The Theater Show

                                    

                                          
Billy Joel's POV
                          
Tonight's the night. 
                          
I get to show to the whole school, or rather the portion of the school that decided to show up, how good of a pianist I am. Everyone knows about Ray Manzarek, everyone knows about John Paul Jones, they know about Elton, and they certainly know about Keith Emerson.
                          
But now is my time to shine! 
                          
Ironically, I decided to invite all of the guys I just mentioned... 
                          
Oh, well. At least they will be nice to me. Just as I am setting up my music, from behind me a familiar voice yells out, "GAHHH!" and grabs a hold of me from behind. 
                          
"Hey, Elton. Good to see you're here early," I laugh. I turn around and see that oh yes, they're all here early...  And I thought I could have a moment of peace. Well, I wasn't going to have that anyways, most likely. Mr. Richards has been rehearsing with the crew  for the past four hours. Actually, I'm probably here a bit too late...
                          
After I'm all done setting everything up, Ray comes over to the piano and starts fiddling through my music, "Wow, this is quite a nice score they've given you to work with. Much better then the crap I had to use last year." He laughs, thinking about last year's little musical. See, I'm a Freshman, and last year, Ray was a Freshman, and this was his responsibility. However, he was far too busy to do it this year. Before Ray was Keith, he did it his Freshman and Sophomore years. 
                          
"I imagine it's improved quite a bit, eh?" and I laugh a little awkwardly.
                          
Keith leans in on the piano, "I don't know, I'd say the theater program used to be a lot worse. I guess year by year it's going better," he playfully slaps me on the shoulder, "Thank goodness they have someone great like you on piano!" 
                          
Jimmy Page walks by with a broom and dustpan, "Unlike yourself, Keith." He snickers, and then beginnings suspiciously sweeping by my stop. 
                          
Elton laughs, "Wow, Jimmy, are you really going to be that petty? I guess you are just jealous because you are on cleanup duty," all of the guys laugh, except for me. I just awkwardly sit there. 
                          
John Paul Jones squeaks out, "Jimmy, why are you even on cleanup?" 
                          
"Shut up, you idiot!!" Jimmy whines.
                          
We all become silent, but then, out of no where, Ray starts cracking up. "I know exactly what's going on! Your girlfriend, Stevie, has got you whipped! She demanded that you participate in her little play, so now you get to clean up after everyone! That's great..." At that, Ray finishes off a little candy bar and drops the wrapper on the floor, "Clean it up, maintenance man!" Ray laughs in absolute hysterics, and then starts to head for his seat.
                          
Jimmy almost lunges for him, but then he mutters instead, "You're damn lucky my girlfriend is performing tonight, or else this broom would be up your ass!" The negative and abrasive nature of this conversation is already setting me off for the night....
                          
However, as to be expected,  Mr. Richards comes out and says, "Show time, gentleman! Billy, you hit it on my queue, Keith, Ray, and John, you boys sit down in the audience like normal people, and Jimmy, go to the cafeteria. You know what you have to do." Everyone does as they are told, well, Jimmy does quite a bit of whining first...
____________
After the Show
                          
"Beautiful, darling! Absolutely beautiful!" Jimmy says to Stevie. She throws her arms around him, and he rolls his eyes. 
                          
Elton gives me a big hug, "I couldn't have done a better job myself, mate." I take in the hug. Yes, my friend Elton is proud of me! 
                          
The other guys all tell me, "Good work!" and leave it at that. I appreciate their support, though. They all wanted me to do good, and I don't think that I let them down. 
                          
I know tonight was all about the actors, but somehow, someway, it was still my victory.