Sing: The Era of Music

Chapter 2: The Chosen Few

"So Chris, it says here you love to sing and Queen was your mother." said Buster as Chris nodded. "Sorry for your loss, kid. But I think I see some potential in you. Take it away!" said Buster. Chris then grabs the mic and takes a deep breath. Soon, the music began as he began singing. Chris is singing a song to express his joy for music. The music ends as Buster and Ms. Crawley were impressed. "Chris, that was wonderful. Thank you." said Moon as Chris smiled and took a deep breath. Buster would eventually pick the contestants. He picked, a trio of dance frogs, opera camel singer named Pete, Mike, Johnny, Ash, and Chris. Buster eventually paired Rosita with a passionate pig dancer named Gunter. As for Meena, she fails her audition because she suffers from stage fright. After the selections, the group took some time to get to know each other. "So your mother was Queen?" asked Johnny. "Yup." said Chris. "I was a big fan of your mother. Her singing voice was tremendous. I bet she was a great person outside of singing." said Rosita. Chris then pulls out his necklace. "She sure was." he said. Everyone has gotten along with each other pretty well. Meanwhile at Meena's house, she was still upset about how her audition turned out. She was in the kitchen making food, in tears. Her mother then comes in to comfort her. "Oh sweetie, don't cry. At least you tried. There'll be other chances for you to sing." she said as Meena stayed silent. "I...I just messed up." she said as the two then turned to the T.V. "And as you can see the chosen few, leaving the theater right behind me." said Bob, the dog reporter. Meena's mother then sees Chris among them. "Hey Meena...is that Chris?" she said as Meena turned and sees him. "I'm here with one of the few. What's your name son?" asked Bob. "I'm Chris." he said. "So how does it feel to be one of the chosen few?" asked Bob. "Well...it really is a big opportunity. I have the chance to show my talent and most importantly...carry a promise for my mother." said Chris. "Well thank you, Chris. Now back to you at the studio, John." said Bob. "Oh my gosh. Chris is back in town." said Meena's mother as Meena stared in awe. "You should make him a gift. A welcoming back gift." suggested Meena's grandmother as she smiled. Meanwhile, after Buster discovers the flyers advertise a prize of $100,000, he joins Eddie on a visit with Eddie's wealthy grandmother, former singing star Nana Noodleman. Nana is reluctant to sponsor the prize money, but agrees to attend a private preview of the show before making a decision. The next day, Chris was walking down to the Theater for rehearsals. He then sees Meena leaving her house. "Meena?" said Chris as she looks at him. "Chris! Hey!" said Meena as she sprinted towards him and gave him a big hug as Chris smiles happily. Meena is Chris's childhood best friend since they were 5 years old. "I missed you, Meena! Look at you. You've gone bigger since we last saw each other." said Chris as Meena giggled. "So have you. You've gotten tall. I really missed you." said Meena. "Come on, let's go for a walk." said Chris. The two went for a walk around town to catch up. "So Chris, how's it going with you? Your mom and dad?" asked Meena. Chris slowly frowned. "Well...I don't know if you heard but...my mom died 2 weeks ago in a car accident and my dad is experiencing PTSD." said Chris. "Oh Chris, I'm so sorry. Well I'm always here if you ever need anything." said Meena as she hugged him and Chris smiled, happy to be comforted by his best friend. "Your such a gentle elephant. So what about you? I didn't see you with the other contestants. Did you get in?" asked Chris as Meena slowly winced. "Yeah, about that. I didn't really do well in my audition. That's why I'm heading to the Theater to ask him to give me another chance." said Meena. "Is it also why you have a cake in your hand?" asked Chris as Meena nodded. Meena tries to ask Buster for another chance, but becomes his stage hand instead. "What?! He's made you his stage hand?" said Chris.  "Yeah. I-I tried to ask him to give me another shot but it didn't go to plan." said Meena as she looked down. "Meena! Can I see you for a second?" called Buster. "I gotta go." said Meena as she leaves. Chris looks down in disbelief. Rosita checks on him. "Chris? Are you okay?" asked Rosita. "No. Meena was trying to get another chance to audition but she was given the job as a stage hand. She just has stage fright and never got the chance to show her talent." said Chris as Rosita comforts him. "It's okay, Chris. Surely there's something she can do." said Rosita. Chris was thinking about giving his spot to Meena but when the frog trio breaks up and Pete is injured, Meena is eventually added as an act. The next day, the group would rehearse before Nana arrives tomorrow but the group would run into problems of their own. Meena struggled to make up her mind of being a participant because of her stage fright. Rosita struggles to find her passion in singing and dancing because of her motherly duties. Mike gloats about winning the money and would cheat out bears in a card game. Johnny was chosen by his father to be the driver for the heist while struggling to focus on his rehearsal but failed and his father was arrested, straining their relationship. Johnny would attempt to steal the prize money for his father's bail, but when he sees a note on Buster's desk showing how much Buster appreciates his talents, Johnny resolves to focus on his musical career instead. Then, Ash discovered that Lance was cheating on her. Later in the afternoon after those events, Chris arrived for the rehearsals. "Hey guys. What I'd miss?" he asked. "Nothing much. Ash is on next." said Rosita. The three watch Ash sing her assigned song but would break down crying. Chris, Meena and Rosita look at her with concern. "Woah, woah, cut the music!" said Buster as Meena turns it off. "Ash? Are you okay? You don't like the dress?" asked Buster as Ash sobbed and ran backstage. "Ash, what's wrong?" asked Rosita. But Ash ran to a room and slammed the door. "I'll talk to her." said Chris. Ash covered her face with her knees as she silently cried. "Ash?" said Chris. "Go away, Chris." said Ash. "Ash, something's bothering you. What's wrong?" asked Chris as he sat next to her. Ash sighed. "Lance he...he cheated on me. All this time ever since I was selected." said Ash. Chris was speechless. "Oh Ash, I'm so sorry. I had no idea." said Chris. "Forget it. You don't understand." said Ash. "Your right. I don't understand...but I do know what it's like to be hurt. As for your relationship with Lance, he sounds like a jerk. He didn't see the talent you have and didn't believe in you. But I do." said Chris as Ash looks at him. "Really?" she asked. "Of course. Ever since I met you, you seem like a cool girl. We seem to have a lot in common. We both love rock music and we like to express ourselves when we sing. That's what I like about you. Your not afraid to show who you are." said Chris. Ash smiled as she hugged him tightly. Chris smiled as he hugged her back. The next day, the gang was getting ready for the event and after much preparation, Nana arrived. "Ok, everyone, she's here!" said Buster as everyone got ready. "All creatures big and small, welcome to our singing competition. The winner of this contest we'll receive $100,000 within this chest. Now let's welcome our first contestant." Suddenly, 3 bears came in. "Which one of you is Moon?" asked the leader. "Uh, I am Moon. What are you doing here?" asked Buster. "You know this guy?" asked the bear as he held Mike. "Mike?" asked Buster. "Yes. Mike says you got my money and it's in that box." said the bear. "Oh no no, that is prize money." said Buster. Suddenly, the bear pulled out a bat. "Open it." said the bear. "Ok, ok, ok, it's just that....I don't have the keys." said Buster. The bear then grabs Buster and throws him and Mike to the side and smashes the chest with the bat...only to find nothing but collectable items. "What the--that's it? That's all there is?!" exclaimed Mike. Everyone had confused looks on their faces. "He lied." said Mike as everyone was left in shock. "Moon lied to us all!!" said Mike. "Wait..so the money has been a fake?" said Ash. "So where's the $100,000?" asked Johnny. Everyone demanded an explanation from Buster as he nervously stepped back. Suddenly, their weight was putting pressure on the glass beneath them and water started to leak. "Buster look out!!" yelled Eddie as water flooded down on the group. Eddie and Nana evacuated the building. Everyone was washed to the lobby and Meena got stuck on the ticket booth, preventing them from escaping. Suddenly, debris fell everywhere in the lobby. The damage caused more water to fill the room as everyone struggled to hold their breath. Chris and Johnny finally managed to kick the doors open as everyone fell out, drench, cold and wet. Debris was everywhere and everyone was coughing heavily. "Is everyone ok?" asked Buster. Suddenly they heard a low rumble, the Theater then collapsed as smoke covered the area as everyone shielded their eyes. Everyone stared in shock as Buster's theater was in ruins. They all watch a devastated and heartbroken Buster in tears as Ms. Crawley comforts him. Later, everyone was devastated after knowing that there was never no prize. Mike fell in the sewers during the flooding and hid from the bears, thinking that he was dead. Rosita returns home to see her family trapped in the invention she built as she quickly helps them. Ash walks downtown as she saw Lance and Becky singing together in the bar. She quickly sheds tears and ran off. Johnny went to the prison to speak with his dad but he was sitting in his cell, feeling no mood to speak to him. Johnny would then leave. Meena was back home, where her mom and grandparents comfort her as she silently cried. Chris walked home, shivering and cold. He made it home as he entered and sees Malcolm, in a worried mood after hearing about the flood. He sat up from the couch and hugs his son as he slowly cried. Judith repossessed the lot and Buster was forced to leave, who lived in the Theater the whole time. A little while later, everyone gets together and heads to Eddie's house, where Buster is living with him in the pool house. Buster was eating cereal until he heard a knock. He turned the T.V off and sees the whole group. "Oh no." said Buster. "Mr. Moon?" said Ms. Crawley. "Come on, Moon. You can't hide in a pool shed all day." said Ash. "We just want to make sure your alright. That's all." said Rosita. Buster then opens the door. "Hey Mr. Moon." said Chris. "You okay?" asked Johnny. "Guys...look I'm sorry...the prize money." said Buster. "Well at least were still in one piece." said Ash. "Yeah! And you know I bet we can find another place to put on the show. Right guys?" said Rosita. "Yeah." said all. "The show? Guys...I'm done." said Buster. Everyone was confused. "What do you mean your done? Come on!" said Ash. "Moon, do you really believe that?" asked Chris. "Yeah. I do." said Buster. "Look your not the only one who lost something. We all did." said Johnny as clammored in agreement. Buster sighed deeply before closing the door. "Moon. Come on." said Ash. "Forget it. Let's just leave him be." said Johnny. Buster lies down until the door opened. "Mr. Moon." said Chris. He sighed. "Chris, please. Now is not the time." said Buster. "Look Buster, I know what your going through and believe me I know. When my mom died...I was scared. I didn't know what to do with my life after that. But with a little faith in myself...I chose to sing and made it my personal goal since then." said Chris. "What's your point?" asked Buster. "My point is...do what you want to do with the show. It's your idea. You need to have guts, stamina and faith to prove to the people of this city that you want to entertain them and most importantly...never give up. My mother even believed in you." said Chris. Buster's ears perked up when he heard him mention Queen. Chris sighed as he stood and left, where she walks with Meena. The two walk down the street together until they cross paths to the rubble of the theater. "Say Meena? Do you wanna sing a song together? Maybe that could help you with your stage fright problem." suggested Chris as Meena smiled. Meanwhile, Buster opens a parking lot as a car wash and Eddie was there to assist him. As they were cleaning, Buster heard singing and it was coming from his Theater. He heads up the rubble as he sees Chris and Meena singing a song together. Buster watched in amazement as he hears Meena's singing voice for the first time. They take notice of him and finally after a little persuasion from the two, Buster decides to do the show again, just for the fun of it. The gang then reunited and with a little teamwork, they managed to have built an impromptu theater. Then Ms. Crawley then lets out word about the show as a few little people arrive that includes Malcolm and Meena and Rosita's families. Chris looks out the curtain and sees his father looking around the outdoor theater. "It's so different since Mom isn't with him." said Chris in his thoughts as he had a flashback where his parents were sitting together. Buster looks out the curtain. "Hmm that's all? Well it's better than nothing." said Buster as he returned backstage. Then, they were ready. "All right, gang. This is it. Go out there and sing for yourself. Do the one thing you love to do. Sing." said Buster as the group smiled. As everyone gets ready, Buster heads to the top and prepares for the introductions.