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Jo

The jockette was surprised and touched more than she would ever admit when her name was called. Jo, being Jo, couldn't afford to appear sentimental in front of other people, but of course, that was what the speeches for the Academy Awards were all about. And, of course, Jo being Jo, she hated being primmed and pruned and therefore had neglected any sort of makeup, but had indeed worn a black dress. She was not elegant or beautiful, but a tomboyish sort of pretty.

She calmly and authoritatively walked onto the stage, holding out her hand so that the host could give her the statue. A blank look dotted her face, but underneath the surface her emotions were swimming. And, Jo being Jo, she attempted to keep herself from crying, a difficult challenge for the jockette. She'd faced down a wide assortment of physical challenges during her career, but here and now, at the pinnacle of all that hard work?

Jo sniffed. And sniffed again. Her eyes watered. The audience waited expectantly for her to make a speech, but the supposedly tough as nails girl was on the verge of happy tears.

"I'm sorry, I'm trying to keep myself calm, it's just...okay, deep breath, and let's get this started."

Jo inhaled deeply, then exhaled deeply. Inhaled deeply, exhaled deeply. Inhaled deeply...you get the idea.

"Okay...I'm good now. I'd just like to thank...thank the Academy for this award. I never thought I'd be up on this stage, and frankly, I thought it was dorky, stupid, and unnecessary. In fact, to some degree I still find it dorky, stupid, and unnecessary, but...when you're up here, it's so different than just watching all these weak, teary-eye people talk about their touchy feely stuff. When you're on stage, you ARE the person talking about your touchy feely stuff."

"And now I can say that...ergh, this is hard to get out...that I understand now why people are crying when they get up here. For some it's the only time they'll ever be noticed by the viewing world. For some it's more. And...okay, don't cry, don't cry. I hate crying. CRYING STINKS AND IS FOR LOSERS! Um, sorry...eh..."

Jo wiped her eyes. "Wait, j-just because I was talking about that doesn't mean I'm crying! I'm not crying! I...I just have something in my eye, okay? I'M TOUGH! GRR!"

Amusement and bemusement rippled from the crowd. "I'd just...like to thank my parents, is all. I know you've already heard that tired, stupid cliche a million times already tonight but it's true. They pushed me to be the best I could be, and I gladly went forward. I'm very proud of them, and they're very proud of me, and I'd also like to thank my...dog? UGH. I stink at this mushy stuff! I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT TO SAY!"

"You're doing fine, Jo," the host said reassuringly.

Jo took several deep breaths. "I am NOT about to be made a fool on international TV...but...okay, I give up." Jo, cold-hearted, clinical Jo burst into happy tears, hugging the person closest to her, which happened to be the host.

"I'M GOING TO BE SO EMBARRASSED ABOUT THIS LATER!" she sobbed happily into the host's shoulder.

"W-would that be all?" the host asked nervously.

"I LOVE YOU MOMMY!" was her response.

"O-okay, thank you, Jo, but it's time for you to get offstage, okay?"

"OKAY!"

And Jo walked off the stage, too jubilant and tear-worn for words, and let out a final "THANK YOU!" to the crowd with the applause at her back.

Her parents thought it was adorable.