The Two Of Us (will be continued)

Chapter 8: Dust

"You two are going to be the fuel that drives the entire play to success. The honorable position that has been placed upon your noble shoulders will make this a memorable experience. You two will be the life of the party and especially this show. The rest of us are counting on you and therefore, you must count on yourselves and each other."
Ryder smiled. Until he remembered that Mayor Goodway was talking to Marshall and Skye, rather than him and Marshall.
"So get out there and get the golden glory!" She cheered.
"We will, Mayor Goodway! We will! We will!" Exclaimed Marshall and Skye, excitedly.
Ryder and the mayor watched as the two pups ran off together, howling happily.
"Isn't this fantistic?"
"Sure is." He mumbled, sarcastically. "I MEAN, sure is!" He exclaimed with his fake smile.
"Wait and see, Ryder! This is gonna be Adventure Bay's best show yet!" Exclaimed Mayor Goodway, jumping up in enthusiasm.
The clipboard in her hand hit Mayor Humdinger as he was passing by and he turned to her with a glare.
"Why don't you watch where you wave that thing?!"
"I didn't see you coming!"
"Then be more alert!"
Mayor Goodway just shook her head in annoyance before shouting again. "What are even doing here?! It's not eight yet!"
"I came to warm up."
Mayor Goodway seemed surprised. "Oh. You have a warm-up routine?"
"What?! No! I came to WARM UP. It's too cold and rainy in Foggy Bottom!"
"Hmm, I wonder why." Said Goodway, sarcastically.
"Humph." Muttered Humdinger before walking off.
Ryder and Mayor Goodway looked at each other.

The mayor stepped on stage with Francois and clapped her hands to get everyone down below to quiet down.
"Alright, everyone. Listen up. Today, as you all know, is the first day of rehearsals. I hope you all read over at least a bit of your scripts last night. Before I get into the game plan are there any questions?"
(Crickets)
"Ok then. Here's how this is going to work: for seven hours we will practice the acting. Then for three hours we will practice some singing and dancing. If you are in the backstage crew you must do your duties at all times, unless of course you are called up to practice a scene or it's time to practice singing and dancing. Got it?"
Those who were in the backstage crew responded with a "Yes."
"Since it is the first rehearsal it is only natural that we start by rehearsing the first scene. When I call your name, please step forward with your scripts. Marshall, Katie, Chase and Everest. The rest of you may go about your duties."
Everyone else got up either to just talk or do backstage work. Skye was a bit disappointed her name wasn't called but decided not to let it get to her. After all, she was the female lead. And that fact that Goodway had really, actually chosen her to be the female lead made her heart fly with excitement.
Ryder just kinda sat around on the grass since there was nothing to paint yet. Alex was rambling on and on to him about something funny Mr. Porter did or something like that and Ryder occasionally nodded or laughed even though he wasn't listening at all. He kept his eye on Marshall the entire time, wishing there was some way to capture his attention.
Meanwhile, Goodway was discussing something with Francois before she turned to the four actors she called up. "Do you all have your scripts?"
"Yes." They all answered.
"Alright then. Let's start. Since we don't have pieces of the set we need for this scene, as they're currently being built, we'll need to play make-believe with a few objects I have here. Let's step on the stage and I'll show you."
The small group made their way up the stage where some junk was strewn about. Goodway and Francois quickly picked the stuff up and began putting them in place while Katie and the three pups watched in wonder and amusement.
"This potted plant and this other potted plant over here are the gate. The entry-way. These fruit crates are part of the castle where Katie and Everest will be standing. These two skateboards will be the guards' horses. Marshall and Chase are going to ride them. This tin bucket is going to be a basket of bread that Marshall will carry. And this hat made out of newspaper will be the Queen's crown that Everest will wear for now. Everyone understand?" Asked the mayor.
"Yes."
"Good. Now, the royal minstrels and I are supposed to sing a little introductory song at the start of the play but we won't practice that till it's time to practice singing and dancing. So we're gonna skip right to the opening scene. Ok?"
"Ok."
"Alright. Places, everyone. Francois and I stuck tape onto the objects and wrote your names so you'll know where to go. We'll be sitting down at the long table in front of the stage directing the entire thing. Oh wait, I almost forgot. Alex!" Called Mayor Goodway.
"Gotta go, Ryder." Said the little boy before running up on stage to Goodway. "What is it, Mayor? Need my help?"
"Yes, dear Alex. You're the prompter. I need you to stand at the right end of the stage where I'm pointing. But make sure the curtains cover you. We don't want the audience to see you."
"Got it." Said Alex, running to where he was told to stand with his script.
Jake spun around to face him in a spinny-chair and smiled. "Hey, Alex. Here's your headset. You'll need it to whisper the actors their lines if they forget them. Let me help you put it on."
"Thanks, Jake. I can't wait to help."
"I know. You'll do great. But if you need help reading anything let me or Carlos know."
"I will. Thanks."
Carlos approached the two with a small box in hand marked 'mics.' "Hey, Alex. Jake, I'll take this box to the mayor so you can help Alex in the meantime."
"Thanks, Car."
"Car?" Said Carlos, surprised.
"Car?!" Said Alex, starting to laugh.
Jake blushed. "Well, it was the only nickname for 'Carlos' I could think of."
The three laughed.
"Anyway, what's in that box, Car?" Asked Alex.
Carlos giggled. "Microphones. The actors are going to wear them in their ears so you can deliver their lines for them through the mic in your headset if they forget what to say. There are also other mics that they'll need to speak so the audience can hear them."
"Ohhh, ok."
"Be right back." Said Carlos, taking the box over to Goodway.
"Thank you, Carlos." She said. "Alright, guys. I'm coming around to put your microphones on you. One to hear the prompter and one for speaking so the audience can hear what your character is saying. Stay in your places."
Once Marshall, Everest, Katie and Chase had their two microphones on Goodway went to go sit at the table by Francois.
"Get out of my way!" She muttered, shoving Humdinger aside as she went to the table."
"Humph! And they say I have no respect!" He grumbled.
Goodway and Francois looked over the script and exchanged a few words before looking up at the actors.
"Alright, guys. On my call we're going to start. Just do the best you can. There's no pressure." Assured Mayor Goodway.
"Ha!" Muttered Chase under his breath.
"It's ok to feel nervous. You'll get used to it. Don't feel Francois and I are judging you because we're not. And remember: we're a team. I cannot emphasize that enough. Now, are there any questions before we begin?"
(Crickets)
"Ok then. Actors, are you ready?"
"Ready!" They called with a thumbs up.
"Curtains/lights operator, ready?"
"Ready!" Called Jake with a thumbs up.
"Sound effects/Jake's assistant, ready?"
"Ready!" Called Carlos with a thumbs up before he and Jake gave each other a smile.
"And prompter, ready?"
"Ready!" Called Alex, with a thumbs up.
"Alright! Action!" Called Mayor Goodway, happily.
Jake made the spotlight shine down on their pathetic but do-able little set.
The Queen of Armeny(Everest)was standing up at the top of the castle(fruit crates at the moment)overlooking the kingdom and waiting for Sir. Zeke, the castle guard(Marshall). Her lady-in-waiting, Stephanie(Katie), approaches her.
Queen - "Oh, Stephanie, please do watch out for Zeke. See to it that he and Carl return from their errand safely. I must head into the ballroom to make sure all the servants are making haste with the decorations. I must also do some taste-testing for the cooks. If you don't mind I think you should join us once those guards arrive. And do please tell them to be there too."
Stephanie - "Yes, your Majesty. That would be very well."
Queen - "Excellent. I'll be seeing you then."
"Exit Queen!" Called Goodway.
Everest dissapeared off stage.
*There is a sound of horses approaching*
Carlos played the sound effect of galloping horses from his computer and it was heard through the speakers.
Stephanie - (Puts a hand to her ear) "Hark! I believe it is the noble Sir. Zeke and his acquaintance, Sir. Carl, back from town. (Waves) Good day, oh honorable Sir. Zeke! And to you too, Sir. Carl!"
"Enter Sir. Zeke the Castle Guard and Sir. Carl!" Called Goodway.
Marshall and Chase came sliding on their skateboards, doing their best to give the impression that they were on horses. They looked at each other, wanting to laugh but signaling each other to keep quiet.
Zeke - "Good day, oh fair Stephanie!"
Carl - "Good day, Good day!"
Zeke - "I do proclaim: you look as radiant as ever."
Stephanie - "As do you, Sir. Zeke. Oh, and Sir. Carl."
"CUT!" Shouted Chase.
Goodway was confused. "What's the matter, Chase?"
"I get the feeling that Carl is just another guard and nothing more. Shouldn't he get better recognition?"
Everyone else on stage rolled their eyes and Ryder stepped forward from below.
"Chase, why do you always wanna be in the limelight?! Just do what Mayor Goodway tells you!" He ordered.
"Fine. But this Carl better have some sort of praise later on."
Mayor Goodway sighed and sat back down. "Ok. Let's continue. Action!"
Zeke - "We come from town. Her Excellency, the Queen, had sent us to deliver the announcement of the King of Donia and the Duchess of Donia's arrival and to also fetch some bread."
Skye's ears perked up when Marshall mentioned the Duchess of Donia. "That's me!" She thought, beaming.
Stephanie - "Intriguing. What sort of bread, may I ask?"
Zeke - "Only the finest bread in all of Armeny, the finest kingdom of all."
Stephanie - "And the finest it shall always be!"
Carl - "Yes, yes! Long live Armeny!"
Zeke - "We best be heading through the gate now, Stephanie. A pleasure seeing you."
Stephanie - "One more thing, Sir. Zeke. And Sir. Carl."
Chase shook his head in annoyance but quickly got back in character.
Zeke - "What might that be, fair Stephanie?"
Carl - "Our ears are open."
Stephanie - "Her Majesty, the Queen, would very much like for you to join her, and I, in a taste test for all the cooks. At the kitchen."
Zeke - "Count on us being there, Stephanie. Sir. Carl and I will make our way over there as soon as we've taken these horses back to their stalls."
Stephanie - "Very well then, Zeke. I'll see you two at the kitchen. Till then! (Waves)"
Zeke - "Till then, fair Stephanie!"
Carl - "Till then!"
Zeke - (Turns to face Carl) "Well Carl, let's hurry and take these horses to their stalls. We musn't keep the Queen or her lady-in-waiting waiting."
Carl - (Laughs at the small joke) "Yes, let's go."
Zeke - "Onward!"
Carl - "Onward!"
(The guards ride through the gates)(or in between the potted plants in this case)
"End Scene!" Called Mayor Goodway. She and Francois clapped. "That was beautiful! "Alright, Skye, Rocky, Mr. Porter and Farmer Yumi! I need you to come over for the next scene!"
Skye shrieked happily. This was her chance to impress Goodway even further with her acting. Mr. Porter and Farmer Yumi stopped building and headed over to the stage with Skye and Rocky. They along with the other actors and Jake, Carlos and Alex gathered at the front of the stage where Mayor Goodway and Francois explained to them how the second scene was going to work.