At the gym the next day, on the treadmills.....
Jon: "Our appearance on MTV last night on MTV was a disaster.... "
Steve P.: "I think we should all just put it behind us, and move on... Our
hearts were in the right place, it's just... in this band... democracy
doesn't work. Smitty doesn't want to talk, and Ross, bless his heart, CAN'T
talk -- as we saw last night. So, from now on, no more of this drawing
straws or flipping coins. We need to go in with an appointed speaker, who
has as intelligent, logical speach ready...."
Jon: "So, you think Neal will show up this morning?... I mean, we're all
here working out, and where is he?"
Steve P.: "This is America... we can't MAKE him get in shape..."
(Neal walks in...)
Neal: "So, what's up? The treadmills, huh? ... Not for me, man! I'm saving
it for the free weights..."
Jon: "This is a good way to warm up! You can't just go over to the free
weights, and lift cold! You'll hurt yourself! ..... At least do some
stretches or something!"
Neal: "Hey, stretch THIS, man! I'm no ballet dancer! Men should just lift
heavy things and sweat..."
Steve P.: "How enlightened! No one can say YOU'RE not a man of the new
century!... Where did you get all this caveman b*llsh*t, anyway? It's like
you have regressed back to high school or something!...."
Neal: "Advice for men from Mr. 52-and-Always-Been-Ditched!"
Jon: "Neal, will you stop calling him that? We ALL have exes... at least HE
never married HIS!"
Neal: "All right, all right!... Get off my back! NO ONE can fun around
anymore! ..... Come on, fellas... men of the new century... let's LIFT SOME
WEIGHTS!"
(Steve and Jon motion to Smitty and Ross to head for the free weights...
Smitty waves them off, and continues on the treadmill, and Ross forgets to
turn the treadmill off and is flung to the floor. He motions that he'll
catch up with them...)
Jon: "This is so great! We're all gonna work out together.... I'll spot for
someone and someone else will spot for me. Remember what Dr. Phil said about
learning to trust each other again. This will be perfect! I mean, I have to
trust the person that spots me when I'm pressing weights, right?"
Steve P.: "Yeah... it's the same principle as falling backwards and trusting
your friends to catch you..."
Neal: "You know, if anyone actually heard what we talk about when we're
alone, they would be appalled, man. What a bunch of freaking daisies we
sound like!"
Jon: "Hey! That's just defensive backtalk! Dr. Phil said..."
Neal: "So help me, twit... you bring up Dr. freaking Phil one more time,
you'll be in a full body cast, man..."
Steve P.: "Let's just get started! Who's going first?"
Neal: "I'll go first! I wanna get this crap over with. Once I press a couple
of hundred pounds, maybe you naggy-nellies will get off my back about being
out-of-shape! (Neal gets onto the weight bench and lies back. He easily
presses the barbell already there while Steve spots him...) There! I told
ya! I'm in GREAT shape!"
Steve P.: (bends down to see how much weight is on the barbell...) "Neal,
you just pressed 80 pounds! A kid can press 80 pounds! Let's up your weight
and see what you can press for real! (Starts loading on the weights...) I'm
going to start you off with 120 lbs., and go up from there..."
Neal: (all the guys are crowding 'round now) "Nah... Let's go 180 to start!"
Steve P.: "Don't you think you should find out what your fitness level is
before you just grab a barbell that weighs 180 lbs.?"
Neal: "What? Are you afraid to spot me at that weight? Big, bad Stevie can't
lift 180 lbs offa little, old Neal if he has to?"
Steve P.: "Let's not do this! I can lift 180 lbs., no sweat... it's you I'm
worried about!"
Jon: "Neal, he's right. The heaviest thing you've been lifting lately is
your guitar. None of us wants to see you get hurt..."
Neal: "Well, does anyone want to see JON get hurt?" (looks around...)
(Ross finally walks over trying to shake off the pain of hitting the gym
floor...)
Ross: "What? Did someone say something?"
Steve P.: "Okay, you're on... get back on the bench!"
Neal: (starts to lift the barbell off the frame... Steve is spotting him)
"See I got it over my head!"
Steve P.: "Right! And it's wobbly... do you need some help to get it back on
the frame?"
Neal: "No... no... I got it! (Struggles, but returns it to the frame...)
Touch it, and you're a DEAD MAN!"
Jon: "Be careful, Neal! All we need is for that thing to fall on your head!
It would be a disaster!"
Ross: ".... Yeah, for the barbell..." (looking at Smitty and laughing out
loud)
Neal: (to Ross) "Hey, nutball... How'd you like to spend the next week or so
with your dentist?"
Ross: "Are you talking to me?"
Neal: "Do you see aniy other nutballs here? (looks at Steve) Okay,
veggie-boy, bring it on! 180 lbs is NOTHING for a guy my size!"
Later on, at the Emergency Room, the guys are sitting around waiting for
Neal to be X-Rayed, and for Irving to get there...
Jon: "So, what do you think happened to Neal's back? I mean, anything could
have made that snapping sound, right? It could be nothing.... right?"
Steve P.: "Well, we'll just sit here and hope for the best.... Didn't sound
good, though."
Ross: "I heard a sound like that once. I can't remember what it was, but I'm
sure it wasn't followed by loud screaming like Neal was doing..."
They see Irving running down the hallway of the hospital toward them....
Irving: "Any news yet? Have you spoken to the doctors?"
Jon: "No, and no one has been out to tell us anything, either. I'm worried."
Steve P.: "I can't just sit here... I'm going to go find out what's going
on. (gets up) ... Jon, you stay here, in case his doctor comes out looking
for us... Irving, come with me.. let's see if we can find the doctor!" (they
both head off down the corridor)
Ten minutes later, Steve and Irving show back up at Emergency with the
doctor that examined Neal....
Steve P.: "This is Dr. Rooney. He's an orthopedic specialist. (looking at
the doctor) Okay, tell them what you just told us....."
Dr. R.: " We Neal may may have thrown his back out badly..."
Jon: "Is THAT all?"
Dr. R.: "Back injuries can be extremely debilitating.... we're going to
admit him for more tests, though... at the very least, he will need some
complete bedrest, and then limited movement, coupled with physical
therapy..."
Steve: "Tell them how long it will be before we can tour..."
Dr. R.: "I would say... 6 months, if he signs off on the treatment right
away..."
Irving: "The Studio will never wait. We'll lose the movie deal."
Steve P.: "Maybe we should wait until all the tests are done before we
panic..."
Irving: "So, Dr. Rooney, when will we know?"
Jon: "Is he in much pain?"
(A very HAPPY Neal is wheeled out of the X-Ray room on a gurney, singing
"Let's Get Physical" off-key and trying to grab the nurse walking beside
him... )
Jon: "I take that back... I see he's in NO PAIN..."
Ross: (enviously) "Oh, what are you giving him????? (They all walk over to
the gurney to see Neal.) .......aaaahhhhhhh, hellllooooooo????"
Jon: "Neal, how are you feeling?"
Neal: "SUPER, man! Get it? ........... SUPERMAN!" (laughs)
Steve P.: "Is there anything you need us to bring you? Toothbrush...
razor... anything?"
Neal: "Yeah, all that ... and my CD player, and my Barry White tapes, man...
have you seen the nurses in this place????"
Jon: "BARRY WHITE?..."
Neal: "Hey, you seduce YOUR WAY, man, and I'll seduce MY WAY!... The
Barr-meister has always worked for me!..." (laughs)
Steve P.: "Okay, so that's toothbrush, razor..."
Ross: "Deodorant.."
Neal: "Shut up!"
Steve: "Pajamas, clean underwear... anything else?.."
Neal: "PAJAMAS??? ... I don't think I OWN any! ..."
Jon: "Well, it's either pajamas, or those johnny-things that stay open down
the back. Now, THOSE are humiliating..."
Neal: "Okay, so pick me up some pajamas... but make them sharp-looking!
Maybe silk.... and a matching robe... and some cologne.... (starts singing
"I Got Love on My Mind" and trying to grab the nurse again.... and as they
are wheeling him away, he talks to the nurse) ... Hey, sweetheart, did you
know that October is 'Neal Schon Appreciation Month'?.... Now's you chance
to show YOUR appreciation...."
Nurse: "You should LIVE so long..."
Steve P.: (to Jon) "You'd better go pick up the stuff Neal asked for... (to
Irving) You and I need to go to the Studio, and see what we can work out
with them..."
Ross: "What should Smitty and I do?"
Steve P: "Ross, you get a CD player, and some CD's for him... NO BARRY
WHITE, for godsakes! Something to relax him... some Enya or something....
Smitty, How about some flowers for his room... something tasteful, but
cheerful... make it from all of us, but have them send me the bill. (to
Irving) "Okay, so we're outta here... let's go!"
Irving and Steve drive silently to the studio, each with his own thoughts,
each hoping the Studio is in the mood to make a deal....
Steve and Irving arrive at the Studio. As Irving turns the key to shut the
motor off, he and Steve look at each other...
Irving: "They are expecting all of you here with me to take this meeting.
What do you think we should tell them?"
Steve P.: "I think we should tell them as little as possible.... not lie, or
anything, just buy ourselves some time until the doctors have something
definite about Neal."
Irving: "Yes... I know what you mean. Stall...."
Steve P.: "Yeah... for a couple of days or a week... then we'll have a
definite prognosis to talk to them about..."
Irving: "This is NOT good, Steve... I won't lie to you...."
Steve P.: "Well, let's go in thinking only positive thoughts and see if THAT
helps!"
Irving: "I feel like we're Butch and Sundance sitting on that cliff trying
to decide if they should jump because they can't swim..." (they both laugh)
Steve P.: "Well, as Butch said to Sundance... 'Are you crazy? The fall will
probably kill us!'.... (they both laugh) let's go in. Maybe the worst that
can happen to us today has already happened!"
They both get out and walk on in.... ready to be a united front.... When
they get into the office, there is a group of people neither of them had
dealt with before were sitting there, waiting for them.... A guy in a staid,
grey suit stood up to greet them --
"Hi, my name is Mike Mastroianni.." (holds his hand out to shake hands)
Irving: (shaking his hand) "Irving Azoff..."
Steve P.: (shaking his hand) "Steve Perry..."
Mike: "Okay guys, I'll talk to you all later... I'll let you know where we
stand once I've talked to these gentlemen... (The others in the office get
up and file out) ... Please, Irving, Steve... have a seat... (They sit down)
I think I should tell you that Shane Brody is no longer on this project..."
Irving: "Oh....? What's..."
Mike: "And the thinking on this project has changed a bit... can I cut right
to the chase here?"
Irving: "Absolutely!...."
Mike: (looking at Steve) "The studio is only interested in Steve. The
thinking now is that Journey's time has come and gone, but there is an
audience for what Steve has to offer..."
Steve P.: "Nope... it's all of us, or none of us. Case closed."
Irving: "What Steve means is, he knows that you are bound by the contract
that was signed by all of them, and that an accomodation may have to be
reached with the band, so you won't be in breach of contract..."
Mike: (leaning over to Irving) "Look, I don't want to have to play hardball,
but the fine print in this contract says we can cancel the contract without
prejudice within 30 days of the signing. We are choosing to do that, but are
hoping to keep Steve on board."
Irving: (looking at Steve, then back at Mike) "What's the offer on the
table?"
Mike: "We are willing to pay him the entire sum of what was going to be paid
to the group, plus a bonus for signing... He gets a three album/two feature
film deal, and points on each project.... (writes something on a piece of
paper) ... I was thinking of a number in THIS range... (shows Irving, who
passes it to Steve).."
Irving: (his eyes almost falling out of his head, looking at Steve) "Can I
have some time to talk to him about this?..."
Mike: "Sure, feel free to use this office... I have a quick meeting down the
hall. It should take about 15 minutes. You can give me your answer when I
get back... (gets up to leave)..."
Steve P.: "I don't need time to think... It's Journey... ALL of Journey...
or there's no deal."
Mike: (looking at Irving) "Talk some sense to your boy, here, and I'll be
back..."
They wait until he's left the room to talk....
Irving: "Steve, let me be clear about this... THAT is an ENORMOUS amount of
money! The money you could make on the points alone would cover what they
were willing to pay you before...."
Steve P.: "Why IS that? What happened between then and now to make them feel
they would make me an offer like this? I'm a good singer, I know that...
but, I've never acted -- except in videos, and, let's face it, I'm 52 years
old! What's UP with this?"
Irving: "I don't know... but, as your manager, I have to tell you, you are
NUTS not to take it!"
Steve P.: "The guys would be crushed. They are looking so forward to the
tour, and really, the movie is secondary... just the tour would make them so
happy! ---- I can't do that to them. I have more money than I'll use in this
life. Right now, it's about friendship... I'm at an age when that's GOT to
count for something. I've been with these guys, off and on, for more than
half my life... "
Irving: "There'll be no tour now. No movie... no tour."
Steve P.: "We'll finance it ourselves..."
Irving: "The guys don't have the money to do that... they were counting on
the money from this project to keep them financially viable... you know
that."
Steve P.: "Then I'LL finance it..."
Irving: "And what are you going to tour behind? Again, there's no record
deal."
Steve P.: "We'll re-release TRIAL BY FIRE... it's our best work! And we'll
call it 'The Better Late than Never Tour'. As we have more and more success,
and the record takes off again, and the venues fill, we'll get a new record
deal...."
Irving: "That is SUCH a long-shot! You'll be betting everything you have on
it..."
Steve P.: "No, I'll be betting everything I have on Journey... doesn't sound
like a long-shot to me!"
Irving: "You may never get an offer like this again..."
Steve P.: "I know that... let's get out of here!"
Mike walks back in....
Mike: "The meeting was shorter than I expected... so where are we?"
Steve P.: (stands up and holds out his hand... Mike shakes it) "Thanks you
for your very generous offer. I'm grateful for your confidence in me, but
...."
Mike: "But, WHAT? You are not going to take that deal?"
Steve P.: "I'm afraid not.... Besides, you'd only be getting half the act...
Journey and I kind of complete each other... But, thanks again..."
Mike: (looking at Irving) "Talk sense to him, will you?"
Irving: "I think he has made his decision. I advised him to take the deal,
but he feels he has to be faithful to his friends...."
Mike: "Well, I wish you luck. And I think you're making a big mistake..."
Steve P.: "It's never a mistake to bet on Journey.... "
Steve and Irving get up and leave the building. Once they are in the car...
Steve P.: "The guys are NOT to know it's me that is financing the tour and
the re-release of TRIAL BY FIRE. When we get to the hospital, I want you to
let me do the talking, and back up whatever I say.... okay?"
Irving: "Okay..... Steve, you will lose your shirt on this..."
Steve P.: (looking at Irving) "Irving, I like and respect you a lot. But, if
you ever say that to me again, I will fire you."
Irving: (laughing) "OOOOOkay! I hear you! I'll never say that again.... We
gotta believe, right?"
Steve: "RIGHT.... you won't be sorry. You can believe in Journey."
They ride back to the hospital in silence.... When they get there....
Steve P.: "Remember.... let me do the talking, and you just back up what I
say."
Irving: "I hear, and I obey.... "
They walk in and find Neal's room. All they guys are gathered there...
Neal: (in a very LOUD pair of paisley satin pajamas) "Well, the prodigal
returns! What did they say when you told them about what happened?"
Steve P.: "It took some talking, but we were able to buy you some time to
get better before we tour..."
Neal: "Really? .... The deal's not off?"
Steve P.: "Well, the deal's changed...."
Jon: "What do you mean.... 'changed'?"
Steve P.: "Well, they have decided NOT to do a movie or a soundtrack right
now. The climate in the movie industry right now is in flux... BUT they are
going to re-release TRIAL BY FIRE, and let us tour behind the re-release.
Once the studio is convinced we can pack 'em in, there could be another
record in it for us...."
Neal: "What about the money? Has THAT changed?..."
Steve P.: No, not really.... you'll all still get the lump sums you signed
for, but once the tour starts, we'll just get percentages of the take over
and above the costs of the show...."
Neal: "Ha! ...Great! What chumps.... giving us a piece of the door! We'll be
millionaires! Our fans are the greatest!"
Jon: (looking skeptical) "This doesn't sound Kosher to me.... Irving, can
they just back out of a deal like this?"
Irving: "Yes, the fine print on that contract allows them to do that...."
Neal: "Who cares, anyway, man! I didn't want to do the freaking movie
anyway... I just want the tour.... Love touring! And we'll make a bundle!"
Jon: "Yeah, you're right.... me, too!"
Ross: "But.... you say they're paying us to tour behind a 5-yr-old record? I
don't get it...."
Neal: "You don't get ANYTHING, man! Why should this time be any different?
----- so, when do they want us out and on the road?"
Jon: "Just concentrate on getting better! I can't believe how close we came
to losing this deal! I thought for sure you were going to cost us the farm,
Neal, I really did..."
Neal: "Nah.... what do I look like... ole 'Typhoid Stevie'? I don't live
under an unlucky star like he does, man.... (laughing really hard) .... to
be honest, I would've toured hurt if I had to....."
Steve P.: "Well, now you don't have to make that choice, do you? Everything
will go forward when you're up to it... YOU are a lucky man..."
Neal: "AND I look good doing it! Dig these fine p.j.'s... Genuine faux
silk!"
Steve P.: "Yeah... those are stylin', all right!" (looks at Jon who's making
a 'gag' gesture at him, and they both crack up)
Ross: (whispering to Steve and Jon) "I bought those as a joke.... he's
having me take the good ones back!"
Steve P.: "Well, the good news is, you'd never be able to tell..." (all
three crack up again)
Neal: "I feel like celebrating... Ross, here's a buck... go to the vending
machines and get us a can of something bubbly! ---- and some cups!" (tosses
Ross the cash)
A minute or so later, Ross comes back with a can of Mountain Dew and some
small cups from the water fountain...
Ross: "That machine was vicious! This can of 'Dew cost me \$3! It just kept
eating my money!"
Neal: "Only YOU could get swindled by a piece of machinery!"
Steve pops open the can, and pours out the cups.... After all the guys have
theirs, he hands one to Irving, and as Irving takes it, he puts his finger
over his lips as if to say 'don't say a word!'... then picks up his cup..."
Steve P.: "So what are we toasting? ... Neal, you do the honors..."
Neal: "To JOURNEY!!!!!!!!!!!!"
The rest of the guys (in unison): "To JOURNEY!!!!!!!!!!" (they all click
cups)
Irving: "And, to the angel watching out for the lot of you!"
The guys: "Here, here..."
With that, Irving left the room, and walked down the hall. He reflected on
the events of the day. Before he got into his car, he turned up to look at
the window. Steve was still standing in a corner by himself, while the
others horsed around, laughing, but still off to one side. He wondered if he
felt like part of the band yet... or if he ever would.
Steve and Irving sat down in Irving's office to plan arrangements for the
tour...
Irving: "I suggest you try and get a corporate sponsor for this tour... That
will cut both expenses AND your financial exposure by about half..."
Steve P.: "Great idea! Have you got any ideas?"
Irving: "I've put out feelers... so far, we have several offers, but we
could wait a few more days to see who else responds..."
Steve P.: "Who has responded already?"
Irving: "Well.... Budweiser ..."
Steve P.: "I don't drink... I kind of wanted to steer clear of the Liquor
industry..."
Irving: "Then, I guess St. Pauli Girl Beer is out, too?.... They were
willing to supply live onstage beermaids in wench outfits for each show..."
(they both laugh out loud)
Steve P.: "Well, Neal might like that... beer and women are like two of his
three favorite things! (more laughs).... "
Irving: "What's the other one?..."
Steve P.: "Harleys.... we have that in common... we both love our bikes..."
Irving: "Why don't I approach THEM about sponsoring you?..."
Steve P.: "Now, THAT would be a cool sponsor... 'Harley Davidson Presents
Journey'... sounds GOOD to ME!..."
Irving: "Do you want to hear what the third offer of sponsorship is, or do
you just want me to go after Harley Davidson?..."
Steve P.: "Okay, who was #3?..."
Irving: "Smuckers.... you know, jams and jellies? ...that Smuckers..."
Steve P.: "I don't think so.... not the image I'm looking for...."
Irving: "Okay, so I'm approaching Harley Davidson.... How about Ray-Ban
Sunglasses... doesn't Neal already have a relationship with them? And what
about Cheerios? It'll make Ross mighty happy....." (they both laugh out
loud)
Meanwhile, back in Neal's hospital room...
Neal: "Ross.... Jon.....wanna play some cards? I'm going crazy from the
boredom!"
Jon: "Sure!"
Ross: "What'll we play? I'm kind of out of practice, and don't do the
concentration thing very well...."
Neal: "Anybody got a deck of cards?"
Jon: "Ross... Here's a fiver... go down to the Gift Shop and get us a deck,
will you?"
Ross: "Sure! Where's the Gift Shop?"
Neal: "In the freaking lobby, man!..."
Ross: "Oh! Oh, right! I remember now.... Be right back!"
Neal: (to Jon) "What do you wanna bet we don't see him again for an hour?...
I got a twenty...."
Jon: "Let me see your money, and you're on! (looks at Neal's \$20) Okay, I
say he'll be a half hour... you say and hour.... whoever is closer wins..."
After an hour goes by, Neal picks up his \$20 and Jon's $20, and slips them
into the pocket of his robe....
Neal: "Told ya... do I know this guy or what?"
Finally, Ross comes in with a box under his arm....
Ross: "You wouldn't BELIEVE what happened!"
Jon: "Try us..."
Ross: "Well, it took me a while to find the lobby... The green line turned
into the red line when I wasn't paying attention... and after a while, all I
could find was the yellow line...."
Neal: "Will you just cut to the chase!.... Cripes! I'll be collecting Social
Security before you come to the point at this rate!"
Ross: "Well, the long and short of it is I ended up in the Children's
ward... and this kid won all the cash I had on me playing poker... I told
you about my concentration problem..."
Jon: "A kid won all your cash? What about the fiver I gave you?"
Ross: "Gone... the kid was a SHARK! But a nurse there felt sorry for me, and
goave me this... but, I had to promise to return it before I left..." (puts
the box down)
Jon and Neal look at it in disbelief....
Neal: "UNO? You brought back UNO?"
Jon: "Well, it's not such a bad game... once you get into it... it can be
challenging!"
Neal: "Surrounded by idiots! That's my fate... surrounded by idiots....! I
wanted a game of poker with two buddies, and what do I get? A freaking game
of UNO with the two biggest ditzes.... I'm ashamed to have it in the roon,
man!"
Ross: "Well, it's UNO or nothing..."
Later on...
Neal: (to Jon) "Got any sixes?..."
Jon: "No..." (Neal picks up another card)
Jon: (to Ross) "Got any threes?"
Ross: "Yes..."
Jon: "Well, give them to me! (Ross gives him his threes, and Jon puts them
down neatly in a pack in front of himself) ... UNO!"
Neal: (throwing all his cards across the room) "I'm not losing this stinking
kid's game again! This sucks! You cheat, man...... that's the only way you
could win this many games ina row...."
Jon: (indignant) "I cheat? ......I CHEAT? Just because I have superior
organizational and mental skills, you call it cheating???"
The usual argument started here, and raged on for a good 15 minutes, until
Steve got there...
Steve P.: "What is going on??? I could hear you all the way down at the
Nurses' Station! ... Where's Ross?"
Ross: (muffled) "I'm in here..."
Steve P.: (looking around) "In WHERE?.."
Ross: "I'm locked in the bathroom...."
Steve P.: (goes over and opens the bathroom door) "It's not locked! Why are
you in there?"
Ross: "It was getting too wild here for a minute... Neal called Jon a
cheater, then threw all his cards all over the place, then Jon blamed me for
losing his five and not coming back with the cards... Steve, it wasn't my
fault that the lines changed color and I couldn't find the Lobby... And that
kid was a SHARK!"
Steve P.: "What? I don't understand a thing you just said... never mind...
Jon, take your hands from around Neal's neck right now... and Neal, stop
trying to bite his hand like that... (goes over and breaks it up) ... Stop
it!"
Smitty walks in, looks at what's going on. He waves and leaves without
saying a word....
Steve P.: "Jon, pick up all these UNO cards... UNO? What were... never
mind... pick them all up, and put them in the box. Ross, go get some paper
towels and wipe up the water around that broken vase of flowers in the
corner..."
Ross: "So, who dies, and made you...."
Steve P.: "GO!"
Meanwhile, out on the open road, speeding toward California with Pamela
Anderson's head resting on his shoulder is Herbie Herbert.... Rested and
ready, he's determined to stop this tour if it's the last thing he does.....
The weeks passed, and then turned into months. Neal had had physical therapy
and rest. Steve had written the checks, and made the arrangements in secret.
Only Irving REALLY knew what was happening. In Irving's office, on the last
meeting they would have before the tour was to start....
Steve P.: "I can't believe it... we're finally going to hit the road! And
none of the guys are any the wiser! The rehearsals have gone great -- we
sound better than ever...."
Irving: "And fifteen of the dates are already sold out... Who would have
believed it?"
Steve P.: "We have gotten away with it! The guys never caught on to what you
and I were doing.... They all took the money, and cashed their checks...."
Irving: "And, it was all your doing! Who knew this little scheme of yours
would really work????"
Steve P.: "Well, it helped having a sponsor! VH-1 Classic WAS the perfect
match!"
Irving: "Oh, I don't know... if the Harley thing had worked out, I think
Neal would have been happier... but, Sony is impressed... they'll be
watching this experiment of yours carefully..."
Out of the corner of his eye, something caught Steve's attention. There was
a man emptying the trash from the office across the hall, and it looked A
LOT like Herbie Herbert. Just as he was about to go check it out, the
elevators in the hall opened, and the guys came pouring into the office...
Neal: "Man, I can't wait to start the tour. I feel like a tiger!"
Jon: "It's been a while, but I can't wait, either!"
The trash man runs into the office, grabs a chair to barricade the door, and
then turns to face them...
Neal: "HERBIE!!!!"
Jon: "What the heck are you doing here? There are so many warrants out on
you, you'll never see the light of day if you're caught!..."
Herbie: "I'm here to tell you what I found out about this tour you're going
on.... I've been in these offices for weeks, and I got the complete
low-down! You're all being lied to! This tour isn't what you're being told
it is.... go ahead, ask Irving to explain what's REALLY happening....."
Neal, Jon, Ross, and Smitty turn to face Irving and Steve.....
Neal: "Okay, so what's up.... Is Herbie out of his scull again, or is he
right this time?"
Jon: "Tell us the truth...."
Ross: "Is that really Herbie over there?...Now I'm confused!..."
Irving: "I have nothing to say.... (looks at Steve) ....Steve, do you have
anything to say?"
Steve P.: "We are going on tour. We have a corporate sponsor. TRIAL BY FIRE
has been re-released, and is in the Top Ten on the Billboard Charts.... What
else is there to say?"
Jon: "You're right... all those things are true! Herbie's flipped again!"
Herbie: "Before you go writing me off as the looney here, I think there's a
tape you ought to hear.... This was recorded right before you came in...
(turns on a tape recorder, puts it on the desk between Steve and the guys,
and pushes PLAY) ----- (Steve) 'I can't believe it... we're finally going
to hit the road! And none of the guys are any the wiser! The rehearsals have
gone great -- we sound better than ever....'
(Irving) 'And fifteen of the dates are already sold out... Who would have
believed it?'
Steve P.: 'We have gotten away with it! The guys never caught on to what you
and I were doing.... They all took the money, and cashed their checks
without a single question!....' (Irving) 'And, it was all your doing! Who
knew this little scheme of yours would really work????' (Steve) 'Well, it
helped having a sponsor! VH-1 Classic WAS the perfect match!' (Irving) 'Oh,
I don't know... if the Harley thing had worked out, I think Neal would have
been happier... but, Sony is impressed... they'll be watching this
experiment of yours carefully...'........"
They guys all stood staring at Irving and Steve. Neal was the first one to
lunge at Steve, but Jon held him back....
Jon: "Steve, I think you'd better explain that tape... "
Neal: "Yeah, man! What 'scheme'?... what 'experiment'? You and Irving are
doing something to totally rip us off, aren't you?
Irving: "That's not true... (looks at Steve) ...You've got to let me tell
them everything!"
Neal: "What do you mean... 'YOU'VE GOT TO LET ME'...? --- Your're the boss,
right? I mean... this is your deal, right?"
Steve P.: "Irving, you can tell them... they'll never hear it if I tell
them. (looks at the guys) We almost made it. We almost got our comeback.
When you hear what's been done behind your backs, you'll probably freak, and
pull the plug... but, just know that I did it with the best intentions. My
conscience is clear. Listen to Irving.... I'm getting out of here..." (Steve
unbarricades the door and leaves. They all listen to the doors to the
elevator close behind him, then turn to look at Irving...)
Neal: "Well????? WHAT'S been done behind our backs???"
Herbie: "Go ahead, tell them! THIS should be GOOD!" (Sits down and gets
comfortable, getting ready to watch Journey crumble again...)
Irving told them EVERYTHING. He told them how the project had fallen
through. He told them about the deal Steve turned down. The tour, the record
re-release, even their paychecks had all been covered by Steve, not Miramax.
HE told them WHY Steve did what he'd done, as he understood it. When he was
through, the silence in the room was deafening. Then Herbie piped up...
Herbie: "So says Irving... Aren't you all just a bit tired of being jerked
around by this little twerp, and his co-conspirator here... Mr. Azoff...?...
The man who is supposed to be YOUR manager, too, but now seems to work for
PERRY? Let's face it, Perry did it to CONTROL THE BAND AGAIN.... Don't you
see?"
Jon: "What I see is a guy who thought of us, Herbie. He could've enjoyed the
Miramax fast-track, but he stuck with us...."
Ross: "Did Irving say that the money we all got to bring us into this
project was from Steve, and was not part of that movie deal?"
Irving: "And he financed the re-release of TRIAL BY FIRE, too...."
Smitty: "We should have known.... this was too good to be a deal from a
CORPORATION! ...... I think we owe him an apology."
Herbie: "An APOLOGY??? The guy LIED to you. He went behind your back and
made plans you knew NOTHING about. He PAID you out of his own pocket, so
that when you found out, you'd HAVE to be grateful, and do EVERYTHING he
wanted. He was CONTROLLING you!..."
Jon: "That money he paid us fed our kids, paid the mortgage, and kept our
ex-wives off our backs..."
Herbie: "EXACTLY! The guy is EVIL!"
Ross: "So... we're NOT making a movie... ever? Not even if the tour is
GREAT? What a RELIEF! That image consultant wanted me to have my front teeth
re-capped! Now I won't have to ...."
Neal: (looking angry...) "Shut up, Ross!
Herbie: "Ahhhhhh..... now we're gonna hear some REAL truth. Neal sees what I
mean, dontcha, buddy? He's EVIL and he has to be stopped! If you all walk
out on the tour now, he'll be in breach of contract to so many people, every
dollar he ever made will be gone! And YOU are the guys that can do it!
...... Tell them, Neal!"
Neal: "We're touring, Herbie!... I gotta tell you, I have liked and
respected you for a long time, man. And I have trusted you and your
decisions many, many times. I'm seeing now that maybe I shouldn't have.
Maybe things would be going down really different now if we hadn't listened
to all that stuff you told us to poison the waters between us and Steve...
who knows? I say, we owe it to the guy to take what he's done here at face
value, and assume what he was doing was a really GOOD thing for the band,
and move forward with him.... "
Herbie: "I never thought I'd live to see the day! Why don't you change your
name from N-E-A-L to K-N-E-E-L, and just get it over with?..."
Neal: "Shut up, Herbie! And get lost! For good, man.... "
Jon: "I have to tell you, I second THAT whole-heartedly!"
Smitty: "Me, too..."
Ross: "AND I don't have to go to the dentist! Is this GREAT or WHAT?"
Irving: "I think you'd better leave Herbie. Journey doesn't want you here
anymore. (opens the door to the hallway) You have ten minutes to get
permanently lost before I call the police and turn you in...."
Herbie goes, without another word or another look in their direction...
Neal: (to Irving) "You were going to give us the list of firm dates for the
tour... DO you still have them?"
Irving hands out the list to the guys...
Irving: "Looks like a great tour..."
Neal: "Yeah... it does... (takes out his cellphone and dials) Hey, man,
where are you? We got a score to settle.............. Stay right there!
We'll be right over............. I don't care if you don't want an
altercation. Personally, I think you deserve everything you get right
now....... (winks at the guys)...... We're on our way!"
Jon: "Where is he?"
Neal: "He's at his house, man... Let's go!"
They all move to go out the door, and Irving steps in the way....
Irving: "I'm going, too... and you've got to let me call him, and put his
mind at ease. It isn't fair to let him think you're on your way over
to......."
Neal: "He deserves this, man .... He could have told us about the busted
deal!.."
Irving: "He was trying to keep you from having to feel the kind of guilt he
felt after causing the original TRIAL BY FIRE tour to be cancelled...."
Neal: "I know.... I'm gonna kill him!" (They all laugh)
They all went down, and piled into Jon's minivan.... Irving follows in his
own car....
Neal: (to Jon) "Pedal to the metal, grandma....."
Jon: "Are you talking to me?...."
Ross: "Did I miss something? What happened to Jon's Grandma?"
Everyone: (in unison) "Shut up, Ross!"
Jon relents, and drives as fast as his gas pedal will take them. They make
it to Steve's house in record time to find Steve waiting on the front porch
for them....
Neal: "Great driving... knew you could do it if you wanted, man!... Look at
him... do you think he has a weapon?" (they all laugh)
Jon: "He probably locked the door behind him so no more of his stuff gets
totalled... remember the LAST time we were here!... He probably figures if
he's gonna have to whip Neal's butt, he'd rather do it outside!"
Neal: "MY butt? .... You'd better ALL look fierce when we get out... I want
him to have the bad moment of his life right now.... you know, to thank him
properly... in our inimitable way for doing all he did for us....(they all
laugh again)... okay, let's go... remember LOOK FIERCE... like you're gonna
bust his a**!"
They all get out of the car, and immediately burst into laughter.... Steve
didn't know what to think.... Later on that afternoon, when the talking was
over, and the tour was discussed, Irving decided to leave them, and let them
"bond" a bit. As he closed Steve's front door behind him, he could hear them
all laughing and talking. How long would it last? Would they make it through
this tour, or would Journey break up again? Would they really embrace Steve
as part of the band now? Only time would tell...
Continue On
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