April 21, 1929 was just five days away, and I had to train my voice by then. I also had a lot of competition, it wasn't just Annabelle, There was Dorthy, Maya, Erin, Susan Mae, Beatrice, and a bunch of others, too. Most of the people who were going to try out, are people l hate. I shouldn't say hate, just strongly dislike, like how I feel about Maya and Erin. They always make fun of what I wear, eat, where I live, and everything I do. But, who cares, I told myself, it will be more of a challenge.
Over the next few days, me and Annabelle practiced singing anything, from the Star Spangled Banner to We Wish You a Merry Christmas, while Lina listened. She made us learn and memorize all the notes, while we griped all the way. She said we were doing great, but we still had a long way to go. Finally on Friday our voices were in pretty good shape. All throughout the school day, people had been talking about it, and there were a lot of "good luck!"s and "hope you do well!"s. Well, I hope I do well, I thought as I walked from Annabelle's to my house. Then Lina ran up to me and said "Hope you win!", In a silent voice. It made me smile.
I woke up the next morning feeling full of energy. Thank goodness, I thought with relief. "Today is gonna be a great day!" I said aloud. I pulled on a cute formal dress and tore down the stairs quickly scarfing down my breakfast and looking at what time it was, 8:34 the clock read. I still had 26 minutes to get to the first interview. I got into the trollie bus and told the address to the driver that Annabelle had given to me.
There was traffic, like I expected, but I didn't care, there was always more time. I got to Joey Drew Studios at 9:27, where the gates were opened for the girls to try out. Alice Angel, I thought as I got off the bus, who are you? All I knew was that she was, of course, an angel, and that she would sing. The only thing that I found a little bit weird was that she had horns, something that perfect
angel's usually didn't have.
I was right on time, and their were only four people in front of me, none of them I knew. The line was leading to a door with a banister above, that read: Sammy Lawrence head of the music department.
You could see through a window, where a girl was standing, singing something I couldn't exactly understand. My heart was thumping hard and loud because I had only sang in front of Lina and Annabelle. Soon there were two people in front of me, then one, then the girl in front of me walked in and soon, came out. After a few seconds the light above the door flashed white, it was my turn.
I stepped in, my heart racing fast as ever, and walked over to the microphone. I looked at the person in the chair, expecting him to be old, grumpy, and mean looking, but, to my surprise he looked about my age. His face was soft and his eyes were a hazel color and had either light brown or dark blonde hair, I couldn't tell. His cheekbones where visible, but in a very attractive way. "Start as low as you can, and sing as high as you can go." His voice sounded like heaven, so smooth and perfect. I instantly felt calm. I was still a little nervous, but I knew he wouldn't fuss at me if I did anything wrong. I started low than when to the highest I could go, while his emotions smeemed stoic, as I couldn't read his face. "High D." He said with his perfect voice, "That's high enough." He said calmly. I felt horrible, high enough? I should have tried my hardest to go higher. "Now," he said slowly "Sing Joy to the World." My mind was blank, the only words I remembered were "Joy to the World", how would I sing something I didn't know the words to? "I'm sorry, but I can't remember all the words." I said pitifully. "My bad," he said smoothly. "I mean Joy to the Destruction of the World." I hadn't heard that in my life. "I'm afraid I don't know the words" "Of course you don't" he said. "I made the song." I was taken aback, and he must have noticed because he said, "I only made the music, though, not the words. Music is my talent, and singing just might be yours." I managed a weak smile, but only felt a bit safer around him. He handed me the sheet of paper titled: Joy to the Destruction of the world, and I took it, a bit reluctantly. It read:
The world is ending, I pray to you O wonderful Demon of the Dark!
I hope that I am worthy in your presence, O powerful one!
The wonders that imagination can bring, I hope that, I, an unholy creature can bring you happiness!
Anything I will do for you my lord, why can't be more of what I am!
I looked at Sammy, then the paper, then Sammy again, my mouth open wide. The song was, well, HORRIBLE, and I couldn't help getting a demonic feeling. "Can you sing it?" He asked, looking a little embarrassed, his face finaly changing before it regained it's expressionless tone. I gathered up all my courage. "Yes, give me a second." I followed the notes as best I could, thank you Lina!, and sang the lyrics. When I was done, he said goodbye and, quite literally, pushed me out, but before he could close the door, I asked, "Sammy, if I get the job, can I slap you?"I was feeling braver and flirtier than I I'd ever felt. "I can't make any promises, Ms.?" He said, his face still stoic. "Campell, Susanna Campell." I said in a tight, mocking voice of a very fancy person, with my chin up high, which after I busted into laughter. "Susanna..." He said slowly. "I like that name."