Disclaimer – I own nothing of Ragtime or RENT. Both belong to their respected owners. 'Nuff said.
Italics are song lyrics and thoughts.
A/N: While I was listening to my Ragtime soundtrack, an idea for a story using this song popped into my head. I will update my chapter stories, so no worries.
Summary: AU: After seeing Ragtime, the Bohos decide to act out two of the songs – Make Them Hear You and Your Daddy's Son. Angel lives. Set in 2008. All pairings mentioned. Two-shot.
Genre: General/None
Rating: T
CHAPTER ONE
(chapter title – Make Them Hear You)
"I'm bored." Mimi announced one night. Everyone looked over at the tiny stripper. "What? Strippers can be bored."
Everyone laughed.
"I have an idea." Maureen spoke up.
"This should be interesting." Mark whispered in Roger's ear.
"I saw that there's a revival of Ragtime at the Palace Theater. Why don't we go to that?" Maureen suggested.
"That's actually not a bad idea." Collins interjected.
"I need to call a sitter for Amelia. I'll be right back." Mimi announced, going to the kitchen to call a sitter for her and Roger's two-year-old daughter.
"Why not bring the kid with us?" Roger suggested.
"Absolutely not – it's too violent for a two-year-old." Maureen argued.
Fifteen minutes later, the seven of them squished into two cabs – Roger, Mimi, Angel and Collins in one and Mark, Maureen and Joanne in the other. The cabs stayed close to each other, which was a good thing.
Upon arriving at the theatre, Roger bought Mimi an autographed copy of the soundtrack of Ragtime. She squealed and hugged her husband tightly.
"Consider it an early anniversary present." Roger said, wrapping an arm around Mimi's shoulders. When they looked at their tickets, the seven of them noticed they weren't seated together – Joanne and Maureen were in the very first row, behind the orchestra. Angel, Collins and Mark were in the second row of the balcony. Roger and Mimi, however, were seated in the middle of the theatre.
The seven of them headed to their seats, letting each other know that they would see each other at intermission.
As the lights dimmed, Mimi rested her head on Roger's shoulder and kissed his cheek. Roger smiled and put an arm around the back of her chair.
After the show was over, the friends took two cabs back to the loft. This time, the girls were in one and the guys were in the other.
"So, Collins, what was your favorite song?" Roger inquired.
"I liked Make Them Hear You. That was such a powerful song. What about you, Rog?"
"It was a tie between Gliding and Your Daddy's Son."
"You softie." Collins teased. He then turned to Mark. "What about you Mark?"
"I liked all of them."
"If you could pick one, which one would you choose?"
"Only one, huh? Then I guess Journey On."
"I liked that one, too." Roger agreed.
Meanwhile, in the girls' cab, the four of them were singing the end of Your Daddy's Son – all of their favorite song.
"I also liked The Night That Goldman Spoke At Union Square." Angel told the others.
"I loved Crime of the Centaury." Maureen and Mimi announced in unison.
"My favorite would have to be Wheels of a Dream and Goodbye My Love." Joanne told the others.
Once everyone was at the loft and had some hot chocolate, an idea came to Collins and Maureen at the same time.
"I have an idea!" Collins and Maureen announced at the same time.
"Whoa, two ideas at the same time – somebody call the newspaper!" Roger joked. Mimi, who was seated on the couch, took one of the throw pillows and aimed it at Roger's head.
"Hey!" Roger yelped.
"Sorry baby." Mimi apologized.
"Let's hear the ideas." Angel cut in, turning her attention to Collins and Maureen.
"Thanks, baby." Collins thanked her. "Anyway, my idea was to have the guys perform a song from Ragtime and the girls also perform a song."
"That was my idea, too!" Maureen squeaked.
Everyone laughed.
The seven of them divided into two groups – the guys and girls. The guys went to Roger's room while the girls went to Mark's.
"Okay, girls, what song should we sing?" Joanne inquired.
"Your Daddy's Son." The three women announced in unison.
Joanne laughed.
Meanwhile, in Roger's room…
"I loved that song Make Them Hear You." Collins announced.
"I liked that one, too." The others agreed.
"Looks like we're gonna sing that one." Collins told his friends.
The seven of them exited Mark and Roger's rooms and met in the living area.
"What song are you guys singing?" Maureen inquired.
"Make Them Hear You." Collins announced.
"What song are you girls singing?" Roger questioned.
"Your Daddy's Son." Mimi answered.
After flipping a coin, it was decided that the guys went first. Collins put on an old hat over his beanie while Mark and Roger sat on crates. The girls made popcorn and made themselves comfortable on the couch.
"We're gonna be singing Make Them Hear You from Ragtime." Roger told the girls as Collins and Mark entered and walked onto the stage.
"Go out and tell the story.
Let it echo far and wide.
Make them hear you.
Make them hear you.
How that justice was our battle
And how justice was denied.
Make them hear you
Make them hear you." Roger sang, stepping aside so that the other two men could have a turn.
"And say to those who blame us
For the way we chose to fight
That sometimes there are battles
Which are more than black or white.
And I could not put down my sword
When justice was my right
Make them hear you
Make them hear you." Collins sang.
"My path may lead to heaven or hell
And God will say what's best
But one thing he will never say
Is that I went quietly to my rest.
Go out and tell our story
To your daughters and your sons.
Make them hear you
Make them hear you." Mark crooned. The three men then joined hands and faced the women.
"Proclaim it from your pulpit
In your classroom with your pen
Teach every child to raise his voice
Then my brothers, and then
Will justice be demanded
By ten million righteous men.
Make them hear you
When they hear you
I'll be near you again." The three of them harmonized.
The women let out a burst of applause as the men exited the stage.