40 - Set

The dress rehearsal was a great success, and to everyone’s relief Vesa Toskala was satisfied with it. Irma Tremblay, still feeling like her lungs were being clogged with glitter and hairspray, groaned as she collapsed into her chair in the dressing room. Her boyfriend, Victor Hedman, followed her.

“What’s bothering you, baby?”

Irma sighed, “Nothing.”

Victor touched her chin and lifted her head, “It’s something. I can see that.” He pressed his forehead to hers, “Talk to me?”

Irma licked her lips and looked around, “Not here. Can we find a quiet place?”

Victor nodded, “Box office.”

Still wearing her poofy Cyndi Lauper dress, Irma held his hand as they walked to the box office, which was larger than most. Sitting by on the chair that was meant to be for the person handling tickets, Irma watched Victor sink down to the floor in front of her. She had to smirk- it was his way of being at eye-level with her.

“You’ve been nervous all day,” Victor began, “What’s up?”

His heavy Swedish accent was laced with concern. Irma fell for him harder every time he spoke. She looked down at her hands, playing with the pink fabric of her skirt. Victor reached out and touched her leg.

“It’s Ryan...” Irma said slowly, “Do you...do you remember what happened a few weeks ago? At the GM?”

Victor nodded, “How can I not? Burrows hasn’t spoke about it since. He is saying that the NHL is wanting to press charges. They could cost him his career, you know.”

“I do know, and I don’t want them to do that. He didn’t know he was an accomplice.”

Victor gave her a strange look, “What?”

“There’s this girl, she works for the Sabres, at least I think she does,” Irma replied, “I saw her talking to Burrows before the game. She had Ryan’s mask and she did something...she tampered with it.”

Victor’s eyes grew wide, “No....you can’t be saying that it was intentional?”

“Yes,” Irma said breathlessly, “As much as I hate him, I want to tell him about it. I strongly believe that she tricked Burrows into almost killing Ryan Miller.”

Victor put his arms around Irma as she started to shake, “But why, baby?”

“I don’t know,” Irma stuttered, “But if I don’t say something, she might try to hurt him again.”

Victor let go and looked at Irma proudly, “You see it, then.”

Irma shrugged, “Yeah, I guess.”

“Love is strange, my bella,” he said, touching her hair, “But it is clear that Anna is in love with Ryan. This show is proof enough.”

Irma sighed, “Well, that and I saw him with something when he stopped by during rehearsal to drop off the tickets.”

“What?”

Irma laced her hand in Victor’s, “A ring.”

“You guys finally GOT A ROOM!”

Victor and Irma jumped to see Kris Letang and Tyler Kennedy standing in the doorway of the box office. Irma practically flew off her chair and threw her arms around them. Victor could only laugh as they choked.

“Anna will be so happy to see you!” Irma said, clapping her hands excitedly.

“Well, we beat Max and Flower here,” TK said with a grin, “I am now $5 richer.”

“Thanks to MapQuest,” Kris said, “Come on, I wanna see who else is here.”

As Irma followed the two Penguins, Victor clasped his hand around hers. He knew she had been worried for weeks, but couldn’t figure out why. In his heart he felt that Irma was starting to accept Ryan in a way- but in no way would she ever admit it. Still, Victor was ready to support his girlfriend the second she was ready to spill the beans on the awful secret she was carrying with her. Simply because he loved her.

The show was set to start at 7:00pm, and doors were to open at 6. It was now 5:30 and the entire cast and crew were running around wildly. Jonathon Toews and Patrick Kane argued as they tried to choose a place for the disco ball, while Vesa Toskala fussed with everyone’s hair and outfits. Julia and Carey were scolded for making out in the prop closet, then the same thing to Luke and Melissa exactly ten minutes later. Drew Miller hurled swear words at his Macbook while Ryan was trying to work the projector. The only person not losing their mind completely was Anna.

Or so she thought.

Standing in the dressing room, she stared at Vesa’s choice of clothing for her to wear that evening. Anna had placed it on the display mannequin, unsure what to think. The frills, the bow, everything- was completely spectacular.

Taking off her jeans and tee, Anna pulled the dress on and marveled. It fit her perfectly and hugged her curves, fitting around all the right places. She twirled, having a hard time remembering the last time she felt this beautiful.

“Annie?”

Anna turned around to see Ryan standing there, wearing a black tuxedo suit with a black cowboy tie. On his feet were a pair of Converse black high-tops. His hair, recently short from a haircut, was gelled back into an Elvis-style poof.

That was when she finally got it.

“Ryan. We’re Andie and Duckie.”

“Come again?”

“Pretty in Pink. Vesa made us Andie and Duckie.”

Ryan raised his eyebrows, “Oh...um, wow.”

Anna glared at him, “What?”

Putting on a face, Ryan quoted, “This is a really volcanic ensemble you're wearing, it's really marvelous!” before making his way out of the dressing room.

It was all Anna could do not to laugh. He really should’ve been an actor. Duckie was the perfect choice for Ryan, and she’d have to thank Vesa for it later.

Speak of the devil.

“You. Hair, make-up, now!” Vesa sneered, pointed at Anna, his pink clip board in hand. She mouthed a ‘Sorrrrrr-yyyyy!’ to him before pulling on the pink pumps and rushing off. Julia stood there with Irma, one holding a brush and the other a lip stick. Both girls grinned mischievously.

The clock hit 6:45 when Anna walked out of the make up area and to her absolutely shock, the room was completely filled with people in 80’s attire. Cameras were flashing everywhere. A disco ball was spinning on the ceiling. MGMT music was blaring. And there, in the centre of it all, stood Duckie-clad Ryan, looking happier than he had in days as he talked to fans and took pictures.

Each of the Sabres boys had showed up and crowded backstage, rubbing elbows and chatting with the other NHL stars. Anna walked through and smiled, loving how positive the energy was in the room. She could feel the baby moving around excitedly, almost as though they shared the same feeling at that moment.

Up in the control room, Drew Miller was setting the lighting and such for the stage. The graphics were projected perfectly onto the black banner above the catwalk. Steadfast Foundation logo, encrusted in 80’s neon and rhinestones, was looking better than ever. All the music was in cue and set to go.

Scanning the crowd, Anna noticed TK and Kris were dressed as hair band rockers. She rolled her eyes, pretending she didn’t know them. They WOULD do that.

Max and Flower were due any moment, she thought. Why hadn’t she seen them? Flower was never late, and neither was Max. Maybe they were in the washroom or something.

The crowd began to applaud as Ryan took the stage center of the catwalk with the microphone, welcoming the audience to the Steadfast Foundation Catwalk for Charity. Nervously, Anna walked around backstage, looking for someone to stand with and talk to. That, and she wanted a good view of Ryan to watch. Anna eventually found a spot next to Derek Roy, across from Vesa.

A blonde woman in a space-age outfit walked past Anna and made her way to Toskala, “V baby, it’s been too long!” Before she could finish her air-kisses, Anna felt her stomach jump into her throat. There was no way this could be who she thought it was.

It was her song that was the finale. Her song they had modeled everything around. There was no chance that Vesa could know her, let alone book her to perform at this place in such short notice. But he did and here she was, standing right in front of her.

Lady. Freaking. Gaga.

“You must be Anna!” Lady Gaga said excitedly, air-kissing her, “You look so cute!”

“Thanks,” Anna stammered, “I...I mean, Vesa, I can’t believe this!”

Gaga smiled at the Finnish goaltender, “Well, V and I go way back, and long story short, I owed him a favour. He told me all about this charity and that you badly wanted to help your boyfriend. I think that is so sweet!”

Anna felt herself blushing, “Well, I....”

“Congratulations, by the way,” Gaga said with a wink, “I’d love to chat with you more, sweetheart, but I’ve got to warm my vocals!”

Anna nodded, “Um, thanks, and sure, you go right ahead...”

Left standing in awe as Lady Gaga walked to the other side of the backstage area, Anna shook her head. Vesa Toskala had truly outdone himself. If Ryan wasn’t floored already he was going to definitely pass out before the end of the evening.

Vesa stood next to Anna, “So, did I do good, or what?”

Anna squealed and hugged him, “LADY GAGA! V I love you!”