Jordan, Malachai, Logan, and Caleb were at the Kennedy Center bright and early the next morning to meet and rehearse with the other ¾ of Disturbed. Ryan and Royce met them there. “The first thing we need to get straight is the damn timing for the turntable to switch out the bands”, Jordan said into her microphone. “The turntable needs to start turning the moment the intro for ‘Inside the Fire’ starts up. They need to be completely switched out by the time Ryan starts singing that first verse.” She was trying to give the people in the control booth the instructions they needed.
“Ok, why don’t we start rehearsing that number so that we can work on the timing for you?” the effect engineer said.
Jordan nodded. “I like it. What do you all think?” she asked over her shoulder to not only her band- but her father’s as well. They all nodded. “So, why don’t we pick it up in the last chorus of ‘Another Way to Die’? That way we can transition right into that maniacal laugh that Dad does at the beginning of ‘Inside the Fire’.”
“You got it, sis”, Malachai and Caleb said.
“Whatever you say, little cousin”, Logan said at the same time.
“You guys really shouldn’t give me so much power. It will go to my head and I’ll abuse it”, she said with a laugh as the rest of Disturbed go into position and Reckless Disregard started playing the solo portion of ‘Another Way to Die’. “Still, we ravage the world that we love, And the millions cry out to be saved (Millions cry out!), Our endless maniacal appetite left us with Another Way to Die, It’s just Another Way to DIE, Ooh, Can we repent in time? It’s just Another Way to DIE, Ooh, Can we repent in time?” The music quickly transitioned into the introduction to ‘Inside the Fire’ and All three of the vocalists started laughing like they were possessed as the turntable started turning. As Royce started singing the beginning of the first verse, the turntable stopped to reveal Jordan’s uncles rather than her brother, his best friend, and their cousin. “CUT!” she called with a smile. “That was perfect. Let’s keep that timing the way it is.”
“You got it, Jordan.”
“Who wants to rehearse this thing from beginning to end?” she asked over her shoulder.
“From the beginning as in right after the video or from the beginning starting with Delilah and Makayla’s dance?” Malachai asked.
“Let’s take it from Lilah and Kayla’s thing, then we’ll do what we do. It’s gives them a chance to get used to the stage.”
“And how did you want to go about that?” the engineer asked from the booth.
“We’ll be onstage while they dance, then after the song ends, we’ll bring the music up for ‘Never Again’.”
Jordan stepped back to the turntable to stand between Logan and Malachai as the music for Delilah and Makayla’s number as her younger sister and sister in law took their places in the wings off stage and waited for the music to come up.
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David sat on the couch in the hotel room he shared with his wife as he waited for her to finish getting ready for their lunch with the President McAllister. She was doing something with her hair or make up, he was sure of it. He checked his watch. It was almost time for them to meet their limo. “Brie, baby, hurry up or we’re going to be late”, he called.
She came out of the bathroom of the hotel room with a bright smile. “I’m ready now, baby. I just had to fix my eye makeup. Something didn’t look right so I had to fix it.” The black slacks and baby blue turtle neck sweater looked gorgeous on her. The look was completed with a nice pair of boots that hit her at her ankles.
David had to pound lightly on his chest to get his heart to restart. “Wow”, he said. “You look amazing”, he said with a smile.
She smiled back and straightened his tie a little. “Thank you, baby. You look rather handsome yourself. I don’t think you could have chosen a better shirt to wear than this grey one. And I see you decided to take your glasses with you.”
“Yeah, just in case I need them.”
“Oh, honey, I feel that I must inform you of something that your youngest son informed me of.”
“Can you walk and talk? The limo just pulled up.”
“Sure.” She wrapped an arm around his waist as he stuck their room key in his inside breast pocket in his jacket and re- buttoned it. “Are we ready to go?” She already had her purse over her shoulder.
“Let’s go”, he said after giving her a kiss on the forehead. “Now, what is it that you needed to tell me about Marc?” he asked as he held the door open for her.
“He let me in on the secret as to why our sons are always calling you old.”
“OH? And why might that be?”
“Marc personally does it because it annoys you. All FIVE of our sons do it to keep you grounded with all of the recognition you and the guys have been getting recently.”
“Is there a way to get it to stop?”
“Yeah, don’t let it show that it bothers you. If you don’t mind, then it doesn’t matter and they’ll stop.”
He nodded. “Got it. Just ignore it, basically.”
“Yeah. Just ignore it. Oh well, they think you’re old. What matters is if you feel it or not.”
“I don’t, that’s the thing.”
“Then, you’re not old, honey. Neither of us is old. We’re just experienced.”
---------------
David and Brie were lead back to the banquet room of the White House for the private luncheon they were going to have with the President and other Honorees. There was a Journalist, a play write, an actress, and a film director. But, apparently, David was the most interesting person there. The moment he and Brie were shown into the room, he was swarmed. The other honorees wanted to be sure to get their chance to speak to him, ask him their questions, or get their autograph. “I’ll be back in a moment, honey. I’m going to go freshen up”, Brie said and placed a kiss on his cheek.
“Ok, love”, he said with a soft smile.
She untangled herself from his embrace and headed for the powder room she’d seen on their way to the banquet room. Once she knew she was out of his sight, she pulled her cell phone from her purse and sent Jake and Jeremiah both a text. “How are things going?”
“They’re fine, Mom”, both of the boys replied.
“Did your Uncles make it to rehearse with RC?”
“NO, Mom. Jordan is making sure that everything is perfect WITHOUT them. –insert sarcasm here-“, Jake responded.
“Yes, Mama. Everything is running smoothly”, ‘Miah replied.
“You boys are going to have to forgive me for fretting. I just want this to be flawless. Your father deserves that much.”
“We know, Mom. Don’t worry about it. We have everything under control. Jordan’s not going to let ANYONE fuck this night up for Dad. They will feel her wrath should they screw up.”
“LOL. Leave it to Jordan. Tell her I said thank you. I need to get back to the banquet room to help your father field the other honorees.”
“Good luck with that, Mom. We’ll pray for you and Dad both.”
Brie smiled and washed her hands in the powered room after touching up her makeup, then headed back to the banquet room to convince the other Honorees that her husband was just a man and wasn’t larger than life.
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“You’re such an inspiration”, Gordon Gatsby- the play write- said to David.
“I honestly don’t see how”, David said modestly. “I’m just a man.”
“But, you’re the man that was THE VOICE for eight years” Lana Underwood- the actress- responded.
“That just makes me outspoken, but NOT an inspiration.”
Harmon Radcliffe- the director- chuckled softly. “You honestly don’t think you did anything special, do you?” he asked David.
“No, I don’t. I did what I did because, one, that was the position I was put in and two, because I was passionate about ending that nightmare.”
“And that passion inspired everyone else”, Chelsea Hancock- the journalist- smiled. “You were the driving force behind the Resistance. Your lyrics, your passion, those monologues and speeches- THOSE are what ended the Utopian Occupation.”
“And all he was doing was being himself, ladies and gentleman”, Brie said with a bright smile when she came back into the room. She wrapped her arm around his waist and placed a hand against his side.
“This must be the woman that inspired you that entire 8 year period”, Harmon said with a smile.
“This would be her”, David said. “The source of my sanity; my wife, Brie.”
Brie smiled and offered her hand. “Charmed to meet you all”, she said.
Harmon, always the southern gentleman, took her hand first and pressed his lips to the back of her hand. “Oh, no ma’am. It’s I that am charmed.” He poured on the Texas accent with expert precision.
“Try as you might”, she said in her Tennessee accent, “you won’t be able to persuade me to leave my husband. I’ve been at this man’s side for nearly thirty years and we’re still going strong. Anyway, young man, I’m old enough to be your mother.”
“Folks, let’s back up and let the Draiman’s breathe a little bit”, President McAllister said when he finally came in the room. They just arrived and I’m sure they’d both like to get a drink before you continue to interrogate them.” He approached David and Brie with a smile. “It’s good to see you both again”, he said as he shook David’s hand.
“It’s nice to see you again, as well, Mr. President”, David said with a genuine smile. The look on his face said, “THANK YOU!”
President McAllister greeted Brie with a kiss to her knuckles, like a southern gentleman should, then turned to his honored guests. “Lunch will be served soon, ladies and gentleman. If we could all make our way to the table.”
And with that, the meet and greet was over and David had to opportunity to catch his breath before the other men and women he was being honored with continued to pelt him with whatever questions they might have. This is going to be a LONG lunch, he thought as he kissed his wife and they made their way to the banquet table where lunch would be served. This is going to be a LONG ASS lunch indeed.
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