Chapter 9: Fotomat and Feedback

Wednesday, December 28, 1983

Music: Paul Simon "Kodachrome"

Sam Weir was busy filming his friends playing in the snow. He had just gotten a Super 8 camera for Christmas, and had already gone through reels of film.

Bill informed his friend, "Sam, that camera is already obsolete. I tell you the Betacam is the way of the future."

Sam replied, "Shut up, Bill. Nothing will replace film."

Maureen said, "I think its neat," while making a face at Sam, who had the camera pointed at other areas of her body.

Sam then zoomed in on Neal, who was comically chasing after Lindsay. Lindsay liked the attention, but her brother's friend sometimes acted a little creepy.

Finally Neal got up a little courage, "So Lindsay," he nervously asked, "would you like to get a cup of cocoa or something?"

The question caught Lindsay off guard, usually the little twerp just stalked her. The college freshman didn't have any better offers, plus saying no to Neal would be like kicking a puppy, so Lindsay agreed, "I guess a cup of cocoa would be OK. But don't read too much into this, we're just friends."

Neal started to say, "That's OK, I…. Wait, you said yes didn't you?" Lindsay smiled and nodded, wondering what she got herself into.

Bill, overhearing the conversation and seeing Sam shooting, said, "Please, Sam, tell me you got that." Sam gave his friend a thumbs up.

Neal started warming up his car, while Lindsay got in the passengers side. While filming this romantic comedy (stressing comedy), Sam motioned for Bill to start his car.

Seeing Sam going over to Bill's car, Neal moaned, "Great! Spielberg over there is going to have this whole thing on film."

Lindsay laughed and said, "All he'll see is two friends having cocoa," which didn't exactly cheer up Neal.

Sam's original intention was to film them all the way to the Duncan Donuts. When the roll of film he was using was spent, he reached into his camera bag for another.

"Crap," Sam said.

"What's wrong?" Bill asked.

Sam explained, "I'm out of film. We need to stop by Fotomat and get some more. I can also drop these rolls I already shot off."

Neal was relieved to see Bills car turn one way while he and Lindsay went into the Dunkin Donuts. Once he got over his nervousness, he had a good time. The two reminisced about McKinley and Lindsay gave Neal some great tips about survival at the University of Michigan.

Lindsay said, "You really should consider a state school for your Pre-Med. You'll save a lot of money, and a lot of our grads to go on to Ivy League Medical School.

Neal agreed, "Yeah, but even if I stay at UM for Med school, its still one of the top ones in the country." The high school senior added, "Have you declared a major?"

Lindsay replied, "You sound like my dad," Seeing Neal frown, the coed went on, "I mean, he's always after me to pick a major. The university is not meant to be a trade school. Right now, I'm leaning towards political science."

Neal said, "That's cool." And the two finished their hot chocolate.

When Bill pulled up to the film processing place that reminded Sam of an outhouse, the budding director noticed a "Help wanted sign."

Sam asked the attendant, "Do you guys get an employee discount?"

The kid in the hut said, "Yeah, on both film and services."

Sam filled out an employment application, and turned it in with the film he had shot. He also purchased a couple more rolls of super 8.

Music: Ozzy Osbourne: "Flying High Again"

Senior Airman Nick Andopolis started another pot of coffee in the Detroit Air Force Recruiting office. Most of the kids that came in just seemed to want sanctuary from the bitter Michigan winter.

Staff Sergeant Richards, the senior recruiter, struck up conversation with Nick, "So, Nick, I'm surprised your dad didn't push you to ROTC or the Academy, him being a major and all."

Nick laughed at the idea of going to college, much less completing an officer preparation program, and explained, "Actually dad want ed me to enlist in the Army. He didn't start out in the Air Force, he was a Warrant Officer Pilot in the Army's Air Calvary during Vietnam. After he got married, and my older brothers came along, he knew he needed to settle down. He still liked flying and the military, so he applied for an Air Force ROTC scholarship. He knew the Air Force didn't move people around as much, also he could provide for his family better on an officer's paycheck."

The Staff Sergeant whistled, "Air Cav, man they saw some serious action in 'Nam. Me, I was ground support in DeNang." The senior NCO then looked out the door and said, "Check out Jesus, I bet he's just coming in for some free coffee."

Nick looked up and saw the thirtysomething bearded figure walk through the door, the McKinley High graduate greeted, "Mr. Rosso! What brings you here?"

Richards asked Andopolis, "You know this person, Airman?"

Nick made introductions, "Staff Sergeant John Richards, USAF, meet Jeff Rosso, head of guidance at McKinley High."

Richards demeanor immediately changed, "Nice to meet you Mr. Rosso," the Staff Sergeant said while shaking hands, "Can I get you some coffee?"

Rosso replied, "Nice to meet you too, staff sergeant, a cup of coffee would be great."

The guidance counselor sat down at Nick's desk, and addressed his former student, "Nick, I have a huge favor to ask, and I know it's short notice."

Nick said, "Shoot"

Rosso explained, "Feedback has a big New Year's Eve gig. Our drummer broke his arm while skiing." Rosso then handed Nick a piece of paper, "This is the play list. I'm sure you already have plans, but is there any way you could sit in?"

Nick hummed and said, "That's this Saturday night."

Staff Sergeant Richards volunteered Nick while the drummer was still looking over the list of songs, "Airman Andopolis would be happy to play with your band," the NCO offered.

Rosso looked at Nick, "Can you do it Nick?"

Nick replied, "Yeah, sure," he had no plans anyway for New Years. He then added, "One thing though."

Rosso was in a pinch, "Name it," the counselor said.

Nick requested, "I need three tickets."

Rosso smiled and promised, "Done." The Counselor added, "Well this is the longest I've ever been in a military recruiting station. Thanks for your hospitality gentlemen, but I have some gifts to return."

Nick said, "See you, Mr. Rosso."

While leaving Rosso replied, "If we're going to be playing together you better get used to calling me Jeff."

After Rosso left, Richards said, "Airman, if you want to be a recruiter, know this—your best friend is the high school guidance counselor. I've been trying to get into McKinley since I've been posted here, but they never returned my calls."

Nick explained, "Yeah, Rosso does his best to keep the recruiters out. He's still quite a bit of a hippie. I'm sure you could tell he wasn't comfortable in here. His band is pretty good, and will be even better Saturday night." The aspiring musician then asked the staff sergeant, "Staff Sergeant, are you and your wife doing anything New Year's Eve?"

The senior NCO replied, "Just watching Dick Clark."

Nick offered, "Why don't you two come see Feedback? I'll leave your name at the door."

The airman then got on the phone, "Hey Linds. It's Nick. Forgive this short notice, but you doing anything Saturday night?… Yes, As a matter of fact, I do know it's New Years Eve."

Saturday, December 31, 1983

Lindsay arrived at the nightclub on the outskirts of the city. She was glad she dressed up, the place looked kind of fancy. At first she didn't want to come because it was, well , Nick. Then she didn't want to come because he couldn't pick her up due to work. He did promise he would meet her, though. She gave her name at the door, and was immediately escorted to a table. There was already a couple there, a man who appeared to be in his early thirties, and a stunning Asian woman.

The man introduced himself, "Hi, I'm John Richards. I work with Nick. This is my wife, Yoko. You must be Lindsay."

Lindsay didn't think he looked military, and then chided herself for holding a stereotype. She replied, "Yes, I am. Pleased to meet you both. You must get some kidding about your names."

Yoko looked puzzled and said, "Why kidding?"

Lindsay replied, "You know, John Lennon, Yoko Ono."

The couple started to laugh. Yoko said, "Sorry, dear, just giving you a hard time. We do here the John and Yoko bit quite a lot."

Lindsay smiled, these people were all right, the coed then said, "Nick didn't tell me who the band here would be…"

Then a very familiar voice started singing, "I can feel it coming in the air tonight, hold on." It was Jeff Rosso!

Lindsay was very puzzled. Nick wanted to meet her at a Feedback concert. And on top of that he wasn't here! Then the stage lights came up, and Lindsay could see Nick was playing drums. Judging by how well he handled the solo in that Phil Collins song, he had been practicing.

Lindsay was amazed at how well Nick was playing. And took the time to tell him so during breaks. She was having a pretty good time, even though her 'date' was on stage most of the evening. She danced a few dances with Richards, but mostly watched Nick play.

Then, Mr. Rosso motioned for some woman to come on stage. It was Miss Foote, the drama teacher! Within a couple minutes, most the band member's women were on stage. Nick motioned to Lindsay. Yoko Richards gave her a nudge, and Lindsay joined Nick on stage.

Rosso then started to count down, "10,9.8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1… Happy New Year.

January 1. 1984

Music: U2 "New Year's Day"

Lindsay looked over and saw Miss Foote kissing Mr. Rosso, along with the other band member's wives or girlfriends kissing their men. Nick smiled, leaving it up to Lindsay, who decided to give Nick another shot. Kissing Nick felt so familiar, so right.

In the Weir house, Harold and Jean were asleep. Dick Clark was on the TV in the living room where Sam was kissing Maureen; Bill was kissing Cindy; and, off in the corner Neal was kissing Millie.

Monday, January 2

When Nick reported for duty at the recruiting station, Staff Sergeant Richards was in an unusually good mood.

The Staff Sergeant said, "Lindsay seems like a nice girl."

Nick replied, "She is." Then pointing at a picture on the sergeant's desk, the airman added, "Your wife's photo doesn't do her justice. She's a lot lovelier in person."

The Staff Sergeant said, "Thanks." Then he asked, "Andopolis, you really can play the drums. Have you auditioned for the Air Force Band?"

Nick laughed, "I'm no where near that good. Besides, my dad says the promotions go to those who fly."

The senior recruiter then pointed out, "Far be it from me to disagree with an officer, but the Air Force gets the most out of you when you are doing what you are best at and enjoy. Let me at least set up an audition for you." He then checked a schedule, "Lets see, March looks good. It will give you a couple months of practice. Look over the 'Musician' brochure for a play list of songs to rehearse. And if you don't make the band, you can always return to airborne refueling, or recruiting."

Nick though it over and said, "Ok, yeah, go ahead and set it up. Thank you staff sergeant."

Sam was in a hurry to get to a job interview at the Fotomat. But he had to stop when he spotted his friend Neal. "So what was that New Year's Eve?" He asked.

"What was what?" Neal replied with feigned innocence.

Sam said, "You sucking face with Millie Kemptner.

Neal explained, "Oh that, it was New Year's Eve, she was a girl, she was there. Don't read too much into it."

Sam said skeptically, "Uh huh," and hurried off to his interview.

The Fotomat manager looked over the application, and asked Sam, "I see you've been working at your father's store?"

Sam replied, "Yes since I was a kid, I have experience in stocking, inventory, sales, and cash register."

The Fotomat manager offered, "The job is yours if you want it. Can you start on Saturday the 14th?"

Sam said, "Sure!"

Dinner that night at the Weir table was a little tense. Harold said to his son, "I still don't know why you would want to quit your job at the sporting goods store to go to work at Fotomat."

Sam replied, "Well, I'll get to learn more about film, not to mention the discount on products and processing."

Jean offered, "If it helps him decide on a career…"

Harold said, "But I was hoping he would take over A1 someday. But if this is what you want to do, son, I accept your two weeks notice."

Sam smiled, "Thanks dad."