Chapter 92

The month passed quickly. Christmas came and went, as did the new year. The band worked their asses off. David was especially obsessive. This was their first performance in almost four years. he wanted to be on his A- game, and not just him. He wanted the entire band as a whole to be on top of their game.

The rally was drawing near and Brie was hectic busy. She was making sure that every little detail was in order. This was the kind of thing where she shined. It gave her life a purpose to organize things like this. She worked day and night like a madwoman, on the phone to different people sponsoring the event, lining up speakers, finding people to feed the masses that she was certain were going to be there. This rally consumed her, as it consumed the David and the guys.

The night before the rally the Commandant made a call to the band, wishing them good luck and telling them that they, as well as the speakers, would have a security detail of his top soldiers watching the rally for an sign of the Utopian Army. The band and their wives were all very thankful.

As the band sat in the dressing area, a tall thin young man came in. He wore jeans, a black polo, and black boots. His dark brown hair was cut short and close to his head. "Hello. How can we help you?"

The man extended his hand. "Hello, I'm Tim Schmitt. I'm the Keynote speaker for the rally."

"Oh, so you're Tim?" David took his hand and shook. "I'm David..."

"Oh, not to be rude, but I know who you are, all of you. I'm a huge fan", the man said.

"Always nice to meet a fan", Dan said and shook his hand.

"Oh, this is an honor for me. I started speaking at these things because you the four of you. I even quote your lyrics when I speak", he said as he shook their hands.

Mike crossed his arms. "How does it feel to know you go on right after us?"

"It's an honor, to be honest. You're gonna be a tough act to follow, but what else should I have expected when Deborah contacted me about the event? Then, when I spoke with Brie about it, I was so excited. I can't wait to see you guys live. A lot of people have been dying to see you all live for about three and a half, four years now."

David nodded. "And we've been dying to get back on stage for that same amount of time."

"I just hope we've still got it", Mike said.

"There's no way you could have lost it. It should be easier than riding a bike."