BLESSINGS OF THE FATHER - BOOK THREE

“Marc, would you kill me if I confess something horrible to you?”
“Oh, I don’t know Scooter; I guess it would depend on what you told me—and the capitol crime laws of California. But on the whole, I don’t care for the sound of this already.”
“Okay—never mind then.”
“That’s it—never mind! Do I look like an idiot Scoot—spill it Davis while you’re still vertical—you know pal—death rarely comes when we expect it!”

“Alright Marc, it all started when I tracked down Stacy and gave her the tape of the boys’ performance today. She remembered the twins from their contest here at Toonland last fall, and my own resignation to serve as their business manager. I also suggested she check the news channels and then watch our video and she agreed to do that. Since she already remembered them from the contest, I’m of the opinion she would like them to do a crowd test for her.

“Fine, we’ll have mom get with her tomorrow, when does she want to do it?”
“Bud, don’t kill me but—tonight at 8 o’clock…here in the park.”

“What! Are you going bloody crackers Scoot; I brought them here for some much-deserved R&R. Remember pal—for putting up with all the rehearsals and performing already once this afternoon? Now you want them to stop all of that, and do some stupid test—tonight? What have you been smoking Scoot—and was that the last of it…I hope?”

“Marc, the crowd test wasn’t my idea, so don’t beat me up, but it’s not just any old test pal, believe me. In my opinion, it would be a critical benchmark for the twins to pass.”

“What in the hell do you mean Scoot; what kind of benchmark…and what’s the f__king rush?”
“Marc its simple, the boys have thus far performed either as amateurs or in an ideal and unusual situation, correct?”
“All right, I’ll concede that fact, so what’s your point Scoot?”

“The point Marc—is this, here in the park, we have totally unbiased and raw audiences, they’re disinterested third parties if you will. If your boys can accomplish with our guests, what they did earlier this afternoon, we know we truly have something tangible. Stacy suggested it I’m sure, strictly out of personal consideration for me, and our longstanding association. She’s going way out on a limb doing this unauthorized from up top first. So just say the word buddy, if you really don’t want to consider this, but if the old expression: One in the hand—is worth two in the bush, ever applied Marcus—this is it!”

“Okay, okay—I get it Scoot, and I don’t want to even try to remember the last time you called me Marcus—Scott Allen Davis! But damn it, why do you always complicate my decisions—with such sound logic?”
“Marc, maybe someone has to, what do you think about it now?”
“Honestly Scooter—I think—I had better call Mom!”
I picked my cell out of my pants’ pocket and dialed home, luckily for me, my mother answered the call.
“Mom, it seems that Scoot may be able to have the boys perform here tonight in Toonland. It’s what they call a crowd test, and it would be at 8 o’clock if it materializes.

“Wow, that’s wonderful Markie—look son, whatever you and Scott decide, has my approval of course, now let me fill you in on what’s been happening here baby. All the local stations and Fox and MSNBC nationally, have carried the grand opening today at the restaurant for the boys’ crusade. But they are all spinning their focuses now to promote the concert footage by the boys, which is real gratifying Marc.”

“That’s fantastic, but listen Mom, I’m going to have to get back to you, because Scoot’s apparently waving at Stacy, the woman who’s calling the shots here today.”
“Alright honey, let me know what happens.”
“Of course Mom.”
I hit the end button on my phone, while Scoot seemed relieved that Mom had agreed in principle.
I now watched the mystery lady come up to us.