Chicago Reverse
What if Roxie was the star of the vaudeville ... and Velma was the wannabe?
Disclaimer: I don't own Chicago or any of the characters in it. I'm not making any money off it ... and all that jazz.
Dreams of Fame
Velma Kelly stood by a pillar in the smoky club. Her sister Veronica was chatting animatedly with Charlie, Velma's husband, but she didn't see them. All Velma could see was the skinny blonde bombshell belting out a jazz number up on stage. Ever since she had started coming to The Onyx, in hopes of landing an audition, she had been in awe of the Roxie Hart. How glamourous! How sexy! Roxie had it all. However, Velma wouldn't let anyone know she thought this, as Velma Kelly always kept her composure, never going to pieces about anything ... not even her long-time desire to have her name in all the papers. Velma sighed inwardly as Roxie sang, imagining herself on that stage ... people gazing up at her ... people wanting her autograph ...
"Hey, Vel, move your ass, we're outta here!"
Velma shook herself mentally and looked over at Veronica, impatiently tapping her foot and gesturing towards the door. Velma rolled her eyes and followed her sister and husband. She resisted the temptation to look back at Roxie and instead walked coolly out of the Onyx, into the cold night air.
As she reached the last part of her dance routine, Roxie Hart froze. Smiling smugly, she left the stage and walked backstage to collect her things. She changed out of her costume, pinned back some flyaway hairs, and left the Onyx. It had been a good show, that night. Roxie lived for the stage and the audience. It had been a dream come true when she became a regular at the Onyx, a dream she'd had since she came to Chicago. But Roxie wanted more than the act she had now. She wanted to travel and perform and be known throughout the whole world ... Roxie became lost in her fantasy, picturing herself singing, dancing on all the stages of the world ...
"Hey!" called a smooth male voice. "Roxie Hart, right?"
"That depends on who's askin'," Roxie replied, turning around, smiling.
"Fred Casely," said the man, grinning. He extended a hand, which Roxie shook primly.
"And what does Fred Casely want with me?" asked Roxie.
"Fred Casely wants to make Roxie Hart a household name all over the world," said Fred. "I saw your act. What are you doing at the Onyx? You could be making it big everywhere!"
Roxie smiled coyly. "You really think so?"
"I know so. I've got some connections. There's a guy down at another club who can give you an audition. Just say the word and I'll call him."
Roxie knew immediately what the answer would be. "You got it, Mr. Casely."
"Just Fred, please." He paused, then asked, "Look, do you want to go out for a meal or something? So we can talk about this some more?"
"I'd like that."
Fred hailed a taxi and Roxie followed him in, still hardly believing the offer Fred had made. This, she thought, is my lucky night!
Velma looked out of the window as Charlie pulled up at the block of apartments where they lived. Veronica also lived there, but on a different floor. She'd managed to get Roxie's act out of her head and opened the door as soon as the car stopped. Sometimes Charlie wanted to be a gentleman and open the door for her, but that was something Velma detested. She prided herself on her independence and did everything for herself. That was why she kept her maiden name when she married. But the bottom line was Velma Kelly relied on nobody.
She walked quickly into the building to get out of the cold and waited for Charlie and Veronica, who were lagging behind. Velma wasn't surprised as Veronica had just broken up with her latest boyfriend (the third one this month) and, as usual, Charlie was comforting her. When they eventually entered the lobby, Velma immediately turned on her heel and continued up the four flights of stairs to her apartment. She unlocked the door, undressed and went to have a shower. As she walked out of the bathroom, she could hear Charlie saying good night to Veronica, and Veronica making her way up more stairs.
"Good show tonight," Velma said when Charlie closed the door.
"What?" he replied distractedly.
"Never mind."
He had been like that lately, a bit more distant than usual. Velma put it down to stress at work. Charlie worked as a furniture salesman, and he often complained about how one of the guys on his shift, Casely, was forever calling in sick. Velma was between jobs at the moment; she had been fired from her last one as a waitress after yelling at a customer who had grabbed her arse, so money was a bit tight nowadays. But that would change, thought Velma, when I have my own act and I'm famous ... She climbed into bed and drifted off to sleep, thinking thoughts of fame and glamour.
Roxie laughed again as Fred cracked another joke. He had taken her out to a classy restaurant and ordered her an expensive meal and now they were talking amiably and drinking booze. Strangely, Fred hadn't talked much about the guy he knew; instead, he wanted to know all about Roxie. She didn't mind much, and before she knew it, they were joking around, talking as if they'd known each other for years. At first, Roxie tried to remind herself she was married, but after about thirty seconds, she thought, what the hell, and began flirting. Fred was charming, witty, and knew all the right people.
After he paid the bill, Fred hailed another taxi and took Roxie home. They climbed the stairs together until Roxie pulled a key out of her bag and turned to Fred.
"So, I guess this is good night, then," said Fred. He pecked Roxie on the cheek. "So, good night."
"Well, that's not much of a goodbye kiss," Roxie replied. She pulled Fred towards her and kissed him seductively.
"Don't you have a husband?" Fred asked.
"What husband?" Roxie said playfully. "I don't have a husband ..." At least, not until midnight ...
She opened the door and, still kissing Fred, led him to the bedroom ...