"Lizzy! C'mon Lizzy, the show's gonna start soon and you haven't changed yet! Lizzy?"
I moaned a bit and I opened my eyes a bit.
It was only Scooter. I sat up and stretched my arms out.
"Lizzy, there's only fifteen minutes until the show starts. Please get ready."
"Okie dokie," I yawned. Scooter then smiled and left my dressing room. I got up and grabbed my clothing for tonight. I took off my regular clothes and slipped a blue falbala dress shirt over my curvy body and I pulled on some pretty baggy black pants over my legs. I can't fit in anything that's small or tight since I have thick thighs.
I walked over to the mirror and began to brush my short and jagged brown hair and tidied anything that looked messy. Then I sprayed a cloud of perfume around me and I grabbed my base case.
As soon as I opened my dressing room's door, I saw Kermit and Scooter bustling, telling everyone to get ready or to standby. I noticed Scooter changed his outfit too. He was then wearing a jean jacket with a light green shirt, but he still wore his usual jean pants.
I just stood outside of the long string of dressing rooms and I watched everything that was happening. I sighed contently, forgetting the things I was stressing over about three hours ago. Well, I forgot until-
"STANDBY EVERYONE! FIFTEEN SECONDS TO CURTAIN!" Scooter walked quickly around the backstage area, announcing this very loudly.
Oh boy.
I just stayed where I was; I wasn't apart of the intro and my act was the finale for the show that night. That didn't stop me from watching though.
I saw the Muppet Show sign, where Kermit popped out and said.
"It's the Muppet Show with our very special guest star: DAISY RIDLEY! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!"
The sign then lifted and the theme song played;
It's time to play the music,
It's time to light the lights,
It's time to meet the Muppets at the Muppet Show tonight!
I smiled as a wave of nostalgia crashed over me. Still classic. Soon the theme song ended and Kermit ran onstage as the curtains covered the stage.
"Hi-ho, and welcome once again to another episode of the Muppet Show!" Kermit croaked. "We have a great line of acts for you folks, along with our lovely and talented guest star, Ms. Daisy Ridley!" The audience applauded wildly.
"But first, give it up for the Dr. Teeth AND THE ELECTRIC MAYHEM! YAAAAAAAAAY!"
With that, Kermit flailed his arms around and hopped off the stage while the velvet curtains parted from the center, where the Electric Mayhem was ready to perform!
They began to play, and Floyd started singing.
I've paid my dues
Time after time
I've done my sentence
But committed no crime
And bad mistakes
I've made a few
I've had my share of sand kicked in my face
But I've come through
The music then began to build up, and the band all sang;
We are the champions, my friends
And we'll keep on fighting 'til the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions of the world
I was rocking my head slowly in synch with this classic song's slow and easy tempo. The audience were holding lights, waving them from side to side. I heard Floyd sing once again;
I've taken my bows
And my curtain calls
You brought me fame and fortune and everything that goes with it
I thank you all
But it's been no bed of roses
No pleasure cruise
I consider it a challenge before the whole human race
And I ain't gonna lose
We are the champions, my friends
And we'll keep on fighting 'til the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions of the world
We are the champions, my friends
And we'll keep on fighting 'til the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions
The song ended and the audience applauded. I clapped too. Kermit bounced back onstage as soon as the curtains closed.
"Let's hear it for Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem! Up next is a sketch performed by our very special guest star, Daisy Ridley!"
Onstage now was Daisy Ridley, Miss Piggy, and Skeeter. I was watching until I sensed someone stand by me. I turned to look and it was Scooter once again.
"We're going to be on later," he reminded me. "Are you ready?"
I just shrugged. "Yeah, I guess I am." Scooter looked at me in the face.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine, I'm still just nervous…" I sighed. Scooter put a hand on my shoulder.
"It's okay, just take a few breaths and focus. " he reassured me. I smiled a bit weakly at him.
After a few more acts and an intermission, it was our turn. Scooter and I took our instruments and chairs and quickly got ready for our last act.
"Okay folks! To wrap up tonight's show, we have a special duet performed by our resident man Scooter and the newest cast member of the Muppets, Lizzy Mouse!" Kermit left the stage and the curtains parted. Scooter and I, were finally on the stage together, about to sing in front of millions of people. I swallowed hard. Scooter made eye contact with me and signaled the start of the song. I began to sweat. We played the instrumental intro, and then Scooter began to sing.
I hear the drums echoing tonight
But she hears only whispers of some quiet conversation
She's coming in, 12:30 flight
The moonlit wings reflect the stars that guide me towards salvation
I stopped an old man along the way
Hoping to find some long forgotten words or ancient melodies
He turned to me as if to say, "Hurry boy, it's waiting there for you"
It's gonna take a lot to take me away from you
There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had
We went into the second instrumental section. I was breathing hard and my heart was beating fast. I gulped, knowing the time for me to sing was approaching fast. I took a deep breath and sang.
The wild dogs cry out in the night
As they grow restless, longing for some solitary company
I know that I must do what's right
As sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti
I seek to cure what's deep inside, frightened of this thing that I've become
It's gonna take a lot to take me away from you
There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had
I exhaled deeply in relief. My solo over. I played with Scooter though the flute solo, and I sang.
Hurry boy, she's waiting there for you
Then Scooter joined me.
It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you
There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
I bless the rains down in Africa
(I bless the rain)
I bless the rains down in Africa
(I bless the rain)
I bless the rains down in Africa
I bless the rains down in Africa
(Ah, gonna take the time)
Gonna take some time to do the things we never had
The song ended and the crowd went wild with applause. Although I just blushed and smiled sheepily at the audience, this was a whole new feeling for me. I never thought that there would be a day where people applauded because they like me and my song partner. It was amazing. Scooter was beaming with joy. The curtains closed, Kermit concluded the show, and he brought the guest star and most of the Muppet cast for the credits onstage. Scooter and I walked backstage.
"You did an amazing job tonight!" Scooter exclaimed. "Thank you!"
I smiled sheepishly. "Aw, gee. It really was a blast!" I said. "...Thanks for the reassurance."
"No problem!" he said warmly. "If you need any help, I got your back."
Soon, the backstage was flooding with Muppets, surrounding me. They were saying things like, "Great job!" and "You really knocked 'em dead!" But after awhile, I got tired and decided to head home. Before I left, I announced,
"Today was a blast guys. I hope we'll have another day tomorrow!" They all bid me farewell as I exited the theatre. I hopped in my car and drove home.
By the time I arrived home, only two things were on my mind; my moment of fame and my hunger for food. I entered my apartment and I receive an instant surprise hug from my brother.
"Congrats," he squeezed me, "you were amazing!"
I laughed softly. "It was fun bro."
Louis released me and pointed at the dinner table, "To celebrate, I got us food."
I was so happy at the sight of the pizza box sitting at the table. Louis and I go to the table, take some slices, and began to munch on them.
Once I was full, I headed upstairs, cleansed up, and went to bed, thinking about the new people I met, especially the Electric Mayhem and I thought of Scooter's kindness. I thought we could become friends. I also thought about the fact that today was by far the best day of my life.
I also remembered that I forgot to ask Kermit what my exact backstage position was. Darn it!
Lizzy and Louis Mouse belong to me
Africa belongs to the band Toto
Jim Henson/Disney own the Muppets
