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 THE CURSE

   By KATZMAREK(C)

   Chapter Fourteen

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   Blue Rembrandt had reinvented themselves since The Curse's abortive
first foray into the States.  From a fringe artrock act they'd whittled
down to four and now played a style that seemed to Mick a cross between
Franz Ferdinand, the Kaiser Chiefs and Linkin Park.

   The leader was a sometime keyboard player and they had a Linn Synth-drum
that he hadn't seen since the eighties.  There was some rap, some harmonies
and a lot of strutting and posturing.

   The strength of Blue Rembrandt was their singer - a guy blessed with
boyish good looks and a good stage presence.  He went by the name of
'Flash,' although his real name was Dwight Cooney, a good Hollywood
moniker, Mick thought.  Dwight was 24, although he looked about 18, and had
solid entertainment lineage with both parents in the business.

   Blue Rembrandt were polished and professional and had a charting single
and a video.  Their star was rising and they ought to draw good crowds.

   "Nothing special," declared Anna as they watched a CD of a live concert
together.

   "Hmm," Mick thought, scratching his jaw, "you don't want to play that
game, Anna," he said.  "Remember, we're practically unknown so we need to
establish our own territory.  You remember that concert in London?  You
picked out some guy in the front row and sang to him?  You practically made
him come in his pants - that's what I want to see."

   "You want the audience to masturbate?" laughed Michelle.

   "They can do what they like," smiled Sabra, "but, Mick's right.  Anna,
you've got to make love to the front row.  Do the whole relationship thing
with the crowd that I watched you do in Japan.  Once you establish that
connection, you'll have them eating out of your hand."

   "Yeah, lots of eye contact.  You girls going to do the Madonna/Britney
thing after 'You Burn Me'?" Mick asked.

   "The big pash?" Sabra looked up.  "Kind of old hat, Mick?"

   "Only if it's theatre, Sabra.  Folks will see through 'fake' but
Michelle and Anna really make it work."

   "Maybe we ought to throw off our clothes and get it on?" Michelle said,
sarcastically.

   "It's been done," laughed Sabra.  "It'll get you in the papers but I
think you'll attract the wrong sort of crowd.  But, a little affection on
stage is a good tool to use.  If you can pull it off and it looks genuine,
sure, why not?"

   "Oh, fuck off, you guys," Michelle said, angrily.  "It's cheap!"

   "No, it isn't," Anna said.  "We are good friends.  It's a natural thing
to show love for a friend."

   "As a spectacle, though?  A 'tool' to get some voyeur to come?"

   "Not at all," Sabra said.  "This is about establishing who you are to an
audience that, quite frankly, are not there to see you.  The dynamics
within the band are important.  Half the battle is to show the audience how
much you care about each other and that you enjoy being together.  A lot of
bands just walk through the moves and you know they're only there because
they're being paid.  The intimacy within The Curse is going to make you in
the States as much as your songs.  Don't be afraid to show it to the
audience."

   "So what do you expect me to do?"

   "Whatever you feel like doing with your clothes on," Sabra told her. 
"If you don't feel in the mood, fine, don't force it."

   "The audience will feed you the energy, Michelle.  Once you have them on
side, just go with your extincts," Mick suggested.

   "Exactly," agreed Sabra.

   "I've seen you in the zone when everything's cooking well," Mick told
her.  "We're all emotional junkies - the audience are too.  We wouldn't be
doing this if that wasn't the pay off.  We want the crowd to adore The
Curse as we adore being up there playing for them.  We zone in to one
another and let's move the crowd a little sideways?"

   "Sideways," agreed Anna, "but, not out the door!"

   "No," Sabra laughed.  "I like what I feel among you, guys.  A little
tension, sure, but respect and love.  You guys are just going to knock them
dead and I'm not saying that lightly."

   Later that morning Sabra drove them out to the venue to have a look
around.  It was a large theatre in Downtown LA called The Dome and Anna
took pictures of the sign out front.  Mick saw The Curse's name was only
just a little smaller than Blue Rembrandt's.  STA Management were already
exerting some muscle.

   The afternoon saw them with a slot on the AltRock Channel, an instore,
and several radio interviews.  Anna and Michelle worked the media, being
accepted by Sabra as the 'acceptable face' of The Curse - Mick was too old
and Karen too uncomfortable.

   Junior was to control the sound board - a massive Selecon set up - and
lighting was taken care of by a hired crew.  Mick took them through the
plot while Karen helped Junior and the other girls did the media.

   Blue Rembrandt's crew were friendly and co-operative and Mick had few
problems working with them.  If there was any tension between the bands it
evidently didn't come from the Blue Rembrandt boys.

   Mick took up the slack vacated by Freddie.  They had no stage manager,
now, but Mick knew how to set up after his years of experience with
touring.

   They were given only 20 minutes for a sound check, but, as the opening
act, Mick had to accept such shenanigans.  Mick understood the politics and
came prepared.  Junior had all the levels set in double quick time - the
advantage of bringing one's own specialist.

   Then it was off to a nearby restaurant for dinner - paid for by Sony as
a welcoming gesture.  Sony's American A and R was young, ambitious and
anxious to make a name for himself in the business.  Within seconds Anna
had him eating of her hand and Mick mused, they could expect few problems
with their American label.

   It wasn't 'de rigeur' to arrive too early for the gig.  Neither did it
make a lot of sense waiting while the audience filed in.  It was tough on
the stress levels and much better to show a half hour before.

   The Curse dressed and made up backstage then went through their pre-gig
huddle.  Sabra had a personal hug and kiss for each of them and urged them
to 'just have some fun'.  Then Mick lead Michelle onstage to plug up, while
Karen slipped onto the stool at the back.

   The applause was polite and restrained.  An announcer welcomed them as,
'comin' all the way from Noo Zeeland.' Mick launched straight in, not
leaving the audience time to form any opinions about their 'look.'

   They did the 'overture' straight out of the Japan concerts - a cut from
Led Zeppelin's 'Dazed and Confused.' Karen treated it as a warm up, lustily
thrashing around the kit with tons of cymbal crashes.  Karen then set up a
simple 4 beat for their first number, 'Darkside.'

   Anna's entry onstage was spectacular and Mick could feel the audience
buzzing.  Above the droning, distorted guitar she strode to the front and
belted out the opening verse.  Immediately, she eyeballed some young guy in
the front row and frightened the shit out of him.  In no time at all, the
crowd warmed.

   'Darkside' was followed by three breakneck numbers played as rapidly as
Karen could manage.  They were blitzing the audience with their no holds
barred fury as they rattled through number after number.  Is was almost
with relief that Mick did the little intro part for 'You Burn Me' as he
wasn't sure how long he could sustain the pace.

   Mick looked over to Michelle.  She momentarily caught his gaze and
flashed him a grin.  Her hair had been flying all over the place and locks
clung to her face.  Her skin glowed with perspiration and she was loving
every second.

   She stepped forward for the chorus and Anna put an arm over her
shoulder.

   "This is my best friend!" Anna announced, before resuming singing.  Anna
stooped a little and hugged Michelle a little tighter.  The fretboard of
Michelle's Rickenbacker jutted out in front.  Michelle half turned and
leaned up against the singer, whose arm twined around her neck.  Few in the
audience would have any doubt what the words were about.

   Audiences love drama and soap operas.  Anna and Michelle cuddling on
stage was pure Sapphic love and the crowd began clapping and hooting. 
Whether it was a common fantasy for guys to watch two lesbians making out
and girls to relate to the close emotional bond, Mick had little doubt they
were onto a winner.  At the conclusion, Anna fed her tongue clearly into
Michelle's mouth and the crowd went wild.

   Even Mick was taken aback by the sheer eroticism of that kiss.  Okay, it
was old hat - Russian band Tatou had done it, and there was, of course,
Britney Spears and Madonna.  But, the crowd could see there was no bullshit
about it and the feeling between the two was real.

   Mick took the band into the single they all hated and the crowd raged
along with them.  Few of them would've heard the song before but they all
jumped around as if it was an old favourite.  The gig was working, thought
Mick, and he wondered what Blue Rembrandt were going to think.  The Curse
had seized their audience right in front of their noses and he doubted
they'd be too happy about that.

   The applause rolled behind them as they made their way offstage. 
Normally, there'd be a twenty minute interval before the headline for no
greater purpose than to allow the crowd to forget about the last act. 
Twenty minutes later, however, the audience were still baying for an encore
and Blue Rembrandt weren't going to go on into that.

   Not that Mick cared a feather - this was simply the business and
everyone took their chances and gave it their best shot.  Eventually, after
40 minutes, Blue Rembrandt had to go on and try to swing the audience back.
Mick listened for a while from the wings and thought the crowd was a lot
flatter.  He'd no doubt they were going to hear more about that.

   Sabra was absolutely ecstatic and hugged and kissed everyone again. 
Then it was quickly off into the van and back to the Valley.  Time to
change and wind down before the usual review.

   "Oh, God, oh, fuck!" laughed Sabra, "Fricker's going to be pissed."

   "Fricker?" asked Mick.

   "Sam Fricker of Talent Management Incorporated.  He handles Blue
Rembrandt.  He's going to be so pissed off, Mick.  You won hands down
tonight and made the Blueboys seem like schoolboys."

   "Tough," he shrugged, "but, nine more gigs with them?  It's going to get
a little strained."

   "Aw, they're not stupid.  They'll pull something out of the hat.  We're
all professionals, or should be.  If they want to throw a fit, that's their
problem.  I just love being in this position," she grinned.

   "Great show, Anna," Mick told her.  "You came out locked and loaded."

   "Mick, I didn't know you could do that punk style so well.  How are you
going to get through the tour playing that fast?  You mind your hands, pal,
and don't tear up your fingers."

   "Tape," Mick said, "and plenty of rest."

   "The old body not as frisky as it was?" she chuckled.

   "Not ready for the Zimmer frame yet."

   "So I've heard.  Michelle, how do you control this old sod?  I never
could."

   "He's really sweet," Michelle replied, "and reliable!" she added,
pointedly.

   "Reliable?  Good Grief!  Karen, daughter, you take care of your hands,
too.  Make sure you limber up and tape your wrists."

   "I will, mother."

   "Mother?  I just can't get used to it.  Just call me Sabra for now,
huh?"

   "Sure, ah, Sabra."

   "Now, chill out everybody and rest as soon as you're ready.  See you all
for breakfast, what, about 10, 11?"

   "Sounds fine," said Mick, grinning.

   The Curse weren't exactly the talk of the town the next morning, but it
was clear, the buzz had started.  The LA Times wanted to do a story and
sent a reporter around.  TV wanted a 2 minute video of the gig and an
interview with Anna.  Sales of the CD were steadily growing and it was
expected to chart within the next day or so.

   The next evening, Junior had to do a sound check within 10 minutes and
Blue Rembrandt's crew were a little less cooperative.  Their management
asked The Curse to shorten their set - already, the politics was starting
to undercut them.  Sabra insisted they had a contract and they'll play
right up to the last minute.  Any fucking about with their set and she'll
have STA's lawyers crawling all over them.  Blue Rembrandt had to eat crow
and accept that The Curse was going to blow them off the stage for night
after night for the next nine gigs.

   Portland, Seattle, Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit, New York - it was
going to be a long drawn out agony for the Blue Rembrandt.  Portland was
the home of Sleater-Kinney - Seattle - Hole, The Gits, and Nirvana. 
Minneapolis was where Babes in Toyland were born and Chicago was hometown
to both Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam and Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins. 
Each of these cities had their rock music gentry and heritage and it was up
to The Curse to show what these 'foreigners' could do.

   In advance, Sony's publicity department swamped the local media with
news stories about The Curse's progess across the States.  A daring shot of
Anna strutting her stuff, with the camera angle accentuating her long legs
and flowing, blond hair, was blown up and pasted on billboards everywhere.

   By Chicago, few in America could not have at least heard of the band and
the crowds turned out in their thousands to see this latest phenomenon.

   Finally, they ditched Blue Rembrandt in Philadelphia and made their way
south to Atlanta.  A brief detour through Texas was planned before the
schedualed final concert in Miami.  At Atlanta, however, they heard that LA
wanted them back and another concert was schedualed for San Francisco.  A
last blast at The Dome will see their working visas out, but they will be
headlining.  No more second fiddle and wrangling with another band's
management.  This was to be The Curse's gig in an American city that had
embraced them.

   From the polite indifference that greeted their first arrival, the LA
media besieged them the moment they returned.  Both Sony and STA
anticipated the response and their hirelings were on hand to guide the band
through the pack.  The Curse merchandise was roaring out the door and
Anna's fashion sense was catching on.  Sony were aware their contract was
up for renewal following the much anticipated third CD and undertook to
look after the group as best they could.

   Their frenetic shows were taking their toll, however, and all of them
suffered from minor tears and strains.  Behind the stage lights few in the
audience knew what a physical ordeal a concert the likes of The Curse's was
for the musicians.

   STA organised physios for the band and Mick was sent straight off to the
doctor to treat the open wounds to his right hand.  Michelle's hand was
swollen and calloused and her wrist suffered from persistant pain.  Only
Karen and Anna were in peak physical shape although the lead singer risked
ankle problems with her high boots and stage contortions.  Choreography
seemed to offer a solution, although at the risk of spontaneity.  But if
she was to trip or fall, tear a ligament or sprain an ankle, the tour was
over.  There was simply too much money at stake, now, to take pointless
risks.

   San Francisco, with its sizable gay culture, was a risk for the band. 
Any hint at faking or exploiting gay culture for commercial success and
they'd be in trouble.  But the gay community appreciated glamour, and there
were few who could do glamour the way Anna could on a good day.  Anna
sashayed and shook, twisted and rolled, and eyeballed a sucker in the front
row.  The same routine worked as everywhere else and the crowd screamed
when Anna kissed her friend, Michelle, full on the lips, and seemingly
happy to go on forever.

   Michelle was getting a little sick of the kiss.  What seemed nice at the
beginning of the tour was becoming old hat and requiring effort at the end.
In any case, something new had to be dreamed up for LA the second, as the
audience had all seen it before.

   Some gag for the last gig was traditional, in any case.  This was a good
time to try something different or blind side a bandmate.  The Curse
rearranged the set a little and threw in a couple of older numbers.  'You
Burn Me' was anticipated, not so much for the song, but what was to follow
after.

   Michelle leaned with her back against Anna as they sang the last verse.
With the final note, Michelle turned her head and Anna pushed her hands
under her top and obviously right over her breasts.  The crowd gave a
collective gasp of shock before breaking out into a tumultuous applause. 
The kiss was long, sexy, and accompanied by the drumming of feet from the
audience.  At last, Anna released her and Michelle staggered a little
before resuming her usual position.  That little stumble was caught by the
crowd and most, it seemed, sympathised with the way Michelle was feeling.

   "Fucking Hell!" Sabra said afterwards, "that was enough to turn me! 
It's a good while since someone felt me up that way!"

   "C'mon, Sabra," Mick laughed, "can't imagine you doing without for long.
What does your husband do?"

   "Pleases himself," Sabra said, coldly.  "We haven't lived together for
over a year."

   "Eh?  You never said!"

   "Why should I?  He keeps shop out there in Anaheim while I do the leg
work.  He screws his young starlets and leaves me the Hell alone.  A
perfect marriage!"

   "Oh, yeah, you convince me!"

   "I don't give a fuck how well I convince you, Mick.  I'm actually
relieved I don't have to go through the pretence.  Like you, he needs the
young things around to prove he's not getting old."

   "Fuck you, Sabra!  You fucking don't know half of it.  If you need to
know, I've always wanted to settle down in a good, committed relationship
with..."

   "Oh, God, spare me, Mick?  You'll take whatever's going and live it up
because you can.  You play because you love the attention, just like the
rest.  You've got good genes and a rare natural talent.  Women flock to you
and why shouldn't you enjoy yourself?  Hell, if I was in your position I
wouldn't hesitate to get as much action as I could manage."

   "Not that there's been much of that, lately," he shrugged.

   "Only because you've been working, sugar.  When the pressure's off
you'll get bored and go cruising.  I know you."

   "I thought Michelle and me..."

   "Listen!  One thing about you I've always admired - you were never an
arsehole to anyone.  Women take their chance with you, sure.  But, at
heart, you're a good person and I'm sure, after The Curse has run its
course, you and Michelle might make a go of it.  But while the candy is
being thrown at you, I can't see you throwing it back."

   "There's Emily..."

   "Emily?  Tell, me, how much a part of that have you had?  It seems to me
it's Anna and Michelle's baby with you being allowed to tickle her chin now
and again?"

   "I, I guess I can't argue with that."

   "I'm sorry, Mick, but you'll always be her father.  You look at Karen?
She's never been a part of your life until a couple of years ago and look
at the two of you now?  A real father and daughter scene."

   "What about you and her?"

   "Mick, I regret every day I didn't see that girl growing up.  She's just
unbelievable!  A real credit to our genetic potential, eh, Mick?"

   "Yeah, sure, Sabby."

   "Sabby?  That takes me back, Mick!"

   "Yeah?"

   "Don't get any ideas," she smiled, "I know you only too well!"

   "I guess some things are best left to memories!"

   "Oh, yeah, with our rose coloured spectacles in place!"

   Sabra was staying the night and she'd a room in an annex at the back of
the rambling property.  Mick retired around three.  The place was quiet as
everyone, except Mick and Sabra, disappeared with their partners.

   Mick was dozing.  He'd tried reading for a while but his eyes lost their
focus.  After the excitement of the gig it was difficult to calm down.  In
years gone past he would've smoked a joint but he'd got out of the habit.

   He woke suddenly to the door inching open.  He looked at the clock and
found it was 6am.  That time was beyond unsocial.  He didn't realise such a
hour existed unless he was still partying.

   "Mick?" He heard a woman's voice.

   "Ah, yeah?"

   "It's Sabra.  Can't sleep, I..."

   "C'mon in," he said, "I was just reading."

   "With the light off?" she chuckled.

   "Uh, yeah, well, I was!"

   Sabra came and sat on the bed.  His eyes adjusted to the dim light and
found she was dressed in a black nightie - the lacey top revealing a great
deal of her ample cleavage.

   "I, I have a confession," she said.  Her voice sounded soft and lacking
in confidence.  Mick hadn't heard that tone in her for a long, long time.
"I never really got over you, y'know?  Twenty years - uh, you bring back
some sweet memories."

   "Sabra?  I, never forgot you, either!"

   "Yeah?  That was the problem, Mick.  Broke my heart to have to do what I
did.  I think I got pregnant deliberately, y'know?  Perhaps I thought I
might hold on a little longer?  Oh, God, I feel so foolish."

   "Why?"

   "Because I never finished it properly.  I'm still in love with you.  I
thought I'd forget, but, fuck it, you stroll back into my life and it's
just the same - just the same old feelings driving me crazy."

   "We were a good team, Sabby..."

   "Don't call me that!" she snapped.  "My heart jumps right out of my
chest when you say that.  You're a slut, Mick, until this whole Curse thing
blows over."

   "Actually," Mick replied, "I think I'm behaving myself real well."

   "For now," she commented.  "But, what happens when some little fox
shakes her boobies at you?"

   "Huh, I don't know.  You going to get in?" He nodded to the left side of
the double bed.



   "Old time's sake, Mick?" she smiled.  "No promises?  No commitment?"

   "Whatever you like," he grinned back.

   "Whatever I like?" she acknowledged, before squeezing in next to him. 
Mick draped his arm over her shoulders and she rested her head against his.
"This is our secret, Mick?  I don't want this upsetting the band."

   "Sure!"

   "Especially Michelle.  She thinks the world of you and I don't want her
knowing what a whore you are."

   "Our daughter?"

   "Especially Karen!  You hurt her and I won't forgive you."

   "Isn't it natural to want your divorced parents to get back together?"

   "We're not getting back together, Mick.  No way do I want that grief. 
We're going to have a nice little cuddle, that's all!"

   "Sure, Sabra, sure!"

   Karen had been returning after raiding the fridge when she heard voices
coming from Mick's room.  She paused, and knew immediately who was in with
her father.  Racing off, she couldn't wait to tell Junior of the news.

   Two second's later Mick and Sabra were grappling in an embrace that felt
oh so familiar.  It happened so quickly they each took each other by
surprise.  Mick remembered turning and smiling into her face and little
else following that.  He figured they tripped a few memories and just ran
with the script.

   He remembered her blowing him and straddling his face so he could return
the favour.  He remembered Sabra rising above him as she impaled herself
and sank back with a sigh.  Most of all, he remembered tossing her on her
back as if she was a bag of spuds.  She was smiling with surprise and
anticipation and he held off till she begged him to fuck her hard.

   She was soft and supple and engaged him with enthusiasm.  Her long nails
dug into his arse and she heaved off the bed at him, amid growls and gasps.
She was mindless of the noise and Mick couldn't have cared less.  He told
himself everyone would be sleeping and, if he thought the band would be
listening in, it was a fleeting thought.

   "OH GOD!" she howled towards the last, "UH, MICK!"

   Next door, Karen had her arm around Junior and they both grinned at each
other, sniggering.  They'd both finished their lovemaking for the night and
Junior was sharing a Marlboro with his wife.

   "I hope I don't sound like that," she whispered.

   "Shit, I hope they finish soon," chuckled Junior, "or we're not going to
get any sleep."

   Further down the hall Michelle woke with a start.  Beside her, Anna
opened her eyes and listened carefully for a while.

   "Must be Junior and Karen," Anna told her friend.

   "I guess!" said Michelle, before settling back down.  She listened
carefully until the noises died down.  She wasn't sure she was hearing
Karen's voice and was puzzled.  Then Emily woke and it was time for her
feed.

   -------------------------------------------------
   KATZMAREK(c)