Atta girl. Now go home and relax. Wait though...

Michael digs in his pocket and hands Denise an envelope.

Give these to Danielle.

Denise looks in the envelope and a surprised expression appears on her face.

These are tickets for the concert. Third row. Michael, how did you get these? The kids are going nuts for these boys!

Michael looks around and then gestures towards his name on the door. Denise's mouth drops open.

You're not!

Michael grins and puts his finger to his lips. Denise impulsively hugs him.

Thank you so much Michael.

No problem, I got connections, remember? Now go home and break the news to your daughter.

Oh-kay...bye...

Denise leaves. Michael stands in the doorframe and watches her until she gets into the elevator.

INT. LAW OFFICES. DAY

When Michael re-enters, his partner ANDREA GESSNER, an athletic blond in her early 30s, steps out of her office. She's carrying her briefcase in one hand and keys in the other.

Hey Mike, how'd it go with Denise?

Good.

What'd you threaten to take this time?

Underwear.

A smile creeps over Andrea's face.

Well, I've got a deposition, so in case I don't see you, have a good weekend.

Thanks.

Andrea walks towards the door and opens it.

Got any plans?

Yeah, I, uh, I got...family...in town.

Cool. See ya.

Andrea exits and the door closes behind her. Michael checks his watch.

INT. HOTEL LOBBY. NIGHT Michael, now dressed in jeans, a dark-brown button-up shirt and jean jacket, checks his watch again. A SECURITY GUARD hands him a laminated pass.

Thank you sir.

No problem. Twenty-fifth floor, right?

Yep. I'll call up and let the others know you're coming.

Appreciate it.

Michael walks over to the elevator bank and presses the up button. He looks toward the street and is momentarily mesmerized by the throngs of teenaged girls pressed against the barricades outside. The bell sounds, signifying the arrival of the elevator and snapping Michael out of it. He boards the elevator, presses a button and the doors close.

INT. 25TH FLOOR. DAY

The elevator arrives and Michael steps out. He is greeted by A PAIR OF SECURITY GUARDS. Michael flashes his pass and one guard ushers him down the hallway. Michael stops in front of a door marked Regency Suite. He puts his hand in his right pocket and knocks on the door with his left.

When the door opens, Michael pulls a canister of Silly Strong out of his pocket and beings spraying. But he suddenly stops when he realizes it's his older brother BRYAN.

Oh shit Bryan, sorry.

No prob, come on in.

Michael enters and Bryan closes the door behind him.

INT. REGENCY SUITE. NIGHT

Bryan Hawthorne, blond and about 42, also appearing somewhat tired, begins cleaning the Silly String off himself.

You weren't the intended victim.

That I gathered.

The door of a nearby room opens and LUCAS HAWTHORNE enters the main room. He is a gangly 13, sunny and happy though, with a broad smile.

Hey Uncle Mike.

He was!

Michael begins spraying and doesn't stop until the can is empty and his nephew is covered in Silly String, but still smiling.

That's for the pudding incident.

Okay, we've even.

Lucas looks intently at Michael's shoes, and is still looking when his brothers exit a bedroom on the other side of the room. STEPHEN, the oldest, is 18. He is tall, pensive and analytical in nature. MICHAEL, the middle child and named after his uncle, is 16 with a sweet, almost baby face, open and almost too approachable. He speaks first.

Hey Uncle Mike!

Hey Nephew Mike! How's it going Steve?

We sold another million copies this week and moved up to the number 2 position on Billboard.

Oh shut up. I'm still dealing with the fact you guys made more money this year than I have in my career. Who's number one?

What?

Who's tail are you chasing?

Barenaked Ladies, those guys from Canada.

Good company.

Stop that.

Want something to drink?

How 'bout a Coke?

Ha, ha, make fun all you want, but that one commercial all but paid Lucas' college tuition.

As his father leaves the room, Lucas rolls his eyes.

I saw that and there are plenty of good music schools you can go to when it's time.

Michael is impressed with the eyes in the back of his brother's head. When Bryan comes back into the room with a cold six pack, the boys begin singing their version of the jingle. Bryan hands Michael his can, takes one for himself, sets the rest down on the coffee table and sits. The boys finish the jingle.

Thank you, now I am going to sleep with that in my head you pervasive little munchkins.

Hey Uncle Mike, wanna see something?

Lucas, not tonight.

Aaww....

Steve, Mike...

The two older boys make a dash to try and grab Lucas, but he makes it outside. The screams of the throngs of girls below fill the room. Michael raises his eyebrows. Bryan shakes his head.

Okay, can you go and do something about that, please?

Stephen and Mike go out on the terrace and the screams erupt again. Then there is silence.

Thank you, we love you, too!

Go home now and we'll see you tomorrow night at the concert!

Inside, Michael is taken aback.

That really works?

Oh yeah. So well in fact that I'm looking for some PSAs for them to do. Nothing better than a captive audience.

The boys come back inside. Stephen locks the sliding door behind them.

Okay, your first interview is at nine tomorrow, so you have half an hour before lights out.

Uncle Mike, you gonna be around tomorrow?

Of course. What time is breakfast?

About 8 Dad?

Probably.

Okay, see you then. Goodnight.

The boys say goodnight, then go into the bedroom and shut the door.

Now, do you have anything to enhance this?

Michael holds up the can.

Follow me.

Bryan gets up and heads for the suite's kitchen. Michael follows, making note of Bryan's weariness.

INT. SUITE - KITCHEN. NIGHT

Bryan opens the fridge and takes out three or four airline-size bottles of alcohol. Michael chooses one and pours it into his can. He chooses one for Bryan and dumps it into his can.

Are you okay?

Bryan picks up his can and mixes the drink by shaking it a little.

No. Um, the doctor says I need a rest. And I would like to go home...

But...?

The boys are contractually obligated for like the next year. Cancelling anything now would have massive ramifications. And Toby, the road manager, he's fantastic. Years in the business, that's why we hired him. But Lucas is 13 for pity's sake. I can't leave him with a road manager.

Can you replace yourself?

Why do you think I called you so many times to see if you'd be able to spend time with us while we were here?

Me?

You are their uncle, why not?

Me?

Mike, I am not joking. I really need you.

Bryan goes into the livingroom and returns with a thick binder.

It's all in here...schedules, contracts, hotels, payment schedules, phone numbers...

When would you need me?

How soon can you clear your schedule?

Bryan...

I wouldn't ask you if I didn't have to Mike.

INT. MICHAEL'S APARTMENT. NIGHT

MICHAEL is standing in the livingroom, at his desk. The only light is provided by the desk lamp. A laptop computer is open and on. Various papers are strewn about the top of the desk. A daily planner is open. Michael flips through the pages, thinking. He picks up the phone and dials.

Hi...Andrea? I know it's late, but I gotta talk to you. Can you come over here?

INT. MICHAEL'S APARTMENT. LATER
MICHAEL is still in the same general position. ANDREA, clad in a grey sweatpants and a long-sleeved UNLV sweatshirt, sits on his couch, looking concerned.

About a month?

Minimum.

I don't...understand.

My brother's sick and he needs me to take over the family business for a little while.

He can't just hire somebody?

Well, if the family business was a traditional one...

Michael walks over to the couch. He picks up the photo album lying on the coffee table and sits down next to Andrea. He opens it to a random page.

This...

...is my older brother Bryan. And these...

...are his kids, my nephews.

They look familiar.

What's my last name?

What?

My last name. It's on our door...

Hawthorne?

Think about it. They're my brother's kids, so their last name is...

Hawthorne...your nephews.

Michael nods.

And if Bryan pulls them off the road now, they stand to lose a lot, personally and professionally.

Well, what's your calendar look like?

There's just Denise, everything else is in preparatory stages.

And what about Denise?

I have a plan. I'm pretty sure I can clear that up before I go.

Okay, well, I guess we could take on an intern or something. I'll talk to Charlie in the morning.

Atta girl...

INT. REGENCY SUITE. MORNING

STEPHEN opens the door for his UNCLE MICHAEL.

Where's your father?

Resting.

You know what's going on?

Yeah, he told me.

And your brothers?

No yet. I've been trying to keep them reigned in without saying anything.

Big job.

So are you gonna lighten my load?

Steve, I can't just dump my law practice and go on the road with 24 hours notice... I need at least 48.

Stephen's eyes brighten and he begins a quiet celebration.

Yes! You're going! You're going, right?

Yeah, looks like it. But I need a favor.

Name it.

Do you think Mike can dedicate a song to Danielle Ferguson tonight?

Danielle?

Client's daughter. I gave her tickets.

Danielle...Ferguson?

Michael nods.

Yeah, sure. Write it down. I'll make him. Done deal. Dad!

Stephen runs out of the room. He returns almost immediately to high five Michael.

Thanks Uncle Mike.

No sweat.

Dad. Dad!

Stephen runs out of the room again.

INT. HOTEL DININGROOM. MORNING

BRYAN, MICHAEL and the BOYS are having breakfast.

Okay, I have to get serious for a minute here.

Stephen puts down his fork. Mike sees this and after a momentary hesitation, does the same.

What's up Pop?

I have to go home.

Just you?

Why?

You know how I've been so tired lately?

Mike nods, a look of growing concern takes hold of his face. Bryan notices.

It's not that bad Mikey. The doctor says it's just fatigue. But I do have to go home and get some rest.

What about us?

I'd love to take you with me, but I can't. Your schedule, the contracts, the fans...

That's why Uncle Mike is here.

Michael and Lucas look at Michael expectantly.

I'm gonna fill in for your Pop. If that's okay?

Well, it doesn't sound like we have too many options.

Mike, would you rather break contracts, possibly lose the house,your fans...? I'm not putting a stranger in my place, this is a family operation. And it'll be up to you guys to break him in.

How long?

About a month.

And you swear it's not serious?

Just fatigue. The doctor said with a little time off I'll have no problem keeping up with you monkeys.

INT. CONCERT VENUE. MORNING

BRYAN carries his binder/bible, MICHAEL follows closely by his side. The BOYS are wearing rollerblades. As CHRISTINA LATHAM, a reporter in her mid-20s, comes down the aisle, the boys skate over to her.

Good morning.

Well, hello. What a welcoming committee.

Yeah, but you didn't bring your skates.

Oops.

Not a huge problem. We can sit...

For a little while.

So what's your angle going to be?

Pardon me?

Well, were you thinking of the typical concert preview or what?

Actually, I'm not that interested in typical. Why don't you tell me something nobody knows. If that's humanly possible...

My first set of drums belonged to my Uncle Mike.

Is he a musician, too?

Nope. He's a lawyer. Here.

Shut up...

I should know. He's my namesake...

Just a sec...

Stephen skates over to his father and uncle and can be seen trying to convince his uncle to come with him. Finally, with a grin, Bryan provides some physical assistance. Stephen skates back and presents his uncle.

Uncle Mike, this is...Christina, right?

Christina stands and extends her hands, which Michael shakes.

Christina Latham, I'm with the Herald.

Michael Hawthorne.

Well...

She looks at Michael and his nephews.

Lucas was telling me that his first set of drums actually belonged to you.

He needed something to play and I was in college, so they were just gathering dust.

What's your earliest musical memory of the boys?

You know how older brothers usually force little brothers to do their chores and stuff? My brother and his wife had it easy, those two just used to make this one sing.

You ever teach them anything?

Well, he's been promising me driving lessons.

I meant musically.

Gawd no. Not really.

We did learn that song for your birthday, remember?

Oh, lord...

Are they going to sing?

It's a pretty safe bet.

The boys launch into an acapella version of Billy Joel's "Only The Good Die Young". Lucas keeps time by snapping his fingers or banging on his leg with an open hand.

INT. CONCERT VENUE. LATER

BRYAN and MICHAEL sit in the audience while the boys and the other band members do their sondcheck and warm-up.

And that was a light schedule. The boys did the radio stuff by phone and we did the TV yesterday.

So afternoons are usually soundcheck?

Sometimes a photo shoot, but always - school. Their curriculum is divided into what Maggie expects them to accomplish daily. Don't let them fall behind. Steve's gonna take his SATs soon. Mike needs some help in Math and Lucas...

What?

You're probably gonna hafta get him to read aloud. He tends to read for speed and not content.

I'll make a note of that. Don't worry Bryan. We can pull this off.

I'm not worried.

And don't lie, it sets a bad example for the boys.

Stephen comes to the front of the stage.

Dad?

If you're happy, I'm happy!

A group discussion begins onstage.

So where to now?

I told you. School. Ready?

Aw man, no pictures or something first?

I'll read with Lucas.

What do I get?

Trig with Mike.

Michael stares at Bryan blankly.

I thought I was doing you a favor. Do you hate me that much?

Fake it. It'll make Mike feel better. But check his answers. Maggie made a teacher's manual.

Remind me to thank Maggie.