Voices in the
Dark
by JudyL
September 3, 2014
Universe: ATF
Character
Focus: JD, all
Language
warning:
Summary
- 1 hour fic challenge – theme: project
Length:
556 words
Note: The challenge is to write a story in one hour
using the word provided. I usually tend to take a moment or two to think of the
common definitions and pick the one that tweaks my muse. “Project” is an
interesting word since it is both noun and verb… I had a little fun with some
other phrases that can have duel meaning as well. Hope you enjoy it.
************************
“This is ridiculous. I don’t know why I have to do
this, Josiah,” JD said, raising one hand to shield his eyes against the stage
lights as he tried to see his coworker in the back of the auditorium.
“I can’t hear you,” Josiah’s deep voice echoed
easily across the empty seats to the stage.
JD sighed and raised his voice. “I said, I should be practicing my presentation! This is a waste of
time. They’ll have microphones, ya know!”
“That’s good, JD, now go ahead and give your
presentation, just be sure to speak up so I can hear you.”
Someone smothered a laugh in the darkness. JD
frowned. He knew the others wouldn’t be able to resist coming and heckling him.
“Why aren’t you making Vin do this, Josiah? He has to give his talk in the same
auditorium and he’s quieter than me. Chris is always telling him not to
mumble.”
“I can talk loud when I want to, kid,” Vin said, his voice strong and clear, coming from the back
of the room near Josiah. “I only mumble to tick Chris off. Ow!” he cried in
mock pain after the sound of hard slap resounded from the dark.
“Don’t listen to Vin, JD,” Chris’ voice floated
forward, soft, yet easily audible. “Practicing like this will help you be more
comfortable on stage.”
“That’s right,” Buck tuned in, “besides, you know
how many times the mikes go out during presentations, or have bad reception.
Better to get used to speaking without them.”
JD sighed. Was everyone here? Didn’t they have work
to do?
“And make sure you are breathing right and
supporting from your diaphragm,” Nathan added. “You don’t want to put too much
stress on your vocal cords or you might end up with laryngitis by the end of
the seminar.”
JD dropped his chin to his chest. At least Ezra
wasn’t here. At least one of his friends had faith in his ability to give this
talk without feeling the need to offer advice, however helpful it might be. He
shook his head and took a deep breath in preparation to beginning his
introductory speech, only to be interrupted by an amused Southern drawl.
“Stand up straight, Mr. Dunn, keep your chin up and
project your voice out over the audience,” Ezra instructed. “And you might
consider taking your own microphone and equipment, just in case,” he added.
JD stared out into the dark auditorium for a moment
then broke into a huge grin before turning and skipping down the stairs at the
edge of the stage.
“Where are you going, JD?” Josiah asked, sitting up
from his comfortable slouch in alarm. He didn’t like the idea that his student
was skipping out on him, literally or figuratively.
JD paused. “That’s the best advice I’ve gotten. I’m going
to go get my own mike and amplifier to take with us, that way we won’t have to
rely on their equipment and I won’t have to practice throwing my voice.”
“Projecting,” Ezra sighed. “Teaching you
ventriloquism was never our aim.”
The others laughed.
“Might be fun,” Vin said
thoughtfully, thinking how a talking rifle might spice up his seminar a bit.
“Don’t even think about it, Tanner,” Chris warned.
JD grinned. That sort of voice projection was
something he would enjoy learning.
The end
I love feedback. Please let me know if you liked it.
JudyL