THE STAGE PRESENCE

A TEST!

"Yeah. Apparently, you guys suck at English," she continued.

"Hey! Mind your language, miss!" Caden angered.

"Mind your tone, sir," she countered, calmly.

"Hey, you cannot talk to us like that," said Duke.

"Oh yeah? May I know why, sir?" 

"How old are you?" 

"I am 18." She stepped forward and looked maliciously into his eyes.

"I am 20." He roared back.

"So? I never asked for your age, did I?"

Reggie and Attie choked on their laughter.

Duke stared at them with utmost anger, turned towards the girl and patiently said, "All I am trying to say is that every person in this room is elder to you and it is basic manners for you to respect us."

"I did address you as Sir, didn't I?"

"You-you did, but...."

"Look, I have got no reason to argue with you guys. I am here—"

Her speech was cut off by Caden who suddenly pulled her by her collar, making the other members and the manager gasp and said, "Mind your mouth. You badmouth us one more time and—"

"What will you do?" She asked him, calmly. "Badmouth me? Hit me? Or perhaps.... kill me?"

Caden let go of her collar in shock, lost his balance and fell onto Duke's hands. Ace put his step forward to avenge her, but was eventually stopped by Alfro.

"Good call", she said looking at them. "So, where was I?" She asked, adjusting her collar.

"Oh yeah! As I was saying, I am here to work as an English tutor for you guys, since guys are pathetic at English---"

"Miss Mia?" Reggie interrupted her.

"Yes?"

"Sorry to interrupt, but how are you so sure that our English is pathetic?"

"Good question!" She said. "But unfortunately, I have a great answer. Your manager told me."

The moment she uttered that, all 7 pair of eyes looked at the manager so furiously that it made his legs shake and face sweat.

"Don't stare at him. Didn't you guys yourself know that you sucked at English? C'mon answer me, sir!"

Reggie remained silent.

"Anyway", she sighed. "Let's make things more interesting, shall we?" She leaned onto the stand behind her, her hands folded.

"Hm?" The members questioned.

"I am sure some of you think that you are good at English, so here's a thing you can do to prove it."

"What do you mean?" Caden asked, firmly.

"Firstly, I would like all the seven of you to stand in an arch."

None of them budged.

"Hm", she sighed. "The more you disobey me, the madder I get. On the count of three I want all the seven of you in an arch. Am I understood?" She stared right into their souls.

The seven of them lined up.

"Cool!" "Let's cut down to the chase now. I will ask each of you a question.... in English, obviously, even if any three of you are able to answer the question properly in English.... obviously, I will tear this business contract given to me by your manager immediately and leave. Got it? She said, holding the papers high up in the air.