Let's Go On With The Show
A/N: Hello, everybody! This is the latest multi-chapter fic I wanted to write, because since most of my multi-chapter fics are are PJO, I figured let's give Doctor Who a try! (For those who are about to bring "My Impossible Girl" up, that's more of a one shot, fluffy sort of multi-chapter. Not exactly a consistent plot in that one, plot if you squint. This one centers around everybody's favorite couple (well, mine, anyway), Amelia Pond and Rory Williams. I wanted to see what these two would be like in an early 1920's American fic. I hope you do enjoy, and don't forget to review!
"Donna! Get your bottom out here or Mr. Ziegfeld will be sure to kick it on stage!"
"Oi! I'm not some dumb dora, Amelia! Get on out there! YOU'RE LEAD!"
Behind the crimson curtains, about 40 or so girls scamper around in 3 inch heels, panicking and afraid. For many, this is their first night in the Ziegfeld revue, but for the scarlet haired, sharp tongued woman, this is a calm night. Chaos will begin harmony as the curtains will open, and they will charm the many businessmen, lawyers and strangers who wait in the audience. It is the principal of the show, to dance in the elaborate outfits and allow catcalls. Balance in your heels, for if you slip, everybody will fail. A domino chain of Ziegfeld girls. Ignore the sweat on your brow and the strap digging into your bare shoulder, because this is the business. And when it is all said and done, you get your minimum three dollars and go back to your old rubbish apartment, using the money you have earned for the food you need and the life you are bound to. The life you left the farm for, and travelled to the city that never sleeps. New York City. 1926. 214 West, 24nd Street, between Seventh and Eighth Street. Nearly eight of the hours, and the Ziegfeld girls are ready.
Amelia Pond lines herself in front of Donna Noble, balancing the large grey fedora on top of her red hair, adjusting the hem of her short glimmering fringed dress, styled after famous business men in the city. She adjusts her bright red lipstick for a moment, before putting on the classic smile she's worn for every show since. Chin up, shoulders back, tuck in your bottom and let the teeth show, as the crimson curtains open, and the show begins. Bright lights hit her face, and she smiles at the audience. Her fellow Ziegfeld girls stride across the stage, in outfits similar to her own, yet not as elaborate or as eye catching. She dances across the stage, side to side, before grabbing the mic she knows all too well and begins to sing.
"Summer journeys to Niagara and to other places
Aggravate all our cares, we'll save our fares
I've a cozy little flat in what is known as old Manhattan
We'll settle down right here in town."
She grabs the cane that she knows is behind the curtain, as the girls behind her sing the background harmonies and melodies. She strides across the stage, a bright grin on her face as she swings the cane around and around. She lifts her long pale leg, throwing it into the air and "accidentally" flashing the audience. A loud catcall is heard, and she ignores the disgust she feels. Knowing her beauty, and amazing manager will excuse her from her indecency, she begins to sing once more.
We'll have Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island too
It's lovely going through the zoo
It's very fancy on old Delancy Street, you know
The subway charms us so, when balmy breezes blow to and fro
A dance break, as her fellow Ziegfeld girls take the stage. Donna, Rose and Jackie all run forward, doing the triple flip, followed by Yvonne and Penny with the perfectly timed splits. Amelia merely scats her lines, singing 'oos' and 'ah's' as the other girls get their chance to show the audience what they are made of. As much as the girls are all competition, Amelia feels pride. Donna had had much trouble with the choreography Mr. Ziegfeld had assigned for tonight's show, but seeing her do it with that much confidence made her glow. Donna was such a beautiful woman, but she didn't know what Amelia knew. She bounces in place with the cane, sliding side to side, before reaching the next lines of the song, letting it carry her away.
And tell me what street compares with Mott Street in July?
Sweet pushcarts gently gliding by
The great big city's a wondrous toy just made for a girl and boy
We'll turn Manhattan into an isle of joy
Indeed, there was no business like the show business.
After the cool downs, usual hugs and kisses between the Ziegfeld girls, Amelia strides down to the bottom level of the theater, knowing had favorite big chinned friend and manager will be awaiting her. She throws the fedora off her head and lets her long thick hair run free. She shakes her head, smiling to herself, and throws the door open.
"Helloooo, Raggedy Man!"
"Amelia!" She can't fight the grin that crawls onto her face as John Smith jumps up from the wooden chair he had been in. She glances at her vanity, seeing bits of red and pale brown spilled all around the vanity, and then bursts out laughing when she sees John's face. Bits of red on his lips and odd spots of dark brown on his cheeks. Ridiculous man. "Wonderful job! Mr. Ziegfeld himself saw the show tonight! You're on your way to the real business, my darling!"
John Smith and Amelia Pond were best friends, hand in hand. Both having been born in the same small town somewhere out west. John hadn't ever wanted to be a manager, but when Amelia at age 16 needed a manager as fast as she could, and Mr and Mrs. Pond couldn't afford one, John had poured himself into his studies and got his degree to be her legal manager. Sure, people had thought the two were lovers, but Amelia could never see her best friend, who willingly dressed like one of the urchins on the streets. John was the one Amelia owed her entire life to. The one who stayed up late nights while she slept, organizing as many jobs and lucky breaks for his friend. The one who organized professional auditions for Amelia, convincing and begging for a chance to be given, and when he got the lucky break with Ziegfeld follies, he had stayed up for three days straight organizing an audition and training Amelia for it. Now, sitting in her dressing room, the two knew those late nights had been worth it. The sores on her feet, the rings under her eyes and the stress John had felt, the anxiety and the everlasting doubt nagging in the back of his mind.
"I may have done a good job, but Raggedy Man, your makeup job needs some work." She steers him over to wooden chair in front of the vanity and shakes her head, tsk'ing as she takes a cloth and soaks it in some cold water. She begins to roughly dab at his lips, as he looks at her and pouts. Once the red and brown are gone, and he looks like his usual self with his big chin, she sighs, crossing her arms and leaning forward, bracing her arms on the back of the chair.
"John...do you really think all of this is worth it?"
"What do you mean, Amelia? Personally, I thought the song "Manhattan" is too overdone these days but-"
"Oi, shut up, Raggedy Man! And get up." She pulls him out of the chair and sits in front of the vanity. John merely remains quiet, combing his fingers through her thick red locks. Amelia holds her head in her hands, shaking her head, before taking a deep breath and sighing softly.
"Look, John...we both know how hard we worked for this. But...do you ever feel like it's all pointless? All of this? I mean...maybe I could blame my Mum and Dad for this, but...what's the point of being famous if there is no one who could love me as I am?"
"I love you, Amelia, as your friend-"
"I know, John, but someone...you remember Mr and Mrs. McDonald back at home? Mrs. McDonald was so kind to Mr. McDonald, letting him mess around with mechanics and not minding when he would blow up their house? She was so kind...she loved him for who he was."
"Amelia-"
"I...I don't know why I feel like this. Maybe it's just tonight's show. Or maybe because Donna is still alone and she's about 40 years old, now. The show is her only funds for life, and I don't mean to be rude, but she's going now. Mr. Ziegfeld had told me last week that maybe it's time for her to go...even if I go from this show, and you know how much I love this business...I want someone to love me for me. A someone who'll laugh at my jokes, keep quiet when I want him to and not mind when I speak out. Someone who'll hold my hand and say I look beautiful, even if I don't...a someone for me, John."
"Amelia..." John feels mixed emotions in his heart as his best friend gives this speech. He kneels beside her, so his face was right next to hers. He sighs softly, before caressing her cheek with his thumb, "We've both worked so hard for this...you, especially. Remember? Maybe it's the songs you're singing, Amelia, about love and devils and isles, but one day, one day I promise you'll have someone to love you for who you are. I'm your manager, best friend," He turns her head, holding her cheeks in his hands, a small sad smile on her face, "And I'll be sure to help you, my Pond. My best friend. You've waited too long for someone to love you." He kisses her forehead quickly, and she grins from ear to ear.
"Thank you, Raggedy Man."
"Anything, for my girl who waited."
The two promptly gather their things and stride out of the theater. Amelia wraps her coat more tightly around herself, adjusting her dark blue cloche hat on her head. John laughs, adjusting his bow tie, as Amelia points out a drunken man doing a ridiculous sort of dance. The city streets glow around them, as manager and showgirl walk down the pavement, their happy smiles illuminated by the bright lights that burn in the dark of night. Men and women around them press on, ignoring the happy friends as they make their way to their apartment they share together. Unaware of the man who stands stunned at the entrance of the New Amsterdam Theater, still watching and staring at the beautiful caricatured poster of the Ziegfeld girls, all of them beautiful, but one more beautiful then the rest. That Amelia Pond woman. She was so goddamn beautiful, her seductive smile having captured his heart. He stands there, staring at the poster, until the big eyed brunette girl beside him elbows him sharply.
"Oi, Rory! Come on! I know they were all beautiful, but come along. You have medical training in the morning!"
Rory Williams sighs, shaking his head. Clara was right. He probably wouldn't ever see that showgirl again. Rumor was in the streets that Mr. Ziegfeld was thinking about shipping her overseas, giving her her own show. Rory knew exactly what Ziegfeld was thinking. Her voice was one that matched the angels in the sky, such beauty, and such...fierceness. Women were supposed to be quiet, reserved, and even Ziegfeld girls themselves were quiet and kept to themselves. But even when Amelia wasn't singing, Rory had seen it, the way her eyes glowed under the lights, she loved the show. She loved dancing and singing, and she knew who she was. She knew exactly what she could do and took that power, that power that held the audience close.
"Of course, Oswin," Rory replies, biting his lip quickly, trying to pull himself out of his stupor. That Amelia Pond woman was amazing. He would probably never see her again, however. He smiles down at his companion, his best friend, Clara Oswin Oswald, and wraps his arm around her shoulder, pulling her petite frame towards him, "I do. And you've got that nanny job for Harrison and Forde. Those kids are bundles of bees."
The disheartened man and his best friend hurried down the street in the opposite direction of that Raggedy Man and the Pond woman, Rory fighting the image that threatened to appear in his head. Amelia's arms around him, holding him close before he stepped onto the train that would take him overseas and fighting for the American country he lived in and loved. Seeing her face next to him in the morning. The many possibilities that could be if she would allow him to be her someone. But wishing was for the weak, and dreams only happened on clouds. Clara had told him that, ever since they were children, and he believed. But this time, and for once in his life, he wished she was wrong.