Chapter 4

The sun was only beginning to set as Senel's escorted Madame Musette to the Fountain Plaza. Chloe looked up at the sky, noticing that some dark clouds were beginning to roll in.

"The weather is getting bad," she said.

"Yeah," Senel agreed. "If it keeps up, we'll have to cancel the fireworks."

"No, not the fireworks!" Norma whined. "You can't cancel the fireworks!"

"It's dangerous to shoot fireworks during a storm," Will said.

"We'll have to think of an alternate activity," Senel said. "Do you have any ideas, Musette?"

"Oh, a simple birthday song will do," Musette said. "I'm an old woman now. I'm not as big on parties as I used to be. After the celebration, would you all come join me for tea?"

"Oh, that sounds lovely," Grune said.

"But tea is so boring!" Norma complained.

"It would be our pleasure to join you for tea," Will said.

"Thank you, Will," Musette said. "By the way, where are Moses and Jay?"

"They're staying at my house. They're not feeling well."

"They're probably hiding underneath Teach's bed," Norma said.

"Norma!" Will scolded.

"Oops...I mean, they're probably playing in Teach's bed."

"Norma!"

"Uh...I mean, they're probably getting horny on the kitchen counter!"

Will raised his fist once again, but Norma quickly ran behind Senel.

"You're taking the fall for me, Senny!" she declared.

"Like hell I am!" Senel snapped.

Musette shook her head and smiled. "You're all as lively as ever. It makes me feel young again. You all have my gratitude."

Everyone only blinked at her.

Will scratched his head. "Well...I'm not sure I understand, but I'm pleased to have been of service."

The group finally reached the Fountain Plaza, where all of the town's residents were waiting.

"Surprise!" they called in unison. "Happy Birthday, Musette!"

"Oh my, thank you, everyone," Musette replied. "I'm glad to see you all here."

The Bantam Bouncers, Curtis and Isabella, leaped into the center of the plaza.

"Happy Birthday to Her Excellency!" they sang in unison.

Just then, a bright flash of lightning filled the sky, and rain began to pour.

"Aww..." the crowd mumbled.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Isabella announced. "Due to the foul weather, we will be unable to launch the fireworks tonight."

"Aww..." the crowd muttered again.

Slowly, the citizens began to leave the plaza, leaving Senel's group behind with Musette, Curtis, and Isabella. The rain continued to pour steadily.

"There goes the party..." Norma sighed.

"Oh my, what a shame," Grune said.

"Don't be so gloomy, friends!" Curtis boasted. "When the clouds darken your skies, and the rain begins to pour, one must sing!"

He dropped to one knee and began to sing proudly. "I'm singin' in the rain, I'm singin' in the rain..."

"Ugh..." The party crouched down low, covering their ears to block out Curtis' awful singing.

"Oh my..." Musette said. "This weather really gets me in the mood for some tea."

"Ooh, good idea!" Curtis called. "Let's all have a tea party! For love!"

Senel's group sighed as they followed Musette out of the plaza.

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Meanwhile, Moses and Jay sat in the living room of Will's house, passing the time with a board game. They could hear the rain pelting the house outside, but they ignored the soft rumbling noise.

Moses rolled the dice and moved his piece on the board. "Hah hah!" he laughed for no apparent reason.

Jay looked annoyed. "What's so funny?"

"It's just that I'm about to win the game!" Moses said boastfully. "So roll the dice and weep, boy!"

Jay looked at the board, but he just didn't see Moses' prediction coming true. He rolled the dice, which called for the number of spaces needed to reach the goal. Accordingly, Jay moved his piece to the goal.

"I win," he said innocently.

"Hey!" Moses cried. "I said roll 'em and weep!"

"Why should I weep when I've won?"

"Listen, you little..."

A flash of lightning interrupted the argument followed by a loud thunderclap. Moses and Jay jumped, quickly clinging onto each other.

"D...did you hear that?" Moses asked.

"It's just thunder, you idiot," Jay said.

"I never liked thunder..."

"It can't hurt us...we'll be safe in here..."

There was another lightning flash and a thunderclap. The lights in the house flickered, and then went out completely. Moses and Jay continued to cling to each other in the dark. The only sound was the rain pouring outside, and the only source of light was the occasional lightning flash.

"Now I'm really scared..." Moses whined, trembling.

"Just think..." Jay said, trying to maintain control of the situation. "How do you normally deal with your fear?"

"Well...I like to listen to the rain...even being in the rain always helps me."

With that idea in mind, Moses let go of Jay and went to the front door. Moses opened the door and looked outside. It was completely dark, save for the moonlight glimmering from the wet grass and road puddles. Moses strolled into the yard while Jay stood in the doorway.

"Moses, be careful!" Jay called.

Moses turned to face him, spreading his arms out. "Hah hah, this feels great! Come on out, Jay! The water's fine!"

Another flash of lightning and a thunderclap boomed in the sky.

"Ahh!" Moses and Jay screamed again.

Moses dashed back into the house and slammed the door. Then they both ran upstairs into Will's bedroom, diving into the bed, and pulling the covers over themselves.
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Curtis received the title of "Singer in the Rain!"
A reenactment of the classic film by the Elvis Presley wannabe.