Chapter Five

The Piano Teacher

After about five drinks I stopped and paid the bartender. Barely able to stand, I managed to make my way to the edge of the rafters, only to fall face down in Mrs. Potts.

Climbing out and giving my apologizes to both Mrs. Potts and her son Chip, I hurried as fast as I could to my table. All I really wanted to do now was sleep but my hotel was ten minutes away and I was all out of money and in no condition to fly, so I was stuck at the House of Mouse for the night.

Genie looked at me again, this time he managed to actually sit down at my table. "You okay pipsqueak?" he asked, I ignored his comment and nodded, but Genie wasn't convinced, "You sure? Cause you look like you got ran over by a train" I stared at him, I didn't want to shout or anything, that would cause a scene, instead I stood up on the table and ruffled my feathers a bit, "Look Genie" I said, "You know pretty much everything that happened right?" Genie nodded, he knew that I was talking about Aladdin, "Of course I know. Don't worry, I'm good at keeping secrets" "Do you mind keeping a few more?" I asked meekly, Genie then pulled out a pad of paper, a pen and was somehow wearing glasses, a tweed jacket and plaid pants, he looked like a psychiatrist. I sighed and began telling him of my early relationship with Jasmine.

When it was over, Genie nodded and put away the notepad, the pen and the annoying psychiatrist outfit, he stared at me seriously and spoke, "You know what that tells me?" I shook my head, "It tell me that you are more than you appear to be" Genie patted my head and walked back to his table, I laughed at what he said, for he didn't even know the whole story yet.

Lefou, Gaston's sidekick and one of my best friends walked up on stage. This was something new I could tell, for he was standing in front of a piano. Turning to the audience he spoke, "Ladies and Gentlemen" his voice was actually normal sounding, having lost the nasally laugh. To top it off, Lefou's hair, which was shorter before, was now long and black. Wearing a tuxedo, Lefou looked almost gentlemanly, I say almost for he was still Lefou. Then he began to play.

To say that Lefou's performance was surprising would be an understatement, it was amazing. I couldn't have been prouder, I did teach him after all. But the really amazing thing was what happened after the performance, Lefou stood up from the piano and asked Horace to dim the lights, creating a serious mood, then he spoke into the microphone, "That was dedicated to the House of Mouse and the person who changed my life, my teacher-Iago" As soon as Lefou said my name, the lights turned on again, everyone was staring at me as if I were the devil or something.

I don't like being the center of attention, which is ironic in every way possible I know, but if there ever a moment in my life when I felt ashamed of myself, it was that one. With no real means of escape, I flew up and headed for the nearest open window. Lefou looked around and immediately realized what he had done and began to destroy the piano.

I sat on top of the roof of the building, I didn't really want to leave I just needed some air. Of all the things I needed, I needed someone to understand. I had given everything I had for two people who now could care less about me. What was I doing wrong? I guess it doesn't matter, even though it should.

Just then, Donald came up to the roof. He was holding a large banner for some reason, but something told me that the banner was just an excuse to get up here and be away from everybody. Sitting down next to me and letting the banner flap away in the wind, Donald said nothing and we stayed that way for ten minutes.

"What are you doing up here?" I asked turning towards Donald, "Avoiding Jose and Panchito" Donald answered as he extended his hand, which I took with my right talon, "Donald Duck" he said in greeting, I knew who he was but I also knew that he was being polite, something that is hard for even someone like Donald to do, "Iago" I replied back giving him the same satisfaction. "So what are you doing up here?" he asked, "Me?" I answered, "I'm trying to figure out my life and why everyone hates me through a long and complex back story. Why?" Donald had no words for this, he looked at me as if I were a brick wall and then began laughing. After several minutes of this, I guess he couldn't take anymore and headed back inside the building, leaving me alone to my thoughts.

I then remembered that I had a small piano that I always kept with me. I don't know why I had it, but I knew that music made me feel better about myself. So I set it up and sitting on top of the nightclub began to play.

Looking up at the moon, I noticed that it shining brighter than usual. Every time I see the moon I think of that song, the one that Aladdin's mother sung so long ago...

Sleep and dream, dream and sleep,

the moon is bright like silver.

The night is here and I am near

to watch over you