Kermie's Girl (ushy-gushy fanfic)

[Java]

I don't like being suspended from midair....

 

[The Count]

Oh don't worry... It's just until Ru posts more story.

*Nudge, Cath, if you'd be so kind... More story please?

 

[Java]

I'm starting to get dizzy up here...

 

[The Count]

Yeah... *Unhooking Melissa's harness bringing her back down safely.
Come on, let's go back to the dorms. Sure hope Cath updates this soon... Starting to miss my lovely doll though.

 

[The Count]

*Singing...
And now.
The nag is here.
And so I face.
The final posting.

I nagged.
Who I had to nag.
To get more story please.
It's you we're toasting.

To nag.
Each passing day.
No updates come.
On the information super highway.
But more story please.
More story than this please.
Just post it to-daaaaaaay!

 

[Ruahnna]

Reports of my demise...

...have been greatly exaggerated. Here's most of the second half of the Vegas show. More to follow but not tonight, er, this morning.

Quick note: I have noted the languages used in "It's Christmas Time All Over the World" which is by Hugh Martin.

 

[Leyla]

YAYAYAYAYAY!!!! She's updating, she's updating! <squee>!!

<waves> Hi Ru!

 

[Ruahnna]

Chapter 26: It's Christmas Time All Over the Stage

The audience shifted excitedly in their seats as soon as the Electric Mayhem took the stage, even though the lights weren’t on yet. At Dr. Teeth’s signal, there were four quick clicks of the drumsticks, then a blast of noise and sound as all of the stage lights—including the Christmas lights on Janice’s dress—lit up in two long bursts and then four shorts ones that corresponded to Dr. Teeth’s voice shouting “One, two, one, two, tree, four—“
“Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock; jingle bell swing and jingle bells ring.
Snowing and blowing up bushels of fun—now the jingle hop has begun.”
The tempo was thumping as the band pounded out the song.
“Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock; jingle bells chime in jingle bell time
Dancing and prancing in Jingle Bell Square in the frosty air.”

Backstage, Robin came running up, quiet on his webbed feet with Fozzie right behind him. He wore blue pajamas with little Santa faces on them, but Santa’s face looked suspiciously like Kermit’s underneath the snowy beard and red hat, mirroring the white beard and mustache that the real Kermit actually wore. A red-velvet Santa suit completed Kermit’s costume, since his flippered feet were also bare.
“I’m ready!” Robin said, then clapped both hands over his mouth, surprised by how loud he sounded even with the deafening din coming from the stage. “I’m ready,” he whispered.
“Good,” Kermit said, patting him fondly on the shoulder. “We’re on next.”
“Are you all warmed up, Robin?” Piggy asked softly. Robin nodded, his eyes shining.
“Rowlf was helping me,” he said, smiling up at Fozzie, “until Fozzie came to get me.”
“Good.”

Janice took the chorus. “What a bright time, it’s the right time to rock the night away.
Jingle bell time is a swell time—to go gliding in a one-horse sleigh!”
“Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet. Jingle around the clock. Mix and a-mingle in the jingling feet—that’s the jingle bell—
That’s the jingle bell--
That’s the jingle bell rock!
The song ended in an extended bass riff by Floyd, which the audience appreciated loudly, yelling and whistling. Animal got so excited they had to lead him off the stage, but the excessively warm welcome created a buoyant mood among the band. The performers trailed off happily to await their next cue and Kermit and Robin and Piggy slipped on to the darkened stage.

“Johnny?” Sal said, looking cautiously around the dressing room. No Johnny. Sal slapped a hand over his face. Geez Louise, where could that guy be?! He was on any moment, just as soon as the kid’s song was over. He whipped out into the hall, running toward the kitchen. No Johnny there, either. Sal felt dangerously close to hyperventilating. With a sudden inspiration, he checked the men’s room (not the general dressing room, the other men’s room) but there was no Johnny there either. He swung out into the hall in time to see Johnny emerge—with some help—from the ladies dressing room, being alternately escorted and expelled by his soon-to-be-co-stars. Each of the ladies was dressed in a representational native costume from a different country: Norwegian, Portuguese, German and Greek.
“Just checking on you, ladies,” Johnny said smoothly. He gave a suave laugh.
“Yeah, yeah,” Amy Lu said, shaking her head. “Nobody’s buying, Johnny.”
“C’mon—we gotta go cue up,” insisted Sally Ann.
Johnny passed Sal in a cluster of femininity, only noting his friend’s presence at the last minute.
“Oh, hey Sal,” he called cheerily. “I’m off to do my next song. Hold those cue cards high, okay?”
Sal gave a thin smile and thought about fainting or homicide, but whichever he decided, he’d just have to do it after the show. He turned slowly and observed Rizzo staring fixedly at the girls’ dressing room with a look of baffled disbelief on his face. Sal shrugged, and hurried after Johnny.

When the lights went up, Robin was seated on what looked like a staircase downstage left, sitting not upstairs, or downstairs, but somewhere in between. There was a Christmas tree and a huge and very realistic fireplace upstage right, and the only illumination for the scene seemed to come from an electric candle that Robin held and from two large candlesticks on the mantle. While Rowlf played an extended introduction, Robin watched as Kermit—dressed as Santa—emerged from the large fireplace to be greeted with great enthusiasm by Piggy. While everyone watched, the bag of toys slipped from “Santa’s” nerveless fingers as he was thoroughly kissed under the mistletoe. Robin stared in comical surprise, then looked out at the audience, his eyes wide.
“I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus underneath the mistletoe tonight,” he sang. “She didn't see me creep down the stairs to have a peep; She thought that I was tucked up in my bedroom fast asleep.”

“My Ma would never kiss Santa Clause,” Fozzie whispered firmly to Beaker and Dr. Honeydew, who were both wearing headsets. “She only ever kissed my dad.” Dr. Honeydew opened his mouth to say something, but Beaker put a gentle hand on his arm and gave him a little head-shake. Usually so oblivious to input from Beaker, the scientist made a little “o” with his mouth and subsided as understanding came.
“I’m sure Santa understood,” Dr. Honeydew said solemnly. Beaker smiled a tiny smile and made a point to be more forgiving of his often careless employer.

Back on stage, Santa had recovered his bag, but he walked a little unsteadily to the tree, dispensing presents as Robin crouched down to keep out of view. At last, the colorful bags and boxes had been left under the tree, and Santa returned to the mistletoe for a well-earned reward.
“Then, I saw Mommy tickle Santa Claus underneath his beard so snowy white. Oh, what a laugh it would have been if Daddy had only seen Mommy kissing Santa Claus tonight!”
As Robin’s voice swelled, the two lip-locked figures suddenly froze and looked in Robin’s direction as though hearing some disturbance. Robin ducked down, his hands making a funnel for his mouth (although he was careful to keep them from obstructing the sound carrying out to the audience). “What a laugh it would have been if Daddy had only seen Mommy kissing Santa Claus tonight!” With that, Robin “blew out” his electric candle and scurried up the stairs as the stage went dark.
It was hard to say which part of the audience was more vocal—those mewing and cawing over Robin’s charming second appearance or the more raucous voices in the back cheering the spectacular kiss. Listening to it as they wheeled him—still atop the rolling staircase—off the stage (wheee!), Robin felt a great sense of pride, and some of the worry that had been troubling him eased. See—this audience liked to see his Uncle and Aunt kissing. The world wasn’t such a bad place after all. Even so, he planned to talk to his Uncle later tonight about the things that were troubling him—if only he could stay awake that long. As soon as the staircase stopped, Clifford was there to swing him off onto the ground, but not without a couple of swoops up in the air. As quietly as possible, Robin giggled. At that particular moment, he couldn’t think of anywhere in the world that was better to be.

The Electric Mayhem members were taking a quick break, milling around the soundproofed hallway until the finale but not straying very far. With their cast, schedules could change very suddenly and they wanted to be ready for the final number whenever it came.
Janice bent to get an ice-cold drink from the water fountain. When she swung back up, blond hair floating around her shoulders, Floyd put his hand on her shoulder and turned her to face him. He didn’t have anything rehearsed, but some vague disquiet made him want to say something stirring, offer some endearment to his hard-rocking woman who played and sang and danced as though born to it. He was saved the necessity of speaking when Janice put one hand around his neck and kissed him soundly. Her lips were cold from the fountain, but warmed up quickly, as did Floyd.
“Hey, Baby,” Janice said simply, putting her other soft hand on Floyd’s cheek. “Like, you really had some thumping bass going on out there. The crowd loved you!”
Floyd was still working on recovering his voice, but he managed at last. “Thanks, Baby,” he said, then added slyly. “And how about you?”
Janice giggled and gently disengaged herself. “Always,” she said. “Ohh—watched the cord, Honeybunch—you’ll get tangled up with me.”
Floyd stepped back carefully, but his thoughts were not careful. Worse ways to spend my time, he thought with satisfaction.

Although Kermit would have sworn he didn’t breathe the entire time Johnny and the chorus were out there, the song went surprisingly well. The cue cards appeared unnecessary, (which was good since one of them was upside down), and Johnny was led firmly through the choreography by his attractive and able-bodied assistants.

“It’s Christmas time all over the world, it’s Christmas here at home,” Johnny sang, cooler than the flip side of your pillow. “The church bells chime wherever we roam…”
“Så riktig god jul [Norwegian]
Feliz natal [Portuguese]
Shenoraavor Nor Dari (Dari) [Armenian]” sang the girls in harmony, and then they all sang “to you!”
“The snow is thick in most of the world and childrens’ eyes are wide as old Saint Nick gets ready to ride…” Johnny said, his finger snapping stylishly. Wherever he moved onstage, the girls simply followed, doing their choreography in a cluster.
“So Feliz Navidad [Spanish]
“Sretan Bozic [Croatian]”
“And Happy New Year to you,” they crooned together.
“Though the customs might change and the language is strange this appeal we feel is real in Holland or Hong Kong.”
“It’s Christmas time all over the world, in places near and far and so my friend wherever you are…”
“Ein fröhliches Weihnachten [German]
“Kala Christougenna [Greek]
“Yoi kurisumasu [Japanese]”
“This means a very merry Christmas, Christmas, Christmas to you!

The crowd seemed happy, which made Kermit very happy indeed. He had shucked off the Santa suit, which disappeared as though by magic, and changed into his stuffy suit for the next number standing in the wings. There were definite advantages to being a frog. He was having trouble with his tie. When he failed to get it tied for the third time, he’d turned expectantly to Scooter, but Scooter wasn’t there. It was Gonzo who stepped forward to expertly knot the conservative strip of cloth and send Kermit, along with a hastily-changed Piggy (who had most definitely NOT changed backstage) back out onto the stage.

Scooter was having problems of his own, but they were largely personal.
Scooter sighed and leaned his forehead against the dressing room door—the girls’ dressing room door.
“Honey—it was fine,” he insisted.
“I was mortified!”
“Relax, Sara—it was cute!”
“Howard will fuss at me,” Sara whined unhappily.
“Fooey on ‘im. Howard fusses at everyone. It’s his job—no wait, he’s actually the choreographer. Fussing is actually his hobby. Look, if our performers holed up in the dressing rooms every time something went wrong we wouldn’t have any acts on stage.”
“Yes, but you’re used to it. I’m not. I ruined the whole song.”
“Sara—stop being silly. You didn’t ruin anything. It was fine.”
“I’m not going out for the finale. I’ll—I’ll fall or trip or something.”
“Sara, honey,” Scooter pleaded. “C’mon out here so we can talk.”
“No! You just want me out there where you can talk me into going on stage again. I’m staying right in here.”
“There I’m coming in!” Scooter said firmly. “Ten second warning ladies,” he hollered, then came charging in. He came charging in with one hand over his eyes, true, but he barged in just the same.
“Um, Sara,” Scooter said, groping blindly toward where he thought she would be. Laura May pantomimed goosing him and Sara stood up hastily and took his hand.
“I’m here,” she said, and Scooter opened his eyes.
“Look—Sara, Honey, I have done something today that I have never done before just for you. I have ventured into the ladies dressing room.” He looked at her hopefully. “Are you impressed or do you feel sorry for me? Cause I’ll take either one as long as it will get you back out on stage.”
Sara looked at him, rolling her eyes at the cute, tousled, puppyish air he exuded. Durn the man, he had to be taking lessons from his boss.
“But—“
“Please Sara—I have to go back out there. Don’t make me go out there alone.” He held out his hand. “Please?”
Moments later found her standing backstage in the wings, watching Kermit and Piggy work their magic on stage. Any moment now, she’d be throwing caution to the wind and going back out of that stage. I must be crazy, she thought suddenly. And I certainly came to the right place if I am.

In the back of the crowded auditorium, a restless figure did his best to stand still and stop fidgeting. He did not want to call attention to himself, but worry was making him want to jump out of his skin. He had been so sure that he would have seen a chink in the armor by now, an increase in the tension and swiping that would show up on stage. So far, he thought grimly, no darn luck at all. The crooner left the stage, there was a flurry of darkened movement on the stage and then the lights came back on and—sweet mercy for sinners, she was back on the stage yet again, wearing a dress that looked like it was molded to her. He caught his breath. Look at the way she was looking at him, the way they were tuned to each other. He must have been crazy, he must have been insane to think that he’d had a chance, even a tiny one, of cracking open that safe little cocoon. Nothing was going to separate little Miss Piggy from her frog as long as the crowd loved her like this. There was a pause, a hiccup almost, in the recesses of Scribbler’s brain. Carefully, he felt back along the thought to what had caught, what had snagged his attention. Tension, sniping, working together, audience loving her…ah! Ah—of course! What a fool he’d been! He felt a wild desire to laugh out loud. The answer seemed obvious now, simple enough for a child to comprehend. Of course, his brain prompted nastily, that was no guarantee his boss would get it. After a moment, Scribble resumed smiling. It was not a pleasant sight, had anyone been close enough to see it. Always easier to ask forgiveness than permission, he thought at last. Some things can’t be un-done. With a bitter snort, he started putting words together in his head.

 

[The Count]

Posted by Catherine: The audience shifted excitedly in their seats as soon as the Electric Mayhem took the stage, even though the lights weren’t on yet.
Yes, we're very much excited to see what the second half of this Vegas show holds in store.

Posted by Ru: At Dr. Teeth’s signal, there were four quick clicks of the drumsticks, then a blast of noise and sound as all of the stage lights—including the Christmas lights on Janice’s dress—lit
up in two long bursts and then four shorts ones that corresponded to Dr. Teeth’s voice shouting “One, two, one, two, tree, four—“
Correction: "shorts" should be "short", unless you're talking about pants.
Correction: "tree" should be "three", unless it's a dialectical translation in which case it'd be OK.
The lights bursting in short and long flare-ups as Dr. Teeth called out... Wow, that's a great start.
Even the lights on Janice's dress lit up? Oh la la!

Posted by Ahnna: “Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock; jingle bell swing and jingle bells ring.
Snowing and blowing up bushels of fun—now the jingle hop has begun.”
The tempo was thumping as the band pounded out the song.
“Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock; jingle bells chime in jingle bell time
Dancing and prancing in Jingle Bell Square in the frosty air.”
Janice took the chorus. “What a bright time, it’s the right time to rock the night away.
Jingle bell time is a swell time—to go gliding in a one-horse sleigh!”
“Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet. Jingle around the clock. Mix and a-mingle in the jingling feet—that’s the jingle bell—
That’s the jingle bell--
That’s the jingle bell rock!
The song ended in an extended bass riff by Floyd, which the audience appreciated loudly, yelling and whistling. Animal got so excited they had to lead him off the stage, but the excessively warm welcome created a buoyant mood among the band. The performers trailed off happily to await their next cue and Kermit and Robin and Piggy slipped on to the darkened stage.
Oh, like wow! You get huge points for using "Jingle Bell Rock", one of my fave Christmas songs.
Although... Thought some of the lines were...
"It's a swell time."
"To go riding in a one-horse sleigh."
"Giddy up jingle horse, pick up your feet, "jingle around the block"."
"Mix and mingle to a jingling beat."
Could be wrong though.
And it's great that the EM's getting some airtime, warming up the audience to the following acts.

Posted by Annahur: Backstage, Robin came running up, quiet on his webbed feet with Fozzie right behind him. He wore blue pajamas with little Santa faces on them, but Santa’s face looked suspiciously like Kermit’s underneath the snowy beard and red hat, mirroring the white beard and mustache that the real Kermit actually wore. A red-velvet Santa suit completed Kermit’s costume, since his flippered feet were also bare.
“I’m ready!” Robin said, then clapped both hands over his mouth, surprised by how loud he sounded even with the deafening din coming from the stage. “I’m ready,” he whispered.
“Good,” Kermit said, patting him fondly on the shoulder. “We’re on next.”
“Are you all warmed up, Robin?” Piggy asked softly. Robin nodded, his eyes shining.
“Rowlf was helping me,” he said, smiling up at Fozzie, “until Fozzie came to get me.”
“Good.”
Know this scene's in between the previous song, but I wanted to get that wonderous performance completed before moving on to the next part of this review.
Aw... Isn't Robin so cute in his PJ's?
Santa Kermit faces? Well, why not, if Palisades got away with a Santa Chef...
He had to whisper, surprised at how loud his voice was backstage... Heh, that kid's starting to grow up, just a little though.

Posted by Witty Catarina: “Johnny?” Sal said, looking cautiously around the dressing room. No Johnny. Sal slapped a hand over his face. Geez Louise, where could that guy be?! He was on any moment, just as soon as the kid’s song was over. He whipped out into the hall, running toward the kitchen. No Johnny there, either. Sal felt dangerously close to hyperventilating. With a sudden inspiration, he checked the men’s room (not the general dressing room, the other men’s room) but there was no Johnny there either. He swung out into the hall in time to see Johnny emerge—with some help—from the ladies dressing room, being alternately escorted and expelled by his soon-to-be-co-stars. Each of the ladies was dressed in a representational native costume from a different country: Norwegian, Portuguese, German and Greek.
“Just checking on you, ladies,” Johnny said smoothly. He gave a suave laugh.
“Yeah, yeah,” Amy Lu said, shaking her head. “Nobody’s buying, Johnny.”
“C’mon—we gotta go cue up,” insisted Sally Ann.
Johnny passed Sal in a cluster of femininity, only noting his friend’s presence at the last minute.
“Oh, hey Sal,” he called cheerily. “I’m off to do my next song. Hold those cue cards high, okay?”
Sal gave a thin smile and thought about fainting or homicide, but whichever he decided, he’d just have to do it after the show. He turned slowly and observed Rizzo staring fixedly at the girls’ dressing room with a look of baffled disbelief on his face. Sal shrugged, and hurried after Johnny.
So much here...
Rizzo still hasn't gotten over the fact he would've been bunking out in the ladies' dressing room. You gotsta feel for da' rat.
Sal running around trying to find Johnny, and Johnny just sort of casually noticing Sal... Perfect characterization, points for that.
Lovely contrast as to how the chorus girls are escorting and expelling Johnny from their dressing room.

Posted by Ushy Sweet: When the lights went up, Robin was seated on what looked like a staircase downstage left, sitting not upstairs, or downstairs, but somewhere in between.
Lisa'll get a squee out of that... Halfway!
Posted by Coffee, milk or tea?: There was a Christmas tree and a huge and very realistic fireplace upstage right, and the only illumination for the scene seemed to come from an electric candle that Robin held and from two large candlesticks on the mantle. While Rowlf played an extended introduction, Robin watched as Kermit—dressed as Santa—emerged from the large fireplace to be greeted with great enthusiasm by Piggy. While everyone watched, the bag of toys slipped from “Santa’s” nerveless fingers as he was thoroughly kissed under the mistletoe. Robin stared in comical surprise, then looked out at the audience, his eyes wide.
“I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus underneath the mistletoe tonight,” he sang. “She didn't see me creep down the stairs to have a peep; She thought that I was tucked up in my bedroom fast asleep.”
Heh... You just had to sneak in a bit of frog and pig romancing in there somewhere. But is okay, it's part of the show. And it's only complimented by Robin's innocence watching the scene play out before him.

Posted by the bear's human roommate: “My Ma would never kiss Santa Clause,” Fozzie whispered firmly to Beaker and Dr. Honeydew, who were both wearing headsets. “She only ever kissed my dad.”
Dr. Honeydew opened his mouth to say something, but Beaker put a gentle hand on his arm and gave him a little head-shake. Usually so oblivious to input from Beaker, the scientist made a little “o” with his mouth and subsided as understanding came.
“I’m sure Santa understood,” Dr. Honeydew said solemnly. Beaker smiled a tiny smile and made a point to be more forgiving of his often careless employer.
Funny joke from Fozzie... Do you think he meant it to be?
And I like how you describe Bunsen and Beaker in this bit, as they're tending to the backstage booth in Kermit's absence.

Posted by Grand Diva of Gushyness: Back on stage, Santa had recovered his bag, but he walked a little unsteadily to the tree, dispensing presents as Robin crouched down to keep out of view. At last, the colorful bags and boxes had been left under the tree, and Santa returned to the mistletoe for a well-earned reward.
“Then, I saw Mommy tickle Santa Claus underneath his beard so snowy white. Oh, what a laugh it would have been if Daddy had only seen Mommy kissing Santa Claus tonight!”
As Robin’s voice swelled, the two lip-locked figures suddenly froze and looked in Robin’s direction as though hearing some disturbance. Robin ducked down,
his hands making a funnel for his mouth (although he was careful to keep them from obstructing the sound carrying out to the audience). “What a laugh it would have been if Daddy had only seen Mommy kissing Santa Claus tonight!” With that, Robin “blew out” his electric candle and scurried up the stairs as the stage went dark.
It was hard to say which part of the audience was more vocal—those mewing and cawing over Robin’s charming second appearance or the more raucous voices in the back cheering the spectacular kiss.
Oh you... *Shakes head about.
Robin's playfullness shines through here as bright as those electric candles.
Kermit getting a well-earned reward after dispensing the toys... Nice imagery there.
The liplocked figures froze... *Gasp! Caught in the act!
And the crowd's divided into two camps: those who were applauding over Robin's appearance, and those cheering on the kiss... Hmmm, wonder if I know who in the audience there were cherring on the kiss.

Posted by She who's living with Robin's Uncle: Listening to it as they wheeled him—still atop the rolling staircase—off the stage (wheee!), Robin felt a great sense of pride, and some of the worry that had been troubling him eased. See—this audience liked to see his Uncle and Aunt kissing. The world wasn’t such a bad place after all. Even so, he planned to talk to his Uncle later tonight about the things that were troubling him—if only he could stay awake that long. As soon as the staircase stopped, Clifford was there to swing him off onto the ground, but not without a couple of swoops up in the air. As quietly as possible, Robin giggled. At that particular moment, he couldn’t think of anywhere in the world that was better to be.
Now this is probably the hidden jewel of the installment.
Robin's secure in the knowledge that the audience loves his uncle and aunt as much as he does... And when they're together nothing can go wrong that they can't overcome. The little frog's worries eased, that's a good sentiment, given his talk with Mabel earlier in the week/story. He's still going to talk with his uncle if he can stay up that long... Aw, that's just what the chapter needed, the sobriety of a child worried about his parental figures, even if they're his aunt and uncle.

Posted by Leader of the Ush-Gush: The Electric Mayhem members were taking a quick break, milling around the soundproofed hallway until the finale but not straying very far. With their cast, schedules could change very suddenly and they wanted to be ready for the final number whenever it came. Janice bent to get an ice-cold drink from the water fountain. When she swung back up, blond hair floating around her shoulders, Floyd put his hand on her shoulder and turned her to face him. He didn’t have anything rehearsed, but some vague disquiet made him want to say something stirring, offer some endearment to his hard-rocking woman who played and sang and danced as though born to it. He was saved the necessity of speaking when Janice put one hand around his neck and kissed him soundly. Her lips were cold from the fountain, but warmed up quickly, as did Floyd.
*Melts... Though the frog and pig might not be my cup of tea... Janice's the one that gets me. Guess I'm part of Byron's followers.
*Byron, aka Janice&Mokey'sMan.
Lovely image of the guitarist bending down to take a sip from the fountain, accentuated by her flowing blonde hair.
Again, you hit me with clever yuxtapositioning... Cold ips warming up.
Uh, don't mind me... I'll just be here for a while in this little melty state.

Posted by Gush-Ush Monarch: “Hey, Baby,” Janice said simply, putting her other soft hand on Floyd’s cheek. “Like, you really had some thumping bass going on out there. The crowd loved you!”
Floyd was still working on recovering his voice, but he managed at last. “Thanks, Baby,” he said, then added slyly. “And how about you?”
Janice giggled and gently disengaged herself. “Always,” she said. “Ohh—watched the cord, Honeybunch—you’ll get tangled up with me.
Floyd stepped back carefully, but his thoughts were not careful. Worse ways to spend my time, he thought with satisfaction.
Yeah, I heard that brother. Preaching to the choir.
*Still melty, check back later.

Posted by Lady Marmalat: Although Kermit would have sworn he didn’t breathe the entire time Johnny and the chorus were out there, the song went surprisingly well. The cue cards appeared unnecessary, (which was good since one of them was upside down), and Johnny was led firmly through the choreography by his attractive and able-bodied assistants.
“It’s Christmas time all over the world, it’s Christmas here at home,” Johnny sang, cooler than the flip side of your pillow. “The church bells chime wherever we roam…”
“Så riktig god jul [Norwegian]
Feliz natal [Portuguese]
Shenoraavor Nor Dari (Dari) [Armenian]” sang the girls in harmony, and then they all sang “to you!”
“The snow is thick in most of the world and childrens’ eyes are wide as old Saint Nick gets ready to ride…” Johnny said, his finger snapping stylishly. Wherever he moved onstage, the girls simply followed, doing their choreography in a cluster.
“So Feliz Navidad [Spanish]
“Sretan Bozic [Croatian]”
“And Happy New Year to you,” they crooned together.
“Though the customs might change and the language is strange this appeal we feel is real in Holland or Hong Kong.”
“It’s Christmas time all over the world, in places near and far and so my friend wherever you are…”
“Ein fröhliches Weihnachten [German]
“Kala Christougenna [Greek]
“Yoi kurisumasu [Japanese]”
“This means a very merry Christmas, Christmas, Christmas to you!
Another great stage number! And may I say I liked the visuals you made possible with all the costume variations for the chorus girls, catering to the customs of each individual country. Very classy and still perfect for Vegas.

Posted by the one who's planning this entire show: The crowd seemed happy, which made Kermit very happy indeed. He had shucked off the Santa suit, which disappeared as though by magic, and changed into his stuffy suit for the next number standing in the wings. There were definite advantages to being a frog. He was having trouble with his tie. When he failed to get it tied for the third time, he’d turned expectantly to Scooter, but Scooter wasn’t there. It was Gonzo who stepped forward to expertly knot the conservative strip of cloth and send Kermit, along with a hastily-changed Piggy (who had most definitely NOT changed backstage) back out onto the stage.
Hmmm... Piggy hastily changed yet hadn't rully changed her costume? Now what might that mean...
And where's that gofer? Doesn't he know Kermit needs...
Posted by Dorms diva: Scooter was having problems of his own, but they were largely personal. Scooter sighed and leaned his forehead against the dressing room door—the girls’ dressing room door.
“Honey—it was fine,” he insisted.
“I was mortified!”
“Relax, Sara—it was cute!”
“Howard will fuss at me,” Sara whined unhappily.
“Fooey on ‘im. Howard fusses at everyone. It’s his job—no wait, he’s actually the choreographer. Fussing is actually his hobby. Look, if our performers holed up in the dressing rooms every time something went wrong we wouldn’t have any acts on stage.”
“Yes, but you’re used to it. I’m not. I ruined the whole song.”
“Sara—stop being silly. You didn’t ruin anything. It was fine.”
“I’m not going out for the finale. I’ll—I’ll fall or trip or something.”
“Sara, honey,” Scooter pleaded. “C’mon out here so we can talk.”
“No! You just want me out there where you can talk me into going on stage again. I’m staying right in here.”
“There I’m coming in!” Scooter said firmly. “Ten second warning ladies,” he hollered, then came charging in. He came charging in with one hand over his eyes, true, but he barged in just the same.
“Um, Sara,” Scooter said, groping blindly toward where he thought she would be. Laura May pantomimed goosing him and Sara stood up hastily and took his hand.
“I’m here,” she said, and Scooter opened his eyes.
“Look—Sara, Honey, I have done something today that I have never done before just for you. I have ventured into the ladies dressing room.” He looked at her hopefully. “Are you impressed or do you feel sorry for me? Cause I’ll take either one as long as it will get you back out on stage.”
Sara looked at him, rolling her eyes at the cute, tousled, puppyish air he exuded. Durn the man, he had to be taking lessons from his boss.
“But—“
“Please Sara—I have to go back out there. Don’t make me go out there alone.” He held out his hand. “Please?”
Moments later found her standing backstage in the wings, watching Kermit and Piggy work their magic on stage. Any moment now, she’d be throwing caution to the wind and going back out of that stage. I must be crazy, she thought suddenly. And I certainly came to the right place if I am.
Correction: It should say "going back out on that stage" instead of "going back out of that stage."
There are so many lines here I found cute and inwardly funny.
Scooter quickly correcting himself, saying Howard's job is choreography instead of fussing over it, which is his hobby.
Sara saying she'll stay inside the dressing room where Scooter can't get her back out on stage.
Scooter charging into the dressing room, his hand over his eyes.
“Look—Sara, Honey, I have done something today that I have never done before just for you. I have ventured into the ladies dressing room.” He looked at her hopefully. “Are you impressed or do you feel sorry for me? Cause I’ll take either one as long as it will get you back out on stage.” Makes me laugh and he's well...
Taking lessons from his boss, yes, that's what it is.

Posted by Kermie's Girl: In the back of the crowded auditorium, a restless figure did his best to stand still and stop fidgeting. He did not want to call attention to himself, but worry was making him want to jump out of his skin. He had been so sure that he would have seen a chink in the armor by now, an increase in the tension and swiping that would show up on stage. So far, he thought grimly, no darn luck at all. The crooner left the stage, there was a flurry of darkened movement on the stage and then the lights came back on and—sweet mercy for sinners, she was back on the stage yet again, wearing a dress that looked like it was molded to her.
Lots of stuff taking place at once... Scooter wasn't there to knot Kermit's tie, he must've been looking for Sara who was held up in the dressing room... Johnny leaves the stage, Kermit and Piggy go on, Fleet's watching from the darkness, the chorus girls come back to their dressing room, and Scooter arrives a few moments later cohersing his girl to leave her sanctuary to watch his boss and the pig performing their magic once again.
He caught his breath. Look at the way she was looking at him, the way they were tuned to each other. He must have been crazy, he must have been insane to think that he’d had a chance, even a tiny one, of cracking open that safe little cocoon. Nothing was going to separate little Miss Piggy from her frog as long as the crowd loved her like this. There was a pause, a hiccup almost, in the recesses of Scribbler’s brain. Carefully, he felt back along the thought to what had caught, what had snagged his attention. Tension, sniping, working together, audience loving her…ah! Ah—of course! What a fool he’d been! He felt a wild desire to laugh out loud. The answer seemed obvious now, simple enough for a child to comprehend. Of course, his brain prompted nastily, that was no guarantee his boss would get it. After a moment, Scribble resumed smiling. It was not a pleasant sight, had anyone been close enough to see it. Always easier to ask forgiveness than permission, he thought at last. Some things can’t be un-done. With a bitter snort, he started putting words together in his head.
Correction: The second instance of the character's name, "Scribble" should be "Scribbler" instead.
Ooh... You're up to stabbing our hearts? After such a grand Vegas show? How could you do something like that... Then again, that is the main hook for this story... It just sends shivers to hear Fleet Scribbler planning and plotting like this...
"Tension. Sniping. Working together. Audience loving her."
And with each one of those thoughts in the recesses of his brain (points for using "recesses") we feel a tiny stab in our collective chests.
The answer is simple, so simple that I have pity for Kermit and Piggy...

This'll make for much more interest in whatever happens next. Just make sure to post it when it's ready, we'll be eagerly reading!

 

[Leyla]

I find writing out shows very difficult, and you handle it so well! Actually, lots of people around do and it's great for me, 'cause I can just sit back and watch how it's done!

I love the details of the performances, the synced lights, Janice's dress, and the Mayhem's song. You make great choices for numbers and it'd be a lot of fun to see this show!

Backstage, Robin came running up, quiet on his webbed feet with Fozzie right behind him. He wore blue pajamas with little Santa faces on them, but Santa’s face looked suspiciously like Kermit’s underneath the snowy beard and red hat, mirroring the white beard and mustache that the real Kermit actually wore.

That is so cute! See, I love details like that! Oh, and the bare flippers!

I continue to be very amused by the drama of the women's dressing room. Sal's annoyance was great, and hhaving Rizzo there... priceless.

I haven't got words enough to say how much I loved and adored "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" For one, you couldn't ask for better casting, and Robin is soooo cute and funny. I love what a good little actor he is. It goes without saying I'm in total accoradance with the audience cheering for the smooches AND Robin. <giggles> Love "Santa"s nerveless fingers. "Mommy" knows what she's doing.

Loved the characterization of Fozzie,Beaker and Bunsen, and especially Beaker's making a point to be more forgiving. It's sweet, and gives us a little insight into Beaker, which we normally don't get.

At last, the colorful bags and boxes had been left under the tree, and Santa returned to the mistletoe for a well-earned reward.

<ushy gushy girl rattles cage> You know, it's a good thing that Lisa's not ushy gushy. Yep! It sure is. Not ushy gushy at all. I completely, 100% support her decision to not be ushy gushy... after all... I'm not a fangirl!

As Robin’s voice swelled, the two lip-locked figures suddenly froze and looked in Robin’s direction as though hearing some disturbance.

Love that choreography!

It was hard to say which part of the audience was more vocal—those mewing and cawing over Robin’s charming second appearance or the more raucous voices in the back cheering the spectacular kiss.

<grins> I love that audience! Also loved Clifford giving Robin a little ride. Loved the scene with Janice and Floyd, lots of great lines there, and Johnny's song was great. (Loved the upside down cue card). You made me laugh with Kermit changing backstage, and Piggy definately not changing back stage! Nicely contrasted.

“Fooey on ‘im. Howard fusses at everyone. It’s his job—no wait, he’s actually the choreographer. Fussing is actually his hobby. Look, if our performers holed up in the dressing rooms every time something went wrong we wouldn’t have any acts on stage.”

Ha! So true. You're doing a great job balancing al these subplots. I know from non-muppet experience that taht can get very complicated.

Sara looked at him, rolling her eyes at the cute, tousled, puppyish air he exuded. Durn the man, he had to be taking lessons from his boss.

<giggles> Cute! Cute, joke.

He had been so sure that he would have seen a chink in the armor by now, an increase in the tension and swiping that would show up on stage. So far, he thought grimly, no darn luck at all.

Wow... he really is absolutely trying to break them up... and I haven't one sweet clue as to why.

Nothing was going to separate little Miss Piggy from her frog as long as the crowd loved her like this. There was a pause, a hiccup almost, in the recesses of Scribbler’s brain.

Oh, gosh, I hope he's not having brain lightning. Utterly creepy, Ru, and I'm genuinely scared for what's going to happen. That "as long as the crowd loved her".... ooh, <trembles> I have a very very bad feeling about this.

Always easier to ask forgiveness than permission, he thought at last. Some things can’t be un-done.

Oh, that's so chilling! I'm waiting with baited breath to see this nefarious scheme play out, Ru!

Hugs!