Transmission re-established…
Chapter 9: Singing Contest
While they were eating, Nicole Andeson, Alyson Stoner, Chelsea Staub, Jennifer Stone appeared to say hi to all of them. Mamaw immediately told them that they were welcomed to join them for dinner. They all accepted, even though Chelsea and Nicole had already dined. They were presented to Will and Vicky, who were really happy to know them. After they finished eating, Mamaw told them to go into the living room, so she could give them the presents that she bought for them during her time in Spain. A huge robot carried the packages and put them on top of the coffee table that existed in the living room. Some of them were big, while others were small, but every last one of them was wrapped up with colourful wrapping paper. They all sat in the couches that were around the coffee table, and waited for what Mamaw had to say about it. Most of them were still eating their desert, so they tried to keep as quiet as possible, not only because they were many and they did not want to make much noise, or to force Mamaw to raise her voice to get heard by everyone.
"Well, since everyone is here, I might as well start giving your presents. But before I do that I have a few words to say." –Mamaw said. –"During this trip to Spain, I learned many things about a fantastic culture that is Spanish culture. From all of my trips, this is most definitely the one where I had the most fun. Of course, during the time I've been there, I thought about you all… and well, to show that, I bought you all presents."
"Come on, Mamaw, tell us what you bought us!" –Emily exclaimed, eager to find out which package was hers.
"Okay, I guess I already made you wait long enough." –Mamaw said, as she grabbed a small silvery package.
The package was a little bigger than a walnut, and it had a little pink bow in it. Mamaw smiled as she delivered it to its owner… Selena.
"I know that you love jewellery, and when I saw this in Bilbao, I just knew that it would match your eyes, honey." –Mamaw said, as Selena quickly opened it.
When she opened it, she saw that inside the little box was a pair of black pearl earrings, which just like Mamaw said, matched perfectly with her eyes. Selena immediately screamed out of joy, as her fingertips ran through the beautiful earrings.
"They're beautiful… Thanks, Mamaw, I'll never forget this!" –Selena exclaimed, while giving Mamaw a big hug, as a couple of tears ran down through her face.
"I'm glad you liked it, dear." –Mamaw said. –"But, come on, now, you don't need to cry because of that, even if those pretty tears are tears of happiness. Come on, sit down, and let me go on with gift distribution."
That said, Mamaw grabbed another package; this one was really big and was wrapped in lime green wrapping paper, with a big red bow. It was no doubt one of the biggest packages that had brought with her.
"This one here is for Kevin, Nick and Joe… I saw this during my visit to Toledo, and I knew that you would like this. The gentleman that sold it to me said that this present is one of a kind… Go on, open it."
The Jonas started to tear the wrapping paper as fast as they could. None of them even dreamed of what really was the present. When they finally saw it, they started to howl as if they were wolves.
"Radical!" –Nick cried out.
"Awesome!" –Kevin and Joe exclaimed.
Their present was a wooden model of Toledo's Cathedral, more or less from their height. The three brothers could not have been happier with that present. No matter their age, they loved to play with that sort of games.
Needless to say that all of them loved their presents. Miley got a brand-new guitar that Mamaw bought for her in Vigo, while Emily received a skateboard autographed by the Spanish skateboarding champion, which made her yell out of joy. Jason and Moises each got a box of delicious Spanish cookies, which they started to eat right there; the two of them were a couple of gluttons and had a sweet tooth for those things. Needless to say that Stitch also wanted a few, and those two had to do everything in their poer, to not let him even have a bite of those cookies.
"No, Stith, no cookies for you! You know what happened the last time you ate cookies." –Jason said, as he protected his box of cookies.
"Muuba juuja teetu fista!" –Stitch exclaimed.
"Don't give me those excuses. The same thing happens when you drink too much caffeine. Stay away from these cookies… and don't give me that look, it won't work! It might work with Lilo, but not with us!" –Moises said, as Stitch tried his adorable eye look, which he used to melt everyone's heart, only to see it failing.
For the gang of the Suite Life, Mamaw had bought presents that were amazing. Cole and Dylan received a videogame that they both wanted, and that would only come out in the U.S. in three months. Ashley received a beautiful black obsidians necklace from Seville, which she adored, while Brenda received a miniature of the famous Multi-Coloured Dragon from Barcelona, as well as a pair of high-heel boots which had the Sagrada Familia Cathedral stamped on them. J.C. received a new pair of red sunglasses with the blackest lens he had ever seen, that she bought in Madrid. Mamaw said that when she saw them, she knew he would adore them. Finally, Alyson received a beautiful red and golden scarf that Mamaw bought for her in Zamora.
"Even sir Elton John would be jealous of these sunglasses…" –J.C. said, as he put them on, looking himself in a mirror that Ashley had lent him.
"Man, a little modesty would d marvels to you, right now." –Cole joked about.
"And then I'm the one who's supposed to be a spoiled brat." –Brenda laughed.
"You're just jealous of my good looks." –J.C. replied.
"Yeah, right…" –Ashley said sarcastically, before splitting to the sides with laughter.
Then, it was time for the Wizards to get their presents. Since Selena already had hers, Mamaw gave David his. She knew that he was a huge baseball fan, so she bought him a baseball cap from Santiago de Compostela and a matching baseball bat with the image of the Cathedral carved in it. As for Jake, she bought him a t-shirt with the image of Seville's cathedral stamped on it. For Jennifer, Mamaw bought her in Vigo a beautiful ring that had a jewel which changed its colour when exposed to light. Needless to say that she adored it.
For Raven and Annelise, Mamaw bought each a pair of silver earrings that she saw in a jewellery store in Toledo. Raven loved her present so much, that she decided to try it on right then. Mamaw also bought in Toledo Orlando and Kyle's presents. For Orlando, who loved medieval History, she bought a genuine suit of armour with a sword and a shield. For Kyle, who loved music, she bought a CD collection of the greatest Spanish musicians, among them, the greatest rappers.
For Nicole and Chelsea, it was a bit harder to get them gifts. But in the end Mamaw found the perfect presents for them. She bought a Bordeaux vintage dress for Chelsea in Madrid, and for Nicole, she got her a pair of cherry red high-heel boots in Zaragoza.
When everyone thought that Mamaw had given all the presents, she surprised everyone, by saying that there were two more… one for Will, and one for Vicky, who were not expecting it.
"When I was in Spain, the agency communicated me that you two were going to be recruited, and well, I decided that I could not leave you without a present. So, these presents that I have here are not only my presents to you from my trip to Spain, but also, your welcome gifts." –Mamaw said, as she took something out of her purse. –"Since I did not know you two in person I tried to buy you something almost neutral, if I may put it in those terms."
She gave to both girls a small green box, which were small enough to fit in the palm of their hands. When they opened it and saw its content, they both smiled. Inside each box was a beautiful sliver bracelet with a small Mickey Mouse pendant in it.
"They're beautiful… they're simple, yet extremely beautiful." –Will said, as she looked closely to the bracelet's details.
"Where did you find these, Mamaw?" –Will asked her.
"In a jewellery store in the city of Zamora. It took them two days to make the Mickey pendant for the bracelets, but it was worth it, just to see a smile as big as that one on your faces, girls." –Mamaw said.
Hearing that, both Will and Vicky jumped to Mamaw's arms and gave her a huge bear hug, as tears of joy ran down their cheeks. When Miley and Lily told them that they were now part of a new world… a world so secret, that a sane person would never believe what they do, unless they saw it with their own eyes, they did not felt they belonged to that new world. But now, they really felt that they belonged there, along with all the others, and all it was needed was that act of kindness from Mamaw, who, even though she did not know them in person, decided to buy them a present, so they felt that they were also part of that big family, if we could call that.
"We loved it! Thanks, Mamaw!" –Will and Vicky exclaimed in chorus.
"I'm glad you liked them so much. What about the rest of you, did you liked the presents?" –Mamaw asked them, to which everyone answered her with clear cheers. –"I guess that answers it. Well, I must be going now…"
"Won't you stay a little long, Mamaw?" –Jake asked her. –"You haven't told us what you saw on the trip."
"I know sweetie, but I really have to go. I still have a lot of unpacking to do. Maybe next time." –Mamaw said, as she picked up her purse. –"But before I go, let me ask you, what are you going to do the rest of the night?"
"Oh, we have a little surprise for our newest members… a karaoke contest!" –Demi exclaimed. –"Let's see if they can beat us." –she said with a mischievous smile on her face, which everyone knew that it could not mean anything good; at least not for Will and Vicky.
"Oh, it's a shame I can't say to see that battle. I believe that it will be one of a kind." –Mamaw said. –"But try not to humiliate both of them, kids. They are too nice for you to make them suffer like that."
"Don't worry, Mamaw, we'll try not to humiliate them." –Emily said.
"Okay, then, I'll see you next week then. Bye bye everyone, especially you Tennessee girl!" –Mamaw exclaimed.
"See ya, Mamaw!" –everyone exclaimed in chorus, as she left.
After a while, they all grabbed their presents and placed them on one of the living room corners, so they could take them with them later. Then, they all went back to their places, and Emily asked:
"So, Disney or non-Disney?"
"What do you mean, Disney or non-Disney, Emily?" –Will asked her.
"Oh, it's one of our main rules. We either decide to make this karaoke competition by singing only Disney songs, or only songs that aren't related to Disney movies or series. Of course, after we choose to sing Disney songs, or not, there are other rules." –Emily explained them. –"And tonight, you're the ones who are going to choose."
Will and Vicky talked among themselves for about 30 seconds. After those 30 seconds, they looked to the others and said.
"Well, since this is the Disney Channel Agency headquarters, it's only fair that we honour the good name of Disney by singing Disney songs." –Vicky said.
"So, what are the other rules that you were talking about?" –Will asked.
"Oh, they are really simple, girls." –David said. –"First, you can only choose Disney songs; second, you can either sing the song you chose alone or make a duet with someone else; and third, you can't sing a song that you have sang as par of your contract with Walt Disney… for example, Raven can't sing "Under the Sea" or "So This Is Love", because she recorded them as part of her contract… and if you want other examples, Selena here can't sing "Cruella DeVil" also because she recorded it, and the same thing happens to Kevin, Joe and Nick, who can't sing "I Wanna Be Like You"…"
"I think we get it… Still, I don't see why they shouldn't sing those songs." –Will said.
"It's because if they did, that would be cheating, because they had time to perfect their performance on those songs. Now that wouldn't be fair to the other, now would it?" –David explained her.
"When you put it that way, it actually makes sense." –Vicky asserted.
"Oh, and just so you know, it will be a computer who will choose the winner." –J.C. told them, as he winked his eye to Tiffany, who was sat right next to him.
That said, Tiffany clapped her hands twice, and out of the blue, something amazing happened. The huge plasma television disappeared by entering in the whole from where it came earlier, and a second plasma television appeared, this time from the floor. This one was different, because the bottom of it was connected to some sort of high-tech column. There were a couple of microphones attached to that column, and the girls assumed that they were to be used by the contestants, just like in an ordinary karaoke competition.
"And since you girls re the newbies, it's only fair that you select a song first." – Allisyn giggled. –"Remember the rules, none of you can sing "Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride", okay?" –she said, remembering them the fact that they could not sing songs which they recorded. –"You thought that we would forget about that, didn't you?" –she giggled once again.
"Don't be shy, just go to the console, choose a movie and then, choose a song." –Dylan said. –"And remember, you two can either sing in a duet, or, each one of you can sing a song each."
Vicky and Will approached the console, and quickly discussed if they wanted to sing in a duet, or solo, and more importantly, which song would they sing. They decided to sing in a duet, and as for the song, they chose to sing…"I Just Can't Wait To Be King", from The Lion King movie. Will started, and Vicky followed her lead.
I'm gonna be a mighty king, so enemies beware!
I've never seen a king of beasts
With quite so little hair
Everyone started to cheer them, by clapping their hands to the rhythm of the music. The lyrics in the huge plasma screen appeared so fast, that if not for the fact that they knew the song by heart, the girls would never be able to keep up with that velocity.
I'm gonna be the mane event
Like no king was before
I'm brushing up on looking down
I'm working on my roar
Thus far a rather uninspiring thing
Oh, I just can't wait to be king!
No one saying do this Now when I said that-
No one saying be there What I meant was-
No one saying stop that What you don't realize-
No one saying see here Now see here!
Free to run around all day That's definitely out-
Free to do it all my way!
I think it's time that you and I
Arranged a heart-to-heart
It was amazing, because the Dolby surround system that the room was equipped with almost made them feel that they were on a live concert. Plus, the way everyone kept cheering them, Will and Vicky felt like the biggest stars in Hollywood.
Kings don't need advice
From little hornbills for a start
If this is where the monarchy is headed
Count me out
Out of service, out of Africa
I wouldn't hang about
This child is getting wildly out of wing
Oh, I just can't wait to be king!
Everybody look left
Everybody look right
Everywhere you look I'm-
Standing in the spotlight
Not yet
Let every creature go for broke and sing
Let's hear it in the herd and on the wing
It's gonna be King Simba's finest fling
Oh, I just can't wait to be king!
Oh, he just can't wait to be king!
Oh, I just can't wait...
Just can't wait
To be king!
As the song ended, everyone clapped and the room was filled with applauses, as Will and Vicky took a formal bow, thanking the others for the applauses and for the cheers. All of them had heard the girls songs, but none of them had heard them live, and hearing them on the radio or on television, it was nothing compared to hearing them live. They all knew that if they wanted to win that contest, they would have to give their best performance yet.
"Alright, we got ourselves two amazing singers in the house!" –Kyle said, to which Raven asserted with her head.
"You girls really make a great duet." –Alyson declared.
"Thanks, Alyson." –Vicky and Will exclaimed in chorus.
"Well, who wants to go next?" –Chelsea asked.
"Nick, why don't you and the boys be next? I would love to hear you three singing something, right now." –Nicole suggested, while flirting with Nick.
"Sure, but you don't have to flirt with me just to get us to sing something." –Nick told her.
"I know, but I like to tease you and your brothers, when we're not on the set." –she winked her eye to him, cracking a little smile on his face.
"Yeah, right… Come on, guys. Let's show them what we're made of." –Nick said.
"Right behind you, bro!" –Kevin exclaimed, as he got up from his seat.
"Its rock and roll time, everyone! So, step back and enjoy the show. It's nothing personal, but even though Will and Vicky were spectacular in their performance, we're going to rock this place down." –Joe declared, as he unzipped his tweed jacket.
The song the three brothers chose to sing was "Life is a Highway" from Pixar's movie Cars, an appropriate song, given their musical style.
Well, life's like a road that you travel on There's a world outside every darkened door We won't hesitate
There's one day here and the next day gone
Sometimes you bend, sometimes you stand
Sometimes you turn your back to the wind
Where Blues won't haunt you anymore
For the brave are free and lovers soar
Come ride with me to the distant shore
To break down the guarding gate
There's not much time left today, yeay
"Come on, boys, show us what you've got!" –Chelsea exclaimed, as she clapped her hands to the rhythm of the music.
"Louder, louder!" –Nicole exclaimed, to which they complied.
Life is a highway, I wanna ride it
All night long
If you're going my way, I wanna drive it
All night long Through all these cities and all these towns They knock me down
It's in my blood and it's all around
I love now like I loved you then
This is the road and these are the hands
From Mozambique to those Memphis nights
The Khyber Pass to Vancouver's lights
And back up again
You're in my blood
I'm not a lonely man
There's no load I can't hold
The road's so rough this I know
I'll be there when the light comes in
Just tell 'em we're survivors
Life is a highway, I wanna ride it
All night long
If your going my way, I wanna drive it
All night long
"Now that's a great song!" –Mitchell exclaimed, as he applauded the Jonas.
"Not bad, not bad… but I do believe that one or two of us will find a way to beat you." –Moises said. –"By the way, who's next?"
"We are." –Brenda and Ashley said in chorus.
"So, what are you going to sing for us?" –Will asked them.
"Hmm… you know something funny? We still don't know." –Brenda answered her.
This got them all by surprise. How could they say that they were next, and then, saying that they did not have chosen the song they were going to sing?
"What do you mean you don't know?" –Miley asked her.
"Don't worry, we'll find one that we feel like singing. It will only take a minute." –Ashley said, as she looked through the song selection. Finally, they found one that they felt like singing right then. The song was not one of the most famous songs among all Disney songs, but they knew everyone in that living room knew that one. They chose that one because it was a way for them to demonstrate the love they both had for their hometown, New York City… "Why Should I Care" from the movie "Oliver and Company". Brenda started it, and Ashley followed her lead.
One minute I'm in Central Park. I said, Whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo.
Then, I'm down on Delancey Street.
Said, from the Bow'ry to St Mark's.
There's a syncopated beat. Right.
I'm streetwise.
I can improvise.
I said, Whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo.
I'm streetsmart.
I've got New York City heart.
"And here they go!" –Dylan exclaimed, as the girls got ready to sing the chorus.
Why should I worry?
Why should I care?
I may not have a dime.
But I got street savoir faire.
Why should I worry?
Why should I care?
It's just be-bopulation.
And I got street savoir faire.
"Hit it, Ashley!" –J.C. yelled.
The rhythm of the city. Why should I worry? Tell me.
But once you get it down.
Said, then you can own this town.
You can wear the crown!
Why should I care?
I Said, I may not have a dime. Oh!
But I got street savoir faire.
Why should I worry?
Why should I care?
It's just doo-wopulation.
And I got street savoir faire.
Helping out their friends, the Sprouse twins and J.C. decided to sing the next bit of the song, providing some background.
Ev'rything goes. Why should I worry? I said, Whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo.
Ev'rything fits.
They love me at the Chelsea!
They adore me at the Ritz!
Why should I care?
And even when I cross that line.
I got street savoir faire.
I said, Whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo.
Whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo.
As the song ended, everyone applauded them. The song had been well chosen, and both Ashley and Brenda knew it, because everyone was demanding an encore. Still, they knew that if they did as they were told, they would stay there the rest of the evening. Putting the microphones down, they both took a bow and thanked them for their applauses.
"Amazing performance." –Anneliese said, still clapping her hands.
"Yeah, but I think they should have been disqualified… Cole, J.C. and Dylan helped them." –Kevin said, as he finished clapping his hands.
"Well, there isn't anything in the rules that the audience can't help the contestants." –Ashley said. –"Besides, they just sang a couple of lines."
"She's right, you know. There isn't anything in the rules that forbids them from singing, bro." –Nick told Kevin, who accepted his mistake.
"Either way, I think I'm next, and believe me when I say that I'm going to rock this party, even if it kills me." –J.C. said.
"Try not to do that, okay? The last someone did that it was such a mess to clean up." –Jennifer joked about.
"Okay, I'll try it, but I won't make promises." –J.C. laughed, as he picked up the microphone and chose the song. –"I'm going to sent you all and your performances down the drain with something European." –he said, as he chose "Everybody Wants to be a Cat", from the Aristocats.
Well, little lady, let me illusidate here
Everybody wants to be a cat
Because a cat's the only cat
Who knows were it's at
"This is going to great." –Selena whispered to Jennifer and Raven.
Tell me, everybody's pickin' up on that feline beat
'Cause everything else is obsolete.
Strickly high button shoes. But with a square in the act
A square with a horn makes you wish you weren't born
Everytime he plays
You can set music back
To the cave man days, cha cha ba dum bo day
I've heard some corny birds who tried to sing A square with a horn makes you wish you weren't born With a square in the act you can set music back
Still a cat's the only cat who knows how to swing
Who wants to dig a long haired gig or stuff like that
When everybody wants to be a cat
Everytime he plays
Oh a rinky tinky tinky
To the cave man days
Oh a rinky tinky tinky
Everybody wants to be a cat
Because a cats the only cat who knows where it's at
While playin' jazz you always have a welcome mat
'Cause everybody digs a swinging cat.
"Okay, here comes the hardest part." –Mitchell whispered to Jason and Moises, who knew that it wasn't easy to pick up the song's rhythm at that point.
Shanghai, Honk Kong, Egg Foo Yong. If you want to turn me on,
Fortune cookie always wrong.
That's a hot one!
Play your horn don't spare the tone,
and blow a little soul into the tune.
Let's take it to another key.
Modulate, and wait for me.
I'll take a few ad-libs and pretty soon.
The other cats will all commence
Congregating on the fence.
Underneath the alley's only light.
Where every note is out of sight.
Everybody, everybody, everybody wants to be a cat!
Hallelujah!
Everybody, everybody, everybody wants to be a cat!
Everybody, everybody, everybody wants to be a cat!
Everybody, everybody, everybody now
"Whoa! I never get tired of that song!" –Vicky said. –"And you sing it perfectly."
"It's one of the advantages of being able to recreate multiple accents." –J.C. admitted, as he put down the microphone. –"But I have to admit that it took me years to know the lyrics by heart."
"Well, if you think this was good, wait until you hear us." –Tiffany said, as she and the rest of the So Random Locos got up, and got ready for their act.
"This is going to be so groovy!" –Brandon said.
"Tell me about it, man!" –Doug agreed with his buddy.
"And what are you going to present us with?" –Jason asked them.
"Well, I think I speak for all of us when I say that we chose something which is sweet and cuddly, and that is quite recent." –Demi said.
"Yeah, we'll make you weep." –Allisyn declared, as she handed the microphones to Tiffany and Demi. Doug Brandon and herself grabbed the three extra microphones that existed, and prepared themselves. The song they chose was "I Though I Lost You" from the movie Bolt. It was a song which Miley recorded with John Travolta as the main them of the movie, and they all agree that it was a very sweet song.
Nobody listens to me
Don't hear a single thing I've said
Say anything to soothe me
Anything to get you from my head
Don't know how I really feel
The faith it takes to make like I don't care
Don't know how much it hurts
To turn around like you were never there
Like somehow you could be replaced
And I could walk away from the promises we made
And swore we'd never break
"So beautiful…" –Emily whispered to Miley, who nodded with her head. –"… How on earth did you manage not to cry while singing this?"
"I actually cried the first few times we did it, because it reminded me of all my friends, and how afraid I was to lose them, you know Emily?" –Miley told her.
I thought I lost you when you ran away to try to find me I told myself I wouldn't sleep I thought I lost you
I thought I'd never see your sweet face again
I turned around and you were gone
And on and on the days went
I kept the moment that we were in
Cause I knew in my heart you'd come back to me, my friend
And now I got you, but I thought I'd lost you
To search the world from sea to sea
I made a wish upon a star
I turned around and there you were
Now here we are
Here we are
I thought I lost you
You
I thought I lost you
I thought I lost you
Everyone shed a couple of tears, especially Miley who saw the song as on of the most heart-loving songs that she had ever recorded.
Transmission interrupted…