Chapter 42

After things settled back in, I decided it was my turn. I was looking at a songbook of Queen music falling asleep the previous night. None of it is in the official songbook yet, but all I need is a piano, TC on the drums and Strings on the electric guitar...

MICHAEL as
FREDDIE MERCURY
Tonight I’m gonna have
myself a real good time
I feel aliiiiiiiiive
And the world I’ll
turn it inside out
And floating around
in ecstasy
So don’t stop me now,
don’t stop me
‘Cause I’m having a good time,
having a good time

I’m a shooting star
leaping through the
sky like a tiger
Defying the laws of gravity
I’m a racing car passing
by like Lady Godiva
I’m gonna go go go
There’s no stopping me
I’m burnin’ through the
sky two hundred degrees
That’s why they call
me Mister Fahrenheit
I’m traveling at
the speed of light
I wanna make a supersonic
man out of you

Some people were catching up, others were just listening!

· Don’t stop me now
I’m having such a good time,
· I’m having a ball
Don’t stop me now
If you wanna have a good time
· just give me a call
Don’t stop me now
‘Cause I’m having a good time
Don’t stop me now
Yes I’m havin’ a good time
I don’t want to stop at all
I’m a rocket ship on
my way to Mars
On a collision course
I am a satellite
I’m out of control
I am a sex machine
ready to reload
Like an atom bomb
about to explode
I’m burnin’ through
the sky two hundred degrees
That’s why they
call me Mister Fahrenheit
I’m traveling at
the speed of light
I wanna make a
supersonic woman of you
Don’t stop me, don’t stop me
Don’t stop me hey hey hey
Don’t stop me,
don’t stop me, I like it
Don’t stop me don’t stop me
Have a good time, good time
Don’t stop me
don’t stop me

Strings performed the bridge amazing

Alright
I’m burnin’ through
the sky two hundred degrees
That’s why they
call me Mister Fahrenheit
I’m traveling at
the speed of light
I wanna make a
supersonic man out of you
Don’t stop me now
I’m having such a good time,
I’m having a ball
Don’t stop me now
If you wanna have a
good time just give me a call
Don’t stop me now
‘Cause I’m having a good time
Don’t stop me now
Yes I’m havin’ a good time
I don’t want to stop at all

After all the applause had settled down, I called up Alice and Katherine to front the GOLD STANDARD version of “The Circle of Life.”

ALICE
From the day we
arrive on the planet
And, blinking,
step into the sun
There’s more to see
than can ever be seen
More to do than
can ever be done
KATHERINE
(some kids were becoming a chorus)
There’s far too much
to take in here
More to find than
can ever be found
But the sun rolling high
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small
on the endless round

EVERYONE
In the Circle of Life
It’s the wheel of fortune
It’s the leap of faith
It’s the band of hope
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle, the Circle of Life

Rides were arriving as the orchestra took over with the flutes and piccolo leading the way. The background singing, I took down real low in volume. As things were ready to go, I brought them all back...

EVERYONE
In the Circle of Life
It’s the wheel of fortune
It’s the leap of faith
It’s the band of hope
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle, the Circle of Life

I stopped them all, then ended with just the piano for two measures...

Everybody loved that. There were hugs all around, even Peter and Katherine. I saw them look at each other for a split second, but Joan’s hug kept me from seeing if there was a payoff kiss or not.

“Maybe that song should be final song of the performance,” Joan said as we still had our arms around each other. James was waiting for her and she left me for him. Hmm, true love?

“Time to pack up and get home everyone. I’d like to thank the newly added Gold Standards for their participation. I need to give the newest people a form for their parents to look over and sign. You can hand it to me at school or our next rehearsal, which is Saturday. No WICKED rehearsal this week. We have the Thomas Auditorium all day, according to Principal McGowan. Thank him when you see him please.”

The group was packing up, and I said, “Oh, is there any other announcements from any of you. Jeff and Nancy took me by surprise.”

Surprisingly, Isabel raised her hand.

“Yes Miss Chapman, do you have a secret you want to announce?” I wanted to take that back the moment I finished saying it.

Looking nervous, but standing up, she said, “I am in love with Michael Thomas.”

Everyone gasped at that, but she went on, “I know that he and Jennifer Guthrie are planning to get married, and I have no right to him, I thought I should tell everyone here. No, nothing has ever happened between us, except for a kiss or two.” She stopped to take a breath. “I may always love him, but it’s not fair to him or Jennifer. I am done.”

That rocked through the people who were still there. Rose and Geena went up to her and hugged her. Quietly people started walking to the bus.

I went to the back and helped pack the instruments. I was getting odd looks from everyone, but no one said anything. Our bus was getting more full every time we used it. I sat down next to Jennifer.

She leaned and said, “Did you know she was going to say that, Michael?”

“Not even. It’s one thing to have the feelings she has, but another to tell so many people at once. Her parents really need to talk with her,” I said.

We stopped at the first drop-off and ended up at the Lincoln Parking lot where Jeff and the Newman’s got off, as did Peter, who both left their cars at the school. He wanted Isabel to come with him, but she politely refused.

The Evansville Central High School Event was one week away. We had plenty of music learned, but I planned on a rehearsal at Lincoln at least once before it happened.

With Brian, Jan, Ally, Katherine, Isabel and me in the bus, mom, who was driving said “How does Hooter’s for dinner sound to everyone?”

Everyone agreed until Isabel asked, “What are Hooters?”

Nobody responded, Jenn hit me in the shoulder like I should explain.

I said, “Izzy come sit on my lap. I will do the best I can without embarrassing anyone in the bus.”

I saw mom, holding back Brian from saying anything.

“OK, what do you know about breasts?”

She giggled really loud; a few others did as well. She saw that I wanted an answer, “Breasts are what girls have that guys don’t.”

“That’s wrong, guys have them too, they just don’t typically get very big, unless the guy is very fat, then you call them ‘Man-boobs.’”

Everybody broke out laughing that time. Even Brian!

“But, guys don’t wear bras ... do they?” she asked innocently.

“No, they don’t. However, girls do, depending on when their breasts start getting big. That depends on a lot of things. Jennifer, what can contribute to a girl having large breasts?”

She blushed and said, “Genetics, if her mother had them that could cause her to have larger ... breasts.”

“So, Isabel, your mother may contribute the genetics, so you have big ones when you get older.”

“Katherine, did your mother have ... breasts as large as you have?”

“I wondered when you were getting to me Michael? No, my mother was never more than a large B cup. I am an E cup.”

Isabel’s mouth opened really wide as she listened and looked down at her chest. “I am just an A cup. I hope they get bigger, but not as big as yours. I’m sorry ... that was rude.”

“That’s OK dear. Go on Michael. You’re doing well,” she said looking at me with this youngster in my lap.

“Nothing is wrong with being the size that you are. If and when your breasts get bigger, you will hopefully appreciate what is going on inside your body as well. Back on my original point ... Hooters, are “overly developed” or “large enough to make a guy look” breasts. Katherine was a Hooter’s girl before she started working full time at Lincoln and Jackson Heights.”

“I see my brother Peter always looking at your breasts. Does that bother you when boys do that?”

“When I was younger, it did. I have gotten used to it by now.”

“How big were you when you were my age?” Izzy asked.

“A large B. Both boys and girls looked at me, the boys thought I was sexy, while the girls accused me of stuffing my bra?”

“I have heard about that, but I will never do it. I would like to be larger, but certainly don’t want to get as big as you are. I did it again, didn’t I? I am sorry Katie.”

“Don’t be. Michael had a real problem when we first met. I swear he would talk to them instead of to me.”

All the ladies laughed at that. Isabel turned in my lap and said, “Is that true, Michael?”

I was beet red, so I couldn’t deny it. “Yes, it still happens, but not as much anymore.”

“We’re here.”

“Thank god,” I said.

After we all got out, I had Izzy and Jenn by the hands, as we walked into the place. I don’t know if Brian had ever been in one before, but he was looking around, either at the construction of the place or of the construction of the ladies.

“HI Michael,” Nikki said bending low enough for me to be nervous. “What can I do for you tonight?”

“Nikki,” Katherine said, “Be gentle, we have a first timer here.”

“And what is your name?” Nikki said to Isabel.

“Isabel Annabelle Chapman,” she said crisp and clear. “I have never been to Hooters before. You are very beautiful Nikki.”

“What a sweetheart. Michael, don’t break her heart like you have mine.”

“Give us a minute with the menu, please. Bring us all some water, please,” I said.

“Now, that is the Michael I remember,” she said swishing her butt as she left.

I got a slap on the chest from Isabel. “Michael! Do you flirt with every girl you meet?”

“Now you know the world I live in,” Jennifer said to her. They high-fived each other.

“She’s not as big as you, is she?” Izzy said to Katherine.

“No, she’s not. When I worked here, I got the biggest tips from customers.”

“You mean just because you have the biggest breasts of all the girls?”

“A lot of groups of just men would come in and appreciated ... my profile.” She sounded very proud.

I showed the menu to Isabel, and she and I were going to order twenty Boneless Chicken wings and some fries. Nikki came back and everyone ordered.

Brian got an eyeful when she came back and put his meal on the table in front of him. They exchanged smiles.

“If you need anything just yell out my name,” she said turning around going back to the kitchen.

Isabel put a chicken wing on her plate and cut it up to eat. I watched her until I caught her eye and plopped the whole wing in my mouth. She giggled and did it with one of the little pieces she had in front of her. She missed the first one but made the second one. I turned to Jenn and tossed a half wing into her mouth. We had done this before, and it ended with a kiss.

Izzy opened her mouth and I tossed half of one, which she caught in her mouth. She quickly chewed it, then I was going to give her a kiss, but she pushed me away. “No Michael, no more kisses. I promised Jennifer.”

Every one of them, except Brian, laughed at that.

Ally said, “Michael the GS Quartet is all here, can we sing Mister Sandman?”

“MOTHER?”

“You got up and played piano and sang in a bar, I think we can sing in a place as nice as this,” Ally said to me adding to the moment.

“They don’t have a stage, everybody sit down why don’t you?” I responded.

Nikki came by, and mom asked, “Could we get up and sing a song for the people who are here right now?”

“Sure. That’s not a problem. Go ahead.”

The four of them stopped eating, took a drink and wiped their fingers and faces. I got up too, motioning them to wait a moment. I got up first.

“Good evening everybody. Put down your wings, thighs and breasts for just a moment. My name is Michael Thomas, and this is my GOLDEN STAHDARD QUARTET!”

There actually was a nice response.

“Even though we have no piano here, they know a marvelous melody from the good old days. Ladies...”

GS QUARTET
Mr. Sandman
Bring me a dream
Make him the cutest
that I have ever seen
Give him two lips
Like roses in clover
Then tell him that
his lonesome nights are over

I was off to the side directing them and they were having a blast. All giggles and jiggles as they sang their favorite song to an audience who loved them.

When they were done, everyone stood up and applauded them.

“We have a large orchestra and many singers. If anyone would like to hire us, I have some business cards for you. Our business manager Brian O’Sullivan happens to be here with us tonight ... thank you all very much! Goodnight.”

The ladies headed back to the table. “That was marvelous,” Isabel said. “I sure wish I could sing something right now.”

“Izzy, you always want to leave your audience wanting more. We will be back here again, I promise.”

We were surrounded by a dozen or so persons ... and I gave out the business cards Brian had made. It looked like we might start getting some regular work. After talking to some of those interested, Brian paid, and we headed out for home.

Alice drove us home. The bus travels well on the highway, very gentle on the rump. She took it to Brian and Jan’s home and we walked home from there. I picked up Isabel, although she didn’t want to be a burden. All my working out has had its benefits. She wasn’t heavy in the slightest. I wouldn’t tell her if she was.

I sneaked a kiss on her cheek.

“Michael, you aren’t supposed to do that anymore,” a tired sounding voice said.

“I couldn’t help it. You are the prettiest eleven-year-old I have ever been around. And, with your announcement earlier, I felt compelled to kiss you at least once today.”

That made her giggle as she leaned her head against mine as we finished our walk home. It was rather crisp out, but the night was beautiful. I felt a kiss behind my ear. Plus, a giggle.

I put a very tired little girl to bed, after Jennifer got her ready to sleep. I pulled the covers up just below her chin. “Good night sweetheart.”

I walked out and Jenn grabbed me, “You are going to be such a wonderful father to our children. Have you thought of any names for our kids?”

“How about Cynthia, with a Y, if it’s a girl?”

“My goodness, you thought of that quickly, Michael,” my girl said.

“That name has been in my head for a while. Do you like it?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Maybe we should take a keyboard every time we go somewhere? We could be ready for chances like we had tonight,” I said.

“That’s thinking ahead,” Ally said walking by us. “I would have loved to have belted out ‘Goldfinger’ or Jen and Katherine singing that Reba duet.”

“‘Does He Love You,’ is what it’s called mother,” Jenn said.

“I have another idea,” I said sitting down at the breakfast table.

“Those ideas of yours always cost money,” Katherine said pushing her breasts into the back of my head.

“Anyway, I have gotten popup ads for places that sell design-your-own T-shirts. We could take the design we gave Brian and make T-shirts or hoodies for our Society to wear as a form of advertising.”

“That sounds like a great idea, but it’s late and school is tomorrow. I haven’t seen you limping since we got back from Hooters. Going to school tomorrow?” Alice asked.

“Yeah, I hate missing school ... I want to go on the record saying that.”

Apparently, Isabel had a hard time getting up. We had her up later than she was used to, but a hot shower and a good breakfast put that dazzling smile back on her face.

As Jenn, Izzy, and I all went on our way to school, Izzy asked, “Who put me to bed last night?”

“Jennifer changed you into bed clothes, but I put you to bed and tucked you in. Don’t worry ... I was a complete gentleman. I did give you a kiss on the cheek and closed your door.

“Thank you very much, both of you. You treat me better than my own parents do, I may never want to go home again.”

“Ha-ha,” Jennifer said. “I am feeling the same way, although I still need to keep my eye on you. You like to kiss my fiancé too much.”

I looked at Izzy and she blushed, “He is awfully cute, don’t you think Jennifer?”

“I agree, Isabel,” she said.

We arrived in time for me to go and apologize for missing a school day to both principals.

As I went through the day, I reminded the necessary persons about a Duet concert rehearsal at Lincoln High after school.

Every time I saw a fellow member of the GS Society, he or she gave me a thumbs up, which I returned. I do occasionally get stopped by a cellist or bassist asking why I don’t have any in the GSO, but my answer is still space and sound issues.

The same thing happens with oboe players and French horn players. Even eleven-year-old harpist Selena Marshal has expressed interest in joining. I would likely add another saxophonist, if I did anything.

Everyone started to show up, including Jeremy who was going to help me while I helped to start staging the singers.

We would go in order today.

“Lorenzo and Isis, come on up. I hope you have this memorized.” They nodded, as the trumpets began...

LORENZO
Love is a burning thing
And it makes a fiery ring.
Bound by wild desire
I fell into a ring of fire.
I fell into a
burning ring of fire,
I went down, down, down as
the flames went higher
And it burns, burns, burns,
The ring of fire, the ring of fire.

ISIS
The taste of love is sweet
When hearts like ours meet.
I fell for you like a child,
Oh, but the fire went wild.

BOTH
We fell into a
burning ring of fire,
We went down, down, down as
the flames went higher
And it burns, burns, burns,
The ring of fire, the ring of fire.

I fell into a
burning ring of fire,
I went down, down, down as
the flames went higher
And it burns, burns, burns,
The ring of fire, the ring of fire.
And it burns, burns, burns,
The ring of fire, the ring of fire,
The ring of fire, the ring of fire.

I kept them close to each other as they sang. I had mentioned even looking at one another occasionally, which made ten-year-old Isis Gray blush a little.

Everyone enjoyed the song, but it needed some kick to it. I excused them and Lily Newman and Rich Mitchell came up holding hands. Wow, would those two families have a great time at a wedding of those two eleven-year olds.

Anyway, they got in position and quite emotionally performed the marvelous “Somewhere Out There.”

Next up featuring Honora on drums and Jason on electric guitar, “Highway Don’t Care...”

ARTHUR AKER
Bet your window’s rolled down
and your hair’s pulled back
And I bet you got no idea
you are going way too fast
You’re trying not to think
about what went wrong
Trying not to stop ‘til
you get where you goin’
You’re trying to stay awake
so I bet you turn on the radio
And the song goes

MARY MITCHELL
I can’t live without you,
I can’t live without you, baby
I can’t live without you,
I can’t live without you, baby, baby

Wow!

BOTH
The highway won’t
hold you tonight
The highway don’t
know you are alive
The highway don’t care
if you are all alone
But I do, I do.

The highway
won’t dry your tears
The highway don’t
need you here
The highway don’t care
if you are coming home
But I do, I do.

(Strings had fun on his electric.)

I bet you got a
dead cell phone
in your shotgun seat
Yeah, I bet you are bending
God’s ear talking ‘bout me.
You’re trying not to
let the first tear fall out
Trying not to think
about turning around
You’re trying not to
get lost in the sound
but that song is always on
So you sing along

After they were finished, I yelled, “Wow! That was fantastic. Your voices blended so well, you must have practiced without me.”

They both blushed, as he said, “Yeah, a little.”

Things moved along well from there.

“No Air” performed by Tina and Rose Michaels was up. A guy and a gal originally performed this song, but I reimagined with these eleven-year-old twin sisters along with a small chorus of eight supporting them...

TINA
Tell me how I am supposed
to breathe with no air
If I should die before I wake
It’s ‘cause you took my breath away
Losing you is like living
in a world with no air
Oh
ROSE
I am here alone, didn’t wanna leave
My heart won’t move,
it’s incomplete
Wish there was a way that
I can make you understand
TINA
But how do you expect me
to live alone with just me
‘Cause my world
revolves around you
It’s so hard for me to breathe
CHORUS
Tell me how I am supposed
to breathe with no air
Can’t live, can’t
breathe with no air
It’s how I feel
whenever you ain’t there
It’s no air, no air
Got me out here
in the water so deep
Tell me how you
gonna be without me
If you ain’t here,
I just can’t breathe
It’s no air, no air
No air, air
No air, air
No air, air
No air, air

They continued on and sang so nicely together until it was over. I started them a wonderfully earned applause.

Number after musical number went by with much improvement. That was especially true when Amy and Blake came up together holding hands to get in position to sing “I have Had The Time of My Life.” I sensed that something was about to happen, as they stood face-to-face ready for the music to begin...

BLAKE
Now I have had
the time of my life
No I never felt like this before
Yes I swear it’s the truth
and I owe it all to you

She was very close to him!

AMY
‘Cause I have had
the time of my life
and I owe it all to you

As the song went into its traditional rhythm they started to dance, quite well, and a bit risqué!

BLAKE
I have been waiting for so long
Now I have finally found someone
To stand by me
AMY
We saw the writing on the wall
As we felt this magical fantasy
BOTH
Now with passion in our eyes
There’s no way we
could disguise it secretly
So we take each other’s hand
‘Cause we seem to
understand the urgency

I wondered who helped them?

BLAKE
Just remember
AMY
You’re the one thing
BLAKE
I can’t get enough of
AMY
So I will tell you something
BOTH
This could be love because
They were actually salsa dancing – Fabulous!

BOTH
I have had the time of my life
No I never felt this way before
Yes I swear it’s the truth
And I owe it all to you
‘Cause I have had
the time of my life
And I have searched through
every open door
‘Til I found the truth
And I owe it all to you

It was not the dance from the movie, but it was just as entertaining.
AMY
With my body and soul
I want you more than
you will ever know
BLAKE
So we will just let it go
Don’t be afraid
to lose control
AMY
Yes I know what’s
on your mind
When you say
“Stay with me tonight.”
BLAKE
Just remember
You’re the one thing
AMY
I can’t get enough of
BLAKE
So I will tell you something
BOTH
This could be love because
‘Cause I had the time of my life
No I have never
felt this way before
Yes I swear it’s the truth
And I owe it all to you
‘Cause I have had
the time of my life
And I have searched
through every open door
Till I found the truth
and I owe it all to you
While the band was groovin’ the two youngsters were having the time of their young life dancing very close with him behind her.

When finally finished, I said quite anxiously, “Now that’s what I call performing. Anyone who wants to be great, remember what you just saw. They were perfect strangers at tryouts. Now, they are a singing and dancing phenom. Very good ... all of you.”

“Could the Gold Standard Society stay to rehearse for a while?”

“YES,” came from all around me.

“The rest of you can stay and be an audience, if you would like?”

I believe that was already happening.

After a ten-minute break, I asked them to settle down.

“OK you guys, I am going to pick out songs that you should know by now. Singers, listen carefully to the music being played and the other singers. Somebody, I have no idea who, once said, ‘Acting is not talking, acting is listening and reacting to those around you.’ You are not just singers you have all become entertainers. Nancy, please take my place?

“Number 116 – We Have All the Time in the World”

Jeff Newman came up and got in front of the center stage microphone...

We have all the
time in the world
Time enough for
life to unfold
All the precious things
love has in store
We have all the
love in the world
If that’s all we have
You will find we
need nothing more

Every step of the
way will find us
With the cares of
the world far behind us

We have all the
time in the world
Just for love nothing more
nothing less only love

I had a blast directing my orchestra directly for a while, having Mr. Bell stand up for his solo.

Every step of the
way will find us
With the cares of the
world far behind us
We have all the
time in the world
Just for love nothing more
nothing less only love

Mike Bell took the final measures and made them his own...

Only love!

“Marvelous, Jeffrey, you have been practicing, haven’t you?”

“Yes Sir, I have. Thank you, Sir,” he said leaving the stage.

“Number 13 – Blue Skies.”

Isabel, Rose, and Geena ran up on stage together.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I give to you, “The Silver Note Sisters...”

Blue skies smiling at me
Nothing but blue skies do I see
Bluebirds singing a song
Nothing but bluebirds all day long

Never saw the sun
shining so bright
Never saw things that
were going so right
Noticing the days hurrying by
When you are in love,
my, how they fly

Blue days, all of them gone
Nothing but blue skies from now on
Blue skies smiling at me
Nothing but blue skies do I see

Never saw the sun shining so bright
Never saw things going so right
Noticing the days hurrying by
When you are in love,
my, how they fly

Blue days - Blue days,
all of them gone
Nothing but blue skies
from now on
Nothing but blue skies
from now on

Man, these young ladies have been working and the harmonies were practically perfect. The audience agreed!

“Number 18 – Moon River”