Before The Throne {The Prequel to Kingdom} {An Eminem Story}

Chapter Six.

*October 2003*

Sunday

6:45 p.m.

New York City, New York

Marshall sat in the luxurious Mercedes Benz Sprinter van with D12, Obie Trice and Royce Da 5'9 as they rode through the New York streets. Hip-hop music blasted through the van and the fellas engaged in hilarious conversation, rapping to the songs playing in the vehicle. It was Marshall's birthday and he was ready to celebrate and get rowdy before the craziness of work started up again. 50 was unable to join due to a prior engagement, but he made up for it by sending him a case of Cristal.

The van pulled up to Studio Rhythmic and Marshall stepped out of the van, looking back at his boys.

"I'ma go in here and get Lexi. I'll be back." He told them.

"Aight, Doody." Proof gave a head nod.

Marshall slid the van door closed and pulled up his baggy black sweatpants as he walked into the studio. He opened the door and was instantly met with Lexi's beautiful voice singing in the booth while Mike Roscoe and Vince Franklin were working at the soundboard. He'd never met them personally, but they were some heavy hitting producers when it came to damn near everything R&B.

"Yooo, Slim Shady in the building! What up, bruh?" Mike stood up, giving Marshall daps.

"Aye, I'm good, homie." Marshall replied with a head nod.

Vince stood up and gave him daps as well, "What you doin' here, man? You tryna get in the R&B game now?"

He chuckled, "Nah, nothin' like that. Me and my boys celebrating my birthday and came to get Lex to party wit' us."

"Oh, aight. I see ya. Happy birthday, my boy." Mike patted his back.

"Thanks, man."

Vince stopped the music and pressed a button, "Hey, LP, we can finish this up tomorrow. Go party wit' ya boy."

"He ain't that damn important. The music stops for nobody." Alexis playfully crossed her arms.

Mike laughed, "For real, we got time. Go have you some fun, girl."

"Ugh, fine." She removed her headphones, placing them on the console and ran her fingers through her hair.

Alexis walked out of the booth and Marshall noticed how comfortably dressed she was in the black cargo capri pants, white rhinestoned Baby Phat crop top and white low top Converse All-Stars. She gave Mike and Vince a hug and told them how she'd be back tomorrow, ready to resume what they were working on. The guys gave Marshall daps again and Alexis walked out of the studio with him following behind.

"You better be glad it's your birthday, cause I'd normally fuck you up for messing up my session." She playfully shoved him.

"You the one who said you was coming to party. Or did you forget?"

"Nah, I ain't forget. I just didn't expect you to come here to get me."

"Well, now I'm here and I got the boys wit' me. So lose that lil attitude before I make ya ass walk."

She stopped walking and looked over at him, "Who you talking to, Slim?"

"You, obviously. Ain't no other broads 'round here."

Alexis stood there with her hand on her hip and looked him up and down, giving him a look filled with attitude and sassiness while Marshall looked down at her with his hands in his pockets, raising his eyebrow as he gave her a hardened look, though the mirth was evident in his eyes. He licked his lips and the two of them bursted out in laughter.