User:Season.b/sandbox

Chapter 1 The CUT The curtains fell away. The lights dimmed. 12 year old Kira forced her legs to move out onto the stage. She was supposed to look like a graceful swan, but she felt like a waddling turkey. Her legs felt like lead, and her head was spinning. Just as she was about to go into her first arabesque, her feet flew from beneath her and she landed flat on her face. She tried to pick herself up, but her feet were glued to the floor. The crowd was glaring and heading for the door. Kira had let down everyone. The audience turned into a blur in front of her eyes. Finally, everything went dark.

Kira awoke with a start and looked around her in shock, then relief. That had just been a dream! She was no longer in front of a crowd of angry people, she was back in her theater camp dorm! She wanted to shout for joy. She threw back the covers and tiptoed to the window. The sun was just coming up, a beautiful horizon. Kira went back to her bed and pulled out her suitcase. The fastening clicked open and she pulled out her outfit for the day, a knee skirt and a sweater. She pulled them on as fast as she could, and shoved her nightgown back into her suitcase. She looked over at the other bed in the room. The covers were pulled back neatly, so Kira knew her best friend Neely had already gotten up. She knew they didn't need to get up till eight o' clock, but Neely was always one for early rising. Kira noticed something stuck to Neely's bed covers. It was a note. 'Got up at 7:30. I will be sitting in the left front corner of the lunch room if you want to find me.' Kira looked at her watch. It was only 7:34. “Maybe I can catch up with her before she reaches the lunchroom for breakfast.” she thought. Kira opened the door quietly. She could just see Neely's slim figure disappearing around the corner at the end of the long hall of dorms. Kira tiptoe-ran down the hall. She passed countless doors, and between every ten room doors, there was a bathroom. She had only been at theater camp for a day, and she already knew the morning rules. No running loudly in the halls, and no getting up before 7:00 or after 8:00. She had always wanted to go to normal theater camp, but her Mom had found her something even better. It was called C.U.T. Christian University of Theater. It was for ten to fifteen year old boys and girls, and it was a blast. Surprisingly, it didn't cost as much as you would expect. It happened during the summer, and it stretched over a whole two weeks! On the last Sunday, everyone would perform in the show. Kira had been so excited to go, and when she heard Neely, her best friend from church was going, she was even more excited. Speaking of Neely, Kira had almost caught up with her, so she called “Neely, wait up!” Neely, without even looking back had recognized her and said “Hi Kira!”. Then she turned around, and the skirt of her fashionable dress swirled around her ankles. “Did you get my note? I mean, I was going to wait for you to get up, but I was too excited about the announcement that I just had to go.” Kira looked at Neely with a blank expression. Neely pulled her silky incredibly long brown hair into a high ponytail as they arrived at the lunchroom. “Kira Blakesley! Are you telling me you forgot about the announcement??!!” Neely asked, incredulously. Kira looked puzzled. Neely cracked up. “You know!!! Madeline!!!” she managed through her giggles. “Madeline? What has that got to do with-” Kira suddenly realized what Neely was hinting and slapped her forehead. “How could I have forgotten?! The reading of the cast list!” Kira and Neely had had their auditions for The Story of The Secret Woods: The Musical the day before, and Kira had wanted the part of Princess Madeline more than anything else. Neely had wanted to be the Wise Deer. They were both very graceful in the dance audition, but Kira had totally flunked the line reading. She didn't think she would get a part at all. Probably just the ensemble or something. Neely caught her discouraged look. “Don't worry. You did amazing in the dance section. You... Might even get the Wise Deer.” Kira looked into her friend's green eyes and smiled. It took a lot of guts for her friend (Who wanted the W.D herself) to say that. “Thanks. For being here with me when I don't, well... Never mind.”  Neely had the understanding look of a true friend on her face. The two girls made their way towards the table on the far left front of the lunchroom, (L. room for short). Kira shivered in her sweater, because the heater hadn't kicked in yet. Neely settled down next to Kira and opened the book she had been carrying. It was called Famous Poems and Stories. Kira peeked over Neely's shoulder and read the first poem. Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore, While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. “How can you read this stuff?” Kira asked. “It's like gibberish!” Neely tore her eyes from the page. “It's not gibberish, it's a famous poem by Edgar Allan Poe. Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December, and each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor. Whoooooo!!!” Neely howled in a ghostly voice. Kira giggled. “Creepy!” At that moment, the wake up bell rang through the building. Already, girls and boys were trickling through the double doors of the L. room. “This place is going to be packed when everyone gets in here. Should we save a seat for Olivia?” Kira asked. Neely shut her book and put it in her bag. “I don't see why not. She looked pretty lonely yesterday.” Kira waved a shy looking red haired girl over to their table. “Come on over here, Olivia!” Called Neely. Olivia, her eyes shining walked over to them. “Do you want to sit with us today?” Asked Kira. “Really? I mean, sure!” Smiled Olivia. “I don't know anyone here, so thanks for asking!” She slid onto the seat next to Neely. “Do you know when they are going to read the cast list?” she questioned Kira. “At 8:30, thirty minutes before start time. What part did you try out for?” Kira said. Olivia frowned. “I tried out for Mrs. toad. I didn't know what else to do, since I'm such a bad actor!” Then Olivia started laughing. “I guess I was pretty good at being Mrs. Toad, too!” Neely and Kira looked at each other, then burst out laughing too. “What? It's true!!!” She managed through her tittering. Just then, Dr. Corolla, the tall, blond haired Director, stepped up and clapped five times to quiet everyone. “Hello everyone!” She called. A chorus of 'hello's erupted through the room. When everyone quieted, Dr. Corolla spoke again. “If everyone would get in two single file lines, then we can serve breakfast as quickly as possible. Then we can announce the cast!” Everyone cheered and clapped, and Kira, Neely and Olivia began to walk toward the tables. But just as they were about to reach the first serving table, a whole crowd of boys walked in front of them. When all the boys had cleared, the line was a mile long, and the three girls were at the end of it. Kira's shoulders slumped. “This could take a while.” She said, glumly. Neely sighed and pulled out her book. Olivia suddenly looked at the book with interest. “Famous Poems and Stories??!!” She asked, amazed. “I have two copies of that at home!” Then, almost as if she hadn't even taken a breath, she closed her eyes, and recited the whole The Raven poem without even pausing. That is a long poem. When she opened her eyes, She found that Kira and Neely were both staring at her in awe. “HOW did you do that??!!” Asked Kira. “I bet I couldn't even memorize one line of that poem!” Olivia chuckled. “It was easy! I just memorized little sections every night. It was actually sort of a school assignment my Mom gave me.” Kira suddenly had a question in her eyes. “Wait, your Mom gave you a school assignment? Are you home schooled?” Olivia met her eyes with a slightly proud look. “I'm home schooled and proud of it.” she said defiantly. Kira looked confused for the second time that day. Then, she smiled apologetically at Olivia. “I'm so sorry, Olivia. I didn't mean to sound scornful. And why would I? Neely and I are home schooled too! That's why I was so surprised!” The girls had reached the front of the line, and they began to shovel scrambled eggs and bacon onto their plates. After they had served up and returned to their tables, Dr. Corolla went again to the front of the room. First, she asked everyone to bow their heads while she blessed the food. “And now, if everyone is ready, I will read off the cast list!” She announced.

Chapter 2 Cast Lists and Sneezing Dr. Corolla adjusted her glasses and began reading. “First, I will read the ensemble.” She began to read a list of names. Olivia listened carefully, and Kira did also. Shannon S, Marcy D, Lori and James J, The list went on and on. Finally Dr. C announced, “Now I will be reading the individual parts.”  Kira looked up. Here was the interesting part, she thought. Director Corolla started to read the actors for the parts like Hidden Beaver, Sparkling Fish, and Chatter Squirrel. Finally, “Mrs. Toad, Olivia M.” Olivia shoved her fist in her mouth to keep from laughing out loud. Kira pinched her nose and held her lips shut to suppress any seemingly rude noise that might disturb the Director's speech. Neely tried hard not to laugh, but a giggle made it's way around her tightly closed lips. Olivia motioned to her fist with her other hand and gestured towards Neely. Neely took her own fist and put it in her mouth too. Kira just watched everything with silent laughter. Then Neely heard her own name. “Wise Deer, Neely A.” Kira looked at Neely and smiled a giant smile. Neely almost burst with happiness. “Yes!” She breathed. Then she looked at Kira, and Kira felt uncomfortable uncertainty. Neely and Olivia had gotten the parts they wanted, but what about Kira? Kira pushed those thoughts away. She would get the part she would get, and that was it. The Director was reading the more major parts now. Prince Stewart, Queen Lucia, and finally, Princess Madeline. “Princess Madeline, Kira B.” announced Dr. C. Kira could have shouted out loud. Neely and Olivia grinned, and some of the other girls from Kira's age group gave her high-fives. But then, everything quieted when Dr. C read another name. “Sprawling Snake, Kira B.” Kira's excitement turned to confusion. Could their be two Kira B’s? Was she the one who had gotten... Sprawling Snake? Her mind was racing, and she thought of the horrible possibilities this part could bring... She was backstage, ready to go out. When the curtain drew, her relatives, friends, and parents would be expecting her to put on a fantastic show. But instead of a beautiful princess, she would slither out onto the stage in a horribly awful snake costume. Everyone would be disgusted! Kira shook these thoughts away and stopped daydreaming. She knew her parents would be proud of her whether she got Princess Madeline, the court Jester, or the Sprawling Snake. “Er, Kira Bushardie will be the sprawling snake.” Finished Dr. Corolla. Kira heaved a meaningful sigh of relief as Dr. Corolla finished the announcement. “I know you all tried hard in the auditions, and we appreciate all your efforts. Remember that there are no small parts, only small actors. I hope you all are pleased with your parts. Now, to get to business, my assistant Director, Mrs Gledhill, will fill you in on where you need to be today.” Mrs. Gledhill, a shortish person with shoulder red curly hair, took the microphone graciously. “Thank you. Today is going to be a little easy because we are just doing a read through first. That will take place in the B room, otherwise known as the auditorium. After that will come lunch, or snack as we call it. Then we will all head to the C room, (Music room) and learn the opening song, and any remaining time will be spent on learning lines. Everyone clear?” Mrs. Gledhill scanned the crowd of eager kids. Nobody raised their hand. “Good. I'm going to pass around the scripts so everyone will get one. Now let's get this show on the road!” The kids all cheered or clapped. Kira and Neely received their scripts and linked arms to head the the B room. Olivia fingered her copy of The Story of the Secret Woods and looked at them, sadly. “I won't get to spend much of the day with you guys, except for the read-through.” She said, pretending to make a pouty face. “That's okay, we will still get to meet at snack, and meeting. Besides, it makes the times we do get to see each other special!” Kira reassured her. Olivia smiled, and linked arms with her. All three girls headed for the auditorium. Neely went ahead and pulled the double doors open. Olivia and Kira slipped through and Neely let the door fall shut behind them. Soon, The girls found a seat and opened their scripts. “Why am I always trapped within the gates of my own castle? Why can I not go out to see the wonders of the world?” Read Kira, looking at her first line. Neely laughed. “You're lucky. You have the first line in the whole play! I have to wait till scene six!” She flipped through her script. “See? Right here. 'Why has your spirit left you, Princess? You will find your way back and be safe from danger.' Kind of as lousy first line, if you ask me.”  Then turning to Olivia, Neely asked, “What's your first line? Which scene is it in?” Olivia turned the pages of the play. “I come in right here, scene three. '(Croak) Whassa matta little girly?' I think my first line is better than yours, Neely.”  She laughed. Just then, Dr. Corolla signaled everyone to begin the read through. “Don't lag, pick up your cues, and help your fellow actors by concentrating on your own lines.” She instructed. Then she said a quick prayer. “Now you can begin!” she declared. Kira went back to her first page and read her line in a loud clear voice. “Why am I always trapped within the gates of my own castle?” She tried to sound as princess-like as possible. The boy who played Prince Stewart answered her. “Because you have to stay inside and practice your stitches. You don't have to do real jobs like us men do.” He said, sounding quite annoying on purpose. Kira read her next line, and her acting came naturally as the read-through went on. Since no one knew the songs yet, Dr. Corolla plugged her iPod into the speakers, and the cast listened to the songs. Kira loved her character, and became very excited about her part as the musical came near to the end. Soon, at scene eight act two, Kira broke out with a “NO!!! I will NOT do as you have asked!!” She looked up, startled, as if her own loudness had broken a sort of spell. But no one was laughing, they were all deep in the story. Kira found her place again, and continued. Finally, the read-through was over. It wasn't quite lunchtime yet, so all the kids practiced their lines. Kira and Neely were practicing the scene they had together, and Kira was trying to remember her lines without looking at the script. “Well, I bet I could memorize some of these lines if I could just go somewhere quiet to study them.” Kira said, thoughtfully. “All these cast members saying lines at once is kind of distracting.” “You better get used to it.” said Neely. “Now, about that scene. Try it again. I'll help you out if you get stuck. “Okay.” Said Kira. “Umm.. I know you are sad, er, I mean, I know you are distraught, but, umm, I, umm, Neely? Can you help me out here?” Kira opened her script. “I don't think I know my lines quite well enough to be able to do them from memory.” Neely smiled and rolled her eyes. “Well, obviously. I mean, you did just get your script earlier today..” Kira laughed “Kira, the Amazing, can memorize all her lines in under an hour and-”  Kira couldn't go on because she suddenly needed to sneeze. “AH- AAH- CHOO!” She rubbed her nose. Then she saw Neely's expression. Worry. “What? I just sneezed! You're looking at me like I just coughed up Mrs. Toad or something!”  She had meant it as a joke, but Neely wasn't smiling. “I know it was just a sneeze, Kira. I'm not paranoid. I was just thinking. What if you got sick? You should probably be careful not to get too chilly, and make sure to drink lots of liquids, otherwise you might catch a cold, or worse!” Kira sneezed again. “It's nothing. You know that.” She knew Neely was sometimes paranoid, but she also knew Neely was known by friends and family as the one who is usually gets sick easily. “But if you're that worried, I'll take the vitamin C my Mom insisted on packing.” Neely sighed. “That was smart of her. You never know what could happen during a performance.” Just then, the lunch bell rang. “Well, come on!” said Kira. When Neely got up from her sitting position on the carpet, she sneezed “AH-CHOO!” Kira glanced meaningfully at her as they stepped out of the auditorium into the atrium. Neely just sniffed and remarked, “Boy, sure is dusty in there!”

Chapter 3

After a delicious lunch of quesadillas, red bell peppers, and apple juice, Olivia, Neely and Kira skipped to the music room. “I forgot to ask. What room are you at, Olivia?” asked Neely. Olivia thought for a moment, then answered slowly. “Umm, I think I'm in Room #17 on the first floor. My roommate is a girl named Shirley Georgina. I know that because she reminded me at least four times. In her exact words 'I don't want you to ever, ever call me Georgie, Shirl, or even Shirley. It's always Shirley Georgina, and DON'T YOU FORGET IT!' She's pretty bossy, and I wish I was in a room with someone else, but, well, I'm not.”  Olivia sighed. “I miss my older sister, Lil. She's in college. She can be pretty bossy too, but at least she's better than SG. Oh! I mean Shirley Georgina. We wouldn't want to hurt her feelings, now would we?” Kira rolled her eyes. “Neely's mom pulled a few strings so that Neely and I could room together.” she said.