Title: "Revelations: Part 9 of 14"
The next day, the parking lot of the Berkeley Town Hall was parked bumper to bumper. Adults dressed in fine suits and dresses walked their children across roads and parking lots to find a seat quickly.
In front of the Town Hall itself, a stage had been created with a large podium set up right in the middle. To the left, a large item rested. A maroon cloth draped over it to block any viewing of it before it was deemed appropriate in time.
In front of the stage, a banner was molded into it with the name of "Theodore Balmore" blaring loudly from it. A large picture from his days as a stand out on the Berkeley University football team was beside it.
And off to the left of the stage, sitting behind a table with good sized line coming from it, was Theodore Balmore himself, signing autographs for anyone who wanted a chance to meet the man before the ceremony began. There were fathers with their sons, young boys pulling their mother along into the line, as well as even teenagers in the line, all wanting to meet and get the autograph many had just heard about or seen on TV. But finally, he was back in Berkeley, as the day was centering around him to begin with.
A young child, no more than the age of seven, asked to get a picture with him. Theodore smiled a huge smile, of course allowing the child a picture. He went as far as to allow the child over the table and held him in his arms as the child's father took the picture. The father thanked him and shook his hand, and then they were off.
The next in line had a whole handful of Theodore Balmore football cards. He politely asked for signatures on them, but Theodore was more than glad to sign them. He was a real class act. Theodore Balmore: local, as well as nationwide for some, hero.
As the festivities were drawing to a close, the mayor of Berkeley, Mayor Clemson, took the stage and walked to the pulpit. Adjusting the microphone just slightly, he spoke into it, saying, "If I could have your attention please." People all looked over in his direction and began filing their way towards their seats. Some would only have standing room, though, as there were only so many chairs that had been setup outside of the Town Hall.
Continuing to speak, the mayor gathered more attention. "In just a moment, we will begin with the festivities that we're all gathered here for today as we commemorate the return of the Berkeley legend, the man known as Theodore Balmore!"
The crowd all let out a roar of approval. Whistling and clapping and cheering, they were excited for it to begin.
The mayor walked to the back of the stage and through a constructed curtain to where Theodore had retreated. "Five minutes until this all gets underway, Mr. Balmore," said the mayor in passing.
"Thank you, sir. I'm eagerly anticipating it," replied Theodore. Beside him in the backstage area, Patrick, Karl, and JJ were around him talking. Patrick was eating up the moment, while Karl had a daiquiri that he had just bought from the alcohol booth in the parking lot. But JJ seemed more reserved. Possibly still shook up from the previous night's encounter.
"Well Dorey," said Karl, who was looking particularly odd in denim pants and a polo shirt, "I think me and JJ need to go on and head out to witness this thing as truly it... should be, heh heh. Watch as our good 'ol hometown hero gets an award!"
"Haha," laughed Theodore. "Well, I tell you what, be ready for your name to be called. You, too, JJ. I got give my props to my best friends from life."
"Thanks man," was all JJ could say. His face was like a ghost. His hands were pushed down into his pockets. Karl nudged him, and JJ figured he might as well go on with him to the outer part and watch the whole thing as well.
"I'll see you when I return," hollered Karl, just feet away from the curtain, with people standing just outside of it, and continued, "but just remember. This might be your day, but leave at least one of 'dem bitches for me!"
The two walked past the curtain, with a group of ladies giving them particularly odd looks as they walked by. Karl paid them no mind, though, as he and JJ went looking for an available seat.
Patrick turned to Theodore as the two left. He smiled a sly grin and jokingly punched his brother in the arm. "Well superstar, how's the show so far?"
As he looked to Patrick, Theodore's facial expression that he had been carrying dropped to a disgusted grimace. Looking around to make sure there was no one in earshot distance, he began to talk to Patrick. "Man, I tell you, there's so much ass kissing going here, it's about to make me sick!"
Patrick figured as much. He knew his brother pretty well. Not well enough to still be able to learn some stuff from him, but still pretty well. "That bad huh?"
Theodore raised his hands in defeat. "I swear man, that autograph table was the worst. This one kid brought me a whole damn stack of cards for me to sign. There must have been twelve of them in there. And you know I'm not getting paid to do that shit or anything. He should at least have the courtesy to narrow it down to say, one card. I have too many fans to spend a large portion of the time on just one of them. All of them want to see me.
"I just know one thing. I hope this thing turns out good, just to make up for the entire ass that's been thrown into my face to kiss. But get used to it, Patrick. When you get as successful and as known as I am now, people just expect for you to treat them like kings, when it should be you yourself who should be the king in the group. But it's ok. They're just the people who've came to see me, while I'll be on stage, looking at all of them."
A big smile broke over Patrick's face. "Isn't it grand, though?"
Theodore smiled as well with his brother. "No doubt! I wouldn't trade it for anything, no matter what I have to do. Celebrity status can get you anything in this world."
Just then, Mayor Clemson walked back towards the brothers. "Ok Mr. Balmore. We're about to take stage. Is your brother going to be sitting up there during it?"
Quick to answer, and with a full feeling of pride, Theodore replied, "Yes he is! Can't be one Balmore without them all!"
The mayor chuckled a good hearty chuckle. "Heh heh, well won't that work! I'd be happy to sit beside you, son."
Out of the mayor's view, Patrick rolled his eyes. Theodore caught it and smiled. Theodore said, "Of course! Well, sir, after you." Theodore waved his hand toward the slit leading out onto the stage. The mayor chuckled slightly, thanking him, and walked out. Theodore threw Patrick a sly grin, before he himself walked out onto the stage, with Patrick following behind him.
Outside on the stage, the mayor was the first to walk to the podium. Behind him, in a row of chairs, sat Theodore and Patrick, as well as other men from the community who had a stake in the whole ordeal, or who were just basically a town representative. Fiddling with the microphone once again, the mayor got it to just where he wanted it and began his speech. "I would first like to thank all of you people in Berkeley for coming out on such a fine day such as today, as we come together for one purpose only. And, quite frankly, I'm sure you all know what that is. We're here for the special Theodore Balmore commemorative day in Berkeley, California!"
The crowd, once again, applauded.
Mayor Clemson let it die down before he resumed speaking. "Now, there are a few things that will happen while we're here as we show our respect and gratitude for the biggest celebrity and sports hero to come out of Berkeley. But first, and I know you would rather hear him talk than to hear me carry on any longer, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Theodore Balmore!"
The crowd once again started up their applause, mixed in with whistles and hollers. A chant broke out on the far side of the stage, as obviously a group of high school football players, all wearing their school emblem T's, were chanting the name of "Balmore."
Theodore walked to the podium, basking in the glory that was being bestowed on him. He stood up there, wearing a smile that could kill and raised his arms up in the air in acceptance of the cheers that were coming his way. That only increased them tenfold. And he wasn't about ready to silence them so he could speak. The cheers felt good, oh so good, to him.
Eventually as the cheers died down, Theodore raised the microphone up higher and put his mouth to it. "Thank you."
That alone caused the cheers to once again return, although Theodore motioned for a wave of silence so he could start up with his speech. "Thank you, thank you. You don't know how good that makes me feel to see all of you people out here today. I got the chance to meet a lot of you earlier at the signing table, but I think being able to see the whole crowd who came today at once, no doubt makes this moment even more surreal.
"I guess the first person I would need to thank is our grand mayor, Mayor Clemson!" Theodore extended his arm in the Mayor's direction.
The mayor stood up from his chair and raised his hand to a respectable applause.
Theodore continued, "I would also like to thank the Superintendent of Berkeley, Mr. Freemore."
Mr. Freemore repeated the motions of the mayor's.
"As well as them, I would also like to thank the sponsors of this event: JM Sporting Goods, Tower Recreational Center, and Magic 102.3. They are all appreciated and thanked for their participation in this event.
"I guess the first thing I would need to say is... Man, it sure does feel good to be back in my hometown of Berkeley!" That received an enormous applause from the crowd, even restarting the chant from the back. "For the years I was away in the NFL, we went to city to city, which enabled me to really take in what each city had to offer. But I soon realized that none would be able to compare to this utopia that we can somehow still call just a simple city!
"I had a glorious time playing football, entertaining, and hopefully even being a role model to some of you kids even out there. But, unfortunately as it seems to me, and you as well, no doubt, an injury occurred. And it was an injury that I was told by the doctors would put me out of football for good."
The same section of students who had chanted his name let out a huge array of boo's.
Theodore looked out to them, smiling. "Yeah guys, I know, I know it sucks." That caused a rise of laughter from the audience. "But, football was only the beginning, as offers to appear in movies have been springing up ever since the closing of the football season. Fans of mine will still be seeing me on their television, no doubt. I am all about my fans.
"Which brings me to my next topic, and I'm sure they would strangle me if I failed to leave them out. They are probably my biggest fans out there in the great US of A, as well as probably the world over. First, I would like to introduce to you a man who has been a friend of mine since childhood. Jacob Jones, please stand and let everyone see you!"
JJ stood from his seat and tried to paint a happy face as the people looked over in his direction.
From the podium, Theodore continued to speak. "JJ, as we like to call him, was on the football squad in high school during the same time I was. You'll never see a more able and versatile place kicker in all of football than that man right there!"
The audience applauded, and then JJ willingly took his seat.
"The next man I am about to introduce to you might seem over the top at times, but you'll never meet a more fun loving guy. Karl Simmons, stand up you 'ol goof!"
Karl stood up from his chair, almost bouncing up, hollering 'Dorey! Dorey!' up to Theodore. Karl raised his arms up in the air in full appreciation of himself, turning for all to see him.
"I did say he can seem over the top at times. He was the center of my high school team. That man never let a soul through! And ladies, he is available."
Karl started pointing to his chest, acting like a total buffoon, much to the delight of the audience as they started laughing at his antics.
"Karl, ok Karl. Karl. Sit down Karl." Theodore was smiling at him from on stage.
Karl let out a big smile before he sat back down in his chair, albeit still bouncing around in delight.
On stage, Theodore turned to his brother behind him and addressed the microphone. "And last but not least, you people are blessed with another Balmore in your presence! Ladies and gentlemen, my little brother, he's a high school football star, Patrick Balmore!"
Patrick stood up in his chair and raised his right arm in acknowledgment. He looked out into the crowd, glancing into the parking lot behind them. Wait, who was that in the parking lot? He tried to hide his facial expression with the best smile he could muster. He quickly took a seat, although he could no longer see back into the parking lot because of the heads of the audience blocking his vision.
Theodore picked up on Patrick's quick mood change, although he knew other wouldn't be able to notice it. He couldn't let it affect the rest of his speech. He turned back around to address the crowd once again, this time of his fondest memories of Berkeley while growing up.
In the parking lot, a host of cars had parked at different angles and places. The colors and designs had all ran together as a whole. Amongst them, though, sat a black Blazer. A small wind of smoke went out of the driver's side window. Zero had driven up to see what the ordeal would consist of.
Along with him, thanks to a phone call right before he had walked out of his apartment door, was Erica. She wasn't interested in the ordeal and ceremony itself. She was still bitter about Patrick. And curious, as well. She had a strong curiosity level.
Her and Zero were bound to the event, though, for one reason. Their past links to two of the men on-stage. Matt would have gone as well, but before Zero had picked Erica up, he had stopped by Matt's. Matt was still fast asleep, resting the injuries he had suffered the night before. Zero figured it would be better to just let him sleep.
As Zero and Erica watched the ongoing from the seats of Zero's Blazer, Erica stiffened. "He can see me. I think Patrick just saw me. Zero, I don't know. Maybe we shouldn't have came up here. Maybe it was for the better if we had just stayed at Matt's house until he had woken up."
Zero exhaled a patch of smoke through his rolled down window and looked off through a neighboring vehicles' windshield, as Theodore began to speak again. "If I remember correctly, it was you who looked my phone number up and called me for a ride to this. I'm merely here to find out what the homecoming for this man was for."
Erica spoke back. "I know. I was just curious as to how Patrick would be today, following his rage last night. I do have a habit of being too curious at times." She looked back at Zero. He looked at her, trying to put all of the thoughts of Karen away. That was the only way he was able to look at her.
"Of course he would play up a perfect picture today. It's like politicians. You only find out what they're like once they're elected and behind closed doors. He's going to act as if nothing happened last night, at least while he's on stage. And technically, we cannot prove that anything did happen. Who would we condemn? The man who everyone is praising right now? The man who this whole thing is for? No. They would not believe us. I was faced with that situation once before." Zero stopped right there, not wanting to go into anymore details about the alley incident a year before.
"I understand. I just wonder if he... resents anything. If he's jealous." Erica sighed. She looked at Zero, who was still smoking his cigarette. "... Can I have a drag?"
Taken back a little, he hadn't really expected her to be the kind to smoke. "You smoke?"
"Oh, no. But I think I'm feeling the after effects of stress, so one wouldn't hurt right now."
Zero looked at his cigarette. It was only halfway burned. He reached into his pocket and pulled the pack out. Handing the lit cigarette to her, he said "Here. You could probably use a few after last night. Just keep that one. I'll light another."
"Oh, thanks." She took a deep drag, more than she probably should of. She coughed a little, but blew the smoke back out into a large cloud that made it's way out of her window.
Zero watched her as she probably smoked one of the first cigarettes in her life. Lighting one of his own, they sat there and listened to the rest of the homecoming speech.
They listened as, up on stage, Theodore continued his speech of what a glorious time he had had growing up in Berkeley, then of his fond memories of Berkeley High, and even throwing in some suitable tales of past relationships while living in the city.
After wrapping up his speech, the time had come for the reason they were all gathered there. Mayor Clemson once again took the podium and directed the people's attention towards the large covered object to his right. "You've seen the man on the football fields of Berkeley, you've seen him with the Cowboys on TV, and now you've heard him speak here before us today. No other man has given to Berkeley more than Theodore Balmore. And it is why, on this glorious afternoon, that we pay homage to him. Ladies and gentlemen, if I pay direct your attention here." He pointed towards the covered object, as two men from the row of chairs got up and walked to the object. "Behind the sheet that covers it is our ultimate sign of gratitude for this man. And from now on, when visitors enter into Berkeley, they will know automatically how much he means to this city.
"Gentlemen, if you will do the honors, please remove the cloth covering it."
The men pulled the cloth back. The audience erupted into an enormous array of applause. On stage, a sign had been custom built that read "Welcome to Berkeley, home of Theodore Balmore." It was the city's pay back to the glorious years that Theodore had given the community.
"This sign will be posted on the Berkeley City limits, welcoming one and all of the people who come to and from Berkeley." The mayor looked back at Theodore, who was smiling ear to ear and walking up towards him. The mayor said, "Mr. Balmore, we thank you."
Theodore walked to the mayor, shaking his hand, and then to the men who had removed the cloth, and then to the sponsors, and then raised his arms up in acknowledgment to the audience before him. He had a smile to kill, and a response to deafen. It was his moment, and it was now his city.
Upon viewing what had happened from the console of his Blazer, Zero turned the key to start his engine. He had a grave look of disgust. Erica thought to say something to him, but decided against it. She knew it had to do something unsettling to Zero. She would just wait till she got home, call Matt, and see if he was awake by now.
Pulling out, Zero looked back at the stage. He looked, from afar, into the eyes of Theodore. Was Theodore staring back at him? It seemed like it. But Zero didn't care. So what? Theodore was a "celebrity."
He pulled out onto the street and started the drive back to Erica's house. He would first drop her off at her house before going back to his own corner. Before going back to the Gilman alley.
