When we entered the newspaper studio we were greeted by a tall man with a frizzy mustache and a huge Mickey Mouse tie on.
"Hello. My name is Mr. Sampsons. I presume that you are Isaac, Taylor, and Zachary Hanson?"
"Yup, that's us," the three brothers said in unison.
"Oh, well pleased to meet you," he said and shook their hands. "I'm a reporter for the Roanoke Times and I will be writing an article on you three talented musicians. I'm glad you could come."
Ike, Tay, and Zac put on the corniest smiles I'd ever seen and said they were pleased to meet Mr. Sampsons as well. Eventually he noticed me.
"Well, hello. And who might this young lady be? Do one of you have this charming girl for a girlfriend?" he asked with a smile on his face.
"No," Ike told the reporter with a grin. "She's a cool friend that we're staying with while we're here. Her name is Jennifer."
"Well, I'm pleased to meet you too, Jennifer," Mr. Sampsons said and shook my hand. Then he turned back to the boys. "Well, should we get started?"
They nodded. Mr. Sampsons showed us all to his office and let us sit in big comfy chairs that you usually find in office buildings. Then he got out a small notepad and sat down in front of us.
"Well, what I'm going to ask you are just a few questions about your life that I'll be able to use in my article. Just tell me if there is something you don't want to answer." They nodded and I decided to get comfortable in my chair. This would take awhile.
Mr. Sampsons launched into the usual questions such as: How did you get started, when did you form the band, what is it like to be successful at your age, where are you originally from, do you have girlfriends, what's your favorite color, etc.. then he got to a question that made Isaac give Taylor and Zac a questionable look: Why did you choose to preform in Blacksburg? I laughed to myself. I was the reason.
"Umm..." Taylor began. "We just had so many requests from people to play here that we decided that performing in a small town would be a cool change." Nice save Taylor, very believable.
The reporter continued without any notice of Tay's hesitation. The rest of the questions went smoothly and I actually found myself falling asleep. When Mr. Sampsons noticed this, he informed me of the refreshments that I could help myself to out in the hall.
I returned to the room with cokes and Dr. Peppers for Hanson and myself. Mr. Sampsons suddenly turned to me and asked: "Jennifer, I want your input. Do you mind if I asked you a few questions?"
"No, not at all," I said, very surprised.
"Okay then, what is your favorite Hanson song?"
"MMMBop because it's Hanson's first big hit," I said coolly.
"Alright then, what do you like most about their music?"
"Umm.... there's lots. I guess I'd have to say I like their romantic voices."
"Who's your favorite?"
I looked frantically at the three of them. "I guess... Taylor," I replied and smiled at Tay. I almsot fainted when he smiled back at me. It was the first out of a long time.
Eventually, it was time to go and the Roanoke Times reporter thanked us as we hopped into the car. I was stuck with Tay again, but I wasn't as upset after his sweet little smile.
"So, what did you think of the interview?" Ike asked me.
"Are they always so boring?" they all laughed at my remark.
"Just be glad they aren't a frequent thing for you," Zac told me.
I smiled actually beginning to think the day would turn out okay...