Chapter 6

“Gen, How did the presentation go?  Call me when you get in.  I’m here early, so I can leave by one.  Megan and Alex are both home sick and Josh is working at home till then.  Um, did I say call me?  I’m at my desk.” 

 By the sound of that voice mail, Stacey’s week was turning out about like hers was last week.

 “Hi, Stace, is everything alright?”

 “No, that stupid stomach flu must have gotten the kids.  Josh is home now.  I hope we don’t get it too, but that seems inevitable right now.  That’s why I came in so early.  I want to make sure that I get this mailing and some other stuff off my desk before I go down.”  She was awaiting the worst.

 Stacey was such an organized person; you couldn’t help but admire her.

 “So you wanted me to call?”  

 “Yeah, since we didn’t get to have our lunch last week, and I was dealing with kid puke all weekend,” she sighed,  “and it’s looking like I’ll be out most of this week too, especially with Friday being a holiday, so I was wanting to see if I could make a claim on your weekend.  Like I said…I haven’t forgotten.” She spoke in a singsong voice; the first time she sounded pleasant all morning.

 “Ooh, you know,” she breathed in through her teeth.  “I’m going to Wisconsin with Eric on Friday.  We won’t be back till Monday night.”

 “Wisconsin?  With Eric?  Why?” She asked incredulously.

 “Oh, his sister is getting married on Saturday, so his mom is wanting us to come.  It’s nothing, really.  He did pay for the ticket though.”

 “Well, that’s good.  So, when are we gonna get together?  It seems we’re being blocked every step of the way!”

 “Maybe that’s a sign.”

 “I somehow doubt that.  I just have a feeling…. It’s like sometimes the rewards go to those who stick with it and don’t drop out at the first sign of adversity.”

 Gennie twisted her face into a look of “Yeah, whatever, Stace.”

 “I’m serious, Gen. Just do it.  The deadline is at the end of next week.”

 “What is it with you?  Alright, I will seriously look at the stuff again tonight. I’ve got no plans anyway.  But don’t think about coming over or anything.  I’m going on vacation,” she chuckled to herself at the thought of a weekend with her boyfriends parents in Wisconsin being a vacation, “so I don’t want to get sick.  Eric spent a lot of money on those tickets.”

 “OK.  Cool.  Listen, I’ve got so much work right now, I can’t really chat.  I’m going to try to leave as soon as I can.  Josh has a big meeting that he has to make it to, so I can’t be late.”

 “OK, Stace.  Take care.  Call me if you need something.”

 “Thanks.”

 Gennie made it through the day with much more ease than last week.  At five, she went home and figured out what she’d have for dinner.  She decided to make it easy on herself.  She pulled in the drive-thru at Taco Bueno and got dinner to go.  She went home and fired up the computer.  She figured she’d do a little research on the Goo Goo Dolls if she were really going to do this.  She was going to take a professional approach.

 The sheer volumes of information about the Goos that float around on the web amazed her.  She figured that with the reliability of the internet, she could trust about a third of what she read….maybe.

 The thing she found most fascinating of all, were the fan’s concert reviews many of which included encounters with the band.  She was blown away by the fact that pretty much everyone, and there were many, felt like they had really made a connection with the guys.  And it wasn’t just fourteen-year-old girls, either.  There were actually women her own age that were diehard fans, some from years ago.  Regardless, the band had always made the time to thank each and every one of them when they met them.  Always smiling for pictures, waiting patiently, as nervous hands fumbled with inexpensive cameras.  They even remembered lots of fans who’d met them before.  Honestly remembered them, and could recall details of the previous meeting.  She admired that these guys were pretty normal, not prima donnas, not trashy rock stars.  At least they didn’t leave their fans with that impression.

 After finding out more than she ever thought she needed to know for this assignment, she got those forms, made herself comfy in her big, soft chair and started contemplating what she was going to write.  She filled in all the standard information; basic resume stuff.  That was the easy part.  Then she had to write a short summary on why she thought she’d be the person for this assignment. The more she thought about it, maybe Stacey was right.  She was perfect, they just didn’t realize it yet.

 Why would I be perfect for this project?  Well, I’m certainly an unconventional choice.  I do not do broadcasting work, but as a former teacher, I have no problem with leading people through an assignment- whatever that may be.  I have found this band to have an interesting personal story and I would like to take the opportunity to illustrate this in my week on tour with them.  Doubtlessly, their years of experience touring with differing degrees of success have given them a unique perspective on what they do.  I am not 22 years old.  I believe that I can add more relevance to this project than someone who is.  I am closer in age to the band, as well as many of their fans.  I am intrigued by the diversity of their audience.  Everyone, from grandmothers to small children, is drawn to their music, and each has their own unique story to tell.  Those that have met the members of the band have often said that they felt like they were really loved and appreciated by them.  They (the fans) also tend to be very charitable, donating food or toys at shows and basically being there when called upon to do for others at the band’s request. I wish to take a deeper look at the interaction between the band and their fans.  This is, perhaps, not the standard approach, but I think that an hour of live concert footage and backstage antics would simply not show the band to their potential.  I believe that there is another dimension to this story that would be far more meaningful to the viewer.  By doing the unconventional, you can generate album sales for the band, possibly bringing them to a whole different audience and increase your viewer ratings.   This is, afterall, the goal of this whole project, is it not?

 After crossing the last t’s and dotting the last i’s, she was done.  She had written what she felt was a novel in the small space provided.  Gennie hoped they would like it, but she wanted Stacey to look it over first, just in case. 

 She gathered the papers that were spread out over the big chair, put them in a manila envelope and placed them in her briefcase for Stacey to read tomorrow.  She hoped she would be there.  Just as she completed that thought, the phone rang. 

 “Gen, it’s me.  Hey, I’m not going to be at work for a couple of days…well, this whole week probably.  I just wanted to be sure you did what you said you would do.”

 “Oh, Stace, don’t tell me you’re sick now too?”

 “Well, the worst hasn’t hit yet, but yeah, I’ve got a fever.  That’s how it starts. The good part is that the kids are starting to feel better so they’re staying with mom for a few days.  Josh is taking them over there right now.”  She paused.   “And you didn’t answer my question.”

 “Yes, I did it, OK?” She groaned.  “I decided to put an angle on what I’d be doing.  I want to study how they interact with their fans.”

 “Cool.” Stacey was impressed that she’d actually done it.

 “Yeah, so now I’m done.  I just need you to read over it.”

 “Can you read it to me over the phone?”

 “Um…not really.  It’s a lot of forms and stuff.  You’d have to see it.  You’ll be feeling better soon don’t ya think?”

 “Well, no Gen. I’m not going to be at work all week.  I might be doing better by Friday, but you’re leaving.  And I don’t want you to wait until you’re back cause there isn’t time.  Sorry, honey, but you’re going to have to send it without my input.” She hoped this didn’t deter her.

 “I guess I’ll be OK.  I never really expected this in the first place.  It’s worth it for the chance, I suppose.” She added glumly.

 “Mail it tomorrow and forget about it.  You’ve done your part.  Now we just have to wait.”

 “Yeah, that’s true.  I’ve got plenty of other things to worry about right now.  So do you.  Now get off this phone and act really puny so when Josh gets home you can get extra TLC.  OK?  I hope the bug doesn’t bite you too hard, Stace,” she said compassionately.

 “Thanks, I hope not too. Bye-bye.”

 So, she had lost some of the confidence she had ten minutes ago, but she was still going to go for it.  She just hoped she didn’t come out looking foolish.

Meanwhile, in an office building somewhere in Los Angeles a similar conversation was taking place.

 “Hey, Robby, man, what’s this about MTV goin’ on the road with us?  Do you know anything about this?” John asked.  He sounded kind of irritated.

 “I guess you got the same call I did last night, huh?  Remember back about a month or two ago someone from MTV called about some new show they were doing?” Robby asked, trying to piece the whole situation together himself.

 “Yeah. So?”

 “Apparently, when we said we’d cooperate with them, they took it as ‘Yeah, we’ll do it’”

 “So now they’re sending a camera guy out with us?  That’s gonna suck!” He was more than a little pissed about this.

 “That’s what I’m afraid of.  I didn’t realize that it was just us.  I thought they were doing a thing on lots of other bands, too.  I thought our contribution would be minimal, man.  I’ve got one of the secretaries here calling around to get some more information.” 

 No sooner were the words out of his mouth, than Helen, one of the Warner Bros. staff, walked up to them with some information on their situation.

 “Mr. Takac, Mr. Rzeznik, I’m Helen Mitchell.  I’m from the publicity department.  I’m helping you out with this matter.”  She shook both their hands. “If you wouldn’t mind having a seat in my office,” she gestured for them to follow her.

 “Mr. Takac, Mr. Rzeznik…” she began before John cut her off.

 “Robby and John, please” he grinned.

 “Robby, John, I’ve talked to the MTV people about this thing.  You are the only ones they are following and it’s for a week.” 

 The guys sat up straight in their chairs with surprised looks on their faces.

 “You’re kidding, right?” Robby asked.

 “A week?” John whined.

 “A week.  There’s more.  They are in the process right now of selecting someone to go with you.  It’ll be a person from a radio or TV station.”

 “WHAT!?” They both exclaimed simultaneously.

 “Yeah.  And they’ll be living with you too.  You know, on the bus.” She was trying to sound positive, but somehow, it wasn’t working.

 “How did we ever agree to this?  I don’t recall signing anything.” John spat, trying to control his anger.  He was more than a little annoyed.  He was outraged!

 “You didn’t.  Not yet.” 

 “Not yet???  What do you mean not yet?  We’re not gonna!” Robby didn’t like the sound of this either.

 “Wait, John, Robby, please.” She laid her hands out on her desk and took a deep breath.  “We think this could be a great opportunity for you.”  They both shot her an ‘are you crazy?’ look.  “I know you think this sounds bad, but it would be great publicity.  This will show you as people and it could really boost album sales.  It could be another BTM!”  She was trying to sell this with all her heart.

 “Look, Helen, that show was a lot of trouble and pretty tough too, it was a pain in the ass- in a lot of ways.” John paused, taking a breath.  “I don’t want to sound like a jerk, but I’m not gonna do that again, y’know?”

 Robby chimed in, trying to be the voice of reason in this ridiculous conversation, “Helen, you’ve probably never been on the road, but it’s tiring, it’s boring, it’s a lot of fun, and it’s all really personal.  I think what John, what we’re both saying, is that we’ve got personal lives that I don’t think we’re that willing to put out there for public consumption.” John nodded in agreement.  “I appreciate the company’s reasons for wanting us to do it, but I’m afraid we’re gonna have to say no. “ Robby felt he’d said his peace.

 “Hold on.  I know that this is hard for you.  Look, it’s only for a week.” She paused, biting her lip. “I’m not supposed to do this, but when I call MTV back and talk to them about working in extra promotion when the album is released- that’s in, what, three weeks?”  She had an idea to try to sell this thing to them.

 “Yeah, but…”

 “No, listen.  When I call them, I going to tell them that you have some concerns, and that you want to screen the applicants first, OK?”

 “Absolutely not!” John bit back.  He was going to be a hard sell.

 “If you get to look at the people applying, I think you’ll feel much better about this.”  She looked to Robby, trying to appeal to his easy-going, sensible nature.  “If you still don’t like anyone, then we may still be able to back out.”

 “May be able?” Robby gasped, apparently not convinced.

 “Oh, you know I can do it.  That’s the game we play here…” Helen said with a sly grin.

 Robby looked to John.  He knew he couldn’t override him on this.  It would need his OK too.  He was surprised to see that John was a bit more receptive than he would have guessed. 

 “Will you excuse us for a moment, Helen?” Robby grabbed John’s elbow and dragged him out into the hall, closing the door behind him. “Look, Dude, this might be a great opportunity.  I could also be fun.”

 John slouched against the wall.  “I don’t wanna do it, y’know.  Robby, man, they’ll be in our faces, they’ll be in MY face, all the time.  God, what if we get some psycho fan that they pick?  You know they’re out there…they look like normal people, too.”  He tried to dissuade Robby, but he could tell by the look on his face, that he may not win this one.

 “No, man, that’s the beauty of this thing.  We’ll pick the person.  And if we don’t like anyone, we can tell MTV to fuck off!”  He said with a laugh.

 John rolled his eyes, “Shit, like that’s gonna happen!  You think she’s right?  That she can call off the game if we don’t like anybody?” He asked, trying to get a feel for Robby’s honest opinion. Robby looked hopeful.  “I’m gonna trust you on this one, Rob.  If you say it, we’ll do it.  I just hope we don’t come out looking foolish.”

 “I think we’re in control of that, right?  If they’re gonna do it anyway, let’s take as much control as possible.”

 John gave a half smile.

 “Then it’s a plan?”

 John nodded, throwing up his hands.  It wouldn’t be the first time he’d resigned himself to Robby’s better judgment.  He just hoped he was right. 

 They turned and went back into Helen’s office to offer their cooperation.

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