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Day 3 - Part 19

I tried to find out where we'd be going but she just smiled mysteriously. So half hour later I find myself digging under my bed, taking tape number one (there's 4 of those) and putting it on. I flinch when her face come on the screen.
-Wasn't expecting this? she laughs. -I thought you might need some guide trough your tour. So when I felt like it, I've commented on things. Remember that this is material no one expect their trusted friends and workers and I have seen. You know how much this means to me.
I can only guess. It's obvious that she has taped that before even meeting me. She had all the time to decide whether to let me see it or not. I feel oddly proud for the honor I've received.
-Let's start from the beginning. Our own crew joined us in airport. This is where we arrive to Nick's new castle.

Brian talks into a camera.
-We are just driving to the place where we'll spend our next week. It's in North Portugal. Even if it's May, it's not that warm outside. Too bad, I was waiting swimming in the ocean. We're about to shoot our next two videos and meet some fans and do a lot of funny stuff. It's going to be hard but I hope we'll have some time just to hang out. What you'll see here, is all real. You'll see how we shoot our videos, not only trough MTV's eyes, you'll see it trough our eyes.
-Brian hates cameras, Nick says off-camera. Next he appears on screen. -He does. So shoot me, ok? We're about to go to my new house. I bought it. Yeah. I haven't ever seen it. So you'll be here with me when I go to my new home. Exited? Sure I am.
Camera trembles when they get out of the car. Screen is split, one showing view they see, another focused on Nick's face. He looks amazed.
-I bought this? he asks from Kevin standing next to him. I notice that he's looking better. Camera turns around, I see Boys, Alicia, her, some staff. Other girlfriends or wives or not around as it seems. I see her running to Greg, who comes with another car as the rest of the band. She squirms his arms, explaining something.
-That's house of my dreams, I hear her voice saying. -The one I saw when I first time played to Greg. Not exactly the same but too much look a like to be coincidence. That's when I knew that something would happen there.

-Are you OK? Kevin asked from AJ when they escaped cameras for the first time after running around the place for two hours. What they didn't realize that there was one hidden in every room except bedrooms and bathrooms.
-It's easy for you to say, AJ muttered.
-I'm sorry for what happened.
-Really? You didn't look like that in Stockholm.
-So I can't be happy about getting back with Kristin?
-You can. But don't expect me to be smiling all the time.
-Let him be, Brian said. -It's going to be hard with all these cameras all around.
-I don't know if it was wise asking Alicia to come here with me?
-Doesn't she get all jealous seeing you with fans? Nick asked.
-Sometimes, Howie admitted. -And I know I wont have so much time with her in here with all the work we have to do.
Samuel entered room clapping his hands.
-OK. Here he is. Gentlemen, meet Carlos Garcia.
Spanish man sailed in. Everyone was stunned.
-Hello, he said with strong accent. -I'm Carlos. And I'm going to make you famous.
-We're already famous, Nick said.
-Not this much. I'm going to make you so hot that world has never seen! So when we'll we start?
-Tomorrow morning, Samuel said. -We have discussed with Carlos about videos, he wanted to make few changes. You'll get new storyboards tonight.
-I thought we went trough it in Stockholm, Kevin tried but Samuel gagged him with one look.
-I'm sure you'll be more than happy what brilliant ideas Carlos has suggested.
-Okay, Carlos said. -So I'll see you in the morning.
And he cruised out. His big scarf was like sail around his neck. Boys looked at each other.
-Don't look like that, Samuel sighed. -He can be a drama queen but he's just what you need. He really is genius. Now you'll have few moments to go settle down. First group of press will arrive in about hour. You'll meet them in the back of the garden. Please be nice. I know you're tired. It will only be for 45 minutes and then you're off for the evening. OK?
-Sure, Samuel, Brian said comfortingly.
-Trust me on this, boys. Just trust me.

She has cut almost all of the interview. It's not really interesting either. It's much more fun seeing boys goofing around together. Which they did a lot, probably because of they were tired and partly because that was just how they were.
-That was quiet evening in the house, her voice says. She walks around with the camera. House is very big. I mean very big. There isn't any furniture around which makes it look even bigger. It's huge. Like you could really get lost in there. -Almost for everyone. Except me.
Someone walks in to the screen. I don't recognize her until she says her name.
-Ophelia?
Her voice is like a whisper. She zooms in and I see Ophelia. She looks different from the pictures I've seen. She looks like a junkie in those early 2000 model catalogues. I wonder if I'm right.
She places camera on the floor, all I see are feet running to her, they're obviously hugging. I hear some questions, mostly unanswered. Like where she's been and why she's there.
-I thought I'd never see you again, she says.
-In a way you didn't, Ophelia replies. -You know I shouldn't be here. If guys see me... If they'd know I'm here.
-It's OK. I work for them now. I have access all around.
-What about Be-Bob and others?
-They're staying in a different floor. Once you got into the house you'll be safe.

She picks camera up and shoots their way into her room. She's got one with view to the ocean. It's dark outside, you can hear music from the garden.
-Guys are having a party, she explains to Ophelia. -They're really happy to be here. I'm really happy to be here. So, tell me. Why are you here?

-Please don't shoot me, Ophelia asked. Cara didn't take no for an answer, instead zoomed in. Ophelia sighed and lifted her hands up.
-Oh, don't be like that. It's just a camera. You used to love cameras.
-Used to. I used to like lot of things. So much has changed, Cara, so much.
She looked straight to the camera and there was something in her eyes that made Cara hesitate.
-Has something happened?
-After all that, Ophelia said. -After all that happened I just can't stay away. What about Peach and Pie? Why aren't they here?
-You haven't heard?
-I haven't heard anything. If I had known the situation I wouldn't have bothered to come down. You know Pricilla and others staying in Porto, in this sleazy little hotel and have no idea how to get here.
-How did you get here?
-I walked. As simple as that. No one stopped me. Wonder why.
-Didn't see any familiar face on your way?
-No, not anyone. So how are Boys? Tell me truths. Please.
-AJ's not together with Helen anymore. I'm not sure what happened.
-Yeah, you are. You're insider.
-OK. Helen faked that she was pregnant.
-She wasn't?
-No. And after all AJ's been longing that Anna. Who is she anyway? I haven't heard much about her. They don't talk about her. Why?
-She's their secret. Kind of. It was public, in a way. Most of it happened when they were staying in Florida and touring USA. Anna. I've never met her either. I've seen some pictures, Nick has some and there's been few in magazines. You've read her files from bsb.net?
-Sure.
-That's pretty much what we know about her. So what happened?
-AJ went after her to Finland, you know, it's just few hours away from Stockholm if you fly. But she wasn't there. AJ's not good. He acts like a party animal and you know it's not a good thing.
-What about others? Give that camera to me.
Ophelia reached out for the camera and focused it on Cara. Ophelia had troubles with zoom, but it didn't bother her. She knew she wouldn't ever see those tapes anyway.
-Brian is happy, as much as he can be with everything happening around him. So is Howie. They had lovely time in Stockholm with Alicia. She's also only one staying here.
-What about Kristin? Are they together with Kevin?
-I think so. Though she flew back home three days ago. She has some work to do, I don't know. And you know how it is, you don't want to get fans and wives in the same place.
-You sound so professional now, Ophelia said off camera. -But what about Nick? What about our little blonde creature?
-Nick is Nick, Cara said but looked away from the camera. That caught Ophelia's eyes.
-What? Has something happened between you two? Come on, Cara, I told you not to get involved with them! If I didn't, I was supposed to. So what, are you Nick's latest great love?
-Nothing like that, Cara stammered. -OK, I do fancy him but that's it. He barely knows I exist.
-That's the way they are. Can I turn this off now?

Next picture is sunrise from her window. It's really beautiful. Ocean is so blue and sun so shining. She zooms into sleeping Ophelia.
-Get up! she says. -What's the story, morning glory?
-I ain't no morning glory. Shut that thing off.
She puts it on the table but doesn't shut it.
-I'll go get a shower. Wake up mean time, okay? There's breakfast downstairs. I'm sure we can sneak you in. You look different from last time, you know? Just stay out of Be-Bob's way.
I hear door closing and water starting to run. Ophelia lays in her bed motionless for a while. Then she lifts her head, listens for a while, and reaches under her bed and to her bag. She takes out a bottle of water and some pills. She takes few, then rolls a joint and stretches out in a bed while smoke fills the air.
She comes out from the shower.
-O? What are you doing? Smoking in this hour. You really shouldn't.
-Come on, Cara. When is the last time you had some really good pot? Come here and try.
-I shouldn't. I'm working.
-You're always working with them. They're gonna shoot a video. What are they gonna need you for?
I hear sheets swishing when she sits down. Then camera automatically goes off.

Carlos paced around in the yard.
-No, no, no! What are you thinking? he yelled with his strong accent. -Look at there girls! What did I told you, ha? What did I told?
His assistant looked like he was in a whole lot of pain.
-You told me...
-I told you! Peque�a, preciosa, guap�sima, fresca. And you bring me these... Long blondinos with big boobs! Por qu�, oh, por qu�? Tito, talk to me. None of these. Of these models! None of these do not qualify. What are you going to do, Tito, ha? Become woman now? Didn't do as I told you and we are late. This is big delay. Where find girl like that?
He was waving his hands like they weren't attached to his body and would fly away in any minute. Tito by his side looked down. Girls, there was dozen of them, just stood there, few of them chewing gum.
-Don't take me wrong, queridas, you all very pretty but not what I want.

Cara walks down the hall with camera.
-O. decided to stay in my room, just in case, she spoke to the camera while walking. -I'm going out to see great Mr. Garcia I've heard so much about. They told me he's amazing. Before telling me to fuck off. They're preparing sets for different parts. Guys are in make-up and they should start in half an hour. But Carlos, if I may call him that, or am I too casual, things are different here in Portugal. They can call you love but you have to use formal address until you're told otherwise.

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