts his case down and shuts the room door. He walks over to her on the bed. “Am I?” He bends down and kisses her. “Wouldn’t you miss your red hot lover man?” He pushes her back onto the bed and she giggles.
“So c’mon! You’ve got a day off. What’re you going to do?” They all look at her.
Nick shrugs. “Play on the gameboy I guess.”
“Play the guitar.” Brian takes a sip of his orange juice.
“Whatever YOU want to do. Just as long as it involves a bed and a dark room.” Jenny looks at him. “OK, we can leave the lights on.”
“We’re in PARIS and all you guys want to do is stay indoors?!”
“Hey city of romance. I’m TRYIN’ to be romantic.” AJ growls at her.
“Have you guys done the tourist thing here?”
“Nope.” Nick shrugs. “We never had a whole day off here before.”
“C’mon. Let’s see the sights.” She looks at them. “The Louvre, Arc de Triumphe, the Seine, the Bastille, the Eiffel Tower…”
“I got a tower for ya, Hon.” AJ grins wickedly and she groans. “OK, you wanna sightsee. We’ll sightsee.”
“OK.” Brian downs his juice. “I kinda wanna see the Tower.”
“Me too I guess.” Nick grins. “I can tell my Mom I did somethin’ cultured for once.”