The Show Must Go On

by Reneé Smith

(An entry in the JemCon 2022 FanFic contest)

"Oh, Wow! Minneapolis!" Kimber exclaimed. "I'd take in a show at the Dakota Jazz Club!" "I'd go to all the places Prince used to hang out." Raya chimed in.

"I'd go to the Mall of America to shop till I dropped!" Aja grinned and fell back on to the bed dramatically.

"I wish I could take you all with me." Jerrica remarked. "But the show is a very small one only a handful of performers."

Jerrica lifted her arm as Shana draped another length of fabric over her body and pinned it in place. "Have you memorized your lines?" Kimber asked.

"Yes, I've been rehearsing with Rio almost every afternoon."

"You mean Jem has been rehearsing with Rio every afternoon." Shana corrected.

"Yes." Jerrica sighed and dropped her gaze to the floor.

"You're going to have to tell him sooner or later." Aja remarked.

"I know." Jerrica replied. "I'm just waiting for the right time." The sound of tires crunching on the gravel driveway made Aja pull back the curtain and peer out the window of Starlight

Mansion. "Well, now is not the right time. Rio is here to take you to the airport." "Oh no!" Jerrica cried. "He's early!" She said as she started to tug at the fabric. Shana admonished her with a giggle and helped Jerrica wriggle out of the half-made garment without pricking herself with one of the many pins. "I'll have this outfit finished by the time you get back from Minneapolis."

"The new stage clothes are gonna be outrageous, Shana. Your designs are so amazing." Jerrica quickly pulled her turquoise striped dress over her head and fastened her belt. "Why is Rio so early?" She questioned as she checked her reflection in the mirror and tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear.

"Maybe he wants to romance you a little before you jet off to spend the weekend on a river boat on the Mississippi with none other than Riot." Kimber giggled. Jerrica rolled her eyes at her younger sister. "Like Riot has a chance." She quipped sarcastically before catching the hat that Kimber threw at her and placing it on her head.

There was a knock at the door, then Mrs. Bailey peered around the door. "Jerrica, Mr.

Pacheco is here to take you to the airport."

"Tell him I'll be right down." Jerrica replied and picked up her purse. She held her arms open as Kimber, Shana and Aja all went in for a group hug. There was a chorus of well wishes, then Jerrica picked up her suitcase and blew a kiss to them from the door.

"Break a leg!" Kimber shouted behind her as she rushed down the stairs to where Rio was waiting.

~☆~

"Ugh, Minnesota?" Roxy sneered as Pizzazz rifled through her wardrobe. "Have fun freezing in your fishnets."

Pizzazz let out a muffled cackle from the back of her closet.

"Actually, It's quite warm there at this time of year." Stormer chimed in. "You're so lucky to perform on a riverboat, floating down the Mississippi like Huckleberry Finn!" "Huck who?" Roxy retorted, rolling her eyes at Stormer.

"Oy!" Jetta interjected. "What did you just say to me?"

Roxy turned to Jetta blandly. "Shut up! I wasn't talking to you."

Pizzazz emerged from the back of her closet with an armload of sequined fabric. "Yeah, stuck on a boat with Jem for three whole days. Not to mention, that Jerrica brat will probably be there too, just to make my life miserable." She dumped the mound of clothes in a heap on the duvet and blew her lime-hued bangs out of her face. Roxy scooted across the bed and started to paw through the mound of clothes. "Maybe Rio will be there." Roxy said absently as she held up a one-legged electric blue catsuit.

"Who cares about that purple haired dweeb?" Pizzazz mumbled, pulling her shirt over her head to try on another outfit. "Riot is going to be there and I'm not gonna let him out of my sight all weekend." She declared turning a critical eye to her reflection in the mirror. Stormer sorted through more papers in the information packet that Pizzazz had received from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. "It says here that the riverboat has been run by the university's theatre department since 1958."

Roxy shook her head at Pizzazz and threw another dress at her. "Try this one."

"Did you know that Minneapolis has one of the largest LGBT populations in the country?" "Stormer!" Roxy and Pizzazz crowed in unison.

"What?" Stormer reluctantly put down the pamphlet. "Minneapolis looks like a great place, that's all." She shrugged.

"Are you going to keep spewing useless trivia at me or are you gonna help me pack?" Pizzazz yelled.

A car horn honked obnoxiously from outside. Eric's angry voice carried through the open window.

"Pizzazz! I've been waiting out here for an hour! You're gonna miss your flight."

Jetta got up from the chaise lounge and slammed the window shut. "Ah, peace and quiet." She sighed. "Now, let's make a plan for you to finally get Riot's attention away from that pink haired muppet."

~☆~

"I don't understand why you have to go to Minneapolis when Jem is the one in the show." Rio moped as he steered his black van into the airport dropoff zone.

"Its only for a few days." Jerrica replied.  "I'll be back before you know it."

"I could come with you." Rio suggested. "I've been dying to visit the Bakken to see the electricity and magnetism exhibits. We could go together while Jem rehearses."

Jerrica got out of the van and closed the door. "Uh, but I need you here working on the set design for the next tour and I have to be in Minneapolis to help Jem."

"You and Jem are together so much, sometimes I think you must be the same person." Rio joked as he opened the back door and pulled out Jerrica's suitcase.

Jerrica let out a shrill little laugh that sounded fake even to her own ears and tapped her earrings discreetly. "Synergy, now!" She whispered.

Just then, the rockin roadster pulled up and Jem hopped out. She waved at both Jerrica and Rio, pulled her suitcase through the glass doors and disappeared inside the airport.

"I'd better go catch up." Jerrica smiled as she took her suitcase from Rio.

"I'll miss you every day." Rio murmured and pulled her into a tight hug. "I'll miss you, too, Rio." Jerrica replied and gave him a kiss.

She touched her earrings again, once she was out of Rio's eyesight. "Showtime, Synergy." She said and transformed once again as the glass doors slid open.

~☆~

"Eric, you better not have booked me commercial. I don't belong with a bunch of commoners." Pizzazz sneered as Eric's car pulled up to the small airstrip.

"Trust me, Pizzazz. I promise you'll be the only person on the plane." Eric slicked his hair back with one hand after putting his car in park. It sputtered, stalled and then backfired. "Geez, Eric. Why are you still driving around this hunk of junk?" Pizzazz asked with obvious disgust.

"Because, my dear Pizzazz, I've sunk every last dollar into getting you a part in this play in Minneapolis. Being on a boat in the middle of the Mississippi river with Jem should make it easy to find out her real identity. Once you do, I'm going leverage that information against

Jerrica Benton to get back controlling shares in Starlight Music."

Pizzazz pulled her three suitcases out of the back seat of the car and turned around just in time to see Jem and Riot board a private jet right before it took off. Pizzazz started running after it. "Hey, wait for me. Riot!" She tripped over a bale of hay and screamed when a large pig started to lick her face. A short, bearded man with a straw hat and blue denim overalls came into her vision. "You must be the pretty lady Mr. Raymond booked the ride fer. I'm Bob."

"What?" Pizzazz asked incredulously as she got back to her feet. "I'm supposed to have a private flight!" She wheezed and pulled a piece of straw out of her hair.

"Well, you'll have to share your seat with Beulah. Don't worry, she won't talk to you much.

As soon as we get in the air she falls right to sleep."

Pizzazz lowered her eyes to him in a death glare. "Who is Beulah - your wife?"

"Naw," Bob said and pointed to the airplane behind him. Bob's Livestock Cargo was painted on the side of it in big green letters. "Beulah's my hog."

"Eric!" Pizzazz's screams were drowned out by the sounds of Eric's car backfiring as it turned onto the freeway in the distance.

~☆~

"Thank you for arranging the flight, Riot. I've never been on a private jet before." Jem smiled as they clinked crystal champagne flutes.

"I only travel first class." Riot replied, "and, of course, only the best for you, Jem." The captain's voice came over the intercom informing them to fasten their seatbelts as the plane took off.

~☆~

I'm Amanda Stirling, director of the play. Thank you so much for taking part in our production. A tall, thin woman with curly auburn hair held her hand out to Jerrica. Jerrica shook Amanda's hand and smiled.

"The pleasure is all ours, Ms. Stirling.” Jerrica said warmly. “Jem is very excited to work with the university. She has rehearsed so much at Starlight Mansion that I have the entire play memorized!" Amanda laughed and looked around the room. "Where is Jem? We should get started on the dress rehearsal right away."

"Of course." Replied Jerrica. I'll go find her and meet you backstage." Amanda nodded and walked off in the direction of the theater room. "Showtime, Synergy" Jerrica whispered and tapped the Jemstar earrings. In a pink shimmer, she transformed into Jem. As she made her way to the door that would take her backstage, she heard the captain of the riverboat giving orders and several crew members preparing to leave the dock later that evening. “Jem, my dear. Shall I accompany you to the dress rehearsal?” Jem heard Riot's smooth voice as he fell in step with her on the boat deck.

“Of course, Riot.” She smiled. “I cant believe the show is tonight!”

Riot shook his head. “I just overheard Ms. Stirling tell the captain that he can't leave the dock until the last actor arrives. Apparently there is one cast member who is running very late.”

“Oh no.” Said Jem.

Riot continued. “The captain informed Ms. Stirling that the boat would be leaving at exactly

7pm whether the entire cast is present or not. He runs a tight ship.”

“I'm sure the actor, whoever it is, will show up in time to be in the play.”

~☆~

Pizzazz was seething by the time Bob’s Livestock Cargo landed at Minnesota airport. Over the course of the bumpy flight she had imagined how many ways she could kill Eric while Beulah the hog snored in her ear. Now that she was on the ground though, her thoughts turned towards the play and the time she would be spending on the riverboat with Riot. She hailed a cab and hopped in the back, heaving her suitcases with her. "Riverboat place, and step on it." she snipped at the driver.

"That's a very long way from here. You got enough cash?” The driver looked at her dirty clothes and at the straw in her hair. He has serious doubts she could pay. "Sure" she said. She pulled Eric's wallet out of her bag. Luckily she had nicked it from his hunk of junk car before he dropped her at the airport. Unluckily, all Eric's wallet contained was a dry cleaning pick up slip and a Grateful Dead concert ticket stub from Eric's teenage years. Pizzazz scoffed. Wow, she didn't realize Eric had once been almost cool.

“Sorry lady, no money no ride.” Seconds later Pizzazz found herself thrown out of the taxi on the sidewalk with her suitcases thrown out after her. She didn't even have time to screech before the car pulled away from the curb leaving her in the dust.

Pizzazz was not one to give up though. She was getting on that boat, and spending time with Riot no matter what. "Hey, watch it!" she heard as a bike messenger nearly ran her over. “Watch it yourself!” Pizzazz spit back as she threw her suitcase at his front tire. The bike messenger yelled as he flew over the handlebars and landed head first in a garbage can. Pizzazz set the bike upright, tied her suitcase to the back and started pedalling with all her might towards the city centre, to the riverboat and to Riot.

~☆~

“I can no longer hide my love for you.” Riot crashed through the door with a thud. Jem stood up from her chair and covered her mouth with her hand to muffle her shriek of surprise. Riot rushed over to her and fell to one knee in front of her. "I can no longer go on with out you by my side. Please, marry me and live the rest of your days as my wife." Jem took his hand and pulled him to standing position. She stared into his bright green eyes and took a second to find her voice. “I- I don't know what to say,” she stammered. “Say yes.”, Riot pleaded and pulled her into his arms. "Yes!" Jem replied. “Yes!” she repeated. “You've made me the happiest girl in the world!" she smiled widely. Riot leaned in to close the space between them anticipating her kiss.

"Cut!" yelled Amanda from the theatre seats. Jem quickly stepped away from Riot and turned towards the director. Riot’s face contorted with rage before he quickly donned a serene look and spoke haltingly. "Why did you stop us? That was perfect." He said, doing very little to cover his anger.

"It was perfect!" Amanda agreed. "But we have a big problem." Amanda walked up the steps to the stage and slumped her shoulders.

“What's wrong?" Jem asked, concern evident in her voice.

"The last actor hasn't shown up. Without the third character, the show will be ruined." Amanda was nearly in tears. "We have a sold out theatre tonight and no performance to show them"

Jem patted her shoulder. “I wish there was something I could do to help." She said. Actually, there is. Amanda stood up straight and looked at her. "When I spoke to Jerrica this morning, she told me that she had rehearsed so much with you that she had the whole play memorized.”

“I don't understand,'' Jem said taking a step backwards.

“Don’t you see?” Amanda exclaimed. “Jerrica can take the place of the third actor. She already knows the lines!” Amanda said excitedly. “Uuuh,'' Jem said with uncertainty. “I don't know…” Jem trailed off.

Amanda jumped up. “I'm going to go find Jerrica and get her into costume right away.” Amanda happily scurried out of sight leaving a shocked Jem behind.

“Now, where were we?” Riot said as he walked towards Jem with his arms out. "I'd better go find Jerrica." Jem said quickly and made hasty exit to the outside.

~☆~

“Jerrica, are you all right?” The sound of Synergy's voice comforted her.

“Yes, Synergy. I just needed some fresh air. What am I going to do? I can't be two parts in the play!”

“Are you forgetting that I am the most powerful computer in the world, Jerrica? Your father built me to project very realistic holograms. I can be the third actor in the play.” “You can do that?” Jerrica could feel the stress easing.

Synergy laughed. “Do not worry, Jerrica. The show must go on!"

Jerrica giggled and turned her face out to the open water. Outrageous!

~☆~

Jem peeked through the side of the main curtain. Elegantly-dressed people made their way into the theater until all the seats were filled.

"I'm so nervous!"

"You're going to do great!" Amanda reassured her. "5 minutes till curtain. I'm going to check in with Riot and make sure Jerrica is ready." Amanda disappeared back stage. Jem touched the jemstar earrings. "Synergy?" Her voice trembled. "Are you still with me?"

Synergy's reassuring voice filled her ear. "Do not be nervous.  I am with you. I am capable of performing in the play tonight. All will be well." Jem swallowed hard and quelled the butterflies in her stomach. "I know you can do it, Synergy."

Amanda's voice rang through the area. "Places, people!" Suddenly, there were stage crew scrambling about and a flurry of activity. "Showtime, Syngery!" Jem announced and took her place on stage.

~☆~

Pizzazz threw the bike down to the ground and ran down the dock. The riverboat was gone, and so too, was her chance at a romantic riverboat cruise with Riot. She screamed in frustration.  "I'm gonna kill Eric when I see him".

A deep voice from down the dock yelled out. "Hey, keep it down, lady." Pizzazz turned her head to see who dared to tell her to be quiet. A young man stood by a small rowboat untangling his fishing net. "Is that your boat?" Pizzazz snapped at him. He shrugged, "Yeah, who wants to know?"

Pizzazz grabbed what was left of her suitcase, ran over and settled herself onto the bench in the small boat. "I need a ride to that boat." She said pointing into the distance. The man openly scoffed. "No can do, lady. That's gotta be 2 miles away!"

Pizzazz stood up and poked her perfectly manicured finger into the man's chest. "You'll take me there or I will rip that mustache clean off your face."

The man's eyes widened and he scrambled into the boat and grabbed the oars. "Okay, okay, lady. Whatever you say." The boat started moving through the water in the direction of the boat, towards Riot. "One more thing." Pizzazz snapped at the man with the mustache. "I ain't no lady."

~☆~

Jem, Riot and hologram Jerrica bowed one last time to the standing ovation of the crowd as the curtain drew to a close. "You were perfect, Jem.” Riot crooned and squeezed her hand. "Just like I knew you would be. The perfect leading lady to the perfect man. Please, meet me for a cadnelit dinner on the upper deck in an hour.” Before she could make up a plausible excuse not to, Riot nodded and walked away without another word.

Once she was alone, Jem touched her jemstar earrings and whispered. “Show’s over,

Synergy. You were amazing!" Synergy’s laugh bubbled up in her ear. "That was fun!" Jerrica laughed out loud. “I'm glad you had a good time. I was a nervous wreck and I don't want a repeat performance of that anytime soon! Wait till the Holograms hear about this!"

~☆~

Pizazz grabbed onto the guardrail and hoisted herself out of the rowboat and onto the deck of the Mississippi river boat. She had been sat on by a hog, thrown out of a taxi, covered in mud from a bike ride through the city and transported in a fishing boat - and she looked like it and smelled like it. Riot thought he was looking at a creature from the black lagoon when she appeared on his private deck that he had prepared with a candlelit table for Jem. "Riot!" Pizzazz excalimed. "You do care! Oh, I knew it all along!" She rushed forward with her arms outstretched, only to trip on a loos floorboard and crash into the table. Dishes, food and flower arrangements rained down on Pizzazz in the last humiliation of the day. Riot stood up abruptly and straightened his leopard print jacket. "Pizzazz!" He said in surprise, then held his nose and looked on in digust. "I must go. Always a pleasure to see you." Then Riot, in the most graceful Riot-fashion as ever, left Pizzazz alone on the deck. Somewhere in the deep dwontown core of Minneapolis, people wondered what that strange screeching sound was coming from the river.

~☆~

Jerrica stepped through the glass doors of the airport and out towards the black van that was waiting there for her. "Jerrica!" She heard Rio's excited voice call her name. She ran into his arms and planted a kiss on his lips. “I missed you." He murmured as she revelled in the feeling of his warm embrace. Within minutes, her suitcase was stowed safely in the back of the van and they were on their way back to Starlight Mansion - back home. And there was no place that Jerrica could think of that she would rather be.