Revelation of Deceit

The group talked quietly amongst themselves as they waited for Denise to arrive in the small conference room. There was a nervous tension in the air.....noone knowing what was about to come.

A hush fell over the room as Denise entered. She looked the group over once, and then proceeded to the front of the room, where a TV and VCR had been previously arranged. She held a small black cassette in her right hand. She put it in the VCR, but did not turn it on.

“Yesterday.....” She began.

> “..Yesterday the Backstreet Boys and the franchise that surrounds it nearly took a fall. This fall was created by irresponsible and reckless behaviour. Now I know that each and every one of you know that we are in the business where image, profile is everything....and yesterday.....we nearly lost everything...” Denise paused for a moment to let her opening sink in.

The group looked confused at each other. Becca looked at Brian the most confused.
”Ok I have no idea what it is now....” She whispered.
“What are you talking about mom?? You’re talking in riddles!” AJ asked Denise confused.

“Alright.....I’ll show you...” Denise nodded and pressed ‘Play’ on the VCR.

The screen flickered for a moment.
The next scene that met them was Becca, Brian and Kirstie’s minimally clad body’s writhing together on the couch, accompanied by Howie’s often explicit commentary.

Denise quickly turned the video off in disgust.
The group was in shock. Noone spoke a word.
“How did you? Who....what...” Howie couldn’t comprehend how the video had come into the possession of Denise.

“This very video tape...there are no copies....was leaked to the Austrian Morning Herald yesterday....” Denise said simply.

Gasps of shock and surprise were heard as everyone looked around them....almost to see if this was real.

“How? Why??” Cassidy said, to noone in particular.
“Tell me this didn’t get out....” Kevin said panicking.

Denise looked at him sadly.
“We threatened a law suit....noone will ever know about this....” Denise said quietly.

“Oh thank god....” Brian put his head in his hands relieved.
“Ohhhh...” Cassidy let out the breath she’d been holding and slumped back in her chair.

“Umm...Excuse me??” Denise said a little louder.

Dead silence.

“Are you under the impression that....because of the fact that this.....this....smut...didn’t get out, that suddenly makes it...ok or something??” She said angrily.

Everyone looked at the carpet guiltily.

“I don’t believe that you understand the full severity of this! If this had gotten out...say goodbye to your careers boys.....because it would have been on the front of every newspaper and on the head of every bulletin across the globe...”

“....And how do you think your parents would have felt....what would they think? To see this....to see, their children engaging in some sort of smuttish drunken act.....because I can tell you as a parent, I’m not proud at all.....” She said letting her gaze rest on both AJ and Kirstie for the slightest moment before shifting her eyes.

“We’re sorry Denise....it won’t happen again....” Nick mumbled.

“Oh you’re damn right it won’t.......I’m sorry...but this is unforgivable....girls, you will be on the next flight home to Florida....please go pack your things together....” She said unable to look them in the eye.

Everyone looked at each other, mouths open.

“Denise..you can’t.....seriously..mean...” Cassidy began.
“Denise!” Nick gasped.
“Oh my...” Howie covered his mouth.

“You can’t do that!” AJ yelled.
“Sit down Alex...” Denise said coldly.

“Girls...leave please....pack your things and be ready within the hour...” The motioned for them to exit.

Cassidy, Becca and Kirstie slowly rose from their chairs. Kirstie had tears streaming down her face as they began to walk numbly to the door. Each girl felt like they had been kicked in the stomach as their heads churned a thousand thoughts at once. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Cassidy gently close the door behind her as they left.

Once the doors were shut, the boys all exploded at the same time.

“Denise this isn’t fair!” Nick pleaded.
“Denise how can you do that? How are we supposed to get through the rest of the tour without them?” AJ asked desperately.

“Howie does it....” Denise shrugged.

“Don’t bring me into this Denise....I don’t agree with what you’re doing...” Howie said through gritted teeth.

“Please Denise.....don’t send Becca home.....please....its not her fault!!” Brian begged, eyes wide.

“Brian, you’re so nieve....and I believe that is the saddest part in all of this.....” Denise sighed sadly as she began to pack up her things.

“The girls are going....that’s final...” She said.

“When I find the fucker that leaked that tape....” Brian clenched his fists.

“Brian, open up your fucking eyes.!” Denise spun around and snapped.
Brian looked at her shocked for a moment.
“What did you say?” He replied slowly.

“Alright.....I’m gonna do this for your own good....and your own good only....” Denise reached into her briefcase and retrieved a small piece of paper.

“What’s that...” Kevin asked curiously.

“This...” She flipped the paper between her fingers.
“...is the check that was written out to the person that leaked the tape....it is written for $200,000US....” Denise explained.

“What! Who did it?? Who’s written on it??” The boys edged on their seats nervously.

“I’m sorry Brian.....” Denise said quietly as she handed the slip of paper to Brian.

“Oh no fucking way.....” Nick gasped as he read the name on the check over Brian’s shoulder.

Brian felt as if an arrow had been shot through his heart and he was drowning in the thick air as he read the name on the check. There, in ink for all to see....was the name of the leak of the tape.......Rebecca Fong.