“Johnson! Please, run!” said Jackson who finally broke the silence.

But, the silence had frozen him to the stage. The gasps were quickly replaced with, “what the…” which were replaced by, “is that what I think it is?” which were replaced by girls giggling to outright laughter by everyone.

“Freak!” said the gentle old lady who earlier had said, “Good morning.”

“Weirdo!” said the cute girl who earlier blushed at him.

“Sicko!” said the young boy who earlier had shared his meager snack with Johnson.

“Don’t look!” said the mother to her child who earlier had asked him to look after while she spanked her other child who was too nervous to audition.

Johnson was surrounded. He looked up and saw Jackson run away. There was laughter and jeering. Then the chanting started.

“Ha, ha, Johnson wants to go to our school with his appendages! Appendages! Appendages! Appendages!”

How did they learn such a chant so quickly? Did they take lessons from his family? Or was this the reason his parents did not want him to leave the house until he had the appendages removed?

Johnson was immediately grabbed from behind and taken through the hallways of the AB Sea School of Music and Dance. Up ahead there was the exit sign and pushing him was his cousin Jackson. He had not abandoned Johnson but had fought his way down to help him get out.

“Johnson,” said Jackson, “I thought once they saw your beautiful dancing they would see you for who you really are. I’m so sorry to have put you through this.”

“Well,” a still shocked Johnson responded, “at least I got to dance before I had these things removed. I don’t think the world is ready for a fish with arms and legs. But who knows, maybe one day?”

“Come on,” said Jackson, “let’s cut through here to avoid the mob. You have such a great attitude! Please tell me you’ll dance for me one more time if you are really going to get your arms and legs removed?”

ON THE ONE day Johnson finally left his shack, he was mocked and ridiculed at the school of his dreams. He was saved by his best friend and cousin, Jackson who had initially suggested he attend AB Sea School of Music and Dance. As Jackson suggested they take a shortcut, he also asked Johnson to give him one last dance.

Thump-thump... Drag... Thump-thump… Drag… Drag

Little did Johnson or Jackson know the shortcut area where they now traveled was frequented by salmon traveling on their way back from the deep sea to go upstream. Salmon love to snap at feeder fish that make the slightest of noises. And though he was probably the greatest dancer that had ever lived; his dancing was now making him an unsuspecting feeder fish.

Thump-thump…

Just like that both Johnson and his cousin were eaten up in one small gulp. You see, salmon do not chew their food. They swallow it whole. And this particular salmon was still hungry and was now headed towards the AB Sea School of Music and Dance.

Inside the salmon, Johnson realized what had just happened. Jackson knew it, too. They knew they were done in. Yet, Johnson who lived a menial existence decided he would have one last dance. And he did. His cousin Jackson cheered him on.

Thump-thump... Drag... Thump-thump… Drag… Drag

Johnson added more passion to his dancing and Jackson joined him dancing together; both embracing their last curtain call. The salmon now hovered over AB Sea School of Music.

Thump-thump... Drag... Thump-thump… Drag… Drag

To the shock and horror of teachers and students there it was again!

Thump-thump... Drag... Thump-thump… Drag… Drag

But from where was it coming? Was that strange fellow back for more mockery and abuse? Some fish screamed. Others laughed, nervously. But it was 3:00 and all swam out of the school as fast they could.

Thump-thump... Drag... Thump-thump… Drag… Drag

Grew louder! The laughing stopped and it turned to screams of panic! Everyone looked for Johnson. Yet, he could not be found.

Thump-thump... Drag... Thump-thump… Drag… Drag

All at once the salmon scooped up all 721 of teachers and students. All were swallowed whole. All inside of the salmon were greeted by the beautiful sounds that would live with them for the rest of their short lives.

Thump-thump... Drag... Thump-thump… Drag… Drag