Romantic Musical Comedy, Part 1
By overwhelming popular demand.
RPG? RRR? Something else? You decide.
Date: February 28, 2009
Categories: RRRs, RPWs, and RPGs
Tuesday, 21 May 2024
Life, the universe, pies, hot-pink bunnies, world domination, and everything
By overwhelming popular demand.
RPG? RRR? Something else? You decide.
Date: February 28, 2009
Categories: RRRs, RPWs, and RPGs
Yay! I believe this was an RPG, but I’m not sure. Awesome!
First and foremost, I suppose I’ll establish a romantic musical character:
Name: Rosa Anita Maria Sophia Christina Allele
Age: 14
Physical Description: Tall, brown curly hair with a red rose pinned to it all the time, wears fancy, lacy and otherwise over-the-top clothing, big blue eyes, and a bright smile that goes along with her bubbly, kind and vivacious attitude. Radically pretty.
Background: Plays the lead in the community theater’s production of ‘West Side Story’. Her dream is that one day, a handsome talent scout might discover her and take her away to become famous and be on television commercials. Until then, she is hopelessly devoted to romance novels and a glass of root beer every now and then, and likes to spend time with her other friends at the theater.
P.S. SFTDP
This should be interesting.
Name: Kara Angela Murphy, nicknamed Angie.
Age: 14
Physical Description: Long red hair, tall, green eyes. Commanding presence. Rather dramatic at times.
Background: A hopeless romantic, she’s always dreamed of falling in love at first sight. She loves theater; she’s friends with Rosa, but they had a fight about the lead, which Rosa got and Angie had to understudy. Angie got that part of Anita, but she wasn’t happy about it, and she’s secretly hated Rosa ever since.
I’ll watch this close from the side, and enter when it’s slowing down.
*closely
SFTDP.
Name: David Jake Zane Marco Ryko Mortimer Montoya
Description: Tall, blond, handsome, gray eyes.
Occupation: Male supermodel
Life: Saw Angie in a play and wanted her ever since.
Oh, and also…I like to write musical numbers, so I might throw one or two of those in here. Is that okay?
Eh. I have enough Romantic Musical Comedy this weekend to last me a lifetime. I’ll sit this one out.
4- Aw, enemies already?
Can I start, or is it too early?
The thread has been created! HOORAY!
Name: Leyla Phoebe Holly Stella Clair Alexis Diaz (nickname: Lexy)
Age: 13
Physical Description: Petite, reddish brown curly hair, goldentanned skin, big dark brown eyes, some kind of fresh-picked flower constantly behind her ear, usually wears her favorite pairs of dark blue jeans and a green no-sleeved top, along with large hoop earrings and purple Converse.
Background: Having newly moved to the community, she decided to pursue her passion for acting (of course) and try out for the production of ‘West Side Story’. Although in a minor role, she is thrilled, and looks up to her idols, Rosa and Angie.
(What’s the fun of showmanship without a few fangirls? But she won’t be fawning over you two forever, don’t worry.)
((Not everyone has to have ridiculously long names too, you know ))
Ooh, this should be FUN!!
Name: Azorica Bellis [reversed Latin name of a type of daisy!]
Age: 13
Appearance: Tall, thin; long blond hair to waist, wearing a violet beret; blue eyes; wears a knee-length striped dress with skinny jeans and black ballet flats.
History: Just moved here, was persuaded to try out for the play by her friend, even though she’s not very good. Has a minor role.
(( I didn’t know the story was going to be about a play….))
Name: Edward Freidman
Appearance:Tall, Blonde hair, Handsome(by lady standards) Wears suits everywhere.
Personality: LADY’S MAN!!!!!!!!!
Backround:LADY’S MAN!!!!!!!!!!! Always has a girlfriend. Recently moved to this town. He has been hired as a play director. He’s planning to pick up some actressess……
((14: It might have not been before, but it sure is now… I’m sure we can sing at random inappropriate moments anyway.))
14- Your character’s name is Edward?
((14- I’m not one for catfights over guys but we’ll see how it goes.))
((15- I’m writing a song for my character right now… Maybe could even send in a voice recording at some point! I just got this awesome new program on my computer called Audacity it’s great for recording, distortion, playback etc…))
16- I knew that it was only a matter of time before someone mentioned that…..
SHALL WE GET STARTED??!!!!!!!!!!
((17: Not necessarily catfights. We’ve got Rosa and Angie, and Edward and David Jake Et Cetera. If we get a couple more guys in here, we’ve got some regular little pairings for Azorica and Lexy. Not that Rosa and Angie will necessarily be paired with Edward and David Jake Et Cetera. Who knows?))
19- You can just call him David.
((Okay, I’ll start!))
The moon shone brightly in the sky over Dane and Cynthia, huddled together on a blanket under the stars. The night was bright, and the crickets sang joyfully from among the rushes near the couple enjoying the moonlight on the hill.
“You look so beautiful, Cynthia,” said Dane, pulling a lock of hair away from her practically glowing face, and looked into her eyes with a fierce intensity.
“Oh Dane, nothing could be more perfect than tonight,” sighed Cynthia, returning his loving gaze.
“Not without you here beside me,” Dane whispered, and the two lovers kissed there with the night sky as their witness.
Rose Allele shut the fifth installment of the mushy romance tale of Dane Sanders and Cynthia Coleman to take a sip from her tall glass of root beer and to scrawl a few more lines of her song onto a piece of paper from her frilly notepad.
“Dane and Cynthia are so perfect together,” she sighed, making googly eyes at the teddy bear sitting beside her on her fluffy pink bed. “Oh Bruno, will I ever find someone like Dane? Do you think it could ever happen to me?”
She rolled off the bed and onto the floor, finding her tall pink strappy pumps and pulling them onto her feet. Then, fixing her makeup and clipping her red rose into her hair, she opened the door to her bedroom and stepped out into the main theater corridor. It was time to sing. Suddenly, Rosa’s feet were keeping time to the music and her loud bell’s voice was belting music down the theater halls.
Click.
Click
Click.
Click.
“I was cheated by you
And I think you know when,
So I made up my mind, it must come to an end
Look at me now, will I ever learn?
I don’t know how but I suddenly lose control,
There’s a fire within my soul,
Just one look and I can hear a bell ring
One more look and I forget everything…
Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you?
Mamma mia, does it show again
My My, just how much I’ve missed you?
Yes, I’ve been broken-hearted,
Blue since the day we parted,
Why, why did I ever let you go?
Mamma mia, now I really know,
My my, I should not have let you go!”
Ever since her parents had inherited her grandparents’ musical theater, Rosa had taken her singing to the stage. What had started as a habit she had taken on after writing her first romantic musical had turned into a tryout for West Side story, and then into a lead role. Since then, whenever Rosa opened her mouth, she just couldn’t close it. Which, she supposed, was what had tainted her friendship with Angie.
Name: Alex tor
Appearance: tall, with brown hair.
Energetic and eccentric half the time, other times reserved.
((I’m going for a different time setting))
Edward walked gracefully into the studio.
“Oh,” a woman said staring at him,”Hello.”
“Hello.” Edward responded with a voice that brought the woman to tears.
“Oh My GOD!!!” She started hyperventillating.
Edward kept walking,”Clean up in isle four.”
He said it with a kind of grimace on his face. He began to smile again as he saw another woman.
“Hey,” She said. This one was more calm.
Edward instantly grabbed her and swung her around in a dance like motion. He kissed her. The kiss burned her lips with the hot intensity if a thousand suns. She screamed. She loved it. But it was too much. She fainted. Edward knew she couldn’t take the heat.
“And another one bites the dust,” he sang.
Several other women stared until there eyeballs dried to a point where they had to go to a doctor.
He kept walking confidently. Why shouldn’t he? He could have anyone he wanted.
Who will be the next victim?
((Jeez, Fishy, a little too much…
Oh and by the way, how old is Edward?))
((The fact that your character’s name is Edward is going to bother me… Oh well.))
((I’ll be in the theater where Fishy/Edward is.))
I sat on the edge of the stage, sulking.
It was all {insert random name here}’s fault. She was the one who had talked me into trying out for this play. I don’t even know what it’s about! I wailed internally.
I looked at the script. Drama had never been my thing, but this play looked fairly interesting.
Someone walked in the door. I looked up.
It was just some guy.
I watched as he strode in the door and as several women lost their minds.
I grimaced. Who does this guy think he is?!
He walked up to me.
I glared at him.
((Hm, I think I’ll keep going.))
Rosa entered a bathroom to her left, just to check her outfit before rehearsal. It wasn’t as though she was being conceited, either. It was only the opportunity, the chance that her special someone might be there at that very moment.
She stared in a floor length mirror, looking over herself. Her brown curls fell in waves down her shoulders. She wore a flowing pink tunic shirt and tight capri jeans with a bedazzled hem, something that she hadn’t exactly enjoyed when she was picking them out, but she liked the jeans. She wasn’t interested in the clothing but more the mirror, which reminded her of Phantom of the Opera. Impulsively, music ensued.
“Angel of Music, guide and guardian,
Grant to me your glory…”
It was almost as though she could hear someone echoing distantly from her, singing to her…
“Come to me, angel of music…”
She drew herself away from the mirror. There was no way she could hear what she was hearing. She rushed out of the bathroom, transfixed, when she noticed someone ahead of her in the hallway, outlined in the doorway that led to the stage.
“Was it you that was singing?” she whispered, transfixed, to the unseen person. Then, they revealed their face.
((Someone can step in here if they’d like. ))
((I want to make a change to my character so he’s in the play too. Is that OK?))
(?I wanted it to be super corny!)
Edward stared up at the stage. There was a woman up there that hadn’t looked at him. She glanced up for a second. Then she looked back down.
WHAT?! THAT’S IT?!!
This would be the one. He would have fun trying to get her as his girl. Yup. It would be her. Somewhat of a challenge, but it was only a matter of time before she wanted to make out with him. He would be surprised if she didn’t go crazy on the first date. There he went again. Edward never thought that he couldn’t get a girl to go on a date. And if he could do that, then why couldn’t he gt the girl to go on another date! Most I the time the dates of his would have to goyo the hospital n their first date. But anyway, he wanted her. She looked like a great kisser.
Love Love, Love Love, LOVE!!!
He sang it with his voice that was as smooth as a knife through butter.
He ran over to this girl.
“Hello” He said.
“Hey…” she said sarcastically, without looking up from the script.
“Your…different.” He said,”I like it”
“And how am I different?”
“You don’t faint.”
“Well, most sane people sit in chairs and don’t randomly faint”
She said, yet again, sarcastically.
“But it wouldn’t be random,”He responded,” If I’m here.”
” So. Because you’re standing next to me, I’m supposed to faint” she looked up at him now.
“Not just standing,” he added,” talking.”
“I see”
“So you do see.” Edward said with a smirk on his face.
“So then why am I still conscious?” She asked.
“What’s your name?”
“STAY ON SUBJECT!” she commanded.
“Oooooo, a little fight in you,” he grinned,” I like it.”
“You seem to like me a lot,” she started to get angry.
“That’s because I do!”
“UGH!!!!”
She walked away furiously.
Why do you break-a my heart!!!
Make me feel so baaaaaad!
((26- Yeah, definetly.))
Offering up a random character:
name: Thomas Blackstone
age: 17
appearance: moderately tall, sandy brown hair and grey eyes that look dreamy/far away. Typically wears jeans and faded t-shirts splattered with paint.
background: Works on set crew. Lexy and Azorica develop crushes on him when they see him from afar. He doesn’t care about them, but secretly has just joined the play to watch Rosa. Can sing well when persuaded to, but is difficult to persuade and doesn’t think he can sing or act.
I saw the word Edward on the recent comments bar and came here.
I will now leave because I cannot contribute to this thread.
*skulks off*
((27- I’m scared. ))
((I don’t think I can start mine until David shows up.))
(( I can’t actually continue until someone fills the void from my last post…))
2-Rosa Anita Maria Sophia Christina Allele? Sounds like Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.
SFTDP-27-Back…away…slowly…no sudden moves……GAH!!! I CAN’T RESIST THE URGE ANY LONGER!! RUN AWAY!
((I’d like to join this. (I haven’t been here for a while; I’ve been busy.)
Name: Jasper Cassell
Appearance: Dresses in All Black. Black Hair, always in a braid. Brown eyes.
Age: 15
Background/Occupation: Stage Manager. Likes to creep around backstage. Usually silent, but good at keeping people in line. Can yell if necessary.))
((36- NOOOOO! Not ANOTHER one! Can this be romantic musical comedy, not Twillight????))
Character: Maxine Stevens
Age: 14
Looks: Long black hair, green eyes. Short. Wears mostly black or charcoal grey and structured clothing, but has a long black dress which she loves.
She is rather aloof and loves to sing. However, she has participated chiefly in Shakespeare plays (Tempest, Macbeth, etc.) Antisocial. Has a weakness for British comedy.
((37- I wasn’t rying to turn it into that. NO MORE TWILIGHT NAMES!!!!!!!!! Lets get some more story, I already wrote a whole bunch.))
((OK, I changed my character. He’s now a random actor in the play.))
David: He had only joined the play because Angie was in it. Still, people said he had a pretty good singing voice. He walked around untill he saw Angie sitting on a chair. Maybe, he could muster the courage to talk to her. Sitting on her chair like that, she looked just like the warrior queen from Cry of the Icemark. He was nervous. He started singing, that always seemed to calm him down.
“I thought love was only true in
Fairy tales.”
He kept singing as he was walking towards her. He got to her chair and kept on singing.
“Then I saw her face.
Now I’m a believer.
Not a trace
Of doubt in my mind.”
She turned to him. “Uh, hi.” He stuttered. “I’m David.”
She is eccentric when you get to know her, once you get past her tough exterior. She fantasizes about being a popular kid.
She’s vulnerable and cares what other people think of her, but she tries to be tough by being brazen and loud. She is antisocial when people try to make friends because she is afraid of being hurt (emotionally).
She can be extremely absentminded. One of her quotes: “I’ve never had a bug kill me before. It might be rather pleasant.”
SFTDP.
Maxine- I saw him from afar, talking to a girl. One of the popular ones, probably. She didn’t seem that interested. I think she’s crazy. “Who’s that?” I asked a girl near me. “Edward,” she replied. Edward. “He’s popular.” Oh. I was discouraged. When I was popular…well, now I’m not and it’s irrelevant.
That night I went to bed peacefully, not kissing his picture or anything, but not before I had written his name scores of times in my notebook.
((See?))
I stomped away from the guy.
I hate people like that! He thinks he’s sooo cool. I seethed.
I walked backstage, and bumped into the stage manager.
Not bothering for introductions, I asked him: “Who was that guy?!”
“Who? Oh, that’s Edward.”
“Edward… Figures.” I muttered, stalking away.
Maxine: I look at the popular girl. She’s stomping away from him. Why? I’ll go look. I walk backstage. “Hey,” I say. “What are you playing in the show?”
((Can there be 2 Anitas? There could be multiple casts. Pleeease can I? I shall proceed as if I am Anita unless someone tells me otherwise.))
((Gah! What’s a minor female role in “West Side Story?”))
Filling Aggie/Rosa’s gap as Lexy: “Oh,” I said shyly. “That was me. A-are you Rosa?”
I turned to him. “Hi,” I said quietly. Inwardly I thought, Ohmygosh he’s so sweet! How could I have never noticed him before? He has such a great voice! OMIGOD, I think I’m in love!
“So, uh, what do you play?” I asked him, thinking, I hope it’s one of the major roles, because your voice is AMAZING.
((45- Uh, how about whateverhernameis, the one who’s hanging out with the guys? I forget her name. Or the leader guy’s girlfriend. Or one of the other girls whose names I forget. Sorry, that’s not too much help.))
37- No, let’s make it Twilight.
*skulks*
((37- What about Twilight?!?! I don’t pay attention to it, I just scanned my bookshelf and plucked out Jasper Fforde’s Well of Lost Plots and Great Works of Jewish Fantasy (Cassell Publishing.) What’s it have to do with Twilights?))
((OK, I’ve never seen Westside Story, can someone tell me a not-too-major male role?))
((49-Action: A very tempramental Jet. Thinks he should be second in command. Sings “Gee Officer Krupke.”))
((If you need me, just shout. *leaves*))
hi Im new to this so don’t get mad at me if you don’t like this one.
Name: James Vicksburg
Personality: the class clown. Loves to laugh.
Life: Lexy’s guy friend. Always uses corny lines to try to get popular girls. semi-major role (great actor, not so much singer).
((We still need two people to play the major male roles, Tony(loves Maria) and Bernardo(loves Anita)…Some other minor female/male roles are members of the Jets and the leader of the Jets (Riff), Spanish girlfriends, and one girl to play the tomboy chick who hangs around with all the Jets.
For more info, look on the Wikipedia page.))
“Yes,” Rosa said to the girl in the doorway. “And you are…?”
“My name’s Lexy,” she gushed, “and I love your singing! You’re so great! I just moved here, and I don’t know anyone, so that’s probably why you didn’t recognize me…it’s great to finally meet you!”
“Wow, thanks, um…” said Rosa, a bit overwhelmed. “That’s cool, so you’re new? I guess I’ll see you soon, practice is about to start.”
“Sure,” said the girl adoringly.
“Well, I’ll see you then, I guess,” Rosa said, and smiling, she passed through the doorway and onto the stage.
There were already a few people out there. Rosa saw Angie talking to a pretty cute boy, but decided it was best not to wave-they were, after all on tense terms. Instead, she settled herself down onstage in a chair, curling up with the script. It was then that she saw the guy offstage
“Ooh, he’s cute,” her inner conscience thought.
“That’s the play director,though…” she thought.
“You’re lucky.”
“Ew, but he’s way too old for me!”
“How do you know?”
“It doesn’t even matter. I can’t like him, it’s wrong.” And she really didn’t, but he was just too cute.
Talking to herself like this was weird, so she shut up. The others all filed onto the stage in their own good time, and when they had, the director came up to talk to them from downstage.
“Hello, all, ” he said, looking down at a clipboard. “My name is Edward, and I am your director. I see casting’s gone well…” Rosa deliberately avoided Angie’s gaze at this point,”…so, we’re going to do some voice tests, to see how much you’ve all read the script. Where’s my Maria?”
Rosa stood up, cautiously. Everyone stared at her, which made her anxious.
“Good,” said Edward. “Please come about down center stage.” She did, walking carefully, the noise of her heels echoing around the enclosed theater like small explosions. She turned to face the group, blushing slightly. Angie scowled.
“Okay,” Edward said, “please sing to the group your lines of ‘Somewhere’.”
Rosa opened her mouth and sang like a bell:
“There’s a place for us,
Somewhere a place for us.
Peace and quiet and open air
Wait for us
Somewhere…”
The room was entirely too silent, but Rosa perservered, steeling herself against the watchful eyes of her peers…
“There’s a time for us,
Some day a time for us,
Time together with time spare,
Time to learn, time to care,
Some day!
Somewhere,
We’ll find a new way of living,
We’ll find a way of forgiving
Somewhere . . . There’s a place for us,
A time and place for us.
Hold my hand and we’re halfway there.
Hold my hand and I’ll take you there
Somehow,
Some day,
Somewhere!”
STDP
James practiced his lines.
” Is it hot in here or is it just you? Are-”
“Hi”
He whirls around, blushing, to look at . . . {insert someone}
(( Ummmm… I’ve never seen(or read) West Side Story. I can easily make a quick twist where we can do something that I know about))
((We could do something weird like footloose, or Seussical))
((Im sorry, Im not even in high school so I haven’t read these kinds of plays yet… But I’ll go along with it if we have to))
((PLEASE!!!))
(( I’m sorry that I put myself as director…))
SFTTP
James can play Tony, but he will be totally over-shadowed by Rosa’s singing.
((55-It’s a great play. Please look here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_side_story
GAPAS, please, please, please no snippy!))
[Wikipedia is permissible, but I’ve delinkified the citation. –Rebecca]
((48re: I’m changing name to Garth Jackson, it seems less likely to offend Twilighty people. I’m waiting backstage, and I’ll do something soon.))
((Lexy can be the tomboy Jet chick. Hurrah!))
54: “Hey,” I said, grinning. “Who’re you practicing on, James? A mirror?”
((Randomly…. What’s the betting that Edward is going to be the most popular name for baby boys in… ooo… 5-8 years or so?))
((Hem, hem, *93?*, hem, hem…))
((Tomboy Jet Chick’s Name is Anybodies, just for the record. I was the assistant to the director of West Side Story last spring, so I know it well!))
((Eeek! I don’t know this play. Thank you Aggie!!))
I introduced myself and said, “I’m playing Zaza.”
I giggled at the name.
“Oh, I’m Maxine,” the girl said.
((I don’t mind you being Anita…))
“Do you happen to know who this Edward guy is?” I asked her.
“He’s the director!” Maxine answered, surprised.
“Oh… I probably should have know that…” I said sheepishly.
Just then Edward called someone up on stage and the girl began to sing.
I listened, amazed. Now there’s someone who knows what they’re doing!
David: He listened to the girl sing her part. She was good, but did he detect smugness in her voice? She knew she was good and wanted everyone else to know to. “Showoff.” He muttered under his breath. “Angie could out-sing you any day.” Apparently Angie heard this, because she blushed.
Jasper: I sat backstage, listening to the performance. A good singing voice, though I thought I’d heard better. The question now, I thought cynically, is whether she can act.
((64- How nice. ))
Rosa finished singing, and there was some clapping, but also whispering in the corner between David and Angie. Mean whispering. Rosa’s face blushed a bright crimson, and she walked back to her seat as her heart sank and her stomach flip-flopped. Why was this guy talking about her? She had never done anything to him…
“Whatever,” said her inner muse. “Don’t pay attention to them, sweetie. Remember, you’re the one that got the part.”
“Okay,” she whispered, steeling herself, and she sat back down next to the girl named Lexy.
“Good job,” Lexy said.
“Thanks,” said Rosa, smiling. She was glad, at least, not to feel so alone.
“This is Maxine and James,”Lexy introduced thm.
“Hi,” said Rosa.
“Hi,” replied both of the others.
Suddenly, when she looked back at the stage, a face with sandy hair and grey eyes that poked out from behind the curtains, and he was looking right at her. Rosa blushed, but as soon as she had looked the face was gone.
((I’ve sketched a really bad picture of Rosa, but I think it captures her likeness. I might scan and send it in later.))
((Oops, I forgot my name was now Garth. Just read as Garth, please.))
“VERY nice,” Edward proclaimed with a wink,”So where is Tony?”
((Who is Anita? Is there multiple casts? *wants to be Anita* Sorry, current Anita.))
((69- I believe Angie was playing the role of Anita, but don’t worry, there are still lots of female roles open! ))
((Just for the record, when I suggested a “romantic musical comedy,” I didn’t have in mind a romantic comedy about the cast of a musical; I meant one with songs written by MBers. It’s fine if things develop otherwise, but I do wonder when the comedy is going to start.))
((What sort? The Jets? They do cool ballet stuff.))
((71- Initially, when I said that my character was acting in West Side Story at her parents’ theater, I didn’t mean that everyone else had to be in a musical. I was just establishing a musical character. But, everything just kind of followed suit?
I do have some songs that I’ve written that I was going to post, and I would like some comedy. What does everyone else think?))
((dang it, I can’t be the tomboy jet chick.))
((Could I be Tony? Jk.))
((It might work.))
((I guess not.))
((73- That’s cool.))
((I like it, and I enjoy the literal-mindedness of romantic musical comedy being a romantic comedy where the cast are in a musical. That’s funny, to me anyway!))
((What can I be?))
((78- Are you male or female? Do you care?))
((I’d like to join too. Can I have a really obnoxious character who always tries to steal other characters boyfriends ( a sort of Sharpay ?) It can also be a boy if there are to few boys.))
79- I’m female, if you read my other posts. I could be some random Jet- Gee, Officer Krupke- krup you! *hits on head with comic book* I could play a boy. I could be Tony…like a cross-dresser…I guess not. Whatever.
((80- Sure, we need a Sharpay! And you can choose either gender, although we’re mostly girls.))
((So , what’s our decision? All those in favor of a romantic musical comedy about a musical, say Aye, all opposed say Nay.
((By the by, we should still write some of our own songs. That was part of the enjoyment. I’m sorry if I wrecked anything.))
((71- THAT’S WHAT I THOUGHT!!!
And how are we going to make it a comedy? I guess I’ll just have to go with… whatever we’re doing.))
I am a boy. Any parts remaining?
((84- Yes, please. Tony and Bernardo are still hanging in thin air…))
((Sorry, but WHAT ARE WE DOING? Are we continuing along this path or the musical? Either way, my character is still going to be in a play and still lives at the theater, but I really don’t care. Really. Honestly. What’s up with everyone else?
I’m sorry for being so panicky, it’s just that I feel responsible if we’re not doing the right thing because of my post. I’m sorry for misleading everyone.))
((82- Aye! So let’s keep going…))
((*appears* Need any girl parts filled?))
I am Tony! Bernardo can go to a GAPA
((Aye on the musical! On with the show!))
Here is a song I wrote:
Tony’s Lament
Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
My name is Tony! An I am part of a muse musical!
It hasn’t even started!
La La La La LOOOOOOOOOHAAAA!
I said that a GAPA should be bernardo!
What if the GAPA is Robert?
He has a strange imagination!
He once said
The highlight editors locked him up.
Or something.
CAKE!
((Ok, obviously, we’re all very confused, and as the director, I say we take a well needed recap))
((Will everyone say what part they are playing, and tell how we should go on))
((I didn’t even think of this being about a musical, but I think we can go along with it. We can make most of the story outside of the theater, right?))
((PLEASE RESPOND!!!))
((Garth Jackson; Stage Manager))
((This should be an RPG set primarily (at least to start) at a production of West Side Story. The characters should predominantly be teens.))
Maxine Stevens. Jet that has dancing solo, understudy for Maria and Anita. ((Will she have a chance to sing ever?))
((Action, the Jet))
((Rosa Allele, plays Maria.))
((I think that we should make this a story both within and outside of the musical production [i.e. he meets her at rehearsal, takes her for a date, expresses love through an original song, etc.], and that we should keep going on the same path. I also second the motion for Robert as Bernardo. ))
((Thanks, but I’m more of an Officer Krupke type.))
((You’d be a good Krupke! Or Schrank…))
((96- I should have known! *hits self in head with a rolled-up newspaper*))
(((98) Aggie: Don’t beat yourself up! I’m flattered to be identified with a teenage gang leader.))
((Okay, I’ll be a girl. The more competition, the more obnoxious she’ll be. 82) Aye. Here’s her first song- the next one will be more romantic. I just have a sore throat and needed to use and old one (I always sing along when I make up my parodies
Profile:
Name: Ashley Ravens
Age: 16
Description: platinum blonde hair, piercing blue eyes (classical Mary Sue looks), wear perfectly coordinated outfits with matching purses. Too obnoxious for words, always has to be the best and have the “coolest” boyfriend. Is fickle, flirts with everyone who already has a girlfriend. Will probably end up with Edward, but for now is ignoring him and trying to break up everyone else. A female . I’m sorry, but all my other RP characters are so nice. This one is
. She’ll play one of the jets girlfriends.))
Ashley:
I touched up my makeup and then flounced onstage, positioning myself in the middle. Then I sung my song (to the tune of “Miracle of Miracles” from Anatevka.:
Wonder of wonders,
Miracle of Miracles,
Our school is having a play,
Now we can sing,
and all across the studio,
bring our talents into play,
When teacher remembered the play,
That was a miracle.
When I auditioned to sing today,
that was a miracle too.
But of all the miracles in this day,
By far the best one of them all,
Is the one that now we’re finally free,
To sing and dance for all, to, see !
The blond boy who clearly thought he was “all that” reacted first: “That´s nice, but weren’t you supposed to sing “Somewhere” like the other girls ?”
“Well, I probably should have, but I already sang for the theater teacher. She said I had an excellent voice and was definitely in, but I should audition anyway to be fair to the others. So I sang a little something I made up that fit the occasion.” I blinked flirtatiously and it worked. I pranced over to the bench, where I made sure to sit next to David, who seemed to be sitting very close to Angie. Not going to happen. I sat on the other side.
She shot me look. I smiled back, as if to say “Oh, he’s your boyfriend ? I’m so sorry… NOT ! You’re going to burn, loser.” She turned away. I talked to David:
“Hi ! I’m Ashley. I would have tried out for Maria, but I don’t look like her at all. It’s all so unfair. What part are you getting ?” (flirty smile).
(( I forgot to mention that her dress is pink and frilly. Freaky, isn’t she ?))
((100- Augh. Sharpay’s incarnation in the flesh. I’m very scared.))
((P.S. I’ve scanned the drawing of Rosa, it should be send later when my email isn’t blocked by school sites!))
((Super ! I can’t wait !))
David: Some obnoxious flirty girl called Ashley plunked herself down next to Angie. She shot her a smirk that said “I’m gonna steal your boyfriend.” Separate them? Not a chance! David ignored the newcomer and said to Angie “Did you see that last singer? Talk about talentless. She couldn’t even compose decent lyrics for her song! Plus, her dress looks like it’s made from hpb skins. But you. I heard you sing in that one musical, your voice is perfect!” Ashley turned to him, red in the face. “Hey you jerk, I-” David slapped her across the face. Apparently, some people had been watching, and they applauded.
I’m tony. I’m depressed, but during rehearsal, David slapped ashley! It was hilarious. Will robert ever reveal who he will be?
Rosa saw a new girl wearing pink sit down and try to sweet-talk David, who said some harsh words and then slapped the new girl. Some people even applauded. How rude, she thought to herself. Even if she is a bit snobbish, he shouldn’t be so rude as to slap her!
Still, infringing on privacy…
Rosa sighed, and settled back into her seat. She was bored, so she took out her notebook and scribbled a few lines…
“Anything that has a beginning has an end,
but the best start you can have is with a friend,
so when you feel the tables have turned
and there’s nothing at all that you understand,
look to everything that you’ve learned
From beginning to end, find the friend in me…”
“What’s that?” asked Lexy, leaning over her shoulder to look at the little notepad. Rosa quickly shut it.
“Nothing,” she lied, looking down. She had never shown anyone any of her music, and she wasn’t planning to start now.
Tony was wandering around when he saw something in Rosa’s notebook. He was going over to look, but Rosa closed it when Lexy tried to look in it. There’s something mysterious about that girl…
((THANK YOU!!!!))
((Could everyone put there character name next to their user name???))
((Sorry, I’m just getting a little confused….))
((Okey doke ))
((The picture’s sent in now, it just took awhile to obtain the scan.))
Garth: I sidled into the audience and sat a few rows behind everyone else. I was a bit older than most of them and felt in charge. I scanned them. A talented one, a moderately talented one, a b****y one, and a “hot” boy one. Oh, there would be trouble! I was sure of it. I couldn’t do anything to prevent it now, though.
I watched, rather amused, as the obnoxious girl in pink got slapped.
That was cruel, though I’ve no doubt she deserves it.
Maybe I could get her together with Edward. Then he wouldn’t try to ask me out. I schemed.
I saw the stage manager walk in silently and sit behind everyone. I turned round in my seat and watched him look us over as a group. I wonder what we look like… I thought self-consciously.
Garth felt my gaze and looked at me impassively.
I waved cheerily and turned back to the stage where Edward was looking at his list of people.
I hope he doesn’t call me up there.
I’d always hated singing in public, though my friends told me I was good.
((Azorica is good at singing, but not good enough for a lead role or anything.))
Rosa was getting strange looks from everyone, so she thought she might as well put the writing away. The slightly scary stage manager crept in a few rows behind them, and she shuffled around, hiding the notebook in her pants pocket.
The pink girl scooted her way in next to Rosa, seeing as she was further away from David and Angie, still whispering and giggling.
“Hello,” Rosa said, offering a handshake. She was denied by the girl in pink, who said only,”You’re the girl who got the main role, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” she replied. “Rosa Allele. It’s a pleasure, I’m sure.” Rosa tried to be as polite as possible. After all, she wasn’t there to make enemies.
“I would’ve gotten that role, if I had been more Spanish-looking like you,” sniffed the girl.
“Excuse me?” said Rosa, disbelievingly.
“Not as though it’s a bad thing,” the girl replied in a sniffy tone. “You got the part, anyway.”
“Yeah, I guess,” Rosa returned, still trying to be modestly polite, but inside feeling hurt. She tried to change the subject. “What’s your name?”
“I’m Ashley Ravens,” she said, not looking at Rosa, but instead ignoring her snottily and looking up at the ceiling. Rosa was wishing she would go away.
I watched as a girl in pink sat down and David slapped her across the face. He’s got balls, I thought. Still, that was mean. Was I like that before I…well, best not to think about that. I could see that the girl who played Maria- Rosa, I think- wanted Pink Girl to get out of here, so I took matters into my own hands. “Hey,” I said to Pink Girl. “What’s your name? I’ve heard you’re a wonderful singer.” She looked flattered. Good. “Ashley,” she replied. “Who do you play?” “I’m a Jet who has a dancing solo, and the understudy for Maria and Anita.” She wasn’t happy. Oops.
((ON one of the plays, can the understudy be Maria?))
((114- I thought we were only doing one play…I don’t know. Originally, I thought Angie was my understudy, but I guess it doesn’t matter either way. I’ll see if I can fan the plot in that direction.))
I saw Maxine talking to Ashley. From what I could hear, she was kind of getting Ashley depressed. And after David slapped her! Sure, she’s obnoxious, but this isn’t a musical called Everybody hates Ashley! I walked up to them and slapped Maxine in the face.
Maxine distracted Ashley and talked to her for a while, but then they boy who played
Um… The boy who played what?
Maxine distracted Ashley and talked to her for a while, but then they boy who played Tony walked right up to her and smacked her in the face! I gasped, got up, and walked indignantly over to him.
“Why on earth did you slap Maxine?” I hissed.
“Why on earth didn’t you?” he replied.
“Because I’m not mental?” I said.
“Well, she was being rude to Ashley,” he said.
“In what way?” I asked.
“She was talking about her…part?” he replied, confused. This wasn’t holding up.
“Right,” I said sarcastically. “Well, if that’s not the rudest thing I’ve ever heard of.”
“Sorry,” he said apologetically to Maxine, who nodded.
Aggie’s a jerk too.
120- That’s mean.
Ashley:
“Are those boys rude or what ?” I exclaimed. Then I went over to Edward and perched on his desk.
“You´re the director, right ? I hate to say this, but some of the cast members need serious control. That David just slapped me, and Tony slapped Maxine for absolutely no reason at all ! We need someone competent to straighten this mess out.”
“You mean you were slapped for a reason ?”
“Some people just can’t take the heat.” I quoted him, flipping back my hair.
“I’ll see what I can do.” he said, smiling infuriatingly.
“And I’ll go and get someone competent.” I countered, smirking.
“You win.” he said, in mock defeat and went onstage.
Suddenly this guy- I think he was Tony- came up and slapped me in the face. What the cake, I thought.
121- It’s true! Or can you at least act like it’s true. It’s just a RPG
124- I didn’t mean to be rude…I was just trying to be funny. But okay. I thought you meant literally!
I watched as David slapped that obnoxious boyfriend-stealer across the face. How sweet, I thought. Spontaneously, I hugged him. He blushed.
((I thought I was your understudy too, Aggie, but Maxine can be mine!))
((If Dodecahedron doesn’t mind, can I powerplay Thomas in a bit?))
Garth: “My, what a lot of slapping was happening now.” I thought, “Still, it wasn’t my place to stop it. This was beginning rehearsals, no time for the stage manager to interfere. Right now, the show still belonged to the director. Come dress rehearsal, though, and it would be mine. No one will stop this show, not even an awful cast who hate each other. It will work. I stayed seated. Someone looked at me, and I stared back. Perhaps this person ((Azorica, post 112)) would be interesting. Eventually, they looked away. I stayed calm, and relaxed in my seat.
((RoseQuartz- Are you understudy for both Maria and Anita? If not, can i be the one you don’t have?))
((I don’t mean to be a pest, but have the great and powerful GAPAs gotten my picture?))
((129- I AM Anita. I’m the understudy for Maria.))
(((130) We have received it, Aggie. Photobucket has trouble with PDF files, but maybe Lady B. can convert it into something digestible. Pictures are her department.))
Angie hugged David. He melted in her arms, and blushed. How sweet! He began wispering endearments into her ear.
Ironically, even though everyone thought she was obnoxious, Ashley was the only one that was okay. Meanwhile, everyone else was kissing and making up (namely Aggie and David).
Ironically, even though everyone thought she was obnoxious, Ashley was the only one that was okay. Meanwhile, everyone else was kissing and making up (namely Aggie and David). Maybe I could make friends with Maxine.
Stink! I guess it’s kind of too late to join this thread. . . Well, I like making up random people so I’m going to make up a character now! (I couldn’t care less if anyone reads this or not.)
Name: Hazel Rhettfield
Age: 13
Appearance: Really long, golden hair with natural brown highlights. Stunningly green eyes. Wears peasant dresses (result of hippie parents, see below) and tie-dyed shirts. Strange: sometimes carries her pet ferret, Winston, around with her in her pocket.
Background: Her parents are hippies, which makes Hazel peace-loving and rebellious. Sits alone at lunch, usually reading or more commonly writing. Is kind of an outsider; has no real friends, but longs to one day join the theater. Sometimes hangs around the auditorium during play rehearsal, watching everyone.
There! Anyone can use Hazel for something in the story; I don’t care/know what, though. . .
((132- That’s okay, my computer was having trouble digesting it, too ))
135- You mean Angie and David?))
Edward was enjoying the display if idiotic slapping.
He smirked.
“Alright… EVERYONE ON STAGE!!!”
Everyone stared at him. The girls started walking on stage, but they never turned their heads. The guys just shrugged and went carelessly up on stage. Except for one guy who no one seemed to know. He just stared.
“No”
Edward assessed the situations and corrected it. He had been through the disturbing situation before…
“OK, so why can’t everyone make up, and get on with the show. Oh, look at the time, practice is already over,” He stated,”Who is going to go out with me tonight?”
He wasn’t asking if he was asking which one was worthy.
(Wow… This thread grew quickly…)
Edward called everyone on stage, and I breathed a sigh of relief. At least I wouldn’t have to sing alone.
I snapped out of my thoughts as I heard Edward say, “Who is going to go out with me tonight?”
I rolled my eyes and slipped to the back of the crowd, with luck I would be out of Edward’s sight. Spotting Ashley, I ‘accidentally’ pushed her a bit- right into Edward’s line of vision.
There. I thought, Now, hopefully, she’ll volunteer.
((SFTDP. Need to write more.))
The bitter boy who played Tony stalked off. Rosa didn’t mind, he seemed a bit rude as it was. Instead, she resumed a theater seat and took out her notebook secretly to write some more.
Soon, time had passed, and practice was over. It was time to say good-bye for the night. Rosa gave friendly hugs and handshakes to her new acquaintances, even Ashely, who grumbled. She seemed to be softening up a bit more. That was all right with Rosa, she was always eager to make new friends.
The room cleared out quickly, some people lingering to chat, but most leaving into the main room outside the theater. Rosa did not follow. Instead, she walked back up the aisle and onto the stage. The stage manager followed her with his eyes, suspiciously watching as she disappeared backstage. There was a door hidden behind some of the roping and light boxes that led to the hallway where she and her parents had their living space, and so she walked back down the hallway and to her bedroom, awaiting for the theater to clear and for her parents to go to bed so that she could start her nighty routine onstage.
When Edward called us all up on stage, Azorica pushed me in front.
“I have a previous engagement, of course.” I said, as snottily as possible. Tony had left-pity, he seemed nicer than the others. Then I prance offstage to find Tony and ask him what had made him so mad. If Tony and Edward hated each other, maybe I could switch between dating them.
“Oh where did my little peach go?” Edward sang.
He glanced around the room. She must have left.
“She’ll be back…”
((OK, now I really need someone to go out with me… Bookgirl?))
I heard Edward sing, “Where did my little peach go?” and gagged.
I disliked sappiness.
I tried to blend into the background, but just then I stepped on someone’s toes and they yelped. “Sorry!” I yelled over my shoulder as Edward saw me and I made my hasty exit from the studio.
Walking down the street, I wondered what that must have looked like. He’ll probably take it as a compliment! I thought, and seethed. I walked to my favorite cafe a few doors down from the studio and sat at a table outside. Pulling out the script for the play, I looked it over again.
I had very few lines- which was good, because memorization was not one of my skills, but a little disappointing.
((Who should I play?! *panics* ))
((144- Be one of the Spanish girls. They have a ton of lines in ‘America’.))
((Ok, I’ll be… *consults Wikipedia page* …Lupe.
I don’t really want a big role, seeing as I don’t know the play and I’d probably mess it up.))
((I’m understudy for Anita and a Jet with a dancing solo.))
((IT’S ORIGINAL SONG TIME!!!))
((I’m just going to assume that everyone’s left the theater, because I’m impatient that way. ))
As soon as Rosa was sure that every last person was gone from the theater, she grabbed her notebook from her dressing table, and made her way back to the stage.
It only took a moment to reach the prime spot on the theater floor. Quietly, Rosa turned the stage lights back on. The expansive room looked dark and completely deserted. Rosa climbed back up onto stage, and pulled the black grand piano from off of stage left. She dragged it to the middle of the wooden floor, and along with it carried a black stool. She turned to face her imaginary audience, bowed, and sat down at the piano. Then, she pulled her notebook out and turned it to the freshest page.
She placed her fingers delicately on the ivory piano keys and began to sing as she played.
“Oh, ooh oh…
Always, when the night is long
And things are feeling black
You search around to find the face, of something that you lack
But when you’re feeling empty, and
There’s nothing you can do
Find me in the dark, and I’ll find you…
Anything that has a beginning has an end,
but to truly start again is with a friend,
so when you feel the tables have turned
and there’s nothing at all that you understand,
look to everything that you’ve learned
From beginning to end, find the friend in me-”
Rosa’s heart pounded steadily as her timekeeper, holding the keys and the music in time with the rhythm of her own song. She sang louder now, her voice echoing beautifully around the empty theater.
“Well, sunlight comes and seasons change
The world grows, and so do we
Changes come through our lives’ gate,
And love is slowly turned to hate
But friendship stays with us, you wait and see
The people around us hold us down when
Our hearts are beating at the speed of sound
And you can see there’s something more to you and me,
Well, you know that everything that has a beginning has an end,
but to truly start again is with a friend,
so when you feel the tables have turned
and there’s nothing at all that you understand,
look to everything that you’ve learned
From beginning to end, find the friend in me,
And if I might be more than a friend,
Look for no end,
You’ll always be more, you can see
So find the friend in me,
Yeah, find the friend in me…”
The music echoed around the theater, and then faded into silence. Rosa sighed, and leaned back on her seat, feeling the vibrations fade away into the night air.
Suddenly, there was a crash from backstage. Rosa’s head spun around to meet a new face that she had never seen before. He had sandy blond hair, grey, faraway eyes, and a sheepish grin.
“Who are you?” she demanded. “What are you still doing here?”
“I, uh…forgot my phone, and…” he stammered. “I’m Thomas.”
“Why weren’t you at practice?” she questioned.
“I work on the set crew, and I was just here to listen,” he said. “And I heard you singing, so I thought I might come and, um, check it out?” he shrugged. “You have a pretty voice. Nice song, too. Did you write that?”
Rosa felt her face burn ten shades of red. Ultimate embarrasment. “Yes,” she whispered.
“Don’t be embarassed,” he said, walking a few steps closer. “It was good.”
“Um, thanks,” she hesitated. What did she have to lose? “I’m Rosa,” she said.
“I know,” he replied.
“Okay, then,” she said, a bit confused but nonetheless flattered.
((I hope Dodecahedron doesn’t mind that I brought their character in. ))
Edward dropped one of his contacts. He had very bad vision, but he coudn’t go around wearing big ugly glassess, so he got some of the most expensive contacts and wore those. But now he dropped one. He opened his eyes too wide when he was looking for that girl who he wanted to date.
So now he was scrambling on the floor for his contact. Everyone said you couldn’t put one on dirty, but part of the expense of the contacts were for the anti-itchy feature. He made sure that no one was there to see him. But he must have missed someone.
He heard some beutiful music. He had to have the singer. He suddenly found his contact and stood up. The singer was talking to someone in the back.
“Hello,” Edward said,”would you like to go on a date with me”
The beauty hit her hard. It was hard to resist.
((Edward can’t go without a date!))
hey sorry I’ve been gone for a while – can James still be in it? He can be Bernardo!
I pushed through the doors and made my entrance. Then I tripped. “Am I early for rehersal?” I say, shocked. A guy shoving a contact into his eye said, “It’s already over. Go home.” That’s when I realzed my watch was broken.
A little comedy.
Angie and David left the theater hand in hand.
“Call me tonight,” whispered Angie as they reluctantly went their different ways, slipping a piece of paper into his hand.
She walked home, humming “Tonight” as she went. “Today the world was but an address, a place for me to live in…” she sang softly, then stopped abruptly. “I wish that was my part,” she muttered. “Rosa’s being so obnoxious about this. How come I never realized what a jerk she was?”
((Edward, you could get dumped by Rosa, leave the theater, and find me outside, just to create some conflict! And of course, David would be coming back already… *winkwink*))
Suddenly, the director (whose one eye was flinching and having some sort of seizure) came walking up the aisle and said, “Hello, would you like to go on a date with me?”
He was fairly handsome, Rosa thought, but couldn’t he see she was speaking to someone? “I’m sorry, I’m a bit busy, and my parents don’t allow me out too late,” she said.
“I see,” he replied. “Well then, I’ll come back for you tomorrow. Meet me after practice.”
“But-” Rosa began, but he had already strutted right back out the door and into the night air.
“I don’t really want to,” she whispered.
“You could ditch him,” suggested Thomas, who had suddenly appeared by her side.
“Yes, but that would be rather rude…” she said.
“I guess,” he shrugged. “Well, it was nice to meet you,” he said, and then picked up his phone from on top of a sandbag. “I’d better go. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Okay,” she smiled back. “It was nice to meet you, too.”
((Time for attack of the Ashley *plays the jaws theme song*. Maybe Edward and Ashley can get together and break up several times. This will be fun, at any rate. How old is Edward ? If he has a drivers license, then keep this part. If not, then just let them walk.))
Ashley:
Time for a little verbal sparring with our beloved stage manager. He was handsome and flirty- and he had a nice car. When he came out of the theater, I was waiting for him perched on its bonnet.
“What are your plans this evening ?”
“What are yours ?”
“Well, I might be free to go to the italian restaurant nearby.”
“You don’t have a date.” he accused me.
I laughed.
“I only settle for the best, and only as long as they are the best. I’d make time-if something important should come up.”
I shot him a look. If he had a date, he would have long gone off with her. Now let him ask me. This was fun- finally a guy with attitude. To bad that I simply don’t play fair- I make my own rules, and if some-ones hearts got broken, tant pis.
((151- What did I do?? *sigh* It irks me when characters get in fights, so can we please not hate each other this whole time unless there’s a reason? Sorry, but I’d really like to have control over my character being hated.))
((154- Wasn’t that conflict established from the beginning?))
((154-Where?
Oh, now I see it. Still, that wasn’t really my decision…but whatever. Go on, then.))
((SFTDP:
OK, character check. In the play (NOT the RPG) we need:
JETS:
Riff
Diesel
A-Rab
Baby John
Ice? I think that’s one of them in the movie but the Wikipedia page doesn’t mention him
Gee-tar (see above)
Snowboy
Big Deal
4H
Kiddo
Graziella
Velma
Minnie
Clarice
Pauline
SHARKS:
Chino
Pepe
Indio
Bolo
Federico
Inca
Tio
Consuela (a blond, just so you know)
Rosalia
Alicia
Bebecita
Fernanda
ADULTS:
Doc
Officer Krupke (p*ease, Robert?)
Lt. Schrank
Glad Hand (the guy at the dance)
We could also use an orchestra.))
Why are there so many of those deep girls in my play?
Edward was frustrated that it took him even a minute to find a date. This girl seemed too easy. He wanted to have one of the deep girls…
“Well, let’s go!’ Ashley proclaimed.
“OK” Edward responded.
((Gotta go on the random thread, I just discovered some detail problems))
When David got home he called Angie. They talked for a while, and eventually she asked him to sing for her. “What should I sing?” Anything you want.” So, he sang.
“Moon
River.
Wider than a mile.
I’m crossing you in style,
someday.
Oh, dream maker.
You heart breaker.
Wherever you’re going,
I’m going your way.
Two drifters.
Off to see the world.
There’s such a lot of world
to see.
We’re after the same
rainbow’s end.
Waiting ’round the bend,
my huckleberry friend.
Moon
River,
and me.”
Rosa was afraid of more people bursting in on her, so she grabbed her notebook and went back to her bedroom, humming to herself and feeling airy inside after having met someone like Thomas.
She opened her bedroom window, which looked out onto the street below. There was a balcony, too, that was above the alley, and had a fire escape nearby. She didn’t feel like catching a cold, for it was a brisk night. Instead, she leaned her lead out the window slightly, to see what she could see.
There were people walking away below on the street. Ashley was perched on the hood of Edward’s car, and looked as though she was flirting with him. For some reason, this made Rosa a tiny bit jealous. She also saw David and Angie hug good-bye. Figure’s she’s already got a boyfriend, Rosa thought, rolling her eyes. Angie always got her way, except for how the play had gone. She watched Angie walk away down the street, muttering to herself about something. Rosa wasn’t sure, but somehow she could tell that it was about her.
She drew her head back inside, singing softly to herself, and leaving the window open with the curtains fluttering in the breeze. It was a nice night for a cool wind.
“It’s very clear, our love is here to stay
Not for a year but ever and a day
The radio and the telephone and the movies that we know
May just be passing fancies and in time may go…”
She sat back down on her bed, pulled out the ‘Wicked’ soundtrack, popped it into her CD player, and wrote to the music. It was the best way to let the creative ideas flow. In no time at all, she was fast asleep, a visionary on a pink bedspread in the middle of an empty theater.
It was getting dark and I walked home to my apartment. My parents were watching a movie and didn’t look up as I walked in.
I wrote a little in my journal, complaining about Edward.
Then I got into bed and fell asleep trying to remember my lines from when I’d read them in the cafe.
Angie was quiet for a minute. “That was amazing,” she said.
“Thanks,” said David.
“You really should have been Tony, you know.”
“And you should have been Maria.”
“I just don’t get how they could have picked either of those creeps. Rosa is SUCH a jerk, and that Tony guy… I don’t know, I just get a really bad feeling about him. And it’s so creepy how his name actually is Tony!”
“Your understudy would make a great Anita. She’s got spunk.”
“Yeah, Maxine’s pretty cool. You’re right, she should be Anita.”
“KARA ANGELA MURPHY! GET OFF THE PHONE!” yelled her mother from downstairs.
“Gotta go,” said Angie. “I–”
“KARA! ANGELA! MURPHY! GET! OFF! THE! PHONE! NOW!!!!!!!”
“Bye,” she muttered hurriedly, hanging up the phone and sliding into bed. She fell asleep humming the tune of David’s song.
((162- I don’t know why, but it seems like when two characters hate each other, their alter egos do, too! I guess that’s why I’m so uncomfortable…))
It was too early for Rosa to fall asleep. She pulled out her notebook and wrote some more, but somehow couldn’t write about music. Instead, she pulled out her night journal.
Dear Diary,
Today was the first day of rehearsal. I met some new friends today, Maxine and Lexy and Azorica. The boy who plays Tony doesn’t seem to like me very much. Our director is pretty hot, but this girl named Ashley is trying for him, so I’m not. She seems too demanding to be friends with. The stage manager usually just lurks around in the back, which is fine with me, even though he could be close to our age.
Angie still hates me, even though it’s not my fault that I got picked over her for Maria. Honestly, you’d think she could just move on already! She has a boyfriend, too, even though she’s only known him for maybe an hour. He’s a jerk to me, when I’ve barely said two words to him. Sometimes I think that people always get the wrong impression of me, just because I’m not afraid to sing for them.
And I did today, Diary, just like you said I could! I sang in front of everybody, and (barely) nobody judged me for it. I’m proud of myself. I can’t wait for the acting scenes, this is going to be so much fun!
Which reminds me…I went out to play piano tonight, just like I always do, and I met this nice guy named Thomas. He’s a bit older than me, and he’s on stage crew. I think he seems like the musical type all the same. He likes my songs! I’d hoped that someone would. I hope I get to see him again tomorrow.
Oops! I hear someone in the halls. I’d better go. Night, Diary! I’ll talk to you later.
Love,
Rosa Allele, 11:25 p.m.
“Rosa?” asked a voice outside her bedroom door. “Are you asleep?”
“Yeah,” she called back, and then covered her mouth. “Oops!”
“Go to bed, mija. You’ve got another rehearsal tomorrow, it’s Saturday.”
“Okay, mama,” she replied, settling back under the covers. She sighed, and awaited the new dawn in silent slumber.
The car roared with it’s perfect engine.
“I like your car…” Ashley flirted.
“I like your body,” Edward replied. He actually liked this girl. Maybe she would get a second date. Of course Edward was already thinking about the second date.
“Your so flattering!” But she didn’t blushed. She’d been told that many times before.
The car pulled up to the fancy resteraunt.
“Ooooo, fawncy!” Ashley admired with a funny voice.
“The fanciest for you, my darling,”
Edward grabbed her dramatically and kissed her. Ashley realized that Edward was the best kisser that she had ever kissed, and that was quite the glory.
“Woah,” Ashley looked frazzled.
“I get that a lot.” He paid the valet service and went inside. He instantly had a table with the fanciest wine they had. Edward wasn’t a poor man.
“I love you,” Ashley said.
TOO FAST. Edward wasn’t happy with this statement.
((Alright people, maybe we should move on to the next day in the studio…
Ashley & Edward, finish up your date. ))
Garth had crept out of the theater after the rehearsal ended, and walked home. It was only a few blocks away. He went to his computer, accessed a few links, and then went to lie in bed. He lay there for a long time, listening to the sounds of night and thinking. Eventually, circa one o’ clock, he fell asleep.
((For the sake of us who are bored, I’m just going to continue. Ashley/Edward, finish the date and then write as though it’s in the morning ))
The morning sun crept through Rosa’s window, tapping her lightly on the shoulder and waking her up. She stretched her arms and yawned gracefully.Bluebirds perched outside her open window, serenading her with beautiful chirping melodies as she got out of bed and skipped daintily to the closet. She sang along with the birds, feeling elated and not at all sad.
“Oh, what a beautiful morning,
Oh, what a beautiful day,
I’ve got a beautiful feeling,
Everything’s going my way….”
She tugged on a pale blue cashmere cowl neck sweater and a white fluffy skirt. Then, reaching out her open bedroom window, she plucked a shimmering white rose from the vines that grew outside the theater and pinned it into her masses of lovely, sweet-smelling curls.
She glanced at the clock. She had slept late, it was already eleven thirty! She grabbed her favorite blue tote from beside her bed and placed in it her script, her iPod and her writing notebook along with her lucky pen. Then, sliding on her blue high heeled sandals, she rushed down the hall to the kitchen.
“Good morning, mama,” she said to her mother, peeling a grapefruit at lightning seed and eating a wedge.
“Morning, Rosalita,” her mother replied, using her endearingly familiar childhood nickname. “My, don’t you look lovely this morning?”
“I hope,” Rosa replied, shoving down the rest of the grapefruit. “Well, better go. It’s almost time for practice, and I’ll be late!”
“We certainly wouldn’t want that!” her mother exclaimed. “Good luck sweetie,” she said, plating a kiss on her daughter’s cheek. “I’m very proud of you.
Rosa was off down the hall when she heard her mother add, “Your father and I will be out tonight, so don’t forget to lock the theater doors!”
“I won’t!” she cried, and made her way to the theater. Good/ she thought. Now I don’t have to tell them about my date with Edward, if it even happens.
((I’ve got spunk? *melts in happiness* Aww, you guys…))
I went home to my apartment. It’s a mess, as usual. No one’s there, as usual. Ever since…well, there’s no use thinking about that. The point is, I’m better now. I rehearsed Anita’s lines. Got ’em down, I thought. I collapsed on my bed. No time for songwriting tonight.
((I’m not really a jerk, am I? *worries*))
From Agrrrfishi, a portrait of Rosa:
((I have the perfect song for Edward. It goes like this:
“So you wanted to meet the wizard.
Let me tell you that you’ve come to the right place.
Shall I make you a frog or a lizard?
You should see the strained expression on your face!
If the way I come on is frightening
that’s the way I felt like coming on today.
Have you ever been kissed by lightning?
Let me tell you that will make you go away.
I fly, and the magic of my power takes me higher.
To a level where the clouds turn into fire,
and in the warmth inside my fire I feel fine.
Keep your eyes open,
and the magic you will see.
It will whistle on the wind
as it emenates from me.
It’s a strong and true vibration.
You can feel it on your skin.
So come and take my hand,
and we will dance
upon the wind!
Oh!
So you wanted to meet
the Wizard!”
He could sing it to Rosa or something.))
((Can Ashley be a bit older ? She needs to have a drivers license for this, so let’s make her the same age as Edward… I know, I know, she´s a Mary Sue, but she’s more obnoxious that way. Edward and Ashley should break up though, because they’re to similar. They’ll just take turns dissing each other. .))
“I love you.” I told Edward testing his reaction. The restaurant was fancy with a capital F. He smiled.
“You wouldn’t be the first.”
((fast-forward to desert))
I finished my dessert, then sat back, looking at Edward. He laid the car keys on the table. He did have beautiful eyes… I almost felt sorry for him. But after all, he’d asked for it…
I leaned over and kissed him, but pulled back early.
“Afraid ?” he teased.
“Nope, busy. I have a second date in half an hour. ((lie, lie)).”
Edward was surprised, but hid it well. “You’re leaving ?”
“See you tomorrow at the play.” I said sweetly, kissing his cheek in passing. He didn’t try to call me back. He probably thought he’d won and I was trying a sort of dignified retreat. Wrong.
Edward didn’t leave the table until he heard the car start. I could imagine him thinking “But she doesn’t have a car !”.
I started the engine, let it roar for a minute and then drove away, turning on the radio. The beach boys shouted:
My buddies and me,
We’re getting real well known,
Yea, the bad guys know us
and they leave us alone,
as I drove away, leaving Edward standing at the curb. I grinned in triumph. Too bad I couldn’t keep the car. Tomorrow, Edward would find me parking it at the (place where the play is happening, insert here). Victory is sweet ! I smiled all the way home.
((I think I’ll make Rosa a bit older, too, just s a relationship between her and older people isn’t quite as outlandish. 15/16, maybe?))
((172-OH NO YOU DIDN’T!!! But good twist…))
Edward was in a limo and pissed. He was going to kill that woman. How much does an assassin cost? No, no, he wouldn’t go that far. (Or would he????)
He stepped out of the car, into the theater, and walked straight up to Ashley.
“$%@#^!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” And he slapped her.
“OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!,” came from all around the theater.
Rosa arrived at the theater in time to see a red-faced Edward slap Ashley across the cheek, turning her head.
“How dare you steal my car, and leave me hanging!” he vented. “Nobody dumps me!”
Ashley yelped, rubbing her cheek. “You jerk!” she cried. “I’ll have you arrested for domestic abuse!”
It was an empty statement, but still, Edward looked worried. The rest of the theater was encased in giggles and whispers from the kids. Rosa snuck in next to Azorica.
“Some fight, huh?” she said. Azorica could hardly speak from laughing.
“Y-yeah,” she stammered. “Boy, am I glad I didn’t go out with him .”
Rosa’s stomach turned a bit. This made her worried. She didn’t want to date someone who would hit her.
((169- Absolutely not at all!))
((Hmm, I’ll make Azorica a bit older also… say, 15.))
I saw the worried expression on Rosa’s face.
“I don’t think he does that too often. It’s just that Ashley… gets on peoples’ nerves…” I smirked. Rosa looked reassured.
So Rosa likes Edward… I thought.
Edward looked absolutely furious! Finally someone had broken through that composed mask of his.
Just then Edward appeared to see the laughing crowd for the first time. He drew himself up and visibly pulled himself together.
“Well, let’s start, shall we?” he said, briskly walking into the theater; which had just been unlocked by the stage manager.
The rest of the crowd followed Edward in, some still giggling.
I smiled at Garth as I walked into the studio, asking, “Did you see all that? It’s about time someone took our director down a notch!” Garth smiled indulgently and took a seat in the audience. I walked to the front and onto the stage along with the rest of the crowd.
I always hated edward, and when he slapped ashley… well I went up and slapped him. I’m glad I did it. Then, I asked ashley for a date.
I slipped in the door to see Ashley getting slapped in the face by Edward. What was he thinking, hurting a member of the cast?
“What do you think you’re doing, Edward?” I cried.
He was too angry to speak.
“It seems like you’ll have some explaining to do to the owners of the theatre. Actually slapping a cast member could get you fired. Imbecile.”
He looked worried. I didn’t want to go out with him!
Ashley was turning out to be okay, maybe.
David walked in right as Edward slapped Ashley. Someone slapped him back and someone else yelled in his face. David went over to investigate, rarely did someone slap someone else without reason. “What was that about?” he asked. Red-faced, Edward recounted the date and what Ashley had done. “Oh, that jerk! Did she at least give the keys back?” “No.” David took out his phone and called the police. “Yes, the car thief’s name is Ashley Ravens. Yes, she’s right here. No, I don’t think she knows I’m calling. Thank you. Goodbye” A few minutes later the police arrived. “We’re looking for a car thief named Ashey Ravens.” A little while later, Edward had proved that the car was his, and Ashley was in the hot seat. How’s she gonna get out of this one? David thought to himself.
((Ashley did give the car back the next day.))
I wanted to get some witnesses together for Ashley’s trial. Maybe some non-idiots could help. So I asked everyone “will you testify for ashley?’ I got a mixed response, but mostly yeses. Better than nothing.
Trial? What trial? Rosa saw nothing wrong. The car was back with Edward, there was no harm done, and certainly no need to go to court! Rosa settled back onto one of the stage prop chairs. It was too early for all of this. Still, she agreed to help when Tony asked her.
“Some fiasco, huh?” said a voice in her ear. Rosa nearly tumbled off her seat.
“Thomas! Oh, you scared me!” she said, flustered. He was smiling at her, and his clothes were coated in paint.
“Sorry,” he shrugged. “What’s the buzz about?”
“Oh, just Edward and Ashley making drama about his car, or something,” she said, waving an airy hand.
“I figured,” he replied, wiping his paint-splattered hands off on his pants.
“And what about you? Did a paint storm come through here earlier?” said Rosa, giggling.
“No, just working our butts off to finish your balcony,” he replied. “And if I do say so myself, it looks pretty darn good.”
“That’s good!” she replied, smiling widely. “I’m sure it looks awesome.”
Rosa told me there was no trial, and I calmed down. Anything for Ashley though. I was hoping she would come soon. I was going to ask her on a date. And if the car wasn’t reason enough to split them up I would convince Azorica to date Edward (an easy task). (BTW, can I do thomas?)
((183- You mean the character? Well , technically he’s Dodecahedron’s character, so you’d need her permission…he’s supposed to be the one in love with Rosa, so it’s entirely up to you/her to choose.))
She hasn’t been around lately.
((True…I guess for now there’s no harm, as long as the character’s right and she doesn’t mind.))
Edward was furious. Two people had directly offended him. This could not go on. Then the police had come. He just wanted to get on with the rehearsal.
“EVERYBODY ON STAGE…! NOW!”
Everybody shuffled on stage. Some were giggling, this could not go on.
“OK, IF that’s how everybody wants to be like that, then we won’t do anything,” Everybody seemed to be relieved.
They sat down on stage.
“WHO SAID YOU COULD SIT DOWN!”
Everybody instantly stood up,”NOW STAY!”
Edward sat down and started to read. People on stage began to whisper things like,”What?” or “Huh?”
“NO TALKING!”
So they stood there for about an hour. People started to sweat from the tension.
“Ok, time to begin!” Edward said happily.
Everybody fainted on the floor from exhaustion.
Suddenly, Edward started up to the stage in a rage. Thomas quickly disappeared into the wings, mouthing to Rosa, “I’ll see you later.” She nodded quickly smiling a small smile at him which he returned.
Edward forced them all to stay standing for an hour, after which Rosa collapsed on the ground along with the entire cast.
“Now,” Edward said, “are we all ready to act, instead of giggling like idiots?”
“Yes,” the entire cast groaned.
“Good,” he replied. “Ashley, you will be sitting in the back of the theater today, because of your antics last night. I think you’re a bit too worn out to act, don’t you?”
Ashley gave him an infuriated look and stuck out her tongue, and was about to speak out when the entire cast said, “NO!” Nobody wanted to stand still for another hour. Ashley walked defeatedly offstage and pulled out her phone, texting someone on her bright pink phone with furious fingers.
((Accidental post, sorry!))
“NOW,” bellowed Edward, flipping his blond hair. “I want my Maria, Tony, Bernardo, Anita and the rest of the Jets and Sharks onstage to rehearse the Gym Mambo right now! It is not acceptable not to know your lines! Bernardo, Anita, Maria, and the Sharks, stage left! Tony, Riff and the Sharks, stage right! PLACES, NOW!”
The cast members leapt to action almost immediately. Rosa prepared herself for the worst.
((183- Azorica and Edward? An easy task?! I think not! Well, she might go out with him, as an experiment… it would be pretty funny. ))
Everyone scrambled to try to find their places. It was absolute pandemonium and nothing got done at all. Finally we all settled on our approximate spots, and Edward walked around, occasionally correcting people.
He walked over to me, saying, “You, are over there.” He pointed to the other side of the stage.
I stalked over there, embarrassed.
This is why I dislike drama class…
Edward dragged people to their places, all around the stage. He placed Rosa across from Tony, her on one side of the stage and him at the other. The other couples danced in the close fore and background.
“All right then, from the top,” he said, walking offstage and sitting down in a chair close to center stage.
“Uh…” everyone said.
“What?” he asked.
“We don’t all know our lines,” said Angie.
“Of course,” he rolled his eyes. “Improvise.”
“But…” Rosa tried.
“Nope! I want to see some acting today, folks. Get to it, or get out.”
Rosa sighed. The stage lights dimmed. She tried to remember her lines…
Ashley:
The rehearsal started. Rosa was out there, doing her thing. Then the dance started. I stayed backstage, texting each of my BFFs. The music ended abruptly.
“Ashley, where the cake are you ?” Edward shouted.
“I’m busy texting. I’ll be on next scene !” I shouted back.
Edward came in and ripped the phone from my hands.
“Get up there now !” he hissed in my ear.
I ran onstage and struck a pose. I was wearing converse and a stylish cap- not mambo dance-wear.
Edward ignored me.
I added hip moves to the dance and sang a parody. My dance partner laughed. It was Tony for the first part, and we never seemed to get far. Rosa and Angie didn’t know their lines, and were both slightly intimidated by the storm clouds brewing onstage.
Edward bellowed: “Okay, change of plans. We’ll do a scene with only Maria. I don’t care which one, as long as it doesn’t have Ashley and Tony in it !”
I snickered and pranced backstage. Backstage, I picked up my cellphone. Tony came over to me, standing only inches away…
((Your moves, trust kokopelli and Aggie.))
“Well, all right,” said Rosa. She had remembered her lines fairly well, so ‘I Feel Pretty’ should have been no challenge. The other girls took places, and pretended that they had a set behind them. Rosa got the cues from the piano, and began to sing and dance.
“I feel pretty,
Oh, so pretty,
I feel pretty and witty and bright!
And I pity
Any girl who isn’t me tonight.
I feel charming,
Oh, so charming
It’s alarming how charming I feel!
And so pretty
That I hardly can believe I’m real….”
The other girls chimed in along with her as she danced, a beautiful, silly ballet on center stage.
“Have you met my good friend Maria,
The craziest girl on the block?
You’ll know her the minute you see her,
She’s the one who is in an advanced state of shock.
She thinks she’s in love.
She thinks she’s in Spain.
She isn’t in love,
She’s merely insane….”
“I feel dizzy,
I feel sunny,
I feel fizzy and funny and fine,
And so pretty,
Miss America can just resign!”
“La la la la . . . ”
Rosa sang out the last lines, ending in a striking pose.
“I feel stunning
And entrancing,
Feel like running and dancing for joy,
For I’m loved
By a pretty wonderful boy! ”
Rosa collapsed smiling onstage to flurries of clapping from the surrounding crowd. She looked to the wings, and saw Thomas smiling at her and clapping the loudest. She blushed fiercely, and returned his smile with a wide grin.
“Very good, beautifully done,” said Edward. “Now can we see ‘A Boy Like That?’ Rosa, Angie?”
The two of them got onstage alone, as far away from one another as possible. The palpable tension in the room was so thick, it could have been cut by a knife.
“Now,” said Edward, ” the song and choreography, please.”
Rosa gave Angie a glance, which was returned with such hatred ferocity that she felt like running offstage. But she stood her ground. The two began to sing.
Hello again!
James:
I bursted into the room to see Rosa and Angie take their places.
The director loooked furious. “I’m on time! Yes!” “No, you aren’t,” Edward stated. The girls on stage looked relieved. I whispered “Sorry,” as I practiced my lines as Riff.
I edged toward Ashley, going to ask her for a date, but I saw Thomas on one side edging toward her to. He saw me to and his brow furrowed. My teeth clenched. “It’s on,” I hissed. We started running toward Ashley, but both of us slipped on the floor freshly waxed by thomas. I was going to kill him. Ashley looked up from her phone to see us sprawled on the floor. Still, wait until I tell Rosa about her “boyfriends” new love.
((195- Not exactly how that’s supposed to go. Did you read Dodec’s profile description at all?))
No, Tony has a misconception of what Thomas was going to do. I’ll get back on that later.
((197- Oh, okey-dokey. Carry on, then. ))
I was going out to the stage to ask rosa for a date, but tony had already got there. He was telling Rosa about how I had “Chose Ashley” and “Hated Rosa”. I was just going to ashley to ask for help on asking rosa for a date. I saw Toy runing toward her with a very angry expression on his face. Naturally, I ran too. I tell this to rosa, who is glad, but she slaps Tony across the face
A boy like that
Will bring you sorrow
You’ll find another
Boy tomorrow
One of your own kind
Stick to your own kind, I sang, trying as hard as I could not to look at Rosa and succeeding.
“CUT!” yelled Edward. “That’s not in the script! Get back to your place…”
“But I am in it! That was soooooo in the script!” I complained.
“…Rosa,” Edward finished, giving me a funny look. “Tony! Thomas! Get backstage! Neither of you are in this scene. And ASHLEY! Seriously, everyone, get OFF the freakin STAGE!”
“He’s in a great mood,” whispered David as he passed. I grinned at him. Somehow he always managed to make me feel better.
I watched the chaos onstage. Again I wished I was a bigger part. Edward was in a wonderful mood- “freakin”, how eloquent. God.
Suddenly and in the middle of the scene, Tony rushed on. He told Rosa quickly, “Thomas doesn’t like you, he likes Ashley, just so you know.” A smug look appeared on his face. Rosa’s heart sank into her stomach. Angie looked very annoyed that her scene was interrupted.
Then, Thomas rushed after him, grabbing Rosa’s arm. “Don’t believe him, Rosa. I was just asking Ashley about something, I don’t like her or anything. Anyway, I wanted to ask y-”
Edward was furious. He screamed, “Tony! Thomas! Get backstage! Neither of you are in this scene. And ASHLEY! Seriously, everyone, get OFF the freakin’ STAGE!â€
Everyone did.
I continued after Angie in a softer, pretty voice,
“Oh no, Anita, no,
You should know better!
You were in love – or so you said.
You should know better . . .
I have a love, and it’s all that I have.
Right or wrong, what else can I do?
I love him; I’m his,
And everything he is
I am, too.
I have a love, and it’s all that I need,
Right or wrong, and he needs me, too.
I love him, we’re one;
There’s nothing to be done,
Not a thing I can do
But hold him, hold him forever,
Be with him now, tomorrow
And all of my life!”
It was very hard to sing with someone ten feet away from you, and Edward noticed. He yelled, “Rosa! Angie! Stop kidding around or I’ll replace both of you. We’re acting, not standing like statues that have good tone! Make with the nicey-nice, or you’re out of here!”
Rosa looked at Angie.
Angie looked at Rosa.
Rather, they glared.
It was, needless to say, a tense moment.
“WHY DON’T YOU PEOPLE GET IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Edward screemed.
“Okay, I’m going to make it simple. Tony and Maria get on stage, NOW. AND EVERYBODY ELSE… SIT IN A SEAT AND SHUT UP!”
They listened.
“Now, amuse me,” Edward commanded.
They stared at eachother for a moment. They shrugged and began to sing…
((Sorry, don’t know the play, somebody else write the song….))
((I really don’t know the play. I’ll check back to see if I can get to a spot where I know what to do, but sorry if I don’t post during the parts where my character is onstage.))
Tony and Rosa got onstage. I sat down in a seat, sulking and listening.
“Only you, you’re the only thing I’ll see forever…” Rosa started. At the same time, Tony sang, “Make of our hands one hand…”
They stopped and looked at each other, confused.
“CUT!” Edward yelled.
Everyone started scurrying around the stage. Edward tapped his foot.
“Angie, try the scene,” he called.
“Which one?” I asked nervously.
“Either one, I don’t care.”
“But…” said Rosa. “It’s MY part!”
“What am I supposed to do?” asked Tony.
“OK, EVERYBODY SHUT UP!” screamed Edward.
Everyone shut up.
“We’re going to get SOMETHING done in this rehearsal. I don’t know what, but you idiots can just figure it out for yourselves.” He sat back in his chair and stuck his headphones over his ears.
“START FROM THE BEGINNING!” a voice yelled.
I turned around a little, trying to see where it came from. Then I realized that I was the one who had yelled.
Might as well keep it up, I thought.
“JETS! SHARKS! PLACES!”
“Uh, what are our places?” asked one Shark guy that I didn’t know too well.
“We’ll figure that out.”
“ALRIGHT! We obviously need a choreographer. Does anyone know the play, and have dance experience?” Edward wanted to actually get this thing started.
“I do,” I say.
I rolled my eyes.
“No DUH we need a choreographer!”
I scowled at Edward. He couldn’t have figured that out before?
“I do, too,” I said, fixing Maxine with a look.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake…” muttered Edward as the entire room got into an argument about who would make the best choreographer.
“All right, Angie,” I say. “We can collaborate on dances and co-choreograph the show.”
I was trying to be peaceful, though I don’t want any help.
Rosa knew the play, too, but since Maxine and Angie were getting into it, she wasn’t going to go through all this. She was in enough of a stink with Angie already. Instead, she sat down in the audience, pulled her iPod from her bag, and flipped on to ‘Memory’ from Cats, a favorite song of hers.
“Everyone who’s not in the scene, get OUT of the theater!” yelled Edward. The cast went mumbling out into the atrium and halls beyond. Rosa departed from them, alone, and wandered into an empty corridor, singing along with Elaine Paige and imagining she was somewhere among the moonlight…
”
Midnight
Not a sound from the pavement
Has the moon lost her memory?
She is smiling alone
In the lamplight
The withered leaves collect at my feet
And the wind begins to moan,
Memory
All alone in the moonlight,
I can smile at the old days
I was beautiful then
I remember the time I knew what happiness was
Let the memory live again…
Touch me
It’s so easy to leave me
All alone with the memory
Of my days in the sun
If you touch me
You’ll understand what happiness is!
Look,
A new day has begun…”
Edward was such a temperamental director. He just screamed at everyone! I waited.
((213- For what?))
((*whistles* Things are moving slow today. Ah, well. *waits for people to come*))
((For something interesting, duuuuuuuh. *pouts*))
David left the theater, singing a song from his favorite musical.
“Makavity’s the mystery cat.
He’s called the Hidden Paw.
For he’s the master criminal
who can defy the law.”
He kept singing as he walked down the street untill he bumped into Ashley, who was texting.
“All right!” I yelled. “Jets, stage right.”
“No, stage left,” Angie said.
“Stage right.” It was stage right.
((217) Ashley is still inside the theater. Sorry about the song that doesn’t really match, but it matches Ashley so well…))
Ashley Ravens:
I watched the chaos from the side of the stage, texting as I hummed “I want to be evil” from Eartha Kitt.
I want to be evil, I want to spit tacks,
I want to be evil, and cheat at jacks,
I want to be wicked, I want to tell lies,
I want to be mean, and throw mud pies,
I want to wake up in the morning
with that dark brown taste
I want to see some dissipation in my face
I want to be evil, I want to be mad
But more then that I want to be bad
I want to be evil, and trump an ace,
Just to see my partners face.
I want to be nasty, I want to be cruel,
I want to be daring, I want to shoot pool
And in the theatre
I want to change my seat
Just so I can step on
Everybody’s feet
I want to be evil, I want to hurt flies,
I want to sing songs like the guy who cries
I want to be horrid, I want to make news
And whatever I’ve got I’m eager to lose
I want to be evil, little evil me
Just as mean and evil as I can be.
Then David bumped into me. I quickly stopped humming, not wanting to be caught humming such a cheasy and uncool melody.
“Awful rehearsal ?” I asked, to avoid an awkward silence.
The hallway was devoid of people until David and Ashley came along. Rosa quicky stopped singing so as not to make a complete fool of herself. Neither of them seemed to notice her. David was singing a ‘Cats’ song, too, while Ashley was muttering something about evil and mud pies. They bumped into each other, and began to talk. Rosa stretched out of one of the comfortable padded benches, when suddenly…
“Hi, there!”
She jumped a few feet. “HI, Thomas! You, um scared me.”
“Is this going to become a regular thing?” he asked sarcastically.
“Hopefully not, if you can figure out how to make a louder entrance,” she joked.
“Okay,” he replied, and then shouted, “HI, ROSA!!!!!” The windows shook. She laughed.
“OKAY!” said Edward.
Everyone was onstage doing something,”Good, good,”
He was starting to enjoy himself!
“MAXINE! What song should we start with? What have you prepared for?” Edward totally forgot that the choreographer had become just that about 10 minutes ago.
((Maxine is the choreographer, right? I haven’t been on for a while, and I didn’t understand who actually got chosen…))
((I need Angie as a co-choreographer, okaaaaaay? If not, somebody else be my helper.))
((Okay, I’ve read through the entire thread and the Wikipedia article. As some of you probably know, I don’t get on that much anymore *sob*, but I still would like to participate! Here’s a profile:
Name: Nathalie DuChene
Age: 17 (takes the bus)
Character in play: None. On set crew.
Physical appearance: Long brown hair. Dark brown eyes with glasses. Wears inconspicuous turtlenecks and canvas pants all of the time. Hair often falls into face.
Description: Keeps to herself; seldom talks. She doesn’t really interact with others all that much, preferring to draw and paint. She plays the viola. Nathalie didn’t join art class, though: she knew her art will attract attention to her, quite the opposite of what she wants to do. She’s antisocial only because she doesn’t want to get hurt.))
Nathalie scanned the wide set of paints in front of her. This is the best I’ve seen in quite some time, she thought. She picked up a brush. She knew this was the same as a bow: powerful, yet fragile. It gave the user the same rush that anyone else got from their passion. She dipped the tip of the brush in the dot of navy blue, and then straightened up. She ran it across the canvas, coloring over some lighter spots in the night sky. Everyone else had departed 20 minutes earlier, after the play director had screamed at them at almost everyone to go away. (the rest were on the front part of the stage, paying no attention to anything else.) She had pretended to leave, and had stolen back and continued on the balcony canvas. She was glad to be able to work without others stepping all over the over the paints.
But she wasn’t sure if everyone else-
“Why are you still here?â€
She swiveled around. It was another person on the set crew; she knew his name to be Jeremy Allen. He was a phenomenal sketch artist, but painting would never be his friend. He smeared it on too thick in some places, too light in other, blended orange and blue together when there wasn’t even a need for orange. The other girls, more social girls, all thought he looked just like a puppy dog, and was just as sweet. Nathalie didn’t really care.
“I thought everyone else had gone home,†he said sheepishly. She relaxed.
“It’s fine,†she said quietly. “That’s what I’m doing, too.â€
“Mind if I join you?†And, without waiting for an answer, he started on the unfinished drugstore piece.
She shook her head, and went back to painting. She was annoyed yet happy he was here. Queer.
((If someone wants to join this thread but is rather busy, you may take Jeremy. He is not an outrageous flirt, okay??? He’s just nice. He’s also the love interest for her.))
James:
Stage left or right? Where are the Jets?!?! “Um, who is the choreographer?” I asked. “ME!” Two girls shouted in unison. I tried to fade into the back row.
Edward snickered.
“There is only one CHOREOGRAPHER! MAXINE! GET OVER HERE!”
He waited as she spoke,”Yes, you can have an assistant, but lets go and learn some dance moves!”
((What song shall we start with))
((Sorry, I didn’t know Ashley was still inside.))
“Okay, Angie, let’s start with the Prologue. Jets, start down right.”
“I wonder when they’ll find out that they’re missing some jets.”I said, amused.
((Again- if anyone who’s too busy to have a major role, but would still like to participate, there is a male character OPEN for taking! His name is Jeremy Allen.))
Nathalie heard the director scream, “CHOREOGRAPHER! MAXINE! GET OVER HERE!”
“Maybe we’d better go,” said Jeremy quietly. Nathalie nodded her agreement, and picked up her brush, then accidentally left it on the floor. She heard the swoosh of the door closing. Jeremy had already left. She shrugged, and gathered her things in her bag. Nathalie then strode out of the room, shutting the door behind her quietly.
She leaned against the closed door, letting out a breath. I am not going to get hurt, she assured herself. Not like last time. There is no danger whatsoever. Then Nathalie walked quickly to the bus stop, her boots’ heels faintly thumping against the sidewalk. The bus came, empty, excluding the driver. She paid the fare, and took a seat in the back.
Nathalie’s memories of the last time came flooding back.
Nathalie at that time was a spirited, happy girl, with many friend and a great life. Four years ago, she was ready to step on the catwalk of the eighth grade social scene. Eighth grade was the time every self respecting girl tried to get or got a boyfriend. It would be easy for her, since she was the most popular girl in the school. She was hoping to get Sean, the most sought-after boy. And she did.
But she was Sean’s first girlfriend, and Sean didn’t have much… experience yet.
Sean had been cruel to her; yelling at her; hitting her; mistreating her. But she had stuck through it all, believing this was normal.
What a facade.
Sean finally went too far, and she realized that he was not the best person for her. While Sean had been sweet and kind at school, she now knew that this was untrue. She had quickly faded away from the social scene, until she had become just another loser roaming, alone, in the halls, watching the popular crew.
Nathalie had come back to reality, but not before she was two stops past her. She cussed under her breath, and got off at the next stop. Might as well walk home, she thought. Could use the exercise.
((I apologize for my prolonged absence, we had testing this week at my school. End of the trimester, ya know? ))
There was some loud yelling from inside the theater, and Rosa jumped. “Whoa,” she exclaimed. “I think that was…Edward!”
“ Really?” Thomas joked, taking her hand and swinging her up from the chair in a friendly manner. “It seems as though Maria may be getting some trouble from her slave driver. You go do what you do, and I’ll…”
“THOMAS!” yelled a voice from down the hall. A portly woman wearing a paint splattered apron was waddling as fast as her legs could carry her thick body toward Rosa’s tall friend. “Where have you been? We need you to work on Maria’s room!”
“All right, Mrs. Patterson, I’m coming,” he said. He ran a hand through his longish hair and said,”Well, dash those plans, I’d better go.”
“Okay,” she said, half-wishing he didn’t.
“I’ll see you later, right?” he said.
“You’d better,” she replied. Then, she began walking away down the hall and into the theater doors, watching his thin figure disappear into the distance before she walked through the theater doors.
Garth, amused, took the blocking the flustered coreagrapher assigned. It wasn’t his place to intervene, just to sit in the audience and take notes. He began to hum a little, although he was absolutely tone deaf. He was attempting to hum the idee fixe theme from the Symphony Fantastique, but it sounded just like a jumble of notes. He sighed. He could never be a singer. Instead, he was stuck backstage, not onstage. Still, this was his job. Just because he couldn’t be in the show didn’t mean he couldn’t be useful. ((Sorry it’s been so long; I was away on vacation.))
((231- Welcome back!)).
I sat in the audience silently, watching what was going on. I wasn’t going to participate any more than was necessary.
“OK!” I called. “Start the music!”
The music of the Prologue clicked on.
“Curtain’s coming up… and you’re… right there, leaning against the wall.”
The Jets jostled each other for positions.
“No, Baby John should be over there,” said Maxine. “Like this, see, Tim? A-Rab’s right there. Julian’s taller than Orlando.”
“Orlando, you’re in front, like this,” I commanded. “Come on, you’re Riff! You have to look like the leader!”
“Back to the beginning,” called Edward. The music started from the beginning.
“Ready, and, snap on two and four!” I called.
Garth dutifully took down the blocking Maxine was directing. Considering she’d become the choreographer two minutes ago, she was doing very well.
Ashley Ravens:
I flounced inside and started filing my nails in a front row seat, wondering how they planned to do this dance with an uneven number of people. This would be chaos soon. Being “bad” was so much more easy than being “good”.
James:
“When you’re a Jet, you’re a Jet, from your first cigarette to your last dying breathe!”
I sang out and danced as well as I could, not being a dancer, hoping she would notice. Maxine was . . . different, but in a good way. A great way. She was too flirty or girly or mysterious, like the others. She seemed right. “Hi,” I said bashfully, walking towards her, then . . . I tripped.
oops i meant breath not breathe.
“Okay, Okay! Time for everyone to go home and get some rest. We’ll meet back here at 4:00”
It was 12:00.
“Who would like to go to lunch with me?” Suddenly a group of teenage girls came flying through the door as if they had been waiting. They had been waiting.
“Hey, are you okay?” I asked the guy who had just fallen in front of me. I helped him up.
“Rest. Right,” said Rosa, shaking her head. She wasn’t tired. A tad peckish, maybe, but not tired. She was outside when Edward came bursting back through the doors. She was instantly engulfed by a gaggle of preppy girls whom Rosa did not know, and really didn’t care to.
“Who would like to go to lunch with me?†Edward asked. All of the girls started squealing and jumping up and down. Rosa was trying to escape the mob as fast as possible, when a hand grabbed her arm and pulled her out.
“Oh, thank-” she began. Then, she groaned. She was face-to-face with Edward.
“Glad that you volunteered,” he said, giving her a sly grin. The other girls mumbled and walked away, hissing to one another.
Rosa sighed. “Look, I was just going to get some lunch at Padre’s…” Padre’s was the local Mexican restaurant, it was her very favorite place in the world.
“What a coincidence, so was I,” Edward said. “And today’s your lucky day, you get to go with me.” He held out his arm.
“I’m sorry, but I was supposed to meet-”
“Ah, ah ah, don’t say another world. All the cover-up’s on earth can’t hide true feelings,” he said, winking at her.
“Well!” She was offended.
“Look, I’m sorry,” he offered, throwing up his hands. “I’m just saying that if you want free burritos on me…”
Rosa sighed again. She did like burritos…”All right. Just as friends, and only for a half-hour. Agreed?”
“Sure, whatever.” He made a swift copy of the sly grin.
“No making any moves on me,” she added.
“I can’t promise anything,” he replied coyly.
“Well, you’d better start thinking that over, then,” she said, and they walked out of the building down the street. But for some reason, Rosa didn’t feel right at all inside…
((Man. Bad timing. *sigh* No one seems to be taking up my offer to RP Jeremy. I guess l won’t do it.))
240: Ooh, the suspense! I have a pretty good idea of what will happen…))
Nathalie looked at her watch. 12:45. She could grab a lunch at home and go eat at the park.
She stuck her key in the lock and opened the door. Her mother and father always had lunch at work, so she was left to herself most of the time. She grabbed a bagel and stuck it in the toaster, and went to the small refrigerator to grab the jam, honey, and cream cheese. Before she got her fingers too dirty, she rolled up her sleeves and turned on the radio to kEarth101. She hummed along in tune to Last Dance as she stuck the butter knife into the cream cheese, then spread it onto the bagel, doing the same with the jam. After drizzling on the honey, she placed the condiments back into the fridge, getting out a fruit cup, chips, and pudding. She put everything (including a spoon!) into a brown paper bag, grabbed a bottle of water, and headed out the door. She went out the back gate, listening to her mP3 player and humming along a bit. She walked the short distance to the park, and sat down near the statue of General Pickens. She took a bite out of her bagel, and watched couples giggling and kissing under trees or holding hands.
“Hi!” a rather familiar voice said from behind her. She swiveled around.
“Don’t do that,” she said. It was Jeremy, with a rather impish smile on his face.
He stuck out his hand in greeting. She slowly took it, shoving some hair behind her ear. He plopped down next to her, and she looked the other way, her cheeks hot.
((Oops, typo: should be spelled kRth101. It’s a radio station in my area that plays oldies. Maybe Rainbowstar knows what it is…))
((Post, people.))
((Seriously! This is really the only thread l post on anymore! Do you people want me to disappear?!))
((SFTDP))
David walked down the street hand-in-hand with Aggie. He wispered jokes in her ear, and she giggled, even though they weren’t very good. They went to a chinese place for lunch, cuddling shamelessly and watching the fish swim in their floor-to-ceiling tank.
((PEOPLE COME BACK!!))
((Here l am! Although it isn’t very much fun not having anyone to RP with, so if anyone wants to, I have an open male character up for grabs! Pleeassse!!))
((245- Since we seem to be the only two people here, I’ll RP your character Heh heh, what’s his name?))
((246: Jeremy Allen. Read 223, 229, and 241. Make up his looks, mkay?))
James:
“Um, yeah, thanks,” I said, feeling my blood rush up to my face. I glanced over my shoulder to see Edward be swarmed by hundreds of girls and loving all of it. Why can’t it be that easy for me? “Son of a #*%@!” I muttered up my breath, forgetting she was there. What a huge mistake!
((247- Okey- doke. I’ll get back here after I’ve done some Screnzy ))
((SFTDP, we really need TFATF42 back here so I can keep going, but in the meantime I’ll get Zinc’s charecter going really soon!))
“Excuse me, please don’t swear,” I said awkwardly to the guy at my feet as I helped him up.
((I think I’ll join.
Name: Sapphire Tallisker
Age: 14
Looks: Tall and skinny, long straight blond hair, big dark blue eyes, pale skin
Personality: Smart, shy. Can’t sing or act, but can play several musical instruments.
Role in play: Violinist in orchestra))
((Enter Jeremy…Gee, now I have 3 characters to RP!))
Jeremy Allen watched quietly as Thomas was brought back into the set room by Mrs. Patterson. His shaggy brown hair fell over his blue eyes as he turned back to the piece of Maria’s bedroom that he was painting. He honestly wasn’t interested in this pink; it didn’t go at all with the lavender curtains that Costume had donated.
“Some day,” sighed Thomas, sitting next to him. They were friends, not close, but friends enough. Jeremy had been a bit withdrawn from the scene ever since a large piece of plywood had fallen from the catwalk, cracking his wrist. It was cured now, but still a bit strange when it moved.
“Really,” said Jeremy. “I’ve had enough of painting sets. Want to see if we can sneak down to watch rehearsal?”
“Sure,” grinned Thomas. “There’s someone I have to tell you about…but later. Let’s go.”
When Mrs. Patterson’s back was turned, the two boys snuck out of the door behind her, and when she turned away from the boys who were sanding Doc’s candy store they were far gone.
((Sorry, I was pretty busy for awhile, and then the hacker…))
So Edward swung his arm around Rosa and started to his car as she groaned yet again. What was it with these girls?
When they finally got to the restaurant, Edward guided Rosa to her seat, as if she couldn’t find one herself. She groaned yet again.
((SFTDP, but I wasn’t finished and I pressed tab…))
“You know, I have a brain.” complained Rosa.
Edward ignored the question,”So what shall my beautiful Rose have to eat?” Edward said with a smirk. Rosa hated that he thought that he was so clever, but he wasn’t the first one to associate her name with a flower.
“Well, I thought we were having burritos?”
“Oh, yes. I thought we could have something more…romantic” Edward suggested,” how about the Pibil Pollo,” he added his fluent Spanish accent.
“I WANT A BURRITO.” Rosa took charge, and also made sure to get the messiest burrito in the menu.
ROSA:
Boy, was she trying to annoy him now. She ordered her favorite burrito, while Mister Fancy Romance Pants ordered the Pibil Pollo.
“So, mon cherie, are you enjoying our romantic date?” asked Edward, leaning in. Rosa started to panic. When had a simple lunch trip turned into a romantic date?
“It’s…nice,” she replied, trying to be polite and yet forceful at the same time.
“You’re nice,” Edward said, coming closer. “In fact, you’re beautiful. I’m beautiful. We’re perfect for each other.”
“Um, you may want to rethink that,” said Rosa hurriedly, drawing away. But Edward already had his eyes on the prize. He got up from the table and came around to her side, lifting her out of her chair.
“Hey, what are you-” she began. But he swiftly leaned her back in his arms and planted a kiss right on her lips. She gasped. He was a terribly good kisser; the shock numbed her entire body.
Bad girl! her brain told her. What would Thomas think of you?
Her eyes flicked momentarily to the long window outside. Angie and David were walking past. Suddenly, Angie looked straight at Rosa and Edward, who were still kissing (although Rosa was halfheartedly trying to push him off). She smirked, a wide grin, and Rosa knew instantly that this news would be all over the theater in no less than fifteen minutes.
Rosa was instantly released from the spell and pushed away from Edward. She ran out the front door. Edward called after her, “Wait, darling! You’ve forgotten your burrito!” But Rosa barely listened. She sprinted down the block after Angie and David, who were whispering and giggling like mad.
She caught up with Angie at the next corner, grabbing her by the arm. “Angie,” she panted, “please don’t tell…”
“Why not?” asked Angie, smirking. “You two obviously love each other to be making out in public, so why not tell it to the world?” And she and her boyfriend strutted down the corner together back towards the theater, whispering and giggling, and holding hands like they had been made that way.
Rosa walked, defeated, back to the theater at a distance behind the others. Some people had already returned, and were talking quietly amongst themselves. Rosa didn’t want to talk. She made her way to a back corner and tried to drown her guilt with music.
Nathalie rolled her eyes, and finished her bagel. She said bye to Jeremy and went back to the theater. The theater was abuzz with a wild rumor. Nathalie recognized this a from her days as a diva, and knew that it was a good idea to stay out. The only safe place seemed to be the orchestra pit, so Nathalie crept down there. There were a few clarinets bantering, with a flute and bass looking on in amusement, two violas (she felt a ping of insturment pride) practicing, a french horn and a tenor sax playing the Mario Bros. theme song, and a violinist sitting in the first seat. The girl was concentrating hard on her piece of music. Nathalie silently sat in the second seat and looked at the music. She gaped at the tangle of grace notes and sticattos and high notes followed by low… it made her head spin. She sat back with a loud thwump, causing the girl to look at her in surprise and nearly dropping her bow. There was a surprised silence, until one of the clarinets said rather loudly, “YOU ARE TOO SHARP TO HAVE A MIND!!!” Nathalie laughed under her breath, then stuck out her hand.
“Nathalie,” she said, “I play viola and am on the set crew.” She clenched her other hand, hoping the girl would reply.
She felt the girl’s smaller hand grasp hers.
“Sapphire,” she said, “I play violin and am in the orchestra.”
David walked down the street with Angie in hand.
“You know, spreading that rumor may have been a good start to bringing Little Miss Perfection down, but wouldn’t it be fun to continue?” He said.
“What do you mean?” asked Angie.
“Well, have you ever read the Everworld series?”
“Of course.”
“Well, I found the perfect song for David and Senna. Mind you, I only heard it a few times, but the first line is:
She’s cold and she’s cruel but she knows what she’s doing.
And the chorus goes:
‘Cause she’s bittersweet.
She knocks me off my feet,
and I can’t imagine anyone else.
She’s a mystery,
she’s too much for me,
but I keep coming back for more.
She’s just the girl I’m looking for.
Now, I have an MP3 player with a stereo accesory. With everyone knowing what happened, she’s gonna have to publicly diss Edward. When she does, we play this, and everyone thinks she’s playing hard-to-get. What do you think?”
I met an older girl named Nathalie, who played the viola and was on the set crew.
I had been practicing overtime lately because of Megan White. She was stunningly beautiful and the principal violinist of the orchestra. Megan was fifteen, but had been playing in orchestras like this one since she was twelve. The conductor, Mr. Silverman*, had given her a ten-measure solo in the middle of one of the songs. Needless to say, I hated her.
((*Named after my former orchestra teacher.))
Seconds after I introduced myself to Nathalie, I heard footsteps coming down the dark stairway passage into the orchestra pit. Everyone turned around to see who it was.
Megan White strolled in, clutching her violin case and her music binder. Both were black and shiny enough to use as mirrors. Megan’s hair was also black and shiny, cut in a stylish bob to frame her pretty face. Her hot pink tank top and skinny jeans emphasized her perfect figure.
She walked around to my chair and looked over me as if trying to find something to criticize. I wore a purple shirt with three-quarter-length sleeves, and regular jeans with a pink embroidered border at the cuffs. Not that bad.
“That’s my chair,” she finally said. “Move.”
That was ridiculous. If you were practicing independently, you could use any chair – Mr. Silverman had said so. But Mr. Silverman wasn’t here, so Megan took charge. I transported all my stuff a few chairs down, and leafed through the binder for a piece to practice next.
Jason, the string bass player, was tuning his bass. He had been playing for several years and obviously didn’t need any help, but Megan said,”Your C string is out of tune.” He nodded, rolled his dark eyes, and resumed tuning.
It bothered me that Megan was showing off how much she knew about music. She was a violinist! How should she know if a C string was out of tune? But she had control.
Rosa watched the people in the pit down below, practicing to themselves. She felt the urge to pick up a cello and start cranking out some Bach Suites. But she was there to sing. To sing, and not care about what people were saying about her behind her back. She sighed, turning back to her notebook. She simply couldn’t get words to form. Instead, she crept from the darkness of the corner of the stage down into the pit. She said hello to Jason, a boy she’d known for a couple years ever since they had been in miniature theater together. He returned her greeting, although it was clear that he was in a sour mood.
She walked over to where a girl in a purple shirt sat, practicing her music with a slightly angry look on her face. She looked nicer than the first chair violin in any case… Rosa stepped up to her and smiled.
“Hello,” she said to the girl, and held out a hand. “My name is Rosa.”
“Sapphire,” the girl replied, shaking her hand.
“I just noticed that you were playing ‘I Feel Pretty…” she began nervously. “Anyway,” she continued politely, ” I was wondering if you wouldn’t mind playing a bit more so that I could practice singing it? You play very well, by the way, I heard when I came in.”
“Sure, ” the girl replied. “Thanks.”
Rosa climbed up very clumsily to sit on the edge of the stage, settling down and swinging her legs on the side.
“From the top?” asked Sapphire, smiling.
“Sounds good,” replied Rosa, returning the smile. Sapphire played the opening bars, and Rosa began to sing.
“I feel pretty, oh so pretty, I feel pretty, and witty, and bright!
And I pity any girl who isn’t me tonight…”
Suddenly, two figures came bursting into the theater. David and Angie, arm and arm, talking to each other. David had a book in his hands and was whispering something to Angie. Then, the two of them caught sight of Rosa. Rosa could swear she saw David grinning evilly. Her stomach flipped over. She sang louder, the serenading violin growing into a rich forte along with her.
“See the pretty girl in that mirror there?
Who could that attractive girl be?
Such a pretty face, such a pretty dress, such a pretty smile, such a pretty me…”
Rosa sang along as I played “I Feel Pretty”. I could see why she had the lead part – she was very good. A few other instruments joined in, an impromptu mini-orchestra. Megan played the loudest and best, of course. I heard some people come into the theater, but I couldn’t see them from the pit. Rosa kept singing, and we kept playing, but I could tell something was wrong.
((CALLING EVERYONE!!! ROSEQUARTZ, ALIENA, TFATF42, ZINC, ALL ACTORS! THIS THREAD NEEDS REVIVAL!))
((Do forgive me, strings; I play a woodwind, do remember. I know nothing about your insturmets. (although a bass sounds like a bass clarinet; lowest thing in our band)))
Rosa came over to Sapphire, and they played “I Feel Pretty.” Nathalie moved to the fourth seat, away from the girl who had kicked away Sapphire. An orchestra- small, but it was there- started to form. There was a viola there, and Nathalie crept over there. She whispered, “Can I borrow that?” The violist nodded, and Nathalie slipped into the seat, putting her chin on the chinrest. She picked up were the violist had left off, sliding her bow and fingers around the strings. The viola did not have the solo until the second time at measure 45, so she waited, playing not very loudly, but too softly, either.
Measure 45, second time, came.
And she played like fire with the bass.
((I’m here, but what do I do?))
Rosequartz, please post here! I need you to give your opinion on David’s evil plan!
“Perfect,” Angie whispered back as they walked into the theater, laughing evilly. “She is so dead.”
“Totally,” he replied, snickering.
Angie’s eyes widened. Rosa’s practicing was giving her another idea.
“David!” she hissed. “What if we set her up even more? After that, YOU can pretend to break up with me and ask her out! I’ll play tragic heroine, and then you can make up a sob story about how she forced herself on you and we’ll ‘get back together.’ What do you think?”
((*is lost* What happened ?))
Here’s a summary as to what people are doing…
-Angie and David are plotting to bring Rosa down/make her look bad
-Rosa is onstage practicing with the orchestra.
-The people in the orchestra (Natalie, Sapphire) are playing along with her.
-Edward is coming back after being dumped by Rosa.
-Thomas and Jeremy are coming down to the theater.
-Everyone else is either out to lunch or in the theater waiting for Edward to return (that would be you, Leila, Azorica, Zinc, etc.)
So you can pretty much be doing anything. I’m going to wait for TFATF42 to come back so that he can do Edward, I don’t want to roleplay anymore. =]
“Oh, you are cold.” said David. “I love it!”
((I think I might have to wait- Edward wanted to get revenge on Ashley after she dumped him (I think), and she has nothing to do.))
“And I have the perfect song, too!” Angie said. “‘So In Love’ from Kiss Me, Kate.”
They walked backstage, to where the practice piano was kept.
“I’ve always wished life were a musical,” Angie said as she sat down. “I guess wishes sometimes do come true, huh?”
((I’ve had this song stuck in my head all day and I need to put it out. I love the Beatles! ))
The song ended, but the orchestra still looked ready to play. Rosa took the mike in both hands and sat back down on the stage. She began to sing, a cappella, as the orchestra began to pick the tune up.
“Hey Jude, don’t make it bad.
Take a sad song and make it better.
Remember to let her into your heart,
Then you can start to make it better.
Hey Jude, don’t be afraid.
You were made to go out and get her.
The minute you let her under your skin,
Then you begin to make it better…”
The orchestra swelled as the refrain came from her, loud and strong, full of emotion just like she wanted. She hoped it made John Lennon proud.
“So let it out and let it in, hey Jude, begin,
You’re waiting for someone to perform with.
And don’t you know that it’s just you, hey Jude, you’ll do,
The movement you need is on your shoulder!
Na Na Na Na Na Na,
Na Na Na, hey Jude… “
((I love the Beatles too!!!!))
Edward was mad. That was an understatement. Edward was really mad. He marched right up to the theater and screamed,” EVERYONE SHUT-UP. I’M CLEARLY HAVING A BAD DAY, AND I DON’T WANT ANY CRAP!”
He saw two people holding hands and giggling evilly,”NO HAND-HOLDING!” They both frowned, and could’ve sworn that they saw smoke coming out of his ears.
Edward also heard someone faintly humming the Beatles, “THIS IS A THEATER, NOT A ROCK CONCERT! STOP HUMMING!!!!!”
No fun was left, and sadly, Rosa knew it was her fault, well so did the other two that were plotting to destroy her. Edward heard them whisper as he walked up to the main stand,”I don’t know why he’s so mad over her.”
Edward couldn’t let them make fun of his woman. And he was already mad, so why not explode some more?
“Why, Angie, could you come over here?” He said with the sweetest voice he used all day. At first, she seemed nervous, but she realized that nothing was wrong, but there was something wrong.
As she got up to the stand, Edward cupped his hand as if he wanted to tell a secret. She gladly held her ear up to it, feeling important.
“WHY ARE YOU GOSSIPING ON MY STAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?”
She fell off the podium and screamed.
“What was that f-” she realized why and walked back to her spot.
((I want Edward to find out about the plot, and try and stop it))
((273- OK, sure. Will it work?))
Angie stomped back to her spot and pulled out an iPhone. After Googling the lyrics of the song David described, she made a mental note to call him that night and tell him to get “Just The Girl” by The Click Five. They would put their plan in action tomorrow, starting with the song.
We finished “I Feel Pretty”, and Rosa started to sing another song. I realized I knew it, as did the rest of the orchestra – we’d done it as a “fun piece” that wasn’t in the play, just done to keep in practice. We played along joyfully, until we were interrupted by an angry shout from the stage.
“EVERYONE SHUT UP! I’M HAVING A BAD DAY, AND I DON’T WANT ANY ****!”
We all stopped playing, shocked. Who could it be? Nathalie was staring at her viola as if trying not to notice the screaming, and the other two violas were twirling their bows in a similar manner. Someone was humming.
“THIS IS A THEATER, NOT A ROCK CONCERT! STOP HUMMING!”
The humming stopped. Cassie, Rebecca, and Emily, our clarinets and flute, were looking at each other hopelessly. Connor put down his French horn next to Justin’s tenor sax, and they went to take refuge in the staircase passage. There was some indistinct speech from the stage, and then another yell from the unseen ranter:
“WHY ARE YOU GOSSIPING ON MY STAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?” This was followed by a girl’s scream and a sound like someone stumbling.
By now, I was bent over my violin like someone riding out a sandstorm. Jason was peeking out from behind his bass like it was a shield. Megan sat straight up with her violin on her knee, but even she looked worried.
((Bookgirl_me, I’m bringing you back in! ))
Edward then stomped into the theater and started yelling a lot. Rosa abruptly stopped singing. She dropped down from the stage and into the pit, hiding her face behind a nearby cello.
“Good cover,” sneered a girl nearby in a hot pink shirt, who rolled her eyes and then sat to attention with her violin on her knee. Rosa shrugged, looking at Nathalie and Sapphire and winking.
Edward then proceeded to climb the stage and yell at Angie,“WHY ARE YOU GOSSIPING ON MY STAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?†She then proceeded to scream and fall over. Rosa couldn’t help it. She snorted and giggled a tiny bit. Angie gave her a death stare as she walked back to her spot and began texting furiously on her shiny iPhone. Then, Edward began his way over to her, looking very determined. Rosa dropped the cello, ready to run for it, but it was too late.
“Where are you going, my sweet Rose?”
Dangit, Rosa thought. I’m caught.
“Hi,” she grimaced.
“Where did you go, my dear? I thought for a minute that you’d walked out on me,” he said, sitting smoothly down next to her and putting his arm around her. “But of course, that’s impossible. I’m too good to have been walked out on, right?” He laughed loudly. Rosa gave a weak grimace.
“Yes, um, about that…” She tried to pull away, but his grip was too strong. “I need to talk to you..”
“About what?” His expression was confused.
“Look, I know that we’re working together and all, but I just don’t feel comfortable…”
They were interrupted when suddenly, a violin bow whizzed past Edward’s head, missing him by a centimeter or less and grazing his ear. He leaped to his feet with indignation. “WHO THREW THAT??” he yelled.
Ashley stood nearby, holding two more bows. “I’m armed and I don’t care who knows it,” she said loftily, looking around and rolling her eyes. Edward walked over and snatched the bows from her hand.
“One more crack like that and I’ll…I’ll…” he stammered.
“You’ll what? Throw kisses at me?” she said, rolling her eyes yet again.
“WHAT THE **** IS WRONG WITH YOU!?!?!?!?!” screamed David at the top of his lungs. Edward stopped. Everyone froze. If there was one thing David was famous for, it was that he never swore. Ever. And since when could he yell so loud?
“I heard your plot to bring down my girl.” said Edward. “And I’m not gonna let you!”
“Well I am not gonna let YOU hurt Angie, you piece of ****! And since when is Rosa YOUR girl! The whole first part of the plan was dependent on her dissing you, and it was obvious that she would by the way she was trying to push you away!” There was a collective gasp, the people had not heard of this. “But you know what? I feel sorry for her, stuckup jerk that she is, for being kissed by a ****-brain like YOU!!!”
With an inarticulate roar, Edward threw himself at David. David was ready though, and let fly a strong punch right smack in the middle of Edward’s face. Edward screamed and reeled back, cradling his brocken nose. David ran to Angie.
“Are you OK, Angie?”
That was all Rosa could take. She was glad that David had gotten Edward out of her way, but she stomped up to him, ripping his arm away.
“What plot is he talking about? I can’t believe you, you hateful jerk!” She felt ready to slap David. She had done nothing at all wrong, and now everyone was getting messed up views of her as well! This was all Angie’s fault anyway. If it hadn’t been for her rumors…Still, Rosa wanted to resolve this calmly. She walked over to Angie with a stiff grimace on her face.
“Angie,” she said. “Can I talk to you in private for a minute?”
“Fine,” said Angie, rolling her eyes. They walked to the edge of the stage. David stood there with a puzzled look on his face while Ashley was reluctantly helping Edward clean up.
“Look,” said Rosa, once they were off the stage. “I know that you hate me for stealing the show. That was obvious from the beginning. But can you please keep the personal vendettas off the stage? And keep your boyfriend out of this, he’s not doing anything.”
“Likewise,” Angie snorted. “It’s not my fault you’re a backstabbing brat. Just because you can sing doesn’t mean you can show off in front of everyone.”
“I’m not showing off!” Rosa cried. “I’m practicing. There’s a difference.”
By now, everyone but Nathalie and I had fled to the stair passage. Blood poured from Edward’s nose, and David ran to comfort Angie. Rosa yelled at David, and then started arguing with Angie. It was time to flee.
Nathalie and I half-ran, half-crawled to the passage and scrambled up a few steps. There were Cassie, Rebecca, Emily, Justin, Connor, Jason, and even Megan, sitting in the gloom as everyone yelled outside. This couldn’t go on. Ashley had been using the expensive extra violin bows as missiles, and David had actually broken Edward’s nose.
“What can we do?” I asked in despair.
“Fight them?” suggested Connor. I wasn’t sure if he was joking.
“Let’s get an adult,” said Megan purposefully.
“Who knows what will happen by the time we can find one?” pointed out Jason. “And has getting an adult ever helped in situations like these?”
He was right. This needed to stop.
((253: Note- Jeremy cannot paint At all. He can draw. Three characters? I thought you had only two. *confuzzled*))
Nathalie winced as a violin bow was shot like an arrow. How could someone do that? She wondered. She jerked her head at Sapphire, and pointed a finger to the small side passage. She mouthed the word, “art.” Sapphire nodded. So Nathalie set the viola on the seat, and snuck into the art room. She picked up her brush and pretended to be painting the counter of Doc’s. Mrs. Patterson glared at her with her beady little eyes, but said nothing. She wondered where Jeremy was.
((277- That was a bit abrupt…))
Edward was having a really, REALLY, bad day. He was pretty sure that nothing could cheer him up. So he sat down cross legged and stated, “Today was a complete failure. Tomorrow, I want everyone to come in here wearing jeans and a regular T-shirt. No provocative clothing. We are all going to start over, and begin to actually PRACTICE, this play. We have 6 weeks, so we need to GET. THIS. DONE. If anyone does anything that annoys me tomorrow, they’re going to be sorry. Does anyone not understand?”
Everyone slowly muttered a “No,” and started to get ready to leave.
((Could someone make a character list, There are a lot more than I thought…))
((Okay, here is what I think is a list of all the characters/ their controllers, from the top of the thread down:
Rosa- Agrrrfishi
Angie- RoseQuartz
David-Aliena
Lexy- Cat’s Eye
Azorica- Daisy*Chain
Edward- TFATF42
Alex-TMFA
Thomas- Dodecahedron/Aggie
Maxine- Smallbutfierce
Garth- Bookworm
James-Jjetpane
Tony-trust kokopelli
Ashley- Bookgirl_me
Nathalie- Zinc
Sapphire-Rainbowstar
Jeremy- Aggie
If there is anybody I’m missing, please tell me! :D))
Angie had had enough.
“OK, you want to hear practicing? THIS is practicing.” She stomped to the practice piano backstage and played a soft accompaniment.
Only you, you’re the only thing I’ll see forever… she sang softly.
“That is MY solo!” Rosa shrieked.
“Well, THIS is showing off. And it’s what YOU were just doing.”
She strode to the microphone.
How, how am I supposed to feel
When everything surrounding me
Is nothing but a fake disguise…
she sang. David held his MP3 at the ready.
Don’t know, I don’t know where I belong
It’s time for me to carry on
I’ll say goodbye
She grabbed the microphone and started acting like a rock star. David pressed a speaker button, and electronic music blared through the theater.
I can’t stop the rain from falling, I’m drowning in these tears I cried
Since you left without a warning I face the dawn with sleepless eyes
No I can’t go on
When clouds are pushing down on me, boy
I can’t stop
I can’t stop the rain from falling
Her moves were clearly a parody of Rosa’s showing off. She was quite pleased with herself.
“EVERYBODY SHADUP!” yelled Edward.
The music shut off. Edward grabbed the mike.
“Today was a complete failure. Tomorrow, I want everyone to come in here wearing jeans and a regular T-shirt. No provocative clothing. We are all going to start over, and begin to actually PRACTICE, this play. We have 6 weeks, so we need to GET. THIS. DONE. If anyone does anything that annoys me tomorrow, they’re going to be sorry. Does anyone not understand?â€
“No,” everyone muttered. Angie walked down to her seat and grabbed her coat.
“Call you tonight,” David said in her ear as he passed by.
“Ugh!” Rosa threw up her hands. “Just because I actually feel human emotions…” She fumed, muttering to herself and walked off the stage, not listening to Edward, and then…
SMACK! She bumped into Thomas, who had been walking down the back stage hall in pursuit of the main stage.
“Hi-” he began, and then said abruptly, “Hey, what’s the matter?” Only then did Rosa realize that she had been crying.
“Nothing,” she said, weakly wiping her nose.
“No, really…” he took her to a bench, and sat her down. “It’s okay now, though. Don’t worry.”
“Thank you,” she sniffed. “Wait…so, what are you doing down here?”
“I came to watch, but apparently, the festivities have ended.” Thomas chuckled, and leaned back on the bench. Rosa giggled half-heartedly, but didn’t feel much like laughing. She had been publicly humiliated, and didn’t want to stand for it.
“Now, I can see there’s something wrong, and I’m the king of lies. Tell me what’s up.”
“I…can’t…” Rosa began, but then there were footsteps from the end of the hall. Edward stood there, staring at them angrily.
“So this is how it is, huh?” he said.
“How what is?” Rosa didn’t understand.
“You and him, huh?” He was obviously quite mad, but at the same time looked like he wanted to sweep her off her feet.
Edward just walked away. He was absolutely devastated. What was wrong with him? He was handsome enough, right?
He went out to a club, got a super-model to go out with him. They had the best date anyone could imagine.
And Edward hated it.
((Doesn’t Edward have a broken nose?))
((Aggie: I can RP Thomas, if you’d like.
Ugh. Forget my last post.))
((Okay, sure, if you want! Trust kokopelli did at one point but he hasn’t been here in ages, so feel free.
Also…where is Jeremy right now? I believe I had had him coming back down to the theater with Thomas…but since practice has ended I guess there’s no point. He’s probably still in the art room. Never mind.
((Let’s just forget about the broken nose, ‘KAY?!))
David walked to the door. On the way out he yelled, “Rosa, don’t look so heartbroken. It was Edward who really got humiliated. Careful, people might think you feel sorry for him!”
When he got home, he got his promised call from Angie. They talked till midnight, ending with David singing “Lovebug” and telling Angie what a good job she’d done singing Rosa’s song.
“You’re the best singer ever.” he wispered.
“Well, that was weird.” Thomas shook his head, and then helped Rosa to her feet. “Come on, then,” he said. “Want to go for a walk?”
“Sure,” she replied, smiling. They strode out the double doors and down the empty sidewalk.
“I’m grateful to be out of the theater,” Rosa said.
“So, does your family live there?” Thomas asked with interest.
“Yes, me and my parents,” Rosa replied. “We own the theater and we live in it. Our life is rather like Monopoly.” She giggled. “My sister used to as well, but she’s 18 now, and moved to Chicago to study to become an actress. I want to do what she does someday.”
“Well, I’m sure you’d do well,” said Thomas.
“What about you?” Rosa inquired. “What’s your story?”
“Well, we just moved here from Westchester a while ago, which is in New York. My mom wanted me to get some great schooling, and then when she discovered that I could paint, we decided that maybe I could help out here. I’m glad that I did,” he said, and smiled at her.
“Yeah,” she agreed. “Me, too! You’re awfully nice. Thanks for walking with me.”
“My pleasure,” he returned. “Do you want to go somewhere?”
“Want to go for ice cream?” Rosa offered. “I know this great place for cones down the block.”
“Sounds good,” said Thomas, and they walked together down the street into the sunset.
After our fairly unsuccessful rehearsal, I walked home. I lived just down the street from the theater, and I was eager to practice something else. I was teaching myself to sing.
When I got home, I sat down on the piano stool and did some breathing exercises. I picked up my guitar and started to strum it. Now came the hard part.
Drew looks at me,
I fake a smile so he won’t see,
What I want, and I need,
Everything that we should be …
I couldn’t do it. My voice wasn’t terrible, but I couldn’t hit some of the notes. It didn’t sound right.
Oh well, I thought as I put the guitar away. I can try again tomorrow.
((Thanks, Aggie !))
Ashley:
Things were sure heating up. Now I just needed to get a date… I pulled out my cell and dialed Edwards number. Time to pour some kerosine into the fire.
“Edward” I fluted. “My car is broken and everyone else already left. Can you please pick me up ? I don’t want to walk home alone in the dark. I know we got off to a bad start yesterday, but maybe we can figure something out.”
“A car thief out of cars ?” asked Edward mockingly.
“Please. â„’m doing puppy dog eyes over the phone !” I said, secretly smiling. This was real acting, and it usually worked.
(( No problemo. ))
((I’m having a tad bit of writer’s block. Gotta go start on a paper…))
NATHALIE:
Mrs. Patterson announced, “Anyone who has nothing else to do, stay! We need help painting!” Just about everyone left, except Nathalie. Mrs. Patterson said to her, “Can you finish the balcony?” Nathalie nodded, and picked up her brush. Mrs. Patterson left the room, closing the door behind her. She sighed, looking around at the empty room. Where’s Jeremy? she thought.
((Here goes!)) THOMAS:
Thomas walked with Rosa, resisting the urge to grab her hand.
((Uggh. I’m too tired to continue.))
((YAY Thank-you Zinc =D I need to pay you back. Here is Jeremy!))
JEREMY:
Jeremy ran back down the hall once he had found nobody there, assuming that Thomas was back in the art room, and, when he wasn’t…Jeremy sort of just felt like hanging around. He strolled over to where people where painting the balcony. His heart skipped as he saw a familiar face: Nathalie. He snuck up behind her and yelled loudly right next to her, “HI THERE, ORCHESTRA STUDENT!”
She jumped and screamed. The paintbrush which she had been holding flew out of her hands, flying up and smacking the bottom of the balcony with white paint, then clattering to the floor. Nathalie bent down to pick it up, avoiding Mrs. Patterson’s eyes, and said, “Could you be any more obnoxious?” But she was smiling. Jeremy offered out his hand. “Come on, I’ll walk you home.”
Nathalie’s expression changed from happy to worried, though Jeremy did not know why.
“EVERYONE SHUT UP!” yelled Edward. “I’M SICK AND TIRED OF EVERYONE BEING AN IDIOT! WE ARE PUTTING ON THIS PLAY AND WE ARE PUTTING IT ON RIGHT!” He was furious, stomping around the theater breaking things. Everyone was diving for cover. I was watching from below, from the orchestra pit. Edward raced up to the balcony and started tearing down our beautiful banner, the one Nathalie had spent days on.
Suddenly David popped up next to Edward and starting punching him. This wasn’t like before when Edward had just had a bloody nose for a while. They were fighting to kill.
David delivered his strongest punch yet, and Edward tumbled screaming from the balcony, right into the middle of the pit. He lay there and didn’t get up.
Rosa and Angie were on the stage above us, screaming at each other along with the occasional slap or kick. Thomas was yelling too, I think, but I couldn’t hear him.
Ashley was throwing sharp metal darts at anyone in reach.
Nathalie and some other set crew people dropped into the pit, looking helpless and scared. Jason popped out from behind his bass with the same expression, and the rest of the orchestra was suddenly there too. What could we do? Edward still wasn’t getting up.
There was a rumbling. Beneath our feet opened a huge pitch-black chasm. Everyone in the theater screamed as we were swallowed up by the bottomless void.
I opened my eyes. I was lying on a bed. I was at home. It had all been a dream.
After a few minutes of trying to reassure myself that what had happened hadn’t been real, I rolled out of bed. I put on a pair of midnight blue jeans – my only pair without embroidery – and a bright green, slightly oversize T-shirt. That couldn’t be called provocative.
I ate a breakfast of toast and milk, grabbed my violin and sheet music, and walked to the theater. Every step of the way, I hoped everything would go all right.
((Bleh. Writer’s block stinks. I’ll just skip to the next day as well.))
I was late. Throwing on some bleached jeans and a black tee-shirt, I grabbed my shortened script and a granola bar and ran out the door. I ran back, slipped on some flip-flops and ran back out.
I arrived at the theater, only to find that there was no need to rush – only a few people had arrived so far.
David got dressed in a white shirt and black pants. Not only did he hate denim, he felt no reason to placate Edward, so he didn’t wear jeans. If Edward didn’t like it he could just send David home.
((Okay, I’ll just skip to the next day, then. ))
Rosa got up after a night of restless sleep. She had been too happy last night to remember much. Thomas walking her home, ice cream in hand, and smiling as she climbed the theater steps. That was all she knew.
Rosa got up, stretched, opened her closet and pulled out her least elaborate clothes, some skinny jeans and a floaty yellow tee shirt. She tugged them on, and then reached out the window, this time plucking a yellow rose from the vine and pinning it to her messy curls, which she tied hastily back into a cute little messy bun. Then, rushing into the kitchen, she commenced her regular routine of greeting her mother, grabbing a grapefruit, and rushing out the door. She took her own secret passage down to the theater. It was concealed behind a large 1940’s poster advertising a comedic Broadway show, and it led down a narrow hall into one of the topmost balconies.
There were many other secret passages in the theater, as Rosa well knew, but many were blocked off or had been unused for centuries. Some of them Rosa had been too afraid to scavenge in. However, they did prove a good getaway for singing and songwriting. One led out to the main balcony on the side of the theater, where Rosa could see the sun rise and set as she wrote or drew. however, with the play being so near, she had rarely had time to visit her havens.
She opened the panel in the wall once she had tread down the silent and dusty hallway, creeping out onto the balcony and down the stairs into the main theater. There were a few people there. She noticed Azorica down below, and walked over to say hello.
“Hi,” she said, hands in her pockets and grinning happily.
“Hey,” Azorica returned. “I see at least someone of us is happy.”
“You could say that, yeah,” Rosa replied, still smiling.
“I’m sort of scared for today,” Azorica added.
“So’m I, but, then again, there’s not really much he can do to us, is there?” Rosa said, hoping against hope that she was right.
When I went down to the orchestra pit, none of the other musicians were there yet, not even Mr. Silverman. I guess I was a bit too early.
Rosa and Azorica were up on the stage, talking. I got up the dark stairway passage in time to hear Azorica say, “I’m sort of scared for today.”
“So’m I,” replied Rosa, “but, then again, there’s not really much he can do to us, is there?â€
“Edward?” I asked. Rosa nodded.
“I’m worried, too,” I confessed. I was worried not only about Edward getting mad again, but also about the various arguments from yesterday that might ignite again. I didn’t want to bring that up now, though, as Rosa had been arguing with Angie.
All we could do was hope that today would be a fresh start.
“As long as no bombs go off,” Rosa insisted, “I’m pretty sure everything will be fine.”
All of a sudden, Edward came bursting through the doors in an obvious huff, walking down to the podium and shuffling his papers angrily. He was not happy looking at all. Rosa’s stomach turned, but she mustered the courage to speak.
“What’s the matter?” she said. “Having a bad day?”
“A bad DATE is more like it,” Edward returned, and then frowned at her. “Not like you would care.” He scowled and turned back to his work. Rosa turned back to the others.
“Wonder what’s got his pants in a bunch,” she commented.
((His pants are apparently always in a bunch))
Edward decided today was going to be different. He would have to be flirtatious, not angry. Maybe both… Would that be sexy? All these things went through Edward’s head as he stared at the unfinished set.
Aahhh, so much to do, so little time! He sang, of course with a beautiful voice that could carve into the soul like a knife through butter.
But enough with metaphors.
“Is anyone else here?” He asked hopefully, flirtatiously, and he was sure that he threw in a bit of angry, maybe even frustrated.
“Nope-” David walked in.
Edward instantly noticed the outfit of disrespect, but ignored it in his attempt to stay cool.
“Hello,” Edward said coolly. Oh yeah, that was a perfect hello!
David put on a fake smirk and sat down.
“Well, shall we get started!” Even though there was barely anyone there…
Ashley Ravens:
I timed my entrance, coming just late enough to be almost punctual but just so late that everyone would look at you. I was wearing a pale pink dress, meant to look shy (not !). I sidled up to Edward.
“Why didn’t you call me back yesterday ?” I pretend-pouted. This would scare of the competition, I hoped.
((Maybe Ashley could date Edward (they deserve each other), but she could be secretly in love with some else, maybe a shy person like Jeremy, even though it wouldn’t be mutual.))
((302: That would fit the theme nicely.
Sorry, can’t write. Had a detention today. We copied stuff out of our binder reminder and that squelcj=hed my cretivity for the day. XP))
“All rightie,” said Rosa, getting onto the stage. “What are we singing first?”
“Well,” said Edward, looking at his list. “Let’s see…”
“I was thinking, maybe, the scene in the gym where the Shark girls and guys and the Jet girls and guys all dance? And then Maria and Tony meet? I’ve been working on the choreography,” piped up Maxine.
“Sure, fine. As long as we get something done.” Edward shuffled some papers and sat down in a chair. “Take it from the top.”
Everyone piled on stage, muttering to one another and groaning under their breath. Rosa exited to stage right, Tony to stage left. Everyone else took their places for the dance.
((Anyone else want to take a crack at it? We kind of need a lot of people to come back first ))
((P.S. GAPAs, is 300 posts enough for a new thread? ))
Angie got out of bed, purposely late, and searched her closet for the perfect outfit. Ah! She had it. A skimpy pale-pink minidress and extremely tall heels. She walked to the theater with a spring in her step, humming Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” under her breath in anticipation of their plot. …slashed a hole in all four tires, maybe next time he’ll think before he cheats… she sang, stopping as she approached the theater.
((306 – My drama class is doing music videos. The group doing “Before He Cheats” got to borrow our teacher’s car forthat part.))
((I think we should try for 400 first ))
Ashley Ravens:
I got into my costume and waited for the signal. Today, I wanted to show Edward that I could behave…sometimes.
I ran into the theater, only then realizing there were only a few people here, and that i’m NOT late for once. I searched the place for Maxine, hoping to apologize and maybe ask her out . . .
(I hope it’s not too late to join this)
Name: Donaldo Lawrence Edward Smith the Thirty-first
Characteristics: Shorter, brown hair, green eyes, rather handsome (at least, he thinks so)
Personality: Goofball, perhaps a tad bit arrogant, klutzy, a brilliant actor, though. Also, under the impression that he is with a world-renowned theater group.
I rush into the theater doors! With a dramatic burst that awes the hearts of the crowd, I yell, “SO sorry I am late! The lousy private jet flight from Austria was late! This is the Off Broadway Theater Troupe, is it not?”
I take a quick look around and check my hair- still good. Few people are here- the way I like it. I work better with smaller groups- easier for me to organize and lead. It looks like they were just in the middle of rehearsing. They all have confused expressions. One of the men stands up and says, “I don’t think you’re in the right place…”
“Nonsense! Don’t be modest, sir! But, where is everyone else?”
“I dunno…late, like usual, I guess…”
“Hmm…my name is Donaldo Lawrence Edward Smith the Thirty-first.”
“Funny. My name is Edward, too.”
“Just Edward?”
“Just Edward.”
((Welcome to the drama, Donaldo! ))
A couple more people burst through the theater doors. Progress was halted considerably as Edward and a boy named Donaldo engaged in a hurried banter about names. Rosa wasn’t interested. She walked down the steps and calmly greeted the new arrival. “Hello,” she said, holding out a hand. “My name is Rosa Allele. It’s nice to meet you, but we are sort of in the middle of rehearsal right now. I think you may be in the wrong place.”
“NONSENSE!” the guy roared in her ear. “This is the Off Broadway Theater Troupe! I insist! See?” He thrust a sheet of paper in Rosa’s face. “It says so right…right…ah, oh, um…” He searched on the sheet of paper for the name, and when he could not find it, stuffed it hurriedly back in his pocket. “Oh dear, the flight will have already left…”
“Join our play, then!” Rosa offered. “We’re doing West Side Story and we need a few more male leads.”
((This may come in handy for someone to play Tony if trust kokopelli doesn’t show back up soon…just a thought. ))
Get ready,
Angie texted David. Plan B in action!
I stiffled a laugh as some fancy-pants guy asked if we were the Off Broasway Theater Troupe! Yea right! I decide to check out what’s going on with this dork Donaldo. ( We can be friends later, don’t worry!)
“Wonderful!” I exclaim, hiding my disappointment about the plane flight. But I am here now, so whatever. Perhaps I can breathe some life into this mediocre little group of “actors.” “West Side Story! I assume you will need me to play Tony, correct? After all, I certainly have that ruggedly handsome air about me that is necessary to play a NYC gangster.”
For some reason, Rosa looks doubtful. Now, I decide. “Make of our hands ONE- cough cough! Sorry, something caught in my throat.”
“Umm, Donny-it’s OK if I call you that, right? You don’t understand…” Rosa says calmly. “We already have a Tony.”
Shocked, I exclaim, “WHAT?”
“Well, yes, I guess,” Rosa replied. “Please don’t shout, I’m sorry…But, he hasn’t arrived yet, so for now you can fill in. Or, you could play Bernardo!”
Rosa whispered quickly to the cast, “We don’t have a Bernardo, right?”
“No,” they shook their heads.
“Okay,” she said, “Bernardo.”
“Fine,” he sighed. “I will need a sufficient script, as this is NOT role I have committed to memory.”
“Done and done,” Rosa said, handing him one. “You’re onstage right now. Gym dance scene. You should play Tony for now.”
“If you insist,” he sighed, getting onstage.
“Umm… What is plan B?” David texted back, confused.
((A private jet from Austria… Considering that, the Off Broadway theater troupee probably already got famous, made millions, spent them, broke up, resisted bribes to get back together again, aged several decades, tried to make individual comebacks, got shot… Sorry, I couldn’t help that.))
Ashley Ravens:
I shot a look at Edward, and at Donaldo.
“Is directing always like this ?”
“Evidently,” Rosa sighed. Ashley didn’t appear to hear her, but kept her face turned directly at Edward with a sweet, simpering stare.
“Good luck with him, you’re going to need it,” Rosa though to herself.
“Can we PLEASE start rehearsal now?” Angie looked angry and flustered, sending Edward a piercing glare.
“Certainly, ” Edward replied coldly. “ALL ACTORS TO THE STAGE! ROSA, DONNY, TO YOUR PLACES!”
Rosa thought she heard Donaldo muttering something about ‘not prepared with your choreograpy as he walked to stage left, and Rosa sat on a bench at stage right to watch the scene.
“Ready, and…from the top!” The orchestra struck up a fast-paces tune that matched the gym dance, as the Sharks and Jets led by Anita, Bernardo, and Riff began a competitive mambo across the stage. Rosa was enjoying it immensely when someone crept up behind her and said, “Hi there!”
(( Where IS everybody??))
((319- I’m here, but I have no idea what to do.))
HOW do I get involved in these situations?
I spend MONTHS preparing for the role of Tony with the Off Broadway Theatre Troupe, and now I am stuck playing the minor role of Bernardo. I don’t know the lines, the choreography, whatever.
So now I am here on stage, not knowing what to do.
The orchestra started playing. Mambo, I immediately recognized. Crap. I don’t know how to mambo. Well, when in doubt, jazz hands!
As i mambo across the stage, i search for our choreographer, Maxine. Where is everyone? i’ve realized just how hard it is to mambo without a partner. i hope i didn’t mess it up too bad with – thunk. i ran into a wall. Smooth.
((Well, seeing as our Tony is absent…))
“No, no no, this is all wrong!” cried Edward. “Bernardo is dancing all the wrong moves, Anita, you’re moving too slow, and Riff keeps tripping over his own feet! DONNY, get off the stage. You’re going to be Tony from now on.”
“Good show!,”cried Donny, and he ran off into the right wing.
“So what’s going on?” asked Thomas, sliding in next to her. “How’s it going?”
“Extremely bored,” sighed Rosa, “but it will be fine eventually. How are you?”
“Good,” said Thomas. “Ms. Phelps isn’t here today so we have the day off, so I figured I’d come down here and watch. I have nothing else to do, either.”
“Aww, how nice,” Rosa said, laughing. “Nothing better to do than watch me screw up.”
“You’ll do fine,” Thomas said, and then their music cued. “I think ou’re on…”
“Oh yeah!”Rosa cried, and hurriedly ran onstage. The lights had dimmed considerably onto her and Donny as they danced the strange, dreamy dance of Tony and Maria that was almost unreal.
Once everyone arrives (Megan is fashionably late, of course), rehearsal begins. Today we’re practicing with the actors: they rehearse the play, and we play the songs.
We start to play a slow, dreamy song. Above us, Rosa and Donny step so lightly we can hardly hear them. And we can hear everything in the orchestra pit.
“Plan B=u pretend 2 break up w/me!” I texted back.
((See 267))
“Oh, right!” texted David
Hello. I regret to say this, especially because I have just come into this, but I have to leave. This sounds weird, but I am quitting MuseBlog. I will miss most of you, and I apologize for how my leaving will affect this RPG.
WTH? Why?
Why the heck are you LEAVING? What happened??
327: WHAT?! NOOOOOOO! YOU CAN’T!!!!!!!!!!!! *grabs arm* *drags back*
327.1, 328- My friend R101 told me. apparently he posted on the Hot Topics thread, got offended when people disagreed, acted like everyone was insulting him while insulting everyone, flamed a little, and vowed to leave MuseBlog forever. I think that’s cowardly myself, but I respect his opinion, even if doesn’t respect anyone else’s!
((Can I still roleplay Donnie? What should we do now?))
((I was actually starting to like him, but I guess that goes to show how fragile the Hot Topics thread is. I started getting involved once, but I quickly left noticing how many enemies I would make… Not saying that I’m a coward though….))
((And I want to ask before I go ahead. Can I mess with Donnie? If I just roleplay once, he’ll be gone… By that I mean, kill him off))
((* laughs madly*))
(( O.o Murder him?? That doesn’t seem very fitting…but, I suppose…))
((Perhaps Donnie could just quit the play. Murder is a little … dark for a romantic musical comedy.))
After playing along with a few scenes, which went smoothly for the most part, Mr. Silverman announced a ten-minute break. The actors had a break too; I could hear them milling about on the stage, talking.
“What’s going on?” asked Sabrina, our lead cellist. “Everyone is so tense. Like they’re stepping around a bomb.”
“There was a big fight yesterday,” explained Cassie. “The actors were arguing, I don’t know why. Finally Edward ended it, and he said we’d be sorry if we upset him.”
Megan was chatting with her first-violin friends. Most of the boys were playing on Nintendos or running around the theater. Jason was quietly practicing to himself, and a few other instruments joined in. I found the music and added the second-violin part to the song.
((331- Ooh. Romantic Musical Tragedy))
((330) But you don’t just make enemies by disagreeing with people ! I was friends with a girl in my book club, even though we could only agree one thing: That we always disagreed-from books to food to socks.
Writers block, dang it !))
PEOPLE COME BACK!!!! I DON”T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH EVERYONE MISSING!!!!
James is here:
“Maxine? Are you there?” This break was a great chance to apologize to Maxine. “Hello?” Ah well. Hey, maybe I can be Bernardo now that Donny the Dork is Tony . . .
((and when he leaves, I can take Tony))
I’m still clueless.
About the story, or why Donaldo left?
If it’s about the story, here’s the plan:
Walk over to me and pretend to break up with me, VERY loudly. Ignore me for awhile. Then go over to Rosa and slowly, so she doesn’t suspect, start chatting her up. End up asking her out to lunch/dinner “as a friend,” and somehow publicly make it look like she’s forcing herself on you. Meanwhile I’ll be acting like I hate you. Then tomorrow or the day after we can do a big reconciliation scene.
Is Rosa supposed to protect herself, or be reconciled too, or what? I am also lost.
Uh, I was kind of thinking she could become “just friends” with David, not suspecting anything, and then he could like throw himself at her and pretend she did… she can get people to believe that it’s a setup, but not everyone, and it can’t interfere with David and I’s reconciliation scene. Then Thomas could say something really sweet about how he doesn’t believe it, or alternatively he could hate her…. infinite possibilities…
Am I being too controlling?
It’s all fine; as long as it doesn’t completely banish my character from all social interaction then I’m good.
339.1.1.1.1- Not for me. I was kinda hoping you would take control of this breakup/makeup thing completely, as dramatic breakup scenes are definately not my strong point.
Oh, good. They’re mine.
Aggie, I was thinking that a bunch of people could feel sorry for your character, making mine and Aliena’s VERY mad… but it’s what she does.
Alas, I am back only on this thread and on no others, if only to keep the story going. I felt bad for leaving this thread because I know how leaving an RPG thing can screw it up for everyone else. So I will try to exeunt (there is stage talk for you) quietly. Let me try this:
That’s it! I cannot take this anymore! Be denied my rights to play Tony! After practicing for MONTHS! That is it! I am leaving. No more.
I proudly march off the stage and head for the door. A couple cast members run after me. “Wait! You can’t leave!” they say. But, if one cannot appreciate my talent, then I am repulsed. I do not know where I shall go, but it will definitely be far away from here…
There ya go. Now I am out of this. And I am not returning to MuseBlog.
329- Thanks for that. I feel great. I didn’t insult anyone. They insulted me by not reading my posts or bothering to understand my arguments. I don’t feel sorry about it at all. I am upset that I will not be on MuseBlog anymore, but this place is just not for me I guess.
God bless you all,
Donaldo
(Exit stage left, never to return)
See, this is the reason I stay well away from Hot Topics.
I have a slight hunch he’ll still lurk. I tried leaving when I was a neophyte, but I eventually posted over another name (gibberish).
Oh, NO! What will become of his poor pet wung?!
Why, you’re right! Donaldo, can I adopt him?
*dead silence*
…I’ll take that as a ‘yes’.
Umm… Okay. I guess this is a dramatic thread. But you’re leaving just because you feel disrespected on that thread? Doesn’t MB mean enough to that you can stand loosing a few arguments? I read all of them, they just didn’t seem funded enough. Hot topics is…not the nicest thread. But I doubt that any MBers disrespected you. And I was there.
Can we leave this at Hot Topics and move on with the story, p*ease?
342- Fair enough.
Ashely Ravens:
Jeremy looked so nice… I couldn’t figure out what to say, to I decided to go bother Edward instead.
Nathalie saw the super diva, Ashley- she thinked that was her name- shoot a glance and a smile at Jeremy, and felt a faint twinge of annoyance.
What in the world…
(James Vicksburg) :
I rushed outside during break to find Maxine. Where in the world is she? I suddenly see lots of pink and sequins, then find my head embedded in Ashely’s tank top. “Oh, I’m so . . . oh, its you.”
Uggh, another break, Edward thought. He hated breaks. There was no time, for they were a waste of time.
He was bored so he grabbed a woman and kissed her deeply. Again, a down to earth woman who slapped him and walked away. Why was this always happening to him. He should move to another town…
((I think we should end the break. As for Donaldo, I’d like to have a very long talk with him… When I first lost my argument on the Hot Topics thread, I didn’t feel so hot, but I didn’t even consider *gasps* leaving! I’m going off to read his argument…))
James turned around just in time to see another woman slap Edward in the face. Serves him right.
Another girl smirked at his pain…
He really didn’t like breaks…
((Come back……………))
((Aliena, can you start the “breakup” scene? All you have to do is start an argument with Angie.))
((OK, does the argument have to make sense?))
It shouldn’t . . . that would make it HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ashley:
I snickered as Edward got slapped, then abstained from commenting. Then I started to flirt with James.
James:
“Uh, hi Ashely.”
“Naw, I’m free tonight.”
“See ya then!”
Wait, what happened? Did I just agree to go out with ASHELY?!?!?James sighs, says high to Natalie, and then keeps trying to find Maxine.
(( Where are you? I thought we could have this big love scene . . . ))
((353- Can James break Ashley’s heart at some point? She’s just so obnoxious and really deserves it.))
((Totally! That sounds great to me!))
James walked up to Ashely’s house in his polo and jeans.
“WOW.”
She came out in . . .
((Uhh, I’m totally blanking on argument topics here. A little help please?))
Ashley Ravens:
James came to my house and I walked out, in one of my usual stunning (and mostly pink outfits). He was so handsome…
“Let’s go to the movies. What do you want to see?”
((Hmm. How about “Why didn’t you call me last night?” and then say a bunch of random stuff. “You’re CHEATING on me, aren’t you?” “You stole my _______!”))
((365 – maybe it could be about this date))
James:
“Um, sure. What do you want to see?”
Getting rid of Ashely will be really hard if she likes him THAT much. But maybe things could work out . . .
She named a silly little cute chick flick. Yuck.
“How about, uh, Taken?”
No, things won’t work out.
Oops, 356, not 365.
SFTTP
James:
He wondered about Maxine and where she has been . . .
Suddenly, he came back to his date with Ashely. Ugh. She was shivering in his arms, scared out of her wits. He whispered in her ear “Hey.” She jumped. “Want to go out to dinner after this?”
Wait!
What.
was.
he.
DOING?!?!?!?
((-368 Great idea! Does car keys work? You stole my car keys? Or is that too Ashley?))
((Car keys is fine. Or you could say wallet, [insert name of video game here], [insert name of DVD]…. endless possibilities.))
As I passed Megan and her friends, I heard her say, “Isn’t it horrible what happened to Jason? I hope he’s okay!”
I stopped to listen, whipping out a book and pretending to read it.
Megan’s friends didn’t know what happened to Jason, so she elaborated. “He’s in a driver’s-ed program, now that he’s fifteen, you know. He was taking a test, and a dog ran in front of the car. He put on the brakes so he wouldn’t hit it, and he crashed into the cones and went spinning across the road.”
“Was he okay?” gasped Sabrina. I buried my face in the book, listening hard.
“He didn’t hit anything. The teacher said he was lucky the car didn’t flip, it almost did. But he hit his head on the dash. He might have a concussion, so he’s in the hospital. Didn’t you notice he’s not here?”
At this point, the book was three inches from my face. Anyone could tell I wasn’t reading.
((Oh, ALIENA!))
((I thought that we were in a break? What’s up with the date?))
((Sorry that I haven’t been here… We need a steady pace again))
Right after getting the main course, I started to explain to Ashely how our relationship is going to work.
“Um, Ashely, this date has been great and all, but I think we should just be . . . aquaintences.”
Tears started to well up in Ashely’s eyes. Oh brother, thought James.
((Hey GAPAs, can we get a part two? I think it might bring people back, and this will be the 383rd comment.))