Sydney cursed, wholeheartedly, the day she ever crossed paths with Arvin Sloane. The CIA had gotten wind of a business transaction between Sloane and a prominent African businessman, regarding whom else but one Milo Rimbaldi. Her dad's voice sounded in her earpiece telling her to take a deep breath. He also told her that if she was too nervous, to visualise the audience in their underwear.
With a faint grin, Sydney stepped from behind the curtain in to the blinding white light. As a little girl, she had loved being onstage, but as a grown woman she felt ridiculous in the full costume and make-up that was required when one was playing the part of Nala in the Broadway musical 'The Lion King'. The second act was just beginning and she was stepping into the role of the grown up lioness. She hadn't seen anything else of the show, but she had heard singing from the adult Simba, and she had been dazzled at the richness and beauty of his voice. Standing on the stage, she tried to act her part, while enjoying the scene around her. There were dancing antelopes, and birds and the colours were amazing. But despite all the beauty, Sydney felt the butterflies returning. It was time for the song 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight', the only song Sydney was required to sing as Nala.
In this performance of the show, they decided to use the Disney version, so Syd had time to calm down as Timon, Puumba, the chorus and Simba sang their bits. The music swelled and Syd's nervousness disappeared. She remembered all the times she had been on stage as a child, dancing in her ballet school's end of year recital, or singing. She started dancing the required steps and listened to the progressing of the song.
I can see what's happening.
What?
And they don't have a clue.
Who?
They'll fall in love and here's the bottom line, our trio's down to two.
Oh.
Catching a glimpse of the actor playing Simba, Sydney did not recognise him as the actor her father gave her Intel on, before she started the performance that act. However, that is not to say that he wasn't familiar. He was. Annoyingly, mind-numbingly so. But she just couldn't place him. Maybe if she could catch a glimpse of him without the silly headpiece and stage makeup she'd recognise him. And the song continued on.
The sweet caress of twilight,
There's magic everywhere.
And with all this romantic atmosphere,
Disaster's in the air.
With Timon's piece done, that actor took himself to a part of the stage that obscured Sydney's view of Simba. So she concentrated on her movements, and the chorus took over the melody.
Can you feel the love tonight?
The peace the evening brings?
The world for once in perfect harmony,
With all its living things.
It was time for the Simba/Nala solos, and Syd made her way to front stage left, watching the other lead make his way right. The stage lights dimmed, leaving the two lead actors bathed in a warm golden glow of the spotlights. Syd was momentarily blinded, and as she struggled to get her sight back, Simba started his solo.
So many things to tell her,
But how to make her see?
The truth about my past? Impossible.
She'd turn away from me.
The voice was so familiar. Sydney struggled to remember where she had heard him sing before. But apparently Jack had just figured it out. Syd heard his sudden intake of breath through the earpiece. But as he could not distract her from the mission, Jack was prevented from telling Syd who her co-star really was. And then she sang.
He's holding back he's hiding,
But what I can't decide.
Why won't he be the king I know he is?
The king I see inside?
With her singing part done, Sydney basically had to make her way down the edge of the stage to the back left and then cut diagonal to end up centre stage as the song ended. So as the chorus sang their final verses, Syd wove her way to the back of the stage, dodging members of the cast, and trying to catch glimpses of the man playing Simba.
Can you feel the love tonight?
The peace the evening brings?
The world for once in perfect harmony,
With all its living things.
Sydney could feel the finale building up, and despite not being a regular cast member, she could still feel the incredible high that came with performing one of the signature numbers. So she put that little bit more effort into her movements and continued her way to centre stage. She was getting anxious for the song to be over though, because for the ending, Simba and Nala were to end up face to face. Then Syd would discover who her mysterious co-star was.
Can you feel the love tonight?
You needn't look to far.
Stealing through the nights uncertainties,
Love is where they are.
The chorus was finished their part of the song and moved their way to the back, and the spotlight went to Timon to finish the song off. A pink spot was put on the leads and they made their way to each other, still not fully facing one another. And with the final chorus, the song made it's way to completion.
And if he falls in love tonight,
It can be assumed,
His carefree days with us are history.
In short, our pal is doomed.
And as the final notes swelled from the orchestra pit, Sydney found herself face to face with the male lead she had found so familiar. It was not a big struggle to act surprised. She understood why her usually stoic father had been forced to make some sort of physical reaction to the identity of the co-star.
Because it was Sark.