A.J.: It’s about time! You told us to meet here half an hour ago.
Nick: I thought we were going to play some basketball. Where have you been?
Brian: I’m sorry I’m late but I couldn’t help it. Management wanted to see me. It seems that they’ve gotten a lot of complaints from critics that we’re not writing our own songs. They want to change that.
Kevin: What are you talking about Cuz?
Howie: Yeah Brian. What’s up?
Brian: They’re giving us some time off before our upcoming tour. At the end of it each of us is supposed to have a song written.
Kevin: I guess that’s possible. How long do we have?
Brian: 3 days.
Nick: 3 days! I can’t write a song that fast!
Brian: I’m sorry guys. I tried to get you some more time.
A.J. looks at him suspiciously.
A.J.: What do you mean us? And why were you the one told about all this?
Brian: Well I guess they heard a rumor that I recently wrote a song.
Nick: And did you?
Brian: Yeah. Do you remember that girl I was dating not too long ago? It’s about her. I wrote it after we broke up. Anyway, when they asked me about it and I told them it was true, they told me to tell you guys that they expected you to do the same thing.
A.J.: In 3 days.
Brian: They said that was all the time off they could give us. We’re expected back in the studio first thing Monday morning.
Kevin: Well I guess we’d better get to work.
Nick: What about our basketball game?
Brian: You guys can start writing after that.
Kevin: I don’t know if we should. We’ve only got 3 days as it is.
Brian: Come on, one game. Me and Nick against you three.
A.J.: You’re on. Let’s go.
The 5 guys all leave for the basketball court.
**********
An hour and a half later, A.J is back in his hotel room after a long and tiring basketball game. He is just stepping out of the shower when there’s a knock at his door.
A.J.: Hold on a second! I’ll be right there!
He quickly throws on some clothes and opens his door to find Howie standing there.
A.J.: Howie, what are you doing here?
Howie: I need to talk to you.
He walks in as A.J. closes the door behind him.
A.J.: Sure. What’s up D.?
Howie: Do you remember what Brian told us this morning?
A.J.: About each of us having 3 days to write a song? How could I forget?
Howie: Yeah well I didn’t say anything to the guys earlier, but...
He pauses, not quite sure how to proceed.
A.J.: Howie, come on, it’s me. You can tell me anything. This is obviously bothering you. You’ve been so quiet today, ever since Brian mentioned it. What’s going on?
Howie: I already wrote a song.
A.J.: That’s great! Then you can relax for 3 days.
Howie: No, you don’t understand.
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out some papers.
A.J.: Is that it?
Howie: Yeah.
He hands it to A.J. who starts reading.
Girl I miss you
And it’s only been one day
Since I’ve been away
And already I say I long to kiss you
And hold you in my arms
The nights are much too long when you’re gone
A.J. looks up at Howie in surprise.
A.J.: This is good Howie, really good.
Howie: It’s written about someone. I met her the last time we were on tour in Canada.
A.J.: So you have a girlfriend. I still don’t get it. What’s the problem?
Howie: She knows I wrote this song for her and she’ll be upset if we record it.
A.J.: Why?
Howie: Once our fans know I wrote this, they’ll want to know who it was written for and eventually they’ll find out about her. You know how our fans react to the idea of us having girlfriends. She doesn’t want to be put in the middle of that. That’s why we were keeping our relationship a secret in the first place.
A.J.: Have you asked her about it?
Howie looks away.
Howie: Well... no.
A.J.: Then don’t assume anything until you do.
Howie: I guess you’re right.
A.J.: I am. So let’s go.
Howie looks back at A.J.
Howie: Go? What are you talking about? Where are we going?
A.J.: We’re flying to Canada this afternoon.
Howie: We are?
A.J.: Don’t tell me that you’re going to pass up this chance to be with her for a few days.
Howie: Of course not.
A.J.: And I don’t know about the rest of the guys, but I can’t just sit in a hotel room and write a song. I need to be inspired. So I’m going with you.
Howie is still in shock and hasn’t moved.
A.J.: Howie snap out of it! Hurry up and go pack.
Howie: Oh right. Okay I’ll meet you back here in 20 minutes.
Howie rushes out of the room as A.J. reaches for his suitcase.
**********
Nick and Brian are in Nick’s room playing Nintendo when Kevin walks in.
Kevin: Hey Nick, shouldn’t you be working on a song instead of playing video games?
Nick: I tried, it wasn’t working. I’m taking a break. What about you? Why aren’t you in your own room right now writing?
Kevin: For your information I’ve already started mine. I came to talk to my cousin before he leaves. Brian, what time is your flight to Kentucky?
Brian: In about an hour. Are you sure you don’t want to come with me?
Kevin: No. I won’t get any work done there. Give my love to everyone okay?
Brian: Sure. Well I’d better be going. I don’t want to be late and I still need to pack. I’ll see you guys in 3 days.
He hugs both Nick and Kevin before heading out the door. While Nick is still caught up in his Nintendo game, Kevin looks around his room and finds Nick’s attempt at a song. When Nick notices this, he jumps up and takes it away from Kevin, but not before Kevin has a chance to read a little of it.
Kevin: It’s not that bad Nick.
Nick: Yes it is. I know exactly what I want to say, but the words are coming out all wrong.
Kevin: Is it about the girl that you were dating that broke up with you before we came over here?
Nick: Yeah.
Kevin: What happened with you two anyway?
Nick: Every time we tried to make it work, I’d have to go away somewhere else. Then she’d hear rumors about me dating some girl in another country and she’d get upset. Finally she decided that she couldn’t handle that anymore. It didn’t help that I wasn’t allowed to tell anyone that I was dating her.
Kevin: You know what? I have an idea. We should go over there and see her. You two can talk and maybe work things out.
Nick: But we’re supposed to be working. They’re not going to let us just leave.
Kevin: Why not? Howie and A.J. did. That’s what I came to tell you guys. No one has any idea where they went though.
Nick: In that case, I’ll go. But you don’t have to come with me if you don’t want to.
Kevin: That’s okay. There’s something there that I need to take care of anyway.
Nick: Okay then. Just let me get my suitcase ready.
Kevin leaves the room and leans back against the closed door.
Kevin: Something very important to me. And it can’t wait any longer.