***June 2001*** She held her bag firmly in front of her as she approached the entrance to the Orlando Arena.  She saw the girls screaming in anticipation, with their faces painted, holding signs that looked like it took them hours to prepare.  She smiled at their enthusiasm, waiting to catch the concert.  Her ticket was in her grasp, her backstage pass secured in her wallet.  She begged her friend who works at FLZ to give her one.  He was happy to oblige.  She went down to the floor, 5th row, and overlooked the prominent stage before her.  The lights turned down low as the Backstreet Boys played their opening song. When the concert ended, she placed the backstage pass around her neck and showed it to the security guard.  She went through the endless maze of corridors, looking at people zip through them.  She saw the sign that said “Backstreet Boys Dressing Room.”  She stopped in front and proceeded to knock on the door, when a burly man stopped her. “I’m sorry miss, but this is restricted.” “Oh, I’m sorry, I was looking for Mr. McLean.” “I’m sorry again miss, but no one is allowed inside.” “Look, I’m a…” “Sorry.  No one allowed inside.” “OK, but… could you please at least give him a message for me?” The burly man paused for a moment.  Something told him that this was no ordinary fan.  “OK, go ahead.” ~*~ AJ was inside the dressing room, packing the rest of his stuff into his bag when he heard a knock at the door. “Yeah Sam?” “You busy bro?” “Nah,” Alex zipped up his bag.  “Just finished.  The others are waiting in the bus.” “I have a message for you from someone outside.  I know this seems crazy, but she doesn’t seem like a crazed groupie.  Especially what she wanted me to tell you,” Sam looked puzzled. “Sam, what’s the message?” AJ turned around to sling his bag on his shoulder “Parting is such sweet sorrow.”  AJ stopped dead in his tracks.  “Where is she?” “Right outside…  Hey!” Sam was moved aside as AJ pushed him and opened the door.  He looked left, then right as he saw a shadow walk down the corridor.  He ran down the corridor as he saw a figure open the steel door to the staircase. “Wait!”  AJ ran down the corridor as the figure stopped.  She came into view.  AJ walked up to her.  “Marnie?” “Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?” Marnie smiled. AJ enveloped her in a hug.  “Oh my God!  I can’t believe it’s you!”  AJ pulled away from her.  “You look different.” “Yeah, I’m thin now,” Marnie turned around.  “Weight Watchers is a good thing.” “That doesn’t matter to me, you know that.” “I know,” Marnie smiled.  “It’s been a long time.” “Well, I figured since you were in town, I would give you a buzz.  I just wanted to see if you would remember me.” “I never forgot,” AJ smiled.  “Listen, you wanna grab a cup of coffee or something? I was about to head home.” “I’d love to,” Marnie smiled.  “I have a car.” “Let me tell Sam.  I hope he wasn’t a pain in the ass.” “Nah he was just doing his job,” Marnie shook her head. “OK, let’s go.” ~*~ Marnie and AJ found an all-night coffee shop where no one was in.  They took a seat at a booth in the corner. “So, what have you been up to?” AJ asked as he took a sip of his coffee. “Well,” Marnie took a sip of her coffee.  “I graduated from high school, and went to Florida State.” “What’d you major in?” “Dramatic Arts.” AJ looked wide-eyed.  “Wow.  So what’re you doing now?” Marnie took out a business card and gave it to him.  “This should tell you.” AJ read the card aloud.  “Orlando Academy for Junior Performing Arts.  Marnie Alcantari: Director.”  AJ smiled.  “Are you serious?” Marnie nodded.  “I worked at the Academy all through college, when John announced his retirement last year.  He then appointed me the director.” “That’s amazing.” “Who knew right?” “Yeah,” AJ shook his head as he took another sip of coffee.  “So, have you heard about anyone from the Academy since then?” “Oh yeah.  Deana is acting in New York City in an off-Broadway play.  Rosemarie is doing some screenplay writing for Columbia, and Anthony is trying his skills in LA.” “Please tell them I said hello.”  AJ then took a big sigh.  “I still go back to those days and wonder what if.” Marnie took his hand.  “You remember what you said to me one day when you walked me home and Jonathan Rolando started in on us? You said you would be famous one day and show them.  You have, by any means.  Now you have girls screaming at you!” “Yeah, I did, didn’t I,” AJ leaned back in his seat.  “Do you know what happened to the son of a bitch?” “He got a scholarship to Florida State on football, then lost it due to ‘conduct unbecoming of a player.’  Last I heard he was living at home living off of his parents.”  Marnie gave a big smile.  “It shows what karma can do to you.” “True,” AJ smiled.  “So what is the Academy cooking up this time.” “Oh, you won’t believe it,” Marnie shook her head.  “Romeo and Juliet.” AJ let out a guffaw.  “Twilight Zone,” AJ wiggled his fingers. “The lead reminds me of you back then.  He has true talent.  In fact, I brought you something.”  Marnie took out a bunch of papers bound together.  “Remember this?” AJ accepted the papers and sucked in a breath.  “You still have this?” “You said to keep it… it might be worth something someday.” “To Marnie, my biggest inspiration and best friend.  Love, Alexander James McLean,” AJ read aloud.  “It sits in my cabinet for people to see.  When this kid, James, was a little shy about taking the lead, I showed him the script and told him if you could do it, so could he.  He looked at it everyday during rehearsals.” “Wow, I didn’t know I was such a big inspiration.” “All I know is there is a picture of you in that play along the main hall of the Academy now.  You’ve inspired many people, including me.” “So, when’s the performance for this?” “Tomorrow night,” Marnie smiled.  “Would you… like to come?” “I’d be honored to,” AJ took her hand.  “It would be nice to see the Academy again.” “Great,” Marnie said.  They spent the rest of the night catching up on old times. Part VI Contents Part IV