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Description
One day, the twins Lola and Lana came home happy as ever. They entered the kitchen where their parents saw them.

Rita: You two seem happy about something.

Lola: We are! We got the star roles of the upcoming school play.

Lana: The Siren and the Scallywag! We get to play the two lead roles. I'm playing the pirate!

Lola: And I'm the mermaid!

Lynn Sr: Oh, I remember that play. The sweet story of when a mermaid siren tries to lore the pirate to his death but somehow they fall in love.

Rita: But isn't the pirate suppose to be a guy?

Lana: Some kids at school mistake me for a boy almost all the time. It should not be hard for me to play one.

Then someone came to the house and entered the kitchen door. They noticed the visitor was Amanda.

Lynn Sr: Oh hey there! What brings you here today?

Amanda: I, of course, took up the role of director for the school play and wanted to check the talent.

Rita: Kids can direct school plays?

Amanda: I could after my brother talked to them. Or rather he kept talking till they wanted him to stop. Now do either of you have any references?

Lola: What?

Amanda: Something that can show your experience at acting.

Lana: Ummm...We don't get what you mean.

Amanda: (sigh) This will be fun. Anyway, I expect both of you to be at rehearsal tomorrow. Don't be late.

Amanda then leaves the house. Lola and Lana were not sure what to make of this.

The next day when school was over, the kids in the play were at rehearsal. Amanda had a director chair and a large director megaphone.

Amanda: Okay people, I want to see some effort here. Hopefully, everyone has read the script.

Kid: Umm...Some of us can't read that well.

Amanda: No excuses! Now let's start with our main stars the mermaid and the pirate.

Lola came out in her mermaid costume.

Amanda: What is that?! Pink scales?!

Lola: I...thinks it's cute.

Amanda: It's not natural! Aquatic beings should be colored to blend in with the sea. That should include fictional beings.

Lola: Says who?

Amanda: Says the expert of storytelling. Now, where's our pirate?

Lana came out in her pirate costume.

Lana: Hey, nothing wrong with my look right?

Amanda: (Sarcastic) Oh, of course not. Except maybe that look is totally cliche!

Lana: What do you mean?

Amanda: Hat with the Jolly Roger, Eye patch, parrot, hook hand, peg leg...They've all been done to death! (Groan) Well, we'll worry about the wardrobe later. Let's see your acting. Let's practice the scene where the stars question their love.

Everyone got into position. Lola laid on a flat rock with Lana standing at her side.

Amanda: Action!

Lola: Oh, my sweet rogue of the sea. I didn't expect to fall in love with one such as you but now I am glad to be wrong.

Lana: I have been with many lasses in my travels but you are an even greater catch then I ever...

Amanda: CUT!!! All wrong!

Lana: What?! That was going well.

Amanda: I am not feeling it. I see no real emotion or passion. How am I to believe what I'm seeing? Does anyone else believe this performance?

The other kids were far from her terrified to be near her.

*

Later, the twins returned home exhausted. Then enter their room and collapse on their beds.

Lana: are your pageant rehearsals as harsh as that?

Lola: I don't even know anymore.

Lana: I'm not sure if we should continue this if it's going to be this hard.

Lola: No way! We wanted these roles since they announced the play so we need to endure this if we need to. I mean, what are the odds that Amanda will keep treating us like this?

*

The next day, Amanda was yelling at the way the stage was set.

Amanda: You call this underwater scenery? I want to feel like I'm under the sea. You've seen that movie, right?

Kid: Um....not really.

Amanda: Then why are you in charge of this?

The kid was so scared of her that he wet his pants and cried. The twins were watching from far across the room.

Lola: Seems the odds were high. Why is she so harsh to the kids?

Lana: I'd ask but I'm sure she would bite my head off.

Then Amanda marched over to the twins.

Amanda: I see those looks on your faces. You're doubting my vision, aren't you?

The twins were silent, not sure what answer would not fuel her rage.

Amanda: Well, if you want to work in this business then you better get with the program! You're my stars so you need to give me your best! And don't even think about walking out on this or else I will make sure you never work in this town again.

The twins were confused with that.

Amanda: By that, I mean you will never be on stage here again.

Lola gasped in horror from that.

*

More days later...

Another rehearsal and more than half of the kids in the play either quit or got kicked out of it by Amanda. Lola was in the corner in the feddle position scared out of her mind while Lana was on her phone.

Lola: This is a nightmare! I can't take this abuse anymore but I don't want to never perform again!

Lana: How do you know it's not a bluff?

Lola: How do you know it is?!

Lana: (Groan) I still can't get in touch with Kevin. The one time we really needed him and he's too busy.

Then Amanda yelled for the twins to come up. They did even they were too scared to.

Amanda: Lately, I've noticed everyone's performance has been lackluster. Explanation, please? Anyone!?

The room was dead silent. But then Lana couldn't take it.

Lana: The problem is you!

Amanda: What was that?!

Lola: Lana, no!

Lana: You've been overly harsh on us ever since you took control of this play! This use to be fun but now it's like Lori's full control of our house times infinity!

Amanda: I do what needs to be done!

Lana: You forget that were kids? You scare us more than Lucy! It's no wonder most of us left!

Amanda: I need to make a good show for EVERYONE TO LOVE AND SO SHE WILL NOTICE ME!!

Lana: WE'LL YOUR NOT....Wait...who's "She"?

Amanda then realized what she just said and covered her mouth. Then she just ran off.

Lana: What just happened?

Lola then realized something.

Lola: Oh my gosh! I think I might know what's happening!

*

The twins were then looking around the school for Amanda who didn't return.

Lana: So what did you realize?

Lola: That reaction she had is just like one girl had at one of my pageants. She was taking it too seriously and then we found out she was only competing to get her neglectful mom to notice her.

Lana: Wait...are you saying when she said "so she will notice her" she meant...

Lola: Yes! I think she meant her mom.

Lana: You mean Kevin's mom?

Lola: No! Her actual mom. The one that left her and her dad.

Amanda: Elementary, my dear Lola!

Then we're surprised to hear her and turns to see Amanda on a bench looking down. The twins then sat with her.

Lana: So that is why you were taking it too seriously?

Amanda: I guess so. It's weird really. I should not even care about that woman who doesn't deserve to be a mother to anyone. I mean she was only with my father for his money and only had me to try and force him to marry her. Didn't work so she just ditched me on dad's doorstep. But why do I still have the instinct to see her?

Lola: You know, now you sound like the mermaid in the play. She didn't like her family which is why she took it out on unsuspecting boats and making them sink. But she still needed a love one of some kind.

Lana: And the pirate showed her that. He didn't have a family but he saw his crew as a family.

Amanda was surprised she didn't notice this from the play she was directing.

Amanda: Whoa! Why didn't I pick up on that?

Lola: Must be you were too busy yelling at us.

Amanda: Point taken.

Lana: I mean we can't pick our family but we can pick our family figures and...

Amanda: And in that logic, I do have a mother. Kevin's mother. I mean at least she keeps contact with me and my brother.

Lola: Exactly!

Amanda then smiled and shed a tear.

Amanda: Thank you for helping me realize this. I guess I didn't know how good I had it until now. Oh, shoot! Now I see I have overly harsh on those kids.

Lana: Heck, you were making the adult teachers wet themselves.

Amanda: I was so focused on my mom that I forgot that the charm of children's plays is parents just want to see their kids on stage regardless on their overall performance.

Lana: Well, we still have a week before they play so we can still make it work.

Amanda: Your right! The show must go on! ...but easier.

*

The rest of the days, Amanda was a lot easier on the kids now that her head was clear. The kids did a better job in their roles and some who quit or got kicked came back.

Then came the night of the play and it was going well. it then came to the final scene with Lola in her original pink mermaid costume and Lana in her pirate costume. Amanda watched from the audience.

Lana: You see, you don't need your rejecting family. They can take I hike! You have a real family now with me and my crew.

Lola: Your right, my love. So long as someone in this world loves me then it's all I need.

Then the audience applauded and Amanda was tearing up as what they said got to her. Amanda then got up on stage with the cast and took a bow with them proud of herself. She looked down at Kevin as well as two tablet devices with his mom and her dad on Livestream.

Amanda: Made it, Ma! Top of the world! Or at least this school.

But then she noticed someone in the doorway out of the auditorium. But when she blinked the figure was gone.

Amanda: Uhh...

Description
One day, the twins Lola and Lana came home happy as ever. They entered the kitchen where their parents saw them.

Rita: You two seem happy about something.

Lola: We are! We got the star roles of the upcoming school play.

Lana: The Siren and the Scallywag! We get to play the two lead roles. I'm playing the pirate!

Lola: And I'm the mermaid!

Lynn Sr: Oh, I remember that play. The sweet story of when a mermaid siren tries to lore the pirate to his death but somehow they fall in love.

Rita: But isn't the pirate suppose to be a guy?

Lana: Some kids at school mistake me for a boy almost all the time. It should not be hard for me to play one.

Then someone came to the house and entered the kitchen door. They noticed the visitor was Amanda.

Lynn Sr: Oh hey there! What brings you here today?

Amanda: I, of course, took up the role of director for the school play and wanted to check the talent.

Rita: Kids can direct school plays?

Amanda: I could after my brother talked to them. Or rather he kept talking till they wanted him to stop. Now do either of you have any references?

Lola: What?

Amanda: Something that can show your experience at acting.

Lana: Ummm...We don't get what you mean.

Amanda: (sigh) This will be fun. Anyway, I expect both of you to be at rehearsal tomorrow. Don't be late.

Amanda then leaves the house. Lola and Lana were not sure what to make of this.

The next day when school was over, the kids in the play were at rehearsal. Amanda had a director chair and a large director megaphone.

Amanda: Okay people, I want to see some effort here. Hopefully, everyone has read the script.

Kid: Umm...Some of us can't read that well.

Amanda: No excuses! Now let's start with our main stars the mermaid and the pirate.

Lola came out in her mermaid costume.

Amanda: What is that?! Pink scales?!

Lola: I...thinks it's cute.

Amanda: It's not natural! Aquatic beings should be colored to blend in with the sea. That should include fictional beings.

Lola: Says who?

Amanda: Says the expert of storytelling. Now, where's our pirate?

Lana came out in her pirate costume.

Lana: Hey, nothing wrong with my look right?

Amanda: (Sarcastic) Oh, of course not. Except maybe that look is totally cliche!

Lana: What do you mean?

Amanda: Hat with the Jolly Roger, Eye patch, parrot, hook hand, peg leg...They've all been done to death! (Groan) Well, we'll worry about the wardrobe later. Let's see your acting. Let's practice the scene where the stars question their love.

Everyone got into position. Lola laid on a flat rock with Lana standing at her side.

Amanda: Action!

Lola: Oh, my sweet rogue of the sea. I didn't expect to fall in love with one such as you but now I am glad to be wrong.

Lana: I have been with many lasses in my travels but you are an even greater catch then I ever...

Amanda: CUT!!! All wrong!

Lana: What?! That was going well.

Amanda: I am not feeling it. I see no real emotion or passion. How am I to believe what I'm seeing? Does anyone else believe this performance?

The other kids were far from her terrified to be near her.

*

Later, the twins returned home exhausted. Then enter their room and collapse on their beds.

Lana: are your pageant rehearsals as harsh as that?

Lola: I don't even know anymore.

Lana: I'm not sure if we should continue this if it's going to be this hard.

Lola: No way! We wanted these roles since they announced the play so we need to endure this if we need to. I mean, what are the odds that Amanda will keep treating us like this?

*

The next day, Amanda was yelling at the way the stage was set.

Amanda: You call this underwater scenery? I want to feel like I'm under the sea. You've seen that movie, right?

Kid: Um....not really.

Amanda: Then why are you in charge of this?

The kid was so scared of her that he wet his pants and cried. The twins were watching from far across the room.

Lola: Seems the odds were high. Why is she so harsh to the kids?

Lana: I'd ask but I'm sure she would bite my head off.

Then Amanda marched over to the twins.

Amanda: I see those looks on your faces. You're doubting my vision, aren't you?

The twins were silent, not sure what answer would not fuel her rage.

Amanda: Well, if you want to work in this business then you better get with the program! You're my stars so you need to give me your best! And don't even think about walking out on this or else I will make sure you never work in this town again.

The twins were confused with that.

Amanda: By that, I mean you will never be on stage here again.

Lola gasped in horror from that.

*

More days later...

Another rehearsal and more than half of the kids in the play either quit or got kicked out of it by Amanda. Lola was in the corner in the feddle position scared out of her mind while Lana was on her phone.

Lola: This is a nightmare! I can't take this abuse anymore but I don't want to never perform again!

Lana: How do you know it's not a bluff?

Lola: How do you know it is?!

Lana: (Groan) I still can't get in touch with Kevin. The one time we really needed him and he's too busy.

Then Amanda yelled for the twins to come up. They did even they were too scared to.

Amanda: Lately, I've noticed everyone's performance has been lackluster. Explanation, please? Anyone!?

The room was dead silent. But then Lana couldn't take it.

Lana: The problem is you!

Amanda: What was that?!

Lola: Lana, no!

Lana: You've been overly harsh on us ever since you took control of this play! This use to be fun but now it's like Lori's full control of our house times infinity!

Amanda: I do what needs to be done!

Lana: You forget that were kids? You scare us more than Lucy! It's no wonder most of us left!

Amanda: I need to make a good show for EVERYONE TO LOVE AND SO SHE WILL NOTICE ME!!

Lana: WE'LL YOUR NOT....Wait...who's "She"?

Amanda then realized what she just said and covered her mouth. Then she just ran off.

Lana: What just happened?

Lola then realized something.

Lola: Oh my gosh! I think I might know what's happening!

*

The twins were then looking around the school for Amanda who didn't return.

Lana: So what did you realize?

Lola: That reaction she had is just like one girl had at one of my pageants. She was taking it too seriously and then we found out she was only competing to get her neglectful mom to notice her.

Lana: Wait...are you saying when she said "so she will notice her" she meant...

Lola: Yes! I think she meant her mom.

Lana: You mean Kevin's mom?

Lola: No! Her actual mom. The one that left her and her dad.

Amanda: Elementary, my dear Lola!

Then we're surprised to hear her and turns to see Amanda on a bench looking down. The twins then sat with her.

Lana: So that is why you were taking it too seriously?

Amanda: I guess so. It's weird really. I should not even care about that woman who doesn't deserve to be a mother to anyone. I mean she was only with my father for his money and only had me to try and force him to marry her. Didn't work so she just ditched me on dad's doorstep. But why do I still have the instinct to see her?

Lola: You know, now you sound like the mermaid in the play. She didn't like her family which is why she took it out on unsuspecting boats and making them sink. But she still needed a love one of some kind.

Lana: And the pirate showed her that. He didn't have a family but he saw his crew as a family.

Amanda was surprised she didn't notice this from the play she was directing.

Amanda: Whoa! Why didn't I pick up on that?

Lola: Must be you were too busy yelling at us.

Amanda: Point taken.

Lana: I mean we can't pick our family but we can pick our family figures and...

Amanda: And in that logic, I do have a mother. Kevin's mother. I mean at least she keeps contact with me and my brother.

Lola: Exactly!

Amanda then smiled and shed a tear.

Amanda: Thank you for helping me realize this. I guess I didn't know how good I had it until now. Oh, shoot! Now I see I have overly harsh on those kids.

Lana: Heck, you were making the adult teachers wet themselves.

Amanda: I was so focused on my mom that I forgot that the charm of children's plays is parents just want to see their kids on stage regardless on their overall performance.

Lana: Well, we still have a week before they play so we can still make it work.

Amanda: Your right! The show must go on! ...but easier.

*

The rest of the days, Amanda was a lot easier on the kids now that her head was clear. The kids did a better job in their roles and some who quit or got kicked came back.

Then came the night of the play and it was going well. it then came to the final scene with Lola in her original pink mermaid costume and Lana in her pirate costume. Amanda watched from the audience.

Lana: You see, you don't need your rejecting family. They can take I hike! You have a real family now with me and my crew.

Lola: Your right, my love. So long as someone in this world loves me then it's all I need.

Then the audience applauded and Amanda was tearing up as what they said got to her. Amanda then got up on stage with the cast and took a bow with them proud of herself. She looked down at Kevin as well as two tablet devices with his mom and her dad on Livestream.

Amanda: Made it, Ma! Top of the world! Or at least this school.

But then she noticed someone in the doorway out of the auditorium. But when she blinked the figure was gone.

Amanda: Uhh...