Billy performed on stage, his sed bar tour. Now, his mother was delighted. Word had spread through all on els, a video uploaded, and shared, and now the downtown Manhattan bar acked. Above all, Agustina's happiness alpable to everyone; she cried at each of his performances, while Jerry remaioic.
-He sings so beautifully, - Agustina said to Jerry, taking a sip of beer, happiness evident in her heart. -I love everything he sings, but Jerry, a pte of food? What rubbish. They don't even pay him a thousand dolrs. -
-Dear, you know that reputation is irreparable for some people, - Jerry replied. - The food they give him, whether it's a sandwich, burger, pizza, or a dish, is a musical symbol. If he gains the respect of the owner and the audience, he may eat for free forever. Only a few have earhat privilege. It's more than money. If he wants a thousand dolrs, he just has to ask Ahmet. That guy makes money just by breathing. -
-Respe the neighborhood, I uand. In Argentina, Maradona could eat for free anywhere. I see. What be done in the ing days? - Agustina replied, pting her son's path.
-We'll have a quick tour, some festivals, and a few details for June. If we're lucky, many opportunities may arise iure. The British love music, just as Ameris love excitement. So I presume Europe could be the tour, and the UK the sed home, a pce to be, a pce to behave, - Jerry dreamt of success.
-Since when have you been involved in music? - Agustina asked.
-For a long time," Jerry sighed. "I 't quite uand the rules. It's something from childhood. Music was the window of a house engulfed in fmes. My life isn't simple, well... it never was. In my predits, all my attitudes were stunted by my life. I started as an errand boy, finished my education in a small night school, and got a job as a driver. I did my part and studied at uy in the evenings, as much as I could. I stayed until su, like a hidden call, many of my thoughts could take administrative positions. I think I asked Frank Diller, a manager, everything was impressive, I couldn't believe it myself. I associated with novices who made great gigs, and I succeeded. Now I just watch over Billy, - Jerry expined.
Agustina's flushed fadicated she was about to spit out some words; she enjoyed spitting out her words. Jerry khat if she didn't like something, she probably wouldn't respond to the question. It was different from his thoughts.
-But... -
Billy had finished signing autographs, taking photos amidst the sea of hands, with the goril following closely behind—a steadfast wall, always there, keeping problems at bay.
-Did you enjoy the cert, Mom? - Billy hugged his mother, iping sweat from her forehead with a small white towel she had been carrying for some time.
-You're always fantastic when you py music, but I didn't like you being half-shirtless. Cover up a bit, - Agustina said, straightening Billy's shirt.
-It's part of the image, Mom, - Billy replied.
Jerry Agustina, who gave him a suspicious look, almost as if to say, - They didn't tell me about this anywhere. -
-So, - she began.
-It's just the image Billy o portray to the public to avoid future inveniences. Creating an image for the public will allow him more privacy. It's just a mask of how things work in the industry. Normally it might be plicated for some, but it's the image that fits best. He already has a touch of rebellion; we just add a bit more here and there, and we have an image, - Jerry expined.
-Why pretend? I don't see the point in people pretending to do things they don't want to do. It's opposite to everything I've taught Billy, - Agustina replied, ed about this new dire. They whispered secretly, their versations masked by the background music.
-When he's attacked for who he is, the boy will know it's nonsense and will accept criticism and take it for what it is. It's a mask that will help him defend himself. It's something he needs. While I might be wrong, I'm just teag him from now on how to behave in public. You've seen that your whole life. Public figures must guard their thoughts. Trying to be sincere or spontaneous is just a mistake people believe in. It might work for some for a few years, maybe two or three, but I want Billy to know how to separate his life, - Jerry ented.
-He's right, Mom. Plus, Mr. Jerry gave me an image I like. At least if I ever puneone in the face, my image will back me up, - Billy added.
-Pung someone! You'll never do that. Stop behaving like a brute. You should know I don't like you starting fights over trivial matters. If you have something to say, say it. If you want to do something, do it, but violenever solves anything, - Agustina replied.
-What else do you think, Mom? The correal facility taught me that sometimes talking is just too much. It's better to do as Jerry does, - Billy thought, beginning to follow in Jerry's footsteps of taking a rexed attitude to everything. But he approached his mother; he would never lie to her.
He was tempted to smile at her as if nothing had happened.
-That's not true, Mom. You know I was beaten up a lot in the correal facility. Men have to stand up for themselves. I agree violence isn't the first solution; I just don't want to be messed with. I don't like seeing smug smiles on idiots' faces, - Billy replied.
-Stop being such a bull, - Agustina replied, bing his hair. Jerry could see some photos, but that was nothing unusual; when the media took pictures, he would step out to refute any twisted truths from the media.
-He'll have csses with an image and profile advisor, - Jerry interjected, cutting off the versation. One of the things artists should know is that even nguage unicates. If he help reduce those problems, along with his vintage image, no makeup, face, and different power as from body movements, smiles, gnces, walking, sitting... everything a star should know.
-It's for his good; it will help him iure, - Jerry's mouth dried up. - When I'm not here to support him, he'll o know there aren't many friends in the industry. -
Billy could see the shining eyes of Agustina and Jerry, something tacitly darkened in both of them.
...