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We pulled into aFiery Boys beat I kneas just a er, but that puton the bus with my rock-and-roll heroes Alone-I understood that part-but still on the bus I fannedTiet their own bus, and the lowlifes crowd onto the second one But Mr Bartholomew is so irinned "Personally, I think he hates us Don't knohy he'sTim stopped and knocked on a door

Given that Jason Bartholomew didn't like this contest, I doubted he'd be happy to seeto do my best to make friends with him He could love me or he could hate me-it would be up to him I knew there was no in-betith me anymore; peoples' opinions always fell to one extre,a button-down shirt and dark slacks He squinted atpropriety, he crisply shook uess he was in his forties, going on sixty And aard Either he disliked me, or this was si salvo was full-bore friendly "I'm really excited to be here, Mr Bartholoave me a smile that was half real and half plastic I didn't"Have a seat" He waved stiffly toward a chair "And call me Jason"

We sat down at a table that was scattered with papers, o I noticed equip lists, security schedules, and ht there

Seeing all this back office activity for my favorite band made me even more excited I realized where I was, at the hub of Fiery Boys central, talking to the facelessto ads of the ine I started to breathe a little faster

Jason looked atfan"

He had e I hope I can keep it together when I uy was just the er