Chapter 1: Tune Up & Start
Kristen
entered the New York City studio and looked around. She appeared to be
the first one. The last conversation with her best friend before she
left Chicago came back to her mind.
"You're done, Kristen! How does it feel?"
"I'm nervous. I don't know anything outside this conservatory. What if they don't like me, Ashley?"
"They must like you or else they wouldn't have picked you in the first place, right?"
"I suppose you're right."
"Of course I'm right, Kristen. You'll knock 'em dead."
"
A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're fast asleep
In dreams you will lose your heartache
Whatever you wish for, you keep…."
she
sang softly to herself. Kristen explored the studio, wondering where
everyone else could be. The silence made her feel a bit lonely and her
mind wandered back to her friend Ashley from the conservatory.
"I'll miss you Ashley."
"I'll come visit you. This is your big chance!"
"Well, as long as you promise to visit."
"Of
course Girl! I wouldn't pass up a chance to go to New York City!
Just don't forget your lowly friend Ashley when you become famous."
"I wouldn't dream of it! You're my best friend."
"
Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling through
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true…."
Suddenly,
big band music started up, startling Kristen. Lights started to come
on, showing that the band had arrived. Gentle laughter could be heard
and Kristen's eyes automatically went to the booth. "You must be
Kristen," came a male's voice over the speaker. "Yes," Kristen
responded with a nod.
"Welcome! Sorry if the band startled you.
You're the first one here so feel free to start warming up. The others
should be here soon." With a smile Kristen replied, "Alright. Thanks."
Soon after the man spoke four voices chimed in, bass; tenor; alto;
soprano, warming up to sing. They all caught Kristen's eye and gave her
friendly smiles as they continued their warm-up. She watched them for
quite some time, almost as if drawn in by how perfectly all four seemed
to blend together. Soon after, the quartet began to move microphones
and other equipment, warming up all the while. Kristen was so busy
watching them that she nearly ran into another woman who had entered.
"Oh! I'm sorry," Kristen apologized. The other woman chuckled, taking
off her coat. "It's quite alright. You must be new." Kristen gave a
nod. "My name's Kristen."
"My name's Diane," the other replied.
"It's so nice to see a fresh, new face." Diane handed her coat to the
tenor. However, it was then Diane heard, "And who is this charming
woman?" She spun around to see a man talking to Kristen and her heart
skipped a beat. It was him! Would she truly be working with him again?
"Hello Julian…." she managed with some effort. The man turned around
upon hearing Diane's voice. His heart skipped too upon seeing her.
"….Diane…." they looked into each other's eyes for a brief, silent
moment before the man in the booth spoke again. "Ah, Diane! Julian!
Good, you're both here. I see you've met Kristen. We're missing one,
but he'll be here shortly. Why don't we all warm up together?" With
that said, Diane started.
"
Just whistle while you work,"
she sang and then whistled before going on.
"
Put on that grin and start right in
To whistle loud and long.
Just hum a marry song…"
She then hummed.
"
Just do your best
And take a rest
And sing yourself a song.
When there's too much to do
Don't let it trouble you
Forget your worries
Try to be just like a cheerful chickadee…"
"
And whistle while you work," Julian broke in with the quartet whistling behind him.
"
Come on get smart," Diane sang as she gave Julian a teasing nudge.
"
Tune up and start," Julian sang back before Diane joined in with,
"To whistle while you work!"
Julian then started right on cue with the band,
"
When you get in trouble
And you don't know right from wrong
Give a little whistle!"
To which Diane echoed, "
Give a little whistle" before Julian went on.
"
When you meet temptation
And the urge is very strong
Give a little whistle!"
To which again Diane responded,
"Give a little whistle."
"
Not Just a little squeak," continued Julian.
Pucker up and blow!
And if your whistle's weak
Yell 'Jimminy Cricket!"
before Diane joined in once more.
"
Keep a straight and narrow path
And if you start to slide
Give a little whistle, give a little whistle
And always let your conscience be your guide."
"
Not just a little squeak!" came a new voice out of nowhere suddenly. Kristen's eyes shot over to its owner.
"
Pucker up and blow!" It belonged to a young man about her age with blond hair.
"
And if your whistle's weak
Yell: 'Jimminy Cricket'!"
He wore blue jeans and a white T-shirt. He also held a motorcycle helmet in one hand.
"Come on whistle!"
he belted with a huge smile on his face. This was what he lived for!
He turned his attention to Kristen who had picked up the tune now,
watching her every move.
"
Keep a straight and narrow path
And if you start to slide
Give a little whistle…"
"
Give a little whistle!" the newcomer replied.
"
Give a little whistle?" Kristen asked.
"
Give a little whistle," he confirmed.
"
And always let your conscience be your guide…" the two sang together.
"
Just do your best and take a rest…" sang Diane.
"
Put on that grin and start right in…" Julian jumped in.
"
Come on get smart, tune up and start…" Kristen and the newcomer sang.
"
To give a little… give a little… give a little… give a little whistle…" they tuned in order with Julian, the newcomer, Diane and finally Kristen. Kristen shuddered slightly. What a perfect blend!
"
Give a little… give a little… give a little… give a little whistle…" they tuned one last time before finishing with,
"…while you work!"
