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Apr. 12th, 2011 03:49![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
haflTitle: A Joke, Chapter Two
Original work: Malory Towers
Pairing: None yet
Rating: PG
It took Alicia a week, before she could arrange a meeting of both the committee and other girls from North Tower Fifth Form without arousing Gwen’s, Maureen’s, or Catherine’s suspicion. Alicia did not like the wait, as the precious time that was slipping away could be better used for rewriting the script, but Darrell wouldn’t budge.
On the evening when the meeting took place, both Gwen and Maureen were enjoying special attention from Mam’zelles Rougier and Dupont because of their abysmal performances in French that day and Catherine simply wasn’t invited. Moira certainly wasn’t pleased that girls who weren’t on the pantomime committee were invited and let everyone knew, drawing complaints that she was making the meeting longer than it had to be. After everybody finally calmed down, Alicia had the unpleasant task of explaining why they were asked to come. Moira, whatever her feelings about the proposition were, did manage to keep everyone from interrupting and Alicia thought that even her domineering attitude was sometimes useful. However, after her proposal and all the reason in its favour were explained, everyone wanted to talk at once.
“You mean, I would have to sing a funny song?” said Mavis.
“Why not? I wouldn’t mind writing funny music,” said Irene.
“I still haven’t finished my part of the work. I can still change it easily,” said Belinda.
“It doesn’t seem very nice to Gwen,” said Mary-Lou.
“But Gwen deserves it,” said Bill, “Just remember how she treated Clarissa last term.”
“She’s just insufferable this term,” said Clarissa, “Always going around as if she already was Cinderella. Gwen could use a lesson exactly like this.”
“That still doesn’t make it right to shame her in public,” said Daphne.
“Well, if Darrell agrees to these changes, I have no objections,” said Moira, “She was entrusted with writing the script, and so she can write it any way she decides.”
“I suppose so,” said Mavis, “Singing whatever I need to is part of being a professional.”
“Well, I have no objections,” said Janet, “The costumes will stay the same, won’t they?”
“There may be some small changes,” said Alicia, “But nothing major.”
“Enough,” said Moira, “We’ve heard the proposal and everyone, who didn’t already know about it, had time to speak their mind, so let’s vote. Who’s for the proposal?”
In the end, Mavis, Moira, Janet and Sally abstained, while Mary-Lou and Daphne were against the idea. After seeing the results, Sally looked relieved and Alicia thought that even though the proposal had passed the vote, Sally might still think that Darrell does not have to make the changes, because the vote was not unanimous. However, Moira quickly took command of the situation and solved that problem for Alicia.
“Sorry, Mary-Lou, Daphne,” said Moira, “But the majority is against you. Even if Catherine were here, she wouldn’t be able to sway the vote, so as head of the form and producer, I’m saying that the pantomime will be changed. Alicia, since all this was your idea, tell us what needs to be done.”
Alicia stepped forward. “There are only two things that need to be done right now. First, we must all swear that we won’t breathe a word of this to neither Gwen nor Maureen. If they find about this, it would all be for nothing. Second, we need a replacement actress for Gwen, if Gwen decides to run away. We wanted Mary-Lou for that, but…”
Mary-Lou shook her head. “No, I won’t do it. It’s too harsh, even Gwen doesn’t deserve that.”
“Daphne?” said Alicia.
“Are you daft, Alicia?” said Daphne, “Of course I won’t do it. There’s a difference between teaching someone a lesson and making them a laughingstock in front of their parents and all the little kids.”
“Her parents would love Gwen, even if all the Earth laughed at her,” said Alicia, “And none of the kids respects Gwen anyway, they hardly respect us. Well, if you won’t do it, I’m not going to force you.”
“I could do it,” said Clarissa, “I wouldn’t mind seeing Gwen getting what she deserves from up close, even if I might not have the chance to act at all.”
“Then, if no one has any objections, it’s decided,” said Alicia, “Clarissa will be Gwen’s replacement. And that’s all that needs to be decided right now.”
“Well,” said Moira, “Let’s end this meeting then. Mary-Lou, Daphne, before you leave. I’m not accusing you when I say this, but do not tell Gwen or Maureen about any of this. We decided this as a group, so if you tell them, you’ll be breaking the trust of everyone here. I know you’re trustworthy, but… You were just a little too vehement in opposing this, after the decision has been made. It’s only natural of me to be a little wary, since as the producer, I’m responsible for the pantomime’s success.”
And with this little speech, the meeting was finished and Alicia was relieved that it turned out so well.
Original work: Malory Towers
Pairing: None yet
Rating: PG
It took Alicia a week, before she could arrange a meeting of both the committee and other girls from North Tower Fifth Form without arousing Gwen’s, Maureen’s, or Catherine’s suspicion. Alicia did not like the wait, as the precious time that was slipping away could be better used for rewriting the script, but Darrell wouldn’t budge.
On the evening when the meeting took place, both Gwen and Maureen were enjoying special attention from Mam’zelles Rougier and Dupont because of their abysmal performances in French that day and Catherine simply wasn’t invited. Moira certainly wasn’t pleased that girls who weren’t on the pantomime committee were invited and let everyone knew, drawing complaints that she was making the meeting longer than it had to be. After everybody finally calmed down, Alicia had the unpleasant task of explaining why they were asked to come. Moira, whatever her feelings about the proposition were, did manage to keep everyone from interrupting and Alicia thought that even her domineering attitude was sometimes useful. However, after her proposal and all the reason in its favour were explained, everyone wanted to talk at once.
“You mean, I would have to sing a funny song?” said Mavis.
“Why not? I wouldn’t mind writing funny music,” said Irene.
“I still haven’t finished my part of the work. I can still change it easily,” said Belinda.
“It doesn’t seem very nice to Gwen,” said Mary-Lou.
“But Gwen deserves it,” said Bill, “Just remember how she treated Clarissa last term.”
“She’s just insufferable this term,” said Clarissa, “Always going around as if she already was Cinderella. Gwen could use a lesson exactly like this.”
“That still doesn’t make it right to shame her in public,” said Daphne.
“Well, if Darrell agrees to these changes, I have no objections,” said Moira, “She was entrusted with writing the script, and so she can write it any way she decides.”
“I suppose so,” said Mavis, “Singing whatever I need to is part of being a professional.”
“Well, I have no objections,” said Janet, “The costumes will stay the same, won’t they?”
“There may be some small changes,” said Alicia, “But nothing major.”
“Enough,” said Moira, “We’ve heard the proposal and everyone, who didn’t already know about it, had time to speak their mind, so let’s vote. Who’s for the proposal?”
In the end, Mavis, Moira, Janet and Sally abstained, while Mary-Lou and Daphne were against the idea. After seeing the results, Sally looked relieved and Alicia thought that even though the proposal had passed the vote, Sally might still think that Darrell does not have to make the changes, because the vote was not unanimous. However, Moira quickly took command of the situation and solved that problem for Alicia.
“Sorry, Mary-Lou, Daphne,” said Moira, “But the majority is against you. Even if Catherine were here, she wouldn’t be able to sway the vote, so as head of the form and producer, I’m saying that the pantomime will be changed. Alicia, since all this was your idea, tell us what needs to be done.”
Alicia stepped forward. “There are only two things that need to be done right now. First, we must all swear that we won’t breathe a word of this to neither Gwen nor Maureen. If they find about this, it would all be for nothing. Second, we need a replacement actress for Gwen, if Gwen decides to run away. We wanted Mary-Lou for that, but…”
Mary-Lou shook her head. “No, I won’t do it. It’s too harsh, even Gwen doesn’t deserve that.”
“Daphne?” said Alicia.
“Are you daft, Alicia?” said Daphne, “Of course I won’t do it. There’s a difference between teaching someone a lesson and making them a laughingstock in front of their parents and all the little kids.”
“Her parents would love Gwen, even if all the Earth laughed at her,” said Alicia, “And none of the kids respects Gwen anyway, they hardly respect us. Well, if you won’t do it, I’m not going to force you.”
“I could do it,” said Clarissa, “I wouldn’t mind seeing Gwen getting what she deserves from up close, even if I might not have the chance to act at all.”
“Then, if no one has any objections, it’s decided,” said Alicia, “Clarissa will be Gwen’s replacement. And that’s all that needs to be decided right now.”
“Well,” said Moira, “Let’s end this meeting then. Mary-Lou, Daphne, before you leave. I’m not accusing you when I say this, but do not tell Gwen or Maureen about any of this. We decided this as a group, so if you tell them, you’ll be breaking the trust of everyone here. I know you’re trustworthy, but… You were just a little too vehement in opposing this, after the decision has been made. It’s only natural of me to be a little wary, since as the producer, I’m responsible for the pantomime’s success.”
And with this little speech, the meeting was finished and Alicia was relieved that it turned out so well.
