All 'Nsync want to do is grab a quick bite on the way to their gigi at Rosemont Horizon outside of Chicago. But when you're on of the hottest groups in the country, there's nos uch thing as a disruption-free lunch. At the Cheesecake Factory, waiters tell them to break a leg, diners request autographs and fans press their noses against the restaurant windows after following them from the Abercrombie & Fitch at Water Tower Place mall. Then there's they thirty-something blonde in a business suit who keeps staring their way, giggling like a girl half her age. 'Nsync can't help but notice, and then next time she looks over, they wave. She blushes bright red and blows them a kiss.

Through it all, Joey Fatone's cell phone keeps ringing. And ringing. They last few callers have been friends and family, but this time it's someone claiming to be a friend of he cousin Brittany-only, he doesn't have a cousin named Brittany. "This is Steven," Joey says, using his brother's name to throw off the repeat caller. "I think you have the wrong number."

'Nsync founder Chris Kirkpatrick has his own phone preicament. Upon checking his messages (former child star Gary Coleman proveds Chris's voice-mail greeting), he finds that they're all from fans who have somehow tracked down his number. He shrugs it off. "of course you're going to lose your privacy," he says. "Though sometimes you're like, 'Not another autography,' at least they want another autography."

A year ago, few Americans knew 'Nsync. Now, who under the age of 21 doesn't? They've had two Top-10 albums, a fast-selling home video and book, and headlining tour. And when they signed on as an opening act for Janet Jackson's '98 tour, they helped make that road show one hot ticket.

"Two years ago, I had a Janet Jackson poster up on my wall," says 'NSYNC's top scream-getter, Justin Timerberlake. He's in the back of the bus, making noises that sound like a helicopter landing (claims these vocal exercises are in preparation for tonight's show). The others are taking in Full Metal Jacket, a movie they watch so often they can recite most of the dialogue.

Once the bus deposits them at Rosemont and they settle in backstage, the band expands into a five-ring circus. On this, the eve of his 27th birthday, Chris sifts through a collection of balloons, gifts and cards (his favorite is from a fan who caricatures him as one of the South Park tykes). Close by, Justin huddles with two of his biggest fans, Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Amy Timberlake; Joey signs a mountain of CD sleeves; Joshua Scott Chasez - better known as JC-bemoans announcing on MTV that he'd like to be the guy in Janet's show who gets her famous lap dance ("I can't believe I said that!"); and Lance Bass tries oh-so-carefully not to aggravate the blisters on his heels as he pulls on a pair of Lugz boots. "Awww...poor lamb," mock the others.

Gradually, all the activity dies down, after the quick roiund of Hacky Sack that has become their preshow ritual, 'Nsync, their musicians, and their security and wardrobe teams join hands in a circle. A prayer is offered. Everybody hugs. Show Time!