A/N: Heyo! Update time!
This chapter got cut in half because it was so long and things needed to be spaced out a little. The other half will be next week's chapter.
Thanks to Bloodlylilcorpse for reviewing the last chapter.:)
Enjoy!
Those two weeks were the busiest but also the best in Mike's life.
He hardly thought about his stepfamily. Mal was occasionally on his mind, but Mike didn't worry about what Duncan had said. It certainly wasn't true. Right?
Anyway, the show was a great success with the people of the capital. Opening night,the house was hardly half full, but the cast received a standing ovation. The nights after that, it was packed.
"You've got some talented dudes and dudettes on your hands, Trent! Can't wait to see what everyone upstairs thinks." One of the festival organizers, who introduced himself as Geoff, said backstage after a show one night. "And you guys are gonna love the after-party I've got planned for you guys."
"Yeah, some of them have been to one. It'll be Mike's first of yours, though."
"My first what?" Mike hadn't really been paying attention to their conversation. He'd been chatting with Mani and Brick.
"Alright, little dude! You're gonna have a blast." Geoff smiled at Mike.
Mike couldn't help but smile back. Geoff gave off so much positive energy, it was hard not to.
"So, when are you guys leaving town?" Geoff asked.
"In a few days. After we perform for the royals, of course."
"Great, you guys'll be here for the festival. It's such a big thing here, like one huge party!"
"Like we could miss it."
The show in front of the royalty set everyone on edge a bit. For Mike, it was his dream coming true. He felt a combination of excitement and nerves.
"This is the big one, mate. You ready?" Manitoba had asked him before he got into his costume and makeup.
"I think we all are. But this has been my dream for forever. I'm happy to be doing it with you guys," Mike smiled.
Mani smiled back. "Me too, little 'roo. This is probly the best group o' people I've had pleasure in workin' with."
"I agree. Everyone's been so nice. Its great to have people who like you, and don't use you…" Mike's expression turned sad.
Mani put his hand on Mike's shoulder and looked him in the eye. "Those dingos can't hurt you here, got that?"
Mike nodded.
"Good. Now, get yourself ready. We got a show to put on."
The big show went off without a hitch. The royals were all in a box at the top of the theater. The rest of the house was full of nobility. Mike didn't focus on that. He focused on his performance, and becoming this cranky old man character. He made the audience laugh multiple times, and by the bow at the end he was smiling brightly through his makeup.
"I heard you were out huntin' last night! Might as well get all those critters to flock over here for a feast, why don't you!" Mike was yelling at Dakota, as his character of course.
"I'm sorry, Grandfather, but my brothers aren't exactly helpful."
At this point, Duncan and Mani run across the stage, Mani chasing Duncan. "Stop it! I'm not a kangaroo!" Duncan, as his eldest brother character, ran in a circle around the stage.
"You will be soon!" Mani had an almost manic grin on his face as he continued to chase Duncan.
"See? They're always fooling around. I'm the only one who does anything around here!" Dakota rarely got angry in everyday life, but she really brought it when she was onstage.
"Bah! You kids know nothing about hard work. Put ya outside in the dead of winter for a week with just the clothes on your back, and you'll see!"
"Maybe I'll do it!"
"What do I care? You whippersnappers ought to learn to get along, while you're at it!" Mike crossed his arms. On stage, he was sitting in a chair.
Dakota took a deep breath and sighed. "I'm sorry."
"You damn right should be! I hope you learn something, young lady."
"What do you mean?"
"You said you're gonna do it, so you're gonna do it! Kids these days know nothing about commitment, best you learn that too!"
Everyone on stage and in the audience gasped and stared at Mike. That was the moment that set everything else in the play into motion. Mike liked being a character that catalysed the entire plot.
Eventually, Mike's piece of the scene was done, and he exited off the stage. He was greeted with a hug from Trent, who was backstage. "You did awesome, Mike!" he whispered excitedly as they got out of e wings and into the hallway that led to the dressing rooms and such.
"I still have the end scene later."
"That was some of the best acting I've seen from you. You really fell into your character." He shut his mouth when he realized what he said. "Sorry, that was insensitive."
"It's okay. I really felt like an old man yelling at his grandkids. I guess having that injury helped with my posture onstage." Mike had curved his back and hunched over while he was standing onstage, making him look older.
The two-hour play ended with the curtain call. Mike was second to last, coming out with most of the cast and crew on stage already. Dakota, Duncan, Mani, and the two actors playing the other two brothers were last. Everyone joined hands and took a bow.
Please review! See you next Monday!:)