"How many?" the tall brunette behind the counter asked.
"Five." Mike answered with a friendly smile.
"Preferably near the piano," Kristy added over his shoulder.
"I think we can do that for you, it's still pretty early. If you'll follow Tad, he'll show you your seats. Enjoy your afternoon."
The group settled around a table with seating for six, only a short distance from the beautiful baby grand piano in the center of the dining room. "Kristy, isn't that the same guy as last time?" Jessica asked, gesturing towards the attractive man at the piano. He looked perfectly at ease in his black tuxedo, singing along with the familiar tune he was playing.
Kristy leaned to her left to get a better view of the man in question. "Oh my gosh, I think you're right! What was his name?"
"How do you know the piano man?" Chris asked. "Or do I wanna know?"
"When Jess and I were here in April for that other pharmacy meeting, we had dinner here one night before we saw 'Fantasmic!' I requested a couple of songs and we talked about music a little." Kristy explained to her friends.
"Actually," Jessica amended, "Kris sang one of the songs with him and then he spent the rest of the time we were here singing to her."
"Hardly!" Kristy protested. "He was just sorta singing in our general direction. Ooohhh, what is his name?!"
"Yeah, that's why he hung out at our table during his whole break!" Jess recalled. She remembered the way he lingered at their table, asking Kristy about her favorite types of music and musical training. "And I want to say it's 'Jeff'."
"Jeff. Thank you... that was going to bug me all night!" Kristy giggled.
A waiter approached the animated group and took their drink orders. They realized that since they'd been at the convention for most of the day they hadn't eaten much, and ordered a few appetizers to go with their cocktails.
"So why don't you see if he remembers you." Heather suggested.
Kristy wrinkled her forehead. "Oh yeah, I'm sure he remembers some weird tourist he got to sing with him, what, almost eight months ago."
"So go request the same song and prove us wrong," Chris challenged.
"Christopher, you should know better than to dare me to do something!" Kristy said with a smirk as she pushed back her chair. "I will request the same songs, and then you'll see how utterly forgettable I am."
"Anyone want to place bets?" Mike said under his breath as Kristy stepped away from the table.
"I bet he recognizes her," Chris predicted.
Jessica added, "I hate to bet against my best friend, but my money says he not only recognizes her, but remembers part of the evening!"
Kristy glanced over her shoulder towards her friends as they huddled together and shook her head. "Hopeless, all of 'em!"
************************************************************************
Kevin parked his 4 Runner in the employee parking lot behind the Disney-MGM Studios theme park. Just driving up to the place brought back memories of those days spent working here before he joined the Backstreet Boys. He smiled to himself as he remembered some of the jobs he'd done while waiting for his big break. Aladdin hadn't been too bad; at least he got to use his singing and dancing while still managing to look somewhat like himself. But if he never saw another Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle in his life, it would be too soon. It was things like big green turtle costumes that helped him appreciate all he had going for him now.
Instead of entering through the main gate, Kevin headed to one of the side entrances he'd used in the old days. Of course he no longer had the ID card necessary to unlock the door, so he raised his hand and knocked loudly, then stood back.
"Well if it isn't Mr. Backstreet Boy! Lookin' for a job? I think I could find an old Ninja Turtle outfit for ya." Barry, one of the guards at the "Castmembers' Entrance" grinned at Kevin as he opened the door.
"Bear-man! You still hangin' around this joint?" Kevin stepped through the open door and gave his old friend a quick hug. "Whatcha up to?"
"No good, just like always! What're you doin' back here?" Barry may have appeared tough, but he acted like a proud parent whenever anyone mentioned the Backstreet Boys.
"We're on a break until after the holidays, so I'm back in town for a bit. Anyway, I thought I'd stop by and see some friends... see how this place is runnin' without me!" Kevin smiled fondly at the fatherly guard.
"You're not gonna get all 'nostalgic' on me now are ya?" Barry teased. "Well, I'll let you get on your way... just try not to cause a riot while you're here, ok?"
"Sure thing, Bear. Sure thing."
