Disclaimer: I don't own victorious or any of it's characters. They say we need to constantly remind you, cause some people like to sue.
:}
"Now let me show you where you're sleeping tonight." Trina said, leading the blue eyed girl to one of the guest rooms. It was, if she was honest, larger then many an apartment in New york. Not knowing what else to do, she carried her things up to her room then hurried back to see what the others were up to.
Tori, Trina and the rest of security were sitting in the starlets living room, looking out the window at the view. "Long flight from Hawaii." Tori announced. "I'm thinking of maybe hitting a club or two, then calling it a night."
"After a five hour flight, you still want to party?" Jade asked. The thought of the anyone wanting to do anything beyond falling into bed was ludicrous to the bodyguard. Her face said as much without uttering a single word.
"When else am I gonna get the chance to go out and boogie?" The singer asked. Her face said something too. It said she was going out to dance and have fun, and there was nothing anyone could do about it.
"You have an early day tomorrow." Trina reminded her. "You have a radio interview, followed by that interview for that A.M. show, then that fan meet and greet you insisted on."
"Oh, yea." The pop princess said. "Maybe only one club."
Trina sighed. "Fine. Jade, get dressed up. You're going with. I'll have a driver here shortly."
"But it's early." The bodyguard pointed out. "Don't those clubs only get moving after sundown?"
"Usually." Andre said. "But this is L.A. You can always find something going on. I know just the place. Bill, Ron, you two get ready to go out. I'll meet you by the car. Jade, we're gonna go over tomorrow a bit with Trina, since she won't be there. Hope you don't mind."
Trina had gone back to her own home. Jade decided she should get dressed, and followed, only to find the manager standing next to her room with a dress in her hands. "Try to keep it clean. It should hide the vest, only. And keep everything discreet. Okay, get showered and dressed, the car's coming. And oh yea, and Cat'll be joining us."
Jade looked at the dress, certain that her vest would produce bulges. After thinking just a bit, she decided on how she'd wear the body armor, and got a quick shower in before doing her hair and makeup. Finally, she put on the body armor, a light Kevlar weave that would only stop light arms fire, and squeezed herself into the dress. While it lacked the plunging neckline that would expose her protection, it was tight enough to make her still look very feminine.
"Okay, how the hell am I supposed to move in this?" The bodyguard asked.
"Looking good." Trina said, nodding her head. "We really need to get you something that protects an allows a plunging neck line. That suits your build. However, we're ready."
A car had pulled up, waiting patiently for the others to pile in. Cat was sitting in the back seat, dressed to kill. "Hiii." The business manager greeted Trina, giving the older woman a hug. "My god, Jade, you look…."
"Whatever." The bodyguard said, trying to act casual.
"Seriously, if I wasn't seeing someone, it'd be enough to make me question my sexuality. I'd still be straight, but tempted to experiment." Cat rambled.
"Where are the guys?" Jade asked. She desperately didn't want to continue down this line of conversation. "I mean, how long does it take them to get dressed?"
"You'd be surprised." Trina said. "But don't worry, we have time. I suggest we have dinner out, then hit a club for a bit, but still make it an early night."
"Tell that to your sister." Cat said, smiling. "I personally wanna take advantage of the driver, and get sloshed."
"Not too drunk." The older girl warned. Jade listening in with interest. "You're covering Tori's morning tomorrow."
"So I'm not getting shit done all day, huh?" Cat asked.
"I'm being serious. I'll get her to the radio interview, and then the morning show, but you handle everything from there. Until I show up to relieve you and take her home." Trina reminded her.
"So, what, your expecting trouble?" The petite girl asked. "Treen, all I have to do is get her to the signing, and make sure she's taken care of. They'll be six thousand cops around her, not counting your dad."
"She's exaggerating." Trina told Jade. "But since Tori does something for their annual charity drive every year, and dad is a cop, they'll take very good care of her."
"Whats she do this year?' Jade wondered.
"There's gonna be a whole section for the kids, and those who donated to the police, at her upcoming concert." Cat said.
"And several of the big donors will get to meet her before the show." Trina added.
"And here come the guys." Cat pointed out. Andre, Ryder, Bill and Ron all walked out in suits, looking dapper but not like it should have taken them nearly as long as it did. "You know they're sharing a bathroom, right?" Cat asked. Jade looked back at the small girl, now understanding why it might have taken so long.
Tori trailed behind the guys, dressed up for fun. The pop princess was ready to cut loose and dance, but still needed to look like the girl next door, a fashion choice that often took time to put together. "So, what do you think?" She did a twirl so the girls in the car could admire her look.
"Remember, I go in to check the bathroom first, and you do as I say. When dancing, have Ron and Bill near by at all times. And if you need us for anything, not counting getting you a drink, let me know. Are the personal assistants coming, cause it'd be easier if we had them to fetch drinks." Jade ticked off, trying to make sure she didn't miss anything.
"And with that, driver..." Trina said, and the driver of the limo started off. "Tori, we go just long enough to relax, then head home."
"Yea, yea." Tori dismissed her. "Jade, you're gonna love my mad dance moves."
"Why are you telling me?" The raven haired girl asked.
"Cause your the only one who hasn't seen me dance." Tori informed her.
"What about Paris?" Jade countered. "Or Monaco? How about that club in Tokyo? Or your various impromptu beach parties? I've seen you dance, plenty of times."
Tori grumbled, but only for a moment, not willing to let anything sour her mood. Then she was dancing in her seat again, enjoying the music they had playing while riding to their destination. Jade looked out the window as the car slowly made it's way through Los Angeles traffic, towards a club she knew nothing about. The drive was mercifully short, save for the rush hour traffic. Still, in half an hour they'd reached Maestro's, one of the fancier restaurants in the valley. "Okay, dinner first." Trina announced.
"Is this place any good?" Jade tried to ask Cat discreetly.
"For dinner, great." The smaller girl said. "But not for clubbing. Once we're done, we'll be going off to dance."
"Tori's treating, so order whatever you want." Andre said, as they were shown to a long table set up for all of them. "We don't even have to sit in the servant section." Jade understood that restaurants like this often had a personal assistant slash bodyguard section. It allowed the support person to be near, but not eating with their charge, useful for dates or business meetings where the extra person would be a distraction. Also, some people didn't like eating wit the help.
'And thats what we are, help.' She reminded herself, watching the beautiful people eat dinner. Sucking it up, she tried to enjoy the meal. 'Hired help, but maybe also kinda family, maybe?' Thats when something caught her eye.
Dinner would have been good, a peaceful meal before the club, except that sitting at the next table over was Robbie Shapiro. "Rally?" The gossip Guru asked as he returned from the mens room. "Really? I thought you celebrities types were supposed to avoid the tabloid press. But here you are, practically throwing yourselves at me. Now I have to ask, which one is Tori's date?"
"Lay off, Robbie." Trina replied. "And what are you doing here anyways?"
"My plans got canceled at the last minute, so I'm rewarding some of my better performers with dinner at a nice restaurant. Personally, this place is a bit over priced, but the foods good. Besides, where else can I spend a small fortune on a large bowl of caviar?" Robbie said, and that drew a chuckle from Tori, Trina and Ryder.
"I'm glad we can laugh at that now." Tori commented, a strange, far away smile on her face.
"Now guys, look at that table." Rob asked his people. "We already know about Trina and Ryder, but look at the group, all the bodyguards. What can you tell me?" It was almost abrupt, going from some inside joke that only a handful of people got, to quizzing his employees.
"He's not really using us for an exercise, is he?" Tori asked her sister.
"What, we're just out for a nice dinner." Trina replied.
"Not in those shoes, your not." Robbie said to the older girl. "Those are dancing shoes, more to make your legs look great then look good under a table." Then he addressed his people again. "Their just back from a long world tour, at home for a couple of nights, and their dressed to go out. Anyone?"
"Given their advertised schedule, I'd say the wanna hit a hot club for a couple of hours, then go home." One of his reporters summered. "So I'm guessing the current 'it' spot, L'Idiot"
"Good guess." The host of Robbbarazzi said. "Very good guess. Except for two things. One, Tori doesn't need to be seen at the hottest place. She's a double A list celebrity, and the kind of person they'd love to have come over and hang out. No, the fact that she's eating here, other then their ridiculous prices, is proof enough that she doesn't need that kind of attention."
The gathering at the other table was listening with rapt attention. Even Tori wanted to hear the second part of whatever Robbie had to say. "And Two, Tori's kinda an old fashion girl. She'll stick with the long term celebrity hangouts, not some flash in the pan place. I'm thinking she'll go to Sikowitz's 'Black Box Theater and Club.' She can get past the velvet rope, so why wouldn't she. I want you to reach out, cause she might get drunk, and I wanna know who she kisses at the end of the night."
The sound of young reporters speculating, calling contacts and alerting their preferred photographers dominated the other table for several seconds, before the two groups settled down and ignored each other as politely as possible.
Soon, they were having a wonderful dinner, complete with Robbie Shapiro sending them a bottle of wine, "With my compliments. Make sure Tori gets at least one glass." Despite that jab, they managed to coexist with the tabloid group, enjoying the live music the establishment was famous for. As dinner continued, Tori even walked up to the piano and sang a song for the diners. Robbie commented "Brings back memories, doesn't it?" Trina and Ryder both nodded, while Jade and the others were confused. Cat, for her part, just watched everyone. She knew she'd get that story, later, when she was able to ask one of the people who'd been there.
Dinner ended with a good feeling for everyone, and then Tori's group was back in the car heading over to the club. "So, where we going?" Tori asked.
"Robbie nailed it." Andre said. "I figured you'd have the most fun at the Black Box theater. Sikowitz is a great host, and he was your teacher way back when you went to Hollywood Arts, right?"
"One of his other students opened the club with him as a thank you." Tori told the others, the ones who weren't in the know. "He still teaches, but the clubs like a warm, comfy shoe."
"That, and he knows enough people in the business that there's almost always someone worth going there to celebrity watch." Trina added.
"You celebrity watch?' Jade asked, but she wouldn't get an answer.
"Now Jade, listen up, cause the rules get different at the club." Andre started. "You're job is to keep Tori here safe from the stalker types who get in. Most of them just want an autograph, or something, but they do get drunk, and so there's a danger. However, defense only. Sikwitz has a full security staff, and he'll make sure that we're as safe as possible."
"Only in L.A." Jade murmured, shaking her head at the idea of a club where the draw was the celebrities.
"What?' Tori asked.
"Only in L.A. would you find a club dedicated to celebrity watching." The raven haired girl explained.
"And New York." Trina corrected. "This kind of place is very popular wherever celebrities gather, and as much as other countries have their own, New York and Los Angeles are the world mecca's."
"Got it." Jade replied, watching as they sailed down the streets towards the building where the club was. The Black Box was built on top of an older theater. The upper floors were originally a mix of offices and storage for the original theater, and the whole building was still used for plays and the like. But the roof was reenforced, then the club slash theater was built on top of the building, just off from the strip. This gave it an inedible view, as well as it's own deck area, for when the weather was nice enough to be outside. But the club has plenty of space on it's own, either to be converted into a smallish theater for a play or performance, or opened up as a dance club. And Sikowitz earned his reputation as a host, so the occasional private parties at the Black Box were considered A list, with people bragging about getting an invitation for months after attending one of those events.
They arrived at the clubs entrance, a double door that led to a secured bank of elevators. Like may places in California, there was stares if needed, but the main access was through one of the two elevators, closely guarded and ran by elevator operators dressed in old style uniforms. All of that was hidden behind the impenetrable velvet rope, the gatekeeper being a bouncer, a hulking figure in a nice suit and with a ready scowl.
"Miss Vega, nice to see you again." The bouncer greeted as they walked up to the front of the line. His scowl had morphed into a warm, friendly smile. He motioned her in and lifted the rope, granting entrance before she even made it all the way to the front of the line. The limo would find parking near by, waiting for them to finish their evening of fun. Jade knew how a lot of this part of the evening would go, from the times she'd protected people in New York.
'Then again, I never protected anyone with the kind of influence Vega here has. They tended to go for the high end protection.' The raven haired girl thought. She eyed the line, and the paparazzi watching to see who was going to the club. Apparently this hardly made a ripple, celebrities showing up here being so common. It was almost like the pictures they did take were a curtsey, allowing the celebrities who wanted to the chance to pose and show off who they were wearing for the evening.
"Hi Tony." Tori greeted, giving a friendly smile. "Is Sikwoitz in tonight?"
"Till nine thirty." Tony, the bouncer, said. "Then Mister Alexander takes over."
"Tori, we're holding up the line." Trina scolded her sister. "Come on, lets go find us a table."
The group was let past the velvet rope, and quickly filled an elevator. "I wonder who's here tonight?' Tori asked during the short ride to the top.
Jade realized, with a start, that Tori was actually excited about who might be there that night. Like somehow, just in the ride from the restaurant, the megastar and pop princess had regressed a decade back to the starstruck hopeful who'd appeared on American Voice.
Once they got to the top, now with a four story plus view of the city, they made their way to the VIP section. Another bouncer, also dressed in a nice suit, was waiting for them there. "Miss Vegas, how nice to see you again." The bouncer said, opening the rope for their group. Trina hesitated at the rope long enough to make sure everyone in their party was admitted, but no one else.
"Hi Grant, hows the wife?" Tori started into a conversation with the bouncer, broken only when someone pointed out a celebrity.
Jade didn't blink twice when no less then Jett Stetson walked in and found a place to sit in the VIP section. Jett had spent the decade establishing himself as a major talent and sex symbol in Hollywood, the kind of romantic leading man Beck had once envisioned himself as. Jett was a mainstay on television, where his good looks and talent had won him a following. From his breakout roll in New Town High, through his current run as Detective David Cade on L.A. Undercover, he seemed to always be on television, winning the heats of the ladies while holding strong in his time slot. And Tori almost melted when she saw him walk in.
"You're chizzing kidding me, right?" Jade asked. "Yea, he's a step up from Beck, but still, he's not in your league. He's never been the solo lead, except in some made for television romantic crap. His album barely broke even, and his shows all require a whole cast to make up for the lack of depth in his characters."
"And he's a major sex symbol." Tori shot back. "Does that bother you?"
The blue eyed girl looked away quickly, telling herself she saw some movement to her side. "No, it's none of my business if you wanna waste your time with some B list actor."
"Really, cause your the only one here who's arguing against me going over and introducing myself." Tori challenged. "Sometimes, I wanna meet celebrities too. And guess what, Here, I can. I'm just a girl out on the town, enjoying a short break from my day to day work, so why shouldn't I meet a celebrity?"
"Just remember not to get caught up in his hype." Trina cut in. "Your image would take a hit if you had a one night stand. Now go introduce yourself. Jade, stay here, let Andre handle this one."
Tori skipped off to make introductions. Cat, watching the singer go, asked Trina "Didn't they meet a couple of years ago?"
"Yea, but Tori was hung up on Beck back then, so doesn't remember Jett hitting on her." The manager replied. "Jade, watch, this could be fun."
"You set her up?" The bodyguard asked, sounding protective.
"I just let her go meet someone who she didn't think was worth her time three years ago." Trina answered. "But that doesn't mean anything. He may well try to get into her pants tonight, and I trust Andre to keep his head and act as the deterrent in case things get out of hand."
The expected confrontation never happened. Jett was full enough of himself to let go of one megastar not remembering him, instead offering her the chance to sit with him for a while. The romance didn't last, as another celebrity Tori only kinda knew showed up and she ran over to speak with them. Only, along the way, Tori went back to get Jade. "Jade, I have someone you just HAVE to meet."
That how the evening continued. Tori would want Jade near her when she danced, or spoke with someone she knew, often introducing her bodyguard to people who were as confused about the introduction as Jade was. "Sinjin, this is Jade. Jade, Sinjin was a class mate of my sisters, and his father owns Van Cleef Rubber. He's Sikowitz's silent partner. His wife is Mia Sandall, the lingerie model and wanna be actress. Sweet girl, but I'm hoping their kids get their intelligence from Sinjin here."
"So your her bodyguard?" Sinjin asked. Jade noted how he was tall and lanky, with curly hair and glasses that didn't quite fit his face.
"Yea." The blue eyed girl replied. "And I should be watching out for her. Sorry, not one for conversion." Jade guessed he wasn't bad looking, but the big draw for many girls was his families money.
"I totally get that." The tall boy replied. "But what you're probably missing here is, bodyguards can't always just blend into the background until needed. I'm just saying, you're on the dance floor, so dance."
"Aren't you married?" The raven haired girl asked.
"I'm not saying to dance with me." Sinjin replied with a sly smile. "Tori, she's lovely. I think she's the perfect person for when you need discreet protection in the bathroom."
Jade ignored what she assumed was a dig at her, and tried to take his advice seriously. She was on the dance floor, so she danced, but quickly found that dancing with Tori meant dancing WITH Tori. Jade found the girl to love touching during the dance, often wanting to be dipped or twirled or something, as opposed to the mostly solo dancing that people tended to do in clubs like that. Jade, being a trooper, just went along and did her part.
Eventually the evening dragged on, with Jade left wondering what was going on. Up until that evening, there had been two very distinct worlds Jade lived in. One was the private life of Tori Vega, where she was watching out for the pop princess as the girl went through her many moods, including rebellious, where they'd go someplace together. But the public world of Tori Vega had always included her being a visible deterrent, and nothing more. Now, in the dance club, she'd somehow blurred the two worlds, and while Tori was at home, she was lost in a new set of rules.
Tori knew these people. Knew them well enough to want to introduce them to her people. So Jade was being shown off, like a prize corgi at a dog show. "Andre, did she ever do that with you?" Jade asked.
"Different world here." The head of security informed her. "They know one another, and introduce members of their entourage to each other. Yea, I've been introduced to a few of her friends. Never show off like that though."
Before she could reply, ask what he'd meant by that, Tori was back again. "Jade, Francis is here tonight. Oh, you have to meet him. He's Masons son, You've heard of Mason, right, the producer and head of Neutronium who is also the mastermind behind American Voice? His son, Francis, is here tonight. And you have to meet him."
Jade was dragged to another table where a young man, probably at most in his early twenties, sat with a strawberry blond haired girl who seemed to know Tori. Jade didn't say a word as Tori and this boy exchanged words. 'Their not friends, just work adjacent.' Jade noted. Still, they were polite enough, even if the blond girl, Rhoda, was starring daggers at her.
By the time they left, Jade was seriously thinking she'd been along as accessory for Tori's outfit, and not protection. She'd escorted her employer to the restrooms, but that was about it. Most of the evening she'd danced fist next to Tori, then with her, or she sat near her as the girl spoke with people, many the starlet knew, and more then a few she didn't. 'Tori didn't have to introduce herself to every celebrity watcher she saw.' The girl silently groused. 'It's just not safe.'
They reached the street below, and the massing paparazzi waiting for them. Now Jade and the others shifted into work mode. Bill and Ron went first, pushing a path through the press, then Jade grabbed Tori's elbow and guided her through the hole and to the limo. Ryder stayed near Trina, while Andre took up the rear, watching out for any possible trouble. Other then a thousand photo's of Tori, nothing much happened. They got in the limo, and that evenings adventure was over.
The ride home was strange, with Tori doing all the talking, mostly about the various people she'd met "For the first time ever" that night. Jade had to wonder how many she'd met before. Trina promised to tell her later, once she'd checked with Kasey for the tally, and updated the megastars contact list.
"It really boils down to if she was with Beck or not." The older woman said, watching as Tori went into her list of people who weren't there who she'd wished were. "If he was on her mind, then she might not remember meeting someone 'she just had to meet.'" Trina's fingers made bunny ears. "But then theirs the sad fact that some big name people just don't live up to the hype. Like the time we met Mick Jagger. Honestly, there are pictures, video, everything, and not the one of us has a clue what he was like. There was this old man, however, who we all felt needed to be in a home. Oh yea, and Keith Richards was a trip. Or on a trip. Either way, he was fun."
Jade chuckled at Trina's revelation while sitting back and listening, enjoying the gossip. Tori, however, wasn't listening, instead talking about the various stars and somebodies she'd met, had met, or was gonna meet.
Back at Tori's home, the megastar was still gushing about her evening. "Did you see? Tyler was there, and he was all jealous cause I had the best looking entourage in the club."
"People don't get jealous of that." Trina assured her. "Look, we stayed out later then we'd intended. Still, it was nice catching up with Sikowitz. Maybe we'll do it again after the tour."
"Sikowitz was there?' Tori asked. "How come I didn't see him?"
"Cause you were busy meeting up with other celebs." Ryder reminded her. "But he was there. We talked a bit about old time, who was doing what, the usual."
"The usual includes that list of his students who could use a break, and the ones in school who'd be good for any kind of roll." Trina added, smiling. "Always trying to get his people noticed. I'll admit, he got me, and you, auditions for American Voice. But, his contacts only go so deep."
"I could have used someone looking out for me, back in high School." Jade groaned. Then she shook it off. "Whats done is done. So, we're leaving early tomorrow?"
"We have to be at the radio station early for Tori here's interview, then we're heading back here for her television interview. You know what happens next. Now it's later then I'd intended, so go to bed."
Jade managed to be awake for the morning, watching her client's back as they hit the different appointments. The radio show was the usual, something jade was starting to get bored with. She honestly wondered how Tori could continue to stay pumped up for these radio interviews when most of them were so generic. It almost made her miss that station in Hawaii. Almost. But Tori was an old pro at this, telling them the basics, playing along with whatever games they might have planned, and jut getting through her limited time on the air. "The smart D.J.'s take calls." Tori told her bodyguard on the way back to the house. "The questions are the same, but at least the fans feel like their a part of the conversation." They got back with some time to kill before the interview, so both girls took a short nape, then got dressed with an eye towards who they were supposed to be impressing. Then the people for the television interview arrived, and it was back to work.
The interview was being taped for the next mornings Good Morning AM, a nationally seen show on one of the major networks. Jade was able to sit back and relax since their home security handled most of the possible threats. Still, she did a patrol, and waved hi to the communities patrol. They were both friendly and professional, making sure they knew everyone who was supposed to be there, often carrying photos of guests on their phones. Jade admired how thorough they were, since it meant she didn't have to be stopped and spoken with more then once. They had her picture as a reference, and would know who she was the next time they saw her. 'As long as your honest and up to date with them, they know who is and is not supposed to be here. Thats good.' She reminded herself. Then she headed back to the house.
By the time Trina split off from Tori's group, Jade was both ready for a change, and worried that the public appearance would be too good an opportunity for someone to try something. Not even the sight of so many policed officers eased her mind. But she knew her job, and followed Trina to the car and off to their meeting with this Phillip person. 'I just don't trust people without last names.'
Trina, for her part, was totally calm about Tori's safety, trusting the police presence to keep any bad people at bay. "Jade, relax, the cops have this. After all, we're family, and they protect their own." Trina assured the bodyguard as they rode to their next appointment. "Now, when we get to Phillip, just do as I ask, and everything's gonna go fine, okay? Lets just get though this, cause Phillip, he's a trip, if a little full of himself." She let that statement stand, enjoying the rest of the ride to his office, as well as the look on Jade's face..
The director office was in one of those tall buildings that L.A. has but pretends it doesn't. He'd wanted one on a studio lot, but found the rent to be too much, so he chose this building instead, conveniently close to several talent agents, as well as the strip, and a whole bunch of trendy places where people went to eat. He was away from the studios, but that no longer mattered. He was close to what he needed, and a lot of people who he liked to work with. Jade rode in the elevator, thinking of how this building had the wrong look for so many people in the entertainment industry to have offices here. It looked like you'd expect any office building to look, down to the elevators with bland brownish walls. "So whats this Phillip like?" She asked. Trina just smiled.
:}
Okay, kinda another ay in the life type chapter, but I did cover some material here. Like how many cops might be peeved if something happened to Tori, or what Sikowitz was up too. I'd mention all the references, but I wasn't counting, so you'll have to just assume I did. Anyways, hope you enjoyed the chapter, and that you never find yourself having dinner next to a table full of paparazzi.
So, thought, comments, wishes for world peace. Make then in the review section, and who knows, maybe someone will be inspired. Also, what do you suppose Phillip is like?