(Tristan) Show Time!

Once everyone had come in and the competition had started, I was allowed to sit down and watch. The first act was a jazz musician named John Doe. He was actually quite good, but his music was a little boring. I mean, I guess I’m not one to talk, but why jazz out of all music genres? To each their own, I guess.

John Doe walked onto the stage with a guitar in hand. He pulled a chair up to the microphone, and tapped it a couple of times. There was an appropriate feedback noise, so he took a seat on the chair. He adjusted the height of the microphone to reach his mouth. All of these motions were done with great ease, so I imagined this guy was quite experienced. He cleared his throat before he spoke.

“Hey everybody, my name is John Doe. I’m a jazz musician, I have been for most of my life.” He paused oddly, almost as if he was waiting for some applause. A couple people clapped, but it was sparse.

“Ah, thank you thank you, I’m sure some of you have seen me before. Today, I’ll be giving you guys a sneak peak of my new album, Mysterious Intentions. I actually got my inspiration for it in this very café. The song I’ll be playing is titled ‘George.’ Hope you guys enjoy it.”

There was a small applause that quickly died down when he was ready to play.

The song was actually quite impressive, if it weren’t for the atrocious lyrics. Something about a guy who was struggling to make it big in the music industry? Whatever it was, it was a bit too direct for me. When he finished, he stood up and bowed. Everyone applauded, and he walked off of the stage.

Next up was a teenage boy. He looked like every other teenager out there, and according to the program he was a comedian.

“Heyoo, the name’s Jimothy. I’m here to crack some sick jokes.” Out of the corner of my eye, I could see John Doe cheering loudly. It was very out of place as no one else was clapping.

Jimothy pointed at John, “My boy John! Props to you for being such a chad.”

A couple people laughed. Jimothy continued with his act. “So, let me tell you the story of how I was forced to break up with one of my exes,” there was a strange emphasis on the word “one.”

“So I was eating dinner at my ex's house, right?-”

I zoned out for the whole thing. I don’t remember anyone laughing, and honestly I think his act was erased from my mind as a form of mental protection. I remember him saying the name “Jessica” a bunch, and then slamming the microphone onto the floor in anger as he walked straight out of the café. The bang of the door slamming and the microphone’s feedback brought me back to the present, and there was an awkward silence until the door opened again.

I looked up, hoping that it was the teenager coming to tell us it was all a joke. Now that would be funny. Instead, it was DJ McDizzle. He panted, almost as if he had been running. Hold up, why did he come from the door?

The DJ straightened his posture and immediately stopped panting. I don’t think that was very good for his lungs, but he pulled through. He walked up to the microphone and scanned the crowd.

Shoot, that’s my que! I got up and brought over his equipment. It was so heavy, but luckily I didn’t trip over myself. I could see Scanta staring at me and smiling, almost as if he was waiting for me to fall. Stupid bald eagle. Once I set everything up, McDizzle gave me a quick thanks and I walked back to my seat.

McDizzle absolutely crushed his performance. Everyone seemed to love it, and honestly, I did too. I even got up to dance in the make-shift mosh pit that formed at the peak of his song. DJ McDizzle seemed to be the current favourite for the competition.

After his song, I helped him dismantle his equipment and sat back down. McDizzle thanked me with a serious face before disappearing into the back room.

The next competitor was the loose wire of a girl I refused to sell tickets to. She had a full face of makeup, and she was honestly very beautiful without the streaks of mascara running down her face.

When she walked up to the microphone, she gave a dazzling smile. The audience was captivated.

“Hello everyone! Nice to meet you, my name is Pimmy! You may or may not know me from the girl group Cherry Plaid.”

The audience roared. Wow, I must really be out of touch with today’s pop culture.

“Thank you for your support! Today, I will be singing an acoustic version of Cherry Plaid’s debut song. Please enjoy!”

She sat down and grabbed the mic as the music began to play. She swayed side to side as she sang, and the audience swayed with her. It was mesmerizing. She was clearly a professional.

Everyone was entranced for the entirety of her performance. When she finished, the audience began to chant “Encore!” She blushed and said “I apologize, I do not want to take time out of our next performer’s act!” There was a strange glint in her eye as she said this, it reminded me of someone. Someone that gives me the chills… I couldn’t put my finger on it, but it felt unhinged. I seemed to be the only one who noticed it. What just happened to the sweet girl singing about first love??

She bowed and left with a quick, “Thank you, everyone.” I watched as she left the stage and passed by the next performer. He shot her a quick smile and said something along the lines of “Good job.” Her eyes widened as she bowed towards him. This bow was way deeper than the one she had given the audience. When she came up, her eyes seemed to water.

Hm… Interesting. The next competitor was on the stage, but I was more focused on Pimmy. She seemed awestruck, and suddenly her hand flew to cover her mouth….? No, her nose! She was having a nose bleed! She ran to the bathroom in shock, and I almost got up in shock as well. What the hell?

I kept an eye on the bathroom, but I don’t think she was coming out anytime soon.

I turned my attention back to the stage and a handsome guy was singing a song. I recognized the song this time, I’m pretty sure it was a STB song. People clapped along to his singing, and he seemed to be on par with the girl before him, if not better.

He also possessed that captivating aura, and he clearly had years of experience performing. He finished his song, bowed and left the stage.

There was only one performer left now.

My skin buzzed with excitement. I wonder how this is gonna go.