Sing!

Chapter Twenty: Fire

MUSICAL INNOVATION IS FULL OF DANGER TO THE STATE, FOR WHEN MODES OF MUSIC CHANGE, THE FUNDAMENTAL LAWS OF THE STATE ALWAYS CHANGE WITH THEM.

|Pluto|

*  *  *

The seething mass of humanity was packed into the school's own hall. The atmosphere was one of elation, the cold season air occasionally punctuated by whoops and hollers. The mood of the people swirled as they all talked to one another. There are only joyful faces as they waited for the last Sing performance.

Behind the stage was a different story.

Pocahontas felt the need to move almost without end; if her limbs were moving the anxiety was gone, or at least she could ignore it a while. Repeating her song as John Smith stood beside her, helping her to calm and relax. Yet he was unsuccessful.

Charlotte worried. Thought's of all she needed to say and act were wiped clean from her mind. Everything she learnt from the past few weeks had disappeared. Gone, like a cloud of smoke. Nothing.

"I can't remember," Charlotte trembled as Travis tried to soothe her. His efforts were in vain. her nervous consumed her.

"You do know your line," Travis reassured her as he placed a gentle hand on her back. Gliding his hand up and down her back as Charlotte screamed for Mama Odie. Worry and fear had consumed the entire juniors.

Odie was bombarded with students who's worst fears had come true. Reassuring them all was not working. Odie had her work cut out for her.

•    •    •

"Get your seat programmes! On fifty cents, one half of a dollar!"

"Tell them who makes the best cake," Snow questioned Cinderella who stood beside her. Sure enough, Cinderella pointed towards Snow with a childish smile as she remembered Snow's glorious cakes, "listen to that," Snow pressured as she grabbed a piece of cake from the customer

•    •    •

Ratcliffe marched his way forward.

Had no one listened to him. Were his words inadequate? Did he speak another language? Ratcliffe had no idea as to why Jimminy Cricket had not listened. Ratcliffe had given him an order, an order that was supposed to be carried out with no questions asked. Yet, it appeared that Jimminy wasn't all he appeared.

"Jesus Christ, Jimminy, what are you doing?" Ratcliffe bellowed as Jimminy rolled his eyes towards him, "do you think I give orders just to hear myself talk?"

Snow witness the argument. It wasn't looking good.

"Look, Ratcliffe, you don't want me to answer that," Jimminy responded while Snow formed an Idea.

"Mr Cricket," Snow exclaimed as she grasped his arm, "thank god," she had the two gentleman's attention, "I don't want to start a panic, but they seem to be a small fire in the basement," Snow lied towards the two gentlemen who appeared shocked with her news.

Snow guided them. Making her way towards the basement, Snow yelled, "down here," as she contiued to descend the stairs with the two gentlemen following behind her.

"This is all I need," Jimminy growled as he watched Snow scurry with the keys in hand, "we'll have to evacuate the school."

"I'll see you never work in the education system again," Ratcliffe threatened.

"That's good, Ratcliffe, very good," Jimminy rolled his eyes towards Ratcliffe.

"Tell me where's this fire," Ratcliffe demanded as Snow stopped and opened a door.

"In here," Snow stated as she allowed Ratcliffe to peep through the door.

She got him. Trapped. He wouldn't bother them any longer. She had him in the palm of her hand.

The room was dark. The only light seen was from the night sky that was emitted through the windows. It appeared to be a storage room. Boxes, furniture and other such stuff were scattered along the room. Dust lay along all the surfaces. No one had been in that room for a long while. No fire, either.

Swiftly, Snow shoved Ratcliffe into the room and shut the door behind. Scurrying with the key's, Snow grasped the correct key for the door, "Ratcliffe Governor, " Snow locked the door quickly, while Ratcliffe banged hard against the door, "you were a pimply face shmuck in the twelfth grade," Jimmy was on his knees laughing, "you are still a shmuck," Snow exclaimed as she turned to Jimminy who could not contain his laughter, "and a royal pain in the ass," Snow leant against the door, regaining her breath for a second, "the fire is out," she informed Jimminy who smiled towards her.

"Snow I love you," Jimminy mused as he began to run back Snow had led them.