Maxzyne Meets the Mannequins

Elise unwillingly hands her the black keyboard cord. “I don’t see how this is going to work. We really should be—”

“You don’t see it, you hear it!” Maxzyne squeals. She removes the helmet from Elise’s head and replaces it with a set of headphones. Then she grabs a pair for herself.

“Okay, ready for action? Soon as I find the ‘on’ switch, which is . . . right . . . here!” Standing, she pushes several buttons on the shiny, blue guitar. She grins when small red dots flash on the neck. “That’s it! C’mon, Elise, get ready to rock!”

“But I don’t know how to—”

“Doesn’t matter,” Maxzyne interrupts. “It’s all programmed. Whatever we play, the computer turns into music.” She points her guitar neck at the display sign. “C’mon. Let’s be our own band!”

Elise looks unconvinced. “But shouldn’t we be—”

“Elise! You’re the one who said you wanted to make the most of every minute being real, didn’t you? Well, here’s your chance. Be real for once!”

Elise moves her fingers over the keys. Her eyes widen in surprise. She pauses and then tries again, more confidently.

Listening through her own headphones, Maxzyne nods. She taps her foot to Elise’s strengthening beat. Finally, she leans over and gives her an approving fist bump.

“My turn.” Maxzyne bounces on her toes. She is dying to try the guitar. “Watch this.” She pulls the strap over her shoulder, adjusts the instrument on her hip, and pretends to be a rock star. Raising her chin, legs slightly bent at the knees, she closes her eyes and puts her fingers over the guitar neck. Maxzyne instantly feels famous. Eyes closed and heart racing, she imagines an adoring crowd clapping and chanting her name.

“Maxzyne!”

“Maxzyne!”

“Maxzyne!”