On January 20, the world of music and movies lost a great singer and actor. Meat Loaf, known not only for his songs, but also for such roles as Eddie in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, passed away at age 74.
If there's one thing Bobby Lee and his guard friends like, it's getting together to have fun when they're not watching over the castle. They even invite James along with them when they play games or go on fishing trips. And if there's one thing they all enjoy, it's singing! One of the guards plays a song from a movie that Nell would never approve of, but as Bobby Lee tells James, what Helen doesn't know won't hurt her, right? There is a quote from Rocky Horror Picture Show in the story, which was also included in the song. Rocky Horror Picture Show is not mine, and on a more serious note, rest in peace, Meat Loaf.
"This is going to be one of our best guys days ever!" Bobby Lee grinned as he and James carried the basket of sports equipment, fishing rods, and some bottles out.
"Thanks again for letting me tag along, Bobby Lee," James smiled. "I know you probably want to hang out with your friends, and you don't need me."
"Don't say that, James," Bobby Lee smiled. "You're like the younger brother I never had, and I love spending time with you. Even when you weren't singing around the castle, I'd still open the door to your room a little so my friends and I could hear you."
"But at least you never have to do that again," James agreed. "I only keep my door closed now if Dad's concentrating on royal business or if anyone needs quiet."
"And that's a good idea," Bobby Lee nodded. "I know you want to be considerate when Ricky or Gabby need to rest."
"I mean, when I have my door closed, I try to keep it open a crack, since Sabrina's afraid of closed doors," James agreed.
"And that's fine," Bobby Lee said as they met up with the guards. "Sabrina knows why you sang behind a closed door before, but you don't have to do that now, unless you want to."
"And you know you're welcome to come along with us no matter what," Aiden agreed. He and the other guards sometimes saw James watching them as they did their patrols, and they also welcomed James to join them when they had time off.
"So, what's the plan for today?" Jackson asked.
"Dazzleball practice for the guards' tournament next week, then our picnic, then at the same time do some fishing?" Talbott suggested.
"Sounds like fun, and it looks like we've got enough for a three-on-three game," Aiden agreed.
"Okay! And as we practice, we should sing something to make it more fun!" Bobby Lee added.
"Guys, just because I'm here doesn't mean we have to sing all the time," James started.
"James, you're not going back to that 'I'm never singing in public again' phase of yours, are you?" Barnaby asked.
"Of course not!" James shook his head. "I learned the hard way that too much singing can lead to trouble, and I don't want that to happen again."
"And it won't," Talbott smiled. "We've got plenty of water, soda, and milk in case you get thirsty or to help keep your voice in top condition."
"Thanks, but it's not a good idea to drink milk before singing," James smiled as he found a bottle of water. "My Music Appreciation teacher, and Bianca, always said that if you drink milk before singing in a concert or music program, you'd be coughing up all kinds of things and your voice won't be clear."
"Good point," Aiden agreed.
"That's right, and you can drink whatever you want," Bobby Lee smiled, remembering Bianca's warning about doing that in a music program when he was younger.
"Besides, this isn't a concert or music program, this is just for fun!" Jackson added.
"And I happen to have a great song with me right now!" Barnaby agreed.
When he heard the opening notes, Bobby Lee choked on his mouthful of water since he was laughing so hard. "Barnaby! In all the time I've known you, I've never heard you sing anything like that!"
"What is it? And are you okay, Bobby Lee?" James asked, helping Aiden thump Bobby Lee on the back to help him recover.
"I'll be okay, James," Bobby Lee chuckled as he regained his composure. "This is from a movie that we often watch. It sometimes plays late at night, so we had to record it, then we'd watch it when we were by ourselves."
"What about Nell, Bianca, Florence, and the others?" James asked.
"Are you kidding? They'd never approve of this," Jackson chuckled beside him.
"But trust us, James, what they don't know won't hurt them!" Talbott agreed as he took up the dazzleball and threw it to Jackson as he started singing.
Whatever happened to Saturday night?
When you dressed up sharp and you felt alright
It don't seem the same since the cosmic light
Came into my life, I thought I was divine!
"Wait a minute, I know this song! And I saw that movie in my Music Appreciation class, since we were doing one of the songs and we had to learn the dance steps!" James grinned as he jumped into the song.
I used to go for a ride with a chick who'd go
And listen to the music on the radio
A saxophone was blowing on the rock 'n' roll show
We climbed in the back seat and really had a good time
As he remembered laughing at Amber's reaction to the song when he sang it at the concert, James and the guards sang as they threw the dazzleball around, Hot patootie, bless my soul
I really love that rock 'n' roll!
Hot patootie, bless my soul
I really love that rock 'n' roll!
Hot patootie, bless my soul
I really love that rock 'n' roll!
Hot patootie, bless my soul
I really love that rock 'n' roll!
"And remember what James said when Florence caught us helping him practice?" Aiden added.
"Lovely party!" Barnaby quoted the movie.
"And she said she'd leave us to our 'lovely party', since she knew we were helping James practice," Talbott agreed.
"That's my pseudo-brother!" Bobby Lee grinned, mussing James' hair as he ran past him with the football that Jackson had thrown him.
"And it's lucky for me that Mom, Dad, and Sof liked that performance!" James laughed as he threw the Frisbee to Jackson. "Amber, not so much, but she liked the rest of the concert!"
Jackson nodded as he joined in, My head used to swim from the perfume I smelled
My hands kinda fumbled with her white plastic belt
I'd taste her baby pink lipstick and that's when I'd melt
She'd whisper in my ear, tonight she really was mine!
"And Princess Amber's reaction to this song was priceless!" Barnaby grinned. He spoke in a high voice, imitating Amber as he said, "'That's not a proper song! Only heathens sing something like that!'"
"Yeah, well then, we're all heathens!" James agreed as he kicked the soccer ball over to Bobby Lee.
"And proud of it!" Bobby Lee agreed as he caught the football and he and James continued the verse.
Get back in front and put some hair oil on
Buddy Holly was singing his very last song
With your arms around your girl you try to sing along
You felt pretty good, yeah
You really had a good time
As they finished the game, Aiden, Jackson, Talbott, Barnaby, Bobby Lee, and James also finished the song together, unaware that someone was watching them.
Hot patootie, bless my soul
I really love that rock 'n' roll!
Hot patootie, bless my soul
I really love that rock 'n' roll!
Hot Patootie, bless my soul
I really love that rock 'n' roll!
Hot patootie, bless my soul
I really love that rock 'n' roll!
Hot patootie, bless my soul,
I really love that rock 'n' roll!
Hot patootie, bless my soul
I really love that rock 'n' roll!
Hot patootie, bless my soul
I really love that rock 'n' roll!
As the song ended, Aiden, Jackson, Talbott, Barnaby, Bobby Lee, and James were whooping, cheering, and giving each other high-fives as they collapsed on the blanket.
"You mind if I quote Prince James when I say 'I love this song?'" Jackson grinned as he passed around some more bottles of water.
"Go ahead," James laughed as everyone mussed his hair.
"Okay, I love this song!" Jackson smiled.
Their laughter was cut short by a shocked cry of, "ROBERT!"
"Helen! What a pleasant surprise!" Bobby Lee smiled innocently.
"Oh, I'm sure it was. I just came to check on you and ask if you wanted to eat something, and I find you acting like wild animals and singing an even wilder song!" Nell arched an eyebrow. "You know how your mother is about that movie! And all of you are so lucky that the girls and Ricky aren't here to hear that!"
"Does that mean we get to sing it for them later?" James grinned.
"No!" Nell frowned. "And I'm going to get you later for a pun that awful!"
"Worth it!" James laughed as Bobby Lee mussed his hair.
"But we were helping James practice when he had to learn the song," Bobby Lee grinned, slinging an arm around him.
"And Miss Florence said she really did like it when he and his group sang it in the concert," Aiden added.
"But Bianca says only heathens watch that movie!" Nell frowned.
"Well then, we're all heathens, right, guys?" Bobby Lee grinned.
"Here, here!" James, Aiden, Talbott, Barnaby, and Jackson cheered, clinking their water bottles with him.
Nell rolled her eyes. "Boys..."
"Don't worry, Helen, James and I can sing something you'll like later," Bobby Lee grinned, pecking her on the cheek.
"I'll hold you to that," Nell smirked. "But now, I'm calling for a short break so you can eat something!"
"That's fair," Bobby Lee smiled. "We'll take a quick lunch break, then go back to dazzleball practice, then some more guy time. And later, we'll all watch the movie again!"
"Sounds like a plan to me!" James agreed as they followed Nell back up to the castle.
