Drummer With a Dream: a Dook LaRue Story.

Chapter 1: Show time!

Getting up was the hard part. Waking up has been, and always will be, the hardest part of any person's day, whether it were your day, or your friend's day. Dook LaRue experienced this firsthand. One thing that wasn't so hard was falling off the bed. That only took a clumsy person followed by a loud thud that echoed the floor.

'Ow,' Dook murmured as he rolled over to sit up straight. He was surprised it didn't hurt as much as it normally would. As he made the attempt to stand, his legs gave in and he had to catch himself on his beaten up dresser to avoid falling down. As his legs eventually woke with the rest of him, he slowly stumbled to the closet, grabbing his everyday outfit.

When putting it on, Dook's mind boggled to the list of people who could have possibly slammed their fists into the door, trying to get him out of bed. Mitzi? Nah, she didn't care too much about whether or not he woke up. Beach Bear? Pft. Astounding if he was even up before anyone else. He was always the last to wake. Fatz? Maybe. Fatz took shows seriously and he made sure no one forgot it.

One look in the mirror said it all. Gazing at a dog with brown fur, so unevenly scruffed yet still somehow brilliant. An outfit composed of silver fabric glinting rainbows under the rays of light peeking through the blinds of the room. Ocean blue eyes that could sink ships making sure everything was in place. All Dook was missing was his dark, gold-trimmed gloves and his black boots, making obsidian look foolish. He also forgot his helmet with antennae so strange, that it made others question what he did in his free time.

As he put the final pieces together, Dook's room door opened to reveal Fatz Geronimo, all put together as if he had been since two in the morning. Every inch of him was perfectly organized and neat. All Fatz wanted was for Dook to be ready to go. The supposed lateness of the show was really wearing on Fatz. Dook eventually headed out, following Fatz to the stage in which the magic took place.

There were three stages. The furthest left had a rainbow-decked display, lights and tinsel curtains mocking the rest of the theme. This was the smallest of the three stages, as the only people who ever set foot on them were Rolfe DeWolf and his literally handy assistant, Earl.

The middle stage was the next in line, also being the biggest of the three. The left side of it had a four piece drum set, branded for the Rock-Afire Explosion Band who performed on it. Right of the drums had a keyboard waiting patiently on a stand, which lit up every show they ever had.

Next in line was a red surf board bearing a yellow center streak, designated for Beach Bear. He always sat on it whenever he performed, with his blonde curls covering his face. He always had the attitude that he just woke up, and likely chances, he did. After the surf board was a spot saved just for Mitzi, who was singer of the band. She had a cheer career and a love and passion for a boyfriend.

Finally, the furthest stage to the right was the second smallest, and it was reserved for Billy Bob and Looney Bird. There was no show quite like Billy Bob's, he was a master of such talent. A metal cylinder was stuck there too, and it was recognized as Looney Bird's home sweet oil can.

People got where they needed to be and prepared to warm up. Dook got to his drums and layed down a smooth, groovy tone as the rest burst into song. The group then paused to pick out a song for their actual performance. The group turned to Dook, who froze up a little. 'May-maybe we should sing the Abracad- uhh-' he heard himself stutter, rushing to get his mind back to focus. Fatz tried to be helpful in this situation. 'What were you saying? C'mon, spit it out, Dook.' Dook eventually got back on track. 'I was just gon' sing "Abracadabra" by Steve Miller.'

The band exchanged a glance at each other before beginning the song Dook had so fearfully selected. Their hands (and drumsticks) guided the instruments to do their thing, as the main part still remained as Dook's drumming talent and his crooner vocals.

The show ended well, everyone giving their two cents worth into the final product really paid off. As everyone went backstage to grab a bite, Dook hung back, and his mind could only wonder what would have happened if he left the response blank. He decided not to let it get too worrisome, though, because at least he did his job.

Upon reaching the kitchen, Dook saw a buffet spread out with all-you-can-eat meals. He was tempted by the macaroni and almost felt teased by the fried chicken. Dook insisted he should at least try something, and put together a hot dog, complimented with ketchup and mustard squirted just right.

Dook bit into the self-created delicacy while Fatz strolled up to him. 'Listen up, LaRue, because I'm only saying this once,' Fatz paused quickly to mentally evaluate the quality of the words he was about to say. 'You did a good job out there. I need you to build more of a sense of... confidence, though. I wasn't mad at the show, but I believed it could have gone a little better.'

Dook chomped his hot dog as he nodded, consuming not only the mustard-ketchup-sausage mess but also the way Fatz felt about the show that had happened. A sense of confidence was a little harder to build than Dook had liked, but he was willing to do so. He was also slower to catch on, and he sort of hoped to change that.

After the meal, Dook went to his room. A digital alarm clock read seven thirty. Dook knew his "bedtime" wasn't until about ten, since that's when he usually dozed off, but he decided to get rest anyway. Changing into cottony pajamas, Dook wondered just how was he supposed to help Fatz? He loved to help his friends but it never seemed to happen so easily.

As Dook was zoning into a spot on the ceiling, the door made a soft knock sound, barely able to be heard. Mitzi opened the door, poking her head in to make sure Dook was okay since he never tried to sleep so early. 'Dook, it's not even eight yet. You good..?'

Dook came back down to Earth. 'What? Oh- I'm fine. I was just wondering about things and- Uh.. anyway I'm fine. Don't worry about me, Mitzi.' Mitzi didn't believe a single word Dook said, but decided to leave anyway. 'Oh, well I'm glad you're alright, Dook. I'll see ya later,' She mumbled, leaving the room quietly, concern still ripping at her heart.