Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2003 06:16:13 EST
From: Bbbrokworknprog@aol.com
Subject: Bad Boy B-Rok: Whatever It Takes (Parts 22-25)

Hello all!  I'm back again after a very harrowing family week.  *Shivers*
Don't ask.  I just brought this up so you'd all know why it took me so long
to get the next section out.  I know alot of folks were waiting to see
where I was going with the story.  Well, wait no further, just skip to the
story.  For those of you that want to read these notes, read on.  I don't
have tons to say, 'cept I really appreciate all the great e-mails I've been
getting from all my terrific fans.  It's great to know that all of you
still enjoy the story after four and a half years.  I feel like an old pro
at this now!  LOL Since none of you seem to be getting tired of the story,
I'm gonna keep on writing it.  Just keep kissing my butt in your e-mails.
(Just Kidding) Seriously, I really appreciate all the positive feedback,
and even the not-so-positive is helpful.  So, to all my fans and readers
alike--thank you muchly.  Having said that, it's time for the usual
disclaimers.  I don't know any of the celebrities that may or may not be
mentioned in this story.  For all I know, they're all straight.  I'd screw
them all anyway.  And if I ever get the chance, I'll be sure to give you
all the details.  However, don't hold your collective breath.  Anyhoo, if
you have any questions, answers, want to say you hated or loved the story,
just send me an e-mail at bbbrokworknprog@aol.com!  Also, if you want a
notification e-mail sent to you when a new chapter of 'Bad Boy B-Rok' is
sent into Nifty to be posted, send me a request as well. Here we go again,
same old shit again....

"You know how people have these little habits that get you down? Like
Bernie.  Bernie liked to chew gum.  No, not chew--POP! So, I came home from
work one day, and I'm really irritated, and I'm looking for a little bit of
sympathy.  And there's Bernie, lyin' on the couch , drinkin' a beer and
chewin'.  No, not chewin'--Poppin'!  So I said to him, I said, 'you pop
that gum one more time...'.  And he did.  So I took the shotgun off the
wall and I fired too warning shots...into his head.  He had it coming. He
had it coming. He only had himself to blame. If you'd've been there, if
you'd've seen it, I betcha you would have done the same."~'Cell Block
Tango', Liz & The Cell Block Girls in "Chicago".



Whatever It Takes
Bad Boy B-Rok
By-Lep

(Part Twenty-Two)



	"Well, half-black, anyway.  Mom is white afterall."  I shrugged.
	"Why didn't you tell me he's black?"  Brian still spoke without his
lips moving, still smiling as Marcus and Booker approached us.
	"Didn't think it would matter."  I winked at him, then waved at
Marcus as he carried Booker back over to us.
	"It doesn't."  Brian chuckled.  "But shock me will you?"
	
	Booker had his arms wrapped around Marcus' neck and was hugging him
tightly as Marcus approached, holding Booker in his arms. I could tell
Booker had missed his uncle, and his uncle had missed him.  I wasn't sure
how I felt about seeing Marcus again.  We were certainly close when we were
younger, and actually in contact with each other, but I hadn't really
thought of him since he'd left so many years ago.  I hadn't thought of
Donna until she had showed up, either.  I figured both of them just didn't
want to see me anymore.  I figured I'd let them have their own way.
	Maybe it was a little odd for me to feel that way.  Marcus was my
brother afterall.  I probably should have made some effort to find out if
he wanted to talk to me ever again.  Or maybe--just maybe--I had been a
touch bitter about the whole situation.  When Marcus left, then Donna left,
I felt like everyone was going to leave me sooner or later.  I had just
said "screw 'em" to myself, and looked after number one.  That was probably
unhealthy, but it had worked so well, I didn't bother scrutinizing my
decisions.  Maybe it was time to do so.

	"Long time no see, bro."  Marcus sighed heavily with a smile,
stopping right in front of me.
	
	Sighing?  Was he relieved to see me?  Or was it a resigned sigh?
Was he trying to confuse me?

	"No kidding."  I smiled back.  "It's, um, good to see you."
	"You've gotten so damn big."  He gave a throaty laugh and reached
out to ruffled my hair.

	He obviously didn't know how sensitive I was about my hair.
	
	"Hey now, don't mess with the quaff."  I gave a genuine laugh,
stepping back slightly out of his reach.
	"It's been, what?  Eight years?  You were just a bratty fifteen
year old last time I saw ya'."  He gave a toothy grin, setting Booker down
beside him.
	"Nine and fourteen."  I corrected him teasingly.  "You've
gotten...."

	How had he changed?

	"Older."  I licked my teeth, playing with him.
	"Ain't no lie."  He shrugged.

	I couldn't think of anything else to say.  He seemed to just be
examining me, looking me up and down as a family member does when they
haven't seen you in almost a decade.  When he was satisfied that I was
definitely his brother, he met my gaze for a moment, then glanced at Brian
and Aaron.  It took me a moment to realize he was waiting for an
introduction.

	"Oh!"  I shook my head, laughing at my bad manners.  "Um, Marcus,
this is Aaron Carter, a friend of mine."

	I turn to my right to wave a hand at Aaron.

	"Aaron, this is my brother Marcus."  I finished introducing them as
they exchanged handshakes and pleasantries.
	"Nice to meet you, Aaron."  Marcus nodded with a grin as they shook
hands.
	"Nice to meet you, too."  Aaron had his usual happy smile on his
face.
	"And, um," I turned to Brian, not sure what to say,"this is..."

	Brian held his hand out to Marcus with a smile.

	"..my other friend," Brian cringed,"Brian."
	"Nice to meet you."  Brian stated in a strained voice as he waited
for Marcus to shake his hand.
	"Your friend Brian?"  Marcus seemed amused as he grabbed Brian's
hand.  "I thought you two were married recently?"
	"Thank God."  I sighed heavily.  "I didn't know how to explain our
relationship to you."

	Brian and Marcus both laughed heartily.
	
	"Kylie gave me the scoop."  Marcus nodded at Brian.  "Nice to
finally meet you."
	"Likewise."  Brian replied.
	"So, you've been speaking with Kylie, too?"  I asked.
	"Yeah.  For a couple months now."  He answered as Booker walked
over and wrapped his arms around my right thigh.
	"Hear you have a kid, finished college--made a good life for
yourself."  I knew I sounded very strained and monotonous.
	"Yeah, well..."  He shrugged.
	"You two probably have so much to catch up on."  Brian interupted.
"Maybe we should leave here before you start in on it."

	Marcus and I couldn't help but laugh.  We hadn't thought about
finding a comfortable place where we could chat with each other.
	
	"That would be a good idea."  I glanced at Marcus for approval.
"You're probably hungry, thirsty, something, too."
	"I wouldn't mind a drink."  Marcus agreed.
	"Well, I'll be more than happy to fix you one at the house."  I
replied.  "I hope you planned to stay for awhile."

	Booker was still latching onto my thigh as I turned, Marcus
following me as the five of us headed towards the parking lot.

	"Just a couple days this time.  Accountants don't get to rest much
during tax season."  Marcus laughed.
	"Well, we'll make sure to let you rest as much as possible while
you're staying with us."  Brian replied for me.
	"Oh."  Marcus hesitated.  "I had made reservations..."
	"Reservations?!?"  Brian squealed, making people we were passing by
stop and look at us.  "You've gotta be outta your mind.  You're staying
with us."
	
	Suddenly I realized why I loved Brian so much.

	"Cool."  Marcus shrugged.  "I just didn't know...well, I didn't
want to bother you too much."
	"It's alright, Marcus."  I winked at him.  "You won't be in our
way.  We'd love to have you."
	"Good."  He put an arm over my shoulders.  "I missed you, bro."
	"I missed you, too."  I was being honest, however I wondered why he
hadn't contacted me if he had missed me.







	
	"Um, Heinneken?"  I asked Marcus over my shoulder as I opened the
fridge.
	"Sure."  Marcus grunted as he sat down at the kitchen table, facing
me.  "The flight's really not all that long, but it still sucks."
	"Yeah."  I agreed as I pulled a couple bottles out of the fridge.
"The first time I did it--back in the day--I was pretty frickin' jet
lagged."
	"You have a nice place here."  Marcus complimented me as I popped
the tops off the bottles.  "You're obviously gettin' paid."
	
	I gave amused grin, not really answering.

	"I can see why Donna wanted you to have Booker.  He's certainly got
an advantage here."  Marcus looked around the kitchen once, before letting
his eyes come back to me.  "Rich folks certainly have an advantage, that
is."

	I set the bottle of beer down in front of Marcus as he gave me a
sly wink.  He was obviously amused at the fact that I was making more money
than he was--and more than our parents could have ever thought of making.

	"I'm very lucky."  I answered simply.  "I'm lucky to have what I
have."
	"I guess money can buy happiness...."
	"I'm more lucky to have Booker."  I stopped him.  "The money is
just gravy."
	"Good answer."  Marcus motioned at me with his beer, then took a
healthy gulp as I sat down across from him, holding my own bottle.
	"So, why'd you," I paused for a second, looking Marcus in the
eye,"disappear and never show back up?"
	
	Marcus looked at me for a second, his grin slowly fading, realizing
I wanted a serious answer and wasn't playing around.  He set his bottle of
beer down in front of himself, on the table, looked down at his lap.

	"I mean, I totally understand that mom blows and all."  I explained
before taking a gulp of beer.  "I escaped as soon as I could, too.  But I
haven't ignored Kylie.  I didn't just dump her, too."
	"Donna and I didn't mean to dump you two."  Marcus stopped me.
"But you were too young..."
	"Too young to understand?"  I felt my voice crack.
	"No."  He held a hand up.  "What I was going to say that you were
too young to take with us.  It wouldn't have been legal for us to let you
come with us.  Trust me, we talked about it."

	My throat clenched.

	"Before I took off, Donna and I talked about seeing if you and
Kylie would come with us.  But, we know mom wouldn't have let you guys
leave.  And we couldn't exactly kidnap you.  But we knew if we left, mom
wouldn't let us talk to you.  So we had to wait it out."
	
	I tilted my head upwards, looking at the ceiling.  The tears were
forming at the corners of my eyes.  I held my head back, hoping that would
hold them inside.  My throat was clencing, wanting to let out a sob.
Marcus had just told me what I'd hoped he had told me for a long, long
time.  Something Donna never admitted to.  They hadn't wanted to leave us
behind--had wanted us to go with them.  But they weren't able to take us
with them.

	"Are you--um, alright?"  Marcus asked, setting down his beer after
a sip.
	I gave a wet laugh, still looking up.  "Perfect."  I finally
composed myself and looked at Marcus, giving a wet sniffle.
	"I didn't mean to upset you, bro."
	"You didn't."  I sniffled again.
	"Good."  He gave a toothy grin.
	"Donna never told me that stuff."  I rubbed the remnants of the
tears from my eyes with the back of my hand.  "Ofcourse, I didn't really
get to spend alot of time with her..."
	"I didn't know she was sick.  Well until Kylie told me after the
fact."  Marcus looked down at the table top.
	"Doesn't matter."  I waved him off.  "I'm just glad you're here
now."
	"Me too."  He nodded.
	"It's been really weird with Brian and all."  I took a quick sip of
beer.  "I mean, he's got this real close-knit family that supports him and
spends holidays with him.  And, well, they've never met any of my family
except Kylie.  And Donna.  I never knew how to explain that I would be all
alone at Christmas without them."
	
	Marcus listened intently, sipping his beer now and then as I
sniffled and talked.  I don't think he knew how happy I was to have him
there.  Granted, I was still a little bitter, but I was willing to get over
it to have some family again.

	"I mean, how weird is it to spend your Christmas with your husband,
his whole family, his bandmates, your nephew and sister?"  I gave a wet
laugh.
	"Let's just make it a point to not ignore each other anymore,
aight?"  Marcus laughed, reaching over to grab my hand.
	I laughed loudly.  "Deal."  I grabbed his hand and shook it.







	I flinched as I reached into the room and flicked the lightswitch.
The sudden brightness of the lights made me blink.  The room hadn't been
used since the wedding.  It looked drab.  Ofcourse, it looked alot better
than no bedroom to sleep in at all.

	"Here it is."  I stepped in and moved aside so Marcus could walk
past me.  "We really haven't done much with it since we don't use it.  And
we have a new house in the works, so..."
	"It's perfect, bro."  Marcus slapped me on the back as he set his
suitcase on the bed.
	"It's just kinda--bland."  I shrugged.
	"Well I'm not gonna live here."  He laughed.  "It's just for a few
nights.  I'll be cool."
	"Want help unpacking?"  I asked, not really sure where we were
supposed to go from here.

	We'd done the obligatory catching up--over beers no less.  I showed
Marcus the room he could stay in while visiting, and now I was out of the
things to talk about or do.  It wasn't even eleven o'clock yet.  Time sure
stood still when you were nervous.  I knew Brian had to be bored.  He had
put Booker to bed when we got home, and had gone to our room to leave
Marcus and I alone to catch up.  Aaron had even left us alone by staying in
his

	"Nah."  He shook his head.  "You can talk to me while I do it,
though."
	"Aight."  I shrugged as I hopped up on the bed beside his suitcase.
	"So..."  Marcus gave me a mischievious grin as he opened his
suitcase.  "how is our old bitch of a mother doing?"
	I laughed loudly.  "Boy, have I got some stories to tell you."







	It was one o'clock in the morning when I finally decided to sneak
into the bedroom.  Marcus and I had talked while he unpacked.  Then we had
gone back into the kitchen and finished our discussion over several beers.
Okay.  Several beers and a few shots of Jack Daniel's.  We were brothers
that hadn't seen each other in years--we were entitled to getting a bit
tipsy whilst catching up on the past.  Well that was my story and I was
stickin' to it, anyway.  Atleast, that's what I'd say if Brian got pissy
when I went into our room and woke him up.
	However, when I crept down the hallway, giggling a bit from being a
bit drunk, I noticed the bedroom light was still on.  I figured I was
really in for an ass chewing if Brian had stayed up half the night waiting
for me to come to bed.  Ofcourse, since I was talking with my brother, I
didn't think Brian would be upset.  Then again, you just never know what
will make some people pissed off.  In the past, I was known to get pissy
for no good reason--just whenever it suited my tastes.
	When I entered our room, however, Brian wasn't up waiting for me.
He and Aaron were sitting in the middle of our bed, indian style, laughing,
and playing cards.  That was the worst thing I could have had happen.  I
didn't want Aaron to see me the least bit tipsy after the big "drugs and
alcohol" speech.  I mean, I knew I was the adult and had a right to do what
I damn well pleased.  But I didn't want Aaron to think me a hypocrite.

	"Hey, boys."  I was too drunk to care, I realized quickly as I
stripped off my shirt.
	"Hey, baby."  Brian winked over at me.
	"Hey, Matt."  Aaron answered blandly.
	
	I chunked my shirt into the corner and sauntered over to the bed.
Unfortunately, I accidentally ran into the chair at the end of the bed, and
almost tripped.  I caught myself with a giggle as I sat down hard on the
bed.

	"Have fun?"  Brian laughed lowly.
	"Immensley, thank you."  I giggled again as I kicked off my shoes
and socks.
	"Good."  Brian replied as I turned and laid on my belly, propping
my chin on my hands.
	"Whatcha playin'?"  I asked, looking at the cards between the two
of them.
	"Poker."  Aaron replied with a shrug.
	"Hopefully not strip."  I teased.  "I'm already a shirt down."
	"That you are."  Brian grinned wide, then leaned over to give me a
quick kiss.  "But no, not strip poker."
	"Damn it all."  I laughed and rolled onto my back.

	The ceiling only spun a bit.  Just enough to let me know I was
going to sleep like a baby when I finally did sleep.
	
	"You gonna need help getting undressed?"  Brian laughed again.
	"Noooooo."  I grunted.
	"I'll take that as a yes."  Brian replied playfully.
	"I was undressing myself for years before you and I started dating,
mister."  I reached up and patted the side of Brian's face, however the
room spun a little bit more.
	"We better end this game."  Brian advised Aaron as I let my eyes
shut drunkenly.
	"Alright.  We gotta get up early for brunch anyway."  Aaron sighed.
	"I need water, baby."  I requested of Brian in a pitiful voice.
	"Okay, I'll go get you a bottle."  He ran a hand thru my hair
lightly.  "Then it's gonna be bedtime for bonzo."
	"A'ight."  I grunted as I unbuttoned my jeans, but stopped there,
not able to do much else.
	"I'll be back."  Brian announced as I felt the bed move as he and
Aaron got up.

	My eyes practically rolled back in my head as I heard the door to
the room open and shut behind them as they left.  With my eyes closed, I
could still "feel" the room spinning a bit.  I hadn't felt this drunk when
I had walked to my room.  However, now that I was lying down, the alcohol
was definitely effecting me.  All I could do was lay there and pray Brian
would hurry up, bring me my water, and put me to bed.  When I felt hands at
the waist of my jeans, I knew my prayers were finally being answered.

	"Ungh."  I grunted as Brian rolled my pants down to my hips.

	He paused for a moment as I lifted my butt, and let him pull my
pants off of me.  I heard a "whump" sound, as if he had chunked my jeans
into the corner with my shirt.  I expected him to grab me and chunk me onto
my side of the bed, then crawl in next to me.  However, the next thing I
felt was his hand cupping my crotch.  I gave a small disapproving grunt,
but Brian gave my crotch a light squeeze.

	"Brian, I'm gonna be sick..."  I felt my throat tighten and saliva
flow into my mouth, letting me know it wouldn't be long before I blew
chunks.
	"Mmmm."  Brian moaned and then I felt his lips on my stomach,
kissing around my bellybutton.
	"I think I'm gonna hurl."  I clapped a hand over my mouth, jumped
up quickly and ran for the bathroom.

	I threw the bathroom door open and ran right to the toilet.  The
main door to our bedroom opened and shut right before I threw the toilet
seat up, fell to my knees and got sick.  I figured Brian got pissed off
that I almost threw up on him, and left the room, wondering how to kill me.
I finished getting sick and flushed the toilet.  As I was rinsing my mouth
out at the sink, I heard the bedroom door open and shut again.  My head was
still spinning a bit, but I knew I had to go back out and apologize to
Brian for almost throwing up as he tried to go down on me.

	"Sorry about that."  I grunted in an embarassed tone as I sauntered
back into our bedroom.
	"For what?"  He smiled up at me from the place he was sitting on
the bed.
	"Getting sick."  I jabbed a thumb at the restroom.
	"Oh, no problem, baby.  I can understand."  He gave me a
sympathetic grin.  "Got your water."

	I giggled as he held up a water bottle and shook it at me
playfully.

	"Thanks, baby."  I stumbled over to the bed and sat down beside
him.
	"Here ya' go."  Brian handed me the bottle, then reached down to
pull off his shoes and socks.
	"Ungh, I shouldn't have drank so much with Marcus."  I groaned.  "I
should know better."
	"Eh, you had to celebrate with your brother after not seeing each
other for so long, baby."  Brian patted my thigh lightly.  "Finally got
your pants off I see?"
	I snorted.  "Uh, yeah."
	"Good.  It's always pathetic when I have to undress you."  He
winked at me.  "Or vice versa."
	"Um..."  I was confused.
	"Now, this way, you're all undressed and ready for me to seduce.
And I didn't have to help."  Brian teased before he leaned in to give me a
quick kiss.
	I let Brian kiss me, but pulled back afterward.  "You're kidding
right?"



(Part Twenty-Three)



	"Fuck it all, mate--you look good."  Garrett crowed as I approached
the table, holding Booker's hand as he walked beside me.

	Why was it that when I put on a suit, people went crazy?  Oh yeah,
it's because they were used to seeing me naked.

	"Thanks, mate."  I mocked him.
	"Simply fabulous."  Barbara agreed, tilting her orange juice glass
at me before taking a sip.
	"Thank you."  I nodded at her with a smile.  "Um, this is my
brother Marcus."

	I laid a hand on Marcus' arm and pulled him towards the table, out
from behind me.  Brian and Aaron jumped ahead of Booker and I and got their
seats quickly.  Obviously, they were hungry.  It amazed me how Booker could
behave like an angel sometimes, and not complain about being hungry, but
Brian and Aaron couldn't.

	"Nice to meet you, Marcus."  Barbara smiled widely, then stood and
shook his hand.
	"Same here."  He returned her smile, then turned to Garrett when he
stood.
	"'ello."  Garrett never was one with the pleasantries.
	"Hello."  Marcus chuckled as they shook hands.
	"Don't mind Garrett.  He has a pickle up his arse."  I mocked
Garrett some more as he sat down with a mischievious grin on his face.
	"Sounds, well, uncomfortable."  Marcus laughed and sat down next to
Brian.
	"Buddy, why don't you sit here next to your Uncle."  I pulled out
the chair next to Marcus.
	"Okay, Daddy."  Booker replied, then hopped up into the chair.
	
	I claimed my seat next to Barb, noticing that the place was packed.
Every table was full.  Most of the folks looked like industry fodder.
There was an actress here, an actor there, producers, directors, all the
people you don't want to see during Sunday brunch.  I figured Barb would
have us eating brunch at a celebrity watering hole.  She wasn't much for
indiscretion.

	"Want a Mimosa, Matt?"  Garrett asked me as he saw a waiter drawing
close.
	"Um, sure."  I shrugged.  "What would everyone else want to drink?"
	"Same's fine for me."  Brian agreed.
	"I'll have coffee."  Marcus added.
	"O.J. or milk, buddy?" I asked Booker.
	"Sprite."  He corrected me.
	"Yeah, okay."  I gave in.  "What about you, Aaron?"
	"Sprite."
	"Oy, waiter!"  Garrett practically grabbed the sleeve of the
waiter's shirt as he walked by.

	All of us covered our faces with our hands partially as the waiter
stopped, not wanting him to see us looking embarassed at Garrett's
outburst.  Garrett again, managed to make us all look like back country
folk.  He wasn't one for being tactful.  He didn't have time.  He spouted
off our drink orders to the waiter in English slang that I'm sure confused
the waiter more than helped him.  If he brought all the right drinks, I was
going to have to tip him big time.

	"That ought' handle it."  Garrett gave an affirmative nod.  "It's
all bullocks this brunch crap, anyway.  Buffet--what my people do.  Don't
waste time with waiters on Sunday.  The Vicar waits for no man. No time to
dilly dally."
	
	Everyone sat there in silence, watching Garrett, and feeling
horrified.

	"Garrett, you're acting like the main attraction at Euro-Disney
again."  I leaned over the table and whispered.  "No one's impressed.
We've all heard English accents before."
	"Oh.."  He began.
	"..sod off."  I finished for him with a laugh.

	Barb cackled as Garrett toss his napkin at me.

	"I don't know why I put up with you."  Garrett sighed playfully.
	"I could give you a couple millions reasons."  Barb teased him,
then turned to me.  "You're going to love me."
	"I do already, precious."  I rolled my eyes.
	"Well, after brunch, I have something that you need to do."  She
gave an ashamed grin.
	"What now?"  Brian answered for me as the drinks arrived.

	Brian looked positively put out as the waiter set our drinks down
in front of us.  Obviously, the waiter caught onto the tension, and left as
quickly as he came.  Barb sank back in her seat as Brian gave her the "evil
eye".  I knew he was tired of me being gone all the time, but I could now
see how much he was really upset with not having me around half the time.
Oh well, that was one of the things you gave up to stardom.  Seeing family.

	"Andre and Harvey want you to come to the studio and rehearse a new
dance number they want all of the cast to perform tomorrow night."  She
squeaked.
	I shook my head in shock.  "A NEW number?"
	"New number?"  Brian repeated.
	"Yes, a new number."  Garrett sighed.  "Oy!  Waiter!"

	We ignored him this time as he flagged down the waiter again and
began speaking to him again about getting our food.

	"Yeah."  Barb scoffed at Garrett.  "They want to include this new
number tomorrow night.  Beef up the display of talent or something."

	I grunted as she shrugged.

	"Why the hell are they doing this now?"  Brian jumped in.  "I mean,
do you know what kinds of bruises Matt had on his thighs and calves during
the weeks it took to learn the numbers they've already included?  I mean,
his feet looked like..."
	I interupted.  "Too much information, Brian."
	"Sorry."  He blushed, but continued.  "He needs rest.  They're
going to kill him."
	"I know it's not easy, Matt."  Barb stated, looking back and forth
between Brian and myself.  "But, you know how Harvey can get..."
	"Why don't they throw some of the pressure and responsibility
towards the other stars of the movie?  Why's it always gotta be Matt, huh?"
Brian dug into Barb.
	"Because none of the other," she gave a small laugh,"stars are
getting paid a tenth of what Matt is.  That's why."
	"Ah, so Harvey's gonna play the 'earn what we're paying you' card?"
I sighed and sank back into my chair, laying my hands in my lap.
	"Basically, yes."  Barb nodded.
	
	Everyone sat at the table, not really looking at each other, and
realizing how tense everything had gotten suddenly.

	"I'm starving."  I gave the best smile I could before grabbing my
napkin and draping it over my lap.
	"That's all you're gonna say?"  Brian looked shocked.

	I noticed Marcus watching everything with morbid
fascination. Obviously, he'd never had such a dramatic brunch experience.

	"Say what, Daddy?"  Booker looked over at me, finally realizing
something interesting was being discussed.
	I shot a look at Brian that said 'let's drop it'.  "How would you
like to go with Daddy, Aaron and Uncle Marcus to see Agent Cody Banks this
afternoon?"

	I grabbed Booker's napkin and tucked it into the top of his shirt
with a smile.  Booker absolutely beamed at the prospect.

	"Can I get Reese'spieces?"  Booker said it as if it were all one
word.
	"Sure."  I nodded and picked up my drink, taking a quick
sip. "Daddy will get you anything you want."

	Brian sighed heavily and sunk back into his seat.  He gave me a
grin that said it all.  He hated that I was going to leave him alone with a
family member of mine I didn't know, but most of all he hated not having me
at home.  It was kinda sad.  Ofcourse, I knew Barb was thrilled that I
wasn't gonna give her any grief over it.  Especially since it wasn't her
fault.

	"So, what time do I have to be over there?"  I asked as the waiter
approached our table with reinforcements that were helping to carry the
food.
	"One."  She nodded.
	"That won't leave us long."  I glanced at my watch as a waiter set
a plate in front of me.

	The plate had some egg concoction, tomato slices, steamed asparagus
spears, and a big helping of mixed fruit.  They also delivered a huge
basket full of rolls, bagels, English muffins and biscuits.  To the side of
the basket was all the types of cream cheese and butters you could wish
for.  Luckily, I could eat everything on the plate without breaking my
diet.  Ofcourse, after drinking what I had the night before, my diet was
already broken.
	
	"Looks delicious."  I winked at Garrett, since he was the one that
ordered.
	"Dig in, mate."  He gave me a sympathetic smile.






	



	"One...two...three....four...five..."  Andre clapped his hands in
time with my dancing. "...six...seven...eight...nine...ten."
	
	Fortunately, the cast and I learned the new number fairly quick.
Ofcourse, we already knew the song and how to sing it, so the dance moves
were the only thing to learn.  It had taken about four solid hours for us
to get it down pat, but it took alot less time than I expected.  After we
all learned the new number, everyone got to leave.  Everyone but me.  Andre
made me stay behind so we could work on all the other numbers one more
time--just to "be sure I had it all down".

	"Very good."  Andre congratulated me.  "One more time."

	I groaned as he started the music again.  My head was reeling.
Trying to remember the dance moves after seven hours of nonstop dancing had
me almost brain dead.  One-kick.  Two-pull back.  Three-pop.  Four-squat.
Five-up.  Six-spin.  Seven-left arm up. Eight-right arm up.  Nine-spin.
Ten-squat, slap floor.  It was getting to the point where I didn't even
have to think about what I was doing.  It was like eating dinner, taking a
shit, sleeping, breathing.  Kick, back, pop, squat, up, spin, left, right,
spin, squat, slap.

	"Next combo!"  Andre shouted.

	One-tap combo.  Two-back bend.  Three-flip
over. Four-splits. Five-ouch.

	"Up Matt, up!"  Andre urged me on.

	I growled, and jumped up.  Six-hold groin.  Seven-groan.

	"What's wrong?"  Andre stopped the music.
	"I think my dick exploded."  I stated with a laugh, holding myself.
"I went down a little too hard on the splits."
	"You okay?"  He trotted over and looked down where I was holding
myself.
	"Yeah."  I grunted again, and stood up straight, taking my hands
away from my crotch.
	"You didn't pull a muscle did you?"  He asked quickly.
	"No, chill out."  I waved him off.
	"Sure?"
	"Yeah.  I just humped the floor really hard."  I laughed, flicking
my head to the side, sweat spraying off of me.
	"Alright.  Let's do that one again."  Andre walked back over to
start the music from the beginning.
	"I've been here since one, Andre.  I feel like I've been beaten."
I complained.
	"Hey, no complaints."  Andre turned and shook a finger at me.  "You
wanted this, right?"
	
	I sighed.  He was right.  I asked for this.

	"Start the fuckin' music."  I groaned.
	"One, two, three, go!"  Andre cued me.

	Kick, back, pop, squat, up, spin, left, right, spin, squat, slap,
tap, bend, flip, splits (hold your breath).  Up, tap, right arm out to the
side, left arm out to the side, spin while raising arms, left foot out
(with attitude), right foot out (more attitude), right hand to chest, left
hand to chest (one second pause in this position), hands up in air (wait
for drum "thump"), slowly back to standing position (when music slows and
mellows).  Sing final line of song while slowly walking backwards.

	"Excellent!"  Andre clapped for me.  "Let's try it one last time
with you singing while dancing."
	"Wasn't I supposed to have this weekend off?"  I sighed, then
dashed over to grab a towel real quick.
	"Yes, but you know how that goes."  Andre shrugged.  "Come on, just
one last time."

	The towel was already drenched from my sweat, so it did little to
dry my face off.  I did the best I could to get temporarily dry, then
headed back to my mark, going slower than before.

	"Do it right the first time and I'll give you Gatorade..."  Andre
sang playfully.
	"Whoopee."  I twirled my finger in the air.
	"Okay, and I'll let you have a Snickers."
	"Start the damn music."  I lit up, ready to go, a smile on my face.






	
	The house was dark when I got home.  I smiled wide when I pulled up
the driveway.  I was finally home, where I could bathe, eat, sleep.  I
parked my car in the garage and shut it off.  You'd think I would have
rushed into the house.  However, I sat there for a minute, trying to find
the energy to get out of the car and carry my tired ass into the house.  It
took a couple minutes, but I finally got out and carried my backpack and
myself into the house.  The den light was on, but the rest of the house
seemed pretty dark.  Brian's car hadn't been in the garage, so I knew he
couldn't have been home.  Before I could investigate, I had to grab an ice
cold beer from the fridge.

	"Where's everyone else?"  I asked Aaron as I entered the den to
find him sitting on the couch and watching the news.
	"Dinner."  He replied with a smile.
	"At," I glanced at my watch,"eight fifty at night?"
	
	Granted, that wasn't real late for dinner for us, but Booker
usually didn't stay up much later than eight on weeknights.

	"Yep."
	"Oh lordy."  I grunted as I plopped down on the couch a couple feet
from Aaron.

	The T.V. was showing news about the war in Iraq.  I guess they
figured I wasn't feeling bad enough, so they played something wholly
depressing to be sure I was.  I envied Aaron.  He was already in boxers and
a tee, looking freshly showered.  Whereas, I was looking sweaty, tired, and
I probably reeked of B.O.  It almost made me want to slap the shit out of
him.  Not that it was his fault.

	"You gonna drink that or what?"  Aaron made me snap back to
reality.
	"Huh?"  I spun my head quickly to look at him.
	"You've just been holding that beer."  He pointed at the bottle in
my hand.
	"Oh."  I suddenly realized I hadn't done what I planned with the
beer.

	Aaron looked at me weird as I put the ice cold bottle between my
legs, against my crotch.  Okay, probably because it was weird.

	"Groin problems."  I stated.  "Don't ask."
	"Don't worry."  He held a hand up with a laugh.
	"Splits aren't always a good idea for guys."  I told him without
being asked.
	"Ooooh."  Aaron grimaced.
	"Yeah."  I snorted thru a grin.

	I sat there for a couple minutes, letting my crotch get frozen
before I did anything else.  I didn't know if the cold would help your
balls after you bumped them, but when they were that cold, you couldn't
feel anything.  It was an improvement either way you looked at it.

	"Well, I'm gonna go shower."  I stated tiredly as I pulled the
bottle out of my crotch, twisted the cap off and took a sip.
	"Alright."  Aaron answered, not turning away from the T.V.
	"Did Brian do any laundry?"  I asked as I was walking out of the
room.
	"Not that I know of."
	
	I sighed, not wanting that answer.  Ofcourse, I couldn't get upset
at Brian.  He had to entertain MY company while I worked all afternoon.  It
wouldn't hurt me to gather some laundry and atleast start a load.  Just the
thought of having to carry anything but myself around made me hurt all
over.  Needless to say, I chugged the beer, swallowing every last drop
before I set about the laundry task.
	Luckily, Booker had very few clothes strewn throughout his room.
Normally his room was a mess.  Brian and I usually let him live like a
little pig until we couldn't take it anymore, then we made him clean up his
room.  We figured he only had so many "kid years" left before his age could
be used as an excuse.  Before long he'd have to do all the normal chores
kids do, so we were letting him be a slob until then.
	Speaking of slobs, Brian's side of our bathroom was horrendous.
Well, it wasn't too bad, but mentally I was a woman when it came to keeping
house, so anything out of place made me feel nasty.  I scooped up Brian's
clothes with a sigh, balancing them on top of the load I had already, then
headed for Aaron's room.  However, once I was outside Aaron's room, I
figured his would be the worst, and I couldn't carry everything.  I dropped
the clothes I already had off in the laundry room, and headed back to get
Aaron's dirty clothes.
	'Have these people never heard of hampers??'  I screamed in my head
when I saw the clothes laying all over Aaron's room.  I was just glad we
kept our messes limited to our room rooms.  If people saw the bedrooms,
they'd think we lived like pigs.  I scooped up Aaron's clothes, cursing to
myself about how I'd like to kill every person in the house.  It probably
wouldn't do any good, but it'd make me feel a hell of alot better about the
slobbish way we lived.
	As I was bending down to pick up a t-shirt of Aaron's off the
floor, I noticed some navy blue fabric sticking out of his bed, stuck
between the matresses.  I yanked the fabric out, asking myself how the hell
Aaron managed to shove dirty clothes under his matress.  That was going
just a little too far.  That was going from slobbish to downright filthy.
Just as I was about to add the article of clothing I'd just pulled out from
the matress to the heap, I realized something wasn't right.

	"What the fuck?"  I stated in a low voice as I unfolded the fabric.

	It was a pair of underwear.  Normally, that's not an odd thing to
have in a bedroom, but I noticed the crusty white stain on the front of
them.  I cringed, almost shrieking like a woman as I dropped them.  I
rubbed my hands together quickly, trying to get funk off of them, as if I'd
just touched toxic waste.  I stood quickly, preparing to just grab
everything and leave, and act like I didn't see Aaron's cum stained
underwear.
	But then it hit me.  Those underwear were sorta big to be Aaron's.
And, he wore regular boxers or tightie-whities.  After washing many
hundreds of loads of his laundry, I'd never seen one single pair of boxer
briefs.  And that's what I'd just pulled out of his matress.  I squinted my
eyes, and looked down at the floor where I'd left the underwear.  My heart
caught in my throat.  What was Aaron up to?  Was he experimenting or what?
I felt like an overbearing mother.  Nosey even.  This was something my
mother would do.  That thought made me cringe.
	But what if he was having sex with guys--in my house no less!--and
wasn't being careful?  He needed to be talked to about safe sex.  And he
also had to be told that he wasn't allowed to be fucking anyone in my
house, especially without permission.  'Without permission'???  Listen to
yourself, Matt. You sound like a frickin' moron.  My head was reeling with
thoughts about what to do.
	I couldn't confront Aaron.  He'd think I was snooping and I didn't
want him to start thinking of me in that way.  However, I had happened upon
the underwear by mistake.  It's not like I went thru his room, pulling shit
out of crevices until I found incriminating evidence.  And he DID need to
be talked to if he was having sex.  Just as all these thoughts went thru my
head, I suddenly realized what was really bothering me about the underwear.
I'd seen them before.  All thoughts of unsafe sex stopped as I dropped the
bundle of clothes in my arms and knelt down.
	Touching the underwear with only the tips of my fingers, I picked
them back up and completely unfolded them.  I flipped the waistband back
and examined the label on them.  Jockey, pouch front, thirty-six waist.
Navy blue.  Suddenly, the whole situation seemed very clear to me.  I
definitely should know where I'd seen underwear like those before.
Everytime I went shopping, Brian had me pick up Jockey boxer briefs with a
pouch front.  Always navy blue.  Lately, thirty-six waist.








	"Baby, I'm home."  Brian tiptoed into our bedroom with a grin on
his face.
	
	It was ten 'til ten.  I'd already thrown some of the clothes into
the washing machine and started a load.  I'd gotten my shower and had my
pajamas on.  To distract myself from all the thoughts I was having, I had
picked up a book to read.  Unfortunately, I was so distracted, I couldn't
remember what I'd read.  Fortunately, I'd only gotten thru five pages, so
it was no big loss.

	"Booker in bed?"  I closed my book and set it on the bedside table.
	"Yeah.  He zonked out in the car."  Brian locked the bedroom door
and pranced over to give me a kiss.  "I just carried him in, put his PJ's
on him and tossed him into bed."
	"It's kinda late."  I stared at Brian as he pulled back from me.
"No wonder he was tired."
	"I know, baby."  He sighed playfully.  "But we didn't get a table
very quick.  You wouldn't have believed the amount of people at a
restaraunt on Sunday night."

	I just sat there and watched him as he began to pull off his shoes
and socks.  Should I ask him about the underwear?  Why did Aaron have a
pair of Brian's underwear.  Why were they stained?  Was it a stain from
Brian--or Aaron?  Did Brian even know Aaron had his underwear?  Most
importantly, I wanted to know whether or not Brian was fucking Aaron.  And
if so, how was I going to kill Brian?

	"Brian?"  I got up from the bed and walked over to him.
	"Yeah, baby?"  He asked, not looking up as he unbuttoned his jeans
and kicked them off.

	My eyes were immediately drawn down.  He was wearing Jockey boxer
briefs.  Pouch front.  Navy blue.
	
	I gave an embarassed smile.  "You know how I, all, had that affair
with Kevin?"
	"Yeah.  I still have wet dreams about that."  Brian looked up and
gave me a playful wink before pulling off his underwear.
	I humored him with a short chuckle.  "And we decided that that made
me a very bad person, and it should never happen again, right?"
	"Right."  Brian tossed his discarded clothes into the chair and
headed for the closet.
	
	Where was I going with this?  I had to have a direction to take the
discussion if I was going to bring it up, right?

	"Well, it wouldn't be so bad if it happened just one more time,
would it?"  I asked quickly.

	Brian's head popped out of the closet and he shot me a very, very
angry look.

	"Don't worry, I haven't fucked anyone."  I felt a little angry that
he'd suspect that I did.

	Ofcourse, it was no wonder he thought that with the way I was
talking.  Besides, I was suspicious about him.

	"Thank God."  He gave a sigh of relief.  "I thought I was gonna
have to kill someone tonight."
	
	No shit.

	"That goes for you, too. Right?"  I said it before I'd thought
about it.
	
	There was an unbelievable silence.  It lasted a couple seconds,
then I heard Brian bustling around in the closet.  He finally emerged with
sleep bottoms on.  He looked confused, and a bit angry with me.

	"Are you saying you think..."  He began.
	"I'm just saying that we both have to be monogamous, right?"
	"If you're implying that you think I'm fucking around..."  Brian
squinted at me.
	"I'm not implying.."
	"It sure sounds like you are."  Brian stopped me.  "Why would you
even think that I'd screw around on you?  We've gotten past that. Atleast I
have."

	I could tell he was telling the truth.  Now I was on the spot.
Brian would want to know why I was suspicious of him.  But if he hadn't
been having sex with Aaron, that would only mean one thing. Aaron had the
underwear for a completely different reason.  Many reasons flew thru my
head, and all of them made me want to cringe.  Just the thought of
Aaron....ew.

	"Why would you think that I'd do anything like that, Matt?"  Brian
demanded of me.  "What the hell have a I done to make you think that
I'd..."
	"I found something."  I stopped him, putting up a hand.
	"Nothing that would point to me having an affair."  His face got
red with anger.
	"No, no, no."  I waved a hand at him as I sat down on the bed,
defeated.  "But if you're not doing what I thought you were doing, that
only means one thing."
	"What are you babbling about now?"  Brian couldn't help but chuckle
as he walked over to sit beside me.

	His anger disappeared when he realized I was in the middle of a
genuine dilemna.  When he laid a hand on my thigh, I looked over at him,
not really wanting to say anything.  I didn't know how he'd react.  Would
he be mad at me for being "nosey", or would he be freaked out at Aaron?

	"You know how you told me before that Aaron has a crush on me?"  I
asked.
	Brian laughed.  "Yeah, it's cute."
	I cocked an eyebrow and snorted.  "Would it be so cute if he
actually was crushing on you?"
	"What do you mean?"  Brian moved back from me.
	I reached over to the bedside table and pulled the drawer out.
"Here."

	Brian held his hand out as I picked the underwear up with the tips
of my fingers and flung them into his hand.

	"What's this?"  He looked utterly confused.
	"You tell me."
	Brian looked at the underwear, bunched up in his hand, for a
second.  "It looks like my underwear."
	"Unfold them."
	
	Brian unfolded the underwear, and looked at them.

	Suddenly, he realized the front of them had a huge cum stain. "Ew!"
	"Why, 'ew'?"  I laughed.
	"I ain't touchin' someone else's cum.  Well, 'cept your's."  He
rubbed his hand on his sleep bottoms.
	"It's your underwear, maybe it's your cum."  I shrugged and looked
down at the underwear on the floor.
	"Baby, I only cum in one place."  Brian looked at me with a 'duh'
expression.  "And that ain't in my underwear."
	I sucked my teeth.  "Wanna know where I found 'em?"
	"Not sure."  He gave me a worried expression.
	"In Aaron's room."  I couldn't help but give an evil grin as Brian
looked horrified.  "And if that's not your cum..."
	"Stop!"  Brian clamped his hands over his ears.
	"It's probably Aaron's."  I finished with a satisfied grin.

	I wasn't satisfied because Aaron had a crush on Brian, and not me.
I was satisfied because due to Brian's response, I knew he wasn't fucking
around.  He knew nothing about Aaron's little freaky side.  THAT satisfied
me.



(Part Twenty-Four)



	"You silly cunt!"  Some flaming queen screamed from above me.
	"Don't fag out on me."  A lady next to him rolled her eyes.
	"That fucking hurt!"  He squealed and started to blow on his hand.
	
	Apparently, the hair lady had zapped him with a curling iron when
he reached for more eyeliner.

	"Girls, can we work this out later?  We've only got, like, fifteen
minutes here."  I admonished them as I sipped my hot tea.
	"Cunt."  The make-up guy admonished the hair lady one more time
before going back to applying my make-up.

	Due to the fact that the cast and I were doing a showcase, Harvey
had decided we should have very dramatic make-up and wardrobe.  He wanted
us to "stand out".  He wanted people to "not be able to take their eyes off
us".  Basically, we looked like the cast of Cabaret, but alot more queer.
Not that that was a bad thing.  I had very pale white make-up covering my
face, with very heavily outlined eyes, overly mascara'ed eyelashes, and
lots of body glitter.  The hair lady made a "tsk-ing" sound when she first
saw my hair.  I guess she just didn't know how to work with my hairstyle.
"It's just so short", she'd uttered numerous times.
	Needless to say, Brian and I somewhat ignored Aaron all day long.
We didn't know if we should have a talk with Aaron about the underwear, or
what.  We were both confused, and utterly disgusted by the prospect of
Aaron crushing on Brian.  Well, I wasn't DISGUSTED by it, but it did make
the word "ew" flash thru my head numerous times.  Ofcourse, I had been
teasing Brian about it all day long.  It was such a cheap thrill to see him
look sick to his stomach and run away from me with his hands over his ears.

	"Drink, Matt?"  Andre popped into the room.
	"No thanks."  I replied, holding up my mug of tea.  "Well, don't
you look like Mister GQ?"

	Andre laughed when I turned to look at him in his tux.

	"You clean up right nicely."  I laughed before my attendants made
me turn back around to be worked on.
	"Thank you."  He bowed at the waist.  "You look like..."
	"RuPaul and Liza Minelli's love child?"  I finished his sentence,
making everyone in the room cackle.
	"I was going to say 'festive', but yeah.  Places in ten minutes."
He chuckled as he left the room.
	"That'll come out won't it?"  I asked quickly as I noticed that the
hair lady was rubbing some black shit in my hair.
	"Shampoo and water.  Maybe twice, but it'll come out."  She
muttered as she worked on me.

	I just hoped everything they were putting on me was water
resistant.  We had three very long numbers to do.  I knew I'd be sweating
by the end of it, and I really didn't want black streaks on my face from
running hair gunk, mascara or eyeliner.  That would just be too horrid for
my little gay heart to handle.

	"And done."  The make-up guy threw his makeup down on the counter
and made a "ta-da" motion with his hands.
	"Fabulous job."  I winked.
	"That's the best I can do."  The hair lady finally left my hair
alone.
	"Fabulous as well."  I commended her and sat my mug on the counter.

	As I was exiting the room, they were picking at my back, apparently
getting stray hairs and fuzzies off of me.  That wouldn't look too swell up
on stage, I supposed.  The hallway backstage was bustling with dancers,
beauticians, hair dressers, personal assistants, friends of the performers,
etc.  On my way down the hall towards the stage, I signed no less than
fifteen autographs.
	Kick, back, pop, squat, up, spin, left, right, spin, squat, slap,
tap, bend, flip, splits, up, tap, right arm out to the side, left arm out
to the side, spin while raising arms, left foot out, right foot out, right
hand to chest, left hand to chest, hands up in air, slowly back to standing
position.  Sing final line of song while slowly walking backwards.  I was
already running thru the dance steps in my head.  I was worried about that
combo.  It was the ending to the first number we were doing.  If I racked
myself doing the splits again, I was going to have to just ignore the pain
and take care of business.  If I didn't faint.
	What if I tripped over my own feet?  What if I tripped over someone
else?  During the course of all three numbers, there was going to be no
less than five people on stage at all times.  Twenty at the very most.  I
could seriously hurt myself or someone else with one wrong move.  I'd be
alone on stage to open the damned thing.  The only other time I would be
alone on stage was for the one combo that I was dreading.  If I fucked
those up, I'd be the person everyone was looking at.  If I fucked those up,
everyone would notice.
	Pop, squat, kick, back.  Wait, that wasn't right.  It was kick,
back, squat, pop.  Oh fuck it all, I was gonna screw the whole thing up.
Harvey was going to see me fail miserably, then chew me up and spit me out.
The money they'd paid me was going to be a sore spot with them forever.  I
made their project fail and caused a loss for the studio.  I'd never work
in films again.  I'd just be another "has been" on VH1's "Where Are They
Now?".
	My heart was racing as I approached the stage.  The curtains were
drawn to, where the audience couldn't see us yet.  Everyone was running
around, trying to find props, places, redo smudged make-up.  Brian, Booker,
Aaron, Marcus, Barb and Garrett were going to be front row center when they
opened the curtains.  They were going to be the first people I saw.  And if
I fucked up, they'd certainly see me fail.  They'd see someone that they
had respect and admiration for fall flat on his ass and screw everyone.
	The next ten minutes went by like a second.  Before I knew it, the
dancers were bustling to get off stage and let me get my mark.  Harvey and
Andre were approaching me, as well as my make-up dude and hair lady.  They
looked nervous.  I wasn't breathing.  I was choking.  That curtain was
about to be drawn back and I was going to stand there, sweating and pissing
myself.  The music would start and I'd just stand there and look horrified.

	"One minute!"  Harvey screamed over his shoulder at a stage hand as
he walked over to me.
	"Purse your lips."  The make-up guy demanded as he applied
lipstick.
	"Your hair is too short."  The hair lady sighed as she did last
minutes touches to it.
	"Okay, Matt?"  Andre asked as he walked up.
	
	I was able to nod once.

	"Your hat."  Harvey handed me the black top hat.  "Ready for this?"
	"Uh-huh."  I choked back the need to vomit.
	"You look sick."  Andre stated in a concerned voice.
	"It's the make-up."  Harvey rolled his eyes.  "Ofcourse he's going
to look pale.  Need a bump, Matt?"
	"A what?"  I asked as the hair lady slapped the hat onto my head.
	"A bump."  He held a small amber vial up to my face.
	"What's that?"  I asked.
	"Don't worry about it, just sniff it."  He urged me on as he looked
at his watch.  "Thirty seconds."
	"Get that out of my face."  I slapped his hand away.  "What the
fuck do you think you're doing?!?"

	The make-up dude and hair lady ran off as I started to queen out.

	"Hey, just thought you might need help."  Harvey shrugged.
	"I don't need your fuckin' drugs, Harvey."  I growled.  "I can't
believe you'd even offer that.  You're fucking sick."

	Flashes of movie directors from the seventies flashed thru my mind.

	"Give me that."  I grabbed a bottle of water from Andre and took a
healthy chug.
	
	Harvey and Andre just chuckled as I put on my "resolved face" and
got set for my mark.

	"Told you it'd work."  Andre slapped Harvey on the back.
	"You were right--pissin' him off works everytime."  Harvey cackled.
	"What are you two bastards talking about?"  I snapped.
	"Ten seconds."  Harvey looked at his watch, then showed the vial
again.  "It's empty, Matt.  It's not drugs."
	"You work better when you're pissed off."  Andre explained as
Harvey walked off.  "Knock 'em dead."

	I rolled my eyes as I watched them both dash offstage before the
music began.  They were right.  Now that I had been pissed off, I wasn't
nervous anymore.  I didn't need to throw up.  I was ready to prove I could
do this.  I hated when people knew me so well.  When the first note of the
music began, I went back to my mark stance and got ready for the curtains
to open.  I could do this.  Everyone was gonna know that I had the talent
to pull this off.  Overhead I heard a voice announce the beginning of the
showcase.
	'Kick, back, pop, squat, up, spin, left, right, spin, squat, slap,
tap, bend, flip, splits, up, tap, right arm out to the side, left arm out
to the side, spin while raising arms, left foot out, right foot out, right
hand to chest, left hand to chest, hands up in air, slowly back to standing
position', I thought to myself as the curtain opened and I slowly walked
downstage, singing the first line to the opening number.  I was keenly
aware of Brian and everyone else staring right at me.  Don't fuck up, Matt.








	
	"One more time."  I muttered before Andre threw another handful of
water in my face.
	
	I gasped at the feeling of the ice cold water being splashed on my
face.  It was so cold it felt like my skin was freezing off of my face.
Andre just chuckled as I jumped back from the sink in my dressing room and
gasped.

	"Better?"  He asked.
	"Much."  I panted before grabbing a towel.
	"Feel more calm now?"  He asked as I sat down in my make-up chair.
	"Tons."  My heart was still pounding in my chest as I rubbed the
make-up off my face with the towel.
	"Good.  I thought you might hyperventilate for a moment."  He
laughed and plopped down in the chair against the wall behind me.
	"So did I."  I sighed as I pulled the towel away from my face and
noticed all the black streaks on it.
	"You missed quite a bit of it."  He cackled and pointed at my now
streaked face.
	"Help me out, damnit."  I threw the towel at him.

	Andre grabbed up the towel and walked over.  I sat still for him as
he scraped away at the caked on make-up on my face.  It took severaly
minutes, but finally my face was clear of make-up.  I just wanted to wash
the black shit out of my hair, too.  I wanted to look like my normal self.

	"You know," Andre stated as he moved away from me,"no matter what
Harvey says when he comes in, I think you're great."
	I sighed.  "Thank you.  That really does mean alot to me."
	"You made me proud."  He nodded affirmatively.  "When you stuck
that final combo, I wanted to jump up and down and cheer.  You were so
great."
	"Same here."  I couldn't help but give a small laugh.

	The whole routine went off like a charm.  Not one single problem.
Every dance move was perfect.  The dancers and I worked as one well-greased
unit.  Nothing was out of place or wrong.  Everyone hit their marks.  I hit
all the right notes.  I didn't forget any words, and I nailed every step.
However, when the curtains closed and I came offstage, I felt like I was
going to pass out.  My heart was pounding and my breath was coming in
gasps.  Stage fright?  Why would you think that?

	"You were oozing with attitude.  And it looks like the splits were
done perfectly."  He laughed loudly.
	"Well, I didn't bust my balls if that's what you're saying."  I
grinned.
	"That's what I'm saying."  He nodded.
	"Help me wash this shit out of my hair."  I sighed as I stood and
headed back to the sink.
	
	Andre walked over as I bent over and held my head over the sink and
turned on the water.

	"Make sure to use cold water.  I need more reviving."  I laughed.
	"Aight."  Andre laughed.  "You're lucky the hair lady left her
supplies in here, 'cause I don't think this shit would come out without
shampoo."
	"It feels like shoe polish."  I grimaced as Andre began getting my
hair wet with the ice cold water.
	
	It took three washings to finally get the gunk out of my hair.
Andre laughed thru the whole process, teasing me that it was never going to
come out and that I'd have black hair for life.  However, the joke was
ruined when my hair returned to it's normal color after the third wash.  I
was more than relieved, to say the least.  After we got the crap out of my
hair, I changed into a suit I had brought with me, then sat down in my
make-up chair to fix my hair.  Andre sat back in his chair again and began
talking about how proud he was of me for doing so well.

	"I'm just glad I didn't barf."  I chuckled as I squirted some
mousse into my hand.
	"No kidding.  It's not that I didn't have faith in you, but I was
so worried that you'd...."

	The door flung open suddenly, banging into the wall.  Both Andre
and I spun in our chairs to see who it was.

	"Fan-fucking-tastic!"  Harvey stood in the doorway positively
beaming.  "Just incredible!"

	Andre doubled over in laughter as Harvey stepped into the room and
slammed the door shut behind himself.  I just grinned at his display of
happiness as I plugged in a hair dryer and found a brush.

	"You're incredible.  No, not incredible.  That's not a strong
enough work.  Fan-fucking-tastic was the best I could come up with on my
way here."  He grabbed my shoulders and squeezed them as he looked me in
the face via the mirror.  "Dinner is on me anytime you want."
	"Are you trying to say that the movie won't be shelved?"  I made
Andre laugh again.
	"More than that!"  Harvey cheered.  "I didn't even have to convince
anyone.  All our investors raved about you.  They can't wait to see what
happens when the movie is in the theaters.  The only thing they're upset
about is that it won't be for nine months."
	"Well, we do have to film and edit it first."  I shrugged with a
smile.  "Just a thought."
	"You're amazing, Matt."  Harvey gave me a wide grin via the mirror.
"You're worth every penny you ask for."
	"Thank you."  I faked bashfulness.
	"Now, hurry up and get ready and come out to this fuckin' party."
Harvey slapped me on the back.  "People are asking about you."

	And just as quickly as he entered, he was gone.  I shook my head
and brushed my hair, preparing to blow dry it.

	"You da' man, Matt."  Andre smiled at me.







	"Ladies and Gentlemen, Matt Thompson!"  Harvey announced
dramatically as we entered the party together, Andre trailing behind us.

	It was quite embarassing to be standing there with the head of the
studio, and have everyone turn to look at you at once.  Everyone's eyes
were on me once again.  I almost ran from the room in embarassment when
everyone began clapping and cheering for me.  However, I decided to avoid
looking psycho.  Instead, I smiled and scanned the crowd for Brian.  With
so many folks having turned out for the showcase, I couldn't find him.
	Harvey looked pleased as I did my duty of looking humble and
gracious, smiling the whole time as people rushed over to congratulate me.
I shook hands, accepted hugs and congratulations from everyone that
offered.  There were several "well done" and "can't wait to see the movie"
phrases spouted.  I was just glad that I hadn't made Harvey sorry for
hiring me.  That would have been the worst possible thing to happen.
	Once the crowd thinned a bit, Harvey was able to drag me away to
the bar where I could get some "refreshment".  Most everyone was kind
enough to get out of our way.  A few stragglers followed us, talking Harvey
and my ear off about how much they enjoyed the showcase.  Some older man
with thinning white hair told me he'd love to have me on Broadway--at which
point Harvey shooed everyone away cheerfully.

	"Vultures, all of them."  Harvey sighed once we were alone at the
bar.  "Two vodka martini's here--dry!"
	"Well, if they're vultures, we're the dead animals on the desert
highway, Harv."  I shrugged.  "I think they got the better end of the
bargain."
	"True, true."  Harvey shook his head vigorously as he took the
martinis from the bartender and handed me one.  "They don't have to worry
about being perfect and impressing anyone.  They write the scathing reviews
and recommend no one goes to watch your movies.  They make sure you're
buried with the rest of the crap.  Unless you do well, that is."

	I gave a pained smile as Harvey clinked his glass against mine.  He
immediately took a sip of his drink as I took my olive covered toothpick
and stirred my drink, feeling utterly bored to be standing alone with
Harvey.  He was nice when it benefited him, but he wasn't exactly someone
I'd call a friend.  But then again, who truly was a friend of mine?
Ofcourse, being alone with Harvey gave me a chance to experiment a bit.

	"You know--you're right.  Vultures--the whole lot of them."  I
sighed and pulled one of the olives off the toothpick with my teeth.
	"I know I am."  He nodded before sipping his drink again, not
really looking at me.
	"Ofcourse, the definition you gave me would put you in that
category as well."  As soon as I said it, Harvey snapped his head around to
look at me.
	"What?"  He looked utterly confused.
	"You're my best friend.  As long as I do well."  I stated simply
before shrugging and walking away.

	I had gotten about ten feet away before Harvey raced over to me.

	"I didn't mean to imply that...well anything."  He stammered.
	"I know."  I turned and patted him on the arm.  "You don't have
to."
	"Listen, Matt..."
	I snorted.  "I know I'm a meal ticket, Harvey.  Let's not confuse
our relationship here."
	"Well, I don't think of you that way."
	"Ofcourse not!"  I faked innocence.  "That would be right conniving
of you.  I'd never expect that of you."

	I slid the rest of the olives off the toothpick with my teeth, then
chewed them with a simple smile.

	"Okay, you've got my number."  He shrugged, as if this shouldn't
offend me.
	"You know, that contract I signed for this movie?  The one that
stipulated you'd pay me the same money for a second movie?"  I eased into
topic I wanted to discuss.

	Eased?  More like jackhammered.

	"Yeah."  Harvey's eyes went to a slit as he watched me.
	"That second movie isn't mandatory.  It's optional.  On both of our
parts.  It just stipulates that IF we do another movie together, you have
to pay me ATLEAST the same amount as you did for this movie."  I tried to
be circumspect, but believe I failed.
	"You're such a shit."  Harvey grinned widely.
	I smiled sweetly.  "Sometimes."
	"I see we're negotiating again." He sighed and folded his arms over
his chest, almost spilling his drink.  "What do you want?"
	"Absolutely nothing."  I replied as I started to turn away, but
then thought better of it and turned back to face him.  "But when that
second movie comes to fruition, my price might be higher."
	"You've got me by the balls, eh?"  He snorted.  "You know, this
movie hasn't come out yet--hell, it's not even filmed yet.  It could flop."
	"True."  I conceded.
	"We'll see what happens after this movie is released."  He nodded,
as if this was the final word.  "Then maybe you'll be in a position to
negotiate with me."
	"Works for me."  I shrugged, then tipped my glass back and
swallowed the drink in one gulp.  Harvey looked confused as I handed him
the empty glass.  "As long as you do well until then."

	Harvey couldn't help but give a grin as I winked, turned and walked
away to find Brian and the rest of the gang.



(Part Twenty-Five)



	"You rock, daddy."  Booker made me laugh as I sat down on the edge
of his bed.
	"I rock, huh?"  I pulled his covers up and tucked him into bed.
	"Uh-huh."  He nodded.  "That was soooo cool."
	"I'm glad you enjoyed it, buddy."  I chuckled as I leaned down to
kiss him on the forehead.  "But don't think you're ever staying up this
late again on a weeknight.
	
	Booker giggled as I reached up with both hands and tickled his
sides.

	"Nite, buddy."  I gave him another kiss on the forehead before
getting up and switching his beside lamp off.
	"Nite, daddy."  He gave me one of those beaming smiles only kids
can give as I shut his bedroom door.

	As I walked back down the hall towards the kitchen.  I still had on
my suit, and it was irritating the piss out of me.  Neckties were
definitely not the most comfortable things for guys to wear.  It was pretty
much the bra for guys.  As I headed towards the kitchen, I stuck my finger
in the knot and loosened it, letting my neck breathe. If I had known where
everyone was located in the house, I might've started to strip down.
However, with Aaron on the loose, I wasn't taking my chances.  I didn't
want to find my crusty underwear in his room.
	I finally got my tie off, and as I walked by the laundry room, I
chunked it on the washer.  As a thought, I realized it didn't need to be
washed, but I didn't bother going back for it.  Who washes ties anyway?
When I entered the kitchen, Brian, Marcus, Aaron, Barbara and Garrett were
standing and waiting on me.  The pop of a champagne cork made me jump and
laugh as they cheered for me.

	"Keep it down, girls and boys.  The little one's in bed."  I hushed
them all with a smile.
	"Baby, you were so awesome tonight."  Brian walked over to me with
two empty champagne flutes.
	"Thanks, sexy."  I giggled as he leaned in and gave me a kiss on
the lips, handing me a flute.
	"You should've heard the chatter this created."  Barb shook her
head vigorously as Garrett started to pour champagne into everyone's glass.
"Everyone was talking about how much they couldn't wait to see the movie.
You're the toast of the town, yet again."
	"As it should be."  I gave a small nod of my head with a
mischievious grin.
	"You were great, Matt."  Marcus came over and gave me a hug as I
held my glass out for Garrett to fill.
	"Thanks, brotha."  I teased him as he pulled away and held his
glass out as well.
	"Smashing, Matt."  Garrett gave me a wink as he filled Marcus'
glass.
	"What's in your glass?"  I walked over to Barbara, acting
suspicious.
	"Don't worry, it's ginger ale."  She laughed.
	"Good girl."  I patted her back, then leaned in to whisper, not
wanting to embarass Aaron.  "What's in Aaron's glass."
	"Same, don't worry." She grinned.
	"Thank God."  I laughed.
	
	I stood with Barb as she laid a hand across the middle of my back
and held me to her.  Obviously, she was very proud of me.  It was a great
feeling.  I just couldn't wait to tell her about the "Harvey incident".  I
wanted her input on what she thought he'd do.  Ofcourse, it could wait a
few more minutes.  Finally, when all the glasses were full, Garrett set the
bottle down and raised his glass.

	"Okay, wankers."  We all laughed at him.  "Let me toast the little
bugger and get it over with."
	"Thank you ever so, Garrett."  I laughed.
	"Here's to many more exciting moments, such as tonight.  Many more
oppurtunities for all of us.  And although the little bugger gets me vex.."
	
	All of us cackled at him.

	"...here's to many more years working with each other.  Cheers."
Garrett tipped his glass to his lips, and we all followed him in "cheering"
and drinking.  As soon as we had all taken a drink, Garrett added,"And lots
more money, certainly."
	"Tons more money."  Barb gave me a squeeze and a kiss on the side
of the head.
	"Oodles."  I agreed with a smile.  "Speaking of which.."

	I downed the glass of champagne and held it out for Garrett to
refill.  He did so quickly and happily.

	"I spoke with Harvey tonight."  I grinned mischieviously.
	"Blimey."  Garrett rolled his eyes.
	"Oh good lord."  Barb laughed nervously.  "How'd you piss him off?"
	"I didn't."  I smiled sweetly.  "I just let him know that my price
might rise on the next film.  If I choose to do a second film."

	Barb and Garrett looked shocked for a moment, then looked at each
other.  A second later, they were laughing loudly.

	"Baby, you already signed a contract with him.  You can't raise
your price."  Brian came over to me and wrapped his arm around my middle.
	"Well.."  I began.
	"He did, Brian."  Barb wiped her eyes as she cackled.  "However,
the second movie is not mandatory.  And the contract stipulates that Harvey
will pay ATLEAST the same amount as the previous film, IF that comes to
pass.  It doesn't say anything about Matt not being able to ask for more.
I'm surprised our little Matt noticed the little print."
	"Cheers, mate."  Garrett winked at me before taking another sip of
champagne.
	"Is that true?"  Brian let go and turned to look at me.
	"Very."  I sighed contentedly.  "There's only one problem I can
think of."
	"Problem??"  Barb and Garrett both asked at the same time, making
Brian laugh at them.
	"Yes.  Let's say Harvey agrees to do the second movie with me, and
pay me more than this first one.  Well, he's already given me the asking
price for the second movie.  So, he'll just have to pay the additional I
ask for."  I began to explain.
	"What's wrong with that?"  Barb looked confused.
	"Suppose he doesn't?"  I gave her a steady look.
	"Oh."  She sighed.
	"Could you two fill the rest of us in on what you're implying?"
Brian asked.
	"Yeah."  Garrett, Marcus and Aaron added, their interest peaked.
	Barb gave a long sigh.  "Well, what Matt and I realize is that if
Harvey says 'you know, you're not worth the extra money, we won't do
another movie together', or something to that effect, then Matt will be up
shit creek."
	"Because I'll owe him money."  I explained further.
	"Owe him money why?"  Brian asked quickly.
	"Well, he's already paid me asking price for the second movie.  If
we don't do a second movie..."  I gave him a hint.
	"Oh, holy fuck."  Brian brought a hand to his mouth.  "You'll have
to give all that money back."
	"Yep."  I nodded and downed the second glass of champagne.  Garrett
filled me up again.  "So, the ball's in Harvey's court.  And I'm sure he's
already thought of all this, too."
	"Let's just hope he doesn't decide to play hardball."  Garrett
looked sullen.
	"No shit."  I sighed.  "And if I know our Harvey, he will."
	"Then what?"  Marcus asked for everyone.
	
	Everyone turned to look at me, hoping I'd have the perfect solution
to an awful problem.

	"Then, I'll have to get rough."  I made them all laugh when I
smiled sweetly.



TO BE CONTINUED....

P.S. I didn't have alot of time to edit this, so if something seems weird,
it probably is...