Suite Madame Blue
27th April 2004, 03:44 PM
It's baaaaack! I posted this fic 2 years ago, and it's time to share the joy once again. Remember, stay sane inside insanity, and enjoy!
PLAYBILL
The Pallet Town Players Present:
ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW
All proceeds go to Mr. Fuji’s Pokemon Shelter
CAST
Janet, the heroine: Misty
Brad, the hero: Ash
Riff Raff, the butler: James
Magenta, the maid: Jessie
Columbia, a groupie: Jessebelle
Dr. Frank N. Furter, the mad scientist: Giovanni
Rocky, his creation: Brock
Eddie, a rebel: Gary
Dr. Scott, his uncle: Professor Oak
Betty: Cassidy
Ralph: Butch
Photographer: Tracey
Photographer’s Assistant: Richie
Criminologist: Meowth
TRANSVESTITES
Butch, Cassidy, Tracey, Delia, Richie, Officer Jenny, Blaine, Nurse Joy, Lieutenant Surge, Professor Ivy
CREW
Director: Mewtwo
Stage Manager: Mr. Mime
Property Mistress: Delia
Costumes: Jessie
Lighting: Pikachu, Bulbasaur
Special Effects: Squirtle, Starmie, Charizard, Weezing
Set Construction: Onix, Geodude, Bulbasaur
Music: Jigglypuff
Choreography: Jynx
ACT I
IN WHICH: Brad proposes to Janet, Frank marries Rocky in his lab, Eddie crashes the party, and we discover that castles don’t have phones.
ACT II
IN WHICH: Frank seduces Janet and Brad, Dr. Scott joins the party, the transducer turns our heroes to stone, and some unpleasant truths are revealed.
ACT III
IN WHICH: We see a floor show, Riffraff and Magenta stage a mutiny, the first one to scream gets it in the tits, our heroes narrowly escape death, and we learn why transvestites shouldn’t climb radio towers.
“Here are the programs, hot off the presses. How d’you like them?” Delia set two boxes on the edge of the stage and held one up for everyone to examine.
Ash leaned in closer. “Wow, Mom, you designed these?”
“That’s really cool, Mrs. Ketchum,” Misty chimed in.
“Yeah, the blood drips on the title turned out great,” Brock added.
The other actors nodded in agreement while Delia blushed modestly. “Oh, I’m just glad I could help out,” she said.
Just then a small burst of psychic energy in their minds got the actors’ attention. This was Mewtwo’s way of clapping his hands, and was much more effective. <All right, people,> he thought to everybody, <this is our full dress rehearsal, so let’s really work at this before tomorrow’s opening performance. Places! Begin Act one, Scene one!>
Mewtwo settled in the front row. People and pokemon scrambled to the wings. Bulbasaur loped to the back of the theater and shot a sustained, medium-intensity solarbeam toward stage right. His spotlight fell on Jessie dressed in Magenta’s maid costume. She sang the opening song as Jigglypuff cued the music.
“Michael Rennie was ill the day the earth stood still, but he told us where we stand…”
The introductory scene and choreography went fairly well. Ash still had trouble with his lyrics, stammering when he had to sing ‘Damn it, Janet’. Fortunately Delia saved the day by reassuring her son that it was only a play, and that he would not offend her by playing his part. With his mother’s blessing, Ash lost his tension. By the time the cast did the Time Warp, everyone was truly warmed up, relaxed, and into their roles. Then Giovanni made his entrance as the Sweet Transvestite…and nearly broke his ankle when he stumbled in his three-inch spike heels.
Giovanni sat on the stage, muttering curses under his breath. Nurse Joy elevated his ankle and applied the ice bag that Officer Jenny brought. Blaine and Professor Oak snorted into their hands, trying to conceal the laughter. They sobered immediately when Giovanni glared at them.
Jessie nudged James. “Go get your black platforms,” she told him.
“Will they fit him,” James murmured back.
“Yes. They’re much more stable, and the effect will be the same onstage.”
As James went backstage to find the shoes, Giovanni grumbled, “I don’t see why I have to dress like this anyway. Aren’t I supposed to be a mad scientist?”
<A mad scientist from the planet Transsexual,> Mewtwo reminded him. <Now quit griping, and tell me how your ankle feels.>
Giovanni handed the ice to Nurse Joy and carefully moved his foot. Then he stood, and tested his weight on it. “It feels fine.”
James returned with the strappy patent leather shoes. Their soles were two inches thick, and they sported wide heels. Just the ticket for a man used to Italian leather loafers. Resigned, Giovanni put them on. Leave it to Jessie, as the costumer, to know that James wore the same size shoe that he did.
<Ready now? Let’s get back on track: Brad and Janet, say your lines to cue the music for Frank’s intro. Remember, this is for charity!>
The Transvestites took their places on the floor, and Misty and Ash stood together at stage left. “Brad, say something,” Misty stage-whispered.
“Say,” Ash/Brad spoke jovially, “do any of you guys know how to Madison?”
“Oh, Brad.” Misty/Janet dropped her head into her hand, the one character embarrassed by the other.
This time, when Giovanni sang his number and strutted his stuff, it went perfectly. Jessie congratulated herself on her quick thinking. James congratulated himself on his generosity; after all, the show must go on, even if The Boss had roped them into doing this with him. It gave the duo a boost of energy. They played their parts with a lot more flair.
<Magenta and Riff Raff, tone it down, please. You’re upstaging Frank N. Furter!>
Unfortunately, the ease with which the actors played the early scenes didn’t last. Ash, Misty, and Brock soon found themselves in uncomfortable positions in the laboratory scene, and their performances turned rocky. No pun intended.
The characters of Brad and Janet were stripped down to boxer shorts and a bra and slip respectively, and Ash and Misty were clearly ill at ease with this exposure. They were very relieved to put on the lab coats proffered by Giovanni’s character. Mewtwo was delighted with their discomfort. He insisted that it added an extra element of believability to the scene.
Giovanni shot them a sadistic grin. “Now you know how I feel,” he said softly.
Ash shouted, “That’s not funny!”
“Yeah, we weren’t the ones laughing when you fell,” Misty put in hotly.
<Break it up, you three! Keep moving!> Mewtwo wanted to quell the argument as quickly as possible. He sounded exasperated, even in their minds.
Ash and Misty glared at Giovanni, who continued to look smug. Finally Giovanni spoke his lines to introduce his creation. Jessie and James removed the bandages to reveal Brock dressed in nothing but a gold Speedo. As the newly created Rocky, Brock was able to conceal his discomfort as bewilderment. Until, that is, the wedding at the end of the scene. Rocky and Frank were supposed to march down the aisle toward the honeymoon suite. Brock looked at Giovanni, the horror dawning on his face.
<Come now,> chided Mewtwo, <you’ve done this part dozens of times.>
“Yeah, but I had my clothes on then,” Brock protested.
This time Giovanni aimed his smirk at Brock. “Think of it as getting in touch with your feminine side.”
Before Brock could reply, Misty burst out, “Oh, come off it!” She was getting annoyed. “It’s called ACTING!”
Brock sighed, “You’re right, Misty. Well, if I pull this off, maybe I’ll impress some of the girls in the audience.”
Now Giovanni had to suppress a snort of laughter, but Gary looked up from where his character already lay dead, and said, “That’s the spirit, Brock!”
Mewtwo put his foot down. <Everybody onstage!> When the cast had assembled, he continued, <You’ve all known for a while what these parts would entail, and decided to go ahead with this production. It’s time to start behaving more professionally. I won’t tolerate any more delays because somebody’s a little uncomfortable!>
The cast members looked around at each other. A few nodded. Then they turned to Mewtwo. “We apologize,” Professor Oak spoke for the group, “and we’ll do our best.”
Mewtwo nodded, satisfied.
Things did go better afterward as far as attitude. In fact, Misty and Giovanni were able to relax and laugh a little in their seduction scene. Ash was more awkward. But he didn’t complain, and his scene went just fine.
When it came to Janet’s love scene with Rocky, however, Rocky’s birthing slab collapsed. Misty and Brock rolled across the stage. They stopped at the edge with Misty’s head hanging over the four-foot drop. Brock got up and quickly pulled a wide-eyed Misty to her feet.
Misty looked at the edge of the stage. “Ummm…that could’ve hurt,” she said, her shaky voice contradicting her casual tone.
<Are you two all right?>
“A little bruised,’ Brock replied, “but we’ll be fine.”
<Good. Everybody take ten while we fix that slab.> Lieutenant Surge, Richie, and Tracey got right on the repair work while Brock and Misty caught their breath.
After their short break, the actors once again felt the psychic burst in their minds. Lt. Surge had reinforced the slab so that it would hold Mewtwo. Brock and Misty had nothing to worry about now. The actors resumed their places, Janet sang the end of ‘Touch-a Touch-a Touch Me’, and Frank burst in with Brad to discover that his creation had strayed.
“I made you, and I can break you just as easily!” Giovanni spoke his line to Brock with minor annoyance.
<Try that line again, with more anger,> Mewtwo interrupted.
“I made you, and I can break – no, that’s still not right,” Giovanni said. “What’s my motivation for saying this again?”
Mewtwo approached the stage. <You and Rocky are newlyweds, and you just discovered him cheating,> he explained patiently.
“That doesn’t do it for me.”
A mischievous, almost evil, glint came into Mewtwo’s eyes. <Just pretend you’re talking to me.>
Giovanni glared at Mewtwo. “I made you,” he hissed lethally, “and I can BREAK you just as easily!”
<Perfect! Just like that!> Mewtwo nodded and motioned for them to keep going. As they continued the scene, he took his seat again. Actors, he thought to himself.
The actors slogged on, having more difficulty with their lines. Jessebelle missed her cue on ‘Eddie’s Teddy’, and threw a tantrum. She claimed the others weren’t singing properly. Misty stood up, ready to launch herself at Jessebelle, but Ash and Professor Oak held her back. “Bummer,” James muttered to Jessie.
The floor show was a disaster. They had to stop the rehearsal to fix the choreography. Jynx hadn’t taken into account the fact that everyone would be dancing in heels. Some of the steps were too complicated, and Jessebelle and Misty collided at one point.
“Clumsy little girl,” whispered Jessebelle.
“No-talent witch,” Misty hissed back.
Ash and Brock tensed, ready to step in and pull the two redheads apart, but the conflict went no further. Finally, with Meowth translating for Jynx, they got the choreography straightened out. Tempers were badly frayed by now. After a quick run-through, Mewtwo called a half-hour break.
<When we return, we’ll start with the floor show, go all the way through the medley, and to the end. Remember, bad dress, good performance!>
The actors scattered, each seeking his own refuge from the pressure. Ash and Brock went downstairs to the men’s dressing room. Jessebelle locked herself in the ladies’ room handicapped stall. The Transvestites, least affected by the tension, congregated outside on the auditorium steps. Misty used the drinking fountain in the hallway off the side entrance, and headed outside.
The Pallet Town Community Center consisted of not only classrooms and the stage, but a large park as well. Misty chose a secluded bench close to the rear wall of the theater. The mid-morning sun shone brightly on this May day, and kissed her with its warmth. She watched the children on the swings, and smiled as she felt herself relax.
Her smile grew bigger as she saw Butch pushing a motorcycle toward the building. She stood, and walked across the basketball courts to meet him. “I thought you were on the steps,” she said, “and what’s with the motorcycle?”
Butch answered her smile with one of his own. “Well, we were all talking,” he croaked, “and somebody said that Eddie needed a prop. Y’know, something to show he’s a rebel? And Cassidy, just joking around, said I should lend him my bike. Turns out Mewtwo thought it was a great idea. So I’m gonna see if it’ll fit onstage.”
“Gary can’t actually ride it, can he?”
“No, but he can sit on it and pretend. ‘It’s called acting’, remember?”
Misty laughed softly at his gentle teasing. “It’ll look cool if it works out.”
“Thanks,” Butch said, flattered by her compliment.
Misty trotted ahead to open the double doors that led backstage. Butch pushed the bike up the ramp and into the theater. The auditorium was dark and cool after the sunlit park. They paused to let their eyes adjust. Then Misty and Mewtwo watched as Butch positioned the motorcycle at center stage left, and locked the stand to give it more stability.
“Try it out,” he invited Misty.
“Who, me,” she said, “I don’t know…”
“Yeah, you helped me get it in here. C’mon,” he coaxed.
“All right,” she said nervously, and approached him. Up close, the motorcycle looked much bigger. Before she chickened out completely, Butch lifted her up, and sat her on it sidesaddle.
Misty sat there, afraid to touch anything. “Don’t worry,” Butch told her, “the key’s in my pocket. You’re not going anywhere.”
“I just don’t want to fall over.”
Butch grinned, and winked. “I’d catch you.”
Misty had just enough time to think that she’d misjudged Butch when Gary came striding onstage. “I got your message,” he joked to Mewtwo. “Hey Butch, nice bike. ‘Scuse me, Misty,” he said, oblivious to the flirtation playing out before him.
Misty pushed herself off the motorcycle and smiled up at Butch. “It’s all yours. Have fun, guys.” She hopped off the stage and went out for another drink of water.
The half hour was almost over, and actors were coming back to the stage in ones and twos. Jessebelle’s stint in the handicapped stall had done wonders; her mood was as sunny as the park outside. By now Mewtwo had determined that the motorcycle would be a welcome addition to the set, and he levitated it backstage for that afternoon’s second dress rehearsal.
Everyone was now refreshed and ready to go. Ash, Jessebelle, Misty, and Brock took their places onstage. Professor Oak, Giovanni, Jessie, and James waited in the wings for their cues. The floor show went much better with the new choreography; in fact, the entire medley went well. The first dress rehearsal wound down to Meowth’s final line:
“And crawling on the planet’s face,
some insects, called the Human Race.
Lost in time, lost in space…
and meaning.”
Then Jessie was singing the closing song, the house lights came up, and the actors gathered onstage, relieved that they’d survived.
<Not bad, all things considered,> Mewtwo told them. <We’ll break for lunch now. I expect to see you all back here at two-thirty. The second dress rehearsal will go much better,> he promised.
Not wanting to lose too much momentum, the cast members agree to picnic in the park and run through rough spots in the script. They all changed into their street clothes. Delia brought out a blanket she’d stowed in her car. Professor Ivy, Tracey, and Richie made a sandwich run, and brought back plenty of food for the hungry actors. Everyone talked, laughed, and ran lines as they ate. The disastrous first dress rehearsal was behind them, and they felt ten times more confident about the next one, and about their opening performance the following evening.
That afternoon’s session went well with only a few minor glitches: dropped lines and missed cues. The actors’ confidence showed, and Mewtwo began to think they might actually pull it off. It’s all for charity anyway, he thought to himself. People will be satisfied just to see gym leaders in drag. But if we can give them a good show, so much the better. He supposed he could give them a little psychic support over the rough spots.
After the rehearsal ended, people handed their props to Delia, and their costumes to Jessie. Mimie made sure that everything was in order backstage. Before the actors left for the night, Delia announced, “Don’t forget, there’s a cast party tomorrow night after the performance.”
“Verdi’s Café,” Giovanni told everybody. “The back room is ours!”
The cast members looked suitably impressed. Not many people saw the ultra-private back room at Verdi’s. It was nice to know somebody who had connections.
The group broke up, and Butch caught up to Misty. “Will you help me again with the doors,” he asked.
“Sure,” Misty replied, following him backstage.
She propped open the doors. Butch wheeled the motorcycle down the ramp and started the engine. Misty had one door closed and was about to close the other when Butch said, “Meet me at the front entrance.” He smiled, and roared off around the corner.
“Ooookay,” Misty said to herself. She made sure the doors were locked, picked up her red backpack, and made her way to the main doors.
Butch had parked at the curb. He was leaning against the bike, holding two helmets. He lifted one up and asked, “Can I offer you a ride?”
Misty hesitated for a second. Excitement and amusement slowly crept over her face. “My sisters would kill me if I came home on that.” Before Butch said anything, she continued mischievously, “It’s a good thing I’m staying at the Ketchum’s tonight!”
Butch’s grin was back. “Hold this for a minute.” He handed Misty a helmet, and held up a leather jacket that he’d draped over the seat.
“Whose jacket,” she asked.
“An old one of mine. The helmet, too. I keep them as extras, just in case.” Butch traded her the jacket for the helmet.
Misty put the jacket on and zipped it up. That and her jeans should keep her warm enough. Butch helped her fasten the helmet. Then he got on the bike and fired it up. Misty hopped on the back, found the foot pegs, and put her hands tentatively on Butch’s shoulders.
Butch moved her hands so that her arms were wrapped around his waist. “You have to hold on tight,” he shouted over the engine. Misty nodded that she understood, and they sped off down Laurel Avenue toward the Ketchum residence.
Delia stood with Giovanni just inside the main entrance, watching them rumble away. “Oh, I don’t know if I like that,” she murmured, “those things are so dangerous.”
“Butch is an experienced rider,” Giovanni told her.
She hesitated. “But still - ”
“They’ll be just fine,” he said reassuringly.
“Well, I suppose you’re only young once.”
“Exactly.” Giovanni hesitated for a moment. Then he asked, “Will you make it to the cast party?”
“Of course! I wouldn’t miss it,” Delia exclaimed.
Just then Ash and Brock came up. “Hey Mom,” Ash said, “where’s Misty?”
“She got a ride. We’ll see her at home.”
“Oh. Okay. Hey, can Brock and I take anything to the car?”
“Yes, the programs need to go, this bag here by the door, and whatever you and Brock have. Just be careful, I have breakables in the bag.”
“I’ll take the bag, Mrs. Ketchum. Ash, you take the programs,” directed Brock. Delia handed her son the keys, and the two boys clattered down the stairs.
Giovanni waited until they reached the sidewalk. “About the party…may I escort you?” He looked questioningly at Delia, a smile on his face.
She smiled, and couldn’t help but blush. “All right,” she said softly.
Impulsively, he bent down, and lightly brushed her lips with his own. Neither one spoke. They didn’t need to. After a moment, Delia reached up and stroked his cheek. He turned his head and kissed her fingertips. “Have a good evening,” he whispered.
“You, too,” Delia answered breathlessly. She gently pulled away and walked down the stairs toward her car. She drove away and left Giovanni looking forward to tomorrow night.
LOCAL STARS SHINE ONSTAGE
The Pallet Town Players will be performing The Rocky Horror Pokemon Show at the Pallet Town Community Center. This cult classic depicts a young couple led astray by a mad scientist and his assistants. The play opened Friday night to a sellout crowd, and did not disappoint; the entire cast is solid. A few actors turn out stellar performances, most notably Giovanni D’Oro as Dr. Frank N. Furter, and Misty Showers as lead character Janet Weiss. This is a must-see production! Show times this weekend are: Saturday 1:00 matinee performance, 7:00 evening performance; Sunday 2:00 matinee. Next weekend: Friday 7:00 evening; Saturday 1:00 matinee, 7:00 evening; Sunday 2:00 matinee. Tickets available presale and at the door. All proceeds benefit Mr. Fuji’s Pokemon Shelter.
PLAYBILL
The Pallet Town Players Present:
ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW
All proceeds go to Mr. Fuji’s Pokemon Shelter
CAST
Janet, the heroine: Misty
Brad, the hero: Ash
Riff Raff, the butler: James
Magenta, the maid: Jessie
Columbia, a groupie: Jessebelle
Dr. Frank N. Furter, the mad scientist: Giovanni
Rocky, his creation: Brock
Eddie, a rebel: Gary
Dr. Scott, his uncle: Professor Oak
Betty: Cassidy
Ralph: Butch
Photographer: Tracey
Photographer’s Assistant: Richie
Criminologist: Meowth
TRANSVESTITES
Butch, Cassidy, Tracey, Delia, Richie, Officer Jenny, Blaine, Nurse Joy, Lieutenant Surge, Professor Ivy
CREW
Director: Mewtwo
Stage Manager: Mr. Mime
Property Mistress: Delia
Costumes: Jessie
Lighting: Pikachu, Bulbasaur
Special Effects: Squirtle, Starmie, Charizard, Weezing
Set Construction: Onix, Geodude, Bulbasaur
Music: Jigglypuff
Choreography: Jynx
ACT I
IN WHICH: Brad proposes to Janet, Frank marries Rocky in his lab, Eddie crashes the party, and we discover that castles don’t have phones.
ACT II
IN WHICH: Frank seduces Janet and Brad, Dr. Scott joins the party, the transducer turns our heroes to stone, and some unpleasant truths are revealed.
ACT III
IN WHICH: We see a floor show, Riffraff and Magenta stage a mutiny, the first one to scream gets it in the tits, our heroes narrowly escape death, and we learn why transvestites shouldn’t climb radio towers.
“Here are the programs, hot off the presses. How d’you like them?” Delia set two boxes on the edge of the stage and held one up for everyone to examine.
Ash leaned in closer. “Wow, Mom, you designed these?”
“That’s really cool, Mrs. Ketchum,” Misty chimed in.
“Yeah, the blood drips on the title turned out great,” Brock added.
The other actors nodded in agreement while Delia blushed modestly. “Oh, I’m just glad I could help out,” she said.
Just then a small burst of psychic energy in their minds got the actors’ attention. This was Mewtwo’s way of clapping his hands, and was much more effective. <All right, people,> he thought to everybody, <this is our full dress rehearsal, so let’s really work at this before tomorrow’s opening performance. Places! Begin Act one, Scene one!>
Mewtwo settled in the front row. People and pokemon scrambled to the wings. Bulbasaur loped to the back of the theater and shot a sustained, medium-intensity solarbeam toward stage right. His spotlight fell on Jessie dressed in Magenta’s maid costume. She sang the opening song as Jigglypuff cued the music.
“Michael Rennie was ill the day the earth stood still, but he told us where we stand…”
The introductory scene and choreography went fairly well. Ash still had trouble with his lyrics, stammering when he had to sing ‘Damn it, Janet’. Fortunately Delia saved the day by reassuring her son that it was only a play, and that he would not offend her by playing his part. With his mother’s blessing, Ash lost his tension. By the time the cast did the Time Warp, everyone was truly warmed up, relaxed, and into their roles. Then Giovanni made his entrance as the Sweet Transvestite…and nearly broke his ankle when he stumbled in his three-inch spike heels.
Giovanni sat on the stage, muttering curses under his breath. Nurse Joy elevated his ankle and applied the ice bag that Officer Jenny brought. Blaine and Professor Oak snorted into their hands, trying to conceal the laughter. They sobered immediately when Giovanni glared at them.
Jessie nudged James. “Go get your black platforms,” she told him.
“Will they fit him,” James murmured back.
“Yes. They’re much more stable, and the effect will be the same onstage.”
As James went backstage to find the shoes, Giovanni grumbled, “I don’t see why I have to dress like this anyway. Aren’t I supposed to be a mad scientist?”
<A mad scientist from the planet Transsexual,> Mewtwo reminded him. <Now quit griping, and tell me how your ankle feels.>
Giovanni handed the ice to Nurse Joy and carefully moved his foot. Then he stood, and tested his weight on it. “It feels fine.”
James returned with the strappy patent leather shoes. Their soles were two inches thick, and they sported wide heels. Just the ticket for a man used to Italian leather loafers. Resigned, Giovanni put them on. Leave it to Jessie, as the costumer, to know that James wore the same size shoe that he did.
<Ready now? Let’s get back on track: Brad and Janet, say your lines to cue the music for Frank’s intro. Remember, this is for charity!>
The Transvestites took their places on the floor, and Misty and Ash stood together at stage left. “Brad, say something,” Misty stage-whispered.
“Say,” Ash/Brad spoke jovially, “do any of you guys know how to Madison?”
“Oh, Brad.” Misty/Janet dropped her head into her hand, the one character embarrassed by the other.
This time, when Giovanni sang his number and strutted his stuff, it went perfectly. Jessie congratulated herself on her quick thinking. James congratulated himself on his generosity; after all, the show must go on, even if The Boss had roped them into doing this with him. It gave the duo a boost of energy. They played their parts with a lot more flair.
<Magenta and Riff Raff, tone it down, please. You’re upstaging Frank N. Furter!>
Unfortunately, the ease with which the actors played the early scenes didn’t last. Ash, Misty, and Brock soon found themselves in uncomfortable positions in the laboratory scene, and their performances turned rocky. No pun intended.
The characters of Brad and Janet were stripped down to boxer shorts and a bra and slip respectively, and Ash and Misty were clearly ill at ease with this exposure. They were very relieved to put on the lab coats proffered by Giovanni’s character. Mewtwo was delighted with their discomfort. He insisted that it added an extra element of believability to the scene.
Giovanni shot them a sadistic grin. “Now you know how I feel,” he said softly.
Ash shouted, “That’s not funny!”
“Yeah, we weren’t the ones laughing when you fell,” Misty put in hotly.
<Break it up, you three! Keep moving!> Mewtwo wanted to quell the argument as quickly as possible. He sounded exasperated, even in their minds.
Ash and Misty glared at Giovanni, who continued to look smug. Finally Giovanni spoke his lines to introduce his creation. Jessie and James removed the bandages to reveal Brock dressed in nothing but a gold Speedo. As the newly created Rocky, Brock was able to conceal his discomfort as bewilderment. Until, that is, the wedding at the end of the scene. Rocky and Frank were supposed to march down the aisle toward the honeymoon suite. Brock looked at Giovanni, the horror dawning on his face.
<Come now,> chided Mewtwo, <you’ve done this part dozens of times.>
“Yeah, but I had my clothes on then,” Brock protested.
This time Giovanni aimed his smirk at Brock. “Think of it as getting in touch with your feminine side.”
Before Brock could reply, Misty burst out, “Oh, come off it!” She was getting annoyed. “It’s called ACTING!”
Brock sighed, “You’re right, Misty. Well, if I pull this off, maybe I’ll impress some of the girls in the audience.”
Now Giovanni had to suppress a snort of laughter, but Gary looked up from where his character already lay dead, and said, “That’s the spirit, Brock!”
Mewtwo put his foot down. <Everybody onstage!> When the cast had assembled, he continued, <You’ve all known for a while what these parts would entail, and decided to go ahead with this production. It’s time to start behaving more professionally. I won’t tolerate any more delays because somebody’s a little uncomfortable!>
The cast members looked around at each other. A few nodded. Then they turned to Mewtwo. “We apologize,” Professor Oak spoke for the group, “and we’ll do our best.”
Mewtwo nodded, satisfied.
Things did go better afterward as far as attitude. In fact, Misty and Giovanni were able to relax and laugh a little in their seduction scene. Ash was more awkward. But he didn’t complain, and his scene went just fine.
When it came to Janet’s love scene with Rocky, however, Rocky’s birthing slab collapsed. Misty and Brock rolled across the stage. They stopped at the edge with Misty’s head hanging over the four-foot drop. Brock got up and quickly pulled a wide-eyed Misty to her feet.
Misty looked at the edge of the stage. “Ummm…that could’ve hurt,” she said, her shaky voice contradicting her casual tone.
<Are you two all right?>
“A little bruised,’ Brock replied, “but we’ll be fine.”
<Good. Everybody take ten while we fix that slab.> Lieutenant Surge, Richie, and Tracey got right on the repair work while Brock and Misty caught their breath.
After their short break, the actors once again felt the psychic burst in their minds. Lt. Surge had reinforced the slab so that it would hold Mewtwo. Brock and Misty had nothing to worry about now. The actors resumed their places, Janet sang the end of ‘Touch-a Touch-a Touch Me’, and Frank burst in with Brad to discover that his creation had strayed.
“I made you, and I can break you just as easily!” Giovanni spoke his line to Brock with minor annoyance.
<Try that line again, with more anger,> Mewtwo interrupted.
“I made you, and I can break – no, that’s still not right,” Giovanni said. “What’s my motivation for saying this again?”
Mewtwo approached the stage. <You and Rocky are newlyweds, and you just discovered him cheating,> he explained patiently.
“That doesn’t do it for me.”
A mischievous, almost evil, glint came into Mewtwo’s eyes. <Just pretend you’re talking to me.>
Giovanni glared at Mewtwo. “I made you,” he hissed lethally, “and I can BREAK you just as easily!”
<Perfect! Just like that!> Mewtwo nodded and motioned for them to keep going. As they continued the scene, he took his seat again. Actors, he thought to himself.
The actors slogged on, having more difficulty with their lines. Jessebelle missed her cue on ‘Eddie’s Teddy’, and threw a tantrum. She claimed the others weren’t singing properly. Misty stood up, ready to launch herself at Jessebelle, but Ash and Professor Oak held her back. “Bummer,” James muttered to Jessie.
The floor show was a disaster. They had to stop the rehearsal to fix the choreography. Jynx hadn’t taken into account the fact that everyone would be dancing in heels. Some of the steps were too complicated, and Jessebelle and Misty collided at one point.
“Clumsy little girl,” whispered Jessebelle.
“No-talent witch,” Misty hissed back.
Ash and Brock tensed, ready to step in and pull the two redheads apart, but the conflict went no further. Finally, with Meowth translating for Jynx, they got the choreography straightened out. Tempers were badly frayed by now. After a quick run-through, Mewtwo called a half-hour break.
<When we return, we’ll start with the floor show, go all the way through the medley, and to the end. Remember, bad dress, good performance!>
The actors scattered, each seeking his own refuge from the pressure. Ash and Brock went downstairs to the men’s dressing room. Jessebelle locked herself in the ladies’ room handicapped stall. The Transvestites, least affected by the tension, congregated outside on the auditorium steps. Misty used the drinking fountain in the hallway off the side entrance, and headed outside.
The Pallet Town Community Center consisted of not only classrooms and the stage, but a large park as well. Misty chose a secluded bench close to the rear wall of the theater. The mid-morning sun shone brightly on this May day, and kissed her with its warmth. She watched the children on the swings, and smiled as she felt herself relax.
Her smile grew bigger as she saw Butch pushing a motorcycle toward the building. She stood, and walked across the basketball courts to meet him. “I thought you were on the steps,” she said, “and what’s with the motorcycle?”
Butch answered her smile with one of his own. “Well, we were all talking,” he croaked, “and somebody said that Eddie needed a prop. Y’know, something to show he’s a rebel? And Cassidy, just joking around, said I should lend him my bike. Turns out Mewtwo thought it was a great idea. So I’m gonna see if it’ll fit onstage.”
“Gary can’t actually ride it, can he?”
“No, but he can sit on it and pretend. ‘It’s called acting’, remember?”
Misty laughed softly at his gentle teasing. “It’ll look cool if it works out.”
“Thanks,” Butch said, flattered by her compliment.
Misty trotted ahead to open the double doors that led backstage. Butch pushed the bike up the ramp and into the theater. The auditorium was dark and cool after the sunlit park. They paused to let their eyes adjust. Then Misty and Mewtwo watched as Butch positioned the motorcycle at center stage left, and locked the stand to give it more stability.
“Try it out,” he invited Misty.
“Who, me,” she said, “I don’t know…”
“Yeah, you helped me get it in here. C’mon,” he coaxed.
“All right,” she said nervously, and approached him. Up close, the motorcycle looked much bigger. Before she chickened out completely, Butch lifted her up, and sat her on it sidesaddle.
Misty sat there, afraid to touch anything. “Don’t worry,” Butch told her, “the key’s in my pocket. You’re not going anywhere.”
“I just don’t want to fall over.”
Butch grinned, and winked. “I’d catch you.”
Misty had just enough time to think that she’d misjudged Butch when Gary came striding onstage. “I got your message,” he joked to Mewtwo. “Hey Butch, nice bike. ‘Scuse me, Misty,” he said, oblivious to the flirtation playing out before him.
Misty pushed herself off the motorcycle and smiled up at Butch. “It’s all yours. Have fun, guys.” She hopped off the stage and went out for another drink of water.
The half hour was almost over, and actors were coming back to the stage in ones and twos. Jessebelle’s stint in the handicapped stall had done wonders; her mood was as sunny as the park outside. By now Mewtwo had determined that the motorcycle would be a welcome addition to the set, and he levitated it backstage for that afternoon’s second dress rehearsal.
Everyone was now refreshed and ready to go. Ash, Jessebelle, Misty, and Brock took their places onstage. Professor Oak, Giovanni, Jessie, and James waited in the wings for their cues. The floor show went much better with the new choreography; in fact, the entire medley went well. The first dress rehearsal wound down to Meowth’s final line:
“And crawling on the planet’s face,
some insects, called the Human Race.
Lost in time, lost in space…
and meaning.”
Then Jessie was singing the closing song, the house lights came up, and the actors gathered onstage, relieved that they’d survived.
<Not bad, all things considered,> Mewtwo told them. <We’ll break for lunch now. I expect to see you all back here at two-thirty. The second dress rehearsal will go much better,> he promised.
Not wanting to lose too much momentum, the cast members agree to picnic in the park and run through rough spots in the script. They all changed into their street clothes. Delia brought out a blanket she’d stowed in her car. Professor Ivy, Tracey, and Richie made a sandwich run, and brought back plenty of food for the hungry actors. Everyone talked, laughed, and ran lines as they ate. The disastrous first dress rehearsal was behind them, and they felt ten times more confident about the next one, and about their opening performance the following evening.
That afternoon’s session went well with only a few minor glitches: dropped lines and missed cues. The actors’ confidence showed, and Mewtwo began to think they might actually pull it off. It’s all for charity anyway, he thought to himself. People will be satisfied just to see gym leaders in drag. But if we can give them a good show, so much the better. He supposed he could give them a little psychic support over the rough spots.
After the rehearsal ended, people handed their props to Delia, and their costumes to Jessie. Mimie made sure that everything was in order backstage. Before the actors left for the night, Delia announced, “Don’t forget, there’s a cast party tomorrow night after the performance.”
“Verdi’s Café,” Giovanni told everybody. “The back room is ours!”
The cast members looked suitably impressed. Not many people saw the ultra-private back room at Verdi’s. It was nice to know somebody who had connections.
The group broke up, and Butch caught up to Misty. “Will you help me again with the doors,” he asked.
“Sure,” Misty replied, following him backstage.
She propped open the doors. Butch wheeled the motorcycle down the ramp and started the engine. Misty had one door closed and was about to close the other when Butch said, “Meet me at the front entrance.” He smiled, and roared off around the corner.
“Ooookay,” Misty said to herself. She made sure the doors were locked, picked up her red backpack, and made her way to the main doors.
Butch had parked at the curb. He was leaning against the bike, holding two helmets. He lifted one up and asked, “Can I offer you a ride?”
Misty hesitated for a second. Excitement and amusement slowly crept over her face. “My sisters would kill me if I came home on that.” Before Butch said anything, she continued mischievously, “It’s a good thing I’m staying at the Ketchum’s tonight!”
Butch’s grin was back. “Hold this for a minute.” He handed Misty a helmet, and held up a leather jacket that he’d draped over the seat.
“Whose jacket,” she asked.
“An old one of mine. The helmet, too. I keep them as extras, just in case.” Butch traded her the jacket for the helmet.
Misty put the jacket on and zipped it up. That and her jeans should keep her warm enough. Butch helped her fasten the helmet. Then he got on the bike and fired it up. Misty hopped on the back, found the foot pegs, and put her hands tentatively on Butch’s shoulders.
Butch moved her hands so that her arms were wrapped around his waist. “You have to hold on tight,” he shouted over the engine. Misty nodded that she understood, and they sped off down Laurel Avenue toward the Ketchum residence.
Delia stood with Giovanni just inside the main entrance, watching them rumble away. “Oh, I don’t know if I like that,” she murmured, “those things are so dangerous.”
“Butch is an experienced rider,” Giovanni told her.
She hesitated. “But still - ”
“They’ll be just fine,” he said reassuringly.
“Well, I suppose you’re only young once.”
“Exactly.” Giovanni hesitated for a moment. Then he asked, “Will you make it to the cast party?”
“Of course! I wouldn’t miss it,” Delia exclaimed.
Just then Ash and Brock came up. “Hey Mom,” Ash said, “where’s Misty?”
“She got a ride. We’ll see her at home.”
“Oh. Okay. Hey, can Brock and I take anything to the car?”
“Yes, the programs need to go, this bag here by the door, and whatever you and Brock have. Just be careful, I have breakables in the bag.”
“I’ll take the bag, Mrs. Ketchum. Ash, you take the programs,” directed Brock. Delia handed her son the keys, and the two boys clattered down the stairs.
Giovanni waited until they reached the sidewalk. “About the party…may I escort you?” He looked questioningly at Delia, a smile on his face.
She smiled, and couldn’t help but blush. “All right,” she said softly.
Impulsively, he bent down, and lightly brushed her lips with his own. Neither one spoke. They didn’t need to. After a moment, Delia reached up and stroked his cheek. He turned his head and kissed her fingertips. “Have a good evening,” he whispered.
“You, too,” Delia answered breathlessly. She gently pulled away and walked down the stairs toward her car. She drove away and left Giovanni looking forward to tomorrow night.
LOCAL STARS SHINE ONSTAGE
The Pallet Town Players will be performing The Rocky Horror Pokemon Show at the Pallet Town Community Center. This cult classic depicts a young couple led astray by a mad scientist and his assistants. The play opened Friday night to a sellout crowd, and did not disappoint; the entire cast is solid. A few actors turn out stellar performances, most notably Giovanni D’Oro as Dr. Frank N. Furter, and Misty Showers as lead character Janet Weiss. This is a must-see production! Show times this weekend are: Saturday 1:00 matinee performance, 7:00 evening performance; Sunday 2:00 matinee. Next weekend: Friday 7:00 evening; Saturday 1:00 matinee, 7:00 evening; Sunday 2:00 matinee. Tickets available presale and at the door. All proceeds benefit Mr. Fuji’s Pokemon Shelter.