Billy Troll Saves the Day

“That is a beautiful song that you are singing,” said Dianne Troll walking up the laneway.

“It’s a new song that I’ve been kicking around in my head for a few days,” said Billy Troll, laying his guitar beside him on the porch

“Oh, please don’t stop singing on my account,” said Dianne. “I love listening to you sing.”

“Actually, I need to take a break,” said Billy. “I’m stuck on one verse anyway.”

“What is the verse?” asked Dianne.

“It goes like this,” said Billy, picking up the guitar again. “Don’t stop loving me baby. I need you tonight. I need you tomorrow.”

Billy laid his guitar down once more.

“What’s wrong?” asked Dianne.

“That’s where I get stuck,” said Billy. “I don’t know what I should put after that.”

“I need you forever,” sang Dianne. “I need you forever, so don’t stop loving me.”

“Hey, Dianne,” said Billy. “That is great! I love it!”

Billy was so excited that he gave Dianne a kiss.

“Thanks Billy,” blushed Dianne. “Just call on me whenever you get stuck on your songs.”

“I just may do that,” said Billy.

“So Billy, what are you going to do with your new song,” said Dianne.

“Well, if you’re asking me if I’m going to appear at your benefit concert, then the answer is, yes,” said Billy.

“Oh Billy, that’s the best news I’ve heard all week!” shouted Dianne. “In that case, I’ve got to go. I’ve got posters to make!”

“I guess I’ll see you later then,” said Billy. “I’ve got to get this song down on tape, anyways, before I forget it.”

“Good idea,” said Dianne.

Once Dianne left, Billy went into his recording studio that he had built in his basement. It didn’t take him long to record his song because it all fit together so nicely.

“I think I’ll take this tape over to Dianne and play it for her,” said Billy to himself.

Billy found Dianne sitting at her kitchen table with paper, markers, colouring pencils and erasers spread all over the place.

“How’s it going?” asked Billy.

“It’s starting to shape up,” said Dianne, holding the poster up for Billy to see.

“Nice work,” said Billy. “That should really draw the crowds in.”

“It’s not the poster that’s going to attract them in, it’s the headliner,” said Dianne.

“The headliner!” exclaimed Billy. “I only agreed to sing one song.”

“You really think the crowd is going to let you away with only one song,” said Dianne.

“I guess you’re right,” said Billy.

“Anyway, what are you doing here?” asked Dianne. “I thought you were working on your song.”

“I was,” said Billy. “I just finished it.”

“I can’t wait to hear it,” said Dianne.

Billy slipped the cassette tape into Dianne’s stereo.

“Oh Billy!” exclaimed Dianne. “That song is beautiful!”

Just then there was a knock at the door.

“Come on in,” Dianne called.

“Hey you two,” a familiar voice said. “Have you decided who is going to headline your benefit concert, Dianne?”

“Oh hi, Mick,” said Dianne. “As a matter of fact, I just asked Billy if he would like to do it.”

“In that case, I’d like to fill in for you, Billy,” said Mick. “I mean, I know how busy your schedule is. If you can’t make it, I’d be happy to take your place.”

“Thanks for the offer, Mick,” said Billy. “However, this is one concert I am not going to miss.”

“What are you listening to?” asked Mick, as Dianne put Billy’s song on again.

“It’s Billy’s new song,” said Dianne, proudly.

“That’s a great song,” said Mick. “You write it, Billy?”

“With Dianne’s help,” said Billy.

“I didn’t know that you wrote songs, Dianne,” said Mick.

“I only helped him with one verse,” said Dianne.

“Anyway, it’s a great song,” said Mick. “I’ve got to get going, now.”

“See you later, Mick,” said Dianne.

“Could you imagine the Jagged Trolls taking over for me,” laughed Billy, after Mick had left. “What a disaster that would be?”

“I think that we should give Mick a chance,” said Dianne. “After all, we are going to need a backup group.”

“I guess you are right,” said Billy.

All week, Billy worked on perfecting his new song, while Dianne finished the posters. The concert fast approached. Billy was backstage tuning his instruments. Mick and the Jagged Trolls were singing on stage.

“I’d like to dedicate this next number to my little sweetheart, Dianne,” Mick announced into the microphone.

The crowd applauded loudly.

“Don’t stop loving me baby,” sang Mick Troll. “I need you tonight. I need you tomorrow.”

Billy was shocked. He looked around the auditorium and saw Dianne. He went over to her and grabbed her by the arm.

“Billy, what are you doing?” asked Dianne.

“Come with me,” said Billy.

Billy led Dianne onto the stage and grabbed the microphone from Mick.

“Good stuff, Mick,” said Billy. “Thanks for warming up my song for me.”

“I need you forever,” sang both Billy and Dianne. “I need you forever, so don’t stop loving me.”

The crowd roared with pleasure.

“We want Billy!” the crowd screamed. “We want Billy!”

“Nice work,” smiled Dianne to Billy, once they were backstage. “You saved the show!”