Chapter 11:

 

The Fiasco

The annoyed assistant came back again and asked the Backstreet Boys to follow him down to the DJ’s studio. Chris Felix, a popular DJ in the Orlando area, known for his nickname of "the cat", greeted them warmly as they settled into their chairs. Felix leaned into his microphone, nodding to the guys that they were ready to start.

"Hello, Orlando. For all you fans out there, I have none other than the Backstreet Boys here with me..." he rambled on giving the listeners facts, info and unconfirmed rumors regarding them. The guys relaxed in their seats as they listened and answered politely the standard questions all DJ’s seemed to ask. During a commercial break, Felix sipped on some lukewarm coffee and gave a questioning look. "Everything okay? Anything I can get you?" They all indicated they were fine. The commercial was over and Felix resumed his interview, turning to look squarely at the guys.

"We all know about your upcoming tour and how successful your other ones were. Tell me, why do you feel the need to become even richer?"

The guys’ faces fell, confused by the unexpected turn in questioning. They looked toward Kevin, making him the designated spokesman. Kevin coughed, stunned by the obvious contempt in the DJ’s voice.

"Well Cat, it’s not a question of money."

"Really," jeered Felix, his tone now changed to one of hostility.

"Uh, yes. We created a great album and just want to share it with our fans."

"So you charge seventy-five dollars a ticket," scorned Felix.

Nick looked at Brian with a "is that how much we charge’ look and Brian gave him a subtle "don’t ask" frown.

AJ broke in. "I’m not sure what we charge."

"Oh, I see," the Cat drawled sarcastically. "Your concern for your fans is limited."

Howie wanted to ring the DJ’s neck. He could see that Cat was now out to crucify them; he should have suspected something by their sullen teenage assistant. He shifted uneasily in his chair, not sure what to do.

Brian spoke up. "Our concern for our fans is real. We don’t charge anymore than other bands."

"How about the disadvantaged? The handicapped? Are you accommodating towards them?"

AJ wasn’t sure where this was leading. "We try to be. If there is a problem we don’t know about, maybe you could inform us." He glared meaningfully at him.

Felix leaned back into his chair, smiling maliciously. "You guys play to a certain type of audience, mainly adolescent girls. What about your gay following? Don’t you have anytime for them?"

The guys exchanged silent looks. Gay following?

The bewildered look on the Backstreet Boys’ faces was priceless and Felix went on hurriedly. "Well, it just so happens that I’ve invited some loyal gay fans to come visit the great Backstreet Boys. Fellows, come on in!" Cat signaled to an assistant to allow the group of men to enter. This is going to send my ratings sky-high he thought eagerly. One by one they filed in, till the small room filled to capacity.

The guys’ disbelief grew as Felix introduced each gay man, some dressed casually, others only in G-strings or tight shorts. The gazes of adoration and desire made each Backstreet Boy squirm with uneasiness and Cat gleefully noticed it.

"So Boys, what do you think of the boys?"

Howie, ever the diplomat, came to the rescue.

"Uh, Cat, our group appeals to all types of fans. We try not to be particular to one group. We embrace all types." Howie cringed as he realized his mistake of wording. So did the other Backstreet Boys.

Felix pointed to one of the men standing in front. "Come closer, come closer," he encouraged cheerfully. "Tell us, which Backstreet boy do you like? Do you have anything you want to say to him?"

A short, red-bearded man, excited to be chosen, could hardly breathe. "Howie!’ he struggled, unable to say more. Howie gave him a weak smile.

"AJ!" yelled another. "You are the best..."

"Brian!" interrupted another one in the back. "Anytime you’re ready, I’ll be waiting!"

Brian felt his headache coming back and shook his head slowly. Why me?

Felix noticed this and egged Brian on. "What’s the matter, Brain? How come you’re shaking your head?"

Brian glared at Felix then looked at Nick for support.

"Oh, I get it..." said the DJ. "You like Nick." Felix waved his arms expansively to the group. "Sorry guys, he’s taken."

"Now just a minute..." exploded Nick and Brian as they sat up from their seats.

"Ooohh... what’s the matter guys?" taunted Felix.

Disgusted, AJ sat up too, ripping his headset off. "This is crap. We’re outta here." He motioned to Howie and Kevin to stand up. The throng of men, sensing their departure, surged in closer and all five backed away, immediately aware of the potential trouble. They gave each other a silent oh shit, how are we gonna get out of this? look. Kevin and Nick both thought about making a break for it, Howie and AJ wished they could kill the DJ, and Brian was wondering where the hell Xavier was.

Felix, of course, was loving it. He was up, out of his seat, seizing AJ’s arm. "Hey, don’t leave just yet. Everyone here wants to know more…" AJ angrily ripped his arm away from his grip. "Don’t touch me," he growled.

Felix feigned alarm. "Oh, maybe you’d rather have one of them grab you..."

A large arm intervened between AJ and Felix, gripping tightly around the DJ’s wrist.

"That’s enough," Xavier said quietly.

Felix looked up to argue, but the pain from the bodyguard’s grip rendered him speechless. He stared into a pair of brown eyes calmly daring him to disobey, the pressure increasing ever so slightly. Xavier watched him nod his reply, then pushed Felix back into his chair. Leaning over the DJ, massive arms resting on each side of Felix’s chair, Xavier spoke in a low voice.

"Now end it. Go to a commercial." Felix looked defiant and Xavier felt his blood boil.

"Now!’ he roared and everyone jumped.

Shaking, Felix punched a few wrong buttons before finding the right ones. Xavier turned to see the other two bodyguards who had slipped quietly in and nodded to them. They opened the door and Xavier turned to the guys. "Alright, we’re leaving."

Felix, regaining some of his composure, felt brave enough to jump back out of his chair.

"Hey, who are you to come barging in..." he began, his voice faltering as Xavier turned to look at him in disbelief. The intense, raw anger Felix saw caused him to quickly comprehend the threat of the man who loomed before him. Xavier smiled ever so slightly as Felix paled, then stumbled back into his seat. Xavier met the DJ’s fearful expression. "Good man," he whispered, satisfied that Felix understood his silent warning. He focused his attention back to the Backstreet Boys. "Ready?"

The other bodyguards, their arms outstretched, had cleared a small path for them and the guys began walking cautiously through. As if sensing a sinking ship, the group of gay men became panic-strickened, realizing that their chance to see their idols was disappearing. A sudden rush toward the Backstreet Boys broke the guards hold, and pandemonium erupted. Frantic to touch them, they grabbed, tugged, pulled, hoping for anything tangible.

"Run!" yelled Xavier to the guys. Trying desperately to see if Brian was okay, he roughly shoved anyone in his way. He discovered Brian, arms covering his head, attempting to fend off the intrusive hands. Xavier grabbed Brian around the waist with one arm and then noticing Howie in a similar situation, grabbed him with the other.

Kevin, Nick, and AJ were faring better, but not by much. The two bodyguards were doing their best to take the brunt of the onslaught, propelling the other three down the hallway, with Xavier running ahead. Xavier kicked the back door lever open with his foot, then released Howie and Brian from his grip, pushing them outside. Kevin, Nick and AJ came rushing up, and Xavier managed to escape outdoors with them, turning around to slam the back exit door. Inside, the two bodyguards ran up to the closed door, then turned around to face the agitated fans. Blocking the door with their bodies, they effectively barricaded the crowd from exiting.

***

 

 

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