U N O F F I C I A L
H O M E P A G E
This is not part of the "Where Do You Start" series (obviously, as you'll see from the ending). Yah, it's another "based-on-a-song" thingy, this time from Deana Carter's debut album, "Did I Shave My Legs For This?" (highly recommended!) No action, no adventure (unless you count those of the heart), just plain fluff. I've got about 3 other song-stories from that album in the works, god help us all. "We Danced Anyway" by Winnie Lim Jessie Bannon typed another set of equations into the computer and set them into motion. She frowned at the results, and tweaked a few variables. Over her earphones, Reba McEntire was finishing off an energetic set. Jessie normally wasn't one for country music, but it was the only station that her little transceiver could receive this far underground. She had fought hard for her underground lab privileges -- usually only the doctoral students had clearance, and she was just a first-year master's candidate -- and she intended to use them to the fullest. But that didn't mean that she had to work in complete silence. The commercials ended, and the DJ's cheery Alabama accent took over. "And now for a set of golden oldies from Deana Carter, whose latest album went gold last week. Starting off with her very first album, 'Did I Shave My Legs For This' --" Jessica smiled to herself, "…this is 'We Danced Anyway.'" Jessica listened absently, waiting for the computer to complete the processes. *The summer air was heavy and sweet *You and I on a crowded street *There was music everywhere *I can see us there *In a happy little foreign town *Where the stars hung upside down *A half a world away, far far away… It was fiesta season in Panagua, and the street party was in full swing. Jonny Quest and Jessie Bannon weaved their way through the mad, happy crowd, shouldering their heavy backpacks. "Where's that hostel again?!" Jonny yelled over the mariachi music. "It's supposed to be at the end of this street!" Jessie shouted back. A crowd of sweating, loud people twisted by, and Jessie lost sight of Jonny. Then another wave of people jostled her forward, right up against his chest. He grinned, looking down at her. Ever since his growth spurt at age 15, he topped her by a full 11 inches. "Hi," he said. She smiled back up, and grabbed his elbow. "I think we should get off the street before we wind up on different sides of town." Elbowing their way through the crowd, they finally reached their hostel. It was a small hole-in-the-wall, but the small staff was friendly, the bathrooms were clean, and the lockers seemed secure. After a quick dekko in the tepid showers and a change of clothes, Jonny and Jessie went back out on the street to find some lunch. "Haven't these people heard of siesta?" Jonny laughed. "Apparently not!" Jessie replied. The hot sun beat down on everything mercilessly, but wilted the locals' exuberance not a whit. Presently Jonny and Jessie came upon a sidewalk café that looked reasonably clean. It afforded a good view of the town square, where a local Battle of the Bands seemed to be taking place, judging from the loud music and the occasional announcement. Jonny and Jessie ordered lime juice and tamales, and sat back to watch the performances. The beat was infectious, and they soon found their feet tapping to the rhythm. Suddenly Jonny said, "Hey, Jess -- wanna dance?" *I remember you were laughing *We were so in love, we were so in love His blue eyes were twinkling with a light she hadn't seen in them for -- too long. "Sure," she said, getting to her feet. *And the band played *Songs that we had never heard *But we danced anyway He twirled her in his arms, occasionally dipping her, and in a short time they were both breathless and laughing. She in turn danced circles around him, staying just out of his arms' reach, and then suddenly darting towards him to link her hands about his neck as he caught her and lifted her. She shrieked with laughter as he lifted her off the dusty ground and spun them both around and around. *We never understood the words *We just sang oh la la la la la la la la oh! *And we danced anyway. The band finished their set with a final crash of drums, and left the stage to a chorus of cheers and whistles. "And now, a special treat!" a voice boomed over the crowd. "We are greatly fortunate to have with us the master virtuoso guitarist and tenor, Senor Jesus David." A cheer went up from the crowd, which then quietened as a lone figure walked up on stage, carrying a guitar. He sat down on a stool and waited patiently until the crowd had fallen silent. The first guitar chords, though quietly plucked, seemed to echo through the entire square. They spoke of yearning, regret, an overwhelming longing for home. Jessie felt Jonny's arm, draped casually over her shoulders, tighten slightly. She leaned into him as David began to sing. She stole a glance up at Jonny, and saw that his eyes were far away. *They say you can't go back *But I don't believe that *Come along with me, come along with me *Maybe if I hold you close *Baby we could just let go *Of these things that tie us down, we'll come back around Jessie slid her arm around Jonny's back, and hugged him lightly to her. She knew he was thinking of his father. *Do you remember, we were laughing *We were so in love, we were so in love *And the band played *Songs that we had never heard *But we danced anyway Jonny looked down at her, and there was something in his eyes that she couldn't quite decipher. He looked away quickly, but not quickly enough. She had seen. She took a deep breath, and reached up to his face with her free hand. Gently she turned his head to face her. *We never understood the words *We just sang oh la la la la la la la la oh! *And we danced anyway. When she got home, her answering machine was blinking. 3 new messages. She turned it on as she shrugged off her coat. *beep* "Hello, Jessie, this is your mother. Miguel and I will be arriving on schedule tomorrow. Paris was such fun! I'll tell you about it when we get there."*click* *beep* "Hi Jessie, Dad here. Just calling to confirm lunch next week. Twelve o'clock at the Rib Rack. Talk to you later, honey."*click* *beep* "Hi, Jess." Jonny. Jessie flew to the answering machine and knelt down by it, listening as the playback continued. "Guess you're not home yet. I just called to say I'm thinking of you and … I miss you. Love ya."*click* Jessie smiled. As she pushed the autodial button, she picked up the holocube that sat beside the telephone. The warmth of her hand set it in motion. Inside the transparent walls, Jonny turned, surprised, and then flashed a grin. She had captured the image the evening of that first day in Panagua. Fireworks and a full moon had lit up the South American sky. *Do you remember, we were laughing *We were so in love, we were so in love Beneath the showers of colored sparks and the moonlight, Jonny had kissed her for the first time. The tiny diamond on her left hand sparkled as Jonny's face appeared on the videophone screen. His face lit up when he saw her. "Hi, Jonny," she said. *And the band played *Songs that we had never heard *But we danced anyway *We never understood the words *We just sang oh la la la la la la la la *And we danced anyway. "We Danced Anyway" is copyright 1997 Matraca Berg and Randy Scruggs, and is track 2 on Deana Carter's debut album, "Did I Shave My Legs For This?" That's D-E-A-N-A Carter, and is located in the Country section of your local music store. No "Achy Breaky Heart", this!
Your comments on this page are appreciated.
The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest and all characters, logos, and likenesses therein, are trademarks of and copyrighted by Hanna-Barbera Productions, Inc., and Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, Inc., a Turner company. No copyright infringement is intended by their use on this page. I and this page are in no way affiliated with, approved of or endorsed by Hanna Barbera or Turner Productions. This page is created by a fan for other fans out of love and respect for the show, and is strictly a non-profit endeavor.
