Cabaret Solstice Show (Day 5 - Solstice Evening)

As the band opened with a fanfare, Arturo bounded onto the stage. Crisply dressed in a black tuxedo jacket with his own silver bowtie, he lifted his hands, grinning broadly as the applause swelled. “My friends!” his gaze swept the crowd. “Welcome to La Cabaret de Montagne on this Solstice Night!”

The room echoed with enthusiastic applause. Arturo seemed to feed upon the energy for a moment, before lowering his hands to bring the volume level down. “We are grateful that you’ve chosen to spend your evening in our little sideshow tent…braving the bitter cold…” he lifted an eyebrow, “not to mention, a few coarse words. Codsucker,” he carefully over-pronounced each syllable of the epithet. “Maggot… any way you spell it,” he chuckled over the vandals’ inarticulate nature. “Pi gu pilot…minge muncher.” The audience began to loosen up, their laughter graduating from the nervous to more bravely amused. From the stage, the host shared their humor as he recounted all of the slurs and denigrations endured by so many in the room. “Plow puller. Carpet commando…” his polished demeanor cracked into laughter, which the audience quickly joined.

“Words. We’ve heard them all, have we not?” his gaze swept the crowd. Tonight, there are other words that we’ll hope to bring to the forefront. Music,” he gestured toward the waiting band. Laughter,” Arturo’s smile flashed as he regarded the audience. “Alcohol?” This prompted a laugh and several raucous whistles.

The nun’s glass was filled with water, but the other’s glasses were full of the brightest drinks she’d seen. Yeva’s glass was a brilliant red strobe from something floating in her drink. She bit her lip as she eyed the alcohol, catching Keller’s eye for a moment.

Keller tipped his glass, filled with colors meant to celebrate solstice to the sister. It was strong, strong enough for him to order two more, one for him and one for the sister. And if she was opposed to drinking it? …. It wouldn’t go to waste.

The brilliance of the nun’s robe had already caught Arturo's eye. “And most important,” he smiled upon Sister Lyen, “love…for isn’t love the love the greatest power in the ‘verse?” After a moment’s roaring approval from the crowd, Arturo stilled them with a wave of his hand. “The other evening, we were graced with a visit from a nun. I’m delighted to see that Sister Lyen Giu has returned for tonight’s festivities. Sister,” he gestured with an open hand, “I think a word or a blessing from you might go very well this evening. May I trouble you to join me onstage?”

Though she had prayed on this very stage just a day ago, her stomach turned as she rose from her seat, the light bearing down on her. The crowd in attendance was double or triple that of the previous evening. As she ascended the stage, Lyen greeted Arturo with her hands in the praying gesture and stood by his side.

The showman smiled upon the nun. “Amituofo, Sister Lyen. You honor us with your presence here tonight.”

The nun bowed her head and replied, “The honor of celebrating the Solstice among you is mine. I’d like very much to dedicate this evening to the love I’ve already seen here among us, if that’s alright with you.”

Arturo’s gaze turned toward the audience. “Is that alright with you?” The room seemed to shake with the force of their approval as he turned to face her once again. “Please, Sister. We are all with you.”

Lyen bowed her head before addressing the crowd. “In light of what we all experienced on our way through these doors tonight, I offer this prayer:

Do not deceive, do not despise each other anywhere. Do not be angry nor bear secret resentments; for as a mother will risk her life and watches over her child, so boundless be your love to all, so tender, kind and mild.”

With that, the nun bowed low to the crowd.

She was greeted with warm applause, joined by Arturo and the band. “Thank you….thank you.. From the Order of the Interverse, Sister Lyen Giu!” A final wave of grateful applause sounded as he assisted her toward the stairs.

“Now….” he said, pausing as the crowd’s enthusiasm quieted. “Love has entered the room. Now, let’s show it to the world. Throw those curtains open!” he ordered, pointing a finger toward the tall windows at the cabaret’s front facing wall. The wait staff, assisted by some of the more exuberant patrons, drew the curtains open, enabling curious passersby the opportunity to see.

“My friends,” Arturo lifted his arms, “Joyous Solstice! Now, let’s begin!” he shouted as he draped the suit jacket over one shoulder. Adopting a humble stance, the showman stepped up to the mic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-iSEvmKDiw

*“Irene’s got another lover, Irene’s got another man

Bold as brass she walks into the Hawley with him on her arm.”*

While Arturo sang the lament, a dapper Remy strolled onto the stage, wearing both a contented smile on his face, and Marisol on his arm. The flame red dress she wore glowed under the stage lights, as the knee length skirt floated about her legs . After twirling her gracefully before the audience, he received a kiss on the cheek.

*”We were lovers like no other, never to be torn apart

With the bloke from Cali Road my Irene’s gone and broke my heart…Two! Three! Four!”*

The band kicked off energetically, as onstage, Remy and Marisol whirled and danced. From his isolation at the other end of the stage, Arturo sang.

*”Deptford town to Caledonia, twenty dozen hearts she stole

Irene won’t be tied for long, no Irene’s got a restless soul…”*

As they danced, the couple joined in to belt out the refrain.

*”Irene’s got another lover, she’s got another man,

Bold as brass she walks into the Hawley with him on her arm.”

“Irene she is other worldly, she’s a beauty there’s no doubt…”*

Arturo walked the edge of the stage. Marisol had stopped, fixing him with a come-hither gaze, before shoving Remy to the side and gliding onto the singer’s arm.

*”Here’s a word of warning boys: she’ll chew you up and spit you out!

Irene’s got another lover, she’s got another man,

Bold as brass she walks into the Hawley with him on her arm.”*

Now, Remy took the vocal lead, jilted lover crying out the lament of the unfaithful Irene. The song was lively, a high energy opening to the Solstice, and the crowd was eating it up. Marisol spun and whirled, the seductive red dress lifting as it spun to showcase her legs. She widened her game, moving to each of the band. She fawned and teased, only to rudely discard one musician in favor of another.

*” She’s got another lover, she’s got another man,

Bold as brass she walks into the Hawley with him on her arm.”*

As the song rollicked to its’ end, Remy twirled Marisol, releasing her to pirouette toward one end of the stage. Halfway there, she stumbled comically, before awkwardly catching her balance. As the temptress Irene, she turned just in time to see Remy and Arturo join the dance….together. Now, Arturo twirled Remy, before taking him on to his arm. Her jaw dropped as Arturo kissed Remy’s cheek, before they stepped offstage to roaring laughter from the crowd. The now jilted Marisol scowled, balled her fists, and stormed off the opposite side.

“Now, now, now!” Remy cried as he came out before the audience. “Don’t leave us like that!” he beckoned toward an openly pouting Marisol. “Come on,” he crooked his finger. “Come on out.” As she made her reluctant way onstage, Remy asked, “would you sing us a song?”

She wore a long face as the crowd began to applaud. Remy faced them. “Do you want Marisol to sing us a song?”

The room erupted in cheers and whistles. her face broke into a smile as Remy hurried off. The stage went dark, to be lit only by the sparkling beams from an overhead mirror ball. A melodic wa-wa guitar filled the air as Marisol took the mic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmUOWm9y3hk

*”No necesito su aprobación

Tengo por dentro, un medidor

Que va marcando grados de satisfacción..”*

She purred through the opening verse. The music grew in intensity, taking on a power and slipping seamlessly into a more energetic time. By the final chorus, Marisol was working the edge of the stage, belting out the vocals.

When the ending note sounded, she stood, heels together to deliver a formal bow of thanks for the boisterous crowd’s encouragement. Marisol grinned in the spotlight, before casting a wink toward her former shipmates at the front row table. “This has been the best week,” she confided. “I’ve had more fun. How about you? Are you having a good time?” she looked out over the sea of faces.

After the cheers died down, she continued,“One of the things I found out that I love is watching our hosts do trans shows. They look amazing!” she exclaimed. “Arturo? Are you ready?”

“You mean ‘Arturina!” he corrected her in a rusty feminine voice.

“Uh…..sure!” Marisol brightened. “Ladies and gentlemen, I give you….Arturina!”

He wobbled out on high heels that were obviously too small, in a ridiculous sequined cocktail dress that revealed errant bra straps and partially undone garters. Arturo swayed his hips, bumping to the stripperesque soundtrack provided by the band. His makeup was clownish; the frazzled wig on his head more resembled a storm at sea than any stylish coiff. “Don’t hate me...because I’m beautiful,” he growled into the mic. “Ooh,” he brightened at the sight of a nervous Keller in the front. “Is this your first sly bar show? Don’t worry, honey...it’s mine, too.”

The laughter generated during the next ten minutes of his comic routine was in perfect correlation to the alcohol being consumed. Arturo tripped and quipped, barely able to keep his comic undergarments from tumbling out of the evening dress.

Finally, the band signaled an end to his standup, which the well conditioned audience greeted with howls and whistles. “Time to say goodnight……..were you looking up my dress?” he demanded of Captain Keller, before dropping to one knee. “Sister, do me a favor,” Arturo greeted the nun as the spotlight glared on their table. “Tell him he hasn’t got a prayer with the likes of me!!” When the band played him off, Arturo vamped to the music, hips swaying as he stumbled away in his tiny heels. “Oh, Remy!” he shouted in sing-song voice as the stage darkened. “Show these animals how it’s done!”

The lights came up to reveal a new backdrop...a stylized caricature of a smart woman in a black top hat. Out came Remy, a resplendent personification in a black silk tuxedo, top hat, and heels. He wore a platinum blonde wig under which long eyelashes batted at the appreciative crowd. “Who knows Marlene Dietrich…from Earth-That-Was?”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7heXZPl2hik

Where Arturo was bumbling and arrogant in his comedy, Remy was grace personified, his voice melded perfectly to the Germanic style of the film ingenue and songstress.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yJlU39jseA&list=PLe5k6mlATGr1JL7q4zM9edKCvOYMbDEeW

He cast a spell, melodically transporting the audience to a time long lost, and a place that clung to a smal, stylishly brooding zeitgeist whose moment was ended in the madness of war. As Remy concluded with a bow, the entire house was on its’ feet.

A single red rose landed on the stage. He scooped it up, smiling and bowing his head gratefully. “Usually,” Remy addressed the packed hall, “all the trans parts of the show are left to Arturo, such as he is.” He fixed them with a raised eyebrow, “and myself. But tonight, our little Mar-mar decided to give it a try. “David Bowie?” he called offstage, “Are you ready?”

“I’m ready, Marlene!”

Remy smiled. “Then come show us what you’ve got!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5k6gtsJ-F4

The band kicked into a knife edged funk. Marisol bolted onto the stage, wearing an olive toned, double breasted suit that was just a bit large on her slight frame. Her skin was pale, cheeks contoured and hollow. She wore a dirty blonde wig, its’ hair straight and slicked back as she strode up to the mic in perfect rhythm. “This is for a friend of mine,” the petite cross dresser attempted a British accent. As she swayed, the band sang their refrain.

*” Golden years, gold whop whop whop.”*

The men’s dress shoes were actually easier on her dance moves than the heels she’d worn earlier. Marisol glided and grooved, lifting the mic to her cosmetically subdued lips.
*” Don't let me hear you say life's taking you nowhere

Angel….

Come get up, my baby”*

From the corner of her eye, she spied Kate. The faux widow’s eyes were wide, mouth hanging open in unabashed delight while her capture recorded the performance. Marisol nearly laughed, recovering with a quick smile.

*” There's my baby, lost that's all

Once I'm begging you save his little soul

Golden years, gold whop whop whop

Come get up, my baby…”*

To her pleasant surprise, the crowd was with her. Hands clapped in unison; people cheered and screamed their support. One or two sang along. *Mi Dios, this is fun!* she thought, lifting the mic high to belt out the refrain.

*” I'll stick with you, baby, for a thousand years

Nothing's gonna touch you in these golden years

Gold…

Golden years, gold whop whop whop

Come get up, my baby…”*

She waved at Keller…the man looked like he might actually be having a good time! Lyen’s eyes were shining in the reflected light. Marisol sang, dropping to one knee before the nun.

[/i]”Run for the shadows, run for the shadows
Run for the shadows in these golden years..”

Marisol/David fixed Lyen with a knowing smirk, wagging a finger at the nun before she leapt to her feet.

Cupping her hands to her mouth, Lyen let out a howl as Marisol sidled up close on the stage. In her seat, the nun rolled her neck to the beat, snapping back to face David/Marisol on beat with a smirk of her own.

The band played it out, rocking the house to a close that drew thunderous applause. The singer lifted her arms high above her head, then bowed. Rising up again before the adoring crowd, she placed a hand to her heart, delivered another half bow, and then was offstage.

The band played a quiet instrumental as the murmur of the crowd echoed throughout the room.

*“Starry, starry night,”*

Remy had taken the stage. With only an acoustic guitar to back him, he stood before anew backdrop, a gigantic copy of Vincent van Gogh’s “The Starry Night.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxHnRfhDmrk

*” Paint your palette blue and grey

Look out on a summer's day

With eyes that know the darkness in my soul.”*

The room had gone silent, but for the sweetness of Remy’s voice, and the underlying guitar.

*” And when no hope was left in sight

On that starry, starry night

You took your life, as lovers often do

But I could have told you, Vincent

This world was never meant for one

As beautiful as you…*

When the song ended, Remy turned away from the faces of the audience. The lighting increased on stage, a reddish hue to accompany the new background that raised itself before them. This scenery wasn’t humorous, nor a beautiful image to please. The backdrop was a sheet of stark white, it’s face marred by the same hateful words that were now painted across the cabaret’s entrance.

Remy did not use a microphone. He sang again, to a room gone completely still.

*” With our eyes, we see injustice.

We see sisters and brothers in pain.

With our eyes, we see the evil.

We see the truth behind their games.

We see their weapons. We see their power.

We see the malice behind their eyes.

With our eyes, we see them coming,

Coming for to steal our lives.”*

Marisol stepped onto the stage. Now clad in a simple black dress and flats, she moved to Remy’s side. As their hands clasped, her voice took to the air.

*” With our hearts, we feel the suffering.

I cry for you, you cry for me.

With our hearts, we join together,

And in our hearts shall we be free.

We feel our family. We feel compassion.

There are no outcasts! We are one!

Our hearts together, in our own fashion,

Love that unites won’t be undone.”*

Arturo joined them. His fingers twined in Marisol’s as he began to sing.

*” With our hands, we join together.

I lift you, will you lift me?

With our hands, we toil and labor,

We’ll take no rest, til liberty.

We lift our rifles. We lift our pistols.

Now is the time we make our stand.

We cannot linger, brothers and sisters,

For now our lives are in our hands.”*

“Sing with us now,” he invited the audience. In two’s and threes they stood. From her place onstage, Marisol even recognized the brown coat, as the room filled with voices united.

*” With our eyes, we see the evil.

In our hearts, we turn to steel.

With our hands, we fight the battle.

And with all three, we will prevail.”*

She could see the tears on some faces. She could feel them, coursing down her cheeks. The room now echoed with voices as the three performers approached the hate marred backdrop.

Remy produced a paint brush. Choosing the worst of the hate speech, he painted a simple heart, and the message,

*Love wins.

-Remy Gans*

The audience were all on their feet, their voices lifted as Marisol added her own message.

*¡Libre para amar,

LIBRE PARA VIVIR!

-Marisol Chavez*

Once Arturo had painted his own inscription, he offered the brush toward the audience. “WHO’S NEXT?” he shouted. Patrons lined up to take the stage as Marisol stepped to the mic. She gestured toward her throat, now raw. He just smiled, encouraging her with a sin gle gesture to sing the final song of the night.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=649lhcT5mOY

*” What's your plan for tomorrow

Are you a leader or will you follow

Are you a fighter or will you cower

It's our time to take back the power.”*

Grabbing the mic, she sang the song, an old tune from Earth-That-Was, a rallying cry for the soldiers of the Independents. Her cheeks still streaked with tears, Marisol moved along the growing line of people, exchanging hugs, allowing them to sing in unison as she went.

*”Who you gonna trust

When the judge is so unjust

And the jury must discuss

Said you don't look like one of us!*

A giant of a man bounded up onto the stage. With a grin, he removed his brown coat, offering it to the tiny woman who gladly accepted. She forced the sleeves up her arms as she and the huge Browncoat shared the musical rallying cry. He threw an arm around her waist, boosting Marisol up to his shoulder height. She raised a fist into the air as they roared the song to its’ conclusion.

*” We don't need to run and hide

We won't be pushed off to the side

What's your plan for tomorrow

Are you a leader or will you follow

Are you a fighter or will you cower

It's our time to take back the power!*

*It's our time to take back the power

It's our time to take back the power!”*

The entire house was on its’ feet. “Thank you!” the three hosts alternated before finally joining hands for a lengthy bow. “Joyous Solstice!” they shouted, as the wait staff rushed to fill fresh drinks. Marisol hugged Remy, kissing his cheek before an ebullient Arturo joined for a group embrace. Her next hug was for the huge man who’d lent his coat for the finale.

In an instant, she’d leapt from the stage, laughing and tearful as she threw her arms around Sister Lyen. “I was hoping you’d come tonight!” Marisol’s voice was on the verge of rasping as she hiugged the nun. “Captain Keller! Did you have fun?”

Lyen braced herself against the super-star, Marisol Chavez. The woman had given everything--allowed herself to be fully present in her performance. Lyen envied and applauded that in her friend. “You. Were. Amazing! You stole the show!” She pressed her cheek to Marisol’s, grinning.