1Disclaimer from Chapter 1
W00T! Another chapter, and I think it is of a fairly substantial length too. I hope you all enjoy! And thanks so much for the reviews!
Now, onto the story!!!!
The streets of New York were crowded, as usual, but to someone who hadn't been out in almost half a year they were positively packed. They boys had fanned out to form a circle around her, which kept her from being jostled and pushed too much, but she was still feeling a little claustrophobic, and the stifling heat was not helping.
Lily clutched her music to her chest, holding onto it like a lifeline. Finally they reached Irving Hall, and she relaxed a little, it wasn't nearly so crowded in here.
As they walked though the entranceway and into the main part of the theater Lily stared in aw at the huge venue. The carpet and seats were bright red, as was the huge velvet curtain that was drawn across the stage. Most of the seats in the back and in the balcony were permanent, but there was a large number of tables in front of the stage which, Lily assumed, could be removed for dances and such. On the left, level with the tables, was a bar, where a man was cleaning glasses, and a woman appeared to be sitting righting busily, she apparently already worked at the Hall, because she was not dressed like any of the other women there.
And there were plenty of other women, some who looked even younger than Lily. They were all dressed in flashy costumes in bright reds, purples, pinks, and a myriad of other colors that Lily was quite sure could not be found in nature. And that was just the colors, most of the dresses left little to the imagination, falling above the knees, and reveling a generous amount of cleavage. Suddenly she felt very plain. How could she compete with these girls who were covered in makeup and frills?
The boys also seamed to notice, immediately Blink, Mush, and Skittery excused themselves and went to ogle the other performers.
Jack shook his head at the other boys then smiled at Lily, "Come on, lets go meet Medda." All she could do was nod dumbly, and follow him further into the theater. David walked close behind her like a bodyguard, which she would have found very funny, had she not been terrified. She had spotted three very large men off in a corner, they weren't doing anything, just lounging, but they still frightened her. Wow, she was really messed up! Just being with strangers was scaring her out of her mind. It was a good thing that Jack and David forced her out of the house, she might never have left otherwise.
Jack lead her to a table that was covered with papers, pens, and lists. The woman sitting at the table had red-orange hair and looked a little worn. She had on a pink satin dress that fell to the floor, and had a high collar. The dress would have been completely normal, but instead of pink satin, the dress from the chest up was white lace, showing a hint of the woman's ample cleavage.
When she saw them coming, she got to her feet and hugged Jack and David in turn. Lily didn't know why, but for some reason she didn't like this women, who she assumed was Medda Larkson, hugging David. What could that mean? Probably just that she had grown so close to the boys and she wasn't used to sharing them with any other women, with the exception of Sarah. No, she never felt that way when the boys were close to Sarah.
But, Lily didn't have time to sit there and analyze her feelings because Jack was introducing her.
"Medda, let me introduce your newest singa, Miss. Lily," he said, as he pulled Lily forward into the middle of their small group.
"Well, hello," Medda greeted her and extended her hand.
Lily took it, and managed a good handshake and a squeaked out, "Hello ma'am."
"Well, Miss Lily, we're not quite ready for you yet, but feel free to have a seat and something to drink, and we'll call you up soon."
"Thank you ma'am," was all she could say.
Jack and David lead her over to a free table and she sat down and let out a huge breath of air.
"Yous do'en fine kiddo," Jack said, as he placed his hand on top of hers.
"Are you kidding? I sounded like such and idiot." She put her head in her hands, "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. I mean, look around, how can I hope to compete with these women," she said gesturing to the rest of the Hall.
"You'll be fine, let me get yous a glass of wata, then you can just take a few deep breaths and you'll be fine," Jack offered.
"Okay, thank you Jack." He just nodded and went over to the bar to fetch her water.
David sat down in the chair next to her and looked her in the eyes. She was beginning to wish he would stop doing that, it made her feel uneasy. "Cate, you'll be great, these women are no comparison to you."
He sounded so sincerer that she wanted to laugh, instead the just smiled and shook her head. "That is a very nice thing to say David, but I am not nearly as pretty, or dressed up as any of these other women. And what have I told you about using my real name?"
"Sorry, and you are beautiful. You don't need all that other stuff to make you pretty, your like that on your own."
She was blushing so hard from the complements that she couldn't think of anything to say. David didn't look unaffected either, his cheeks had also taken on a pinkish hue and he averted his eyes. It was a relief for both of them when Jack came back with a large glass of water and sat down on her other side.
She sipped her water and removed her hat while they waited. She was very nervous, but also wished they would just call her so she could get it over with. While they sat there a few other girls auditioned. They were all dolled up and acted very flirtatious, which Lily thought was strange since Medda was a woman, and would not just give them the job because they were fluting with her, as most men would have undoubtedly done.
Finally Medda called her name, and she climbed unsteadily out of her chair and grabbed her music off the table. Jack and David gave her reassuring smiles before she turned and walked to the stairs that lead to the stage. She was a little blinded from the lights along the edge of the stage, which shined up into her face. Lily made her was over to the pianist and handed him the music then walked toward the front of the stage. The platform was about three feet above the floor, which ment that she could see every one and every thing in the theater. Most of the faces were turned to her, and she swallowed hard. Just then she heard the first noted of her song and plastered a huge smile on her face. She glanced around one more and saw Jack wink at her, then she focused on Medda and started to sing to the upbeat music.
"Johnny could only sing one note,
and the note he sang was this:
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Poor Johnny one note sang out with gusto,
and just overloaded the place.
Poor Johnny one note yelled willy nilly,
until he was blue in the face,
for holding one not was is ace.
Couldn't heat the brass,
couldn't hear the drum,
he was in a class,
by himself, by gum!
Poor Johnny one note got in Aida,
indeed a great chance to be brave.
He took his one note,
howled like the north wind,
brought forth wind that made critics rave,
while Verdi turned 'round in his grave.
Couldn't hear the flute,
or the big trombone,
everyone was mute,
Johnny stood alone.
Cats and Dogs stopped yapping.
Lions in the zoo are were jealous of Johnny's big trill.
Thunder claps stopped clapping,
traffic ceased it's roar,
and they tell us Niagra stood still.
He stopped the train whistles,
boat whistles,
steam whistles,
cop whistles,
all whistles bowed to his sound!
Sing Johnny one note,
sing out with gusto,
and just overwhelm all the crowd:
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh,
so sing Johnny one note out loud.
Sing Johnny one Nooooooooooote,
sing Johnny one note out lound!"
She finished out of breath, but extremely please with her performance. She smiled down at the watchers. That wasn't so bad! And now the adrenalin rushing through her system made her ready to do it again. She turned and nodded to the pianist, who started her next song, which was much slower.
"Long ago,
in someone else's lifetime,
someone with my name who looked a lot like me.
Came to know,
a man and made a promise,
he only had to say,
and that's where she would be.
Lately although her feelings run just as deep,
the promise she made has ground impossible to keep,
and yet,
I wish it wasn't so,
would he miss me if I go?
In a way,
its someone else's story,
I don't see myself as taking part at all.
Yesterday,
a girl that I was fond of finally could see
the writing on the wall.
Sadly she realized she'd left him behind,
and sadder than that she knew she wouldn't even mind,
and yet,
there's nothing left to say,
would he listen if I stay?
All very well to say:
you fool it's now or never.
I could be choosing no choices what so ever.
I could be in someone else's story,
someone else's life,
and he could be in mine.
I don't see a reason to be sorry,
I should take my chances further down the line.
And if that girl I know should ask my advice,
oh, I wouldn't hesitate,
she needn't ask me twice,
"Go now",
I'd tell her that for free.
The trouble is the girl is me,
the story is the girl is me."
As she finished the last note, she remembered to keep a straight face until the music ended and another huge round of applause broke out. Only then did she let the smile she was holding back take over her face. She felt so invigorated, like she could do anything. She managed to stumble out a thank you to Medda and the old man playing the piano, collect her music and run down the steps of the stage.
She started to run back to the table where she had left Jack and David, but she only got half way. David ran up to her, lifted her clean off her feet, and into a huge hug. She laughed mostly from happiness, but also at the picture they must present for the other people in the theater. No one got this worked up over a good audition, did they? Before she could ask him to put her down David shifted his hold around her waist and kissed her on the cheek, then pulled back and looked her in the eyes again.
Her breath caught in her throat, and all she could do was look back at him. She felt like she was drowning in his beautiful blue eyes when a voice managed to cut through her thoughts.
"Lil, that was amazing," Jack said from where he was standing next to them.
Lily looked over at him, David must have lowered her to the ground while she was staring at him, because Jack was looking down at her from his usual height. However, David's arms were still around her, and her hands were still on his upper arms, where she had grabbed hold when he lifted her up.
She smiled sheepishly at David and they let each other go. She turned to Jack and hugged him too. When she pulled back he winked at her and she gave him a little shove.
"Thanks Jack," was all she could manage before the other boys ran up and started bombarding her with compliments and hugs. She was so swept up in the excitement that she didn't notice Medda had joined them until she spoke.
"Lily, that was incredible. I think I have found my new singer." She smiled at Lily and put a hand on her shoulder.
"But, don't you have to hear the rest of the people?"
"Nah, I've heard most of them and I know that I want you."
"Oh, ok then."
"Alright, lets sit down and talk about your contract," Medda said as she waved Lily over to her table.
Lily sat down and David came up and put his hands on her shoulders in a comforting was. Jack stood right next to David. They all waited for Medda to seat herself and then continue. Once settled, Medda looked at her.
"Now, the job is two shows a week, one on Fridays with a half an hour solo time slot, then on Tuesdays with a fifteen minute time slot. You rehearse the day before each show for three hours, and then everyone comes in on Sundays for a big group rehearsal. I expect you to be here and hour and a half before each show to get into costume and warm up. And we will be starting you with a salary of fifteen dollars a week . . . ."
Lily thought she had misheard, "Did you say fifteen?" she interrupted.
Medda nodded at her and smiled, "But if you're late, then I will have to dock your pay. The longer you stay the more time you will work and the more money you will make. Now, we need to find you a stage name."
"What is wrong with Lily?"
"Nothing dear, it is lovely name, but you don't want everyone to know your real name, it becomes . . . . complicated."
"Oh, well, we really don't need to worry about that. Lily isn't my real name." She looked down, this was more than a little embarrassing.
Medda looked a little uncomfortable too, "Uhh, okay then. What about a last name?"
Jack cut in, "Lillian Bloom."
"Perfect," Medda exclaimed. Lily looked up at him, but he just smiled, and David squeezed he shoulders affectionately. "Now, lets get you set up with a dressing room." She turned to the girl sitting by the bar and called to her. "Julia, come here please."
The girl stood up and started walking over. She was shorted than Lily, maybe five feet and four inches tall, maybe if she was lucky. She had skin as pail as Lily's, but her hair was darker, and cut short, it didn't even reach her shoulders. She was very curvy, but still petite. The girl was wearing a white blouse and a brown skirt with a large tan belt. On the belt were several interesting objects. The was a whistle, a notepad and pen, and a large ring of keys.
"Lily, this is Julia, she is in charge of security for the theater. Julia, this is Lily, our new singer." The girls shook hands.
Julia turned to Jack and David and spit into her hand and shook theirs', "Kelly, David, hows it rolling? Boys," she nodded to the others.
"Juls! Tings are great. You seen Spot lately?" Jack asked.
"Hes supposed be up this weekend wes gonna . . ."
"Julia," Medda interrupted, "could you show Lily her new dressing room?"
"Oh, sure Medda. This way please." And with that Julia started off towards the stage. Lily glanced at Jack, who nodded, and the three of them, Jack, David, and Lily followed Julia up onto the stage.
Julia turned around to look at them, "Uh, only staff backstage. Sorry boys." She smirked at them and gave them a little wave goodby. "Come on Lily, this way."
Lily just stood there with Jack and David. She had to be kidding, right? This was not part of the deal, they were supposed to stay with her the whole time. It was hard enough to get out of the house, but she was not going to be alone. She turned to the boys and ran back to them. They hugged her at the same time, and she put her arms around both their necks. Then Jack pulled back from them.
"Lil, you gotta do this on your own. . . . ."
"But Jack, I can't," she hung her head.
David placed his hand under her chin and raised her face up so he could look in her eyes. "Yes you can," was all he said.
She sighed and let go of them, "Ok. Will you be here when I come back?"
"Of course," they said in unison. She smiled and turned away to follow Julia, who was holding the curtain open for her. She looked puzzled, but didn't say anything.
As they started up a flight of stairs in the back of the theater, Julia tried to make some conversation:
"So, what part of Ireland are you from?"
Lily smiled, at least the girl was smart. "We lived in Cork for most of my life."
"My family lived in Glasgow until we moved here, that was when I was four." They had now started walking down a dim hallway.
"I know this is very rude," Lily started, "but why is your hair so short?"
Julia just laughed, "No, I'm not insulted. I started wearing my hair short when I became a Newsie. I must have been about seven years old, because it was right after my mother died, my father died on the trip from Ireland."
"Oh, I am so sorry! But you were a Newsie?
"Yeah, about one in every fifteen Newsies is a girl, I sold in Brooklyn. The short hair kept it from being ripped out during fights. I liked it, so I kept it that way."
"But why did you stop being a Newsie, they boys are still selling, and they have to be older than you."
"Yes, that is true, but as girls get older it is not as safe for them. Once we become sexually desirable it gets really dangerous. Working for Medda is a much safer job, and far more stable. I'm not one to run away from a fight, but not even I can be on guard all the time." She sighed wistfully, "still those were great days. I was one of the best fighters in all New York."
"Really, but you're a girl, and not a very big one, no offence intended."
"None taken. People can surprise you. Like you, I bet you fight pretty well too, you did learn from Jack, after all."
"Well, I did punch Blink in the face pretty hard."
This sent Julia into a fit of laughter. "Let me guess, he was getting a little fresh?"
"Yeah, and he snuck up on me. I hate it went people do that, and well, I just reacted before I knew what I was doing."
"Okay then, note to self, don't sneak up on Lily." Both girls laughed. Julia turned to the door they were standing next to, pulled the huge key ring off her belt and unlocked the door. "This is your dressing room," she took one key of the ring and handed it to Lily. "This is your key, I keep a copy of it in my set, and Medda keeps a master set. If you ever have any trouble, like you loose your key, or get locked out, just come to one of us. And," she looked Lily right in the eyes, "if anyone, and I mean anyone gives you any trouble, come to me, and I will take care of them."
Lily smiled, she felt she could just trust Julia, just like how she felt with Jack and David. After a quick inspection of her new dressing room the two girls headed back down to the main theater. On the way back down the stairs Lily asked a few more questions.
"Julia, do you miss being a Newsie?"
"Sometimes, but like I said, this job is safer, more stable, and the pay is much better. Plus how many seventeen year olds do you know have the same kind of position I do?"
"Your only seventeen!?! Your younger than me!"
"Yeah, I get that a lot. Okay Lily," they had reached the stage again, "I'll see you at rehearsal on Sunday." Then she waved goodby and went back to her table.
When the six of them left Irving Hall a little while later Lily was practically jumping up and down. Medda had asked her to come in that Sunday to be measured and fitted for costumes. She would rehearse for two weeks then start on a Friday night. She would be making enough money to pay back the Jacobs, and soon too.
She had so much energy that she started skipping. She got about ten meters from the boys when Jack called out for her to not get too far away. It was dark now, so it was far less crowded, and the heat from earlier had broken. Jack was carrying her music for her, which she and David would have to return to the library some time soon.
Mush ran to catch up with her, and started to walk beside her, but she had to much energy to just walk. She grabbed his hands and started spinning around and leaning back. At first Mush just looked stunned and let her pull him along, but then he caught on. As they spun faster and faster Lily threw her head back and laughed hysterically. The sky and buildings spun around her.
Finally, they were too dizzy to go on and they staggered to a stop. Lily took a few tentative steps and watched the world sway back and forth in front of her. Just as she was about to tumble to the ground, a pair of strong arms snatched her up.
She looked up at David, who was now carrying her. Slowly the world stopped moving around her, and all that was left was the feel of David's arms wrapped around her, the feeling of them walking along, and the feel of his heart beating against her shoulder.
Lily looked up at the sky. There weren't as many starts as back in Ireland, but she was sure the night sky had never looked so beautiful. Then she looked back at David and studied his face. The straight shape of his nose, his strong chin, and curly hair, which was falling over his forehead and into his eyes. She reached up to brush it back, and he looked down at her. She blushed and put her hand down.
David smiled at her, there was something strange in his eyes, something she could not quite place. Then he leaned over and kissed her forehead.
"We're almost home," was all he said.
She sighed. Finally it felt like her life was coming back together. Finally.
more music disclaimers:
-Johnny One Note came from book of Broadway pieces for young singers, I don't know when it was written, but I did not wright it, so don't sue me, please!
-Someone Else's Story is from the musical Chess
ok then! Nice sized chapter, if I do say so myself, which I do. I hope you all liked it! Remember that I love reviews.
A hint for next chapter: we find out why Lily's eye are so damn familiar! I would love to hear everyone's guesses!
I'm going to try to post the nest chapter before Friday the 20th, because thats when I move, so I want to get another one before I start school, when I will have to take a little break because of that whole starting college thing.
Thanks so much for reading
estrellalily