A crowd of on-lookers walked under the burning Florida sun, some holding large bags filled with goodies. Vendors set up their portable shop on street corners selling ice cold water to keep Florida residence hydrated in exchange for money to feed their family. The weather turned hot enough to bare only for a minute at a time. Water bottles disappeared in short matters of time. Sweat poured down pedestrian’s tomato red faces
as they hurried to their destination in hopes it would be air conditioned. Towels lay inches apart as people crowded the local beach.
Set aside from the busy sidewalks hot enough to bake an egg in seconds a stage stood tall for easy viewing. Four young man each of them only twenty-years old stood on stage holding microphones. On of the four, Chris Kirkpatrick stood apart from his co-workers with his brown hair cut short so his bangs fell into his puppy dog brown eyes. His tan skin glowed under the natural sunlight. Chris sang into the microphone he held in a soft tenor voice that brought chills to your spine. “Blue moon you saw me standing alone.” he sang while the three other men making up the Hollywood Hightones performed backup. People stopped forming a crowd in front of the stage watching the young men
performing under such harsh weather conditions.
Once the song finished Chris looked up to see Floridians blocking a proper walking path for blocks down. “Thank you we are the Hollywood Hightones and will be performing all day.” Chris bowed, the claps echoing in his ear. Standing upright still holding the microphone in one hand, he followed his band mates off stage to a makeshift lunch table that sported water bottles. “Man that was great.” drummer Brian commented snatching a water bottle. “I think it was flat at the end.” Chris spoke up taking his own water bottle. “It was good your to perfectionist Chris.” guitarist Michael complained taking gulps from his water bottle.
Brian squirted water at Chris playfully to cool him off. “So how’s Cindy?” he teased. Chris’ faced turned a deeper shade of red at the mention of his girlfriend. “She’s good” he whispered shyly. “Eh he looks more then okay. Your face is redder then a tomato Chris” John snickered. “Yeah she’s good.” Chris suddenly became interested in the microphone he held. “ Yeah I’m sure. Well I’m going to walk around before the next show. I’ll catch you
guys in a bit.” Brian gave a hardy pat on his friend’s back before disappearing into the crowded sidewalk.
Still red faced, Chris walked away from the table for some time alone before their next performance. Taking in a few deep breaths he surveyed the area that’s been home for almost two years now. Despite his degree in psychology Chris’ heart led him to this low paying no benefit job hoping that it would lead him to something bigger. After two years of singing with the high tones no opportunities have come along. Frustration started building in Chris’ mind as he wondered whether to search for a job in his degree. Taking one look at the microphone he shook his head vowing to give it just a few more days.
The day came to a quick close as did the next morning Before they wished it the Hightones were back on stage under an unforgiving sun giving performances every hour with a half hour in between to rest. Crowds still came to watch them disappearing once the show was over not offering any of the four tired, hot, frustrated men a career.
At noon the Hightones took a half hour lunch break in nearby shade. Chris however decided to eat over the water table not straying to far from the stage. He placed
his microphone beside his water bottles to eat the sandwiches their sponsor at Universal Studio provided Black circles formed under his eyes, as he once again surveyed the scene which didn’t change since the day before or two years ago when he first started with the Hightones.
“Excuse me” a voice interrupted Chris’ thought from behind. Chris looked up curious to find out who spoke. The person, a short, chubby man with gray hair and
twinkling ice blue eyes. “Hi my name is Lou Pearlman I represent BMG records. I’ve beenlistening to your performances and I must say that I’m quite pleased. “ he said. “Why thank you.” Chris swallowed quickly and extended his hand towards the shorter man. Lou took
it returning the handshake. “What’s your name young man?” Lou questioned. “Chris Kirkpatrick.” Chris blushed at the introduction. “You have a real talent Chris. Would you be
interested in singing professionally?” Lou asked him. “Professionally? Well sure.” Chris nodded.
Lou reached into his pocket taking out a business card and handed it to the stuttering young singer. “We’re looking for a boy group to launch. If you can find four friends get them together and come to my office. I’ll listen and if I and my workers like it enough we’ll sign you sound fair?” Lou asked. “Sure thank you so much.” Chris nodded. “Great we’ll be in touch then?” Lou asked. Chris looked down at the business card that Lou just handed him in disbelief. “Son don’t let this opportunity pass by. You have to good a voice to pass this by.” Lou informed. “I won’t. We’ll be in touch.” Chris promised. “Good” Lou nodded his goodbye walking into the crowd.
Brian walked over watching Lou talk to Chris from a short distance away. “Hey what was that about?” He asked followed closely behind by John and Michael. “Oh nothing.” Chris tried to tuck the business card away before his friends saw but wasn’t quick enough. John snatched the card staring down at it. “You got a big name like Lou to notice you?” he looked up at Chris wide-eyed. “Yeah it’s no big deal.” Chris shook his head trying to shake it off despite his heart thumping against his chest so hard it felt as though his chest would burst at any moment.
Brian grabbed Chris by the shoulder’s shaking him. “Chris are you crazy don’t act like this is nothing. You got the biggest record producer to notice you that’s a big deal.”
he lectured. “Yeah but I have to find three friends who are interested in putting their life aside to form a boy group.” Chris said. “Boy band like the backstreet boys? No way I’m not
singing corny songs to teenage girls.” John shook his head. “I agree with him no offense man.” Michael shook his head. Chris looked at Brian hopefully. “Sorry Chris I have to stay
here Angela would kill me if I left her here.” Brian said softly. Chris took the business card back looking at it. “I guess it doesn’t matter then.” Chris said. “Don’t worry you’ll make it.”
Michael patted Chris’ back following his friends to their chairs to finish lunch. Chris looked at the card again making a silent vow to keep it just in case.
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