The scene was the Los Angeles Auditorium, and the audience was packed as America chose its next American Idol. The handsome blonde host had his make-up checked and the judges briefly departed to stretch their feet. One of them signed autographs for his fans, the former female pop idol of the group was getting her looks prepped again and the sometimes caustic British idol was talking on his cell phone while waiting on his co-stars. Out of the top twelve, nine had been eliminated. The person kicked off tonight would be singing with the boyishly handsome Idol favorite this year. Would it be the sexy young lady with the tight dress and ample cleavage or the tall roguishly good-looking rocker with the brown hair? It could just might be two guys in the end. Before revealing the results of the often suspiciously manipulated results, there would be a musical star to amp up the anxiety. Back stage, the girl known to the world under the name of Hannah Montana was looking at her father in a big fake mustache.
"Wow, I can't believe I'm doing Idol." Hannah cheered for herself.
"Yeah," Robby Ray Stewart, a former country star himself, prompted his daughter. "It seems to me that three years ago I recall you in another talent contest in Nashville launching you as Hannah." He flashed on his girl's big start. "I've been so proud of you ever since, bud."
"Thanks, dad…" Hannah hugged her dad while a stage manager came up to her.
"Ryan will introduce you in five minutes, Mrs. Montana." She replied as another girl touched up Hannah. "Can you find your mark?"
"Sure."
"And don't worry about the mean British judge on the end." Robby assayed his daughter's fears away. "His bark is worth than his bite. Plus, if he says anything, I'll be out there!"
"Daddy…" She lightly scolded her father against embarrassing her. "I'm not getting that close to him." Hannah rushed to her mark behind a large assembly of gears and motors. She took a deep breath, looked upon a monitor as the seconds were counted down. The celebrity judges rushed to their chairs. The show started and the introduction began. The audience roared like a hurricane. The sound was deafening. It was like point break before a hurricane of sound.
"Our guest this night has sold over one billion albums in just under three years, breaking old records set by Madonna." The host started off with the audience screaming even louder. "She's consistently at the top of the charts, she has worked with Jesse McCarthy and Christina Aguilera and has acted in TV as well. She's America's sweetheart! She's… Hannah Montana!" The location roared even louder and the roof trembled from the repercussions of sound. A twenty-foot high screen parted in two pieces as the petite pop star marched out waving to her fans, to the rejected and waiting Idol contestants and to the TV cameras. In the audience, Constantine Maroulis cheered the cute little pop star and a few rows before him, Reese Witherspoon waved to Hannah. Robert Downey Jr. was a few rows behind the judges, and a few more ahead of Jessica Simpson. The cast of Ghost Hunters and their families filled the first three rows of a section of balcony seats along with horror writer William Collins and his family. It was a star-studded and packed audience for the young pop star. Hannah looked to the band; a few of her regular musicians were sitting in with them. The music started…
"Tell me the world is not living up to what you wanted it to be…" Hannah started singing a new song. "Did you think it would always be the same for only you…."
"You know that British judge only pretends to be mean." Another voice distracted Robby from his daughter's performance as he turned. By his left side, Connie Samms, a promoter from Hannah's record label, beamed and caught his interest. She was a busty yet athletic beauty of British descent herself. She was also a good friend. Robby hugged her upon sight, and she kissed him platonically on his cheek. They had known each other for years.
"How you doing, Connie?" Robbie looked her over. "How's that boy of yours? He still selling Hannah stuff?"
"If he is, he's not getting it from me." She posed a bit and tiredly pulled a file to her chest. "After he was busted for selling term papers, I really lowered the boom on him." She paused looking out at Hannah singing to the British judge at the end. "But he's changed a lot, Robby… I'm really worried about him. He's been moody."
"You want me to talk to him?" Robby folded up his hands. "It could be a guy thing."
"I'd like that." Connie tucked out of habit at her ear. "Speaking of which, Robby…" Connie cut to the point, her British accent resonating on her words. "I need you to take care of him for a while. My mom's sick, really sick…" She took a deep breath and casually moved her weight to her other leg. "I have to head to London, and I can't take him. Could Jesse stay with you a while? I wouldn't usually ask, but since he and Miley are in the same…."
"Don't worry about it." Robby looked at her dreamily and smiled a bit. "Miley has no more Hannah stuff for a while plus he's already hanging out with Jackson a lot. It'd be pretty much the same."
"Thank you a lot, Robby…" Connie hugged him again. "I just might have to give you a second date for this."
"I'll be looking forward to it…" He nodded his head up and down then noticed something on stage. "Wait a second, did David Archuleta just make a move on my daughter? I'm going to have to talk to him about that!"