Now for Jessie's time in the spotlight.  Again, it was tough finding a song that would work with her personality.  I'm pleased with the way it turned out, and I hope you are too.

Disclaimer: Characters and associated details are property of HB and are used for non-profit, entertainment purposes only.

Archiving permission granted.

THE REAL ADVENTURES OF JONNY QUEST

Synopsis:  Jessie's got her own dreams, and is ready for them to come true.

"ON BROADWAY"

by Eric R. Umali

Part 4 - "Buenos Aires"

Jessie sighed.  Another couple of minutes more in QuestWorld, and she was going to get back to studying.  Her history textbook was still tucked in her bookbag, untouched while she took a break.  That was the beauty of virtual reality.  A study break could take her anywhere in the world she wanted, or even beyond the world, if that was her wish.

But work called.  Jessie had a lot of dreams, and a lot of ambition to go with them.  She knew that none of them would ever come true if she didn't work for them.  Granted, she knew how to have fun-- you don't survive for years around someone like Jonny Quest and not-- but Jessie had dreams.

The almost surreal environment of QuestWorld shimmered as her thoughts began to wander to her homework.  For a little extra credit, she was supposed to be writing an essay on a female historical figure of her choice, and comment on how being a woman helped and/or hurt them.  Jessie had chosen one of the most powerful and influential women of the century.  Jessie soon found herself on an old steam train, clutching her small valise, excitedly watching as the locomotive pulled closer and closer to the station.

Eva Duarte had dreams, too.  They began as the simple dreams of a young country girl wanting excitement, wanting something bigger than the poverty she had known for the first fifteen years of her life.  Fate was ready for her, and soon she had made her way into the life of a second-rate Tango singer.  Not long after, she was stepping off a train, taking the first steps towards her dreams, as the thrum of the steam engine and the clunking of the gears throbbed in time.

What's new Buenos Aires?
I'm new--I want to say I'm just a little stuck on you
You'll be on me too!

I get out here Buenos Aires
Stand back--you ought to know what'cha gonna get in me
Just a little touch of star quality!

Fill me up with your heat, with your noise,
with your dirt, overdo me
Let me dance to your beat, make it loud,
let it hurt, run it through me

Don't hold back, you are certain to impress
Tell the driver this is where I'm staying

Hello Buenos Aires!
Get this--just look at me, dressed up somewhere to go
We'll put on a show!

Take me in at your flood, give me speed,
give me lights, set me humming
Shoot me up with your blood,
wine me up with your nights, watch me coming

All I want is a whole lot of excess
Tell the singer this is where I'm playing

Stand back Buenos Aires!
Because you ought to know what'cha gonna get in me
Just a little touch of star quality!

And if ever I go too far
It's because of the things you are
Beautiful town--I love you
And if I need a moment's rest
Give your lover the very best
Real eiderdown--and silence

You're a tramp, you're a treat,
you will shine to the death, you are shoddy
But you're flesh, you are meat,
you shall have every breath in my body

Put me down for a lifetime of success
Give me credit--I'll find ways of paying

Rio de la Plata! Florida! Corrientes! Nueve de Julio!
All I want to know!

Stand back Buenos Aires!
Because you oughta know what'cha gonna get in me
Just a little touch of
Just a little touch of
Just a little touch of star quality!

Those dreams led Eva on a journey that no one could have predicted.  She was a model, a radio star, a film star, and finally, the most powerful woman in Argentina.  By the time Eva Peron was twenty-six, she had ascended higher than any "common" woman would ever have dared imagine.  And she had done it all herself-- on her own terms, in her own way.

Once Buenos Aires had dissolved around her, Jessie removed the QuestWorld headset, stowed it safely away, and pulled out her notebook.  She had just begun writing the title of her paper, "Star Quality," when the Learjet began to shake.

TO BE CONTINUED...

"Buenos Aires" from the musical Evita
Lyrics by Tim Rice, used without permission
Music by Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber
I confess, I only have the movie version of the music.  I can't wait until I can get a good show version-- probably the OBC with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin (I love that guy!)