Your Name My Playlist

“If you’re lost, the restrooms are by the concessions to the left. My left” Wild screams of fans and a cacophony of drum beats echo behind Kylie as she stared at the burly man in the security guard standing in the way of her and being late meeting her new employers. She’d been told to go backstage before the second set and introduced herself having thought it was as easy as walking in. She wonders if the guard has his eyes on the bottom of his feet not to see her pass on her belt buckle.

“I have a pass” Kylie thrusted her left hip forward thinking the lighting might’ve been too dim for him to see clearly. He scanned her up and down thinking she’s some crazy fan trying to pull a fast one on him to sneak backstage. “As you can see I’m supposed to be back there.”

“Nice try. Everyone is supposed to be here, outside this door. And whatever VIP pass you supposedly have is only useful after the concert. A staff member will come and get you then. Now move aside, doll and don’t block the entrance.” The man says his arms folded pointing to the other direction where the echoes of cheers and singing are coming from. He hopes she’d take the hint and head back to the stands.

Kylie’s eyebrow arch, her teeth clenched as she tries to calm herself not to hammer him for either being blind a fool or both not wanting her first impression to be her losing it. The door opens and two staff members walk by in conversation laughing a bit. Kylie inhales deeply and grabs the lanyard hanging off her belt loop stretching the retractable string so he could have a closer look to show him her supposed “VIP” pass was a staff pass. The man perfunctorily glances at the lanyard, tired having thought he’d seen it all but apparently to him there are still lengths people would go to get close to their idols. “Your lanyard is very cute, I have one too as you can see.” The security guard says, pointing to him around his neck. “But I prefer them without the stickers, too distracting. If that’s all you can go back and enjoy the most out of your tickets.”

Kylie’s brow ticked, she smiled out of pure disbelief guessing that he might actually be doing it on purpose at this point. “Don’t you see? Staff pass. Now let me in.”

“Wow, you crazy fans get more and more creative each time. Should I call your ward guardian?”

Kylie clenched her other hand into a fist, already picturing punching the lanyard into his face with it so it impossible for him to deny. She then remembers Esther telling her not to cause trouble no matter what happens. She first clenched and unclenched before finally releasing, not wanting to let all Esther’s help getting her the job go to waste. She sighed. The security guard thought she’d finally given up. Kylie turned the lanyard to herself wondering what’s wrong with the pass Esther gave her. Her eyes widened as she stiffened. Her ID in the card hold stared blankly at her. Alarm bells rang in her head and stared long enough hoping it would materialize back into place.

She remembered it being there when Esther showed it to her last night, and that she grabbed it off the kitchen counter when she left for the event. Or at least she thought she did seeing her regular everyday lanyard with the cutesy cinamoroll on the wire roll. She wasn’t sure if the beating in her ears was from the drums or the growing fear of Esther finding out she probably lost it either on the commute or somewhere in the venue. She hears the cheers behind her and can’t help thinking what would happen if some psychotic fan actually did find her pass. She already imagines her and Esther kissing their jobs goodbye. The echos shimmer down as the ripple cuts through the air from a bass long smooth but bounced like a well wound spring.

The amphitheater lit up like a sea of warm orange glitter appearing one after the other. Fans sway their hands, the glowing wristbands, the stadium mellow, the keyboard joining in to accompany the bass. Otto stood center stage, his hand gripped on the microphone, his eyes closed, holding the guitar in his other hand. His band member Sid taps a little rhythm on the drums like a tumbling nostalgic memory on a hill. Otto remembering the words that someone special once told him. He eased softly with a melancholic soothing voice, his memory of the sunset on the playground. Him sitting on the top of the jungle gym with a young girl, her face slightly a blurry softened by the orange evening glow. Her tucking a lock of black hair between her hair.

The soft laugh that she had before turning to him, her eyes golden against the sunlight. Her lips parted as he remembered the words she told him….

Remember the promise we made on the swings.

That pretty pinky promise worth more than diamond rings.

No matter where life takes us, or if our paths forget to meet.

Don’t forget your promise to remember me.

REMEMBER MY NAME. Even if you hit fame. NEVER forget my name. Or forever live in shame.

Otto slowly opens his eyes as the song begins to die down. His eyes scan the crowd, no sign of that familiar figure having now faded. The old playground bathed in the afterglow of sunset now a crowd that had echoed back the words to him, their wristbands still glowing that warm orange which too started to fade. He forces a smile as he waves to the crowd, he wishes that one day that the song would reach her somehow. His other band mate Nate pats his shoulder signaling for them to get off stage.

They head off the stage, staff swirling around the backstage preparing for the next set. They’d rather not get caught up in the chaos hoping to at least get five minutes to rest before they get dressed for the next performance. Just as they were all about to plop themselves down anywhere they find comfortable, their manager Marc approaches them beaming. Their keyboardist Brandon b lined to the restroom upon seeing him.

“That was great guys, the crowd was really into it. Good thing you decided to perform, Remember my name.”

“We perform Remember my name every concert.” Nate rolls his eyes, not sure if he could continue playing bass to a crowd that only seems to remember the full lyrics of that song alone. “Also define great.”

“At least they are singing instead of looking confused like they haven’t heard Jellybean a thousand times before.” Sid said, twirling his drumsticks and taking a swing from a bottle of water. Otto sat quietly slumped forward on the couch lost in his thoughts. He’d thought this time for sure she would be here with the concert being close to their hometown this time. He even made arrangements for tickets to be left for her at the booth. A ring cuts through the chaos around them, Marc looked down at his phone seeing the caller id showing Esther. He shushes the guys and picks them up rather enthusiastically.

Esther: Hey Marc, you know the new music producer that’s supposed to meet the band today right?”

Marc: Yeah? Don’t tell me they backed out.

Esther: Oh no she’s here, it’s just that security isn’t letting her backstage. Could you go down and help her out? My hands are tied.

Marc: Why are they not letting her in? Doesn’t she have a staff pass.

Esther: Well that’s the thing I gave her the wrong lanyard this morning.

Marc: Ah fine, I’ll go.

Esther: Great, Remember her name is Kylie Cooper. Thanks.

Marc hangs up the phone, he looks up with his eyes meeting Sid a shit eating grin plastered on the corners of his lips. “Where are you going lover boy?” Sid plopped his elbows on the couch rest and his chin rested on his palms acting like a school girl who found her friend talking to their crush.

“Just going to deal with something at the backstage entrance. I’ll be back soon. ”

“Or dealing with someone.” Sid winks, “go on, you can’t have Esther waiting now.”

Marc’s ears flushed a bit before turning on his heel, “Take all the time you need.” Sid shouted behind him making him run faster while Nate ouus along adding to the teasing. Marc can’t help wondering when those two will grow up. But it’s better than them knowing that the company hired a new music director and songwriter for them. Especially Otto hoping he won’t scare them off as the band were already starting to get rumors of being difficult to work with complaints made by the others that left.

Marc spotted two staff members walking from the direction with hushed tones talking about a crazy chick that thinks she can get in with a phone call. His mind started to panic wondering if some crazy fan might be there as well, he stone faced as he reached the door. He opened it a sliver and already heard the commotion “Look Esther sent someone that will clear up the misunderstanding you have to believe me.” Marc froze a bit hearing Esther’s name and peeked outside a bit before poking out to see who was talking only to see the security guards arms and black shirt obscuring his view leaving him no choice. He’s not sure what’s worse if this person really was the music producer or a crazy fan that somehow overheard Esther’s name and is using it.

He pulled himself together and poked his head out. His gaze already landing on a few phones pointed in this direction thinking they were discreet, already feeling the headache to fix this now more hoping she’s a fan with a few screws loose to make it an easy ignore and it will go away situation. He turns his attention to the security guard.

“What’s the problem here chuck?” The security guard sighs, “nothing, just this chick thinking she can get in here with her ID.”

“I’m not a fan, I keep telling you I work for the company.”

Marc turned his attention to the exhausted voice he heard from earlier. Kylie standing there with her wavy hair in a low ponytail, a black graphic tee with net armbands, a glowing wristband and ripped jeans paired with white sneakers. He was a bit skeptical although he’s not expecting her to dress like she’s doing a job interview in a suit but she looks more like a regular fan than anything.

“You’re Kylie right?”

“Yes, I am.” Kylie takes her ID out of her pocket just Incase. “See Kylie Cooper.”

Marc looks at the ID and his inquisitive gaze softens. “So you’re Esther’s friend?” Marc sighs and turns to the security, “she’s alright chuck let her in.”

“Alright? I trust your word Marc but note if she brings any trouble just call.”

“I don’t think we’ll need any of that tonight.” Marc pauses, still seeing cameras still discreetly videoing the matter, already seeing it plastered all over TikTok. “Hopefully”

Kylie walks past with a triumphant smile glad that she’d worked up the courage and called Esther and told her the truth. Once inside Marc notices the strange looks of some of the other staff as they walk by knowing they already caught wind of the situation. And that chuck probably radioed them through his ear piece. He glanced at Kylie who looked completely vindicated with victory with a little hop in her step. He has a sinking feeling that it will be wiped off soon enough when she realizes that was just the tutorial before the main event. “Look, I’ll have to warn you that the guys aren’t going to take a liking to you at first meeting okay? But don’t hold it against them.”

Kylie, still high on her victory, doesn’t think anything past this point could be any harder than getting through. She’d somewhat planned if that didn’t work she’d try sneaking under one of the carts and get herself wheeled in. She hmmed in response. “Don’t worry. I only care about work, not becoming a groupie.” She’d dealt with difficult artists and their managers when she worked as a ghost song writer before. She thought they couldn’t be as bad as he claimed.

“That’s not what I’m worried about.” Marc says under his breath as they approach. “Stay behind me and don’t let them see you. Let me butter them up a bit first— okay?”

“Sure.” Kylie nodded slowly not sure what type of initiation ritual it was this time. Marc beside her takes a deep breath as they head to the guys green room. He knocks, puts on his award winning suck up smile and opens the door.

“Make sure you have clothes on, cause we have a guest.”

“Everything solved, chief?” Brandon wiggled his shoulders and started gesturing hugging himself. “Was it nice getting all cozy with Esther?”

The left corner of Marc’s lip twitched as he glanced back a bit at Kylie hoping that she won’t misunderstand. He clears his throat, “I don’t know what you are talking about.” He pulls Kylie from behind him holding her In front of him like some sort of shield. “Anywho, say hello boys to your very music producer Ky-”

“No.” Otto says dryly resting on the couch without looking up.

“Invalid cause Kylie is here to stay.” Kylie is not sure what to do in this situation as the other band members stare at her like some foreign creature with looks bordering between sorry for her and amusement. She awkwardly waved, feeling Marc’s hands holding her arms tremble a bit. Not sure what else to do.

“Hi, I’m-”

“I don’t care.” Otto sits up annoyed tired of the company pushing people unto them all the while to try and give them “new and fresh” ideas when they clearly don’t need them. He stares at whose the new hopeful sucker they got this time that’ll end up with a different artist in the end. Always using their group as the test run for their careers the training ground if he may. His breath stopped a moment seeing the familiar face in front of him again even with the awkward smile.

“Well we’re off to a great start aren’t we? I’m Kylie.” Marc takes her to the guys one by one still holding onto her as he introduces the guys.

“The wise guy over here is Brandon, our Keyboardist. And his side kicks by the mirror are Nate our drummer and Sid our Bass.” Marc leans in to whisper to her ears. “Be careful of that one, he’s a bit of a flirt.” Kylie nods understandingly while shaking his hand, he slowly circles his thumb on the back of her hand.

“It’s going to be nice working with you however short it may be.” Sid smiles playfully gazing into her eyes. She awkwardly smiles. And turns to Otto still staring at her on the couch. Marc’s grip seemed to tighten on her arms making her wonder why he seems so afraid of him. “Thats Otto, don’t mind him, he’s always in a mood.” Otto scowls a little as his eyes trailed to their joined hands and then back at Sid who gives him a mischievous grin.

“What are you doing?”

“Just introducing you. And take your handshake for you.” Otto’s gaze darkens as he watches Sid run his finger further to her wrist. Kylie draws her hand back not liking the sudden tension in the room.

“Okay then, nice to meet you all. And I’m in your care.” Kylie laughs it off awkwardly then looks at Marc gesturing with her eyes that he could let her go now. And starts thinking she’s got her work really cut out with this group. And looks back at Otto with a determined smile.