Mabel opened her eyes, forgetting where she was. She was in the audition hall, holding her bass; Josie and Karen in the wings, with the Young brothers across from her. Their faces were unreadable.
"Excuse me, darlin', how old are you?" Malcolm asked.
"Sixteen," Mabel said.
"Ya' know somethin', that's one hell of a talent," Angus said. Mabel flushed pink. "How long have ya' played?"
"Forever," she said. "Uh...what do I do now?" Malcolm looked at Angus before standing.
"Jus' wait right there, love, we'll talk for a minute." Malcolm and Angus walked a ways off and spoke in hushed tones. Josie and Karen crossed their fingers.
"What are ya' thinkin'?" Angus asked. Malcolm sighed and crossed his arms.
"She's good," he said. "Scary good. But what do we do, take a sixteen year old on the road for a couple months?"
"Yeah," Angus considered. "She's the best we've seen so far." Malcolm turned to look at her.
"I want her to come back," he said. "I want her playin' a couple songs with us, ya' know. Get Brian an' Chris' opinions."
"We given' anyone else a second chance?" Angus asked. Malcolm nodded.
"Yeah, we'll get a few in. Call 'em up." Angus stepped aside.
"Ya' wanna tell her?" Malcolm walked up to Mabel.
"Hey, darlin'," he said, nodding at the bass on her lap. "We want ya' to come back tomorrow. If ya' can. I wanna hear you play one of our songs with us an' test how that sounds."
"R-really?" she asked. Josie and Karen were dancing where they stood. Malcolm smiled.
"Sure. We wanna hear what ya' sound like if we were really playin'. But only if ya' can, we understand you're pretty young."
"She'll be there," Josie said before she could stop herself. Malcolm nodded, unsure.
"Whatever works," he said. "If ya' can't make it we understand."
"It was nice meeting you," Angus said. "Anythin' we can do before ya' take off?" Josie pushed her way to the front of the group, holding out her pen.
"I don't suppose a few quick autographs would hurt?"
**********
"I can't believe it, you did it!" Josie squealed as the girls neared Mabel's house. By now the sun was completely gone and the streetlights were on. Auditions would be over by now. Mabel held her beloved autographed bass while Josie and Karen boasted their swanky t shirts. "And they want you back!"
"We told you you were good," Karen said.
"Don't get too excited," Mabel said. "They probably call tons of people back."
"You get to play bass with Malcolm and Angus Young!" Josie had stars in her eyes. "What are you going to wear?"
"What I always wear," Mabel said. Josie tsked.
"You've got to let us make you over," she said. "You want to look the part, right? Rock and roll?"
"I'd really feel better just being myself," Mabel said.
"Aw, you're no fun," Josie pouted.
"What are you going to tell your mum?" Karen asked. "There's no way she'll let you audition to be in AC/DC."
"Tell her we're still working on the project," Josie said. "Good thing tomorrow is a Saturday."
Mabel wheeled up to the ramp. "I'll see you tomorrow," she said. "And....thanks for taking me to the audition. I had fun."
