Title: Footloose
Author Name: Kimberly
Author Email: Predec2...
Author Website/List (if applicable): N/A
Rating: PG-13 for language
Warnings: None
Spoilers: Minor ones for Season 1-3
Notes: Justin finds himself in a new role, but Brian doesn't do jealous. Or does he?
Disclaimer: None of these characters belong to me – no infringement is
intended.
Author's note: I want to thank everyone who left encouragement for me after I wrote my first fic, Daddy's Christmas Present. Your comments are greatly appreciated, and inspired me to try another one! This one has turned out to be quite a bit longer than I originally anticipated, so I will be posting it in parts.
This story is based VERY loosely on the movie, Footloose, which I believe was produced in 1984. But it does not really follow much of the actual storyline. Feedback would be great!
Brian glanced up from his place at the booth in the Liberty diner as his "waiter" walked over with his takeout order for lunch. As Justin placed the turkey sandwich down in front of him, Brian asked in a nonchalant tone, "So, are you up for Babylon after your shift tonight?"
"Sounds good, but I can't tonight. Lindsey called me a little while ago and asked me to meet her at 8:00 at the GLC. Said she had a favor to ask of me."
"Oh, you'd better run from THAT….anything having to do with those fucked-up people from the GLC can't be good. Why in the hell would Lindsey want you to meet her there?"
"I don't know," Justin replied with a slight frown. "But she said I would be perfect for what she needed."
"Uh, oh….You don't think she and Mel are looking for a new sperm donor, do you? Maybe they're going for the Nordic look this time around, " Brian smirked.
"Ha, Ha. I wouldn't need to meet her at the GLC for THAT…..Only one way to find out," Justin replied as Brian grabbed his sandwich and ambled out of the diner with a "later" as his parting goodbye.
Gay and Lesbian Center - Pittsburgh
"Hey, Sweetie! Thanks for meeting me here. I really appreciate it." Lindsay turned from the small group of people she had been speaking to upon noticing Justin's approach.
"No problem. Although, I admit I AM curious as to why you wanted to meet here. This place is usually closed by now, isn't it?" Justin noticed Lindsay's nervous energy and excitement.
"Yeah, they usually close on weekdays around 6:00. But the planning committee thought it would be best to meet after hours." Justin glanced at the three men and two women grouped around Lindsey as he asked, "Planning committee?"
"Oh, let me introduce you to the rest of the group and then I can explain. This is Mark Perrino, head of the GLC theater guild, Maria Thomas, Gail DelMonico, Dave Longworth, and Bruce Murphy." After pleasantries were exchanged, Lindsey explained, "We're all on the planning committee for the new musical the GLC is overseeing for our winter fundraiser to benefit the Vic Grassi House. That's where you come in…."
Justin looked at her expectantly as she continued. "We're putting on a gay version of the musical Footloose. Have you heard of it? It was actually a movie before it was turned into a musical on Broadway."
"Yeah, actually I've seen the movie with Kevin Bacon. It was one of my mom's favorites at the time. I always liked the music from it. And Kevin Bacon wasn't too bad to look at, either," he said as he smiled.
Lindsey returned his smile. "Well, the PIFA has volunteered to help us with the production. In fact, several of the students in the performing arts division will have parts in the musical. And we have already lined up technicians and grips for handling the props, staging, and lighting. But we're still in dire need of someone to oversee set construction and design." With a hopeful look, Lindsey continued. "I think you'd be perfect for that. Could you help us out? The dean from PIFA said any students helping would earn extra credit toward their degree. Not to mention, it would look great on your student portfolio. We can work around your school and work schedule. What do you say, sweetie? Can we count on you?" All eyes turned to him for his response.
Justin hesitated. He knew overseeing the set design and construction would cut into the time he could spend with Brian. But, he reasoned, it would just be temporary and Lindsey had become a good friend to him in the relatively short time they had known each other. Besides, Justin was never one to turn down an opportunity to showcase his art skills.
"Sounds great," he replied. "When you want to start?"
"How about tomorrow night? Say, about 6? I'll have the rest of the art students here, too, and Mark can go over the script with you to give you an idea what he needs in the way of set design for each scene."
At that remark, Mark spoke up. "Why don't we all meet backstage in the theater area, since that's where the sets will actually be constructed?"
"That would be a good idea. It will give me a better idea of what you'll need." Justin tried to sound more confident than he actually felt. He knew he could handle overseeing the set construction, but he was a little nervous about supervising other students. "I'll see you tomorrow, then, at 6."
One Week Later – GLC Theater Stage
Daphne tried unsuccessfully for the third time to pull her thick, curly brown hair back into place behind the headband she was wearing. After all, latex paint wasn't the easiest liquid to wash out of her hair. And the bright orange color on her paint brush didn't exact flatter her skin tone, she thought ruefully. At least she wasn't concerned with getting her paint on the old, tattered jeans and long-sleeved, cotton shirt she was wearing. She glanced sideways at her "co-conspirator in crime." "Tell me again why I got talked into this?"
"Because you love me and want to make me happy?" Justin returned her glance and laid his puppy-eyed look on her. A little pout of his lips completed the "woe is me" look.
"Cut it out with the feel-sorry-for-me bullshit, buster. I'm onto you, remember? Good thing I like you anyway," Daphne retorted as she threw a turpentine-scented towel at her friend.
"Okay, okay…..Look, I really DO appreciate your help. The rest of the "painting crew" will be back tomorrow. It's not MY fault the rest of the group have that big exam tomorrow with Old Man Stevens. I had him last semester. I remember what a pain in the ass his exams were." Justin yawned, closing his eyes briefly. He had spent every free hour for the last week at the GLC, either designing the sets or helping to construct them. Between his schoolwork, the diner, and now this, he had seen Brian very little since Lindsey talked him into helping. And sleep was a little-known commodity right now. Sighing inwardly, he took solace that at least the sets should be completed by the end of the week. Hopefully by then, he could get part of his life back and spend more time with Brian.
For a few moments, Justin allowed himself to think about his boyfriend. Brian, for his part, feigned indifference about not seeing Justin lately. After all, it wouldn't do for the great Brian Kinney to display any emotion that might indicate he missed seeing his Sunshine. As the "Stud of Liberty Avenue," he had a reputation to maintain. And after the GLC's disdain for his hard work regarding the Carnival he orchestrated at Babylon on their behalf, Brian decided he wouldn't "be caught dead anywhere NEAR that fucking place!" No, while Justin was helping the GLC with their fundraiser, Brian would just have to be content with scouting out tricks at Babylon or Woody's.
"Justin! Are you listening to me?"
"Huh? Oh, Sorry, Daph….What were you saying?" Justin shook his head slightly to try and refocus his mind on the task at hand.
"I said, why don't we take a short break and grab a bite to eat? Even "bit players" get a break, don't they? Besides, didn't Mark say they needed the stage for an hour or so to do a dress rehearsal of one of the big dance numbers?"
"Yeah, it's the last big scene at the dance, where they play the Footloose theme. That's one of my favorite songs in the play, after "Let's Hear it for the Boy," of course." Justin blushed involuntarily at the thought of what now seemed like so long ago, when he and Brian had danced to that same song at Babylon. He recalled how nervous but excited he was at the same time when he decided to go after what (or in this case, who) he wanted. It was one of the few times he could recall Brian displaying any jealousy toward him.
Daphne did not have to be a mind reader to know what was putting that enigmatic smile on her friend's face. After all, she had been a witness to the magic Justin and Brian had shown to everyone at the dance club that night. A magic that had lasted to this day. Pushing up off the floor with her now paint-stained hands, she prodded Justin with her right foot. Well, Piccaso, let's go hunt down a burger. That is, AFTER I attempt to wash this rainbow off my hands!"
Laughing, Justin followed her out to the lobby.
One Hour Later
Upon their return, it was readily apparent that the dress rehearsal for the big musical finale was in full swing. Sounds of the up tempo tune originally made famous by Kenny Loggins drifted out behind the swinging double stage doors into the lobby. As they approached the doors, Justin subconsciously sung the lyrics of the song to himself. "Oh, you gotta cut loose, footloose, kick off your Sunday shoes…" As he pushed open the doors, he suddenly grabbed a startled Daphne's right hand and swung her around 180 degrees. Twirling her, he grabbed a nearby, clean paintbrush "microphone" and sung the next line out loud enthusiastically as he mimicked the dance moves onstage perfectly. "Oh, Marie, shake it, shake for me! Whoa, Milo….come on, come on, let's go. Lose your blues….Everybody cut footloose!" He finished his performance with a flourish, lifting Daphne by the legs and hoisting her up in the air before firming but gently placing her back on the ground.
His laughter was contagious, as Daphne giggled while she shushed him. "Shh…..Justin, you're crazy! They'll hear on stage. I forgot, though, what a great singing voice you have. Maybe you made a mistake when you decided to forgo singing lessons to concentrate on your art. Although there's no denying your talent there, too…..maybe you should try and combine them somehow."
"Thanks, Daph, but you flatter me too much. A singing painter? Nah - I always enjoyed art more than singing. I think you're a little prejudiced, anyway, aren't you? I never thought too seriously about doing anything about my singing. It's passable, I guess. I just never really had any passion for pursuing it like I do my art…."
"Well, if the Backstreet Boys ever need a backup, I'll point them your way…."
With a bow, Justin's sapphire blue eyes twinkled. "Thank you, milady, I will be forever in your debt."
"Oh, brother…..give me a break! Back to the Sistine Chapel, Michelango. You can play Pavarotti later." With that, Daphne gave her friend a push, grabbing the paint-stained rags and brushes from the plastic bucket stationed near the back of the stage. "Looks like they're wrapping up the rehearsal. Let's get this "show" back on the road. I'm beat – the sooner we get back to it, the sooner we can get out of here!"
GLC Stage – Next Evening – "The Burger Blast" Restaurant
"No, No! The rest of the dancers don't come onstage until AFTER Ren flirts with Aiden! They don't enter from stage right until Holding Out for A Hero is played!" Mark Perrino couldn't help sighing. What had he gotten himself into? He was used to directing Broadway quality actors in New York City, not amateur Tony Award wannabes who might have a good heart but also two left feet! And it didn't help that for this scene, Ren, the major male actor in the production, had to be on roller skates to flirt with his eventual love interest, Aiden.
Mark closed his eyes momentarily. Okay, he thought, I'm a professional – I can do this, even if it will probably KILL me. Just keep thinking, it's for a good cause, it's for a good cause….
"Okay. Let's try it again." Directing his next comment to the actor portraying Ren, he continued, "Lance, start at the beginning of the scene when Ren comes in from stage left through the diner doors. Let's take it from the top."
Lance Stewart was a slender blonde with green eyes, similar in build to Justin but slightly taller. Justin, finishing up the last design backstage for the big finale scene at the dance hall, couldn't help but be drawn by the play being practiced onstage. He particularly enjoyed the dancing and singing numbers that involved Ren and Aiden, the love interest, being played by Jason Caldwell. Jason was close in height to Lance, but was slightly more muscular with black hair and blue eyes. Justin recognized both of them as fellow PIFA students in the performing arts department of the school.
Tonight was the seventh day of rehearsals for the play. By now, Justin was so familiar with the scenes he subconsciously hummed the lyrics to each tune, and found himself swaying in time to the dance steps being energetically performed onstage. He was entranced by all the dance numbers, including the romantic scene where Ren comforts Aiden after he has been beaten up by Chuck, another guy who was suffering from unrequited love for Aiden. As "Almost Paradise" is played, Ren and Aiden realize they are in love and, come together for a passionate kiss.
Justin is brought out of his reverie by Daphne's sigh. "This play is SO romantic! And it doesn't hurt that all the guys in it are so hot, too!"
"Yeah, good thing Brian isn't here – he'd be fucking rolling his eyes at all the romance scenes! But later he'd just be plain fucking all the hot guys in some back room every time the director called for a break," he smirked.
Just then, their conversation was interrupted by someone yelling from the stage, "Look out!" Justin and Daphne looked quickly, just in time to see a roller-skate clad Lance Stewart, aka Ren, tripping on a serving tray left on the floor. Trying furiously to hold on to one of the backs of a diner booth, he just missed grasping the vinyl-clad prop, only to have both legs flail out from under him, his head hitting the floor with a resounding crack.
Mark's face turned white and he rushed onstage from the audience seats. Lance lay still on the floor with his eyes closed as the rest of the acting ensemble gathered around him. "Call 911 – now!" Mark yelled at Jason Caldwell. Jason quickly took out his cell phone and called for an emergency squad.