CH 16: Moving on... (Mai and Kendall)

[Dome]

Kendall claps enthusiastically when Mei finishes her performance. He thinks she did well, and hopes that she gets what she wants from the competition. He liked her, and she seemed to like him, which is one reason he thought of just quitting this job and getting away from her.

She had dreams and plans. He didn't want anything he did to interfere. The note again a reminder that he was not whole, and also that he was involved in something he didn't understand. The entire investigation for Dorsett never sat right with him, even how fast Dorsett let it drop and offered up payment seemed suspicious.

While Mei awaits her results he tells one of the sound engineers walking by to keep an eye on things for a bit he needed to make a phone call. Heading outside he calls the CSTel dispatcher, "Hey this is Kendall you have many calls coming in right now? I got a gig now, but thinking it may not be for me."

[Renekin Skywalker]

Mei's turn came up. "Mei Li." Said the first judge. "You've been with us since the LA try outs, and you've continued to wow us."

"You're certainly keeping up the expression of emotion on top of the complexity of the work." Says second judge.

"Congratulations. We will let you k now about the top 20, soon enough." Says the third.

....

A while later. "Daveris McMichealboltonis." Says Judge 2. "How do you feel about things so far?"

"Well." She says, thinking. "You know, it's been a challenge. I've learned a lot, even so far."

"Do you think you have improved?" Says judge number one.

"Yeah." She offers, meekly.

"Well, we have certainly seen an attempt to step beyond your level." The third says. "We'll let you know about the top 20, soon."

And, with the remaining 80 or 90 contestants, the list was run through one-by-one, and they were left to relax for the next few minutes.

"Sorry Kendall. Got nothing on the list for you. You wouldn't want it anyways. I hear you're in show business now." The dispatcher says. "Remember us little guys, eh?" He adds. Kendall can hear the chuckling from the other dispatchers in the room.

[Dome]

"Hey when times are slim you take what you can. Not my preferred line of work, why else would I call you bunch of jokers," Kendall retorts. He reaches up and scratches the back of his head, and says, "well keep me in mind huh? All this work in doors is bad for my tan."

Kendall hangs up with a sigh and shrugs his shoulders, "maybe its for the best. Can't run from everything forever," he says out loud to himself. He heads back inside, nodding to the guy watching the equipment as he takes back over and slumps into his chair.

After a moment of sullen contemplation, Kendall puts on a headset rewinds and replays the last few minutes of the show, catching what the judges had to say to Mei and Dev before fast forwarding back to the present.

He sits back and waits for them to finish on stage.

[sasqaricious]

Mei is over joyed but by the same token impatient as she really just wanted a yes/no answer but still is happy when she hears the review of Daveris. As they are let off the stage while holding Daveris's hand she skips all the way to the engineering station. "What do you think Peter? did we do good? Do you think we will get in? Is this just not the point of pin and needles!!!!" Firing off questions in super excitement!

[Dome]

Kendall smiles at her enthusiasm, "I'm no expert or anything, but from what I could tell you ladies were great. I think you will go all the way."

[sasqaricious]

"You do. Oh Peter that is great that you think that way. I guess that makes you our lucky charm now!" She races over and gives him a hug. "And with both of us having a chance it is so exciting!"

[Dome]

Kendall stiffens when Mes hugs him after a moment he hugs her back with one arm, the non bionic one. "I don't think I'm that lucky. I hope you both go all the way to the last round."

[sasqaricious]

"Oh Peter. You should have faith in yourself. You are as lucky as you wish to be!" She is kinda unsatisfied with the hug but the same time understands.

[Dome]

"Nice thought. Not sure if I agree though hun. So how long until you find out if you made this round?"

[sasqaricious]

"I am not sure, I hope it is soon though!" She turns to Daveris. "Do you know Daveris?"

[Renekin Skywalker]

"Oh." Daveris says. "They put us in a room and then bring us out, 1 by 1. They'll call us in."

[Dome]

"That sounds like a sucky way to do it. Do you ladies prefer the slow drawn out process, or would you just like them to get it over with."

[sasqaricious]

"I guess that means we best be getting to our room then. Wish us luck Peter." With that she waits for Daveris to lead the way to where they are to go.

[Dome]

"Good luck ladies," Peter says as the girls leave him to head to their rooms.

[Renekin Skywalker]

Eventually, Mei and Daveris are rounded up and put in a room, with black sound curtains and the announcerette. A nice blond beauty with a sexy foreign accent.

One by one they leave the room, with some coming back and cheering, and some coming back and being disappointed, and some not coming back at all.

Eventually, Daveris's turn came up. She didn't return to the room.

Kendall saw that, while she had made a strong effort, she wasn't yet ready for the top 20. Though, she was expected to be a force to be reckonned with, with a more diverse training. She was escorted off and headed to a side corrider, so that even Kendall didn't get to see her.

Then Mei's turn came.

"Mei Li." Said Judge number 1. "How do you feel you did today?"