Chapter 4

This time, all the grouped contestants were asked to wait in the hallway as the judges determined their fate. You could feel the tension in the air as the forty-five minutes seemed to drag on forever.

The judges took a short break, then, one by one, each group was called into the room to hear their verdict. For dramatic effect, the contestants walked into a darkened room, the floor lit by spotlights leading to the judges.

Several cameras recorded the judges and the competitors as they were critiqued for their performances. The judges took turns telling those from each group who were finished in the competition and those who would return tomorrow. In the hallway, another camera recorded the sad reactions of those sent home and the jubilant responses of those returning tomorrow.

Several in the hallway kept a running total as to who would move on in the competition. Previous Canadian Idol seasons required an even split of males and females for the top twenty-four, but not this year.

Brad and Abby were congratulated on their performance with subtle sexual overtones. They were told they both have what it takes to make it to the top ten if the public votes in their favour, and they have made it through to tomorrow’s performance. Once the last group had received their results, the remaining forty were called into the theatre.

“From now on, it only gets tougher. Tomorrow you’ll sing for us one last time,” Sass began.

“You’ll now have two minutes to perform your song,” Zack added. “And don’t go over the time limit,” he stated, looking directly at Brad.

Jake added his thoughts, “You’ll have to learn a new song if you don’t already know one, or you can sing the one you auditioned with if you like. I know you’ll feel tired and stressed out. Welcome to the entertainment business. It takes a lot of hard work to earn that glory. Imagine having to give your all in a two and a half-hour concert three nights out of four.”

“Place your song choice on the paper beside the door entrance, and good luck,” Farley added.

“I’m not sure what I want to sing. I didn’t expect to make it this far,” Brad remarked to Abby as they observed most of the forty writing their song choice on the paper.

“The same with me, I could do, Living In A Moment’ again. Let’s ask Jully for her thoughts.”

Jully was happy to spend the next half hour discussing song choices with them and commented, “Of the thousands of songs to choose from, you seem to draw on those that are at least twenty years old.”

“Sometimes the old ones tell a good story,” Brad replied.

They left her with confidence in their decisions. Brad not only helped Abby with her song, but he also had to practice his new song. Off to a corner of the conference room, they worked together until midnight, with Brad making use of John’s piano to work on his song.

Abby’s gaze locked on him as he sang, and he looked at her. “Do I ever love you!” She professed once again.

The final day arrived. Coincidentally, it was Friday, the 13th.

Forty remaining contestants sat on chairs in the hallway, waiting to sing for their lives. The stress level was very high for everyone. Several were called into the room to wait as the first person sang their song. The camera would follow those waiting as they’d strum a guitar or pace back and forth with nervous energy.

Brad joined Abby in the off-stage waiting area. Katelyn came off the stage visibly upset at her performance. Earl stopped midway through his song, and then Nicholaus forgot the words to his. Katherine, whom Abby had talked to several times, had a poor performance, saying she froze during her song.

“Now I’m getting really nervous!” Abby fretted.

“You’ll do fine; I have faith in you,” Brad said, hugging her close and kissing her forehead.

“Abby, your next,” the stage manager announced. She was taking a risk because she hadn’t asked permission for Brad to play guitar for her.