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Day 3 - Part 7

Corridors were full of people tapping around, streching, warming up their bodies, talking to cell phones, listening music. Billy and Be-Bob were walking in front of the oldest and youngest.
-Who are all these people? Nick asked.
-They�re our tapdancers, Kevin answered.
-Tapdancers? When did we decide to get tapdancers?
-Yesterday. And actually we need just one. But they�re having an open audition.
-So I see, Nick said and nodded to one direction. Kevin looked there and saw some of their groupies hanging there.
-They can�t tap, can they? Nick asked.
-I don�t think so.
-They�re not like Anna, Nick sighed and Kevin looked at him. -What? You don�t miss her?
-I didn�t know her that well, Kevin said.
-Oh. Okay. I just wish that AJ�s going to be happy with Helen. And that news about her pregnancy will remain untold as long as possible.
-Well, if you keep advertising it everywhere, it will be no secret, Kevin reminded.
-I�m just so happy about it!
-Yeah, you just love to be able to pick on AJ. Remember that he�s going trough rough face. Having sex with Helen doesn�t solve all their problems.
-I�m well aware that sex usually causes more troubles than solves them, Nick said and Kevin gave him brotherly look. Kid was growing up. Or was Kevin himself just becoming younger?

-No, she answers when I ask if they could tap or dance. -It was just only way to get even near to them.
-Did it pay off?
-Somehow it did. For me, I guess. Not for others.
-How?
-Well, once we�d get in, we hanged around there. We pretented that we haven�t been called in yet. Which was true. Because we didn�t really sign up for anything. But guards kept passing us by and finally Be-Bob came to us.

Those three girls looked very professional with their joggers and sweatpants. Be-Bob noticed that one of them even had tapshoes. No matter that they had 3� high heels, were painted with silver and would have been more proper for finale of Cabaret than open audition.
-Girls?
They turned to look at him.
-Don�t you think this is little bit wrong place for you?
-You can�t throw us out, Peach said with confident voice. -We have every right to be here.
-Oh no, nothing like that. I�ve just been following you spending your time here and I think it�s about your time to try it out. Don�t you think so?
-Well, umm... I don�t know, Pie hesitated.
-I already asked from our choreographer and she�s ready to see you now. So would you please follow me?
Be-Bob started to walk along the hall, knowing that girls had no chance than to follow him.

He took them to small conference room that they had been using to take a nap while Boys were rehearsing.
-Sit down, he said. -Anything to drink? Or eat? Have you eaten anything whole day?
Two sat silent but the youngest, Cara, shook her head. Be-Bob went to small fridge and gave them three sodas and some buns.
-Eat up.
Be-Bob opened one soda himself and sat down too. He waited for a while, giving girls a chance to stuff food in them.

-We didn�t have any money at that time. It had all went to flight tickets and hotel rooms.
-How did you let that happen? I ask, because it�s all sounded so professional and well-planned.
-We were not the only ones, she says. -Remember that usually we got to go same places than Boys. Maybe not at same time, but anyway. There were always coke, beer and food, everywhere we went. And when we couldn�t get in anywhere, we didn�t know what to do. In NY were first times I went to grocery store after meeting Ophelia.
-Are you hungry now?
-What?
She seems completely stunned and I notice explaining tone in my voice as I say:
-Just that it�s almost 3 o�clock and we have had nothing to eat since breakfast.
-I thought you had hangover, she says and looks at me under her bangs.
-I did. Not anymore.
-So you wanna go somewhere or eat here?
-Going out would be nice.
-Sure, she nods and stands up. For me it�s a little bit harder, cause I�m still lying on the bed. But I manage to roll on my side and get my feets on the floor.
-Are you sure you�re fine? she asks with doubting look. I smile like an idiot.
-I�m just hungry.
-As we were at that time.

-So how are you? Be-Bob leaned back in his chair and let his eyes glide over each girl.
-Fine, Pie said.
-Good, Be-Bob said. -What about your friend Ophelia? I haven�t seen her here.
-She decided to say in California, Peach told.
-Maybe it�s better for her.
Be-Bob saw reserved faces in front of him and figured correctly that issue was still sore for them.
-I guess you�ve noticed our changed policy with you, he then said. -It will stay that way.
-Why? Peach asked. -We were doing allright.
-We were, Be-Bob admitted. -But not anymore. It�s not just you but... -But what? You make it sound like we�ve done something! Pie tried to hold her temper but didn�t manage that well.
-Haven�t you? Be-Bob was still calm. -Do I have to reming you about everything that happen in a certain party week ago? And that d-r-u-g-s were involved in almost every accident. What happened? It used to be so nice and harmless with you.
-We�ve grown up with Boys and you, what can you expect? Pie remarked. -Life on the road isn�t easy.
-I know, Be-Bob sighed. -And this is were we came to. I strongly recommend that you wouldn�t follow us to Europe anymore.
-And you think that�s gonna stop us? Peach asked.
-No. You�re not quitters. I just want you to be aware of the facts.
-And they are?
-It�s never going to be same. We have new policy with you and other fans. Nothing can ruin this chance from them.
-If themself wont, Pie whispered.
-What?
-Nothing. So this is why you brought us here?
-Pretty much. This is how it�s going to be. And I�m serious.
-I remember you keeping this same speech to us four years ago, Peach said. -Weren�t you serious that time?
-Does it matter if I�m serious now?
-Just that if you then were, how can we know if things are going to change or not?
-If you don�t believe me, found it out yourself.
Be-Bob looked a bit irritated. He didn�t want to fight. He didn�t need to do it. He just wanted to make it easier for these girls who had gone trough so much. Even the little one. Be-Bob looked at her for a while. Girl was just about 18, if even that. She hadn�t said anything during the whole conversation but Be-Bob saw little tears gathered in her eyes.
-Let me now accompany you out from here, he said and stood up.

We are walking on the street. Sun is shining but wind is really bitter and cold creeps under my jacket. She is well-equiped, wearing down jacket and all. She still looks young when her hair is covered with cap. She gathers looks on herself, no matter how she's dressed. And it has nothing to do with the fact that her face has been in papers for few times. No one can remember that far, that well. Maybe some kind flash of recognition goes trough people she meets but I guess it only leaves them feeling warm inside, not wondering where they may have met her. She is little town girl. No matter what her past is or where she's been hanging the last few years, she's still little town girl. In temptating, good way. I got to think if that's why she has so strong effect on people. More she tells, more convinced I get.

-Be-Bob was walking with us, making sure that we really go out, she says.
-But it didn't work out?
-Well... AJ was being reckless. He came in with Tom, I mean only one guard. Under those circumstances very unwise. And the girls went nuts. They started to rush in, crushing eachother. As soon as Be-Bob saw that he went to help AJ. Peach and Pie had been around long enough to know what to do.
-So you went after AJ? I ask.
-No. Just the opposite. I mean they all were after AJ, girls, guards. If you want to get somewhere, try to find a door where someone has been standing minutes before and then hurried to help. Then get trough that door.
-So where did you get?
-Peach and Pie ran to different direction, but were soon stopped by JK. I didn't want to lose my chance, so I just ran to the closest door. Luckily it was open and I went in.

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