"J AND DONNA BOTH AGREE AND SAY THAT ESTHER'S OUT." KEVIN REPEATS, LOOKING DOWN AT HIS KEYBOARD AND PLUNKING A FEW KEYS.
"WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?" SHE QUESTIONS, FINDING HERSELF VERY CONFUSED.
"AFTER THE INCIDENT WITH BRIAN, THEY FEEL IT IS, UH, DETRIMENTAL TO OUR GROUP, BSB, AND THAT IT ISN'T.... OH... THAT SHE SHOULDN'T BE TOURING WITH US ANYMORE." KEVIN PUTS IN TERMS THAT ONLY CONFUSE LAURA MORE.
"WHAT'S DETRIMENTAL?" SHE ASKS, DUMB-FOUNDED.
"IT MEANS THEY STRONGLY FEEL SHE IS MORE OF A BURDEN THAN ANY HELP. AND, SHE CAN BE EASILY REPLACED. SO, THEY ARE KICKING HER OFF THE TOUR AND OUT OF ANY CONNECTION WITH BSB OR JIVE RECORDS." KEVIN SIGHS. HE TURNS OFF HIS KEYBOARD AND SHOVES IT OUT OF THE WAY.
"BUT THAT'S NOT FAIR!" LAURA WHINES. "WHEN DID YOU FIND THIS OUT?"
"THIS MORNING WHEN J CAME TO PICK UP THE FAN MAIL." KEVIN EXPLAINS. "HE SAID THEY HAD A CONFERENCE ABOUT IT YESTERDAY AND CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT ESTHER SHOULD NO LONGER BE A PART OF OR IN ANY CONNECTION WITH
BACKSTREET." KEVIN AVOIDS MAKING EYE CONTACT WITH LAURA THROUGH THE WHOLE EXPLANATION.
"STILL, IT ISN'T FAIR!" LAURA REPLIES AGAIN, SITTING DOWN WITH KEVIN ON THE COUCH.
"NO," KEVIN PROTESTS, LEANING FORWARD, "WHAT ISN'T FAIR IS RATHER THAN J OR DONNA COMING TO TELL ESTHER FACE TO FACE THEY GAVE ME THE NOTICE AND TOLD ME TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM FOR THEM." HE PULLS OUT AN ENVELOPE
FROM HIS SHIRT POCKET, HANDS IT TO LAURA, AND BEGINS TO MASSAGE HIS TEMPLES. LAURA EYES THE ENVELOPE CAREFULLY.
"SO, WHEN DO YOU PLAN TO BREAK IT TO HER?" LAURA ASKS, HANDING THE ENVELOPE BACK TO KEVIN.
HE SHRUGS JUST AS EVERYONE ELSE CLAMBERS UP THE BUS STAIRS.
"OK, LADIES AND GENTS, TIME TO GET DOWN TO THE STUDIO." BRIAN CALLS, HERDING THE GROUP RIGHT BACK DOWN THE STAIRS.
"WHAT THE.....WE JUST CAME IN HERE!" A.J. GRIPES, GRABBING A COKE FROM THE FRIDGE.
"ALRIGHT, SUIT YOURSELF," BRIAN REPLIES CASUALLY, WALKING BACK OVER AND SITTING DOWN ON THE COUCH, ONE FOOT PROPPED UP ON HIS KNEE. "IT'S JUST WE'VE GOT 15 MINUTES TO GET THERE."
"LEZZZ GO!" A.J. ANSWERS, BEING THE FIRST OUT THE BUS DOOR. EVERYONE FOLLOWS HIS LEAD.
"SHOULD I HAVE SHAVED?" NICK ASKS, RUBBING HIS HAND OVER HIS CHIN.
"NAH, YOU'RE BUT A WEE LAD. YOU HAVE NO BUSINESS SHAVING, MY BOY." BRIAN REPLIES IN AN IRISH-ACCENT AS HE FOLLOWS NICK, DIANA, AND BRENDA OUT THE DOOR.
"YOU THINK I LOOK BETTER IN GREEN OR BLUE?" HOWIE QUESTIONS, WALKING TOWARDS THE DOOR, ALMOST STUMBLING OVER NICK'S SCUBA GEAR TO WHICH HE STILL HASN'T PICKED UP.
"I DUNNO," LAURA REPLIES, TAILING HOWIE. "HOLD YOUR BREATH FOR AWHILE; WE'LL LOOK AT BLUE FIRST."
ONCE THEY ALL GET OFF THE BUS THE SECURITY GUARDS WAITING OUTSIDE ESCORT THEM TO THE AWAITING LIMO PARKED JUST OUTSIDE THE PARKING LOT.
"OUCH." LAURA CRIES AS SHE ACCIDENTLY CRACKS HER HEAD ON THE DOOR FRAME WHILE GETTING IN.
"THAT'LL LEAVE A MARK." A.J. JEERS WITH A LAUGH.
"SHUT UP." LAURA GROWLS.
KEVIN'S CELLULAR PHONE RINGS AND HE ANSWERS IT. IT'S J. "YES MR. WRIGHT, WE'RE ON OUR WAY NOW. YES, YES..... NO, WE WERE THINKING IF..." HE CONTINUES HIS CONVERSATION.
"HEY NICK, WHAT'S UP WITH THE DOLPHINS CAP?" BRENDA ASKS, PLOPPING DOWN NEXT TO HIM IN THE RED VELVET SEATS. SHE SINKS INTO IT AND LET'S HER BODY GO LIMP.
"SAFETY PRECAUTION." HE REPLIES, ALSO RELAXING INTO THE SEATS. WHEN BRENDA GIVES HIM A FUNNY LOOK HE LAUGHS, "TRUST ME ON THIS ONE." WHEN EVERYONE GETS SITUATED THE DRIVER BEGINS TO PULL OUT OF THE PARKING LOT.
"IS THIS OUR LIMO OR A RENTAL?" NICK QUIZZES, SITTING UP IN THE SEAT AND EXAMINING THE LUSH INTERIOR OF THE LIMO. "OURS." HE ANSWERS HIS OWN QUESTION AND SNUGGLES BACK INTO THE SEAT, A SMILE ON HIS FACE.
"HOW DO YOU KNOW?" ESTHER ASKS, GIVING NICK A PECULIAR LOOK.
"HE TAGGED THE WOODEN COOLER IN OUR ORIGINAL LIMO, THAT'S HOW HE KNOWS." BRIAN ANSWERS, HORNING IN. HE POINTS AT THE SMALL COOLER BUILT INTO THE LIMO. SURE ENOUGH, ON THE SIDE OF IT, WITH A SHARP OBJECT, SOMEONE HAD CARVED IN CAPITAL LETTERS, "BSB". NICK RUNS HIS PALM OVER THE CARVING AND SMILES.
"I PUT THAT THERE WHEN I WAS 15." HE SIGHS, A SENSE OF DEJA VU FLOWING OVER HIM.
"DIDN'T IT MAKE J MAD WHEN YOU DID THAT?" LAURA ASKS, A SORROWFUL LOOK ON HER FACE. TO GET IN THE HOT SEAT WITH J WAS A POSITION NOBODY ENJOYED TO BE IN.
"NO." NICK ANSWERS SIMPLY, STILL ADMIRING HIS ARTWORK.
"THAT'S ONLY BECAUSE J NEVER FOUND OUT." BRIAN POINTS OUT, BUSTING NICK'S BUBBLE.
"HEY, HE STILL DOESN'T KNOW, DOES HE?" NICK SHOOTS BACK SMUGLY.
"COULD YOU IMAGINE THOUGH IF HE DID?" DIANA ASKS, A FRIGTHENED LOOK ON HER FACE. "HE'D KILL YOU."
SUDDENLY, EVERYONE TURNS TO THE SOUND OF SOMEONE YELLING OVER THE PHONE.
A WIDE-EYED KEVIN HOLDS THE PHONE ABOUT A FOOT AWAY FROM HIS EAR, WHILE MR. WRIGHT SCREAMS SOMETHING TERRIBLE FROM THE RECIEVER. WHEN J PAUSES, KEVIN TRIES TO GET A WORD IN , BUT IS CUT OFF WHEN HE BEGINS TO SCREAM AGAIN.
"NICK," HE SAYS APOLOGETICALLY, "THIS IS FOR YOU." HE HANDS THE CELL PHONE TO NICK, WHO GINGERLY BRINGS THE PHONE UP TO HIS EAR.
"YES SIR?" NICK ANSWERS, WINCING WHEN THE SCREAMS TURN INTO ROARS. "UH, NO SIR.... I'M SORRY SIR.... J.... I... OK, DON'T CALL YOU J ANYMORE, THAT'S COOL....... AWHILE BACK... 2 OR 3 YEARS AGO SO THAT'S..... NO, I DON'T... BUT J... I MEAN, MR. WRIGHT.... I DON'T UNDERSTAND....YES... NO, THAT'S NOT....... YES SIR... YES SIR......... BYE SIR." NICK FINISHES WITH A SIGH
AND ENDS THE CALL.
HE SLUMPS DOWN AND LOOKS GLUMILY OUT THE WINDOW, FONDLING THE PHONE OVER AND OVER IN HIS HANDS, AS EVERYONE WAITS FOR HIM TO SPEAK. FINALLY, HE SIGHS AND GIVES KEVIN A BEWILDERED LOOK.
"HOW'D HE HEAR US TALKING ABOUT THE COOLER?" HE ASKS. KEVIN SHRUGS, TAKING THE CELL PHONE FROM NICK'S HAND AND PUTTING IT BACK IN HIS SHIRT POCKET. "WELL," NICK CONTINUES, "EITHER WAY AROUND, HE PLANS TO LOOK AT THE DAMAGE TO THE COOLER LATER, EVALUATE HOW MUCH IT'LL COST TO RENIVATE THE INTERIOR OF THIS THING, AND PLANS TO TAKE THE COST OF THE RETIVATIONS FROM MY SALARY!" NICK FLOPS BACK IN THE SEAT AND POUTS. "IT ISN'T FAIR." HE GRIPES THROUGH PUCKERED LIPS.
ONCE THE LIMO GETS OUT ON TO THE MAIN HIGHWAY EVERYONE SETTLES BACK INTO THEIR SEATS. WHILE DRIVING, THE GIRLS BEGIN TO NOTICE SEVERAL CARS THAT SEEM TO BE PURSUING THEM. THEY SWERVE IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC, KEEPING UP WITH THE LIMO AS IT CONTINUES ON IT'S ROUTE.
"YOU GUYS," LAURA WHIMPERS, STARTING TO GET WORRIED, "THOSE CARS ARE FOLLOWING US." SHE WARILY PEERS OUT THE WINDOW, KEEPING HER EYES ON THE VEHICLES. A.J.'S PHONE RINGS, CAUSING THEM ALL TO JUMP IN SURPRISE. HE
ANSWERS IT. IT'S HIS MOM, DENISE.
"WHAT IF THEY'RE STALKERS?" DIANA'S VOICE WAVERS AS SHE CROUCHES WITH LAURA BY THE WINDOW.
"STALKERS?!" BRENDA SHRIEKS, BOUNDING TOWARDS THE WINDOW. "WHAT IF THEY PULL UP BY THE WINDOW AND BLOW OUR HEADS OFF?!" SHE GLANCES OUT THE WINDOW, THEN DUCKS BACK DOWN AND CONTINUES. "WHAT IF THEY HIJACK THE LIMO AND, AND...... TAKE US ALL HOSTAGES AND..... CART US DOWN TO PERU AND SELL US INTO SLAVERY?!" THE GIRLS WAIL IN FRIGHT AND THEN HUDDLE TOGETHER UNDER
THE WINDOW, TERRIFIED.
THE LIMO PHONE BEEPS AND BRIAN QUICKLY PICKS IT UP. HE CHUCKLES BEFORE REASSURING, "NO SIR, THERE ISN'T A PROBLEM." HE TAPS ON THE SHEILD SEPERATING THEM FROM THE CHAFFUER AND LAUGHS. THE CHAFFUER LAUGHS WITH HIM
AS THEY BOTH HANG UP THE PHONE.
"THIS ISN'T THE TIME TO BE LAUGHING, BRIAN." ESTHER INFORMS, JUST AS PARANOID AS THE OTHERS.
BRIAN GASPS. "YOU'RE RIGHT." HE AGREES, A TERRIFIED LOOK FLASHING ACROSS HIS FACE. HE JOINS THE GIRLS BY THE WINDOW AND LOOKS OUT. "OH MY GOD! THEY'RE PULLING A GUN!!!!" HE SHRIEKS.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!" THE GIRLS SCREAM, DIVING ON TO THE FLOOR BOARD.
"I'M TOO YOUNG TO DIE!!!" BRENDA CRIES, COVERING HER HEAD WITH HER HANDS.
UPON THEIR REACTION, BRIAN AND THE GUYS ERUPT INTO HYSTERICAL LAUGHTER.
"WHAT'S SO FUNNY?" DIANA BELLOWS, GLARING AT THE GUYS.
BRIAN LOOKS OUT THE WINDOW AGAIN AND SIGHS, "NOPE, JUST A CAMERA."
SLOWLY, THE GIRLS BUILD UP ENOUGH COURAGE TO CAUTIOUSLY LOOK OUT THE WINDOW. SURE ENOUGH, THERE'S THE CAR, WINDOWS DOWN, WITH ABOUT 6 PHOTOGRAPHERS INSIDE, SNAPPING AWAY.
"MY BAD." BRIAN ADDS WITH A SNICKER.
"WHO ARE THEY?" LAURA ASKS.
"ZEE WORD ZOU'RE LOOKING FOR IZ PAPARAZZI, NO?" BRIAN MOCKS IN A FRENCH-ACCENTED VOICE. THE GUYS CONTINUE TO LAUGH AS THE GIRLS FUME.
"THAT WASN'T FUNNY!" DIANA THREATENS, WAVING HER FIST AT THE GUYS. "YOU REALLY HAD US SCARED!"
"WE THOUGHT IT WAS FOR REAL." ESTHER ADDS, "YOU SHOULDN'T FOOL AROUND WITH THINGS LIKE THAT. I WAS FEARING FOR MY LIFE!"
"ESTHER, WE'RE SORRY." BRIAN APOLOGIZES, PUTTING A HAND ON HER SHOULDER. BUT HE CAN'T HOLD IN A GIGGLE OR TWO.
SHE SHOVES IT OFF AND TURNS HER BACK ON HIM WITH A "HUMPH!".
"ESTHER, COME ON. I SAID I WAS SORRY." BRIAN BEGS FOR FORGIVENESS, GIVING HER HIS INNOCENT PUPPY-DOG LOOK.
"LEAVE ME ALONE." SHE SNARLS, AND BRIAN BACKS AWAY.
"COME ON, ESTHER. WHAT I DID WASN'T THAT TERRIBLE." BRIAN DEFENDS.
"YOU HAD ME SO SCARED! PRACTICAL JOKES LIKE THAT ARE UNCALLED FOR!" ESTHER SPITS, LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW AT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS. "YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT ACTUALLY COULD BE MOBSTERS."
"ESTHER," BRIAN LAUGHS, SCOOTING BACK TOWARDS HER. "IT'S NOT LIKE THE MAFIA IS GONNA SEND OUT THE GODFATHER TO SNIPE US OR SOMETHING."
"STILL," ESTHER PERSISTS, "SOME PRANKS ARE JUST NOT FUNNY." SHE SHIFTS HER WEIGHT ON TO HER OTHER LEG AND ADDS, " YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT COULD BE THE REAL THING."
"I GIVE UP." BRIAN LAUGHS, SITTING BACK IN THE SEAT, "HAVE IT YOUR OWN WAY." EVERYONE RESITUATES THEMSELVES BACK IN THEIR SEATS AS THE LIMO CRUISES DOWN THE HIGHWAY.
BUT BEFORE THEY CAN COMPLETELY SETTLE, ONE OF THE PAPARAZZI CARS PULLS TOO CLOSE AND NUDGES THE SIDE OF THE LIMO, CAUSING EVERYTHING TO LURCH FORWARD.
" HELLO, WINDOW." DIANA EXCLAIMS AS SHE IS THROWN UP AGAINST IT.
"OH CRAP, DID THEY JUST HIT THE LIMO?!" A.J. ASKS, TAKING OFF HIS SUN GLASSES AND LOOKING OUT THE REAR-VIEW WINDOW. HE FINISHES HIS CONVERSATION WITH HIS MOM AND HANGS UP THE PHONE.
BRENDA YELPS AS SHE ACCIDENTLY CRUNCHES HER ARM ON THE COOLER. THE LIMO STARTS TO SWERVE IN A FEEBLE ATTEMPT TO VEER OFF THE PAPARAZZI, CAUSING EVERYONE TO BE TOSSLED AROUND INSIDE THE VEHICLE.
"WHOA!" NICK CRIES OUT AS HE'S THROWN ON TOP OF BRENDA. HOWIE IS MERCIOIUSLY THROWN ON TOP OF HIM.
LAURA SLAMS INTO THE MINI REFRIGERATOR AND THE DOOR SWINGS OPEN, CONTENTS FLYING EVERYWHERE.
"EW, ORANGE CRUSH." HOWIE SAYS QUAINTLY, GRABBING THE CAN AS IT HURTLES THROUGH THE AIR TOWARDS HIM. ESTHER IS THROWN UP AGAINST THE DOOR, HITTING THE WINDOW DOWN BUTTON WITH HER ELBOW. THE WINDOW ZOOMS DOWN AND INSTANTLY THE PHOTOGRAPHERS TAKE HOLD OF THE OPPORTUNITY AND SNAP PICTURES THROUGH THE WINDOW.
"SOMEBODY GET THAT WINDOW UP!" BRIAN YELLS. A.J. FLINGS HIMSELF TOWARDS THE DOOR AND PRESSES THE WINDOW UP BUTTON. BUT NOT BEFORE LAURA TAKES ACTION AND FLIPS THE FINGER AT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS.
"LAURA YOU REALLY SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT." KEVIN WARNS WHILE TRYING TO PUT THE REFRIGERATOR BACK IN ORDER. THE LIMO SWERVES AGAIN, AND THROWS WHAT POOR KEV HAD JUST PUT AWAY RIGHT BACK OUT IN HIS LAP.
"AND WHY NOT?!" LAURA STEAMS, SNEERING AT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS STILL OUTSIDE THE WINDOW. SHE RUNS HER FINGERS THROUGH HER HAIR AS SHE PICKS HERSELF UP OUT OF THE FLOORBOARD. "THEY MESSED UP MY HAIR." SHE HUFFS, PULLING HER HAND OUT OF THE MASS OF CURLS. IT INSTANTLY POOFS OUT AND SHE LETS HER SHOULDERS SLUMP WITH A SIGH.
"BECAUSE, KNOWING THEM, THEY'LL PRINT IT WITH SOME WILD STORY THEY'LL MAKE UP." HOWIE REPLIES, MATTER-OF-FACTLY. "TABLOIDS ARE AN UGLY THING." HE
POPS THE TOP ON HIS SODA, WHICH HAD GAINED PRESSURE DUE TO THE JOSSLING IT HAD JUST RECIEVED AS THE LIMO VEERED TO AND FRO. IT PROMPTLY EXPLODES ALL OVER HIM. "JOY." HE SAYS FLATLY, GAZING DOWN AT HIS SOAKED SHIRT WITH A
BLANK STARE.
THE LIMO PHONE JINGLES AND KEVIN IS QUICK TO CLICK IT INTO SPEAKER MODE.
"IS EVERYONE OKAY BACK THERE?" THE SPEAKER BUZZES AS THE DRIVER PROCEEDS TO ASSURE EVERYONE'S SAFETY.
"YEAH, WE'RE OKAY." BRIAN INSISTS. HE TAPS ON THE SHIELD BEHIND THE DRIVER AND GIVES HIM A THUMBS UP.
"I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT BUT I HAD TO SHAKE THEM SOMEHOW TO GET THEM OFF OUR TAIL." THE DRIVER EXPLAINS. "WE REALLY NEEDED THAT POLICE ESCORT, BUT THINGS ARE REALLY OUT OF ORDER RIGHT NOW. JIVE'S GONNA HEAR ABOUT THIS
INCIDENT."
"IS THERE GONNA BE A DELAY IN OUR ARRIVAL AT THE STUDIO NOW?" KEVIN INQUIRES WHILE PLACING THE LAST CAN OF SODA IN THE MINI FRIGE AND SHUTTING THE DOOR.
"A SLIGHT ONE, BUT NOT TOO LONG OF ONE." THE DRIVER ESTIMATES. "I'D SAY, WE'LL BE THERE IN ABOUT 15 MINUTES."
"OK, THANK YOU SIR." KEVIN REPLIES, TURNING OFF THE SPEAKER.
AS THE DRIVER HAD PREDICTED, THEY ARRIVE AT THE STUDIO 15 MINUTES LATER. BUT, THE SURPRISE THAT THEY SEE WHEN PULLING INTO THE MAIN ENTRANCE CAUSES CHILLS TO TRAVEL UP THEIR SPINES.
FANS, THOUSANDS OF SCREAMING PEOPLE, MAINLY GIRLS, ENGULF THE ENTIRE MASS OF THE PARKING AREA. AND WITH THE ARRIVAL OF THE LIMO, THE THRONG OF FANS GO BESERK.
"OH NO." HOWIE WHIMPERS, LOOKING OUT THE TINTED WINDOWS WITH WORRY. "THE LAST TIME THERE WAS A MASS INVASION OF FANS, A.J. GOT HIS FOOT RUN OVER, 2 FANS WERE FOUND HIDING ON OUR BUS, AND WE WERE BANNED FROM A RADIO
STATION." HE PEERS OUT THE WINDOW AND GULPS LOUDLY. "THEN AGAIN," HE CHUCKLES, "WHO COULD BLAME THE STATION?"
ONCE AGAIN THE LIMO PHONE SOUNDS OFF AND KEVIN FLIPS THE SPEAKER MODE BACK ON. "OKAY GENTLEMEN, MR. WRIGHT JUST RADIOED THE LIMO. HE SPECIFICALLY SAID TO AVOID CONTACT WITH THE FANS. THE POLICE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CLEAR THE GROUP OUT FOR HALF AN HOUR, BUT THE FORCE OF THEM ALL IS TOO GREAT, SO THEY'RE HAVING TROUBLE CLEARING THEM OFF."
"SOUNDS LIKE A "STAR WARS" PLOT." BRIAN LAUGHS UNDER HIS BREATH. HE PLACES HIS PALM OVER NICK'S HEAD AND MIMICS THE LINE FROM THE INFAMOUS MOVIE, "TRUST THE FORCE, LUKE." THE DRIVER SMILES AND CONTINUES.
"MR. WRIGHT MADE A POINT TO NOT SIGN ANY AUTOGRAPHS AND TO NOT COME IN CONTACT WITH ANY OF THE FANS AT THIS TIME." GIVEN THIS NEWS, THE GOOD-HEARTED GUYS MOAN AND GRUMBLE ABOUT THE RESTRICTMENTS.
"I'D LIKE TO KNOW HOW WE DO THAT." NICK JOKES, POINTING AT THE FANS THAT ALREADY ARE STRETCHING THE SAFETY ROPES TIGHT. THE DRIVER LAUGHS BUT PROCEEDS.
"DUE TO THE FANS THOUGH, I'M HAVING TO PULL IN THROUGH SUB-ENTRANCE B, RATHER THAN THROUGH ENTRANCE A. FROM THERE MR. WRIGHT ASKS THAT YOU STAY IN THE LIMO, WINDOWS UP, NICK..."
"HEY!" NICK BELLOWS, THROWING HIS ARMS UP IN INTIMIDATION. "WHY MUST HE ALWAYS BRING THAT UP?"
"WHAT IS HE TALKING ABOUT?" WHISPERS LAURA, LEANING TOWARDS A.J.
"YOU DON'T WANNA KNOW." A.J. ASSURES, ROLLING HIS EYES.
"...UNTIL THE SECURITY GUARDS GET TO THE LIMO AND THE POLICE HAVE THE AREA SECURE." THE DRIVER RAMBLES ON. "YOU ALL WILL THEN BE INSTRUCTED TO EXIT THE LIMO AND THE GUARDS WILL ESCORT YOU TO THE STUDIO DOOR. DO YOU HAVE THIS?" THE DRIVER ASKS.
"WHY COULDN'T WE JUST ENTER THROUGH A BACK ENTRANCE, IF WE'RE NOT ALLOWED TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE FANS?" KEVIN QUIZZES, LOOKING TO THE DRIVER.
"MR. WRIGHT EXPLAINED THEY WOULD HAVE DONE THAT BUT THAT ENTRANCE IS CLOSED AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYONE TO OPEN THE AREA." THE DRIVER REPLIES.
EVERYONE SITS BACK IN THEIR SEATS WHILE THE DRIVER SLOWLY EASES THE LIMO THROUGH THE THRONGS OF SCREAMING FANS. OF COURSE, UPON SEEING THE LIMO, THE FANS BREAK THROUGH THE RESTRICTED AREA TAPE AND ATTACK THE LIMO LIKE A LUMP OF SUGAR IN AN ANT BED. THE GIRLS WATCH UNEASILY AS FANS BEAT ON THE BULLET- PROOF WINDOWS AND CRAWL ON TO THE BACK OF THE LIMO. THE FANS TRY IN VAIN TO OPEN THE DOORS, WHICH ARE LOCKED, PICKING AT THE WINDOWS, CLAWING AT THE DOORFRAME, SCREAMING IN FRENZIC HIGH-PITCHED SQUEALS. IT'S A TRAUMATIZING SIGHT. THE GUYS HANDLE THE SITUATION SMOOTHLY THOUGH, WAVING AND SMILING AND GOOFING OFF WITH THE FANS.
A GIRL RIGHT OUTSIDE THE WINDOW HOLDS UP A SIGN THAT STATES, "CALL ME, A.J.!" WITH A PHONE NUMBER SCRAWLED UNDERNEATH IT. LAURA CAN'T HELP BUT LAUGH AT THE SIGHT. SHE SHAKES HER HEAD WHEN SHE TURNS TO SEE A.J. QUICKLY COPYING THE NUMBER DOWN IN HIS BLACKBOOK AS THEY CONTINUE TO DRIVE PAST.
"YOU WANNA CAUSE A STIR?!" BRIAN SCREAMS TO THE GROUP. HE CLUMSILY CRAWLS OVER THE OTHER PASSENGERS TOWARDS ESTHER, WHO SITS CLOSEST TO THE WINDOW.
ONCE SHE SEES HIM COMING TOWARDS HER, SHE FROWNS AND TURNS AWAY. BUT, BRIAN PROCEEDS WITH HIS PLANS, WHETHER SHE LIKES IT OR NOT, WRAPS HIS ARMS
AROUND HER, AND GIVES HER A QUICK PECK ON THE CHEEK.
AS HE HYPOTHESIZED, THE FANS REACT WITH FURY, VICIOUSLY BEATING ON THE WINDOWS AND SCREAMING LOUDER THAN EVER. ESTHER JUSTS SITS LIKE A STATUE, STARING AT BRIAN WITH
LARGE, ROUND EYES AND DOESN'T SAY A WORD.
"PATHETIC." LAURA QUIPS, LOOKING BACK OUT AT ALL THE FANS AND WAVES.
"OH, GROSS, NICK WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" DIANA GRUMBLES IN DISGUST. THEY ALL LOOK UP TO SEE NICK "MAKING OUT" WITH THE WINDOW AND THE FANS ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE SUCKING RIGHT BACK. HE PLOPS BACK IN THE SEAT BETWEEN HOWIE AND BRENDA, A SMILE ON HIS FACE.
"DECIDE TO COME UP FOR AIR?" HOWIE SNICKERS, SHOVING NICK'S CAP OVER HIS EYES.
"YA KNOW, J DIDN'T APPRECIATE IT THE LAST TIME YOU PULLED A STUNT LIKE THAT." KEVIN WARNS.
"THAT WAS GROSS." BRENDA GRIPES, PUSHING NICK ON TO HOWIE. "HERE YOU ARE, A BACKSTREET BOY, AND YOU SIT THERE SLIMING WINDOWS. REAL COOL, DUDE."
"WHAT WRONG, BREN?" LAURA MOCKS, NUDGING HER WITH HER ELBOW. "JEALOUS?"
BRENDA'S FACE FLUSHES AS SHE QUICKLY ANSWERS, "NO!"
"NICK! HOW COULD YOU CHOOSE A WINDOW OVER BRENDA?!" LAURA GASPS MELODRAMATICALLY. "THAT'S A SIN."
"I KNOW." NICK AGREES SHAMEFULLY, LOOKING DOWN AT HIS FEET. HE SNICKERS BEFORE ADDING, "BUT YOU HAVE TO ADMIT, THE WINDOW IS A BETTER KISSER."
BRENDA SCOWLS AND WHIRLS AROUND TO LOOK OUT THE WINDOW, HER BACK TO NICK. NICK SEES BRENDA'S REACTION AND JUMPS TO HIS OWN DEFENSE. "JUST KIDDING!"
LAURA SIGHS AND SHAKES HER HEAD. "NICK, I DON'T BELIEVE SHE'S SPEAKING TO YOU." NICK SIGHS AND SHRUGS HIS SHOULDERS, THEN FLOPS BACK INTO THE SEAT.
"HOPE WE GET OUT OF THIS LIMO SOON, OR NO ONE WILL BE SPEAKING TO ANYBODY." HOWIE WHISPERS TO DIANA, WHO NODS HER HEAD IN AGREEMENT.
LIKE SOMEONE HEARD THEM, THE RADIO CLICKS ON AND A MALE VOICE ASKS, "IS EVERYONE OKAY?"
"YES." THE GUYS ALL REPLY IN UNISON.
"GOOD." THE MAN REPLIES. "NOW, ONCE THE POLICE FFICERS GET THE RESTRAINT ROPES UP, OUR GUARDS WILL ESCORT YOU FROM THE VEHICLE TO THE STUDIO DOOR. "IS THAT CLEAR?" ONCE AGAIN, THE GUYS REPLY YES.
A MOMENT LATER THE WORDS "AREA SECURE.... " COME ACROSS THE RADIO AND THE MAN GIVES THE GO-AHEAD. THE BOYS SPRING INTO ACTION AND JUMP OUT THE LIMO DOORS INTO THE FRENZY.
"HEY, YOU GUYS WAIT!" DIANA YELLS, DASHING OUT OF THE LIMO AFTER THE GUYS. HOT ON HER TAIL IS BRENDA, FOLLOWED BY ESTHER AND FINALLY LAURA. THOUGH THE RESTRAINT ROPE IS UP IT DOESN'T SEEM TO AFFECT THE FANS IN ANY WAY, AS THEY PUSH TOWARDS THE GUYS, WHILE THE COPS TRY UNSUCCESSFULLY TO HOLD THEM BACK.
"YOU GUYS?!" DIANA YELLS AGAIN. A.J., BEING THE LAST OF THE GUYS, TURNS AROUND AND GRABS DIANA'S HAND TO PULL HER ALONG. BRENDA LATCHES ON TO DIANA'S OTHER HAND, AND ESTHER REACHES FOR BRENDA. SHE TURNS TO HELP
LAURA BUT THERE'S NO SIGN OF HER.
SHE'S BEEN SWALLOWED UP BY THE CROWD.
