The Talent Show

 

A "Crowd Hoot" story

 

By Thelma Mary Caroline

 

 

 

"Okay, you guys," L J said one day at the end of the shift.  "As you all know, we get Sunday off because it's Daylight Saving Time Day.  Or Daylight ... Ends ... Time Day."

 

"Fall back, Spring forward," Charley said.

 

"Right. So, anyway, the Center is hosting this big talent show.  If you want to sign up, but if you don't, no Christmas Bonus.  So sign up."

 

"We get a Christmas Bonus?" Kyle asked.

 

Cassandra said, "You aren't doing stand up comedy again this year, are you?"

 

"Yeah, last year you didn't tell jokes," Hannah said.  "You were the joke."

 

"Nah, this year me and Otto are doing a song from Grease."

 

"Really?  Yeah, I want to hear this?"

 

"Oh, you do?"  a voice calls.

 

Otto stood on the balcony overlooking the room.  "I gotta moment," he told L J.  "Do you want to show them our first place winner?"

 

"Yeah, sure.  Then we can perform it for your team?"

 

"No, I'm thinking about performing something else, so we don't ruin the surprise.  Besides, I'm beginning to thing that Jeri Holt is going to hate this idea."

 

"Yeah, I know," L J said, and smiled widely.

 

 

After a few minutes, everyone was settled.  Both L J's team and Otto's team were sitting on the floor, ready to watch.  It was a slow day anyway.

 

"Okay," Otto said.  "This song is being sung by two friends talking about people they met over the summer."

 

L J turned her stereo on.

 

Everyone gasped and giggled when "Summer Nights" started playing.

 

L J turned towards Otto.  "Summer lovin' had me a blast."

 

"Summer lovin', happened so fast."

"Met a girl crazy for me!"

 

Otto grinned widely.  "Met a boy, cute as can be."

"Summer days driftin' away, to uh-oh those summer nights," they sang together.

 

"Tell me more, tell me more, did you get very far?" Otto teased.

L J answered, a devilish look on her face.  "Tell me more, tell me more, like, does he have a car?"  Then suddenly her attitude changed. "She swam by me, she got a cramp."

 

"He went by me, got my suit damp."

"I saved her life, she nearly drowned."

 

"he showed off, splashing around."

"Summer sun, something's begun, but uh-oh those summer nights," the whole audience sang.  "Tell me more, tell me more, was it love at first sight?

Tell me more, tell me more, did she put up a fight?"

 

"Took her bowlin' in the Arcade," L J said, mimicking throwing a bowling ball.

 

"We went strollin', drank lemonade."  Otto mimicked talking a drink, winking at the audience.  He was making fun of L J.

"We made out under the dock!" The woman turned away from the audience, making a trumphaint gesture.

 

"We stayed out until ten o'clock!"

"Summer fling don't mean a thing, but uh-oh those summer nights," the audience joined in.

 

"Tell me more, tell me more, but you don't have to brag." Otto pushed L J a big.

But she throught an insult right back. "Tell me more, tell me more, cause he sounds like a drag."

 

The audience began singing shodababa in the background.

 

"He got friendly, holdin' my hand."

 

"Well she got friendly, down in the sand!"

"He was sweet, just turned eighteen."

 

"Well she was good, you know what I mean."  L J winking at Charley.

"Summer dreams ripped at the seams, but oh, those summer nights."

 

Everyone applauded.