Chapter 3: Don't Disturb This Groove
Liberty nervously shakes her pen on top of her memo pad. She's not sure if she should start or wait for J.T.
"Great it's almost four." She stares at the clock although it's really only 3:35. Just as she's about to give up and start the meeting without her partner. J.T. shows up with Emma.
"Sorry guys." J.T. rushes to the front.
"What took you so long." Liberty says to J.T. through almost closed lips. "And why is Emma here."
"All in good time you shall know." J.T. says in a assuring voice.
The fact is Liberty didn't know what was going on. J.T. printed out most of the flyer's and wrote the script without her knowledge. Ms. H gave them both at least a week to come up with a plan. But J.T. wrote the script and a layout in less then a few days. By Friday he was all ready to go and he just told Liberty to show up to the meeting he had planned. She didn't know that most of people in the last play were there, with a few new faces in the crowd Marco, Hazel, Ashley, and Jimmy. Now he had Emma with him was he trying to put even more controversy and attention to this project, which she was certain was going to be a disaster especially now that Emma was here.
"Why did you want us to come here." Jimmy asked.
"Are the rumors true." Marco and Hazel said simultaneously
"Oh please, what kind of famous director especially Steven Spielberg would come to this school." Manny said
"I heard he was bringing Nicole Kidman and Jim Carey as a special guest." Charlie chimed in.
"Oh yeah J.T., Liberty, I hope you guys don't mind that I brought Charlie. The flyer did say bring a friend." Manny stated
"Of course not." J.T. said reassuringly. "The more the merrier."
"Will there be any kissing in the play? Nate asked while staring at Emma. "Because if there is I'm not auditioning."
"Is that what they call it these days." Alex stated sarcastically
"That's it, I'm leaving" Emma whispered quietly to J.T
J.T. grabbed Emma by the sleeve of her sweater. "Please wait." J.T. whispered back
"Fine, but one more comment and that's it." Emma wanted to leave but then sat down in the back of the room.
J.T. spoke louder so the rest of the group could hear him. "I know you're all wondering why I asked every one here today. As you all know based on a rumor which I or Liberty didn't start. There are directors coming to this school. They're American, not very well know well at least not here but they are the reason I umm, I mean we are doing another play."
"What's their names?" Hazel asked enthusiastically.
"Jay and Silent Bob" J.T. answered.
"Who?" Marco asked
"I can't believe it! Charlie exclaimed. "My buddies and I at my old school saw their movie like a hundred times."
"Well I studied them on the net last night and copied out a couple of information packets." Liberty handed out a large folder the size of a magazine to everyone.
"Thanks, Liberty." J.T. said in a sour monotone voice. "Maybe next time you can make it a little smaller."
"Ok, these guys seem nice and all but what's the reason you wanted me and Hazel to show up?" Jimmy asked. "We're not exactly thespians."
"Speak for yourself." Hazel jokingly replied.
"This." J.T. held up a large poster. The poster had the title Degrassi Duets in large bold print. It also had a picture of cupids and angels across it. At the bottom there were more words "A Rock Opera by J.T Yorke & Liberty Van Zandt. Featuring the Degrassi Players and Introducing.... " A picture of Jimmy & Hazel was printed after the those words.
"So what do you guys think" J.T. smiled
Everyone in the room looked dumbfounded. Liberty dropped her head in her hands while her brother Danny snickered. No one understand or had a clue what it meant.
"Wh... Why is there a picture of me and Hazel on the poster? What does this mean a Rock Opera? I can't sing in Italian" Jimmy said in a questioning voice. "Please Liberty do you care to elaborate. J.T. never had a way with words."
"Uhhh...Ummm...Well a rock opera is mainly a musical without dialogue or as little dialogue as possible. "Liberty explained. "It has pop and rock music in it in place of Italian Aria's. Kind of like Tommy by the Who."
"Who?" Danny asked.
"Look, I can change the name to musical but that would seem kind of lame." J.T. stated. "I asked you guys here, Jimmy and Hazel because you are the perfect most stable couple in Degrassi these days not to mention after what happened.you guys are still together. Face it, people would want to see you there as...Zues and Venus but instead your going to dress up as Jimmy Hendrix and Tina Turner."
"What.!" Hazel exclaimed. "There's no way I'm dressing up in a bad wig."
"Do I have to sing?" Jimmy asked "Because that would be a bad idea for me and Hazel to do."
"You guys don't have to sing. Your just symbols for the play, symbols of love conquering all." J.T. replied."And Hazel you don't have to be Tina Turner you can be any music icon."
"That settles it, I'm going to be Beyonce." Hazel stated.
"So is that a yes from you guys." J.T. asked.
"Ummmm." Jimmy said while thinking about it.
"It's for a good cause. We'll get money for the school." J.T. said.
"Ok, but only after we read the script." Jimmy stated.
"Here you go." J.T. passed out a script to Jimmy and Hazel before turning to address everyone else. "Now, I wanted the rest of you guys here because you are the best of what Degrassi has to offer. I know you don't care for musicals after your reactions from the last time but remember this is for a good cause and the directors like music more then dialogues. So please read over the script and if any of you guys can sing or dance please pick three music selections from three of your favorite time era's posted in the script. I look forward to seeing all or some of you next week. J.T. looks outside at the line but in the auditorium this line is ....."
Darcy barged through the door nearly knocking J.T. on the floor. " I can't believe this!" Darcy screams while looking around at the room. "Nearly half of the cast from Dracula is here along with some other people. Talk about favoritism! Is this what Degrassi is all about? I can't believe you have Alex here, Alex! She didn't even show up for the premiere. And you make me stay outside waiting in line. I was the star last time, you hear me! Sure I walked out but I was the star. At least this time it will be worth it, I could be discovered. You guys are jerks plain and simple! Jerks!" Darcy screamed before balling up her fist at her sides and storming out of the room.
"Looks like she didn't get my last minute memo." J.T. uttered.