Bart and Chris
by: E Walk
(© 2009 by the Author)
 

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Chapter 54

Taking New York By Storm

When everyone was checked in and settled, we met in our suite.  Mrs. Sweet suggested that we have room service bring us a meal before we had to go to the studio.

When the young people looked at the menu and prices, Bart disagreed, “Mrs. Sweet, these prices are ridiculous.  I’m sure we can find something a lot less expensive, and we will probably be served much faster, if we go to a restaurant.  There seem to be a number of restaurants around the hotel.”

We made our way to the lobby and Roddy approached the young man at the concierge desk, “Sir, we’re looking for someplace reasonable to eat that is close enough so we could walk.  Where would you recommend that we go?”

The young man looked at our group and nodded, “I think you might like to try Tarantella’s.  They have a super buffet.  They have a variety of Italian foods plus some other items.  They have a special rate for children ten and under and a senior citizen discount.  Of course, when they see all you teenagers coming, they probably jack up the price.”

The young man pulled out a map, “Go out the door, turn left and go to first stoplight and you can’t miss it; they have a big neon sign in front of the restaurant.”

When we entered the restaurant, Mrs. Sweet moved to the front of the line and handed the cashier a card, “There are sixteen of us.  There is one senior, and the two young men are eight and thirteen in-betweens.”

The cashier laughed, “We’ll have to charge you double since most of the in-betweens appear to be teens.”

After we were seated at a long table, Chris looked at me, “Dad, I’m too nervous to eat.”

I looked at him, “Chris, you probably should eat a little something.  You’re going to get very hungry if you don’t.  Let’s go see what they have that you might like.”

Chris and Tio each had a full plate when they returned to the table.  For being too nervous to eat, Chris did a credible job.  He even asked, “Dad, I think I was hungrier than I thought, is it okay if I go get some more?”

I nodded, “Chris, of course, you can go get some more, but don’t make yourselves sick by pigging out.”

When everyone’s appetite had been satiated, we walked back to our hotel.  The young people went to get ready for the show.

The people arrived promptly at six thirty to pick us up, and we were whisked a whole two blocks to the television studio.  We were met by the production staff and they started to ask all sorts of questions and  started to tell the young people what they should do.  Bart had enough, “Look ladies and gentlemen, we didn’t come here to answer questions.  We came here to perform.  We’ll do our best, and we don’t need any of you telling us what we should or shouldn’t do.”

We were approached by a man, “Hi, I’m Dale Numberman,  I assume that you are the Fab 10 and Chris and Farmer Bear, who are to be on the show tonight?”

Bart wasn’t through, “We were scheduled to be on your show, but if these people don’t stop trying to tell us what we can do and can’t do, then we don’t really wish to be on your show.”

Chris added, “Nobody is going to put make up on me or tell me what I can or can’t say, because I don‘t know what’s going to happen.”

The producer of the show explained, “We’re used to having to tell people what they need to do.  If you people want to make fools of yourselves, fine.  Dale, we’ll put the Fab 10 on first and then follow them with Chris and his stupid Farmer Bear.  We have some backup guests that you can fill in with after these young people flop.”

I expected to hear someone take exception to the man’s comments, but no one said anything.

The show started and Mr. Numberman announced, “Our first guests tonight are a group of teenagers from heartland America.  I’ve not had the opportunity to see or hear them but have been told they are very good.  Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the Fab 10.”

The Fab 10 did the patented introduction with Bart entering and sliding on his knees as if he were Elvis Presley.  They had been performing for twenty minutes when there was a commercial break.  When they were given the signal to continue, Bart announced, “We are proud to present the world premier of this next song on this show.  It was written by one of our members, Steve.”

After Bart and Tory finished singing the song, Mr. Numberman asked, “Bart, would you please introduce the members of the group to the viewing audience?”

Bart did as requested and Mr. Numberman asked, “I’d like for the Fab 10 to return again after our next guest.  I’m assuming that he might be your brother since he has the last name.”

Bart chuckled, “If you’re talking about Chris, that’s true.  If you’re talking about Farmer Bear, I decline to be responsible for what he might say.  Even Chris doesn’t know what Farmer Bear is going to say.”

After another commercial break, Mr. Numberman announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Chris Leavitt and Farmer Bear and their friend Tio.”

I hadn’t realized that Tio was going to be in the act.  Mrs. Sweet punched me in the shoulder, “Your sons are something else.”

Chris came in followed by Tio  who was carrying Farmer Bear.  Chris looked at Tio, “Put Farmer Bear on the sofa over there and make sure he behaves.”

Farmer Bear yelled, “What did I do to deserve this kind of treatment?
 

Farmer Bear let out a huge belch and Chris scolded him, “Farmer Bear, how many times have I told you that it’s not polite to belch in front of people?”

Farmer Bear answered, “It’s your and Tio’s fault.  If you hadn’t made me clean up all of the things that the two of you dropped under the table at the restaurant, it wouldn’t have happened.  Whose that man sitting behind the desk?  He looks as if he has a smile painted on his face.  Tio, take me so I check to see if he has a wig on.  Nobody’s hair is like that.”

Tio took Farmer Bear to look at Mr. Numberman’s hair.   Farmer Bear, yelled, “Chris, I think that Mr. Numberman’s hair has been painted on.  Chris I don’t think Mr. Numberman is wearing pants.  He’s wearing boxers with what looks like lipstick on them.  He probably didn’t wear his pants because he heard we were so bad, and he didn‘t want to have to send them to the cleaners.”

Chris and Farmer Bear had the audience laughing.

It was time for another commercial break and I was apprehensive about what might happen.

When the program resumed, Chris was holding Farmer Bear and Tio was sitting beside them.

Mr. Numberman started on Chris, “Chris, when did you learn to be a ventriloquist?”

Farmer Bear spoke. “He didn’t learn to be one of those things.  I made him make it so I could talk.”

Mr. Numberman was searching for something to say because he realized he wasn’t in control of what was happening, “Chris, how do you know Tio?”
 

Chris was so blasé, “Tio is staying with my family until his Daddy finds a place for them to live.  His stepmother tried to burn down the house where they lived before.”

Mr. Numberman shook his head in disbelief, “Chris, you’re making that up aren’t you?”

“No sir, ask Bart’s and my Dad?  He’ll tell that it’s the truth.”

Mr. Numberman asked, “I take it that your Dad is here with you.  Is your Mother also with you?”

“No sir, our Mother is dead.”

Mr. Numberman decided he needed to change the subject, “Tio, is your Dad here with you?”

Tio shook his head no, “No sir, he stayed home and is helping Uncle  Zack take care of the businesses.”

Mrs. Sweet leaned over to me, “You lucked out on that answer.”

I grinned and whispered, “I was holding my breath.”

An attendant approached us as the commercials were being presented.  He stopped in front of Mr. Del Rio, “Mr. Leavitt …”

Dr. DoDo pointed to me, “That’s Mr. Leavitt.”

The young man arched his eyebrows, “Mr. Leavitt, you look rather young to have a sixteen year old son.  Mr. Numberman would like for you to join the young people on the stage after the commercial break.”

Mrs. Sweet practically pushed me out of my seat.  I followed the young man and joined Chris and Tio since the Fab 10 was in place to begin playing when the commercial break was over.

Mr. Numberman, “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome back this very talented group of young people.  He stood and applauded, “Take it away Fab 10.”

The group did three songs that highlighted the talents of each of the performers.  Mr. Numberman went to them and started to talk, “Bart, I guess you must be the leader of the group.”

Bart shook his head no, “No sir, I’m a Johnny come lately to the group.  Steve and Andy are our leaders.  They are the persons who started the band when they were the Fab 7.  Tory, Roddy and I are new members.”

Mr. Numberman looked skeptical, “I take it that you must all go to the same school.”

Bart answered, “No sir, six of the young people go to the Monmouth Academy, three of them go to Public Schools and I had been home schooled so to speak.”

“Then how do you get together to practice?   You obviously spend a lot of time practicing to sound as good as you do.”

Steve stood,  “Mr. Numberman, Mr. Leavitt’s bosses have been kind enough to permit us practice two afternoon’s a week in the lower level of their house.  We also have been playing every Friday and Saturday at clubs, restaurants or special events.”

Mr. Numberman threw up his hands, “You young people are amazing.  I can see why people suggested that you be on the show.  Here is the Fab 10 again.  Bart disappeared as Tory started to sing.  When the song was over, he reappeared dressed as a Beatle might have dressed and sang a medley of The Beatles hits.”

Mr. Numberman went to where the band was playing and shook his head.  “You young people are incredible.  Neither Bart or Tory had words to the songs on monitors.  How can you remember the lyrics to so many songs?”

“I’m sure that we’ll be hearing a lot more from this group in the future.”

The studio audience applauded as the band members stood at Mr. Numberman’s direction.

After the applause had abated, Mr. Numberman announced,  “I have requested that Bart and Chris’ father join us.  Bart, why don’t you join us over in the pit area?”

Mr. Numberman announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome, Mr. Leavitt.”

The production person motioned for Chris, Tio, Farmer Bear and me to go join Mr. Numberman and Bart.  Mr. Numberman was standing there and he looked at me, “There must be some mistake, I thought I asked that the boys’ father join us?”

Farmer Bear growled, “Nano Mark, is Bart and Chris’ Father.  I should know because I have to look at his ugly face everyday.”

Bart was giggling, “Mr. Numberman, we were adopted by Dad Mark after our birth father tried to hurt us.  There is a witness in the audience who can attest to the fact that we were adopted by Dad.”

Mr. Numberman looked at me, “Mr. Leavitt, how old are you?”

“I’m 24; but I’ll turn 25 next month.”

“Chris said his Mother is dead.  Did she die after the boys were adopted?”

I shook my head, “Mr. Numberman, I’ve never been married, and I don’t see what these questions have to do with why my sons were invited to come to New York.”

“Mr. Leavitt,  you’re right.  I apologize.  I was way out of line.  You must be very proud of the two boys.”

“Mr. Numberman, everyone is very proud of what the two sons have accomplished since I became their father four months ago.”

Farmer Bear spoke, “Stop picking on Nano Mark; everyone loves Nano Mark.”

Mr. Numberman looked at Farmer Bear, “Why do you keep referring to Mr. Leavitt as Nano Mark anyway?  And what is a Nano?”

Chris answered, “A Nano is a boy nanny.  Uncle Ty’s children decided that Dad couldn’t be a nanny because he was a boy, so they made him a Nano.”

A gentleman was jumping up and down trying to get Mr. Numberman’s attention.  Tio noticed, “Mr. Numberman, I believe that that man is trying to tell you that the show is about to be over.”

Mr. Numberman looked at the clock,  He moved to the center of the stage, “Ladies and gentlemen, you were fortunate tonight to have seen the first big show for these very talented young people from Kansas City.  I’m sure that you will be hearing more about the Fab 10 and I can hardly wait to see what happens with young Mr. Chris.  Edgar Bergen is probably turning over in his grave with jealousy. Good night, and have a better day, tomorrow.”

After the cameras were shut down and the audience was filing out,  Mr. Numberman approached us, “You young people were absolutely awesome.  I would welcome you back anytime.  I wish I didn’t have a dinner engagement tonight because I would like to get to know you better.”

Our host approached us, “We’re ready to take you back to the hotel.  We’ve made arrangements for your musical instruments and costumes to be locked in a room so we don’t have to keep carrying them around.  I have a feeling that you will be needing them here again before you leave.”

When everything was stored, and we were getting ready to leave, a lady approached us, “Good, I caught you before you departed.  I have some checks for you.  Whose the money person for the Fab 10?”

The band members pointed to Steve, and the lady handed him a check.  She turned to Chris, who was holding Farmer Bear, and handed them a check.  “Farmer Bear, this check is for you and Chris.”

The lady turned to Tio, “I didn’t know your last name so I need to fill in you name so I can give you your check for appearing on the show.”

To say that Tio was surprised would be an understatement, but he answered, “My name is Antonio Oleander.  I didn’t expect to be paid.  I’m just a guest of Chris.”

The lady shook her head, “The rules are very clear; anyone who appears on the show will receive at least $50.00.  Mr. Leavitt, here’s your check.”

Our escort announced as he was dropping us off at the hotel, “Don’t be surprised if you are asked to be on some other shows while you’re here.  I’ll pick you up in the morning at ten.  That should give you time to get rested before you go site seeing.”

As we approached the elevator, I suggested, “Why don’t we meet in our suite and you young people can call your parents and tell them what time to  watch the show tonight?  We also need to decide what you want to see tomorrow.  We can watch the show there and we can order a snack to keep you awake.”

Andy commented, “I guess you want us to see how bad we were.”

Dr. DoDo responded, “You young people were all wonderful tonight.  You have nothing to be ashamed of.”

Everyone was assembled in our suite and I suggested, “I want everyone to use a cell phone to call home to tell them that the show will be on tonight at 10:30.  It will a whole lot cheaper than using the hotel phone.”

We watched the show, and I was surprised that Chris and Tio were able to stay awake through the entire hour and half.  After the show ended, everyone left for their rooms and I sent Chris and Tio to take a shower.  Bart decided that he would take one with them to save time.   The teenagers that were going to be sleeping in the other bedroom went to get ready for bed.  That left Roddy alone with me.

He looked at me, “Nano Mark, I feel like an outsider.  I feel as if I’m in the middle of a desert, and I’m stranded there by myself.  I want so much to find someone who will love me for who I am.”

I hugged him, “Roddy, I know how you feel.  I was 24 before I finally found the person I could love and who loved me.  You may not have to wait that long, but don’t rush it.  I hated when I had to go to the showers in school with the other guys because I was afraid that I would create a scene.”

Our conversation was interrupted by a naked Bart who was drying his hair, “Aren’t you going to take a shower, it’s already after midnight?”

To be continued...

Editor's Notes:  Well, the kids did a very good job and made a really good impression on pretty much everyone. 

I was certainly not very impressed by Mr. Numberman, at least not at first. In fact, even after he heard them play, he was rather hostile.  He had obviously not done his homework.  There was a tape of the Fab 10 and one of Chris and Farmer Bear that he could have watched, and he would have had a good idea of what they could expect, but he didn't even bother to look at any of it.  If I were in charge of things, I think he would be out of a job, after the way he treated everyone.  Some of the questions that he asked were downright rude. 

What happened to the guy that booked the young people?  He didn't even bother to show up at the taping.  It seems to me that things at that station are rather poorly managed or not organized.

I guess we will just have to wait for the next chapter to see what happens next.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 10/16/09