When Bob had began his presentation, he had started with a kid's song commonly sang in schools. The craziest thing was how funny he looked when he started dancing, it had made the audience to burst into laughter.
"Told you, he's just here to display shit." Xan said to his twin who had started laughing, along with the rest of the crowds. While the twins were jestingly laughing at Bob, the rest of the crowds were laughing due to his funny dance moves.
However, the laughing soon stopped when a different but familiar song started playing. It turned out to be one of Alex's song; Dear Ella, from his third album; Dangerous.
As he swirled from the left to the right side, he followed the same dance that was performed by Alex Stale in the music video. To those who have watched the video for a number of times, they were able to identify how similar the dances looked to each other.
Dora and Jenny as well were impressed since they too had watched the video for a number of times. They were both working in Alex's industry so they were also present when he was taking the dance practices.
"That boy is incredible, isn't he?" Jenny said to her friend.
"Incredible isn't what I'm concerned about, it is how he was able to perform such a difficult move." Dora stated "Have you forgotten? Alex had a difficult time learning all of those dances and we had to refilm the music video for about thirteen times. But this boy here, it's as if he created the dance move by himself."
"Oh, that's right. Most of those dance moves were copied from multiple Indian dances. And except that boy is an Indian or something, I doubt he'll be able to perform it so well. But he's doing more than good." Jenny realised.
"Could he be a genius then? Or maybe some supernatural talent?" Dora said while trying to spot a specific person among the crowd.
At the same time, from where Alex was seating, he had tilted his head to look at a certain direction, he was hoping to see what the judges reaction would be, and almost immediately, he could see Dora looking at his own direction before turning her heads away to the side.
'Ah that reminds me.' Alex brought out a paper from his chest pocket to read its contents.
"Can we meet? Staff's Secret Spot!"
"Did she caught up on something?" Alex wondered out loud while Tyler took a quick glance at the paper in his hand.
"What's that? Do you have a girlfriend." Tyler said, trying to peek into his hands but Alex had immediately hid the paper before she could see anything.
Scoffing, he replied; "Girlfriend, I haven't had one in a long time."
"Then, can I be yours?" Tyler placed her hands into Alex's, holding onto them firmly while blinking sheepishly at him.
Viewing her elegant white cheeks up close had caused Alex's face to turn red instantly, a sight Tyler almost laughed at. However her expression changed into that of a concern. She moved her other free hand as she attempted to touch his face.
"You… you're, you're Alex St…"
"Ahem!" Before she could finish her statement or attempt whatever she had in mind to do, Alex had immediately released his hands from her grip. Reacting, Tyler had also returned back to her position.
"Sorry sir, Err, I mean sorry." She had to apologise and now it was her turn to have a red face. Alex didn't reply and instead just look towards the stage.
Meanwhile, participant 204 who has been watching the trio, including Bob, for a while now, couldn't help but notice all of their actions.
'Two talented rookies and a fan girl, this is a great story for my blog. It's a good thing I didn't use my real name, or I would've been sent out with the rest of the reporters.' The man said with a smile.
Eventually, Bob had ended his presentation and now it was time for the judges to give their judgement.
Dora, Jenny and Thomas had gathered together as they needed to discuss about Bob's performance. So far, Dora had stick to Thomas' instruction of giving all participants rank 3 below, or so she claimed.
"What do you think Jenny, you should give your opinion since you're a dance mentor." Dora said.
"If I'm to rate this boy, I'll give him five ranks."
"But we're not." Thomas said, interrupting. "Do you think I'm not aware of all your tricks so far, using your stupid, lame Alex excuse to convince me into giving you the mic. You, Dora have done past your boundary, therefore I'll terminate our contract right now and here. You're no longer a judge or mentor of this contest. And as for the penalty of going against my rules, I already have them set into motion."
Dora sat there motionless and speechless as she watched Thomas grabbed the mic off her hands and stood up to give an announcement.
"Participant 201, Bob Cruise. Two Ranks!"
"What??" Alex had jumped up from his seat, his expression filled with that of rage and anger.
The whole crowd had also let out a gasp, they couldn't believe what was just said. Even Bob was shocked to the point where he almost fell down the stage.
"Rank two?" Tyler repeated. "That is way too bad."
A murmuring had started within the crowd as they all discussed how great Bob had performed, only to be given a rank two in the end.
"Are you guys seeing what I'm seeing?"
"Honestly this year's contest is so f'cking rigged."
The set of people that were discussing were sitting at the role before Alex's role and they didn't bother to lower voice as they talked. So everyone, including Alex and Tyler were able to listen to their conversation, although they weren't the only ones talking.
"This new director is the worst, I thought he was Alex's manager, have they been rigging the UIC all this time." Another continued
"That makes sense since this is the third time I'll be joining the contest, I thought maybe if I try harder I'd be able to win, but with what I've seen today, I just realised how slim of a chance that is."
"Does that mean Alex Stale isn't the honest person we knew him to be?"
"Stop jumping into conclusions!" Tyler raised her voice causing the group to turn their heads to look at her.
"What's this?" One of them said eyeing her up and down.
"She must be a fan."
"Oh that's right, fans of a dead man."
Annoyed by the man's statement, Tyler had moved her hand, slapping the man across the cheeks.
"You crazy bitch!" The man shouted as he moved to retaliate but Alex had immediately reacted as he grabbed his hands before it could touch her.
"If anything, you deserve the slap. Didn't you learn that it's disrespectful to talk bad about the dead." Alex challenged the man who looked to be no younger than the current Alex himself.
The little commotion had managed to gain the attention of those at the front and the presenter Sam had to call for their attention.
"I would like all participants to please settle down, it's already nighttime and we have just one participant left to perform."
Hearing this, everyone, including Alex and the man that was slapped had all returned to their seats, though the scene of what just happened was still fresh in their minds.
"Thank you, the next participant now is Tyler Smith. Participant 203 please come forward."