Soaring [ej caswell]

Fifteen: The Storm

"Okay, everyone, gather around" Miss Jenn says getting our attention, "We have got a two-hour window before the storm is expected to hit, and I intend to use every minute of it. Big, splashy group numbers always succeed at the Menkie Awards. So we need to workshop a punchy, breathtaking number that will put us in the number one spot"

"As our head choreographer, I am so happy to announce that today we will, at last, begin rehearsing one of the most showstopping, iconic, and bar-raising numbers of the entire show" Carlos says.

"Be Our Guest" Gina interjects, "Yeah, its be Be Our Guest, guys"

Carlos gives her a look.

"What?" She asks.

"Before we begin, I'm going to tell you a little story about hospitality" Miss Jenn changes the subject.

"Maybe we should-"

"Once when I was a little girl, my mom and I heard a clatter come from the kitchen. We thought it was a burglar. So my mom ran over, hog-tied the man, and promptly called the police. As we waited for the cops to come, I watched my mother place a bowl of iced tea next to his face. "Because," she said, "until the police come and get him, he's still our guest."

"So, did he, like, get arrested or..." Kourtney asks.

"No. Turns out, it wasn't a burglar at all, just a repairman who entered the wrong unit. But the point remains the same. Just like our intruder, we need to make Belle and our entire audience feel welcome. And with that, Carlos and Gina, take it away"

"Thank you, Miss Jenn, that wasn't terrifying at all" Gina takes over, "Okay, so, my vision to make this dance really soar is to stage... wait for it, a Cancan-style dance that features a feather-dusting spectacle. I don't know, it'll probably go a little something like..."

Gina starts doing a cancan dance with her feather dusters.

"Absolutely!"

"Yes, Gina!"

"Interesting. I had a different path that's a little more elevated and less basic. Think. A noir-inspired performance that Lumiere guides our audience through the entire time" Carlos says.

"M'kay. But I actually spent a month in France once, so I kinda know this dance inside out" Gina smiles.

"And I choreographed all three of my sister's quinceanera dances, despite not getting one for myself, so I think I know how to twirl with a salad fork, okay?"

"Okay! You know what? Let's stick a pin in Be Our Guest and brush up on Gaston. EJ and Big Red, to the front of the room, please. Wait, where's EJ?" Miss Jenn asks.

We look around but he wasn't here. Why did I think he was already here?

"Okay, well, if anyone sees EJ, would you please tell him that rehearsals are mandatory, even for soon-to-be college students who are obviously suffering from senioritis"

"Nini!" Kourtney yells looking at the door.

We all look over and Nini was standing in the doorway with her bag.

"I don't wanna interrupt. I just needed one more group hug"

"Hugs available!"

We all squeal and run over to Nini, hugging her tightly.

"Gosh, I wish you didn't have to go" I say.

"I know, but I'm always a text or FaceTime away" she smiles sadly.

"I know" I smile back.

We leave her and Ricky to be alone for a little bit while we all chit chat.