Well, this is it. The last chapter of the prequels before the main chapters based on the movie. Now please remember what I'm using is the drafted version of it and not the actual movie itself. If I had the DVD and compared notes it would be easier especially to make sure everything is in order. So if you read something that is out of place, please remember I'm using the drafted version of the movie, not the final version. Oh, and one more thing here's one more VoicePlay song. It'll be at the end of the chapter as a tribute to Abby.
Chapter 20
Well, today is the day. December 22, age 12. It was time for Swan Lake. Everyone was nervous about this whole thing and also what they have planned for the end of the show as a tribute to Abby. It was Mary's idea and luckily she and 4 others agreed to help with the plan. They took an idea from VoicePlay, who were luckily are no longer effect by Sam's magic from all those years ago but now thanks to him, they make sweet banging Halloween music. Anyway, Mary was put on her tutu as well as a few accessories that are easy to pull off so when the funny bit is done, they can quickly pull it off and continue with the show. As she was getting ready, Omi and Aunt Dorothy meet up in the theater lobby. Aunt Dorothy and Omi quickly for into their seats and sat down. Aunt Dorothy looked around to see if the rest of the family would come but it turns out it's that only 2. "Damn it." She said as she shook her head. "I hope it's worth it going to the mall for a recital of the Nativity." She turned to Omi. "I mean I can understand the rest of the family but at least her parents and sister would've come over. Max would've hitched a ride with a friend. Hell, they offered." Omi muttered something and shook her head in disappointment. Aunt Dorothy opened the program and said, "Well they're gonna miss something great. It says here that they're gonna be a small after-show as a tribute to Abby. Guess they wanted to wait until Swan Lake to do it." Soon the lights went off as the show was starting.
After some time, act one just finished, and it was time for act 2. It opened to a beautiful forest scene and after the swans popped up with the time for the funny bit. 8 swans, both black and white in a pattern came out with Mary as a white swan in front, to do the dancing swans. But not as swans. Instead, the white swans are dressed up as pigs and the black swans are dressed up as chickens. The white swans had pig noses and ears while the black swans had chicken hats and rooster tails. As they came out, everyone started laughing. The eight started the dance and were doing it flawlessly. But then the funny bits happened. The chickens walked up. Soon the music changed from ballet to the Chicken Dance and started the dance. "🎶I don't want to be a chicken, I don't want to be a duck so I shake my butt.(clap, clap, clap, clap) I don't want to be a chicken, I don't want to be a duck so I shake my butt.(clap, clap, clap, clap) I don't want to be a chicken, I don't want to be a duck so I shake my butt.(clap, clap, clap, clap) I don't want to be a chicken, I don't want to be a duck so I shake my butt.(clap, clap, clap, clap) " Then the 2 paired up and started to dance like they were couples. "I don't want to be a chicken, I don't want to be a duck so I shake my butt.(clap, clap, clap, clap) I don't want to be a chicken, I don't want to be a duck so I shake my butt.(clap, clap, clap, clap) I don't want to be a chicken, I don't want to be a duck so I shake my butt.(clap, clap, clap, clap) I don't want to be a chicken, I don't want to be a duck so I shake my butt.(clap, clap, clap, clap)🎶"
Then the pigs got them back and continued the ballet music and the dance again.
After a while, the pigs danced up and started to dance from the movie Sing, Shake if Off. It was the best they could do for Swine Lake without copycatting. "🎶I stay out too late Got nothing in my brain That's what people say (mmm mmm) That's what people say (mmm mmm) I go on too many dates But I can't make them stay At least that's what people say (mmm mmm) That's what people say (mmm mmm) But I keep cruising Can't stop, won't stop moving It's like I got this music in my mind Saying it's gonna be alright I never miss a beat I'm lightning on my feet And that's what they don't see (mmm hmm) That's what they don't see (mmm hmm) Players gonna play, play, play, play, play And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake I shake it off, I shake it off Heartbreakers gonna break Fakers gonna fake I'm just gonna shake I shake it off, I shake it off🎶" Then the chickens got the pigs back and continued the ballet again. This time no antics but when they finished, Mary let out a big sneeze that was loud and what made the audience laugh because of perfect timing. When they were done, the 8 went backstage to get the pieces off and well as get their giggles done too.
Well the rest of the Ballet went on without a hitch and there was no more room for funny bits but everyone had a blast with the rest of the ballet and story. When it was done, the 8 small swans walked up to take their bows to the audience and soon a principal dancer walked up with a microphone. "Thank you, everyone." The audience sat down. "As you know a few years ago, we lost our mouse king and funny girl, Abby. So as a tribute to her, her best friend Mary and some singers have come up with this bit as a tribute to her. Please enjoy."
The dance walked backed the curtain went down. After a few minutes, the curtain opened with Mary on a hospital bed with a few hospital stuff on her, and acting as though she was in a coma. Then everyone heard a Capella music from Mary and 4 others. "🎶Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Caught in a landslide No escape from reality...reality…reality🎶"
Just then Mary gasped as she woke up and saw 4 people around her. It was some of the swans that were talented in singing and dressed up as 4 dead keepers. The Guardian: Sentinel of the Underworld with his sword, Yama Nirvana: Judge of Souls and Ushers of the dead with his mace, Baron: Dark Angel and Gatekeeper with his skull cane, and Anubis: Caretaker of Souls with his scales of heart and feather. First was Anubis. "🎶Open up your mind and let me step inside. Rest your weary head and let your heart decide🎶" He reached in and pulled out Mary's 'heart' and put them on the scale. "🎶It's so easy when you know the rules It's so easy, all you have to do Is play the game Play the game Everyone play the game🎶"
Mary tried to get out of bed and stumbled and started to sing. "🎶Each morning I get up I die a little Can barely stand on my feet (Take a look at yourself) Take a look in the mirror and cry Lord what you're doing to me I have spent all my years in believing you But I just can't get no relief Lord Somebody (somebody) ooh somebody (somebody) Can anybody find me...🎶"
Just then Mary felt a can under her chin and it made her stand up. This time it was Baron's turn. "🎶I've paid my dues Time after time I've done my sentence But committed no crime And bad mistakes I've made a few I've had my share of sand Kicked in my face But I've come through And we mean to go on and on and on and on.🎶" Baron laughed as Yama stepped in.
This time Yama was having a spat with Baron. "🎶We are the champions, my friends And we'll keep on fighting 'Till the end We are the champions We are the champions.🎶"
Baron brushed him off. "🎶No time for losers🎶"
Yama had enough. "🎶Cause we are the champions How do you think I'm going to get along Without you when you're gone You took me for everything that I had And kicked me out on my own Are you happy, are you satisfied? How long can you stand the heat? Out of the doorway the bullets rip To the sound of the beat We will, we will rock you We will, we will rock you.🎶"
Mary went back to her bed as the 4 were pushing her down. "🎶Pressure, pushing down on me Pressing down on you No man ask for I want to break free I want to break free from your lies You're so self-satisfied I don't need you God knows I want to break free.🎶" Mary pushed them off of her as she thought of Abby. Behind the performers was a collage of pictures of Abby when she was alive. There wasn't a dry eye in the theater. "🎶When I'm not with you Think of you always I miss you (It's so easy) Think of me Always (When you know the rules) It's so easy, all you have to do Is play the game, play the game Everyone play the game.🎶" Mary finally had enough of the bullies and pulled off the hospital tubes on her and stood on the bed. "🎶So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye? So you think you can love me and leave me to die? Oh, baby! Can't do this to me, baby! Just gotta get out Just gotta get right outta here.🎶" She got off the bed and started to face them off one by one. First was The Guardian. "🎶Show must go on🎶" She made him disappear. "🎶Show must go on🎶" Then she waved away Anubis and Yama. "🎶I'll face it with a grin I'm never giving in🎶" Finally she whacked off the Baron. "🎶Show must go on.🎶" Then the stage went black as the screen showing Abby's pictures changed into Mary walking up to Abby's grave putting flowers on it and sitting next to the tombstone opening 2 root beers. One on Abby's grave, the other in Mary's hand as though they were sharing a drink.
When it was over, the screen went away as the 5 walked up and bowed to the audience who gave them a standing ovation. When it was over, Mary walked up to Omi and Aunt Dorothy who were near a bus stop. She hugged them both as Aunt Dorothy said, "You did great kiddo."
Omi said, "Abby would be proud of you."
Mary said, "Thank you. Now let's head home." The 2 adults agreed and went on their way.