| Chapter 60: It’s All About the Elegance Tour The girls got to Orlando bright and early, about 7am, and headed straight to the arena. The girls got out and headed right inside, where Riley was waiting for them. “Good morning. The stage is set, the band and crew is waiting to see you.” They went inside the arena and looked in awe. The stage was huge; silver scaffolding surrounding the sides in two arches, two catwalks that curved around the sides with one in the center, a platform elevating the stage that connected to the two side catwalks, a large oval screen on top and the band was on different size platforms. The band was tuning up and the crew was testing out lighting sequences. “Wow,” Lauralee breathed. “It’s just like I pictured it.” “It did come out nice,” Veronica looked around. They walked to the stage where they said hello to the band, and introduced themselves to the crew that was to travel with them for the next 3 months. Lauralee grabbed a microphone and faced all the crew and band. “First of all, I would like to welcome you all to the It’s All About The Elegance Tour. We will have a great run; the girls and I love the work y’all did in preparing for this. We just want to say thanks and let’s all have a good tour!” ~*~ They spent the next week rehearsing for the tour, with Swoop watching close by, making sure they got used to the footwork on the stage and making sure they hit their spots. They went over the dialogue they were gonna say, interviews, and more vocal rehearsals. They finally headed to their hotel rooms after a press conference announcing the tour, as Lauralee called her family, trying to get out all of her energy. She looked out her window overlooking the horizon and sighed. “Dad, please watch over us tomorrow. This is what I’ve always wanted to do, and thanks to you, it’s gonna happen.” Not really in the mood for sleep, she sat on the ledge of the window and waited for the sun to rise. ~*~ They were in their dressing room; the crowd had been remarkably pleased and entertained by the R&B group 112. They looked over their flowers they had received from well-wishers all over the country, got their make-up and hair done, and were putting the finishing touches on their outfits: dark purple cropped tops in various cuts with rhinestones on them and matching purple bell bottoms. Riley had stepped in the room. “20 minutes ‘til show time.” “OK,” Laura swung her arms from side to side. “There’s some people who want to see you,” Riley smiled as he opened the door and the guys came in. They swooped them up in a hug. “You ladies nervous?” Nick asked. “The crowd is so loud it feels like an earthquake in here,” Bianca smiled. “Reminds me of the last time we were here.” “Yeah but this time, they’re for you guys,” Howie smiled. “We know you’re busy, so we’ll be waiting in the seats,” Kevin said as he gave Laura a kiss. “Break a leg honey,” Alex gave Lauralee a kiss on the lips. The guys left the room and the girls did a final harmony when the road manager called, “ShowTime Elegance!” The girls ran out and stood behind the oval screen. They said a group prayer as the lights went low and the crowd roared. The lights shone a purple haze as they scanned the arena. “Are you ready…” A bass voice blared from the speakers, as the crowd became loud again. “Are you ready… it’s all about the Elegance…” They saw the backward picture across the screen as a still frame of them wearing their tour costumes flashed each of them one by one. They locked themselves in that same place and the screen dropped instantaneously. The girls saw nothing but flashes from cameras and the ear piercing screams from the arena. They stood in the pose for a moment, overlooking the crowd as if they were commanders overlooking the troops. The beat poured on them for a moment as they sang a cappella. Baby let me know it’s real, Tell me that it’s meant to be, I just need to know one thing, Honey, are you feeling me? The crowd roared as the fireworks blazed. The girls ran down the stage and sang their first song, with all the girls having lead. The crowd took more and more pictures, and sang along with the girls. They broke in the final pose as the fireworks shot up again. They did another song, “Feel the Flow,” another upbeat song and the crowd responded eagerly to them. They finally broke and started the dialogue. “Hello Orlando, how you feeling tonight?” Elizabeth asked as the crowd cheered. “Elizabeth, you didn’t ask right,” Laura put her arm on her shoulder. “Well how am I supposed to ask?” “Like this,” Laura ran to the center of the stage. “ORLANDO LET ME HEAR YA SCREAM!” The crowd responded to her like no other. “Welcome everyone to the 1999 It’s All About the Elegance Tour,” Veronica smiled. “We are so blessed that we could start our tour in Orlando, Florida,” again screams emanated from the crowd, “Which we consider a second home to us. What were gonna do for ya is we’re gonna introduce ourselves individually by gracing y’all with a song, that cool?” They girls ran off stage to change as the band gave them a break. They changed into their next set of outfits: black satin tanks with either a skirt or pants. Bianca came out first, singing a rendition of “That’s the Way Love Goes.” Laura sang “You are My Everything,” Veronica sang “For You I Will,” and Elizabeth sang “Unbreak my Heart.” Lauralee waited in the wings, holding her microphone as the piano started the familiar tune. She waited a moment as she stepped out onto the stage and the spotlight followed her. The crowd roared for her as she posed for a second and gave the audience a slight wave. “Orlando,” Lauralee smirked. The crowd reacted to her in a deafening way. “You ready to get smooth?” The crowd reacted as she sang “One Last Cry,” by Brian McKnight. She walked to all ends of the stage as she sang, holding every note, trying to enjoy every second on stage. This was her moment, her time to shine, and she was reveling in it. She walked to the end where the boys were sitting and Alex blew a kiss at her. She winked in his direction, as she didn’t miss a note, carrying her vocal range to all ends as she finished her last lyrics. I guess I’m down, I guess I’m down, I guess I’m down, To my last cry. She gave a bow on her last note as the crowd screamed. “Thank you Orlando!” ~*~ The concert ran smoothly, every song and every move had its little glitches, but most of all they had the time of their life. They came out for the final encore of “The Roof,” and took their bows. “We’ll see ya again soon Orlando!” Lauralee said as they left the stage. They heard the fireworks booming as the crowd waved goodbye to them. They went to their dressing room where Riley was standing there and gave them a big hug. “You were excellent! Superb! I have no words,” Riley was breathless. “Oh my God, it went so fast,” Elizabeth wiped her face with a towel. “I just couldn’t get over the crowd. They were so energetic!” Laura smiled as she took her in-ear monitors out. “Look, I’ll let you get changed. I’ll see you in a little while,” Riley closed the door behind him. The girls just finished taking a shower and gotten dressed when there was a knock at the door. “Everybody decent?” Alex’s voice was heard. “No, we’re in here screwing some studs. Don’t tell our boyfriends, they’ll kill us!” Bianca giggled. “There better not be or else you’ll be a quartet,” Nick laughed, remembering a few years back. Bianca opened the door and Nick grabbed her up as the guys squeezed past them. “What’d you think?” Laura asked. “Whoa, just whoa,” Kevin shook his head in amazement. “It was one of the best shows I have ever seen,” Brian slid his arm around Elizabeth’s waist. “I have never been more proud of you,” Howie gave Veronica a kiss on her forehead. “Or more in love,” Alex looked deep into Lauralee’s eyes. “You amazed me tonight.” “Just amazed?” Lauralee raised an eyebrow. “Astounded, bewitched, enchanted… happy now?” Alex laughed. “That’ll do it,” Lauralee smiled. “Come on, let’s get going.” Chapter 61 Contents Chapter 59 |