Undress Rehearsal !

It was a feeling of deja vu for Debbi as she pulled into the car park at the Black and Asian Community Centre. She had come straight from work and remembered coming here before to rehearse the 'Miz No-E Rap'. Now it was to be to rehearse 'Miz No-E In The Raw' ! She made her way into the hall and saw Lynn and Jody by the low stage, where Deacon and Clinton and three of their crew were erecting lights and testing their sound system. A gaggle of black and Asian kids stood over to one side, some of whom Debbi recognised from that talk she had given.

"Ah, there you are No-E" Lynn greeted her. "No time to lose, get your kit off. I've got your costume here" she taunted, holding up the red heels which were the only items that Debbi would be wearing ! "Can't I just rehearse dressed as I am ? It's not the actual performance" Debbi pleaded. "No you can't. This is a dress rehearsal" Lynn insisted. "Undress rehearsal more like" laughed Jody, to the amusement of the kids who joined in on the joke. "And what are those kids doing here ?" Debbi demanded. "They won't be able to go to the Pink Pussycat, so they wanted to have this chance to hear my new lyrics" explained Jody. "Yeah, right" said Debbi sceptically. "Nothing to do with me getting my kit off I suppose ? Well get them out of here. I'm not going to do a strip tease for you all !"

"Sorry kids, you've got to go" ordered Jody, herding the disappointed gang towards the exit despite their protestations. Debbi watched in satisfaction as they all disappeared through the door, little realising that they would simply sneak up the backstairs to the small balcony where they could sit quietly in the shadows and watch the entire proceedings !

Reluctantly, Debbi began taking off her work clothes. Pretend you're just in the locker room at the gym, she told herself as she undressed. She was down to her bra, knickers and tights when the hall door opened and Oscar, the chair of governors, walked in. "Oh I see. So it's you folks" he announced. "I was just passing and saw the lights on and the cars and wondered what was happening."

"We are going to have a rehearsal for the performance next week sir" answered Jody in a surprisingly deferential manner. The silver haired gentleman obviously commanded respect. Oscar spotted the incongruously dressed white woman. "Ah, Miss Debbi ! So lovely to see you again. I know I thanked you before but it really is so wonderful what you are doing for us all." He offered Debbi his hand. She blushed to be greeting him in her underwear on this occasion. "Oh no, really, it's nothing. It's the least I can do. I'm only too happy to be able to help." Oscar shook her hand vigorously. "It's far from nothing and the whole community is more than grateful" he assured her.

"Anyway, I won't delay you all any longer. You must have a lot to do. I was only checking up on what was happening." Debbi watched him leave, relieved that he was not going to stay for the run through. "Can't you lock the door in case anyone else wanders in ?" she asked. "Oh, stop fussing" said Jody. "Get the rest of those things off and we'll be ready to start." She shoved the red heels into Debbi's hands. "I take it you've learned the new lyrics by now ?"