Do You Wanna Dance?

1. Let's work together

a.k.a. a horrible idea, a Dutch courtesan and a rebel

"I don't know Karrie... You started to work with the guys only in January and the whole thing seems to blow up right now, with that acoustic MTV show they'll probably gain more popularity, the tour in Europe went also very well, are you sure you couldn't postpone it?"

"Of course I am... Do you think I would have my knee operated right in the middle of the tour if I didn't have permanent pains? If Lollapalooza hadn't come up, maybe I would have postponed it until the tour ends but September is too late and my doctor also told that he could fix an appointment for May or June..."

"Well... sorry, I don't want to question you're condition but this timing is awful, we're almost in April... I understand your reasons and respect your decision but what about your replacement? Do you have any idea? Maybe Dave could recommend someone..."

"I've already talked with Dave about it... The guys he would recommend have already been signed by other bands for the next months..."

"And what about Smitty? Maybe he could..."

"I've already asked Smitty too... But he doesn't feel ready..."

"But why? He's been supporting you for months..."

"That's right, but he got into the business as an outsider without any tour experiences or technical skills... so his tasks are completely enough for him at the moment, he's quite busy during the gigs, he runs up and down the stage fixing the gear when the guys smash something, which happens often, y'know..."

"Then what should I do now? You quit for a while for personal reasons, fine, but..."

"I know someone, actually..."

"Who?"

"My second cousin."

"You have a second cousin who happens to be a monitor mixer? Or at least a road? What an interesting coincidence!"

"Uhm... I'm afraid we've reached that point of this conversation you won't like..."

"Don't fluster me Karrie, what's the problem with him?"

"First of all, he's a she."

"Okay, we're going to discuss this fact later but please, tell me something about her experiences first..."

"Well... she's a musician. A really good one, graduated from Juilliard, with excellent ears... And she's smart, she learns very fast..."

"Juilliard? That's awesome but it sounds somehow too nice to me, why do I feel that there is a "but" in the story?"

"I don't want to lie to you, Kelly... She's a classical musician and her only connection to rock music is that she loves it a lot. She's never worked as a roadie, she's never played in a rock band but as I've said, she has good ears and I don't know anyone who knows more about music than her."

"I don't know Karrie... Theoretical knowledge is important but throwing a qualified but totally inexperienced classical musician in the middle of the first independent U. S. tour of a promising rock band where every single mistake matters... And how could she learn how to handle the gear? Has she ever seen a monitor board?"

"I think she could join us before I leave so I could teach her what she needs. I would need about one month and after that Smitty, Brett and Scully could help her if she needs. But she won't, she's talented, as I've said. She's working as a substitute teacher at an elementary school but her contract runs out in two weeks, she could begin as soon as we need her..."

"Now I understand everything... you want to help her... But Curtis Management and Pearl Jam aren't a charity organization... And one month? Is it really enough? And should I pay for both of you for one month?"