Best Keep Your Feet on the Ground.
*Nsync only had two radio interviews that day. After finishing their first interview they swung by the venue to check on the set up. The stage was in place and the crew was working on lighting and sound systems. The seats on the main floor had not been set up yet so the guys watched the action from the floor.
“Hey, guys,” Steve Fatone greeted the guys.
“Hey, Steve. How’s it going?” Joey asked.
“We’re a little ahead of schedule.”
Justin was looking around and Steve noticed. “Looking for someone, Curly?”
“Yeah, the new guy that joined the tour.”
“Eric?” Steve asked.
“You know him?” Chris asked.
Steve laughed, “I don’t think there is a member of the crew who hasn’t met Eric.”
“Spending all his time talking everyone up,” Chris snorted. “Wasting people's time.”
“No. . . . He’s been working along side of everyone.”
“Where is he now?” Lance asked.
Steve looked around and spotted Eric. Pointing up above the stage, “He’s up in the steel, working on the lighting.” Everyone looked up as their eyes focused on Eric high up in the steel as he moved among the lights. He was moving a large arc light into place and clamping it down.
“Look out!” someone shouted from above, as a wrench fell to the stage.
Eric had turned to the direction the call came from. He saw no one where just moments before has been an electrician making the final hook-up on that bank of lights. Only a pair of kicking legs could be seen below. Eric moved quickly across the scaffolding getting to where he found a man hanging from his safety harness.
Attaching his safety line Eric reached down to the frighten man. “Are you all right?” Eric asked.
“I, I think so,” the dangling man managed to say while holding onto his safety line.
“Give me your hand,” Eric said reaching down.
“I, I can’t,” the frightened man said clinging to his safety line.
“That line isn’t going to hold you much longer,” Eric pointed out. “Give me your hand.”
The man hesitantly took one hand off the rope. Eric reached down and grabbed the man's wrist, pulling him up.
“Damn!” Chris said as he watched Eric pull the man to safety.
Leaning in Justin softly said, “Wasting people's time? Yeah!”
Justin and the guys had another interview scheduled so they had to leave before they had a chance to talk with Eric. After the interview they were scheduled to go to the local children’s hospital to visit with young patients.
“Who’s up for clubbing tonight?” Joey asked as they were heading back to the hotel.
“I’m game,” JC said.
“Me, too,” Chris added.
“Count me out,” Lance said. “I have to get some Free Lance work done.”
“Justin, you coming?” Joey asked.
“I don’t know. Why don’t we ask Eric to come with us,” he suggested.
“If you must,” Chris huffed.
“What time are we leaving?” Justin asked.
“About eight,” Joey said. “We’ll go get something to eat first, then hit the club.”
Justin knocked on Eric’s door but got no answer. Returning to his own room he showered and crawled onto his bed for a nap. Awaking a couple hours later he took a chance and went to Eric’s room and once again knocked.
“One moment,” Eric called out. Justin waited quietly for Eric to answer his door.
The door opened revealing Eric dressed only in a robe with a towel around his neck. His hair was plastered to his head obviously he had just gotten out of the shower.
“I’m sorry,” Justin said. “This looks like a bad time.”
Smiling Eric said, “No. Not at all. Come on in, I just got out of the shower.” Justin walked in the room and Eric closed the door. Glancing around the room Justin noticed piles of papers piled on almost every flat surface.
Laughing Justin said, “I thought my room was a mess.”
“Sorry,” Eric blushed as he moved a stack of papers from a chair so Justin could sit down. “There are a lot of technical plans to go over.”
Justin picked up a large plan for their stage. “It looks like a lot of homework.”
“Homework?” Eric quizzed. Then it dawned on him. “Oh, yes, homework. I need to know about everything. The construction of your stage. The sound system, multimedia, lighting, the special effects you use, also what support that is needed; wardrobe, makeup, security. Every aspect of your tour I must examine so I can reproduce it for your European tour.”
“But just not as large. Right?”
“Yes, right,” Eric laughed. “The same, just scaled down a little.”
Eric went into the bathroom to dress leaving Justin looking around at the piles of paperwork. “So Eric, is there anything from our tour we will be taking over?”
Emerging from the bathroom pulling a shirt over his head Eric said, “Of course. Your wardrobe for one, and most of your back droop signage. Some of your staff will be coming. Your band, dancers, wardrobe, and most of your security will be coming.
“Let’s not forget the most important thing,” Justin grinned.
“Yes, can’t forget the sound engineers,” Eric teased.
“What about me and the guys?”
Frowning Eric looked troubled, “I don’t think we can afford you guys. I’ve found a new group that will do the tour at half the price.”
Justin sat there in shock with his mouth hanging open. A grin slowly spread across Eric’s face.
“Ass-hole!” Justin hissed as he walked toward the door.
Grabbing Justin by the arm Eric spun him around so he could look at him. “Justin, I sorry. I was just joking.”
Justin looked at Eric, his face not revealing his feelings. “Please, Justin. I was just kidding, there is no way I could replace you.”
Justin’s eyes narrowed, “Say Justin Timberlake is the best singer in the world.”
Eric’s eyes got big. “I don’t think I can say that.”
“Why?”
“Because you're not the best singer in the world. You may have the biggest ego in the world but you are not the best singer in the world.”
Tilting his head slightly a small smile appeared of Justin’s face. “You think I have a big ego?”
“I’m surprised any of the other guys can get into a limo with you and your ego. Come to think about it I’d better order an extra limo just for you and your ego,” Eric said with a glint in his eye.
“You know what?” Justin said stepping up almost nose-to-nose with Eric.
“What?” Eric giggled.
“You really suck at this,” Justin laughed.
“I know,” Eric laughed as he rested his forehead on Justin’s. “What do you expect? I’m an only child. I never had a little brother to argue with.”
“Really?” Justin asked. Eric nodded. “Well I’ve grown up with four older brothers so I’m an expert at being a bratty little brother.”
“I thought you were an only child?” Eric asked as he stepped back.
Justin laughed, “The last six years I’ve had four older brothers, Chris, JC, Joey and Lance.” Justin’s cell rang. “Hello.”
“Hey Curly, we are about to leave. You coming with?” Joey asked.
“Just a moment Joey,” Justin said as he hit the mute button. “Eric, the guys are going to get something to eat then go clubbing. You want to go?”
Eric sighed, “It’s been a long day. I don’t think so, I wouldn’t be much fun tonight.”
“What are you going to do?” Justin asked.
“Order room service and watch a movie.”
“Would you like some company?” Justin asked.
Eric smiled, “Yeah, I’d like that.”
Justin pushed a button on his cell, “Joe, I think I’ll pass. I’m going to hang with Eric tonight.”
That night they ordered a ton of junk food and spent the night getting to know each other.
Eric watched his first live *Nsync concert from the control platform. Taking notes during the show he managed to fill a legal note pad. After the show Eric helped the engineers pack up the equipment. The guys had showered and dressed and were chilling until it was time to leave. Lance and Justin approached the tower as Eric was handing down the last of the equipment cases.
“What are you doing?” Lance asked.
“Working. Why?”
“Our bus pulls out in less than thirty minutes and you aren’t ready to go,” Lance pointed out.
Eric looked puzzled. “Johnny wants you to travel on our bus,” Justin said. Eric stepped off the tower next to Justin. “Ah, bro. If you are going to travel with us, I think you need to take a shower,” Justin sniffed.
“I didn’t realize how hot it got on the tower,” Eric said. “I hadn’t planned on having to shower, I don’t have anything with me.”
“Come with us,” Lance said. “I think we can find you something to wear.”
Returning to their dressing room with Eric Justin pushed Eric toward the bathroom. “Go take a shower. I’ll find you some clean clothes.
“Okay,” Eric laughed placing his notepad on a nearby table.
As the sound of water came from the bathroom Justin looked through his bag for an outfit for Eric. Lance picked up Eric’s notepad and leafed through the pages of notes.
“Scoop, what’s that?” Chris asked.
“Eric’s notes of tonight’s show.” Lance frowned at what he read.
“Well, what did he think of the show?” Joey asked.
“From what I can make out he didn’t really watch the show. These are technical notes about the show. Lists of equipment along with names of what looks like suppliers. He does have it broken down by song, what is needed for each part of the show.”
The door to the bathroom opened, Eric emerged with a towel wrapped around his waist carrying his dirty clothes. Justin handed Eric a stack of clean clothes. “Here. You need to hurry, we leave soon.” Turning abruptly Justin walked out the dressing room door.
Eric frowned, “Did I say something wrong?”
Lance sighed, “With Justin you never know. Eric, don’t worry about it. Justin gets moody after a concert.”
Eric returned to the bathroom and finished dressing. When Eric was finished everyone made their way to their tour bus. Taking a seat at the table in the front of the bus he watched the world pass by as they headed to their next concert venue. Most everyone made their way to the rear lounge. Eric worked on his notes jotting down ideas. Lance was on his cell talking to someone about some contracts. Closing down his cell Lance let out a big sigh.
“Problems?” Eric asked.
“I just don’t seem to have enough hours in the day. With my schedule it’s hard trying to run a business while on tour. I’m returning calls late at night.”
“I understand. I have the same problem with my people working on the other side of the world. When I’m contacting suppliers, it’s morning their time but it’s the middle of the night here.”
“That makes a long day for you doesn’t it?”
“It will be for the first couple weeks,” Eric said. “Then things should settle down.”
“If you’re going to be pulling those kind of hours I’d advise you keep your feet on the ground and out of the rigging. We don’t want to have to replace you because of an accident.”
“I see your point,” Eric agreed
“Well I’m going to turn in,” Lance said. “You going to be up for a while?”
Eric nodded, “I have a list I need to get together so I can fax it to my office first thing in the morning.”
“I’ll leave you to your list,” Lance said as he got up. “See you in the morning.”
“Have a good sleep, Lance.”
Eric had finished his list and was watching the passing headlights of the oncoming cars. He noticed movement in the reflection of the window. Justin was at the refrigerator getting something to drink. Eric watched Justin’s reflection as it looked like Justin was trying to get up the nerve to say something to him. “Justin, can we talk?”
“About what?” Justin asked with some edge in is voice.
“What ever I did to make you mad at me.”
Justin moved over and took a seat apposite Eric. Justin didn’t say anything for a long time. “Eric, what did you think of my performance tonight?”
“What do you mean?”
“What did you think of my performance? My singing and my dancing.”
“You were as good as always,” Eric stated.
“How did you like the back flip I added to the end of Gone?”
Eric smiled, “It was great!”
“There was no back flip at the end of Gone. We don’t dance in that song,” Justin said with hurt in his voice. Getting up from his seat he looked down at Eric. “You didn’t watch the show. You were too busy working to even notice what I was doing. I thought you were my friend.”
“But I am your friend,” Eric said as he looked up into Justin’s brimming eyes.
“Friends don’t lie to each other,” Justin softly said as he walked to the back of the bus.
Eric lowered his head to the table with his eyes closed. Shaking his head he knew he had screwed up. Getting up he went after Justin. Eric found Justin in the lounge standing in the dark looking out the rear window. Eric stood next to Justin trying to think what to say. “I screwed up. Didn’t I?”
Justin didn’t say anything he just watched Eric’s reflection in the window. He could see the anguish in Eric’s eyes.
“Justin, I don’t want to lose you as my friend. I guess I was too involved with my work tonight. But that’s no excuse to deceive you about tonight’s show. I’m sorry I didn’t pay closer attention to what was happening on the stage. I will try to do better.”
“I’m willing to give you another chance,” Justin finally said. “You had better pay close attention to the next concert because there will be a test afterward.”
Eric smiled as he turned to Justin. “Will it be multiple choice or essay?”
“Twenty questions. Four questions from each of us.”
“That could be hard,” Eric observed. “How many do I have to get right to pass?”
“All of them,” Justin smirked.
“And if I get any wrong what will happen?”
“I guess you will just have to watch another concert and take the test again,” Justin shrugged. “You’ll have to keep doing that until you pass your test.”
“What kind of questions will I get?” Eric wondered.
“Oh, lets see. . . . Sense you screwed up my last question about Gone. . . . How many hats do I wear in Gone?”
That’s easy. You wear one hat, the black one you and the others wear,” Eric answered with confidence.
“Errrk, wrong! I do wear the black hat but I also wear the straw hat in the opening video. That makes two,” Justin chided as he poked Eric in the ribs. Eric’s responds as he jumped away told Justin he had found Eric’s weakness. He was ticklish.
“That’s not fair!” Eric complained. “That was a trick question.”
“Well that’s two questions wrong tonight,” Justin said. “That kind of score deserves some kind of punishment.”
“What kind of punishment?” Eric asked with some concern.
“This,” Justin said seconds before he pounced on Eric tickling him.
Justin had his hands on Eric’s ribs before he could react. With no defense all Eric could do is writhe under his attack. “Please, Justin, stop! No more! I’ll do better!” Eric squealed.
The door to the lounge flew open. “What the hell is going on in here?” Chris demanded.
Justin rolled off of Eric. Looking up he said, “Nothing.”
Chris looked at Eric, “And what do you have to say?”
Eric looked up, trying to keep a straight face. “Nothing.”
Shaking his head Chris pointed at the duo, “Keep it down in here, I don’t want to have to come back in here. Do you understand?”
“Yes!” They both said.
Chris pulled the door close. Justin and Eric looked at each other and started to laugh.
TBC