E – Street Shakeup
Chapter 2
Hams, Jams and...um...something else that rhymes.
The next morning...
The alarm went off, but instead of a bell, the clock played "Born in the U.S.A.". A hand turned turned off the music. Then, Mikey rose up off of the pillow. He looked at the clock, and noticed two things. One, the clock said 7:25 am. Two, it wasn't his clock. Then, he looked around, seeing that it wasn't even his own room. Now, he was very confused. Then, he looked again, and saw a familiar face looking at him.
"Good morning, Mikey. Did you enjoy your sleep?" It was Mitsuki, standing at the foot of the bed. He then realized, he had slept in her room all night.
"Why am I here?" he asked.
"Well, you fell asleep during the second movie last night, and decided to bring you here with me for the night."
"Did I wake up at any point between then and now?" Mikey asked.
"No. You were fast asleep, so I didn't bother waking you up." she responded.
"Ok. What's for breakfast?"
Then, they went out to the kitchen.
(knock on the door)
"I'll get it." Mitsuki said.
She went to the door.
"Hey. Mikey still here?" It was CC and Gonard at the door.
"Yeah. He's having breakfast."
"Wait a minute. CC, you didn't tell me he stayed here last night." Gonard said, confused.
"Oh. I forgot to tell you. Sorry." CC said.
"Well. I'm off to get something to eat, too." Gonard said, walking off.
"Well. Mind if I come in?" CC asked.
"Sure! You're always welcome to come in!" CC and Mitsuki went inside.
"Hey, CC!" Mikey said as they walked to the kitchen.
(tires screech)
"What was that?" Mikey asked.
"I'll go find out." CC said as he walked to the window. Outside, he saw a black Chevrolet HHR Panel truck (Yes, they do import these into Japan). There was some white sticker on the bottom of the right side window. "I need my binoculars." CC opens his bag and pulls out his laptop, binoculars and digital camera. He looks at the vehicle through the binoculars. The sticker reads "press". "Guys...I think that this HHR belongs to the...*gulp*...you know..."
"You mean the...with the cameras and the....oh no!" Mikey said.
"This is bad, very bad!" CC said. Then there was a knock at the door. "Don't answer the door." He pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number.
A few doors down...
"Hello? Oh, CC! I wasn't expecting you to call...What? Here? Don't worry, I'll take care of them. I'll be there in a minute or so."
In the hallway...
"Open the door. We need to speak with you." said one of the reporters. "Ok. I guess we're just gonna come in ourselves." They open the door and look around. All they see is CC sitting on the couch.
"Ok, boy. Where's Mr. Simon?" one of the reporters asked.
"I don't know who you're talkin' about." CC responded.
"If you don't tell us, we'll make you tell us." the other reporter said.
"I already told you! I don't know who you're talking about!" CC yelled.
"Ok, that's it. You're gonna tell us what we want to know, whether you want to or not. Or else..." the first reporter said.
"Or else what?" CC asked.
"Or else we'll take you with us instead." A third voice said from behind the reporters. "Uh, guys. Could you move, I can't see him."
The reporters moved to the side. There, CC saw a blue mailbox standing there. He automatically recognized it.
"Ok, buddy. We can do this the easy way, or the hard way." he said.
"What do you want with me?"
"Yeah, what do you want with him?" another voice said. Standing right behind the mailbox was Bruce. "If you don't leave him alone, I'll have you sent back to where you came from, and it won't be first class mail, either." Bruce said.
Then, Mikey and Mitsuki stepped out of the bedroom they were hidden in.
"You're outnumbered! You can't beat us, F." Mikey said.
"Ok, guys! Get him!" F ordered. The reporters attacked CC, but they didn't get that close, they completely missed him and knocked the couch over.
"*groan* Incompetent fools! I knew I shouldn't have hired these idiots." F said in frustration. "Mark my words, M. One of these days I'm gonna make you're life a living heck!"
"Yeah, yeah. I'll just show you to the exit." Bruce said, pucking him up and throwing him out the window, causing him to smash through the windshield of the HHR below, landing upside down. Then, he threw the reporters out, too.
CC got up and pushed the couch back into place. He then brushed himself off. "Dang. I was not expecting that." The others agreed. "I've got a few questions, though. One, what was that guy's deal. Two, what did they want with Mikey? And, three, Mitsuki, why did he call you "M"?" CC asked.
"Well, you see...it's kind of a long story...you wouldn't want to hear it." Mitsuki responded.
"Sure we do! Just tell us!" Mikey said.
"Ok. You might not like what you're about to hear, but, here goes..." she told CC, Mikey and Bruce the story of her past.
Two hours later...
"...and that's why he's been after me ever since. I was always trying to get him to leave me alone, but he always came back. The worst part is, whenever he did, it always put Mikey in danger. I wasn't sure if I could live with that. I've considered leaving many times, just to keep him safe."
Then, Mikey got up off of the floor and got on the couch next to her.
"It's ok. I totally understand. You were trying to protect me, and keeping that a secret was part of that. Nothing about that can change how I feel. You should know that."
Mitsuki looked at him and he looked back.
"You really mean that?" she asked with tears in her eyes.
"Of course I do." He put his arm around her and pulled her close. "And that, is something you should know."
Then, the door opened. Guano walked in with CC, who already explained everything to him. He came in and sat down on the floor, too.
Meanwhile, down the hall...
Gonard was sitting in Mikey's room, waiting for him to come back. The door opens, but it's not him.
"Anyone here?" a voice asked.
"Oh, there you...oh, Hey, Lily. What are you doing here?" Gonard asked, slightly disappointed.
"Just seeing if anyone's here." she responded.
"Oh. How's it going?" Gonard asked her.
"Pretty good. I was wondering, there's a restaurant downtown that's having an all-you-can-eat spiral ham dinner, and I was wondering if you wanted to go." Lily asked.
"Wait, are you asking me to..." Gonard started to say, but didn't finish.
"Maybe..." she said as she looked straight at him.
"Um...ok." Gonard said.
"Ok. I'll meet you there at 6:30."
"Got it! See ya then."
Lily walked out and went down the hall.
Back in the other room...
"Well, I've gotta get rollin'. I've gotta practice for a little performance tonight." Bruce said as he stood up.
"Where is it?" Mikey asked.
"It's at the studio at 8." Guano said. "I was coming to tell you guys, then CC told me what happened, and now I'm here for 2 reasons."
"Cool!" I finally get to see The Boss in concert!" Mikey said, excited. Then, he turned to the couch, and Mitsuki, who was lying on it. "Could you guys go? I think she needs a little alone time."
"Sure." CC said. "I'll go see what else is going on around here." Everyone else left.
CC went outside, where he found the HHR being towed away, and F and the "reporters" being put in a police car.
"Well, I don't think they'll be a problem anymore." CC said to himself as he walked along.
He stepped into an alleyway that led to the studio. There, he saw the parking lot, which held the cast's vehicles. It was pretty much empty, other than Mikey's motorcycle, the limo and Mitsuki's pink Nissan Micra.
"Wow, these guys need some more cars. I'll go see what dealers are around." He then walked down the street. In a few minutes, he arrived at a part of the city that had all kinds of dealers. Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Daihatsu Mazda, Hyundai, Kia. There were dealers for brands from other continents, too. There was BMW, Mini, Audi, Jaguar, VW and more. There was even the same dealer that HHR Panel came from. They had HHR's Traverses, Tahoes, H2s, Expresses, and even Cadillac Escalades.
CC knew he had to get someone down here to look. But who? He pulled out his cellphone and called everyone except Bruce, because he knew he was busy. Only Lily and Mikey showed up. Lily was looking to get something for Mitsuki, so she could get rid of the old, pink 1997 Micra 3-door. The thing had almost 200,000 km on it. It was time for the car to go. Mikey and CC thought the same thing. Lily was looking at a brand new Nissan Cube in light green. Mikey wanted to get her a used 2004 Jaguar XK. CC, on the other hand had something else in mind.
"Wow. The Escalade Platinum. This should do the trick. He called Mikey.
"Hey, Mikey. I think I found the right vehicle." CC told him.
"What is it?" Mikey asked.
"A 2009 Cadillac Escalade Platinum." CC responded.
"I'm not so sure. That might be a little too much for her."
There was a beep on both phones.
"Guys. You need to get over here. I think I found the one." It was Lily, saying she found another car.
They both arrived and couldn't believe what they saw. There were Vipers, Ferraris, SLR McLarens, and more. But, what Lily was hoping to show them was in the back of the showroom. There, they found a brand new silver 2009 Rolls-Royce Phantom and a Phantom Drophead Coupe. It was a pair deal.
"They're perfect!" Mikey yelled in excitement. So, he ended up buying them, the Escalade for CC to use whenever he came to Tokyo, and the Cube. This was going to be the biggest surprise, ever!
Later that afternoon...
(knock on the door)
"Who is it?"
"It's me, CC. Lily and Mikey are here, too. We want you to come with us for a bit. We have something to show you."
"Ok."
A minute later, Mitsuki stepped out, much more composed than earlier.
"C'mon! Let's go." They all walked outside. There, she saw the Escalade.
"Is that for me?" she asked.
"Actually, that's mine." CC said. "We have something even better for you."
They all get in, and drive to the studio. There, there's 3 gray shapes next to the Micra.
"Ok, get ready for this." The Caddy stopped, and they got out.
CC walked to one shape, the one on the left. Lily to the right, and Mikey in the middle.
"Ok, on three. One...two...three!" CC said. At three, they pulled the covers off, revealing three cars. One, a light green 2010 Nissan Cube Rider package. Two, a 2009 Rolls-Royce Phantom. And, three, a 2009 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe.
"OMG!" was all Mitsuki could say at the time. She was so stunned, she almost fainted.
"So, what do you think?" Mikey asked her.
There was a long silence before another word was spoken.
"Are these all really for me?"
"Absolutely, yes!" Mikey responded.
"Wow, this is the best gift anyone's ever given to me..." Then, her eyes started to tear up again. She ran up to Mikey and gave him a big hug.
"Group hug!" CC yelled. Then, him and Lily joined in. Then, another one grabbed all four of them in an even bigger one.
"Yay!" he said. It was Gonard that joined in. He had found the four of them after looking for an hour. "I was looking for you guys for an hour, where were you?"
"I told you, we were looking at cars, and we got 4." CC explained. "Oh, I picked you up some fresh sub rolls, too." He handed over a bag of rolls.
"Awesome! I'm gonna go make me some sandwiches. Thanks a lot, CC!" Gonard responded as he took the rolls.
"Hey, we still on for dinner tonight?" Lily asked him.
"Definitely!" he responded, then left.
The others looked at Lily, confused.
"What?" Lily asked.
"(laughs) I knew you liked him. I just knew it." CC said.
"What are you talking about?" she just stood there.
"Don't lie to us." Mikey said.
"All right. I do like him. A lot, even." she answered back.
"Ha! Guano owes me 55,000 yen!" CC said, giving Mikey a high-5.
"What?! You had a bet on if I liked Gonard or not?!" Lily screamed.
"Yup. Mikey and I said you do, and he said you don't. We win, so he owes us 55,000 yen each!" CC said while laughing.
"Well, at least you won. I'm gonna go find that little furball RIGHT NOW!" She stormed off to the studio where Guano was helping Bruce practice.
"This isn't gonna end well." Mikey said.
"Well, for us, it is." CC joked.
"Oh, yeah!" Mikey laughed.
"Now, what?" CC asked.
"Lets go watch some TV. I feel as if I need to laugh some more." The three of them walked off.
Upstairs...
The trio was watching TV in Mikey's room while Gonard was in the kitchen making a sandwich.
"So, what are you guys doing for dinner tonight?" CC asked Mikey, who was too busy watching cartoons.
"We're gonna be having a nice quiet dinner at my place tonight." Mitsuki answered for him.
"Cool. I'm just gonna head downtown and swing by McDonald's or something." CC said.
"Alright! I love McDonald's!" Gonard yelled.
"Dude, you love anything that's edible." CC joked. "Besides, you have that little "dinner date" with Lily tonight."
"It's not a date. We're going as friends." Gonard said, frustrated at both the question and the pickle jar he was trying to open.
"Right..."
"What makes you so sure it's a date?" Gonard asked.
"Just ask Lily. She'll tell you. But, I wouldn't ask her right now..." CC responded.
"Why?"
"She's having a little "conversation" with Guano at the moment."
Then, there's a scream.
"That came from the studio! Let's go see what's happening." CC said.
"But, CC! My sandwich!" Gonard said.
"Put it in the fridge. Let's go." They ran out as quick as they can.
When they arrived at the studio again, they saw Lily walking out of the place. They went inside and found Guano on the floor, his head covered with a cymbal.
"Whoa. What the heck happened here?" CC asked.
"I'll tell you what. That blonde mean-streak came through here and bashed the little guy with my spare drum set." Bruce said as he walked up.
"Dang."
"You guys should get him away from her tonight. I don't want this happening at the concert. Got it?"
"No prob, Bruce. Good thing it was just the spare set, right?" Mikey asked.
"Yup. I always have the guys practice with the spare kit and guitars."
"Wait a minute! "The guys"? You mean you brought the WHOLE E-Street Band here?" Mikey asked.
"Of course! This thing isn't an acoustic set, this is the real deal!" Bruce replied. Then, the rest of the band came up to them. "Guys, this...is the E-Street Band. (in order as he walked down the line) We've got Roy Bittan, Clarance Clemons, Nils Lofgren, my own loving wife Patti, Steven Van Zandt, Garry Tallent and Jay Weinberg. Jay's substituting for his father, Max, who's back in America with the Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien."
"Wow! Nice to meet you guys!" Mikey said.
They all shook hands with each other.
"Yeah, It's nice to be here performing for the folks of Tokyo tonight." Clarance said. "Hey, Bruce! We need to get to practicing."
"All right! You guys want to watch us practice?" Bruce asked.
"Yeah!" The group said in unison.
"Alright! Let's do this!"Bruce said.
And, with that, the band went to their places and started playing on of Bruce's hits, "Glory Days", which in turn was one of Mikey's favorite songs.
I had a friend was a big baseball player
back in high school
He could throw that speedball by you
Make you look like a fool boy
Saw him the other night at this roadside bar
I was walking in, he was walking out
We went back inside sat down had a few drinks
but all he kept talking about was
Glory days well they will pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl´s eye
Glory days, glory days
Well theres a girl that lives up the block
back in school she could turn all the boy´s heads
Sometimes on a Friday I will stop by
and have a few drinks after she put her kids to bed
Her & her husband Bobby well they split up
I guess it is two yeahrs gone by now
We just sit around talking about the old times,
she says when she feels like crying
she starts laughing thinking about
Glory days well they will pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl´s eye
Glory days, glory days
My old man worked 20 yeahrs on the line
and they let him go
Now everywhere he goes out looking for work
they just tell him that he has too old
I was 9 nine yeahrs old & he was working at the
Metuchen Ford plant assembly line
Now he just sits on a stool down at the Legion hall
but I can tell what´s on his mind
Glory days yea goin back
Glory days aw he aint never had
Glory days, glory days
Now I think I am going down to the well tonight
and I am gonna drink until I get my fill
And I hope when I get old I do not sit around thinking about it
but I probably will
Yea, just sitting back trying to recapture
a little of the glory of, well time slips away
and leaves you with nothing mister but
boring stories of glory days
Glory days well they will pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl´s eye
Glory days, glory days
Glory days well they will pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl´s eye
Glory days, glory days
After the song was done, Bruce walked up to Mikey, with a guitar case in his hand.
"I almost forgot. I got you a little something earlier today." He opened the case. Inside, there was one of the most beautiful guitars ever. A 2009 Fender Limited Edition American Standard Stratocaster featuring a matching headstock, a rosewood fretboard with 22 jumbo frets and a melamine nut. It was in Fiesta Red.
Mikey picked up the guitar, grabbed a pick and played a quick riff.
"Well, you like it?" Bruce asked.
"Heck yeah! I love it! Thanks, Bruce.!" Mikey replied.
"Well, it's almost time for dinner. We need to get where we're going. Later, Bruce!" CC said.
He and the others walked out, Mikey carried the guitar case on his back. They got in the Caddy and went to the towers.
When they pulled up, Lily was waiting outside. Mikey and Mitsuki went inside, while Lily got in the Escalade.
They got downtown, and CC dropped Lily and Gonard off at the restaurant. All that was left was CC and Guano. They went to one of Tokyo's Robo-Parks. They put the Escalade in, which ended up between a Chevrolet Corvette and a Mazda Demio. Then, they walked over to McDonald's.
Later that night...
Everyone met up at the concert, ready to watch, just off-stage. Mikey, Guano, Gonard and Lily arrived at the red carpet in the Escalade. Then, 5 minutes later, Mikey and Mitsuki arrived in the Rolls-Royce Phantom. Everyone was shocked at both the car and that the two of them came by themselves.
Everyone was dressed up and ready to go.
There were literally thousands of people there.
There was extra security at the concert. Not only was Bruce's security there, the studio's security was there, and even the Tokyo Police Dept. was there. One could tell by the three black and white R-34 Nissan Skyline GT-Rs and 2 unmarked Subaru Imprezas out front.
This event was going to be great!
Mikey was sitting in his seat like the rest. Except for CC, who was over talking to Bruce and Clarance.
"So, you guys ready for tonight?" Bruce asked.
"Absolutely! I've got my sax all set and ready to play!" said Clarance.
"All right. CC, is our other special guest ready to go?" Bruce asked CC.
"Yeah, he'll be arriving very soon." CC replied.
"Ok. Let's get set to rock the house!" The band went to their places, and CC joined the others in their seats.
The crowd was already pumped.
"Hello, Tokyo! It's great to be here tonight. We hope you enjoy the show. We're gonna start off with one of my biggest hits. This one's called "Born To Run"."
Then, the band started performing.
The show went on, and soon it was quarter after 9. It was time for the last song of the set.
"All right! We're gonna play a song that we don't always play at the end of a set. This one's called "Tenth Avenue Freeze-out"!"
Tear drops on the city
Bad Scooter searching for his groove
Seem like the whole world walking pretty
And you can not find the room to move
Well everybody better move over, that is all
I am running on the bad side
And I got my back to the wall
10th Avenue freeze-out, 10th Avenue freeze-out
I am stranded in the jungle
Taking all the heat they was giving
The night is dark but the sidewalk´s bright
And lined with the light of the living
From a tenement window a transistor blasts
Turn around the corner things got real quiet real fast
She hit me with a 10th Avenue freeze-out
10th Avenue freeze-out
And I am all alone, I am all alone
And kid you better get the picture
And I am on my own, I am on my own
And I cannot go home
When the change was made uptown
And the Big Man joined the band
From the coastline to the city
All the little pretties raise their hands
I am going to sit back right easy & laugh
When Scooter & the Big Man bust this city in half
With a 10th Avenue freeze-out, 10th Avenue freeze-out
10th Avenue freeze-out...
And that wrapped up the concert...or did it?
"All right! We hope you enjoyed the show tonight! Now, before we go, we have someone here tonight who I'd like to come up here to the mic. Give it up for Mikey Simon!!!"
Mikey was a little surprised, but grabbed his guitar anyway, and went to the mic.
"Alright, Mikey! You've got the guitar and the talent. Now, go ahead and put it to work!" Bruce said.
"What song should I play?" Mikey asked.
"Well, why don't you ask this guy? Ladies and gentlemen, give a big, warm welcome to...Joe Walsh!"
A black Lincoln Town Car limo (pretty strange to see in Japan) pulled up to the red carpet, and a man stepped out, not looking too much like Bruce, but he was 2 years older than Bruce, and was wearing a green t-shirt, blue jeans, leather boots. He was carrying a black and silver electric guitar. He walked up to the stage.
"Hey, how ya doin', Tokyo?" he said.
The crowd was excited for this.
"Alright, we're gonna play a new twist on one of my favorites, "Funk #49", and I'd like Bruce, Jay and Clarance to join us." Joe said.
So, it was Mikey, Bruce, Joe, Jay and Clarance on the stage playing a classic with a saxophone twist.
They started playing.
Uh, sleep all day, out all night,
I know where you're going.
I don't that's a-acting right,
You don't think it's showing.
Then, on this part, Mikey and Bruce would join in on vocals as well.
A-jumpin' up, fallin' down,
Don't misunderstand me.
You don't think that I know your plan,
What you try'n to hand me?
Now, 2/3 into the song, Clarance would join in on the sax.
Out all night, sleep all day,
I know what you're doing.
If you're gonna a-act that way,
Think there's trouble brewing
The song ended, and the crowd went wild!
"All right! Well, folks, that's our show. We hope you enjoyed it! Good night!" Everyone walked off the stage.
The crowd left, and it was just Mikey, Guano, CC, Mitsuki, Lily, Gonard, Joe, Clarance and Bruce in the middle of the studio.
"Well, that was some show, Bruce. I'd love to do that again." Joe said.
"So would I, Joe, so would I." Bruce replied.
"Kid, you've got some real talent. I haven't seen anyone doing this kind of thing since Rick Springfield." Joe said to Mikey.
"Thanks, Joe. That means a lot." Mikey replied.
"Well, it's time for me to pack it up and head back to the hotel. We want you to show up at the studio tomorrow to record this song again." Joe finished.
"That's right. We want to put this on a CD. People will love it!" Clarance told Mikey.
"I'm in!" Mikey replied.
The others were standing, waiting to go.
The conversation finally ended.
"Mikey! You were amazing on the stage!" Gonard said.
"Yeah!" the others said in agreement.
Then, Mitsuki went up to him, grabbed his shoulders, and leaned in for a kiss in front of the others.
"Aw...."
"Well. Let's get going. It's late. We need some rest." CC said.
The band got on the tour bus, except for Bruce, who got in the Cadillac. Joe got in the limo. Everyone else got in the Cadillac, too. Except for Mikey and Mitsuki, who were standing by the Rolls-Royce.
"Hey, do you think I could stay with you tonight?" Mikey asked.
"Absolutely! Now, lets get going." Mitsuki replied.
They got in the Rolls and left.
End Chapter 2
Author's Notes
Well, that's the end of the second chapter. This is already getting to be a long story. I decided to put Joe Walsh in the story because I really like his music. This is the first fanfiction where I used a lot of lyrics.
Ok, for those who are wondering, the HHR, Traverse, Tahoe, H2, Express, and Cadillac Escalade are in reality imported to Japan through a company called Mitsui (coincidence?)
The Rolls-Royces were put in because, you know, they're celebrities!
I'd just really like to mention the brands, trademarks and other (likely) legal stuff used in the story so far, for good measure...
All mentions of Paradise City are used in reference to Criterion Games and EA's game Burnout Paradise.
The Toyota Crown Comfort is a product of Toyota Motor Company.
"Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out", "Born in the U.S.A", and "Born To Run" were recorded by Bruce Springsteen in 1975, 1982 and 1974, respectively.
"Funk #49" was written by Jim Fox, Dale Peters and Joe Walsh and recorded in 1969.
Ghostbusters 1&2 were released by Columbia Pictures in 1984 and 1989, respectively.
Chevrolet HHR, Corvette, Traverse, Tahoe, Express, Hummer H2 and Cadillac Escalade are products of General Motors.
The Nissan Micra, Skyline and Cube are products of Nissan Motor Company.
The Subaru Impreza is a product of Subaru.
The Mazda Demio/2 is a product of Mazda.
Fender and the 2009 Limited Edition American Standard Stratocaster are names/products of the
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.
"Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien" is a trademark of NBC Broadcasting.
The Jaguar XK is a product of Jaguar/Land Rover, a division of Tata Motors.
Well, that's about it I think.
Stay tuned for Chapter 3
"Rockin' in the Studio"
Don't forget to R&R!