Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 ï>¿The Trailer Park: The Fifth Year: Part 1: Words And Music A Story in the
Wynter/Trailer Park Universe by Wizard CopyrightÂ(C) 2007 by Wizard

   Chapter 26

   We climbed up the bleachers and Robbie sat.  Then Tami and I sat on
either side of her.  Robbie looked from Tami to me and back again.  "How
come you're not sitting over there?" she asked Tami, pointing at the empty
space next to me.

   "'Cause I wanted to sit by my best friend."

   Robbie looked from me to Tami.  "Un huh.  Afraid I'm going to cause
trouble?"

   "Of course not," I said quickly.  Then softly added, "If we win."

   "I heard that."

   I grinned.

   Robbie glared for a minute, then smiled and nodded.  "I'll be good.  I
promise."

   I relaxed.  Robbie knew how competitive she was, and if she was thinking
about it, she'd control it.

   The bleachers filled up while we talked, mostly about the football game
tonight.  Mikee and Allie came in together, Mikee sat next to Tami and
Allie next to me.  After a few more stragglers wandered in, Mr.  Reed
stepped up to the lectern.

   "Settle!" he ordered, holding up both hands.  "We have a few things
before we get to the good stuff."

   "The Cheerleaders!" some boy yelled.

   I reached down and gave Allie's leg a squeeze, and she slapped my hand
playfully.

   Mr.  Reed held up his arms again.  "First off, where's Kelly Dubrey?" I
looked around and eventually saw her at the far end of the bleachers
holding up her hand.  "Kelly, come here." While Kelly maneuvered her way
out of the bleachers, Mr.  Reed continued.  "This summer, NASA and the
Gates Foundation sponsored a competition to design software that could be
used to guide automated research vehicles on other planets.  That's a fancy
way of saying artificial intelligence for you sci-fi buffs.  The
competition was open to anyone who had not graduated college as of the
first of September.  They received just over a thousand entries, but only
fifteen from high school students."

   Kelly was standing next to the lectern now.

   "Mr.  Nye and I have just been informed that the twenty-five finalists
include two high schoolers, and the other one is from Boston." It took a
second to register before the applause started.  I think Tami was first. 
"Kelly will be invited to Houston to discuss her entry with the judges'
panel in December, and invited back for an eight-week internship this
summer.  If she wins, her prize is a fifty-thousand dollar SCHOLARSHIP, so
don't start hitting her up for loans." The applause was even louder this
time and Kelly turned a delicious shade of red before shaking Mr.  Reed's
hand and running back to the bleachers.

   Mr.  Reed made several more announcements before, "Girl's volleyball
will be in Portland for a tournament this weekend.  They left yesterday. 
The cross-country team will be in Olympia for their tournament.  Now I'm
sure no one cares about football, but the Seattle paper this morning said
there were only seven undefeated teams in four-A.  Anybody want to guess
one?"

   "REBELS!" about six hundred voices yelled.  Everybody started stomping
and clapping as the cheerleaders and football players made their way down
out of the bleachers.

   Paula took Mr.  Reed's place in front of the microphone.  "Who's gonna
play football tonight?" she yelled.

   "REBELS!"

   The other cheerleaders had formed in front of the bleachers, and the
football players lined up behind Paula and the lectern.

   "Who's gonna score some touchdowns tonight?"

   "REBELS!"

   "Who's gonna make the Pirates cry?"

   "REBELS!"

   "Who's gonna win football tonight?"

   "REBELS!"

   "Who's still gonna be undefeated tomorrow?"

   "REBELS!"

   The cheerleaders all started jumping around, and I enjoyed the view from
the back as their short skirts fluttered up and down.

   Cassie Tate, the cheerleader on the far end, ran to the wall and picked
up some large cards, then handed them out to the other cheerleaders as I
walked up to the lectern.  I gave Paula a hug, then adjusted the microphone
and looked out over the crowd.

   "We're not very good.  We've even got a girl on our team.  And everybody
knows, girls can't play football."

   "Monster Girl!" somebody yelled, then the chanting started.  I turned
and smiled at Robbie, and she gave me a I'm-gonna-get-you stare in return.

   I turned back to the audience.  "It's pretty simple.  We've got the best
team in the state and the prettiest quarterback.  They might as well give
us that trophy now."

   The audience started clapping and stomping again.  I walked back to the
line and gave Robbie a hug.

   Paula stepped back to the microphone.  "Who's gonna throw that football
till the Pirates think that pigs can fly?"

   Mikee held up a white card about three feet by two feet and the audience
yelled, "Mike!" It was blank on our side, but I guessed it had Mike's name
on the other.

   "Who's gonna sack their quarterback till he cries for his mommy?" Paula
yelled.

   "Robbie!" the crowd yelled as Darlene held up a card.

   "Who's gonna stand around, do nothing, and look cute for the girls?"

   Allie held up a card and the crowd yelled my name.  I decided that I
owed Paula something special.

   "Who's gonna kick that ball right over their heads?"

   "Mark!" they yelled as Cassie held up her card.  He was standing next to
me, and I clapped him on the back.  Then I had an inspiration.  Paula was
still yelling questions and the other cheerleaders holding up cards with
player's names on them.  They all had two piles, one for the used cards.  I
whispered to Mark, and he ran up and got one of Allie's discards while I
ran over to the side wall and borrowed a felt pen from Mr.  Nye.

   As Paula finished the last player, I stepped up and yelled from behind
her back, "And who's single again and needs a date for next week's dance?"

   "Paula!" They yelled as I held up the card I'd made, complete with her
phone number at the bottom.

   Mr.  Reed prevented a murder by stepping back to the lectern.  "One last
announcement," he said and waited for the audience to settle down.  "One
last announcement because I know you're all eager to get back to class."
That got a few laughs.  "The teacher's committee has selected the three
plays to compete to represent our school."

   Next to me, Robbie put her hand on my shoulder and whispered, "We didn't
get it."

   "You don't know that," I whispered back.

   "I've got a feeling."

   "The teachers all said they're never doing it again," Mr.  Reed
continued.  "It was too hard.  Everyone worked hard on their presentations,
and all ten groups deserve a big hand." He paused while the audience
clapped politely.  "The Accidental Detective, a comedy with Leslie Villiers
directing.  Twelve Angry Men, Jeremy Wilkins directing.  And last, Romeo
and George, a musical with Carl Troutman directing."

   I almost fainted.  I couldn't believe that Troutman's group got in, I'd
written them off as too controversial.  Carl had found a story on the
internet, a retelling of Romeo and Juliet where Romeo went after Juliet but
was really in love with her brother George.  I almost wished that Parker
was here because I'd have given anything to see his face.

   Robbie sighed and squeezed my shoulder.  "That's that."

   "There's always next year."

   "You better believe it," she said with a smile.  "Start writing now
instead of waiting for the last minute."

   "Yes, ma'am."

   "And with Parker out of the equation, the sky's the limit."

   "Still want to sing Tits and Ass?"

   "The Committee..." Robbie paused to glare at me.  "to Undertake New
Theatrical Sensations is now in session." Robbie sighed heavily.  She hated
losing.  "Well, so much for this year, but Tony is going to start on next
year early so we don't get beat again."

   Everybody nodded.

   "I think we made a mistake not doing a musical," Traci said.  "That's
our strength."

   "Now you tell us," I mumbled.

   Peter sat beside her.  I think he was still amazed that Traci had an
equal voice in this meeting.

   "You didn't say anything," Tami pointed out.

   Traci blushed.  "I...  Tony said that..."

   "Trace," I said quietly.  "Remember the talks you and I had this summer
about you and I both singing?" she nodded.  "Insert good ideas for singing
and play them back in your head." Traci turned red again but nodded

   "I think Traci's right," Robbie said.  "We should stick to musicals, and
we've got a whole year to either write our own or find a good one.  As our
last order of business for this year's committee, I think all of us should
pick the play they think is the best, then offer our support."

   We all nodded again.

   "Meeting adjourned," Robbie said sadly.

   "I think she handled that very well," Tami whispered in my ear from her
seat on my lap.

   "Our little Roberta's growing up," I said.

   "I heard that," Robbie snapped from where she was talking about the
football game with Darlene, Traci and Kelly.

   I grinned and blew softly in Tami's ear.  I didn't think the game was
worth discussing.  We'd kicked off to the Pirates, and when Robbie had
tackled the kid with the ball, he'd fumbled and Mark picked it up and ran
it in for a touchdown.  That was probably the high point of the game.  For
the Pirates.  Coach Vickers pulled the first string halfway through the
first quarter.  And most of the second string before the half.  It was
embarrassing.  In the fourth quarter, Robbie and I volunteered to play for
the Pirates.

   "Tony?" I looked up at Mikee standing by the side of the chair.  "Can I
talk to you?"

   I nodded.  She tilted her head toward the back.  I lifted Tami off my
lap and followed her to my room.

   "That's a hell of an idea," I said a few minutes later and sat down at
my computer.  I started typing.  I could feel Mikee hover over me for a few
minutes and didn't even notice when she left.



   Chapter 27

   "Finally," Kelly said with a giggle as I walked into the living room.

   "Who are you, and what did you do with my brother?" Traci asked.

   "What?"

   "You had two sexy girls staying in your house without the benefit of
adult supervision, and you practically locked yourself in your bedroom all
night.  You ain't my brother," Traci said with a grin.  "Tami even said you
growled at her when she went in to talk to you."

   I didn't growl at Tami.  At least I don't think I did.  I didn't
remember her coming in.  I didn't remember much of anything after talking
to Mikee.  I'd finally finished about four in the morning and turned off
the computer.

   "I was busy."

   "Doing what?" Kelly wanted to know.

   "It's all her fault," I said pointing at Mikee, trying to change the
subject.

   She turned red and grinned at the same time.  "Did you...  ?"

   I nodded.  I'd finished, the first draft anyway.  "It's on the computer.
Go look."

   Mikee started toward my room.  Traci and Kelly started to follow her,
but I waggled my finger at them and they settled for my lap after I'd sat
down.

   "Meanie," they said in stereo.

   Mikee came out a few minutes later, her cheeks damp with tears.  She
reached between the two girls and hugged me.

   Traci gave me a questioning look as Mikee stood, but I just smiled.

   I'd forgotten how much fun torturing my sister was.



   Chapter 28

   I was lining up my shot and reminding myself I didn't need force.  I
took a breath and started the cue forward.

   "Have you heard?" Robbie yelled as she ran in.

   'I suppose I should consider myself lucky that I didn't rip the table
felt.' I thought as I watched the cue ball jerk crookedly toward the corner
pocket instead of the eight-ball.

   "Ha!  Scratch!" Mikee said as the ball dropped in the pocket.  "You owe
me a buck."

   "That's okay," I said with a tight smile.  "I'm taking it out of
somebody's backside."

   "What?" Robbie asked innocently.

   "You have news?" Tami asked, trying to put off the murder.

   "You heard about the accident?" Tami, Mikee and I nodded.  There'd been
a car accident Friday night after the game.  A drunk driver ran Tim Reese
and three other kids off the road.  Other than that, it had been a quiet
couple of weeks.  Our last two games were easy wins, but not blow-outs like
the Pirates.

   "They're okay, aren't they?" Mikee asked.  "That's what I heard."

   Robbie nodded.  "They're okay, just broken bones and stuff.  But all
four of them were in the play.  Jeremy Wilkins has withdrawn.  Mr.  Reed
called me.  We're in if we want it."

   I took a minute to digest that, trying to decide if it was good news or
not.

   "Should we go for it?  Should we do The Basement?" Robbie asked after
she couldn't take the silence any longer.

   "We only have two-and-a-half weeks," Tami pointed out.

   "Three-and-a-half," Robbie corrected.  "Mr.  Reed said he could push it
back that far."

   I looked at Mikee.  "What do you think?" I could tell she knew what I
meant.

   "Is it...  ?"

   I nodded.  "Mostly."

   "What about...  ?"

   I shrugged.  "Two are done.  The one is done except for that one
section. They've got good starts on the other three."

   From the corner of my eye I saw Robbie looking questioningly at Tami. 
"What the hell?"

   Tami shrugged.  "They've had some kind of secret for a couple weeks."

   I worked hard at not grinning.  "So what do you think?" I asked Mikee.

   She hesitated.  "We should ask...  ?"

   I nodded.  "Why don't you call 'em."

   Mikee nodded and headed for her house.

   "Game of pool?" I asked Robbie.

   "What was that all about?"

   "We had a perfectly normal conversation.  Weren't you listening?"

   Robbie's look wasn't amused.

   Tami moved smoothly between us and looked me in the eye.  "If you think
Parker enjoyed messing with your life, just keep pissing off Monster Girl."

   I nodded, knowing she was right.

   We'd heard last week that Parker had submitted his resignation and
wouldn't face the school board's hearing.  I wondered if he's find another
job or have to learn to say, "Would you like fries with that?"

   I gently moved Tami to the side and addressed Robbie.  "My bestest
friend in the world, Mikee and I have been working on something and are
trying to decide if it's ready for prime time...  We'll know in a minute.
In the meantime, would you care for a game of pool to take your mind off
it?"

   Robbie considered.  She knew how I felt about secrets that weren't mine
to tell.  "Lag for break?"

   Mikee came back while Robbie was winning her third game.  We were
playing rotation and I hadn't gotten a shot yet.

   Mikee nodded.  I put my useless cue back in the rack and said, "Let's go
back to my house."

   Robbie looked up from her shot.  "You just don't want to lose three in a
row," she accused.

   "Okay, finish wiping the table with me, then let's go to my house."

   Robbie laid her cue on the table.  "Do you really think I'm that petty?"

   I warred with myself.  The desire to say yes versus the desire to keep
my testicles attached to my body.  My balls won.  I took Tami's hand, and
we started walking.

   At my house I had Mikee and Robbie sit while Tami got drinks and I went
to my room, fired up my computer, and started printing.  While the printer
churned, and I wished for the one thousand three hundred and seventh time
that I had a laser, I went back and knocked on Traci's door.

   "Come in." Kelly's voice.

   I opened the door just as Peter and Traci pulled apart.  They'd been
sitting together on the bed, obviously making out.  Both were bright red.

   "That was mean," I told Kelly, then held up my palm for a high five.

   "Is she at least sharing?" I asked after she'd slapped it.

   "Yuck.  He's my brother."

   I thought back to the road trip but held my peace.  "We're having a
meeting, if you want to join us."

   They nodded, and I let the girls lead the way to the living room,
stopping at my room to pick up the papers I'd just printed.

   "The last time we discussed the play, someone I admire and respect said
we should have stuck to a musical."

   Traci blushed as she realized I was talking about her.  "Someone else I
respect and admire, who has the added advantage of being cute, came to me
with a suggestion that sparked something." Mikee blushed and Traci pouted
as they both got it.

   "I finished the first draft that very night."

   "So that's what you were doing," Tami muttered.

   I squeezed her hand.  We were sitting together on the sofa.  Robbie had
the chair and the others were spread out on the floor.  "Unlike my beloved,
words don't always flow easily for me, but with this, I couldn't type fast
enough."

   "It's a musical?" Robbie asked.

   "It's a musical.  As I wrote I found six places for songs and knew what
each song had to say.  After Mikee read it..."

   "I cried," she said.

   "After she read it, I talked to Sally and Toby about music.  The lyrics
for one of the songs were already in my head, and another was pretty clear.
Like I said, the other four, I knew what they had to say.  Sally had some
music that she'd just finished that fit the first song like we'd been
holding hands when we wrote it.  And Toby had an idea for the second song.
Since then, they've been working on the other four, and I've been polishing
the draft."

   "And it's ready?" Robbie asked."

   "I think the play is, though after you read it, you may have some
suggestions.  I usually have Tami to bounce ideas off of, but this time..."

   Tami squeezed my hand.

   "The songs?" Robbie asked.

   "Two are done.  One is mostly done, we have a bridge that isn't quite
right." I looked at Mikee.

   "I called Toby.  He said he thought he and Sally could finish the others
in a week if it's top priority."

   Traci raised her hand and waved it around.

   "What?" You want to leave and go make out with Peter some more?"

   Traci and Peter both turned red, and his sisters giggled.  I really
should have expected the elbow in my stomach.

   "Why top priority?" Traci asked.

   "Oops," I said, realizing that we hadn't explained.  "Robbie."

   Robbie explained while I handed out copies.

   "So now we have to decide if we do The Basement, the new one, or wait
till next year," she concluded.

   "Can we change it?  Mr.  Reed is probably expecting The Basement," Tami
pointed out.

   "We'll work on a what-they-don't-know-won't-hurt-them basis, and just
not mention it.  Since we have to print our own programs, nobody will know
till we go on."

   I grinned.  That was my Robbie.  My adopted cousin Wynter had used the
phrase 'my heart got too big for her chest.' Right then I knew how she
felt, 'cause it sounded like Robbie had already made up her mind without
even reading the new one, and that said a lot about her confidence in me.

   "Go ahead and read it," I said, got up, and headed for the kitchen.  I
grilled some chicken patties, topped them with ham and Swiss, and put them
on buns with a dab of honey mustard.  I was just finishing when Tami came
in and hugged me, a tear in the corner of her eye.

   I loaded plates on a tray, and as I walked back into the living room
Robbie said, "All in favor of doing Zoe's Song?"



   Chapter 29

   "Don't you want to say anything?"

   I looked up from tying my shoe.  Luke Hastings and I were alone in the
locker room.  I'd been late.  Robbie, Tami, Darlene, Mikee and I had been
talking about the play.

   "About?"

   "I passed my drug test Thursday, and you never said anything."

   I looked back down and finished tying my shoe, then stood.  "Good," I
said flatly.

   "That's all?"

   "What do you want, a pat on the back?  Let's be honest, the only reason
I care at all is that I put my reputation on the line too.  You passed one
test.  Try passing the next one, and the one after that.  Maybe after
you've passed fifty, I'll be impressed."

   I turned my back and pulled my helmet out of my locker.

   "About that?"

   I turned back.

   "I don't think it's fair that I have to take a test every week.  Nobody
else does.  I'm clean, that should be enough."

   I decided that I really needed to stop trying to help people.  I
remembered deciding not to get involved anymore before dinner at Darlene's
last year.  How many times have I made that decision?  Hell, I never did
get my ribs.

   "We had a deal," I said simply.

   "Yeah, but, I'm clean.  I'm already back on the team, and I'm doing
great."

   That was true.  Half a dozen sports writers were saying that he was
cinch for all-state.

   "We had a deal.  You don't want to test, don't come back."

   "You can't do that.  Only the coach can kick me out."

   I sighed.  "Try me.  Remember my little medical expert?  Think she can't
tell me how to make your sample test positive?" I wondered if she would -
She seemed a little goody-goody, but there was always Cousin Cin.  "Then
goodbye high school ball, goodbye college."

   "You wouldn't."

   I looked Luke square in the eyes.  "Dude, I put my reputation on the
line for you.  My reputation means a lot to me.  I'll do whatever I have to
in order to protect it.  You want me to make your name random again for
testing, okay.  But the first week you don't test, you're gone."

   I turned and jogged toward the locker room door.  I hoped like hell he
believed me.

   "Where do we stand?" Robbie asked with a sigh.

   "Pretty much square one," I answered with a sigh to match.  "We have to
cast this tonight, and you and I don't agree on how to do it."

   Robbie looked around her living room at the others.  "We could put it to
a vote."

   "Wouldn't be fair to them.  It's a tough position.  They know I'm right,
but they're afraid of you."

   Robbie glared at me and I grinned.

   The Bradley twins on my lap fidgeted.  I think they were worried about
being in the line of fire.

   "Okay, your way," Robbie said after a minute.  "You wrote it.  Hopefully
you know what you're doing." She dropped her eyes.

   "I wouldn't go that far."

   Robbie glared again.  "Just give Tami the cast list," she said with
another sigh.

   I smiled and ticked the twins' ribs.  "We have four adult roles. 
Playing Zoe's mother, Roberta Elizabeth Marie 'Monster Girl' Tate."

   "The bitch from Hell," Robbie murmured.

   "No, she's not a bitch, from Hell or anywhere.  She's a mother in an
impossible situation.  That's why you have to play her.  You're the only
one who can, at least, since Leslie Villiers is the competition."

   Robbie nodded without modesty.  She knew only part of that was buttering
her up.

   "Playing David's mom, Darlene 'Hot Pants' Carter."

   Darlene turned red.  "Hot Pants?"

   I shrugged.  "Playing the doctor, Tamarone Elizabeth..."

   "Careful," she warned.

   "Sharp," I finished.

   She nodded and typed in her name.  "At least it's a step up from nurse
last year."

   "I wanted to get Wynter but she has a test that week."

   Tami stuck her tongue out and typed something else.

   "Playing Zoe's dad, Anthony Marion 'The Rash' Sims."

   "The Rash?" said almost everyone.

   "Inside joke," muttered Robbie.  I grinned.

   "The kid roles are what Robbie and I have been arguing about.  I think
we need to use middle schoolers to help the audience differentiate. 
Playing David's sister, Susie Calloway."

   "You just want to get on her uncle's good side," Robbie accused.

   "Considering how much practice I missed last year, I figure it's a good
idea."

   Robbie smiled and nodded.

   "Playing Crystal, David's girlfriend, Kelly Temple."

   "No nicknames?" Darlene asked.

   "She bites."

   "That leaves David and Zoe," Tami reminded me.

   I hesitated a second to draw out the suspense.

   "Tell them already," Robbie growled.

   "Peter Temple and Traci Sims." Peter wasn't middle school, but he was
small.

   The two had a contest to see who could turn reddest.

   "Tony, can I talk to you?"

   I nodded.  I'd been expecting it, one of the reasons my door was open.

   "I...  I don't know if I can..." Traci looked so cute when she panicked.

   I reached out and took her hands, pulling her into my room and onto my
lap.  "I don't know if you can either.  I guess we'll find out."

   I had a feeling that she was hoping for more than that.  I waited.

   "Maybe we should get somebody else."

   "Who?"

   "Uh, Jenny Piccalo was is the middle school play last year."

   "Nope, Tami's already got your name in the computer."

   "What if I screw up?"

   "Then we lose.  Robbie probably becomes a bag lady."

   Traci blinked.  "A bag lady?"

   "Her life will be ruined.  She never recover.  She'll spend the rest of
her life picking through dumpsters and trash cans."

   Traci giggled.  "I'm over-reacting?"

   "No, you're nervous.  A little nervous is good.  Too much makes you an
alcoholic or gives you an ulcer.  Maybe both."

   "You don't get nervous."

   I laughed.  "Trace, that's the stupidest thing you've ever said.  You
even topped, 'Mommy, look at the pretty kitty.'" The kitty in question was
black with a white stripe down it's back and didn't appreciate the little
girl who ran up and tried to hug it.  Mom didn't appreciate my suggestion
that we tie Traci to the luggage rack for the ride home from the woods,
though I think Dad was considering it after a few minutes, even with all
the windows rolled down.

   "That's not fair.  I was four."

   "I had to ride in the back of the car with you."

   Traci stuck her tongue out.

   "Trace, I don't know if you've noticed, but I've been playing baseball
almost as long as you've been alive."

   "I've noticed.  I've been dragged to enough games."

   "You know, even after all these years, I still get nervous when I step
to the plate.  I worry about letting down my team or looking stupid if I
strike out."

   "You're just making that up."

   "Nope.  Scout's honor." I held up my hand with three fingers extended.

   "You've never been a scout," she accused.

   "Only because they promise to be morally straight in the oath.  I
figured that meant no girls."

   She stared for a minute, digesting that.

   "How's this.  On my love for Tami."

   "You DO get nervous," she said, sounding like she'd just discovered
fire.

   Traci went back to her room, and I turned back to my computer.

   "You know, big brothers are supposed to be pains.  It's in the job
description." Mom said.

   I turned back toward the door.  Mom and Tami were standing there.

   "And just how long have you two been there?"

   Tami came forward and kissed me gently on the forehead.

   "Long enough," Mom said and left us alone.



   Chapter 30

   "How's it going?" I asked, sticking my head into the music room.

   Traci jumped up and raced toward me, throwing her arms around my neck.
"It's perfect," she whispered.

   I looked questioningly at Sally at the piano.  "Her second song," she
explained.

   I hugged my sister, and she kissed me on the cheek.

   "Be sure to hug Sally too," I said as I released her.  "It's her music."

   "I already did."

   I swatted her on the butt, then headed for Mrs.  Wayne's room.

   Toby was plugging his keyboard into the wall when I walked in.  Peter
was standing next to Mrs.  Wayne's desk, shifting nervously.

   "Relax," I ordered, then checked on Toby.  He sat down and ran some
scales, then nodded.  I walked over and put my arm around Peter.  "I
realize nobody asked you the sixty-four thousand dollar question, can you
sing?  Don't sweat it.  We'll just try this.  It's the kind of song that
doesn't have to be perfect."

   "What if I'm no good?"

   I shrugged.  "Then you can't make out with Traci any more."

   Peter turned deliciously red and swallowed hard.

   "Peter, relax.  Singing is supposed to be fun.  If you can't do it, I
can rewrite the scene, add a new character and give it to them, or we can
have someone else sing and you can lip sync, or we can drop this song
completely.  This song is probably the least important in the whole thing."

   "That why you gave it to me?"

   "Nope.  Just worked out that way.  This song and Traci's first one just
move their scenes along, but don't really add to the story."

   "Okay."

   I smiled, hopefully, reassuringly.  "Want me to stay, or do you want to
run through it with just Toby first?"

   "Uh, Toby," he said, sounding like he was afraid of hurting my feelings.

   "Cool.  I can check on Monster Girl and Darlene."

   As I walked toward the auditorium I wondered how we could possibly do
this with only three weeks.  Robby and I had football practice, and Darlene
had cheerleading after school, so we couldn't start practice till six.  Mr.
Reed was letting us use the stage two nights a week, Tuesdays and
Thursdays, since we had a late start.  That was something.  And we had a
couple of classrooms and the music room, too.

   "So how come you don't go to school?" I heard Robbie say as I walked in
the top of the auditorium.

   "I'm sick," Darlene answered as I started down the aisle.

   "You don't look sick.  You look pretty good."

   "Wrong!" I shouted.  I was halfway to the stage.  "You've got to leer
and check out her boobs." I recognized some of Traci and Peter's dialogue
from act one.

   "I'll be checking out the contusion on the side of your skull if you're
not careful," Robbie said without looking up from the script she was
holding.  I grinned, and Darlene stuck her tongue out at me.

   "How's it going?" I asked standing at the foot of the stage.

   "Pretty good," Robbie said.  She picked up a clipboard and made some
notes.  "I've got most of the blocking for act one done.  We can probably
figure act two tonight, and three tomorrow, so that we can walk through it
when we get the stage on Thursday again."

   "Sounds good," I agreed.

   "Most of the dialogue works pretty good, but there are some rough
spots."

   "Works better when you leer."

   "I'll..."

   "Robbie!" I said sharply.  "Come here."

   Robbie looked startled but walked to the steps and came down off the
stage.  As she got to me, I spun her around, put my hands on her shoulders
and started digging my thumbs in.  "Robbie, girl, you've got to relax." Her
muscles were so tight that I might as well have been rubbing a statue.

   "It's just..."

   "It's just that Robbie likes to win.  We know.  It's one of the things
we love about you.  But if you are going to stress out about this, I'll go
to Mr.  Reed tomorrow and tell him we're dropping out."

   "You can't."

   "Want to watch me?"

   "But..."

   "Monster Girl, there is no but.  We're trying to do in three weeks what
everybody else is doing in eight.  With a play and songs that didn't even
exist a month ago.  If we happen to win, great.  If not, well at least the
rest of us are going to have fun trying."

   "But..."

   I turned her around again until I was looking in her eyes.  "Listen to
me.  You're going to have fun, or I'll get the committee together and we'll
fire your ass."

   "Think you can pull it off?"

   "You better believe it." I leaned forward and whispered in her ear. 
"I've got an edge.  I've slept with most of them."

   "You'd probably fuck Susie just to get her vote."

   I grinned.

   "You bastard," she said with a laugh.

   "Feel better?"

   Robbie rolled her neck around.  "Much.  What are you doing now?"

   "I just checked on Traci and Peter.  I'll check on the others next."

   Tami was running lines with Susie and Kelly in Mr.  Calloway's room.

   I started back up the aisle.  "Remind me when we're done and I'll give
you a full massage."

   "I've heard that before," she said sarcastically

   "You still owe me one from June," Darlene added.

   "How does that feel?"

   "Heavenly," Robbie moaned.

   Tami giggled without looking up from the script she was studying.

   I moved my hands from the small of her back down to her butt.

   One of the twins giggled.  The other said, "You're not supposed to touch
her there."

   Tami laid down her script and motioned the younger girls to her.  "A
massage..."

   I didn't bother listening while she explained that massages were
different.  She'd already explained it once when the twins complained that
Robbie was naked.

   Robbie was lying face down and naked on her bed while I tried to make
good my promise from the road trip.

   The night had gone pretty good.  Robbie and Darlene had blocked out all
of acts one and two and gotten a good start on three.  Traci knew both her
songs, and Peter turned out to have a decent voice.  Once he got some
confidence, he'd probably be fine.  If nothing else came up, we'd be okay.

   "You look like you can't decide whether to jump for joy and crawl under
your bed and hide," I said as Robbie walked up to my locker.  The lunch
bell had just rung.

   "We're in.  First team ever," she said without inflection.

   "First team ever to what?" Luke asked.  He'd been asking about playoffs
in Washington before Robbie came up.

   "I don't know.  Ask her," I said, when it hit me.  "Oh no, not..."

   Robbie nodded.  "Yep, the Rebels are going to be the first team ever to
be in back-to-back Halloween Bowls."