Keep on Dancing.

Title: **Keep On, Dancing**

Category: Misc » Misc. Plays/Musicals

Author: mary.okeeffe.16

Language: English, Rating: Rated: K+

Genre: Romance/Supernatural

Published: 05-29-22, Updated: 03-30-23

Chapters: 3, Words: 4,076

**Chapter 1: Rock N Roll Medley**

The year was 1978 in Bay City, Michigan. Shag-A-Lang Hotel was on top form. "Okay now," declared flamboyant cheerful manager Ricky. "This is the first month of Shag-A-Lang's new television studio, Shag-A-Lang Studios, and my new assistant Kichiro is going to show us the programs for Bay City's Channel 5."

Ricky's Japanese-American assistant, Kichiro Goto, was a young sharp-dressed man. "Mostly we're going to do music videos, commercials, and our dance variety show, 'Keep on Dancin'.' Tell us what it's about, sir."

"To be honest," Ricky said, "it's a dance show where we show the latest dance crazes and original moves by the dancers. Also, they have balloons, lights, special effects, and a band."

"Sir," Kichiro interuppted, "I think you're overdoing it. And I forgot to tell you that the show doesn't have a band. You've been so busy putting it together and rushing schedules, you forgot to hire a band."

Ricky was annoyed because the premiere of "Keep On Dancin'" was in two weeks and he didn't have a musical act. "Where am I gonna find a new act within two weeks?" he asked in frustration.

**XxoxX**

Meanwhile, five young women from Scotland were having a rough time making it big. In North Edinburgh, sisters Alana and Derica Longshore were booking a gig at a Scottish pup with their duet group, Two Plaid Gals. 24-year-old Alana was the eldest with short light-brown hair and was a smart girl. 21-year-old Derica, on the other hand, was the younger, had long blonde hair in a ponytail, and was a strong girl.

*This is my rock and roll letter to you*

*This is my rock and roll letter to you*

*Gonna sign it, gonna seal it, gonna mail it away*

*Gonna mail it today*

Unfortunately, the patrons thought it was horrible, despite the two of them being musically gifted. While they were getting off the stage to get their check, Derica spotted a bully stealing food. Outraged, Derica decided to go up to the bully. "Aye," she growled. "It's their food. Why canae ye buy yer own?"

"Because A'm broke," answerit the scottish bully. "How aboot ye pay for it, lassie?"

"With pleasure,," Derica smiled micheviously.

After Alana got their check, she spotted her young sister facing the bully. Instead of giving the bully Scottish pounds, she gave him a spider. The bully got scared and ran away. "Thanks, lass," said the Scotsman who was bullied. "Wha'd have thoucht thon a lassie coud stand up tae a bully?"

"Twenty-one years o ma life A'v facit bullies from lunchbox stealers tae pound stealers," Derica explained.

When she turned around, she spotted her big sister who was mad. "Whit did mom tell ye aboot wanderin aff an no reportin chaos tae a manager?" chastised Alana.

"Mom an Dad arenae here," Derica reminded Alana. "They're back on our family's horse stable."

"Juist dinnae foget thon A'm three years older than ye." Alana reminded her little sister.

To avoid the bickering, the pub manager decided to change the radio station. That's when the radio announced something:

*Are ye an amateur performer lookin for yer big break? then head on ower tae bay city, michigan an ye can be on the new show, 'keep on dancin'.*

The announcement ceased the Two Plaid Gals' arguing. Figuring that it would pay of their expenses, Alana decided to audition.

**XxoxX**

In South Edinburgh, 21-year-old Ereka Faustin was a romantic girl with short dark-brown hair, freckles, and fashionable clothes. She helped with her father and mother's wedding planning service, where she was usually the entertainment.

*Baby, we're rollin' on*

*Wonderin' where we're gone*

*Reelin' and rollin'*

*On a rock and roll honeymoon*

After her performance, she started flirting with the groomsmen, "Did anyone tell ye men ye have beautiful een?" Ereka flirted.

"Speakin o een," replied one of the bridesmaids as she blindfold's Ereka, "it's time for blindfold darts."

The bridesmaids were jealous of Ereka for flirting with their boyfriends, so they replaced the dartboard with her wedding present for the bride and groom. Just as she was about to hit her present, she tripped over a foot and acidentally hit a flier from Shag-A-Lang Studios. After removing her blindfold, she rushed up to the dart, picked up the flier, and read it.

*Shag-A-Lang Studios is looking for a new musical act.*

*Meet people, experience new skills, and have fun!*

Thinking that she might meet some cute boys, she decided to sign up.

**XxoxX**

East Edinburgh. Sadie MacWoodrow was a shy and sensitive 18-year-old girl with medium brown hair in a braid. She preferred to be called Woodi because she did most of her seances by dead trees, believing that it could have good contact with the dead than doing seances by live trees. Recently, she had graduated high school and her family couldn't afford a college tutition. But if there was one thing she learned from her old school chaps, it's that not everyone went to college.

Remembering the words that teased her during her high school days, "You're too young to rock and roll," she decided to use them in her seance.

*Too young to rock 'n roll*

*Too young to rock 'n roll*

*Too young to rock 'n roll*

While she was contacting the ghost of Elvis Presley, he was telling her to go to Bay City, Michigan. "As they say in Nashville," Woodi said, "'Thank you, thank you very much'."

**XxoxX**

And West Edinburgh, Lisa McKeyworh was a sensual 20-year-old with long black hair. She was dancing at a local dance club.

*Because I'm a rock 'n roller*

*I'm gonna rock it, gonna roll all over*

*I'm gonna shake it to the midnight stroller*

*And rock the night away*

Later, she was heading to her dressing room when she spotted her boyfriend, Jeff, cheating on her with the head waitress. Lisa was so enraged that she kicked them out. She was devastated because she had been dating for three years since she graduated high school, and how did he repay her? By smitting on another girl. "Come on," growled the waitress. "Lisa's legs are ower fat anyway. A'd rather play i bay city than be near her."

"Aye," replied Jeff. "A hear thon thare's a chost hauntin thare."

Wanting to get away from her cheating boyfriend, Lisa decided to go to Bay City and find someone new.

**Chapter 2: Let's Go**

Just a few days later, all four girls were arriving at Edinburgh Airport. The place was bustling with tourists and workers who were going around saying, "Let's Go."

*Let's go, let's go*

*Let's go huggin' and a kissin' in the moonlight*

*I know you and I together make it so right*

*Let's go, girl, I told your mumma and it's alright*

*We'll be alone, baby, I'll walk you home in the moonlight*

By the time they reached the landing port for Detroit, each of the girls were trying to relax, but they each of them were humming. They were so mesmerized that they started noticing each other. ""so," alana says, "where are ye gang i michigan?"

"Bay City," Lisa explained. "There's a job openin at the new Shag-A-Lang Studios."

"no way," derica exclaimed, "my older sister alana an A are gang thare, ower. A'm derica, bi the way."

"two plaid gals. Ye once playit at club Lyall for the club manager's birthday last year, an he wis sae ungrateful. He thinks ye twa were lame. A think ye're rather great."

"and ye're ane o the backup dancers wha joinit us," alana recallit. "lisa, richt?"

"Thon's me, Lisa McKeyworth," Lisa answered.

"hey," ereka interupted, "you three are gaun'ae gae tae shag-a-lang studios? A hear they have the cutest male workers thare. A'm ereka, but it's uisually pronouncit 'er-eee-ka' an no 'er-rick-a'. Ye have know idea hou many american tourists/clients mispronounce ma name."

"Are you kidding?" Derica asked with a smile. "That name of yours is so unique."

Ereka decided to impress her new chaps by using her fortunetelling cards. One by one, the girls got a fortune-telling card. Alana would discover an old secret, Derica would cook up some delight, Lisa would be in the mood for romance, Ereka would charm a bunch of boys, and for Sadie, she would pay the price in a good way.

Derica, Alan, and Lisa didn't know who Sadie was until Woodi shyly placed down her knitting equipment. A'm sadie macwoodrow," sadie introduced, "but everyone calls me woodi. A specialize i doin seances bi dead trees."

Ereka smiled, knowing that she had found a new chap to talk about the supernatural with. Alana, on the other hand, was annoyed because her sister was talking to strangers in an airport and getting involved in the supernatural. However, remembering the promise she made to her mother to value Derica's happiness, Alana decided to let Derica get to know the other girls on the flight to Michigan.

**XxoxX**

After a long flight from Edinburgh and a long busride to Bay City, the girls checked into the Shag-A-Lang Hotel.

*We sang shang-a-lang*

*And we ran with the gang*

*Doin' doo-op-dooby-doo-i*

*We were all in the news*

*With our blue suede shoes*

*And our dancin' the night away*

"That's right, folks," stated Ricky. "Shag-A-Lang Hotel, founded in 1953 by our very own Sal Saxon, who came up with the idea of welcoming out of town musicians by having their own place to say, without worrying so much about crazy fans. Many big names stayed here like Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Diana Ross, and the Mickey Mouse Club."

"An ye are?" Alana asked in confusion.

"Ricky," greeted Ricky as he presented his card, "assistant manager of the Shag-A-Lang Hotel and operator for the new Shag-A-Lang Studios. Are you five lovely ladies here for the 'Keep On Dancin'' audition?"

"Aye," Lisa answered. "Coud ye give us some personal space? we neit tae place our bags away.""

"No prob," Ricky smiled. "Bellhops usually do the duty, but since they're on lunch break, my right hand man Kichiro will take care of it, Hey, Chi?"

Kichiro came in and took their bags. With one gaze, Lisa started to fall in love with him. Kichiro, on the other hand, smiled and blushed.

"Excuse me," Woodi interupted, "but A dinnae have the money tae tip assistant bellhops. Gin A dinnae get the part for 'keep on dancin',' coud A please work here? A make a guid maid/lifeguard/gift shop girl."

With one nod, Ricky said, "We're always hiring here. Every year, teenagers come here looking for a summer job."

"But we haven't had any hired help lately due to the ghost," Kichiro explained as he finished picking up bags. "And there's something I gotta tell you, Sir."

"Not now," Ricky interupted. "I'll be taking these ladies to the audition room where all the other bands are."

Swiftly, he took the girls to the audition room. Unfortunately, they were the only ones there, except for the head security guard - Calvon. He was a hefty security guard who loved to eat his wife, Zeva, who was also the head chef at the hotel.

Calvon said, "Kichiro wanted to tell you that nobody wanted to audition due to the rumors haunting the hotel."

Ricky was disappointed because he only had five girls auditioning. Alana got an idea, asking, "Why audition sepertely, whan we can audition together?"

"Great idea, sis," Derica agreed. "You always have the simplest ideas."

"A wad love tae show aff ma strin skills"I already got mine covered," Lisa replied as she danced her way up.

Ricky started to become wowed by the girls performing. Calvon saw Woodi standing in corner. "What's wrong, lassie?" he asked.

"A niver auditionit infront o people before," woodi explained. "i triit gettin involvit i a few plays, but ma shyness aye ends up makin me pianist for the show. A haed tae leave before the curtain call."

"Relax," Calvon assured. "You have to overcome your fears. Just think of the thing that makes you happy."

Usually, fortune-telling and the supernatural made her happy, but she didn't want to scare away anyone by mistake. She looked up at her new friends and had her confidence boosted thanks to Calvon's pep talk.

After Woodi started going near the keyboard, Derica, Alana, Woodi, Ereka, and Lisa started playing a song about having fun on the weekend.

*Gonna rock it up, roll it up*

*Do it all, have a ball*

*Saturday night, Saturday night*

*S-S-S-Saturday night*

*S-S-S-Saturday night*

*S-S-S-Saturday night*

*S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night*

*S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night*

Ricky was so amazed that he decided to make them the main musicians for "Keep On Dancin'."

After taking a bow, a twelve-year-old African-American girl came up applauding while carrying a small Scottish terrier, much to Alana and Derica's surprise. "dawel?" alana asked as she turnit tae derica. "i thoucht ye lockit his dog carrier ticht."

"i did," derica admitted, "but apparently we're gaun'ae have tae get the lock fixit."

Gently, the girl returned the little dog to Alana and Derica, who were Dawel's owners. "I found this scottish terrier roaming around the hotel," the girl explained. "Maybe this could be the year we allow pets."

"Sal wouldn't be okay with this," Ricky explained. "I'm afraid you're gonna have to leave."

"You can't, sir," interupted Kichiro while coming in. "Have you forgotten that she's the head security guard and head chef's daughter?"

"Oh, yeah," Ricky recalled. "I have such a bad memory. But I do remember that her name is Jenny, and she's apprenticing in cooking and security."

"That's me," Jenny replied. "And, Daddy, maybe I could watch them perform."

"That'd be great, Jenny dear," Calvon agreed. "This gives you a chance to talk to the older kids."

The only thing left for them to do was for them to come up with the name. Lisa suggested Mama Li and the Disco Kids, but Calvon informed them that the Disco Kids were the names of the dance troupe for "Keep On Dancin'." Alana suggested the Dedications, but it sounded to 50s-ish. After angel costumes, the five Scottish girls came up with the perfect name: the Angel Babies.

Kichiro said that he heard the girls perform and thought they were good. Lisa was so thrilled that she was finally getting over Jeff.

**Chapter 3: Dance, Dance, Dance**

After one week rehearsal, they were ready to perform on live TV. The dancers were going through the final steps just one hour before the actual filming.

*I gotta dance, dance, dance*

*Gotta get on up, gotta get on down*

*Dance, dance, dance*

*Gotta make 'em laugh, gotta make 'em frown*

*Dance, dance, dance*

*Dance, dance, dance*

*And if you think you can make it just remember to beware*

*That all in love is fair*

Afterwards, it was time to get into costume. While they were getting ready, Derica, Alana, Woodi, Ereka, and Lisa were putting on white disco apparel with angel wings on them.

Even though they liked the outfits, Lisa and Ereka had a strange feeling that something was missing. Lisa looked into her bag and took out some tartan scarves that belonged to her father. She'd figured that they could remember their Scottish roots by adding tartan scarves to their look, and sure enough, they were right. Dawel tried to play with a spare one, but Derica thought that it would look good on him instead. "Look at you, Dawel," she cooed. "Lovely Highland critter you are."

"Excuse me, girls," Kichiro interupted. "We're going live in three minutes."

"Right," the five scotsgirls replied.

"This will be a skoosh," said Alana. "It'll be easy."

"Help me, babe," added Derica. "There's going to be a surprise."

"This will be pure dead brilliant," sighed Ereka. "Really good."

"I just hope they keep their heads down," replied Woodi.

"Woodi," finished Lisa, "dinnae fash yersel, don't worry."

Kichiro was having trouble understnding what they meant. Luckily, the show's host, Laurence Summerlove, was able to understand what they meant. He had shiny blonde hair and wore a yellow tuxedo that was shiny as the Sun.

"They're saying that they're ready to have a surprisingly good time," Laurence said, "just as long as they don't worry and do their best to calm down."

Ereka started to gaze into Laurence's charm. "I never met anyone this tall and sharply dressed," she lovingly said.

After Alana snapped her fingers in front of her face, the Angel Babies rushed to the stage to perform.

**XxoxX**

Not only Ricky was the hotel assistant manager and head manager of Shag A Lang Studios, he is also the director/executive producer of Keep On, Dancin, "We have one minute til we're on air," shouted Ricky, "Where is my new band."

"Right here!" shouted Alana.

In a corner, Jenny was taking care of both Dawel and her pet 'La Belle Jeanne'. Ricky was annoyed that he's letting pets be at the television studio, but Calvon insisted because he doesn't want his daughter bored on Friday nights. Not wanting to get sued, Ricky decided to let her be with the dogs.

After The Angel Babies got to their instruments, Ricky shouted, "We're on air in five, four, three, two, one!"

The Angel Babies started playing the song.

*Keep on dancin' and a prancin'*

*Keep on dancin' and a prancin'*

*Keep on dancin' and a prancin'*

*All right everybody*

*we want to see why'all get up and*

*dance. We want to see why'all*

*havin' a real good time.*

*And now by popular demand*

*Keep On Dancin', dancin', dancin'.*

With a loud applause from the audience, Laurence came onstage, "Hullo, Michigan." he greeted loudly, "And wylcome to Keep On, Dancin. The show where we give out the latest dance routines and extremely gifted acts. "

During the sequence, they showed the latest dance crazes, showcased local talents, and most of all, got the whole Bay City to get to know their Scottish import better.

**XxoxX**

Later, during the premier party, The Angel Babies were celebrating their first gig/television appearance, "I just saw, and i think I saw H. R. Puffnstuff." Ereka said to her bandmates

"The friend when things get rough." Woodi asked, "I guess Puffnstuff is popular back in The Highlands."

While they were heading off to the dance floor, they Laurence talking to an elderly in a tartan skirt. Alana had a strange feeling that the elderly woman in tartan looked familiar.

After the elderly woman in tartan left. "Good news, girls." Kichiro said to them, "The show is a sucess, the critics are saying how unique you five lasses are. Who to thought that Michigan would love Five Fab Angels from Edinburgh. Another thing is, where on earth did Lisa come up with the idea for tartan scarves."

"They were my fathers," Lisa explained, "He didn't want me to forget Scotland, so he gave me his old tartan scarves."

"Awwww." Woodi and Ereka cooed.

Onstage, the DJ announced that it was time for everyone to dance to Yesterday's Hero.

*Take a look at me, I'm yesterday's hero*

*Yesterday's hero, that's all I'll be*

*Take a look at me, I'm yesterday's hero*

After a little boogeying woogeying, it was time for a slow dance. Derica, Alana and Woodi sat the slow dance out while Lisa and Kichiro, and Ereka and Laurence did the slow dance. Lisa couldn't help but stare into Kichiro's dark moonlit eyes. Many of the boys tried to cut in between Ereka and Laurence, but Ereka moved passed them.

*Maybe I'm a fool to love you*

*Baby I'm a fool to need you*

*Maybe I'm a fool to love you*

*Baby I'm a fool to want you*

While they were dancing, Calvon informed Ricky that the cakes were destroyed. "Jenny was trying to get some juicy steaks from the freezer for Dawel and La Bele Jeanne when they saw something scared them so much, that they wrecked the desserts."

"This is why we don't hire anyone under 16 nor allow pets." Ricky groaned. "They get out of control and they destroy everything in site."

"I'm sure this was all an accident," Derica explained, "Plus I think I can help the culinary team fix up some new desserts."

"Make it, snappy." Ricky explained, "Party-goers get out of control when they don't their dessert."

In a flash, Derica headed off to the kitchen to fix up new desserts. Woodi was surprised because Derica's fortune came true. She figured that if Derica's fortune came true, so would hers. Immediately, Woodi started taking care of the dishes for the patrons. Alana began to worry that the fortune telling thing was getting out of control, along with the strange thing that scared Dawel and La Belle Jeanne, so she decided to go with her sister and her new bandmate to be safe.

Back on the dance floor, Ereka decided to get to know Laurence better, "Hey," she flirted, "I'm Ereka, Ereka Faustin."

"Yeah," Laurence recalled, "The lead guitarist. Laurence Summerlove is the name. Congrats on a job well done, 'Er-ree-ka'."

Ereka was glad after she Laurence pronounce her name right. Despite this, many of the boys started wooing Ereka, but she didn't care.

Just then, Alana, Woodi, and Derica came out with some Scottish desserts. They also made some detroit styled cherry cobbler and found some potato chips in the pantry. After everyone was getting their grub from the buffet, Kichiro and Zeva congradulated the three girls, much to Ricky's irritation.

**XxoxX**

Later when the party was done, Ricky and Kichiro was doing some accounting, Kichiro explained to him that there was a sixth harmony during the filming, and the dogs seemed scared of something. "I feel like the rumors are real."

"Kichiro," said Ricky, "Whatever is going on here, is half of Sal's attempt to lure people to the Shag-A-Lang hotel, it's a game after all.

*It's a game a game, a game that we're playing*

*But I don't mind but I don't make the rules*

*It's a game, a game, a game that we're playing*

*Just a game for lovers and fools*

**XxoxX**

Meanwhile, The Angel Babies were having their own slumber party. Derica tried to offer Lisa some detroit styled pizza, but Lisa refused because cheese makes her thighs fat.

Ereka and Woodi were calming Dawel down after all he went through, "There, there Dawel." Woodi calmy said, "The danger has passed."

"And I think you and La Belle Jeanne make a cute canine couple." Ereka calmy replied.

Dawel started feeling better after Woodi and Ereka comforted him.

Alana on the other hand was thinking of the fortunes, "Pay The Price In A Good Way," she said to herself, "And Cook Up Some Dishes."

"Sis," Derica interupted, "You've been worried all night with all the rehearsing, broadcasting and food fixing. You need to watch some telly."

On the television, they saw an old Scottish movie starring The Longshore Sisters favorite actress, 'Maryanne'. "Maryanne was a popular Scottish Silent film actress." Alana explained, "Best known for her wearing her Tartan dresses in her films."

"Alana and I has watched all of her films." Derica continued, "However, she disappeared from the spotlight after World War II. No one knew why."

The girls weren't sure about what's going on, but they figure they'd be much better working at the hotel tomorrow.