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

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Chapter 56

The Friday Shows

As the eight guys in my suite were getting ready for the first show, I thought to myself, ‘It’s a good thing there aren’t any pedophiles around.’  I was glad to see that Roddy didn’t try to hide his sexual equipment.

We met the others in the restaurant at the appointed time  and had  the buffet, since they had a nice variety and it would save time.  We were ready when Mr. Corbin’s people came to pick us up.  When we arrived at the studio, there was no hassle.  The producer told us what they wanted.  They wanted the Fab 10 to do the original song that Steve had written and then have Bart do his Elvis entry after the interview with Chris, Farmer Bear and Tio.

As the host and hostess were starting the show, Chris whispered to me, “Dad, I’m glad there are people out there.  It makes it more fun.”

The lineup for the show was announced by the host, “This morning’s show is going to be featuring new talent that has arrived in New York just this week.  We have twelve young people and a Teddy Bear from Kansas City and two brothers from Houston.”

“We'll start this morning's show with a group of teenagers from Kansas City who call themselves the Fab 10.  Here they are singing an original composition by one of the band members.”

The band started to play and Bart and Tory sang the love song.  The audience showed their appreciation.  The hostess started to speak, “Wow! The Fab 10 will be returning and do another number later.  In the meantime, they are going to be accompanying the next two guests.”

 “Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome the Safi Brothers, Allie and Brahim, who now reside in Houston.  They are starring in a new production of Oliver which opens tonight at the Atlas Theatre.”

Two very good looking guys came out.  Allie especially was a charmer.  He and Chris would get along well.  Brahim was a little more laid back. The Fab 10 accompanied Brahim as he sang The Impossible Dream and Allie sang Food Wonderful Food, from the show they would be starring in.”

The host had them sit down and started to ask them questions, “I understand that you are originally from Algeria.  How did you get to live in Houston?”

Brahim nodded to Allie and Allie began, “My adopted Dad, works for Shell Oil Company in Houston.  He was sent to Algeria to solve a problem in the city where Brahim and I lived.  He fixed the problem, but I was wounded by gun fire in the process.  Brahim was wounded when he pushed the Algerian President down, out of the way.  They kicked us out of Algeria.”

The host started to laugh, “Allie, you made that up, didn’t you?”

“Nope, that’s only the start of what happened to us.”

The hostess looked at Brahim, “Brahim, what is it that you do for a living.”

Brahim took a deep breath. “I’m just finishing my freshman year at The University of Texas.  The production of Oliver was sponsored by the Theatre Department at the university.  Shell Oil is our corporate sponsor and that’s why Allie and I are here.”

The host stood, “Ladies and gentlemen, we’ll be right back after these words from our sponsors.”

When the show started the hostess stood, “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our next guests, Chris Leavitt, Farmer Bear and Tio Oleander.”

Tio was carrying Farmer Bear and put Farmer Bear on a chair away from Chris.  Chris went and sat down next to the Allie person.  Farmer Bear started to speak, “Chris, why are we here? These people are staring at us.  They aren’t going to beat us up are they?”

Chris shook his head no, “Farmer Bear, no one is going to try to hurt you here at the television studio.”

“Good, I don’t want anyone to try and hurt you like your Dad and his wife did.”

The host looked at Farmer Bear, “What did you mean by that?”

Farmer Bear answered, “Both Bart and Chris’ parents tried to kidnap them after the judge said they were adopted by their new Dad, Nano Mark.  Yeah, and Tio’s stepmother burned down his house.”

The hostess looked at Tio, “You’re stepmother tried to burn down your house?”

Tio answered, “Yes and Dad’s law office, as well.”

“Tio, why are you with this group then?”

Farmer Bear answered before Tio could, “He had to come along to keep Chris and Bart’s Dad, Nano Mark, from getting into trouble.”

The host shook his head, “Farmer Bear, why do you keep calling Chris and Bart’s Dad Nano Mark?”

“Because he’s the nanny for Mr. Jefferson’s four children.  Boys can’t be nannies, so he has to be a Nano.”

The host and hostess were laughing and the hostess asked, “Chris, is your Dad here with you today.”

Farmer Bear answered, “Yes,  Tio go get Nano Mark.”

 

Tio was practically pulling me onto the stage.  The host looked at me, “This has got to be a joke.  Nano Mark, you aren’t old enough to be the boys‘ father.”

“Sir, I adopted the boys after an unfortunate incident.  I can assure you that I am legally the father of the two boys.”

The hostess interrupted the conversation, “It’s time for a commercial break.”

While we were off the air, the host received a note from someone.  He looked at whoever it was from and nodded.

They had me sit beside Tio and Chris.  When the signal was given, The hostess started, “Ladies and gentlemen, as we promised, here are the Fab 10.”

Bart did his patented Elvis entry and sang You Ain’t Nothing But a Hound Dog.  

The host stood, “Ladies and gentlemen, “The producer has requested that the two Safi brothers and Bart sing a song together.  This the first time that these two groups of people have met, so it will be interesting to see what happens.”

He turned to the band, “Do you per chance know New York, New York?”

Steve nodded yes and the band shuffled through their music while the host was saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, this has been a truly remarkable show.  I know for a fact that the Fab 10, Chris, Farmer Bear and Tio are scheduled to appear on two other shows today.  Brahim and Allie’s show opens tonight at the Atlas Theatre, and I’m sure it’s going to be a hit.”

Bart, Brahim and Allie went to the side of the stage until the band played the introduction and they came in strutting and doing a high step with Allie leading.  They did a wonderful job.  It could only have been better if they had been appropriately attired with a top hat and a walking stick.  When they finished even the band members stood and applauded.”

The hostess stood, “That concludes our program for today.  Have a great weekend.”

The producer approached us, “You people were absolutely wonderful.  The early ratings showed that we had 40% of the viewing audience watching which is unheard of.  I don’t suppose you would be willing to do another show next week, would you?”

Chris answered immediately, “Farmer Bear and I aren’t going to do another show, and I know that five of the Fab 10 have jobs starting Monday, so we can’t be here.”

Brahim answered, “Sir, Allie and I will probably be exhausted after doing shows.  We thank you for exposing us to viewing audience.  I have to get ready for a role that I’m going to be playing in the Houston Grand Opera.”

Allie added, “Sir, I need to study, since I’m going to be taking some advanced courses next year.”

Mr. Corbin appeared, “Brahim and Allie, why don’t you collect Mr. Waller and join us for lunch.  I’ll even buy, as long as no one orders anything that costs over a dollar.”

The host of the show started to laugh, “Hank, you know as well as I do that a buck isn’t going to even get you a glass of water in this town.”

Mr. Corbin laughed, “I’m taking them to a soup kitchen for lunch.  Come on everyone the K.C. express is waiting.  You young people need to change into casual clothes before we go. After the instruments were stored. and Bart had changed clothes. We were whisked away to the hotel.  Mr. Corbin announced, the K.C. express will be leaving in ten minutes.  The Safi brothers and Mr. Waller should be here by then.”

When we reassembled in the lobby, Mr. Corbin and Mr. Larkin were waiting for us.  We boarded the mini bus with Allie, Brahim and Ed Waller.

I was glad to have someone to talk to who was close to my age.  I heard Mr. Corbin make a call, “Jenny, we’ll be arriving shortly, throw another stone in the soup pot.  There will be twenty-one of us for lunch.”

Mr. Corbin and Mr. Larkin were talking to the young people.  Mr. Corbin announced,  “The special for this the news feature should be a piece of cake after what you have already done.  I think they will just want to talk to you.  Chris, you better bring Farmer Bear just in case.”

We arrived at a restaurant that looked like a dive on the outside.  When we walked in, it was crowded and it was just eleven thirty.  The hostess met us, “Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, there is a forty five minute wait to be served,  I’ll show you to your table.  I don’t know how long it will take your waiter to get to you.”

We were escorted to a semi private area that had already been prepared, and almost before we were seated, two young servers were placing a fruit cup in front of us.”

They returned with the drinks that we had ordered.  Ed Waller leaned over to me and asked, “Why are we getting this kind of treatment?  I thought we were going to have stone soup.”

I shrugged my shoulders, “I have no idea what’s happening.  It’s probably going to cost us an arm and a leg.”

The servers whisked away the empty fruit cups and placed a sandwich, French fries and coleslaw in front of us without explaining what we were going to be eating.  Chris looked at Hank Corbin, “What is this that we’re going to be eating.”

Mr. Corbin smirked, “It’s food to make all of you talented people sick.”

Allie laughed, “Chris, I think it’s a crab sandwich.  It smells really good.  I like to put some slaw on mine.  It takes away the greasy taste.”

Needless to say, there were a lot of people putting some of their coleslaw on their sandwiches and it did make the medicine go down.  In fact, it was downright delicious.

The two young servers whisked the plates away after they were devoid of food and put a piece of cheese cake in front of us.  Needless to say it was fabulous,  I went to the hostess, “I’d like to pay the bill for the fantastic lunch.”

The young woman grinned, “The owners said the lunch was on them.  You might leave a tip so my boyfriend can take me out tonight.”

I looked at the young lady, “Who are the owners?”

She was surprised, “I thought you knew, Mr. Corbin and Mr. Larkin own the restaurant.  The two young men, who served you, were Mr. Corbin’s sons.   Their Dad makes them work twelve hours a day.”

I walked back to the table, “Everyone, leave a penny tip for our servers.  I just found out that they were Mr. Corbin’s sons and he makes them work twelve hours a day.  They’re probably the people who are going to be eating the stone soup.”

The two servers were talking to the teenagers.  I wondered what was they were talking about.

Mr. Corbin announced, “The K.C. express is about to depart for the hotel.”

We made a quick stop at the hotel to get some clothes and Farmer Bear.  Mrs. Sweet and Mr. and Mrs. Del Rio decided not to go to the studio with the young people.  Mrs. Sweet wanted to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Del Rios wanted to do some shopping.

Mrs. Sweet announced, “We’ll meet here after your shows and decide what to do this evening.”

When we arrived at the television studio, Mr. Larkin met us and took us to the studio where the news feature was going to be taped.

It turned out the producer wanted to open the special segment with the Fab 10 performing so that meant Bart had to get his clothes and change again.

The news feature was very well done with the Fab 10 and Chris and Farmer Brown receiving accolades from the producer for their professionalism.  The producer commented, “Usually we have shoot something more than one time to make it work.”

Mr. Larkin had stayed to watch the taping.  He announced, “I’ve made arrangements for the special to be taped in this studio, also, so you wouldn’t need to worry about moving your instruments and costumes again.”

Chris asked some very good questions.  “Mr. Larkin, is there going to be someone talking to us like the other shows we’ve been doing?”

“I will be introducing each of the acts as you appear on the stage, but I won’t be there to talk to you.  It will be just you and Farmer Bear and Tio if you wish.”

Chris asked the next question. “Is there going to be a live audience because it will make a big difference for me and Farmer Bear if we don’t have anyone to make fun of?”

“Yes, the live audience will be arriving in about an hour.”

Chris’ next question had everyone laughing, “Where is the nearest bathroom in case I get sick and have to throw up?”

“There’s a men’s room on the left side of the set and a ladies room on the right side.  Bart, I believe you already know where the changing room is.”

Bart asked, “Mr. Larkin, what is the order in which we’ll be appearing  and how long do you want us to perform?”

Mr. Larkin nodded, “I’d like to use you young people from Kansas City as the book ends of the show, so to speak.  I’d like for the Fab 10 to begin the show to get the audience warmed up.   Why don’t you plan on performing for at least 20 minutes.  Chris, I’d like for you and Farmer Bear to be the final act to appear.”

Chris fell on the floor and put his hand on his throat, “Dad, you’d better go get a bucket so I have it nearby.  I’ll probably have to throw up at least ten times because I’ll be so nervous.  You better go back to the hotel and get me a change of clothes or two.”

Mr. Larkin was laughing, “Chris you should do something like that when you’re performing.  I didn’t realize that you were a comedian, too.”

Chris had another question, “How many acts are there going to be between the Fabs and me?”

There will be three acts. A young man will be playing the piano, a young lady will be singing an aria from an opera and three young ladies will be doing dance routine.”

Bart asked two last questions, “Would it be permissible to get the audience involved, and I assume that you'd like us to do entirely different songs?”

Mr. Larkin answered, “The answer to both questions is yes, if at all possible.”

Steve motioned, “Come on, gang, let’s go plan what we’re going to do.  We don’t have much time.”

I took Chris and Tio to the snack bar since they had a long time to wait.  As we were walking back to the studio, Chris looked up at me, “Dad, do you think we could find a bucket of some kind for us?”

“We can try, son.”

I asked one of the technicians if she knew where we could find a bucket.  She returned almost immediately with a plastic container that probably had at one time been an ice cream container. “Would this work?”

Chris took it, “This is perfect, ma’am.  Thank you.”

The show began and Mr. Larkin made a big production of introducing the Fab 10.  When the lights went up Tory and Bart were dressed as if they were going to a sock hop.  They did an entirely different set of songs than had done on any of the other shows. 

Mr. Corbin’s sons had arrived with two young ladies.  One of the guys, leaned over and whispered, “Man, are they good.  I can see why Dad arranged for them to come to New York.”

Mr. Larkin was pulling his hands across his chest as if he was stretching something.  The younger of the Corbin boys whispered, “That’s really weird.  Dad usually is telling people to cut it short rather than keep going.”

Chris looked up at the guys, “Do you two have two Dads like Bart and me do?”

The boys grinned and the older one asked, “Where is your other Dad?  Why isn’t he here?”

Chris looked at me, “He’s back home; he had to work.”

Tory started singing a song and Bart went to talk to Mr. Larkin.   I swear Bart had to be undressing and dressing as he was going to and coming from the dressing room.  He was now dressed in his Elvis get up.  Tory must have seen him because when she was finished singing she announced, “Here’s Elvis.”

Bart did a series of Elvis songs and announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, We have been advised that there is at least one and maybe two couples who are here on their honeymoon.  Our final song is for you.  Tory and Bart sang The Hawaiian Wedding Song.”

Mr. Larkin came out applauding, “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m overwhelmed by these talented people.  Please show these young people how much you enjoyed their performance.”

Now that the Fab 10 has wowed the studio audience.  We need to breakaway because what happens after and Chris, Teddy and Tio deserves a chapter of its own.  Stay tuned for the fireworks.

To be continued...

Editor's Notes:  Well, that was a nice surprise!  I knew that Allie and Brahim were quite talented, but I didn't really expect to see them here.  That was really nice.  Here is a confession. I actually did expect to see them, after what was said near the end of the last chapter.  I certainly am ready for what ever happens next.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

Posted: 10/30/09