CHAPTER 2: THE WORLD IS FILLED WITH DIVAS AND PRIMA DONNAS
Schroeder's day had begun pretty rough. As the kids got to school, with the exception of Linus who was "sick at home", the acts in the show, save for Frieda, started voicing their opinions and what order they should go. One kid who was performing a Christmas-themed magic act thought he should go first, and another kid thought that she should be the marquee act because she was going to belt out a "showstopper". Not to mention the constant interruptions from Snoopy sneaking in to "audition" for the show.
Later at rehearsal, Schroeder and Lucy were going over the set list for the show. Finally, Schroeder announced, "Okay, we got the set list finalized. Sally, you will recite your poem first, then Alan, you will do your magic act, Mariah, you will do your song, Violet and Shermy will do their dance, and finally Frieda, you will sing your number. I am leaving the extra time for a possible surprise act that hasn't been finalized as of yet, but hopeful that they will join the show."
"If there are any questions, now is the time to ask them," added Lucy.
"Why don't I get to go on first?!" asked Alan.
"Why do I have to go first?!" asked Sally.
"How come Miss 'Naturally Curly Hair' over there gets to close the show instead of me?!" ranted Mariah. And those three acts started arguing among each other.
"Oh good grief!" sighed Schroeder. "Everyone's a diva!"
"Relax, baby," said Lucy. "They're just on an ego trip."
"I am fine with the arrangement, Schroeder," said Frieda.
"Us too," added Violet and Shermy.
"Well at least some of you are fine with everything," Schroeder lamented. "It still doesn't make things easier."
Charlie Brown ran up and said, "Schroeder, we have a problem."
"Of course we do!" said Schroeder, his patience running out. "What's going on, Charlie Brown?"
"The props manager went on strike," he replied. "He says he wants more pay."
"NONE OF US ARE GETTING PAID FOR THIS!" screamed Schroeder. 'THIS IS A SCHOOL SHOW, NOT AN OFF-BROADWAY PERFORMANCE!"
"That's what I told him, but he was more stubborn than my sister," Charlie Brown replied.
"I heard that!" retorted Sally, who then turn her attention back to the other performers arguing.
"Anyway, he locked himself in the green room and won't come out," Charlie Brown finished.
"Let me talk to him," said a spent Schroeder.
"If he doesn't fly right, I'll pound him!" threatened Lucy.
Schroeder, Lucy, and Charlie Brown went to the door to the green room. Charlie Brown knocked on the door. "Cedric?" he said. "I got Schroeder here with me. Now can you open the door?"
"NO!" said Cedric. "Unless he's promising me more pay, I'm not opening anything. I'll stay in here until I'm old and gray if I have to!"
"What did I tell you?" said Charlie Brown to Schroeder.
"Okay listen up, you blockhead!" Lucy began from behind the door. "Not only are you not getting any money for this, but neither is the rest of the acts and crew, including Schroeder and myself. All we are getting is extra credit for extracurricular activities. So this temper tantrum ends NOW! Either open this door and get back to work, or I'll pay you with one of my fists! But not before breaking this door down to get to you!"
"She'll do it, too, Cedric," added Charlie Brown. "You don't want to get on Lucy's bad side. Take it from someone who knows."
And Cedric reluctantly came out of the green room. "None of us are getting paid for this?" he asked meekly.
"Not one red cent," said Schroeder. "Now how about getting back to work, huh?"
"Oh all right!" Cedric said, defeated. "I know when I'm licked!" And he went back to work.
"Thanks, Lucy," said Charlie Brown.
"Don't mention it, Charlie Brown," said Lucy with a smile. "Sometimes you gotta get tough with these grunt workers." After calming down the acts who were arguing, the rest of rehearsal went on without a hitch.
NEXT CHAPTER: WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS