Mallory and Mary Ann Take New York

by Laurie Friedman

  At that point, I gave Mary Ann an I-don’t-know-what-else-to-do look.

  Mary Ann gave me a make-your-sad-puppy-face look.

  I made it.

  But it didn’t work.

  That’s when I tried dabbing my eyes like the idea of Mary Ann not going on the show with me was enough to make me cry.

  Even Mary Ann looked like she was going to cry.

  But that didn’t work either.

  Holiday just shook her head. “Girls, only Mallory can go on the show. It wouldn’t be fair to everyone else who entered the contest if we bent the rules. I’m sorry, but modeling on Fashion Fran is not something the two of you will be able to do together.”

  Then Holiday looked at her watch again and stood up. Our moms stood up too. I knew it meant the meeting was over.

  But Mary Ann and I just slumped down in our chairs and looked at each other.

  Like I said, both of our names belonged on the Unhappy List.

  Ever since we left Fran’s studio yesterday, Mary Ann and I have been doing two things.

  Thing One: Seeing New York.

  Thing Two: Playing the Quiet Game.

  Actually, we have been doing a third thing, which is fighting. But I can’t tell you about the third thing until I tell you about the first two.

  It’s not hard to figure out why we were doing the first thing, which was seeing New York.

  The reason we were doing the second thing—playing the Quiet Game—was because Mary Ann was not speaking to me.

  It started when we left Fran’s studio. Mary Ann said we would have to think of a way she could be on the show with me.

  I told Mary Ann I didn’t think we could do that. I reminded her that I already asked Holiday if she could be on the show with me, and Holiday said no.

  Even our moms said it was silly to keep talking about this.

  But it was the only thing Mary Ann wanted to talk about.

  So I explained again that I tried talking to Holiday. I told her I made my best sad puppy face. I reminded her that I even pretended to cry and that nothing I did worked.

  I didn’t know what else we could do.

  Then Mary Ann got mad.

  She said something about “trying harder” and not speaking to friends who don’t keep their pinky swears. And that’s when she stopped speaking to me. Since she stopped speaking to me, I had no choice but to stop speaking to her.

  So, like I said, we played the Quiet Game. We played it the whole time we were seeing New York. Which, to be honest, did not make seeing New York as much fun as it should have been. We kept playing the Quiet Game until we started fighting.

  Keep reading and you’ll see what I mean.

  THE STATUE OF LIBERTY

  The first place we went was the Statue of Liberty. We took a ferry to get there. Once we arrived, we took a tour of Liberty Island. We ate in the restaurant and shopped in the gift store. We bought Statue of Liberty snow globes for Max and Joey and Winnie. We bought postcards for ourselves. We took lots of pictures.

  Sounds like fun, right? Not exactly. While we were ferrying and touring and eating and shopping and photographing, we were also not saying a word to each other.

  And that made our moms mad.

  They said that while we were at the Statue of Liberty, we should not be thinking about a TV show. We should be thinking about things like freedom and liberty and justice for all.

  I said (to our moms, not to Mary Ann) that we were thinking about those things. We just weren’t talking about them.

  Then Mary Ann said (to our moms and not directly to me, but I think she wanted me to hear what she was saying) that all people should have the liberty and freedom to go on TV with their best friend.

  TIMES SQUARE

  We also went to Times Square.

  When we got there, Mary Ann and I looked at all the lights and signs, and believe me, there are a lot of lights and signs to look at. We watched a group of actors perform a song from a musical. We went into what I am sure is the largest Toys “R” Us on the planet, and we got to ride a real Ferris wheel and eat in a real ice-cream parlor inside the store.

  Sounds great, right?

  Not completely.

  All of this looking and watching and riding and eating would have been great, except that while Mary Ann and I were doing all of this, we were not saying a word. At least, not to each other.

  My mom said that all of this not talking was getting ridiculous.

  Mary Ann’s mom said that we were ruining the trip of a lifetime.

  But even though they said these things, Mary Ann still would not talk to me, so I had no choice but to still not talk to her.

  CENTRAL PARK

  Another famous place we visited was Central Park. It is a very old, beautiful park. There are lots of trees and flowers and statues and fountains. There is a zoo, and there are horse-drawn carriages that will take you on a ride through the park.

  I bet you are thinking that it would be really hard to do anything but have fun when we were surrounded by trees and flowers and statues and fountains and a zoo, and taking a horse-drawn carriage ride (which is what we did) through the park.

  But if that is what you thought, you thought wrong.

  While we were doing all of that stuff at Central Park, Mary Ann and I were still not talking to each other.

  I actually tried talking to her.

  While we were on the horse-drawn carriage ride, I told her that I was sorry it did not work out that we could both go on the show. I told her that I really wanted us to both go on the show together. I told her I would NEVER break a pinky swear, but this is one that is not possible to keep.

  When I said that, Mary Ann just looked the other way. I think it was her way of saying (or not saying) that she was very upset.

  To be honest, I was starting to get just as upset as she was.

  JOHNNY’S FAMOUS PIZZA

  That’s when the Quiet Game we were playing ended. And the fighting started.

  When we left Central Park, we went to Johnny’s Pizza for lunch.

  Johnny’s Pizza was filled with tables covered with red-checkered tablecloths. The restaurant was packed with people eating pizza that looked and smelled delicious. Mary Ann and I got in line with our moms to order our pizza.

  When it was our turn to order, I said, “Let’s get mushroom.”

  Mary Ann said, “I want pepperoni.”

  “I said, “You love mushroom.”

  Mary Ann crossed her arms across her chest. “Not anymore,” she said. “I can’t stand mushrooms on my pizza.” Then she made a face like just the idea of mushrooms on pizza was enough to make her sick.

  And that’s when I got mad. Really mad! Mary Ann has been eating mushrooms on pizza for as long as I can remember. It seemed to me that someone who had been eating mushrooms all of their life wouldn’t suddenly stop liking mushrooms.

  “I’m sorry that you don’t get to go on the Fashion Fran show,” I said in more of an outside voice than an inside voice.

  People in line started to look at me, but I kept using my outside voice. “I tried to work it out!” I said to Mary Ann loudly. “But I couldn’t. We are in New York, and you are ruining the trip by not talking to me!”

  Then Mary Ann said, “I might not be talking to you, but you are yelling at me!”

  That’s when we started yelling at each other. I don’t even remember what we were yelling. I just remember that our moms grabbed us by the arms and marched us out of Johnny’s Pizza.

  They said lots of stuff about how we were in New York and there are a lot of enjoyable sights to see, but a sight they did not want to see was the sight of the two of us not getting along. Then we all got into a taxi and went back to our hotel.

  Mary Ann and I didn’t get to eat the pizza that looked and smelled delicious. And to make matters worse, our moms made us say “I’m sorry” to each other for fighting. Then they said that until we could speak nicely to each other, we should go back to not speaking
at all.

  Unfortunately, the Quiet Game is not a fun game. Especially on an empty stomach.

  Last night, there was something I, Mallory McDonald, didn’t get, and that thing was sleep.

  When Mary Ann closed her eyes, I could not close mine. All I could think about was how upset Mary Ann was. I really wanted to figure out a way for her to go on Fashion Fran with me. But I could not think of a way.

  I laid in bed for a long time trying to think of a way. I even pretended that I was at the wish pond and remade the wish that I made when we were in the taxi on the way into the city.

  I wish I could figure out a way to get Mary Ann on the Fashion Fran show.

  Then I tried to close my eyes and go to sleep, but it felt like my brain would not let me.

  This morning, I woke up just as the sun was coming up. I don’t know when it happened. But sometime between last night and this morning, I came up with an idea.

  I think it might be a great idea.

  At least, I hope it is. It is the only idea I could think of.

  I shake Mary Ann’s shoulder. “Wake up,” I whisper.

  As soon as Mary Ann finishes rubbing her eyes, I start talking. Actually, I start whispering. Even though our moms look like they are still sleeping, I don’t want to take any chances. I don’t want Mom and Colleen to hear what I have to say.

  I whisper my idea into Mary Ann’s ear.

  It’s really more of a plan than an idea. It takes me a while to whisper my plan into Mary Ann’s ear because it is a plan with a lot of parts. It is also a plan that will fail if every part doesn’t go according to plan.

  When I’m done whispering, Mary Ann looks at me like I just invented a way to make spinach taste good. “You’re a genius!” she whispers.

  I don’t think I’m a genius, but hopefully my plan will work. I don’t know what else will.

  Mary Ann gives me a serious look. “You would really do that for me?”

  I nod. “We’re best friends,” I whisper. “And we made a pinky swear.”

  Mary Ann grins. “You’re not my best friend. You’re my best, best, best friend.” Then she stops grinning. “Do you really think we can pull this off?” she asks quietly.

  The truth is … I don’t know if my plan will work. But I don’t know what else will either. “If anyone can make it work, we can,” I say to Mary Ann. “But it won’t be easy.”

  We cross our fingers on both of our hands.

  Right when we do, the alarm goes off in our room. Mom yawns. “Rise and shine,” she says. “We need to get to the studio early.”

  Colleen looks at the clock. “This is so exciting! Mallory, in a few hours you will be on national television.”

  “Right,” I say to Colleen. Then I wink the tiniest wink at Mary Ann.

  Hopefully, in a few hours, Mary Ann and I will both be on national television.

  “Let’s get a move on!” says Holiday when we arrive at the studio.

  She takes my arm. “You’re coming backstage with me.” She motions to Mary Ann and our moms. “Ernesto will show the three of you to your seats in the audience.” She hands Mom the backstage passes for the three of them after the show.

  Holiday starts to lead me backstage, but I stop. It’s time to put my plan into action.

  I cross my toes. “Um, Holiday, I’m a little nervous,” I say. I try to look nervous, which isn’t too hard because I actually am nervous.

  Holiday rolls her eyes. “We’re on a schedule.” She tries again to get me to walk with her, but I don’t budge.

  I put my hand on my stomach and bend over a little. I make a face like I’m really, really nervous and my nerves might make me sick. “I’d feel a whole lot better if my best friend could stay backstage with me.”

  Mary Ann rubs my arm and then looks at Holiday. “Trust me, you don’t want to see what happens when she gets nervous.”

  Mary Ann gives a little demonstration of what might happen.

  Our moms look like they are about to say something like, “Girls, you need to do what Holiday says.”

  But before they can say anything, Holiday grabs Mary Ann’s arm too. “C’mon, we don’t have time for this.” She leads us both backstage.

  Mary Ann and I silently high-five each other. So far, so good.

  As we walk, Holiday looks at Mary Ann and me. “You two look like twins.”

  We give each other a teensy, tiny what-we’re-doing-seems-to-be-working wink. Part of our plan was to look the same. Even our moms said this morning that it was hard to tell us apart.

  We both have on jeans and black, long-sleeved T-shirts. We both have our hair tucked into baseball caps. We’re both wearing dark sunglasses.

  We silently high-five each other again. Our plan is going as planned.

  When we get backstage, Holiday leads us to the wardrobe room. She motions for Mary Ann to sit in a chair. She puts me in front of a bunch of mirrors. “It’s time to get you dressed for the show,” she says.

  Seamstresses swarm around me like bees. They dress me in the dream outfit that I designed.

  Holiday tells me to stand still while they make adjustments. She says not to move while they put on my wig, hat, and sunglasses.

  When they’re done, I look in the mirror. I can’t believe how good my dream outfit looks. I also can’t believe what a good idea it was to add the wig, hat, and sunglasses.

  I look over my shoulder at Mary Ann. She gives me a thumbs-up.

  Holiday grabs my arm. “Let’s go,” she says. “You’re on in ten, and Fran wants to meet you.”

  I gulp. I can’t wait to meet Fran, but it’s going to have to wait a few minutes. The next step of my plan is very important. If it doesn’t happen, nothing will work the way it is supposed to.

  I take a deep breath, and then I raise my hand. “May I use the bathroom?” I ask Holiday.

  Mary Ann raises her hand too. “May I use it too?”

  Holiday shakes her head like she’s had just about all she can take.

  She points to a door. “It’s over there. But make it quick.”

  Mary Ann and I walk toward the bathroom. As I do, I make a mental map of the area backstage. I whisper to Mary Ann for her to do the same thing. It’s important that we know where we’re going.

  Once we get inside the bathroom, I quickly go over things with Mary Ann. We don’t have much time. She nods her head as I talk. “Got it,” she says each time I pause.

  “Got it.”

  “Got it.”

  “Got it.”

  Holiday knocks on the door. “The show starts in five. Fran is waiting.”

  Mary Ann squeezes my hand. “You’re going to meet Fran!”

  “So are you!” I link my arm through hers, and we walk out of the bathroom.

  Holiday takes a deep breath and shakes her head. She leads us both back to the dressing room.

  When we get there, someone is waiting for us, and that someone is Fran. I suck in my breath. She’s even more fashionable in person than she is on TV.

  “Hello, girls!” Fran smiles at us. She has the whitest teeth I’ve ever seen.

  Neither Mary Ann nor I can speak. I can’t even believe we are standing in the same room with Fashion Fran. I’m sure Mary Ann can’t believe it either.

  Fran laughs. “There’s no place for shyness in show biz,” she says.

  Holiday must have told Fran why Mary Ann is backstage, but Fran doesn’t seem to mind. Fran winks at me. “Your outfit is dreamy,” she says with a big smile.

  Before I even have a chance to say “thank you,” Holiday checks her watch. “Two minutes and counting,” she says.

  Fran nods at me. “See you onstage.”

  The next thing I know, Holiday is going over the directions she gave me the other day in her office. It was hard to listen then, but now I am paying attention to every word she says. And so is Mary Ann.

  “It’s simple. Fran is going to introduce you. You walk out, smile, cross the stage, turn, pause, wave, and walk
back. Then, we cut to a commercial. You will model your outfit one more time after the commercial. Got it?” Holiday asks.

  I nod. I got it. I look at Mary Ann. She heard what Holiday said and nods at me like she got it too.

  A red light starts blinking backstage.

  “Showtime!” says Holiday.

  What happens next is a blur.

  Lights twinkle onstage. The familiar music that plays at the beginning of each episode of Fashion Fran begins. The announcer who does the countdown starts to count.

  The next thing I know, Fran is onstage.

  She is talking.

  She is laughing.

  She is modeling an outfit.

  Then I hear her telling the audience about the contest. I hear my name.

  “GO!” Holiday mouths to me.

  I can’t tell if I’m excited or nervous or a mix of both.

  I walk up the stairs onto the stage. When I do, I hear lots of clapping. I look out into the audience, but the lights are so bright, it is hard to see.

  I do exactly what Holiday told me to do.

  I walk across the stage and model the dream outfit I designed.

  When I get to the far end, I turn and pause. I put my one hand on my hip and wave to the audience with my other hand.

  There’s lots of clapping.

  I smile at the cameras and wave again. I might have been scared when I first walked onstage, but right now, I feel like modeling on my favorite TV show is the most exciting thing I’ve ever done. My tunic top, skinny jeans, jewelry, boots, glasses, hat, and wig feel very fashionable.

  I keep smiling as I walk back across the stage.

  When I get back to where I started, I walk down the steps. I hear Fran say we are cutting to a commercial break.

  “Two minutes until we’re back on air,” Holiday says.

  I look at Mary Ann and nod. I would love to tell my best friend how exciting it was to model on national television, but now is not the time for that.