Hi everyone!
I had this chapter done a few weeks ago but took my time uploading it because – life!
The big event is finally here! Don't this isn't the end yet either!
Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 9: I 2 I
Goofy and Max staked out the musical equipment truck that pulled into the warehouse two blocks down from the stadium, they had it all in hand.
Max would create a diversion out front and get the warehouse crew to chase after him while Goofy would sneak in in and remove two of the instruments and place himself inside one of them and eave the other for Max – who as the faster and more agile of the two – would be able to double back and get himself inside.
Today was the day, failure was not an option.
"You ready dad?" Max asked.
"Yup! Don't worry Maxie, I got a surprise too" Goofy replied.
"What sort of surprise?" Max asked.
Goofy held out a bunch of fire crackers.
"A distraction to your distraction." Goofy chuckled.
Max laughed, Goofy still surprised him after all these years.
"Good id-"
Max got cut off as a car screeched around the corner and hit a fire hydrant someway down the road.
As the water shot out like a geyser, three women got out of the car and appeared to be shocked and a little shaken.
Max was surprised to recognize the trio of women – it was the three cowgirls from when they had initially left Spoonerville – they certainly were nowhere near Nashville.
Goofy nudged Max and pointed at the warehouse; the warehouse crew were running to check on the car crash and the compound was empty.
"Oh! Quickly, let's go!" Max said.
Goofy and Max slid from their hiding spot and dashed across the road and into the warehouse compound.
"Where is it?" Max looked around frantically.
"There! That's it!" Goofy pointed at a van on the far side with its rear doors open.
"Go, go go!" Max said as he ran towards the van.
They reached the van and unclipped the instrument cases and removed the contents.
As Maxed jumped out of the van to hide them behind a shipping container, he saw some of the people dispersing from the crash outside and walking back to the compound.
Panicking, Max got back into the van and slammed Goofy – who was struggling to fit into his case – lid shut and only just got into his in time as someone came near the van that would have noticed him if he were five seconds later.
It was cramped, but he did it.
Max smiled to himself in the dark, they were going to get in.
8:00 AM
Roxanne woke up in a sweat.
Her anxiety about tonight manifested itself in strange dreams she had no control over, each dream melding into the next, to the point she swore it was real and waking up was the next step into the following dream.
But now that she had woken up, she felt the cold sweat on her shirt, and struggling to get out of bed she looked at herself in the mirror.
'Come on Roxanne, look at yourself' she thought as she studied her reflection.
Her eyes looked sunken, her face blushed, and a drip of sweat dropped off the end of her nose.
Deciding a shower was in order, she headed to the bathroom.
Having the hot water over her skin came as a welcome relief as she washed her body clean, as she cleaned her hair, her thoughts turned to tonight's event and her stomach knotted up and her chest felt like it tightened. Roxanne closed her eyes and breathed deeply through her nose and out through her mouth, and that - alongside the running hot water - eased her anxiety some.
Finishing off her shower and getting changed into some light summer clothes, she felt much better and decided to have some breakfast with her dad.
"Morning sweetheart, you're up late?" her dad said as she entered the kitchen.
"Just tired, hot night last night so I guess I just dozed off later than normal." Roxanne replied.
Her dad nodded as he flipped a pancake he was cooking up.
"Daddy, would you be able to drop me off at Stacey's today?" Roxanne asked.
"Mmhmm" he grumbled absentmindedly.
"Thanks daddy" Roxanne said as she stole a pancake from the pan, her father grunted in annoyance.
"Won't be able to pick you though, you'll be alright though, it's only a couple of blocks away"
"Oh? You are not home?" Roxanne asked.
Roxanne's dad chuckled.
"Oh, I'll be home, but I won't be able to pick you up in a … ah … good state"
Roxanne nodded, but her thoughts turned to the upcoming party again.
Sticking a fork in her breakfast, she set to work on the pancake.
5:00 PM
Roxanne examined herself in the mirror
'How many times can I get away with this outfit?' she thought to herself as she checked herself out at various angles.
She thought with a pang of the effort that Stacey would put into her outfit, compared to her own.
Straightening her shirt she took a deep breath, her chest felt like a hammer again, there was no logical reason for her to be like this, but it felt like it would be the biggest night of her life and the others would be well aware of it.
She smiled at her reflection.
"showtime"
6:00 PM
Roxanne stood between Emily and Alice, all three girls chatting happily with a drink in hand.
Having arrived to the party somewhat later than she intended, Roxanne was surprised to hear a roar of welcome from the party guests, and after shaking a few people's hands and getting pats on the back, she found Alice and Emily from Stacey's direction – who was busy greeting all the incoming guests.
Alice took a thoughtful sip of her glass and scrunched up her face.
"Emily how much did you say you put in this?"
Emily took a moment to answer to consider the question.
"Mmmmmmm, I don't actually know, why?"
"Its strong! I will be lucky to even see Powerline at this rate" Alice laughed.
Roxanne took a sip, it was stronger than she thought, and she coughed a bit.
"Emily, this is basically vodka that has been coloured pineapple yellow!" she laughed.
She took another sip.
"It is good though."
Lisa, who was walking past, laughed.
"Look at YOU Roxanne! Pace yourself"
"Maybe we could use your expertise?" Roxanne smiled at Lisa.
Lisa grinned back.
"I don't know what you're talking about, I assure you I'm fine. Have you seen Julia?" she asked
Roxanne shook her head.
Lisa shrugged.
"She'll be about, I'll catch up with you later"
With that, she sauntered off.
Emily spun circles in her drink with her straw.
"What has happened this summer? A year ago, Lisa would have seen right through us, now she is friends with us! Or at least speaking terms."
"She's not so different from us." Roxanne replied.
"Or at least, mostly not so different"
Stacey walked over, her costume was very elaborate; she was decorated with feathers on her headband and wearing a green frock with oversized sunglasses.
"Powerline is going to be on at 8! I am so excited! As long as HE" she gestured towards Bobby, who was working the BBQ and laughing with other people.
"…doesn't over do it"
As Stacey finished her sentence, there was a loud PHWHOOR from the BBQ and flames spouted up suddenly and disappeared.
Bobby's eyes were open in shock as everyone laughed at his expression and ashen face.
Stacey sighed
"Well so much for that" Roxanne laughed.
7:55 P.M
A crowd of excited teenagers made their way into Stacey house.
Many were already inside and getting a good buzz on, the rest were on the way there.
The TV had the Powerline concert ready to go, coming live from L.A; the stage was dark but the silhouette of the set was visible and the pre-concert music was going and riling up the crowd who were already screaming for Powerline.
Roxanne, Stacey, Emily, & Alice were first inside the house.
Chad and a couple of his friends – heavily intoxicated but clearly enjoying themselves – were next inside, trailing the girls.
Bobby, Lisa, and Julia came in immediately on their heels though Lisa was not impressed having Bobby try and talk to her.
As the others poured in, the room got hotter, Stacey cleared her throat loudly, and the chatter toned down.
"Thank you everyone for showing up here today!"
The crowd cheered and some raised their cups and slosh alcohol on the floor.
"Who's ready for Powerline?!"
Roxanne cheered as loudly as the rest of them, she had a couple more of drinks and was ready for it.
From the TV, there was a flash of light that appeared on Powerline's set.
It was a lightning bolt.
Everyone screamed. The people at the concert, and the crowd at Stacey's.
It flashed again.
Several high-pitched shrieks were heard.
It flashed again at a quicker pace.
'Here we go' Roxanne thought to herself, as she grinned at the TV.
8:00 P.M
The intro to the concert was unmistakable.
"Open up your eyes, take a look at me
Get the picture fixed in your memory.
I'm driven by the rhythm, like the beat of a heart,
And I won't stop until I start
To stand out."
Both the crowd at the concert and Stacey's house absolutely erupted.
People were bobbing their heads, some excitedly danced with their friends with their hands raised above their heads.
Emily and Alice danced together
"Max did this so well! I love this song!" Emily shouted at Alice, struggling to be heard.
Roxanne got dragged up by Stacey and started dancing with her, bumping off other people as everyone got into it.
"All I need is half a chance, a second thought, a second glance to prove"
Everyone was singing along to the lyrics now.
Roxanne laughed as Lisa ran into her, Lisa laughed as well and grabbed Roxanne's hands and danced with her.
"Remember Max did this!" Lisa laughed and twirled Roxanne.
Dazed, Roxanne took a second to stabilize herself but couldn't stop grinning, even Stacey danced with Bobby somewhat erratically.
"Stand Out!"
The song came to its conclusion and everyone clapped and cheered.
Roxanne felt sweat building up already.
9:55 P.M
Everyone at Stacey's party was exhausted, the hits from the Powerline concert did not disappoint, and came out hard and fast.
Stand Out
Thunder Days
After you
Electrified
1995
Powerline brought all this and more.
Sitting down in the front row Roxanne – sitting next to Stacey – held her legs together in anticipation for the big one.
Nerves wracked her stomach; the butterflies were so strong.
The finale was here.
9:58 P.M – Somewhere off stage.
Max let out a painful groan.
He had just been thrown against the wall inside the equipment he had stowed away in, it opened and he clambered out.
Max looked to the right looking for his father.
"Dad?"
There was a movement from his left and Goofy fell out on the floor, landing quite hard.
"We made it!" Goofy said excitedly as Max helped him up.
"Cummon Max, let's get you on stage" Goofy said as he took Max by the arm and started walking out of the room.
Max pulled back hesitantly, now that he was here the reality of what he was going to do dawned on him.
"Yeah yeahhhhh"
Two of Powerline's dancers strutted by him, not even noticing Max as they got ready to go on stage.
Max couldn't help but look, they were by far and away the most attractive women he had ever seen in his life, titling his head, his eyes running over their bodies as they walked by him.
"Then again…" He cheerfully said.
Coming back to his situation, he looked for Goofy but he had vanished from sight.
"Dad? Dad?!"
From the floor of the stage there was a blue mist with an orb rising; as it rose to the top electricity from the poles of either side crackled to the top and arced to the orb, revealing Powerline's silhouette.
As it blew open, Roxanne and the rest of the party guests screamed.
I got myself a notion, one that I know you'll understand
Powerline's dancers came on stage, some of the boys sitting behind Roxanne wolf whistled.
Set the world in motion
By reaching out for each other's hands.
Backstage, Max continued his search for Goofy, there was no sign of him anywhere?
"Dad?" he called out
Looking ahead he could see Powerline perform, it was Powerline! In the flesh!
As Max stared in awe, a security guard opened the door.
"What are you doing here?"
Panicked, Max ducked between the guard's legs and legged it.
As he was running the guard running and yelling after him, he frantically looked around.
"Where is he? What am I going to do?" He thought.
If we listen to each other's hearts (oh yeah)
We'll find we're never too far apart.
And maybe love is the reason why,
For the first time ever, we're seeing eye to eye
Bobby snorted.
"That goof kid ain't there!" he said derisively
Roxanne felt her heart sink, his words hit her deep, it was true, he wasn't there.
She bowed her head on her knees, the disappointment crushing her.
Roxanne felt a hand on her shoulder and she reluctantly turned to face Stacey.
"Don't worry" she smiled at her "He'll be there."
Roxanne didn't reply and slumped her head on her knees, nothing Stacey could say would cheer her up, it felt like she was detached from her body.
Lisa gasped behind her
"Who is that?"
"What's going on?"
"Is…that…"
The murmurings of the crowd had caused Roxanne's head to perk up.
On stage the orb exploded and someone tumbled out and got themselves up on the floor – Powerline was looking at him quizzically.
It wasn't Max – Roxanne could tell that much – but who was it? The camera panned out but the newcomer started doing a strange dance, and evidently Powerline approved of this and started copying his moves.
It didn't seem like part of the act but the song continued, and the large TV behind Powerline exploded and sparks of electricity shot into the crowd, who were unharmed and cheered instead.
Adding to the confusion, someone swung down on a rope and landed between the stranger and Powerline, they too, were momentarily confused.
He was a little shorter, and started a dance of his own.
The cameras zoomed in.
"YEEEAHHHHHHHHHHH!" Bobby screamed out
"MAX IS ON THE TUUUBE! THAT'S MAX! I KNOW HIM!"
Roxanne's eyes were wide open, her mouth formed an O as she looked on at the TV.
Max Goof was dancing with Powerline on national TV before her eyes.
She couldn't react, her body was stunned by the sheer shock of it all, all she could do is bring her head down to her knees but she was sporting the biggest grin of her life.
A warm tingling sensation returned to her and radiated throughout her body and mind; the cheers echoed through the room but she could not hear them as clearly.
A scream beside her brought her back to normal sensations, and Stacey bearhugged her, Alice and Emily screamed and piled on her too, and the girls fell to the ground in a tangled bunch.
Half laughing and half crying Roxanne got to her feet and found herself being mobbed by people, including Chad – who was smiling at her.
"Looks like you got yourself a fine keeper there Roxanne" he said.
Roxanne was startled to find that he was genuine in his words.
One of Chads friends drunkenly came up and put his arm around Chad, while squinted at Roxanne.
"Nice one girl!" he turned to Chad "We are going to do shots! Spoonerville student on national TV! Gotta do it man!"
Chad cheered and walked off, only to have Lisa come up and give Roxanne a hug.
"that's so cool" she whispered in her ear "Nothing like this has happened before here, you're so lucky"
She held her at arm's reach with both hands-on Roxanne's shoulders, beaming at her.
"Roxanne! Roxanne!" Stacey grabbed her.
"We got to do the dance"
Roxanne and Stacey attempted to dance along to Max's dance but could not quite pull it off, and as Stacey bumped into Roxanne – Bobby who had been walking past spraying cheese into his mouth and swinging his arm to the music – turned around and tried to spray them.
Roxanne squealed and hid behind Stacey and pushed her in his direction, unfortunately they both fell over.
Eye to eye (seeing it)
We're eye to eye!
Max, Goofy, and Powerline held a power stance with fists in the air as fireworks cascaded around them and the stadium went crazy.
The stage plunged into darkness.
The concert was over.
Stacey turned the TV off and people still kept coming up to Roxanne and offered their congratulations one way or another, everyone with high spirits and more than a little drunk, plied drinks on Roxanne as well.
She obliged, very soon everything became blurry but as she would recall in the weeks to come..
"This is the best night ever!" she thought to herself
The last memory of the night was the cheering of her friends.
"Rox-anne! Rox-anne!"