Prologue: The Harem

Thursday, November 1st, 2007
The Hilton, Newark, New Jersey -- in the bar

The three Harem members had arranged to meet in the hotel bar for drinks before the show. Lucy got there first, claiming a table in the back so she could keep an eye on the door and people-watch. Hathor had sent a present to her room – a black T-shirt to wear at the concert. She knew it was coming, but still laughed when she saw it. She had it on under a cropped black leather jacket, just like they had planned. Her well-worn jeans hugged her curves, and she had on her favorite black leather boots. Lucy was ready for wherever the night would take her.

She spent some time watching the people coming into and out of the hotel. Judging from the sheer volume of heavily made-up women hanging around, she guessed that this was the hotel that the band was staying at, though why they would do that when they were literally practically in their own backyards was beyond her. As she sipped her mojito, she wondered when the others would arrive. Lucy checked her watch. It was 5pm. Two hours until they’d take their places in the audience, watching Gretchen Wilson warm everyone up. Then would come the concert. THEN would come drinks with Richie and the guys. And then, she thought to herself, if everything went well, a little after-drink private party. She shivered deliciously in anticipation.

Lucy looked up to see a woman dressed similarly to her come into the bar. The woman was average height, with gorgeous curly hair, and she too sported a jacket over a black tee. Jeans that were snug in all the right places and four-inch red peep-toe CFM shoes told her that this had to be Stephanie. “Hey, Queenie!” she called out.

Stephanie looked at the woman who called to her, and a grin split her face. “Lucy!” she cried, and the two women rushed to hug each other as if they were long-lost sisters instead of acquaintances meeting for the first time. They babbled excitedly about the evening’s festivities, and wondered what the hell was keeping Hathor.

“Where’s Goddess?” Lucy asked.

Stephanie shrugged, sipping her margarita – frozen, no salt. “Dunno. I got my T-shirt, so I know she’s here.”

Lucy looked around. “I hope she’s still coming,” she said.

“I told ya’ll that there was no way I was bailing on tonight, and I meant it,” cried a voice from the doorway. “Where the hell’s my drink?” It was Hathor, dressed in her own tight jeans, and brand new 3-inch high-heeled knee-high boots. She, too, was ready for whatever other surprises the night would hold.

The three ladies all hugged and exchanged kisses and piled back around their table. Stephanie spoke up first. “Did you guys get the roses and chocolates?”

Lucy exhaled. “Whew, I'm glad you said something. I was going to, but didn't want to in case it was, you know,” she blushed, “a warm up for later.”

Hathor laughed. “Yeah, sure; like you need warming up. I can't get over the bracelet,” she said, holding out her wrist. “It's just gorgeous!”

Richie had sent to each of the girls' rooms a dozen long-stemmed roses (though Lucy got two dozen), a box of Godiva chocolates and a gold ID bracelet with “Zan's Harem” engraved on one side – with roses twining around the 'Z' and 'H' – and their names on the back.

The others agreed that the gifts were wonderful surprises. After a moment, they ordered another round of drinks and set to having a great time. They were each pleased to see that the others were exactly as they seemed to be on the forum, and the online chemistry they had spilled over into real life. This was a group that would be friends forever. They caught each other up on their trips to Jersey, and Hathor told the girls she got inked but had kept it a secret until she could show them in person. She rolled up the leg of her jeans to unzip her boot, and showed them the three intertwined G’s on the outside of her left ankle.

Stephanie nearly spit out her drink laughing. “You didn’t!”

“Hell yeah, I did,” Hathor replied.

“What the fuck?” Lucy said. “Catch me up.”

Steph told her about the kidding around she and Hath and Ang, their UK forum friend, had gotten into, where Ang had “virtually” tattooed Hathor’s ankle with a Sharpie marker after chloroforming her for acting crazy. To anyone else, this would have made no sense whatsoever, but Lucy knew exactly what kind of crazy Hathor was, and laughed uproariously at the antics she had missed.

“Damn, I went away for a couple days, and look at what I missed,” Lucy said, wiping tears from her eyes. “I was wondering what all the Sharpie talk was about. You guys are nuts.”

Lucy was interrupted by her cell phone ringing. She checked the display. It said “Zan, Baby”. “Here’s our fearless leader now,” she said with a smile. “Hello?”

“Lucia, darlin’, how are you?” That voice, unmistakable now, sent another shiver down her spine.

“Zan, baby, how are you!” Lucy cried into the phone. Hath and Steph crowded around Lucy, silently cajoling her to put the call on speaker so they could all talk to him.

“I’m fine, darlin’. How was your flight? You ready for tonight?” His voice held a promise that had Steph and Hath sighing dramatically.

“Uh, Zan, baby, we’re not alone on the call.”

“Shit, not again!” Richie laughed. He had been the victim of a clandestine three-way call with Lucy and Hathor back before they knew who he was. In fact, it was how he was outed. Hathor recognized his voice right away, and confirmed Lucy’s suspicions. “Hello Harem!”

The three women dissolved into a fit of giggles. That was how Richie always greeted them online. It was one thing to see it typed on the screen but quite another to hear it in person. “Hi, Zan,” they sang into the phone. They were getting strange looks from the other patrons in the bar, but none of them cared. A deep chuckle came through the tiny speaker, causing Stephanie to elbow Lucy and wag her eyebrows at her, which made the three of them burst into laughter again.

Stephanie spoke up. "We got your presents, and we love them. Thank you so much!" Lucy and Hathor joined in on a sing-songy "Thank you" and giggled again.

“You're more than welcome, girls. Just wait, there's more. You can thank me properly later. By the sound of things, I’m missing a helluva party,” he said.

“Don’t worry Zan baby,” Hathor said. “We’ve got plenty of party to share with you, sweetheart.”

Lucy took the call off speaker and moved away from the table a little. Hathor called out to her “Lucy! No phone sex before the show, please.”

She blushed and called back, “Shut up, smart ass.”

“That’s my name, babe, don’t wear it out!” Hathor was on her third drink and getting a little silly.

Stephanie looked at her new friend and said, “Don’t make me get the sharpie,” which had the two of them falling all over each other laughing.

Richie was still chuckling when Lucy turned away from her girlfriends again. “Hey, Zan, sorry about that.”

“You can call me ‘Richie’ you know,” he said. “Or are you not alone?”

“Got it in one sweetie,” Lucy said, shaking her head, even though he couldn’t see it. “That was really thoughtful and generous of you. You know we were content with just meeting you and the guys, right?”

Richie laughed. “Now what fun would that be? I've gotta take care of my Harem, or God forbid, you'd all jump ship!”

“Not me, baby," Lucy said softly. “Never." She cleared her throat. “So, what are you guys doing?”

“We’re done with sound check, and are just hanging around waiting for the show to start.” He said something to someone on his end of the phone.

“Who’s that?” Lucy asked.

“Oh, just Jon. He was asking who I’m talking to.” Richie laughed. “Guess it’s his turn to give me shit. So, are we alone now?”

Lucy gulped. “As alone as I can be with Steph and Hath hanging around.” The ladies in question were shamelessly eavesdropping on Lucy’s side of the conversation.

“Tie a knot in it, Zan, she’s ours now. You’ll see her later,” Hathor called out, making Richie laugh.

“She really is a smart ass, isn’t she?” he asked.

“Yeah, but she’s harmless,” Lucy answered. “I should let you go. See you later.”

“Count on it, darlin’,” Richie answered. “Oh, where are your seats?”

“Close enough to see you, Zan baby. That’s all you’re getting. We girls have a surprise of our own.”

Richie sighed. “Really? Hmmm, I’m intrigued. OK. See you soon, then.”

“Absolutely.”

* * * * * * * *

About an hour before the show, the ladies called the waitress over so they could settle up. Instead of the bill, she brought a note.

Hello Harem!

Don't worry about the tab. It's on me.
Can’t have you passing out from hunger on me, now can I?

Z

The three ladies looked at each other, just floored. They left a generous tip for the waitress, and left to find a cab for the short ride to the Pru. Outside, there was a line of people waiting for cabs. Lucy noticed a giant, super-stretch limo, complete with liveried driver. The driver's sign said "Zan" on it. She elbowed the others and cocked her head at the car. The girls all laughed and pointed, and flashed their shirts at the driver, who smiled, and let them in.

There was another note waiting for them on the seat.

Hello Harem!

Can't have my best girls showing up in a cab for heaven's sake.

Z

When the Harem arrived at the Pru, they found the box office and waited in line for all the "will call" folks to get out of the way. When they finally made it to the counter, Lucy gave their names, saying there was supposed to be something waiting for them. The woman behind the counter scrutinized the proffered IDs, then went in the back for a minute. The harem members were all looking at each other and shrugging, but silently willing the woman to HURRY UP!

She came back with a large envelope that had thier names written across it in a bold and now-recognizable scrawl: Lucy, Queenie, Goddess. The woman handed it to Lucy, and suggested the trio find a quiet corner to open it. Lucy led the others to a quiet corner and tore into the envelope. She pulled out three lanyards. On the end of them were laminated all access passes! Lucy looked at Steph, and Steph looked at Hathor, and they all screamed, drawing unwanted attention. The three women laughed, and Stephanie and Hathor couldn't grab them out of Lucy's hand fast enough. The lanyards were looped around the girls' necks and the passes safely tucked into T-shirts before some over-zealous woman could try to take them away.

When the threesome showed their tickets to the guy at the gate, he gave them their wristbands, then noticed the lanyard straps poking out from their t-shirt necks. He asked if those were passes, and Lucy answered for them, showing the pass. All three got a second wristband. When they got to their seats, they just stood there. Each was thinking: Should we test out the passes, and see if we could really get backstage? Do we want to get into the fan pits on stage? Or do we just want to enjoy the experience of watching them full on from outstanding seats?

Lucy pulled the group together, and showed them a note that was in the envelope with the tickets.

Hello Harem!

As promised, here are your instructions for meeting up.

[1] Enjoy the show
[2] Come backstage after
[3] Take this one to the grave

That's pretty much it.

The passes I left for you are special, so when you show them, the security guys will know to bring you back to our dressing room. Give us a few minutes after the show, wouldya, to get cleaned up (except you, Lucia, darlin', you come on back anytime; you can wash my back).

There's another surprise for you during the show; I'm not going to spoil it, but we think you're going to appreciate it.

Alright, that's it. Harem, see you later. Lucia, darlin', see you after that!

Z

Stephanie and Hathor ribbed Lucy about the obvious after-after party she and Richie were going to have, then settled in to follow instructions.

The lights were dimming...