Carryin' the Torch {Scroogie/open}

[Gilded Lily]

Life in Duckburg wasn't so bad, now that Goldie found work in a local night spot. It was more of a restaurant, really, but a classy one with live music and ballroom dancing, and the Klondike gal was the newest attraction.

The proprieter had been a little reluctant to hire her, stating bluntly that he was looking for younger talent. She came this close to blastin' a hole in that varmint to match the one in his head.

But good sense had prevailed, and Goldie opted for showin' him the error of his ways by belting out a song instead. Charmed by her considerable talents, he hired the golden gal on the spot.

As Goldie waited in the wings for her shift to begin, she pondered the turn her life had taken. This salary, along with the tips, which ought to be mighty handsome, would keep her nicely in creature comforts.

So why could she think of nothing but that new museum exhibit of golden chalices?

[Femme Fatale]

A seasoned duck with pipes of gold was a curious headline and musical sensation Jessica Rabbit was drawn to Goldie’s debut with the rest of an inquisitive crowd before being shuttled off to VIP seating, attended by two beefy, stone-faced bodyguards. Resting the lip of her champagne flute against her own plump pout, she surveyed the gathered patrons, noticing many new faces among the familiar. Hurried whispers and the odd snide jab at a portrait of the star attraction led her to believe that a majority of the new was treating the affair like an audience attracted to circus freaks tumbling through town. Still, she noticed an increase of elderly looking gentlemen, straightening their bowties, fiddling with boutonnieres, and perfuming their mouths with breath freshener; the sight made her crack a smile. Jessica took a sip of champagne as their host walked on stage to announce the next performer.

The woman sent a silent wish of luck to Goldie and crossed her fingers beneath the table, hoping that all doubters were about to be proven wrong.

[The Wastelander]

Wastelander was just plain old Oswald tonight. He had heard about the new talent in Duckburg and decided to take a look. He was wearing a tuxedo he got from his brother. The only difference between this and any other tux was the bow-tie was a bright yellow. As Oswald was taken into the seating area, he had just enough to notice Jessica Rabbit. Since his brother's social status gave Oswald certain advantages over the One Percent crowd and he was a big fan of Ms. Rabbit's work, he decided to see what brought this starlet to Duckburg.

"Let's see here," he thought, "I have access to the seating area she's in, I'm a huge fan, and I never get celebrity crushes. What's the worst that could happen?"

"Excuse me, madam," he said, in a respectfully suave voice, when he arrived at Jessica's table, "but is this seat taken? I just happened to be in this area and wondered if it was cool for me to sit here."

[Gilded Lily]

At last came her introduction by the maitre d'. For the first time in years, Goldie felt those backstage jitters popularly known as butterflies in the stomache. And the best antidote for that was to give it all ya got.

Taking a deep breath, she sashayed into the spotlight, her satin costume swishing nicely with every move.

Even the stage lights couldn't hide the smirks on many of the patrons' faces. They showed up for entertainment, all right: the entertainment of watchin' an old bird make a fool of herself. It was enough to get Goldie real steamed.

But her revenge would be a lethal dose of talent.

"Never know how much I love you,
Never know how much I care.
When you put your arms around me,
I get a fever that's so hard to bear

You give me fever
When you kiss me ,
Fever when you hold me tight"

Her voice was still rich and throaty after all these years, but it was Goldie's style that usually won the day, flirty and feminine.

[Femme Fatale]

Jessica was not known to accept the company of strangers and as soon as Oswald approached she felt her bodyguards stirring behind her.

”The table’s full, Mac,” one warned.

”Yeah, c’mon pal, move along,” chimed the other.

Arching a pencil thin brow, Jessica expected the rabbit to take the not-so-subtle hint and look elsewhere for a table, but at that moment Goldie walked out to perform and the songstress craned her neck to get a glimpse of her from behind one of Oswald’s long ears. Wanting to avoid causing a scene in this crucial moment – and catch the act – Jessica flicked her wrist, waving the men aside.

“Let him sit,” she told them and promptly diverted her attention to the duck up onstage.

The crowd was shown that looks could be deceiving because not even Jessica could predict the sensual sounds that poured out of the greyed Goldie. There was a different sort of tension in the room now, that stunned realization when one stumbles upon something grand. A captivated breath caught in the back of Jessica's throat, slowly released as a pleased smile swept over her lips.

Seasoned Duck with Pipes of Gold, the headline read.

If Goldie didn't have an agent already, she would before long.

[Gilded Lily]

"Now you've listened to my story,
Here's the point that I have made:
Chicks were born to give you fever,
Be it Farenheit of Centigrade."

That was more like it. The audience, old and young alike, had collectively sat up and taken notice.

And she was just gettin' warmed up.

"The minute you walked in the joint,
I could see you were a man of distinction,
a real big spender."

There were five songs in the set, and, truth be told, Goldie had more talent than versatility. So she varied her songs in other ways. For the first, she simply kept time with one knee, but after that, she walked across the stage, or leaned carelessly on the piano.

"Hey, big spender,
Spend a little time with me."

Saving the best for last, the golden gal ventured out into the crowd, croonin' all the while. It was a good way to make a man feel like you were singing only to him.

"Don't care for diamonds, rubies or pearls,
Don't care for fur coats, like some other girls.
Give me the one thing that is easy to spend:
Gold nuggets are my own best friend."

And then she was through, at least until after her break. Goldie disappeared behind the curtain, but not without a wink and several blown kisses to her new fans, amid very respectable applause.

[The Masked Mallard]

Wearing his scarlet broadcloth coat instead of his usual blue one, Scrooge McDuck made his way inside the night club. It was a nice establishment, so he felt that it worth his time to visit every now and then. A break from crimefighting might do him some good. Plus, one of his associates, a fellow near his own age range who was rich -- but not quite as wealthy as Scrooge was, of course -- had told him that an amazing new singer was making her debut here tonight.

Scrooge took a booth for himself on the left-hand side of the lounge. Removing his black silk top hat out of courtesy, he sat it down beside him.

A white-suited waiter was at his side in an instant, quick to notice the famous newcomer. "Can I get you something, sir?"

"A glass of champagne." Was Scrooge's prompt reply.

The human left to go take care of his order. The duck took the time to check out the other guests who were here tonight. Hmm, there were quite a few people here, some who he recognized, like the unforgettable Jessica Rabbit, a well-known entertainer, and a few individuals who ran in his circles.

The waiter returned with his drink before leaving to attend to other costumers. Raising the glass to his bill and partaking of the foamy contents, he watched and waited. When the the silver-haired beauty finally walked out on stage, Scrooge performed a classic spit take. He could recognize her from anywhere. Why was Goldie 'O Gilt here in Duckberg?

[The Wastelander]

Oswald was obviously not going to let himself get clobbered over a celebrity that probably wouldn't be interested in him anyway. Before he could have a chance to save his hide, he heard the show start. To make the moment less of a problem for Jessica, he tied his ear down so that they wouldn't block her veiw.

He wrote a note to her and placed it on the table, not expecting her to read it until after the show. The note said:

"Sorry 'bout the interruption."

[Femme Fatale]

If the rabbit wouldn’t accept the seat, well – one couldn’t say that it hadn’t been offered. Jessica was too entranced by Golide’s performance to realize he’d courteously left a note, and the faint touch of something wet against her shoulder distracted her even further. The gob smacked expression on Scrooge McDuck’s face and splashes of champagne reflecting in the soft candlelight across his table was proof enough to conclude that the dash of spray came from him; not to mention he had great aim.

She was sitting close enough to the old mallard to say, “Friend of yours, Mister McDuck?”

Pinching a cloth serviette between two fingers, she lightly dabbed at the champagne kissed spot on her shoulder before adding to the crowd’s healthy applause, her fingers patting the opened palm of her opposite hand. Her peripheral vision caught the note left behind and after peeking at the contents, she looked around to oblige the rabbit with a polite nod of acknowledgement.

[Gilded Lily]

There were other acts to go on while Goldie took her well-deserved break. But instead of relaxing in her dressing room, the chanteuse moseyed out to a vacant table. With the house lights low and all eyes on the next performer, nobody would likely notice her; and besides, singin' makes a gal mighty thirsty.

A couple o' gents at the next table did in fact recognize her, as was clear from the not-so-subtle nudges they bestowed on each other. Goldie didn't even favor them with a glance.

Sure, they were nice-lookin' and maybe twenty years younger than the golden gal. She sighed heavily, thinking how, though she rarely lacked admirers, there was only one man who'd ever really meant anything to her.

[The Wastelander]

When spray of champagne hit Jessica and she turned to face Scrooge McDuck, Oswald noticed something oddly familiar about the old boy. He reminded him of The Masked Mallard for some reason. When Goldie was done, Oswald went over to Scrooge.

"Excuse me, Mr McDuck," Oswald started, "I just thought I'd introduce myself. Might as well, make some connections while I'm able to right."

Oswald chuckled, trying not to look awkward or stupid.

"Anyway, the name's Oswald," he said, "I'm a friend of the Governor's. This is my first time doing something fancy. You can tell can't ya."