The Leading Man (Multiband Fan Fic)

Chapter 30 - Gov'nor

Vinnie's P.O.V

So, here we are.
All sat in the tour bus, with a truck following behind us, carrying all our equipment, with a second truck behind that, carrying our stage.

I sat at the table, Monroe and Kirk opposite me, whispering to each other, while Monroe read through a magazine.
I miss having that.
Kirk smiled, whispering in her ear, she nudged him, laughing quietly, turning the page of the mag.
Dylan was sat on the couch, that faced the table, on Kirk's left, my right.
He was strumming on his acoustic, also talking to Alec, who was making some coffee, trying out the new kitchen set up. Jasmin got an upgrade.
Eddie was in the back, with Maria. She was coming out for the first two months of this tour. There's even the possibility she might stay out here with us, for the full fourteen months.
Stevie's just making his way to us, coming from the bunks. We can't stop for smoke breaks, so we've all agreed smoking can only be done in the back of the bus. He's fine with it.
Sherrie has to work, but she's gonna be coming out onto the tour next week. Stevie's super excited.
They're still not official, but they really love each other.

"Hey, Gov!" Stevie called out, as Gov was talking to our driver, James. It's not roadie James. This is a new guy. Our roadies were traveling in the bus with us, only not taking driving duties anymore. It's all part of the headliners stream.
"King?" Gov nodded over to Stevie, as our drummer sat down next to Dylan.
"How mu'h is a private jeh?" Stevie asked.
Monroe and Dylan looked from Stevie to Gov.

"Can we get one?" Monroe asked.
"It's going to cost $10 Million... Right now, you guys can afford to keep your girlfriends out on the roads with us, you can afford your own hotel rooms, and you can afford the stage we've got. By the end of this tour, you'll be able to afford your own homes, your own cars, your own custom gear. IF this album sells like we're expecting it too, by the end of this tour, you can have all that, and your own private jet." Gov told us.
"Whoa..." I whispered, looking up at him.
"You've hit No. 94 on the charts, you were traveling in baby Jasmin back then. You hit No. 44 in the charts, you upgraded to teenager Jasmin. Todd quit the band, Janie's Gun was put on pause. We choked, but we gained consciousness. The people called for us, we stepped back up onto the plate... Right now." Gov pointed to Stevie.
"Right now, we're No. 8 in the charts, with 'Nothin' But a Good Time'. We're No. 11 in the same charts, with 'Fallen Angel'. We're No 22 in the same charts, with 'You're Mama Don't Dance'... 'Every Rose...' has just been released today. Tomorrow, the album goes on sale. If that song hits No. 1... Well... You guys won't need me anymore." Gov just broke three hearts.

"What? But your our gov'nor..." Monroe looked at him, hurt in her eyes.
"Yeah, we can't do this without you." Dylan looked from Monroe to the Gov.
"I appreciate that, but I only deals with small bands. I got you on the rock and roll wheel. Someone else will take you from there." Gov gave a shrug, with a sad smile.
"Forgeh the private jeh, I wan' you, Gov!" Stevie frowned.
Gov chuckled. "It's not up to me, I'm afraid."
"EDDIE!" Monroe called out. "Gov's going to be leaving us!"

"WHAT?!" Eddie called back, before he ran to the front of the bus.
"Is there anyone we can talk to about this?" Dylan asked, putting his guitar down.
"Peter Finlay, but he's one busy guy. Pretty sure he has it in the makings that I leave soon. Sooner if you make it to No. 1." Gov told us.
"But... You're the sixth member of this band. Gov, you can't leave. You know these guys like no one else. Someone new... They'd pull Stevie off the drugs, half his solo time, prevent him from doing what he does best. He wouldn't be the King... They'd shut up Dylan, force Eddie to sing less, put me in the front, and shadow out Monroe. It's gonna happen and you can't deny that! Look at KISS! Look at Black Sabbath! Look at Bon Jovi! Look at Guns N' Roses! Who's the drummer? Who's the rhythm?  Who's the bass? We don't know, 'cause we can only see the lead singer and the lead guitarist! Gov, with you everyone shines. Stevie is an immortal King! He almost died once! Dylan is a solider, walking through battle ground as if he's Batman! Eddie doesn't only have a voice, but he can do all kinds of shit, while still keeping up with the bass. We wouldn't be allowed to do as many of our stunts with someone else, 'cause you're just as apart of all of them, as we are. You know each step we take, you know every word, the name of every trick... Gov, if you leave, we're just like every other band out there.
We're a singer, two guitarist, a drummer, and a bassist. We're not Dylan Chaser and Monroe, the Dynamic Duo. We're not Stevie King. We're not Eddie Riot. I'm not Vince Morgan... We're just a bunch of kids..." I shook the bus into silence.

"Vin..." Gov looked at me. "Thank you... That's the most I've ever heard you speak, but I really do mean 'thank you'... I've no say in what's to come, but I know you guys... You know where Peter's office is, so if you want to fight, then fight." Gov looked at each of us individually.
"They can take our jet. They can take our custom kit. They can take our stage, but you're the Gov'nor. We made you, like you made us. You're just as big a part of this, as we all are." Monroe smiled at him.
"I love you guys." Gov smiled at us.
"We love you, man." Dylan smiled, Eddie nodding, with Stevie agreeing.

. . .

We made it to the hotel, emotions all neutral.
We didn't quite know what to expect.
We piled off the bus, walking into the hotel, getting all our own rooms.
As we stood in the lobby, some tall guy walked over, wearing a black dress shirt and black jeans, looking like Duran Duran's John Taylor, back in the '90s, when he cut his hair.
He approached the Gov, Gov looked up at him, then over to Monroe.
"Phil Mason-"
"Who?" Monroe looked to the Gov'nor.
The gov laughed, smiling at Monroe, as if he was smiling at his daughter.
"Peter called me in-"
"I know... You're my replacement." Gov pinched the bridge of his nose.