Christine stood nervously backstage as she waited for her cue to be on stage. She heard Charles announce the hot new talent on the block, and details like that. Finally, the moment arrived when Charles announced her name. She took a deep breath and opened the curtains and made her way on stage, forcing a big smile on her face. Her silver tank top glittered beautifully underneath the spotlight, with a black matching miniskirt. Her platforms seemed to be glued on the wooden floor tiles as Charles walked away, patting her bare shoulder to give her good luck. She gave him a small smile and took the microphone from its stand, “Hello everybody! How are we tonight?” She waited for a response but only a sea of blank faces glanced back at her. Determined not to mess up on the first night of work, she continued to talk, “How about some music for us all?” Again, she paused, but still, no one answered, in fact, no one even looked at her now. “Music!” She cried out, determined to show them her talent. The people behind her started to play ‘Immortality’ by Celine Dion. Christine blinked back, she was supposed to sing these songs? She but her lower lip anxiously as she began to sing the first line. Her voice was quavering, it didn’t even sound like her own voice. She paused suddenly, I’m the host tonight, why don’t I make the decision of what I’m gonna sing and what I’m not? She suddenly shouted over the loud music, “Wrong music! Sorry folks! Let’s have some real songs!” She leaned back and told the drummer to play, ‘Oops!… I did it again’ by Britney Spears. He glanced at her uncertainly and then nodded. He started to drum and motioned the others to follow. “Alright!” Christine shouted! Let’s go!” She started to dance along to the music and then began singing. She took another long look at the audience. They were staring at her like she was weird. She sighed, her audience were just a sad bunch that came for a drink. “Alright, alright, let’s have Celine Dion,” she said defeatedly. The slow music to ‘That’s the way it is’ came on as Christine began singing sadly, disappointed. Tonight is going to be a long night…
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
As the night continued to roll on, more people entered the club. Christine was still singing Celine Dion. Her voice strained as she was singing the same songs by the same artist over and over again. Some people that just came in booed her. She glanced confusedly at them, unsure of what to do. She finished the song and told the players to stop. “What’s the matter? What do you want me to sing?” Christine asked tiredly, as she attempted weak enthusiasm.
“Give us some real music babe!” Someone shouted in the audience.
Christine perked up, someone was finally answering her! “And what kind of music would that be?”
“Give us your song!”
“Yeah!” Some other people agreed.
Christine backed off. Her song? “My song?” she repeated. There was a long pause, finally she said, “This is the first song that I’ve ever written. Its called ‘You Don’t Know’." She turned around and motioned the people to start playing her song. They had known about this song because Christine had told them about it constantly. She shut her eyes and smiled at her song playing in the background peacefully.
Who could know the emptiness inside
Chorus
All I ever wanted in this world
Chorus
Chorus As the music faded, Christine slowly began to open her eyes and took a peek at the audience. They were all quiet and suddenly, there was an uproar of applause. Christine smiled gratefully as she shouted, “Thank you everybody! Have a great night! See you on Thursday!” She waved goodbye and disappeared behind the curtains with a warm glow on her face. The sweet sound of applause! She stood standing for a few minutes before a tall man in a suit approached her.
“Miss. Blanche?” he asked.
“Yes?” Christine snapped herself back to reality.
“I’m Trevor Nelson. I’ve been noticing you throughout the whole night and I was wondering if you were interested in becoming a professional entertainer?”
Christine stood there, speechless. She had been waiting for this moment for so long, and now that it had finally arrived, she didn’t know what to say. She kicked herself mentally and shut her mouth after realizing that it had been wide open the whole time.
“You have great singing talents,” he continued, “And after that last song, I was sure I’ve found the right person. Your writing abilities are fantastic as well. Here is my card, call me if you’re interested. Just remember,” he leaned forward and whispered, “You have great potential.” And then he left, with the card in Christine’s hand. She glanced at it and thanked God mentally for giving this great opportunity to her.
“Christine!” Charles bellowed. Christine turned around at the sound of his raspy voice. “You were great tonight!” He patted her shoulder, “I admit, a rough beginning but you managed to get the hang of it. I was so scared that you mightn’t have known that usually businessmen come here the first round and then the youngsters… so the songs would have to gradually change… but you caught the drift very quickly! Great work kid! Now, get home and get some rest! I don’t want you calling in and saying that you can’t sing!” He grabbed her jacket and placed it over shoulders as he began to push her outside, where there were about thirty to forty people waiting for her.
“Christine!” They all shouted as they saw her come out. Christine looked at them blankly, wondering what they could possible want. She finally understood when one tall muscular blonde asked her for her autograph. In fact, every single one of them had a piece of paper in their hand! Christine smiled obviously pleased at all the publicity she was already receiving. She took the pen from the blonde and began to sign.
Every time I see your face
Too many feelings left behind
Do you wonder why
I turn away when you look at me
Never wanting your eyes to see
The desperate heart that knows
How perfect we could be
Baby cause you don’t know, how I feel
Living my life without you
Baby and you don’t know, what it’s like
Loving you all this time
I’ll give you all my love, heart and soul
Risking it all on a chance
Now when I need you the most
You don’t know
Baby I found in you
I never felt this way before
But I can’t break through
And now I lie awake alone at night
So afraid now to close my eyes
Just one more dream of you
I’ll carry here inside
And I would hold you all through the night
I would stay right by your side
And I’d give the world if the love was mine
But baby could it be I’m only dreaming
Don’t let it pass me by