The Player Diaries

The World is a Stage

*****
(Ally said)

September 2, 2015

Hey bro,

This is it! The audition will be this afternoon. If everything goes as planned, I will be spending more time with Stevie. But if Danny fails, Dally's (that is short for Danny and Ally and that is how Danny collectively calls us) blossoming best friendship will shatter... Or not--well I like Danny a lot as a friend.

The real problem I am anticipating if the plan does not work is when else can Stevie and I hang out? I am not sure if Stevie and I have built enough closeness to hang out because we just want to hang out.

It is not your problem to fix, I know. Wish me luck!

- Al

*****
(Stevie said)

The auditorium was jam-packed. It was the first time that an audition spurred the interest of the students. It was most likely because of Ally--I would give it to her charisma and the school's curiosity if she could actually sing.

Danny went center-stage and began his spiel.

"As Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players,'" Danny said. "We are here to witness an exhibition of talent and confidence among women who do not just excel in their fields but also have a gift for theater. Without further ado, let us call on our first pair and find out if there are they are the players we are looking for. Becca and Chloe, please take the stage."

There was a third pair who signed up--Becca and Chloe. They are part of the acappella group of Pab High--the Pitches.

Danny went to the grand piano for the accompaniment but the two shushed him--of course they would do it their way.

Becca and Chloe were flawless on stage. They even managed to choreograph the song. The crowd applauded.

"Thank you Becca and Chloe. Let us keep this rolling. Let me call on stage Gaby and Stevie," Danny interjected. Becca and Chloe did not seem to want to leave the stage.

Before I was able to step out, Ally held my hand. "Good luck," she said. She smiled at me as if telling everything would be okay.

"You say break a leg," Maria corrected Ally.

"That's just rude," Ally replied. I knew she was only trying to calm me down.

*****
(Ally said)

Stevie was awesome and effortlessly beautiful. I was too busy looking at Stevie to notice how Gaby, my competition, performed. I joined the audience in applause when their duet finished.

I froze when I realized it was our turn.

"And last but definitely the least, Maria and Ally," I heard Danny say but it did not immediately sink in.

It was Stevie who brought be back to reality. "Ally, imagine taking a free throw in your home court. Everyone is cheering for you. Can you feel the pressure walking away?"

I nodded. "Thanks, Stevie."

I rushed to Maria, who was already enjoying the spotlight. I imagined what Stevie suggested and my nervousness faded as we went on the song.

*****
(Stevie said)

Ally was superb! The only thing I did not like was how she looked at Maria when they sang. When they hit the last note, the auditorium roared as if Ally hit a buzzer beater.