Back to the Show (Rebecca & Kira)

[Akirapryde]

Back to the Show
University Center for the Arts
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, Colorado
8:00 AM

Rebecca and Kira walked towards the center stage with all the confidence that they had acquired over years of being on the stage. Despite being dressed in common street clothes and carrying broad smiles on their faces, they walked as if they owned this stage. Even though only the work lights illuminate the stage, it was if the lights themselves were paying homage to the two of starlets. All of this was setting the atmosphere which Rebecca and Kira were trying to express. While the University might own the building, to the on lookers there was no doubt that in this moment in time Rebecca and Kira owned this stage.

Normally, Rebecca wouldn’t had wanted to have her next set of shows so far from home, but she understood the industry. You had to follow where the audience is, but there was another reason why she choose this location. Kira had wanted to go camping. Though the course of the conversation was more humorous for Rebecca. Kira has this dream about finding a wolf spirit and befriending it. But now Rebecca has the knowledge of how to achieve this dream. Along with their normal things, Rebecca made sure to pack their camping gear and her hunting rifle. It appeared that Kira needed to hunt down a deer and kill it so that she could offer it to a wolf spirit.

As Rebecca walked out on to that stage, she recalled Kira’s face as Rebecca asked if Kira new how to hunt or about her fire arms skills. Kira had not considered that Rebecca actually owned a hunting rifle with a scope. Or the fact that she had grown up learning how to hunt. It was only after that realization crossed Kira’s mind did she burst out laughing. Kira had pointed that she had planned on getting a pair of bows and arrows. Rebecca pointed out that neither of them had ever fired a bow before. Kira had countered saying that she didn’t want to disturb nature with a loud gunshot. Rebecca loved her sister and the innocents of Kira’s view of the world.

Originally Kira was planning to just go up there and kill a deer, Rebecca had to explain how and why hunting seasons are so very important to the animal populations. The long two and a half hour drive from Colorado Springs to Fort Collins was filled with talking about how to make Kira’s dream come true. Rebecca explained to Kira that right now, there were little baby deer out there that needed their mothers and fathers. This just wasn’t the right time to go hunting. Kira didn’t seem to get it as Rebecca had explained that it wasn’t the fact that this wasn’t legal.

Rebecca pointed out that it just wasn’t right to do this right now. However they still could put feet on the ground and explore the area that she wanted to go hunting in the fall. The two agreed that it was going to have to wait till fall. Kira was determined to go bow hunting when that season opened up, though Rebecca was drawn to trying muzzle loaders for the first time. The conversation made the two and half hours pass quickly and offered the pair more than a few times to laugh. Now that they were here, it was time to get to work. Rebecca put on her game face and was ready to plan out their long days ahead of them. She was determined to put forward a remarkable show.

As they walked out on to the stage, Kira followed slightly behind Rebecca. As the pair reached the center stage, Rebecca looked over the sixty plus performers and support personal. It was clear as to who were part of what groups by where they set. Center rows closest to the stage were the regular stage dancers and the couple of singers who made up the core of the entertainment wing of the show. Within this group, there were a few new faces but most had been touring with the show for years. Sitting a few rows behind them were the loyal stage managers and coordinators who had been working with the show since the beginning. Their advice and guidance were taken as gold for only they knew the show as well as Kira and Rebecca did. To Stage Left were the local hire stage hands who would set up and operated the stage during the show. To Stage Right were a group of college students who were interning with the show.

These college students were something new that Rebecca wanted to try. Rebecca knew that she and her sister had been gifted with this remarkable opportunity, an opportunity that few get to enjoy. Rebecca and Kira had wanted to give other young and bright stars the same chance they had. Because of this, they had invited a number of students to join the troop. The students would get class credit for their participation also, they would also get part of their tuition paid by the show based on their involvement within the show. For Rebecca it was a chance to give back to the industry that had smiled so favorably on her.

Then in the back Rebecca saw a very new face to their show. Sitting next to Vittorino Albrici, the show’s senior manager and scheduler was Izzy Jameson. Mrs Jameson was an empowered woman who came to show highly recommended. Thanks to the law suit and the issues in Denver, both Rebecca and Kira realized that they needed to take public reaction seriously. And because of that, they sought out and hired Mrs Jameson, a professional Public Relations specialist. However there were a pair of faces that were missing from the group of people before Rebecca and Kira.

Those who were missing from all those faces in the crowd were Simon and Richard. Rebecca didn’t blame them for not being here though. Richard had always been a book worm and Simon wasn’t about to leave Richard alone in a Free Council Library. So they had decided to remain in Colorado Springs. Though secretly she did enjoy the whining when she told everyone that they would have to leave before the sun came up. That was if the brothers wanted a ride to the Library. Before leaving them at the library she made a point to tell them of the plan. She made sure to tell them that they were holding the practice and upcoming show in Fort Collins. She wanted to make sure that the two Cabal members knew where Rebecca and Kira would be and what was going on.

Rebecca checked her watch just as it just turned eight AM sharp. With a smile Rebecca turned and gave Kira a nod. She then turned her eyes back toward her troop. “I would like to welcome back good friends and new friends” Rebecca said softly as she scanned the faces. Her mage sight allowed her to see the flow and movement of magic. Even in its slightest trace amounts here. She couldn’t help but wonder why her sight couldn’t see the special powers that vampires had. She scanned the faces that were all looking back to her. “I know that there has been some rumors flying around and the news about the law suit.” She put a hand in the air before her as she spoke, “First let me talk about the law suit. We are settling this issue out of court with the two plaintiffs. Kira and I accept that they were harmed, and because of this we are more than willing to ensure that they are made whole once more.”

Rebecca walked to center stage forward and set down at the edge of the stage. She dropped her legs over the edge and allowed her feet to hang free. Kira followed suite besides Rebecca as she continued, “More importantly is the image of the show and our close relationship with the communities that we live around. Kira and I will be having dinner with both parties tonight along with our attorney. While the terms of the settlement have already been resolved, this meeting is important for us to show our sincerest remorse over what had happened. This is the first step in a series of steps where Kira and I will be reaching out to our Denver communities to help mend these bridges.” Rebecca spoke from the heart as she talked, “the relationship between our show and the communities that we entertain means so much to Kira and I. And we want to make this commitment clear to everyone.”

Almost on cue Kira took over, “it has always been important that we make sure we double check everything. If you watch the news, you can see this regularly. Public image can lift a show up or bring it crumbling and crashing down. Rebecca and I have learned this lesson personally. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Denver is as much a learning experience for us as it is an opportunity for the show. This is why we are taking this time to speak to each of you now about this situation,” Kira explained.

Kira remembered how Richard had made promises to their fans that he shouldn’t have. “Please be mindful of what you say about the show or how you speak to our fans. The Press and our fans are watching you. So many of you had seen Rebecca and I struggle to make this show what it is. So many of you have seen us at our worse and at our best. Rebecca and I are trying to create a legacy with our show. This is a legacy that each of you are part of.”

Rebecca nodded as she took over, “Most of you already know this, but for the newer members of our troop. Kira and I pay each of you based on the percentage of profit made off the ticket sells. Please allow me to explain how this works. At the end of each week, we take in the profits of the shows before anyone gets paid. We take fifty percent off the top and donate that to a charity in the name of the show as a whole. This donation is made because of Kira’s and my commitment to helping others. We are not in this industry to make profits but for the love of what we do. Helping others is as much a passion for us as it is the right thing to do.”

Rebecca paused a moment then took focus on the stage hands, “after the donations are made, we pay the stage support personal because they are paid hourly and their wages are already set by contract. I want to make sure that they get paid for the hard and challenging work that they do for us. I can’t tell you how hard they work and how many hours they put in to make our show possible. Once more, I am calling on their skill and experience to help build a remarkable show.

“Lastly, Kira and I take the remaining profits and pay each of us, all performers, our share of the remaining ticket profits. For nearly five years, this is how Kira and I have always done things. However this is about to change.” Rebecca pointed to Mrs. Jameson, “Thanks to the idea from Mrs. Jameson, we have opened negotiations for a pair of deals with two live streaming online companies to have future shows streamed live around the world.” She knew how everyone would take the news. It wasn’t the first time that expanding the show was suggested. It meant much higher profits for everyone and the excitement of the troop was clearly heard.

Rebecca paused to allow the comments to simmer down. Kira and her had talked about expanding their show before, but it was because of Rebecca’s humble nature that resisted that expansion. However now things have changed. She and her sister were part of a Cabal who had a need for resources. The thirst for resources was bound to grow and Rebecca and Kira felt a serious need to expand their access to resources. The pair knew all too well that their names carried a great deal with weight despite what Simon had wanted to think. Rebecca smiled as the excitement grew among the other performers.

After a bit of excited mumblings, Rebecca finally brought it to an end with a raised hand. “Okay, listen. Thursday, is going to be a big show for us. We are hosting a major benefit for Give the Children the World Foundation. For those of you who don’t know, the story of Give Kids The World begins with a little girl with a wish and the desire of one man to make that wish come true.”

“The little girl's name was Amy. Amy had leukemia and one wish - to visit the theme parks in Orlando Florida. To facilitate Amy's wish, the request of a complimentary stay was made to a respected hotelier. As this noble man had done many times before, the hotelier gladly obliged and Amy's wish was that much closer to being realized. Sadly, the remainder of Amy's travel plans took too long to arrange and her wish was never granted; Amy had passed away. Time simply ran out for her.” Rebecca couldn’t help the tear welling up in her eye. She had studied the story before and it really pulled on her heart strings.

“This unfulfilled wish inspired a man, that hotelier, to make a vow that no child in need would ever be failed again. That man is Henri Landwirth and his desire to ensure that Amy's story would never repeat itself is where the story of Give Kids The World begins.”

Rebecca paused as Kira rested an arm over Rebecca’s shoulder. For Rebecca helping those less gifted than her had always been a driving force. Anyone that knew Rebecca well knew how much helping others was meant to her. She never turned her back on someone in need. Rebecca took in a deep breath as she gave Kira a nod. Kira continued where Rebecca paused, “This story continues. Mr. Landwirth enlisted the support of colleagues in the hospitality industry, including world-famous theme parks, to assist him in bringing those special families down to Central Florida within 24 hours if need be. He called this project ‘Give Kids The World,’ because that is just what he intended to do - provide memorable, magical, cost-free experiences to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.” Kira fell silent to allow everyone to follow along.

Rebecca picked up where Kira left off, “as the program expanded and the number of families continued to grow, it was apparent that Give Kids The World would need to create a place that could better serve the special needs of those families. The gates of Give Kids The World Village opened in 1989. Today the Village is a 70-acre resort complete with 144 Villa accommodations, entertainment attractions, whimsical venues, and fun specifically designed for children with special needs. With the help of many generous individuals, corporations and partnering wish-granting organizations, Give Kids The World has welcomed more than 138,000 families from all 50 states and 75 countries.”

Rebecca took a moment to pause before she continued. “On Thursday, we will be adding our names to this noble cause. As a part of this noble cause, we will be hosting a very special guest in our audience. Kara Meadows is a nine year old from western Colorado. Like Amy, she too has leukemia. Like Amy, she has a wish that Give the Kids the World is determined to honor. Kara’s wish is to grow up and become a real life magician. Thursday night, her and her family will be in our audience. Not only will we give her the show of a life time, we will be bringing little Kara up on stage for a few acts. After the show, she and her family will be departing for Give Kids the World Village. It is our intention that whatever she sees in Florida will not compare to what we offer her Thursday night.”

Rebecca gave a nod to Kira as Kira took over again, “So we have a lot of set up for this show. The family has agreed to have Kara here before the show so we can get her ready for the illusions. However we have to make sure that little Kara believes what she is doing is real magic. So we have to keep up the illusion both on and off stage for little Kara. We don’t know how long this little girl has left, but what we do know is we have one night to give her a world of wonder filled with impossibilities. We expect that everyone will give a hundred percent for this upcoming show.”

Kira fell silent as Rebecca took back over, “As I have told you, we have entered negations for live streaming. Both of the streaming companies wants to see our show before accepting our terms. Which I have invited them to come and see. However despite my push back on this, both want to come to the Thursday’s show. I don’t want this show to be about Corporate America, so there will be no back stage tours or special interviews with these representatives. I have already told them that if they insist on this show, that they will have to accept these terms. These terms are not open for debate or question. This show will be dedicated to little Kara. She will be the star of Thursday’s show. Security will make sure that our Corporate guests mind these limitations.”

Rebecca turned to Kira who blinked a moment wondering what more needs to be said. Kira turned to the staff of the show, “I guess I don’t have to say how much is riding on this show. While we do want to sign the streaming contracts, we are more focused on giving little Kara this one special night. To make sure that this happens, Rebecca and I have worked out a few ideas for illusions that could inspire Kara. But we want your ideas too. Think about this carefully. If we like your idea, then you get center stage with little Kara to help her carry it off. That is, if you want to have your hand at stage magic.” There was laughter in the large theater.

[Ashla Marr]

Kira walked out from behind the large curtains and towards the center stage. Waiting for her were the dozen dancers and singers sitting and standing on the stage. Kira held a set of large note books in her arms as she walked towards the group with a smile her on her. Working out these details with the dancers and singers was always Kira’s job. With her degrees in design and science, Rebecca worked on setting up all the props and illusions with the stage hands. “Okay everyone, Rebecca and I came up with something really special for this weekend shows,” Kira said softly as she walked up to the group.

She took her place in the center of the group with all eyes on her, “so we are going to do a changed up version of the witch trail. The details have been worked out with PaganScum Records. Instead of doing the whole trail, we are going show the coven of witches working their magic,” Kira explained as she started to pass out the note books. “This scene will be our hardest scene. Timing will be of the upmost importance. So if you all will turn to page seventy six, we can walk through this.” Kira paused as she waited for the troop to get on the page that she was on. As they were flipping pages she turned to one of the female dancers, “Luci” she said getting the woman’s attention. “Your work in Denver was perfect in timing. Half way through this scene, you are going to have to fill in as my double.”

The woman smiled, “hey I get to fly at the end.”

One of the male dancers laughed as he joked, “lucky.” There was a hint of feminine jealously in his voice.

Kira smiled and held up her hand, “Yes Luci, you get to fly. But let us go over this from the top.” She turned to the rest of the dancer, “Okay so we talked with Kara’s doctor and got his approval for this scene. He said that there shouldn’t be any issues with this scene and her medical condition.” Kira flipped through her script as she tried to find the beginning of the scene.

Kira walked over towards Stage Left and motioned across the stage, “We will have little Kara on stage during this scene and she will play a prominent part of the entire illusion. As the scene plays out, I will hand her over to you guys to work her through the steps of the spell. As you guys lead her around, be sure to keep her attention shifting around the scene. Listen to me, we don’t let her hand go till she has been handed over to the next performer. It is important that we keep her away from the special effects safety zones. Heed your commands from the Safety Director. The Safety Director won’t trigger the pyro till the safety zones are clear.”

Kira walked back over to the performers “Okay, so here is how the scene will play out. Like shows of the past, we will be moving the struggle between the Religious factions and the Witches Coven. Because of the past witch burnings carried out by Rebecca’s religious factions, the Coven will be striking back. Through this, Kara and I will be summoning up the spirit of a legionary witch” Kira laughed a bit as she read the script. “The narrative of the scene will be that this spell needs a vessel which the spirit will be hosted in. That vessel will be me. I will talk Kara through the opening of the scene telling her about the struggle between the two factions. I will ask her for her help to summon up this powerful spirit. Once she agrees, we will open the scene,” Kira explained.

“During the opening of this scene, the coven will pull out a large cauldron. The cauldron has to be in place before I am done speaking with Kara. Luci, this is where you will be staged during the first part of the scene. Listen for your cues some Sam, Karl and Christian. Follow the music and stay on pace with it. As the scene progresses, the coven will begin to fill the cauldron with.” She walked over to a place near the rear center of the stage.

“This is where the cauldron will be stationed,” she said motioning to the location on the stage. “As the scene continues, the Coven will fill the cauldron with the ingredients for this spell. Throughout this scene, I want to see energy” Kira explained as she walked around the area where the cauldron would be stationed. “There will be small trampolines set up forestage. I want to see lots of high flying leaps and energy filled spins. This scene was designed with lots of energy,” Kira said turning once more to face the dancers. “Kara doesn’t use the trampolines. Her doctor warned us that such movements could harm her weakened bones. So we will move her around the wings of the stage. Let us focus on keeping her in zones three and nine most of the time.” She pointed to a section of stage near the front of the stage, “zone five will be the transfer point to have her cross the stage.”

Kira looked down and read more of the script, “Everyone look at section twelve, movement five. This is where music will slow to a crawl. At this stage Kara needs to be in zone nine at this time and kept there till the end of the illusion. It is important that you” she said speaking to a handful of the dancers and singers, “keep Kara’s attention forward. Again positive control over Kara is vital,” Kira warned.

Kira turned to the dancer named Luci. “Luci, this is where you and I will switch places. Luci, you are a great look alike, but keep your distance from Kara for the next few movements. Smoke generators will help you mask your true identity. Once the switch is made, the music will explode in pace so be ready for it. Once more, lots of energy on stage guys. At the height of the music, the lightning effects will start to build to the apex of the illusion.” She looked up from the script, “We have to make sure that we keep Kara in zone nine. At no time is she to be left alone. We must maintain positive control over her during this time.”

Kira nodded as she walked towards the center of the stage near the edge. “Okay Luci, this is your moment. As the lighting flashes near the end of the scene, you will fake a leap off the stage then fall back.” She turned to two male dancers, “Sam, Christian, we are counting on you to secure both lines to Luci as she fades back. You guys really need to practice this moment till you have it flawlessly. You guys only have one shot at this. Get it right or Luci will have some fun face time with some of our audience.” She paused as the group started laughing. She held up a hand to get their attention. “Once Sam and Christian have the lines secured, Zone Eight is closed. Make sure you are all clear of this zone. Luci is the only one allowed in this zone.

“Okay Luci, once you get the signal from Sam, go ahead and take a real leap off the stage the second time” she explained and pointed to the location where the flight was to begin. “Use the trampoline to get as much height to your jump. Just like in Denver, your timing will have to be perfect for this to work. You only have seconds to get this right, so you have to listen to the music and be set up for your flight. Once air borne, we will be using the speed hoist to get you out of sight while the lighting is flashing. Once Luci is airborne, Zone Eight will activate with four foot high flames and pyro. This is designed to mask the cauldron and the illusion that will soon come.” She turned to Luci, “so timing is everything Luci.”

Another male dancer rose his hand, “but if Luci’s timing is off, even a small degree. Won’t the audience will see the illusion.”

Kira nodded, “yes you are right. But Luci’s role is not the illusion but only the distraction. We want their eyes to focus on her. Once she starts her run for the edge of the stage the set of thunder and lightning will go off. The last flashes of light will fill the area right before the stage. Setting up for the pyro and flames. As she takes flight, the house lights will be turned off allowing her to have a critical moment of darkness.” Kira turned to Luci once more, “you will only have seconds to get up to the top of the theater and get out of sight. There will be two safeties up there to help you get clear,” Kira paused a moment and looked at each of her dancers in the eyes. “Remember everyone, safety IS first. No one gets hurt!” Kira wanted to make sure that no one would do anything that would risk their safety.

She turned to the others, “Once the lights resume, you will have to show me that energy that you are well known for. Cause the illusion takes place only a few notes within the music later. The cue for the illusion will begin with the wolf howl.” She opened up her own note book, “take a look at the page eighty two, half way down.” Kira waited for them to check at the section before continuing, “The illusion will come down to when Luci posing as me is on stage one minute, then you see me flying through the air. Before the audience can realize what happened, I am emerging from the witch’s cauldron transformed by this spirit in to a powerful witch.” Kira smiled to the group as she continued, “this will set up for the big battle between the witch spirit and witch hunter at the end of the show. This will be our grand illusion at the end of the show.”

Sam frowned, “We can’t do this set up. The script doesn’t call for an intermission. To change the stage around would take too much time. We need the intermission.”

Kira smiled as she walked over to Sam, “Rebecca and I had something else in mind. Instead of an intermission we wanted to add another scene to the show.” Everyone was blinking at the suggestion. “Sam you have been with us since the very beginning. So we wanted to show our gratitude for your loyalty. You and some of the male backup singers will have center stage for this scene. Sam, we want you to lead the solo reading of the Raven. Your voice would be prefect for this.”

Sam looked down for a moment, “I am not so sure.”
Kira walked up to him, “Sam, you have narrated so many scenes from the shadows. Let that voice fill the theater once more. But let everyone see the man behind the voice.” Her smile clearly filled him with confidence as he nodded back to her. “For all that you have done for our show Sam. It’s your turn to stand in the spot light.”

Sam leap with joy giving Kira a hug. “ Thank you, Thank you for this opportunity. “

Kira give him a reassuring hug back as she smiled handing him a script when the hug ended. “ Sam we always known you could do this. “