Shift
Memory is a tricky thing,
Particularly when combined with failure.
You may remember this for the rest of your life,
Or forget it by next week.
One thing's for sure, though:
You're grounded.
Callie scribbles down the details as fast as she can write, when filming starts and where and how often she'll be expected to be on set and how long it should take (all summer, so much for attending any splatfests) and every weekday for... at least eight hours maybe twelve; she's got the lead. The lead!
Legally Squid, that's her!
All the major stuff for her part in Fortunate Betrayal has been filmed for this season, but she'll be needed there Saturdays. Still, she can't complain; it's her dream part. And both places are okay with her double-booking.
She is so happy, she closes her eyes and starts humming Calamari Inkantation as the director bids her farewell. Only, the director stops mid-word and says, "Whatever you're humming, stop it."
Callie stops mid-note. "Whatever? It's... it's Calamari Inkantation. Mary and my's first hit." Callie starts it again, and as she sings, the world seems to shift and spark around her.
"Stop it," the director snaps again, and Callie jumps and stops singing. The world slides back into place. "I've never heard of it before, and your voice is nice, but those are the stupidest words I've ever heard. Work on your music when you're not under contract."
Callie's jaw drops. Work on her—
"I'll see you Monday," the director says, and hangs up.
Callie stares at the phone in her hand, then out the window. She should make another batch of stirfry for her lunch (and for Mary to take to DJ Octavio) but the shock of those words has her reeling. How does she NOT recognize Calamari Inkantation? Even if she doesn't know her and Mar's version, the original is as old as squid kind. And it's everywhere: played by the trains when they arrive, at least three companies use jazz instrumental versions as hold music...
Callie throws on her hat, puts on some shades and darts out the door. She's got to check. This song is everywhere. She'll pass the bus station (where she'll hear it between announcements) to the train station and get some fresh ingredients at the store (where it'll play before intercom announcements).
Only the bus station plays Now Or Never's chorus before the doors close. The train station uses the Fishtris theme. And the tune that comes on before announcements, as Callie weighs potatoes in her hands, is one she recognizes from her Gramps's favorites.
By the time she reaches the line, she's desperate. Who cares if she's recognized? Callie starts to sing, loud enough for the cashier to hear. "Ya wenei..."
Someone elbows her, hard enough that her eyes blur for a moment. Callie turns to find an inkling, not much younger than her and definitely in their target demographic, looking at Callie with scorn. "Do you mind?" she demands. "Your voice isn't bad, but those are the worst words ever."
Callie opens her mouth, and closes it again without saying anything. Her cheeks burning, she taps her card and accepts the bag from the cashier. "Don't mind her, squiddo," says the lobster behind the counter. "Not everyone will sound like the Squid Sisters starting out."
Callie stares at her. Without thinking, she starts singing City Of Color.
"Much better," says the teen behind her.
Callie takes her bags and stumbles home. She tries again on the train. It's the same thing.
She's just imagined this song.
And everyone hates it. Because Callie's terrible at coming up with words.
No wonder she lost Final Fest.