Cole Porter Tribute Night

[alaspoorwarrick]

A'ight. So I'm stuck on the Island of Misfit Toys, damned glad to be here, since if I weren't here, I'd be a dead CSI III, instead of a bored CSI III with one helluva woman for a girlfriend and business partner in charge of a club I'd be proud to own in Vegas. Even better, the club's frequented by the, no shit, I'm not even kidding, Black Canary,

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[song_n_dance]

Cole had known that they were throwing a birthday party for him, and he really couldn't be more pleased - after all, he adored a good party, and even more, being the center of attention. But what he hadn't expected was the all-encompassing theme night at the club, to see so many people performing his work... He was practically near tears at some point, he was so touched. The entire affair negated any feelings he'd had that he was growing obsolete here on the island, and it was truly the happiest he could remember being in a while.

And so he made his way around the club, practically strutting like a peacock all evening, making jokes, insisting on dances from strangers, and occasionally popping himself down at the piano between numbers. There was hardly anyone in the place to whom he hadn't spoken, whether they knew who he was or not.

[aminorkey]

Peter's promised Maureen that he would be here, but he has the feeling that he would have attended no matter who had asked, or if no one had said a word. It's late in the evening by the time Peter finds Cole, smiling gently. "Care for another duet?" he offers lightly, trying not to dwell on the grief he's felt up until this moment, of losing Lionel, of grieving for yet another loss.

[song_n_dance]

Cole's smile was twice as big and about a hundred watts brighter. "Peter! There is nothing that would thrill me more. You know that the only thing I like more than hearing you play is hearing you play my music." He winked and steered him toward the piano.

[aminorkey]

"Ah, but there's the ego," he teases gently, heading for the piano and really being quite honoured to be able to play Cole Porter's music for him, even if it wasn't strictly his trained repertoire. "Any particular requests? Your new piece, perhaps?"

[patriotqueen]

Persuading Xander, the student-annex-stripper, had not been very hard. A double act for Cole's birthday; - who could say no to such an innocent request? Of course, embarrassment hit the boy when Guy enthusiastically laid out his plan, on the very night of the performance. Guy was to do the singing, accompanying himself on the piano. All Xander had to do was drape himself half-naked on the piano, and pretend to be absorbed by the music.

Guy wore a grey American-style suit and hat, while Xander wore a longish boxer. It was all in 1930s style according to Guy, but Xander still felt that the underwear was a bit too tight in certain places.

In American accent - not entirely unlike Cole's - Guy started the dramatic act. "Oh, my darlings, you are all so young and I am..." Dramatic sigh. "So old." He walked up to the piano. "You've probably never heard of me, but I am Cole Porter and I write songs. - Witty songs. - Unlike other puffy old..." His eyes strayed to the piano

[song_n_dance]

As soon as Guy opened his mouth and the American accent came out, Cole was absolutely enthralled. It was just the sort of joke he adored, even if he was the butt of it, and add to it the fact that the song was quite good (well, the lyrics more so than the tune, but it was quite serviceable considering that Guy was not a musician, as such)... It was really the best birthday gift he could have asked for, and he couldn't even bring himself to feel jealous over the kiss shared with the lovely young man draped over the piano, since it was such a nice touch.

Of course, what it all amounted to was that, though perhaps he'd been heading in that direction before, at some point during that song Cole fell desperately and hopelessly in love with Guy Burgess. It was certainly not the first time he'd fallen so hard (oh no, not by far), and he could not say that it would be the last, but oh how he glowed when he met Guy not far from the stage.

"A great pleasure to meet you, Mr. Porter," he gushed, feigning a British accent that was a fair

[patriotqueen]

Cole's grin had widened during the song, Guy had seen from the corner of his eye. Insults mixed with laughs; just the way Guy liked it. "Well, Mr... - I didn't quite catch your name - if you'll recall from the song you've just had the pleasure to hear, it is I who is to do the buggering," Guy replied, remaining in character.

[song_n_dance]

"Burgess," Cole said, rather in the manner of James Bond. "And I think you'll find me remarkably flexible. Jolly good, cheerio. Shall we have a shag now?"

Then he couldn't contain himself anymore. He grabbed Guy, and tipped him backwards into a passionate kiss.

[youknow_nothing]

Ygritte didn't have the slightest idea who this man was, but she could respect the idea of a musician. Mostly, and that being because of Mance and his emphasis on their emphasis on song. Not that she didn't think it all had its place-- in peacetime, as they were here, and as history-- but this was all still just the tiniest bit beyond her.

She didn't let it keep her from being there, or from enjoying herself. There was some semblance of responsibility, but mostly she just wanted the chance for merriment.

[drama_maureen]

Maureen had become rather fond of Cole during the production of Anything Goes, but she'd never told him that she'd been in a high school production of Kiss Me Kate (even if it wasn't the lead, thanks to a completely unimaginative drama teacher). Still, she'd been pretty amused when Jack had brought her a copy of a "new" song from Cole that she actually recognized already. Apparently it was intended for Oberon and Titania rather than Fred and Lilli, but Maureen didn't really care so long as she got to sing it. It was Jack's idea to surprise Cole by performing it at his party. So she'd recruited Peter to accompany them.

It was kind of a 360 from the dance she was going to do later with Dick (was she the luckiest girl in the world when it came to male partners, or what?), all restraint and class.

"This is from the new musical by Cole Porter," she announced prior to the song. "It's not finished yet, I understand, but consider this a sneak preview. Happy birthday, sugar."

And then she and Jack sang "So in Love."

... so taunt me

[song_n_dance]

Cole didn't think much of his own singing voice, but it still took only the smallest amount of encouragement to get him to perform. After all, it wasn't about the singing, it was about the music. Which became even more true when he had a few drinks in him.

And even though he couldn't help but feel a tug of... something... as he remembered how much Linda had hated his song (or rather, the message behind it), this was the one that came to mind when he thought of the island.

"I promise I'll make this brief," he said, tapping the microphone and straightening his tie. "I'd hate to clear out my very own party."

And so he sang "Experiment," with nearly as much cheek as Guy's song earlier, even without the explicitness.

Before you leave these portals

[poison_lipstick]

Saffron met Cole once he left the stage and smiled brightly as she leaned up to kiss his cheek. "I loved that song, sugar," she praised. "I hope you're thoroughly enjoying your night? It is for you, after all."

[song_n_dance]

"Oh, my darling Helen," Cole gushed, "you are an absolute vision. Thank you, truly, and I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying all this. I've simply run out of witty words. I need to find your boyfriend and give him a big kiss on the mouth." He winked.

[poison_lipstick]

"Thank you, Cole," Saffron replied, always happy for a compliment, and laughed at his last comment. "Honey, if you do that, make sure I'm watching, so I can see the look on his face," she joked, winking back at Cole.