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Section Two The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Wednesday, December 21,1994 7 Sounds of Christmas Continued from Page One He seemed friendly enough. He said: "You must be the child protege everyone raved about at the festival last year. I just happen to have a copy of the program from that festival festival and I wonder if you'd mind signing signing it.lt would mean a lot to me if you could give me your autograph. " Maria should have been more careful. She should have just run off. But, she took his pen and started to sign her name. She never got past the M before someone pushed her into the car from behind and the adventure adventure took another turn. Naturally, Maria was terrified at first. But, the kidnappers seemed friendly. If anything, they appeared in awe of her. They apologized profusely profusely for their actions and always said please and thank you. They were an odd quartet of four dwarfs -- two men and two women -- who broke into weird operatic harmonies as their limousine sped down the highway. They told her little about why they had taken her or where they were going, but they kept explaining explaining that she'd understand everything once they got to Los Angeles. Angeles. They kept saying their boss would explain everything. They kept saying how it was such a great, honor to havè been chosen. And the rest of the trip was just a hazy memory. Maria was whisked on board a private jet at an airfield in the middle of the night. They landed in an airport far from the cold, early December climate of Ontario. Ontario. There was another ride in a limousine, this time with the window window shades pulled down and with Maria wearing a blindfold. But once, when the blindfold slipped, she caught glimpses of freeways, parking lots and palm trees. It was Los Angeles, she suspected. Finally, the car stopped in front of a huge mansion which was surrounded surrounded by ivy-garnished walls and could only be reached by a long driveway. More dwarfs whisked Maria out of her seat and inside. Finally, Finally, she was hurried down a corridor corridor and through a pair of ornately carved doors into a large living- room where a meeting of some sort seemed about to begin. One of the short guardians motioned Maria to sit on one of the chairs. She did. When she looked around, she found herself in a living room about the size of her school gym. And many of the people in chairs she recognized recognized at once. They were famous. They were the who's who of the musical world. In fact, they seemed to be all of the missing musicians who had been kidnapped over the past few weeks. Sir Hugh, in his black, three piece suit and tie, sat formally in one of the arm-chairs. He nodded secretively at Maria when their eyes met Professor Vivace, Vivace, who wore a bright red bow tie, waved to her. Most of the others were familiar to a girl with as wide a range of musical interests as Maria. Maria. There was Axel Brass, the legendary legendary rock musician who was absent-mindedly absent-mindedly picking at an acoustic guitar. There was Bella Quaver, renowned renowned opera soprano. There was Oscar Allegro, composer of so many hit musicals that even he had lost count There was jazz legend Benny Alto. The color scheme of the room was red and green. There were Christmas lights everywhere, along with tinsel, bells, holly, and all the trappings of Christmas. A hush settled over the room as four of the ubiquitous dwarfs stood like an honor guard on each side of a doorway and a tall, fat man in a dressing gown and sunglasses emerged from what appeared to be a private study. "Ladies and gentlemen," announced announced one of the dwarfs, standing on a chair for full effect. "Ladies and gentlemen," may I present the one and only...the famous... the immortal immortal Dolce Jubilo." The assembled crowd of musicians musicians looked skeptical. Axel Brass blew his nose loudly and said. "So what?" The others nodded in agreement. agreement. "So you are the maniac responsible responsible for all this?" said Sir Hugh, looking stem as a general. Jubilo leaned on a little podium at the front of the room and cleared his throat. "Yes, I am," he said. "And each one of you should be proud to have been selected. The musical talent in this room is probably greater than any ever assembled in one place in the history of the world." v "Look," drawled Oscar Allegro in his perfectly under-stated British accent, "If it's ransom money you want, I'm perfectly willing to pay. Just let me write a cheque on behalf of me and my friends....even that beastly rock and roll guy whose name I can't quite remember. And then we can all be on our way home for Christmas." "Sorry," Jubilo apologized. "But it isn't that simple. Look around you. You've seen the size of my mansion You've seen the limousines. limousines. You can imagine how much money it cost to fly you all out here. It's not money I need. Frankly, it's something else." His voice grew hushed and he said: "What I need is your inspiration." inspiration." "Huh?" interjected Maria, not realizing realizing she had spoken out loud. "Let me explain," began Jubilo. Continued on Page 9 Your Friendship Suits Us Fine! Wishing you all some good clean fun and a very, merry holiday season. Thanks! Florence Fluffy and Rosemary of CLIFFCREST CLEANERS 38 King Street E., Bowmanville 623-7061 MAY YOU FIND YOUR CHRISTMAS BRIGHT We wish our customers and friends health, happiness and peace for the coming year. George Moore, Kay Moore Leonard White, Gary Popadyn, Matthew Coyle, Kris Moore. MOORE ELECTRIC Bowmanville 9 Church St. 623-5901 (./ ..Ml x ■ h ©