New York City was being very kind to a newcomer like me. The Triple Threat Tour made its biggest stop yet, 2 nights at the legendary Madison Square Garden. Man, was I psyched! I got to the arena extra early. I wanted to look at this place that had seen so much history. I took a lot of pictures for myself as the crew setup the stage for that night's show. I had my IPod on and was idly listening to a Rolling Stones live album from 1969. From far across the arena I looked at the staging area and it suddenly hit me; this is where the Stones recorded the album I'm listening to now!
Chuck was on his phone coordinating everything. He called me over as he was ending one call.
"I think it's gonna be extra insane tonight." He said
"Why?"
"I've had a lot of calls from press people trying to confirm if someone's gonna be here." He said as we walked towards the backstage areas.
"And what someone would that be?" I asked, intrigued.
Chuck looked around.
"Britney Spears. Try and restrain yourself." He said calmly.
"No way, really?" I said surprised.
"Oh, yes. I got a call from her people saying she was in town and wanted to meet everyone. I hope the security detail will be enough." He said.
"How would you handle this?" I asked.
"Well, I guess we'll find out tonight won't we?" He said as he walked away.
Showtime came a few hours later.
The backstage area was buzzing with people before the show. I'd gotten quite a welcoming from Jennifer Aniston and I kept my promise to make sure tickets for the show were waiting for her. She was backstage with a friend; she gave me a smile and wave when we spotted one another. Rihanna gladly posed for photos with radio contest winners and members of her fan club. Tigress was their usual flirtatious selves with their fans. Beyonce' had her team in another room. I went out of the main press room for a minute and promptly bumped into 2 enormous men with a tiny blonde in tow.
"Clear the way, move over!" they bellowed as I was pushed aside.
Britney Spears had arrived.
She was ushered into our press room where I could hear people calling her name. I had to get in there and do my job, but the "man-mountains" she had with her blocked my way. I fumbled around for my tour pass while looking for Chuck or anyone from the tour. As I watched through the "man-mountains" the one nearest Britney caught my eye. I looked as best I could at the enormous man near me.
"Zachary?" I said as I caught his eye.
"Yeah?" I heard a deep voice reply
"Zachary Lincoln?" I asked again.
"Yeah? That's my name, how'd you know it?" he sounded a little annoyed at me.
"Z-man?" I said, now recognizing him.
His eyes widened as he recognized me.
"Mister Hollywood, I'll be damned!" he said, now with a big toothy grin.
Zachary "Z-man" Lincoln was an old friend of ours from high school back east. He was a star football player as you'd expect. And he'd been a valuable ally when Chris and I got into a jam or two. When we all graduated he'd gone off to play for one of the Midwest football powerhouses (I couldn't remember which one). And since then I'd lost touch with him. Now I run into him here. He immediately told the others to let me in, just as I'd found my tour pass, what a coincidence.
"What are you doing here, bro?" he asked, offering a massive hand to me.
"Taking pictures for Rihanna and Tigress, just getting paid for it." I said.
