Three Days in Memphis
Chapter 1
Out for Dinner
The Hellcats were hooting and laughing nonstop as they played Spin the Bottle. They weren't slacking off, per se, but Vanessa Lodge, the head coach gave them an early night off as a treat because they performed their routine for the semi-finals perfectly countless times during practice. So they were now playing Spin the Bottle where the bottle was currently slowing down towards Savannah Monroe, captain of the Hellcats.
Everyone went wild with excitement. The rule of the game was simple: if the mouth of the bottle stopped in front of anybody, they had a choice of truth or dare. The question for truth can be asked by any one person as well as the dare can be given by any one person.
When the bottle stopped in front of Savannah, the Hellcats became very intrigued. Born and raised in a very strict Catholic family, Savannah still had a few qualms about going all liberal but as the optimistic and peppy captain of the Hellcats, they respected her and followed her because she was intensely dedicated to the team.
"So what will it be Savannah? Truth… or dare?" Alice Verdura, co-captain of the Hellcats, asked.
"Uhm…" Savannah shook her head while the others cajoled her into picking truth, so she said,
"Dare." Everyone hooted some more and applauded. Marti, who was Savannah's roommate and new best friend, nudged Savannah on the shoulder.
"Alright," Alice grinned mischievously and looked up, pretending to think.
"Hey – nothing that'll kill the mood, 'aright?" Lewis Flynn, one of the Hellcats' base, said to Alice.
"It's not like I'll dare her to give a lap dance or something," Alice retorted looking a bit miffed.
"So Savannah, I dare you to… dye your hair blonde." A silence fell among the Hellcats before everyone started laughing. Savannah just stared at Alice while running a hand through her long brown hair.
"What's wrong with my hair?" she asked, wondering why Alice dared her to dye it blonde.
"Well – Lewis said nothing that will kill the mood so…" she left the statement hanging.
"So Alice gave you something...small." Marti finished and everyone laughed again. The door of the dorm opened and everyone glanced as Dan Patch, Savannah's boyfriend and Marti's best friend came in.
"What'd I miss?" he asked when he saw that everyone was there. He grabbed a chair and sat beside Savannah, kissing her cheek as a greeting.
"Your girlfriend's turning blonde." Alice informed him and Dan looked at Savannah disbelievingly.
"I can't imagine you blonde," he said. Savannah giggled and put a hand around his neck.
"Well you'll be able to, tomorrow," she said and leaned in for a kiss. The Hellcats continued their game after that while Savannah, who had a penchant for planning ahead, called the salon to schedule an appointment.
\m/
"Three days?" the pilot cringed.
"The jet will take three days to be fixed?"
Ryan and Kelsi hardly cringed. They were used to Sharpay's tantrums when things don't go her way. Tom the manager was on his cell phone, far away from them, but the reach of his client's voice was limitless.
"But Ms. Evans – there is a problem with the turbines and possibly the control box. I'd rather be sure than end up killing you all." Robert McAdoo, the pilot explained.
"Fine!" Sharpay threw up her hands in frustration and then glanced at Tom, then at Ryan.
"Ry, do you think we can…?"
"Take an alternative route to Albuquerque. I don't think so." Tom, the manager, said in his deep baritone materializing behind Sharpay.
"But what about the lawsuit?" she asked him hysterically.
"That's filed already. Albuquerque will wait for you to go home, don't worry," he explained and looked off into the distance. An SUV was rolling towards them.
"What's that?" Kelsi asked looking towards the car. Tom was telling McAdoo to get their luggage.
"That, Ms. Nielsen, is our ride to the Peabody Hotel where we could lay low for the three days that we're staying here." Tom answered her. Ryan almost applauded; he was as efficient as Mr. Fulton back in Lava Springs. Sharpay eyed the SUV and sighed in defeat.
"Hey, since we're here, maybe we can look around the place." Ryan told her, trying to calm her down.
"What's to do in Memphis?" his twin sister asked exasperated.
"A lot – since we have three days," he said unfazed.
The four of them climbed in with Tom in front with the driver and the three at the back. It was a silent ride to the Peabody Hotel. When they arrived, three bellboys were waiting to take their luggage away where Tom hired three rooms; one for Ryan and Kelsi, the other for him and the last for Sharpay. The four followed the bellboys to the elevator and went to their assigned rooms on the tenth floor. Their assigned rooms turned out to be three Celebrity Suites and Kelsi couldn't help but think how much money was being spent just for three days in Memphis – where they were not really supposed to be vacationing. In the privacy of her and Ryan's suite, she told him she wanted to talk to him.
"Is this really necessary?" she asked in a timid voice, eyeing warily the Cola her boyfriend handed to her from the wet bar.
"What is?" Ryan asked. Growing up in luxury, Ryan had no problem spending so much money on a hotel suite like this. In fact, during vacations when the Evans' would go travelling, they would usually reserve three hotel suites – one for the Evans' couple, and a suite each for the children.
"I would have been okay in a standard room." Kelsi told him. Growing up in a middle class family, she couldn't fathom – and didn't want to fathom – the price of this suite if only for a night. Her parents always told her to spend wisely and she had to bite her tongue when she wants to protest whenever she goes with the Evans and see them spend so much.
"Oh… yeah but you know Mom. She wouldn't want that." Ryan shrugged hoping his girlfriend would understand. Darby Evans would go mad knowing her children didn't get the best, even if it's just a hotel room. Kelsi sighed and tried to enjoy the view. She couldn't, still, since she was too worried for Sharpay.
"We should go check on Shar… just to see if she's okay." Kelsi put down the half-finished Cola and went out. Ryan followed her down the corridor to Sharpay's suite. He watched Kelsi knock cautiously on the door. It opened and Sharpay looked at them, one perfect eyebrow raised, a manicured hand on her hip the other holding the door open halfway.
"Let's go out! C'mon Shar – the SUV will take us to a shopping district and we can end the night on Beale St. – listenin' to the blues." Ryan told his sister cheerily hoping she would say yes. Kelsi smiled and nodded beside him. Sharpay just looked at the two of them before her lips curved into a tired smile.
"You'll never give up on me, will you, big brother?" Sharpay asked looking at Ryan.
"Never lil' sis'" he answered with a smile. Sharpay ushered them in and told them to wait while she had a change of clothes. Another knock on the door was heard and Kelsi opened it to reveal Tom McKay.
"A night out in town?" he asked, looking out the window and upon seeing the afternoon sky, shrugged.
"You're not gonna forbid us, are you?" Ryan asked.
"No, but I'd want you to be careful. The paparazzi hasn't gotten wind of your whereabouts and let me just warn you that there are a really sleazy bunch out there who'd go to great lengths for a story – exclusive or candid." Tom answered, efficiently, as usual. He glanced at his watch.
"I hate to be the parent here but," he took out his phone, "It's already two in the afternoon. We could all have a late lunch and then you three can be on your way. Just be sure to be back by eleven."
Sharpay heard the entire conversation and laughed to herself. Tom was such a dear, she thought fondly, while she looked for something cute to wear. Her eyes settled on a knee-length flowery printed sundress and a pair of Jimmy Choo wedges. She put on light make-up, grabbed her handbag and went out of the bedroom to the reception area of her suite where the others were waiting.
"Lunch," her manager announced with a clap.
\m/
Meanwhile, Savannah stood in front of her closet in Cheertown, looking at two dresses. One was flowery printed while the other was a red-orange piece. She glanced at the Jimmy Choo wedges her sister Charlotte, gave her for Christmas and now couldn't decide which dress to pair it with. She had an appointment at three at the salon and she still didn't know what to wear; it was already a half hour past two. Marti came in and took off her boots before jumping on her bed. Savannah's roommate told her about a research paper she was halfway done with and was sapping her energy because it needed a lot of resources.
"Marti, which dress should I pick?" Marti sleepily looked at each dress – they were both pretty.
"Are you going on a date with Dan?" she asked in a hazy voice.
"No, but I'm going to the parlor to dye my hair blonde," came the answer. Marti started to laugh.
"What?" the captain asked clearly confused.
"I can't believe you're actually going through with it!" she said.
"Well, a dare is a dare, Marti. Just because you won't go through with yours doesn't mean I won't go through with mine." Savannah declared and her roommate shook her head.
"You win Savannah. Oh this paper is killing me! I need to take a break…" Marti moaned into her pillow.
"Come with me then," Savannah said after deciding to wear the flowery printed sundress, "We'll go to the salon and meet up with the other Hellcats and Dan on Beale St."
"What're we going to do on Beale St.?"
"Dinner… to celebrate my blondness."
Marti nodded, "Deal."
Savannah and Marti walked out of their rooms to see the entire Hellcats team all dressed and ready to go. Their captain was going to dye her brown hair blonde and they all wanted to see how she would look. Dan Patch hurried towards his girlfriend, looking very amused.
"You have a huge support group." Dan Patch said when everyone headed towards the door looking forward to a fun day out.
"I know it's having the adverse effect." Savannah muttered. Her boyfriend chuckled and led her to his truck. He waved at the other Hellcats.
"See y'all when we get there!" he called and the Hellcats whooped in agreement. He climbed in the truck to find Savannah mock glaring at him.
"What was that about?" she laughed. Dan just kissed her and backed out of the parking space.
As agreed, the Hellcats showed up at the salon to see Savannah being whisked away by a hairdresser. Knowing they all wouldn't fit in the tiny salon and sit still for around two hours, they all went their separate ways agreeing to meet up afterwards in Beale Street.
Around eight in the evening, Beale St. had come to life and Sharpay, Ryan and Kelsi walked its length in awe. The bags Sharpay had been toting were all now tucked in the back of the SUV. She was now done with her shopping mania and was hungry for something to eat. Ryan suggested ribs.
"Do you know how much carbs and fat is there in one whole rack?" Sharpay complained.
"Do you know that you are in the South and it's what they're famous for?" Kelsi retorted already thinking of ribs, fries and cornbread. A perfect way to end the evening; who cares about carbs?
"Yeah! C'mon Sharpay, I know you want to…" Ryan teased in a sing-song voice.
"What am I thinking? Of course I'd want some ribs!" Sharpay exclaimed, caving in to the craving.
"What's a good place to have ribs at?" Ryan asked the two entering a shop called A. Schwab's. The three looked around for a bit until Ryan repeated his question. This time, the man at the counter, whose tag identified him as Elliot Schwab answered,
"A hundred thirty-eight Beale – Blues City Café – best ribs in town." Elliot smiled.
"Thanks!" Kelsi called out gratefully as the three went on their way. The café was at the end of the street and its neon sign proclaimed that they had found the right place.
The place was packed when they entered and most of the space was taken up by a bunch of college students at the far end. Ryan picked a booth in the corner while Kelsi ordered each of them ribs. Sharpay sat opposite her brother and took out her iPhone. She began texting and calling up friends while Kelsi sidled into the spot beside Ryan. The ribs came and all three started eating. Halfway through their meal, a loud whooping came from the table of college students. Kelsi glanced to see an almost look-alike of Sharpay enter with a tall blond hottie. She nearly choked on the rib she was eating.
"Oh my God I wish you could've seen her," she whispered to Sharpay.
"Who?" but Kelsi shook her head.
"That blonde over there," she muttered and Ryan looked at the direction of Savannah Monroe.
"You never told me you like girls," he joked and Kelsi shook her head again.
"That blonde looks almost like Sharpay," she said and this time the twins glanced at her. With her back turned to the trio, there was no mistaking the hair-color, the length, and the outfit.
"Oh my, from the back." Ryan agreed. A little while later, as she headed back from the comfort room, he saw her face. She did look exactly like his sister. He tried not to stare.
"Didn't I tell you?" Kelsi said smugly when Ryan turned back to them.
"Why am I the only one who hasn't seen her?" Sharpay whispered annoyed that she was the odd one out. If someone looked like her then she wanted to see – even meet this person. But she hadn't had the chance because exactly at that moment, a bunch of men and women with cameras all walked towards the booth where Sharpay had been staying.
"Hey! What're y'all doing?" the manager yelled and Ryan looked up in time to see the paparazzi raise their cameras. He put down some change and dragged his sister and girlfriend towards a backdoor he was hoping he could find. The manager, sensing that the paparazzi were unwelcome, tried to shove them out the door but one thing led to another and suddenly chaos ensued.
Patrons and paparazzi started to clash and everyone was on their feet. Dan Patch, Lewis and the other male members of the Hellcats tried to push through to make a way out to the front. Marti held Savannah close and held her firmly through the crowd but a fat paparazzo landed in between them and Marti couldn't see Savannah anywhere.
At the other end of the café, Ryan and Kelsi realized that Sharpay was nowhere in sight. He cursed himself for losing track of her but was greatly relieved to find her staggering towards the counters. Kelsi grabbed her arm and Ryan pushed the backdoor where they all headed out. Sharpay looked downright dizzy and Lou, the driver of the SUV arrived at the end of the alley and took all three back to the Peabody Hotel.
The Hellcats were able to escape the pandemonium raging inside the café. Alice did a headcount while Marti tried to revive Savannah who seemed to have fainted. Dan looked at them both worriedly and took over for Marti, carrying his girlfriend to his truck. Everybody headed back to Cheertown.
Tom McKay watched as a reporter recalled the story of a brawl in the Blues City Café. Paparazzi were looking for somebody named Sharpay Evans because of her history with…blah…blah…blah. He stroked his chin waiting for his phone to vibrate. When it did, he read the text message and cursed. They get sleazier day by day, he thought. He'd have to issue a press conference tomorrow, when Sharpay is alright, and in the meantime have her phone on lockdown. Tom didn't know what a GPS would look like and he didn't want to tinker with the iPhone. It would be evidence, once they get back to Albuquerque.
A/N: I just noticed how much hooting and whooping the Hellcats did...LOL Anyway, if any part of this chapter suddenly becomes downright improbable to happen in reality, please remember that there's no such thing in the fictional realm.