Horton Hears the Who
The real story behind one of the biggest bands of all time.
(Note: I do not own any of the characters used in this story [real or fiction]. Italics indicate singing.)
Chapter 2: I can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles…
Horton continued his weekly meetings with The Who. The band, who had once turned their noses up at Horton's advice, was now hanging on his every word.
"He said we should call the song Acid Queen instead of Drug Queen."
"Acid Queen? You don't think that's too direct?"
"He's been right before. It's worth a shot."
"Alright then boys! Acid Queen in C! Hit it!"
"Isn't it great to see how these boys are evolving? Horton's really helped them find their sound."
"Just one problem."
"What?"
"How are we going to explain to the record execs that an invisible elephant from a parallel universe influenced their band?"
"Well that's why we don't tell them."
"You mean lie?"
"We're not lying. We're just withholding information."
"Which is wrong."
"What? Did they make a law or something? Trust me. What they don't know won't hurt them."
"Fine. Whatever you say. From the top boys!"
"Again?"
"Yes, again. The head of the record company is visiting us again tomorrow. If he likes what he hears you're officially a part of the label."
"And if he doesn't?"
"We go back to square one. And I don't think you wanna go back there. So, let's keep practicing, shall we?"
"You heard him guys. Five, six, seven, eight…"
While The Who was preparing for their big evaluation Horton was receiving flack for his strange behavior. There were some residents in the jungle who had always considered Horton to be a bit strange. However, they accepted that he was a little different and put up with it. Horton's new habit of talking into a clover proved to be too much for those living in the jungle of Nool.
"Hey Horton! How are your imaginary friends doing?"
"Mayzie they're not imaginary. You just can't see them."
"Last time I checked that would classify them as being imaginary."
"Mayzie I'm not crazy."
"Could've fooled me."
"I'll prove it to you."
"When?"
"Tonight. At six o'clock. Meet me by my thicket. I'll show you that The Who is a real band."
"Do I have to do this? I have a life. Places to go, people to see…"
"I'll give you my entire supply of jungle juice."
"Done."
As soon as the plans were set in place Horton attempted to warn his friends of the upcoming meeting. Unfortunately, they were busy practicing and unable to be reached.
"I just they're available." Horton whispered to himself as he twirled the clover about in his hand. "I can't afford to have the entire jungle think I'm nuts."
Mayzie arrived at Horton's thicket at precisely six o'clock. She expected to hear dead silence emanating from the clover. She had even brought along a tape recorder to capture the ridicule she would place upon Horton. However, when Mayzie LaBrid put her ear to the bright pink clover she heard some of the sweetest music that had ever graced her feathery ears.
"Right behind you, I see the millions. On you, I see the glory. From you, I get opinion. From you, I get the story."
"Horton, they're amazing!"
"Told ya so."
"We gotta tell everybody else about them."
"I'll have to ask their permission first."
"Ask for their permission? Are you crazy? We can't wait for them to decide if they want publicity or not. They're the best thing since Wally and the Bluebirds came to town. We have to get everyone in the jungle in on this."
"Fine Mayzie. But I'm at least going to tell the guys what's going on. I don't want you sneak around behind their backs."
"We won't be sneaking around. Just tell them that tomorrow night at 5 we're going to have them perform at the first ever Nool-a-palooza."
"Okay. I'll tell them to prepare and bring their best stuff."
"It'll be a short 45 minute concert. All we need is a microphone and a stage. But that can easily be secured. I have people. And you'll hold the microphone of course."
"Of course."
"This will be a great way for them to earn exposure. Maybe even a record deal!"
"But they already have a potential record deal in their world."
"Just think, Horton. The Who could be the first band in history to be signed to both universes. Wouldn't that be fabulous?"
"I guess."
"Horton it's not wise to doubt Mayzie LaBird. I'll be back tomorrow around 3 to pick you up for sound check. See you tomorrow, partner."
"Bye, Mayzie. I really hope this is a good idea." thought Horton to himself as he turned off all the lights in his thicket and went to sleep.
Horton woke up the next day as nervous as he could be. He hated making deals without the band's permission. What if they didn't want to perform? What if Horton showed up at the concert holding a clover that did nothing? He would be consider4ed the laughing stock of the jungle. Mayzie would deny any participation in planning the concert. Horton would have no one available to come to his aide. He would be all alone.
"C'mon boys. Please don't leave me in the lurch." he whispered to himself as he proceeded to speak into his clover.
"Hey guys."
"Horton, I'm sorry. The band is busy preparing for their showcase tonight."
"Tonight? What time?"
"At 5. We have to get going soon though. It's in New York."
"New York? Why New York? Why can't the guys perform in the studio like always?"
"The record company changed their minds and wants us to perform at their headquarters in New York. So, we have a quick rehearsal then it's off to the city that never sleeps."
"Oh. Good luck, then."
"Thanks, Horton. Gotta run."
"I'm doomed."
Horton tried all day to track down Mayzie. The only problem was she was busy tracking down a stage for the concert. No one knew where she was or when she'd be back in the jungle.
"I'm going to be so humiliated! Why do things like this always happen to me?"
As the hour of the concert approached Horton tried to think of every conceivable way he could fake The Who's performance including singing some of the songs out of the side of his mouth.
"Might as well just run away now. It'd be safe then going through this torture."
Finally, sound check time arrived. Mayzie appeared in her ATV as promised.
"Mayzie, where have you been all day?"
"Just out. You know, making the rounds. Schmoozing with the rich and famous. And I also got us the most fabulous stage. It's made of pure mahogany."
"That's great Mayzie but I need to talk to you about something important."
"Look, Horton. I know you probably have stage fright. But you're just holding the clover; no one's going to be looking at you."
"I have a feeling you might be wrong about that."
"C'mon Horton, we're going to be late."
"Dead elephant walking." Horton muttered to himself as he marched toward his doom.
As the concert approached Horton sat backstage and prayed that even if the band was traveling to a different location you could still hear their music. He knew it would seem unlikely yet he still prayed.
"This can't happen. It just can't. The animals here think I'm weird enough as it is. I'm gonna get laughed out of the jungle. Why me?"
"Ladies and gentleman! Citizens of the jungle of Nool! Our dear friend, Horton the elephant, has made an amazing discovery. There is a parallel version of Earth that exists on a tiny speck of dust. Horton has captured this dust and housed it on a clover. Living on this parallel Earth is an amazing band that has produced music I feel privileged to have heard first. Ladies and gentleman, I present Horton and The Who!"
"Here goes nothing." Horton muttered as he walked out into the waiting crowd.
Horton stood onstage nervous and embarrassed. But there was nothing he could do. He, no pun intended, had to face the music. Horton carefully placed the clover near the microphone and prayed for the best. At first there was dead silence. Horton anticipated the humiliating laughter that would soon follow. Just when the crowd began to get restless the most beautiful music was heard reverberating through the jungle air.
"When I drink my potion my character changes. My whole mind and body rearranges. This strange transformation takes place in me. Instead of myself everybody can see..."
As Horton's breathing returned to normal he could hear murmurs of enjoyment from the crowd. He didn't know how The Who had been able to do it but luckily Horton's butt was saved.
Following the concert Horton had become a local hero. The jungle had been introduced to good music before but The Who was the first band that had really made an impact on the residents. Horton wasn't the only one receiving praise. The Who had successfully impressed their record company. They were one step closer to becoming music superstars.
"We could become bigger than The Beatles!" Pete remarked as the band re-entered their rehearsal space.
"That's not going to happen unless you all get back to work! C'mon boys, we've got an album to record!"
As The Who got settled in Horton decided it was time to share with the boys the news of their jungle success.
"Guys, guys! You're not going to believe the good news I have!"
"We have good news too, Horton. The record company has decided to officially keep the band on the label. We're going to meet with one of their producers tomorrow and get started on their first album!"
"That's not even the best part. Last night the jungle heard the band playing and they love you! Your boys have become an instant jungle sensation!"
"That's amazing! But how were they able to hear us if we're stuck on this clover?"
"We held an impromptu concert and I put the clover near a microphone."
"So, you essentially exploited us?"
"Kind of. But you can't be too mad at me, right? I wish you could see the crowd outside my thicket. They wanna hear more songs from the band. They just can't get enough!"
"Thanks. Horton. We really appreciate all you've done for us."
"It's been a pleasure."
"You're still going to stick around though, right? We could always use your help."
"You know how to reach me."
"C'mon boys! We have two records to make!"
"Two records?"
"That's right! We're sending one to the record company and the other one's heading to the jungle of Nool!"
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