Dreamers, page 1
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© Publication: Penguin Random House South Africa (Pty) Ltd,
The Estuaries No 4, Oxbow Crescent, Century Avenue, Century City, 7441
PO Box 1144, Cape Town, 8000
www.penguinrandomhouse.co.za
Original title: Dromers
© Text: Fanie Viljoen 2022
© Illustrations: Zinelda McDonald 2022
Senior Editor: Shawna-Leze Meiring
Proofread by: Sean Fraser
Cover design by Zinelda McDonald
ePub created by Full Circle
marike@fullcircle.co.za
ISBN 978 1 7763 5370 5 (printed book)
ISBN 978 1 7763 5371 2 (ePub)
© All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without prior permission by the copyright holders.
Chapter 1
The dancer
Break time is the best part of any school day. The music pulsates through the speakers of the tuck shop.
You’re the rhythm in my step
You’re the virus in my veins
You are dance.
You’re the drumbeat in my mind
You’re the beating in my blood
You make me dance.
The learners form a circle around Byron Carelse. They clap hands. Some of them whistle.
Byron dances at a dizzying pace. Today it’s hip-hop. It’s his favourite style. The rhythm fuses with his body. It clears his head. He feels good. That’s what dancing does to him.
“Cool, Byron!” somebody shouts. He catches her eye. It is Tasha – a girl in his class. Dark hair. Eyes like chocolate. They’ve been friends for a long time. But nothing more. Only friends.
Byron bounces in her direction.
Tasha laughs. She throws her hands in the air and swings her hips.
Soon, everybody follows. It becomes a party in the school quad.
“Are you begging for attention again?” one of the matrics calls suddenly. His voice booms over the music. “You do this every break. What’s up with you?”
The words hit Byron hard. He dances slower. Finally, he stops. He thought everybody likes it when he dances.
Again, his eye catches Tasha’s. She pulls a face. Byron knows what that means: The guy is a troll. Don’t worry about him.
Suddenly Tasha starts to sing. It’s as if nothing happened. As if she wants to tell Byron: Forget about the guy. Dance!
Tasha’s voice is clear and beautiful. She already knows the words to the song.
Again, the rhythm pulsates through Byron. He laughs out loud. He can’t keep still. His feet are alive. His body pops and locks and drops.
You’re the rhythm in my step
You’re the virus in my veins
You are dance.
You’re the drumbeat in my mind
You’re the beating in my blood
You make me dance.
Chapter 2
The spark
“Don’t let other people steal your spark, Byron,” Tasha says. The school day has finally ended. Byron and Tasha make their way towards the school gate. Their bags are slung across their shoulders.
Byron frowns. “What spark?”
“Your energy. Your passion. Your happiness,” she explains.
“Oh, that!” He smiles. “Some guys like to put you down.”
“I know. But you’ve got tons of talent. Use it.”
He nods. “Thanks, Tasha. You know just what to say. It always makes me feel good.”
“See you tomorrow!”
He waves at her. Then he does a few silly dance steps – to show her that he will remember her advice.
“Joker!” she calls back.
Byron ambles away, laughing.
It is very busy at the taxi rank he passes later. Everybody knows him around there. He greets a few of the people. In the back of his mind he still hears Tasha saying: Don’t let other people steal your spark.
She is right. But sometimes it is hard not to lose your cool.
“The next taxi will be here soon. Won’t you do a quick little dance for us?” an old lady asks. It is Aunt Mavis. Apparently, she was also a dancer in her younger days.
Byron wastes no time. Like every afternoon, he takes his cap from his bag. He sets it down on the ground. Then he searches for pumping music on his cell phone. The sound is tinny. But everybody can hear it.
His body is like jelly. His feet follow the rhythm. He spins around. He places one leg in the crook of the other. Then he drops down to the floor, and back up again. In no time, he is in that headspace where dance is all. It’s as if he is on a stage. The people waiting for the taxi are his audience. He feels all eyes on him.
Dancers call the style Jerkin’. Byron saw it on YouTube. It is quite pacy. He injects extra energy into all his steps. He laughs and the people laugh with him.
Tasha was right, Byron realises. He shouldn’t let anybody steal his spark. Dancing is his life. It will always be so. It makes him happy.
But then again ... he would soon have to return home. Who knows what he will find there today. This is something that scares him.
Chapter 3
The house of shame
Later that afternoon, Byron makes his way home. A dark feeling broods in him. There are things the other kids don’t know. It has to do with his home. Not even Tasha knows. Perhaps it’s better this way.
The money he earned at the taxi rank is tucked safely in his bag. It isn’t a lot. But it’s enough for dinner. Perhaps there will be a rand or two left.
At the spaza shop he buys a bread. Then he makes his way further.
His thoughts drift back to the dancing at the taxi rank. He wishes he can always be that happy. He wishes his mind can always escape like that.
But then he reaches their house. All those thoughts drift away. The place is small. Paint peeling off. Corrugated-iron roof. The windows are closed. The door too.
A fist clenches around Byron’s heart. He walks up the path to the door. It isn’t locked. He pushes it open.
“Mom?” he calls out.
There is no answer.
Byron drops the bread on the table. He slips his bag off his shoulder.
“Mom?”
He knows why she isn’t answering. But he calls out anyway. “Mom?” His voice is softer this time.
He finds her in her room. She is lying on the bed. Her back to the door.
Everything smells of alcohol.
Chapter 4
The chance of a lifetime
The following morning, Byron gets ready for school. He peeks into his mother’s room. She is snoring lightly.
“Do you want some coffee, Mom?” he asks.
A flabby hand above the blanket shows: Leave me alone. I want to sleep some more.
Byron gulps down his coffee. He eats a slice of bread. Later he walks out into the cold. His breath forms a cloud in front of his mouth. Worried, he thinks about his mother. But he’s learned already: Leave her be when she is like this. Perhaps she’ll be sober this afternoon. Perhaps not.
His dad? Byron doesn’t know him. His father left long before Byron was born. At least he has an older sister. Kaylene stays in Cape Town. She phones him from time to time. But she rarely visits Bloemfontein.
Byron pushes his troubles to the back of his mind. That’s where he hides all his straining thoughts.
Ahead of him lies the taxi rank. Loads of people are already waiting around. Everybody is dressed warmly: jerseys, coats, beanies and scarves.
“Look, everybody, it’s our dancer,” Aunt Mavis calls. She elbows the man next to her. “Come on, Byron, come dance for us.”
A smile creeps over his face. He gives Aunt Mavis a hug.
Then he pulls out his cell phone. Today he’s going to perform the gumboot dance for them. He learned it from the men working on the mines in Welkom.
His joints are a little stiff at first. But soon he slaps his ankles and stamps his feet. Just like a real gumboot dancer. The cold leaves his body.
In no time at all, he feels happy again.
The people applaud Byron. He playfully takes a bow.
“Do you see, sir,” Aunt Mavis says to the man next to her. “This is the boy I was telling you about.”
“Byron!” the man greets him. He is dressed smartly. A broad smile stretches across his friendly face. His eyes are warm. “My name is Claude Titus. Aunt Mavis is a huge fan of yours.”
Byron gives Aunt Mavis another little hug.
“I am currently producing a show for the Free State Arts Festival,” Claude says. “It must showcase the best talent Bloemfontein has to offer. I think you would be perfect for it, Byron. It’s the chance of a lifetime.” He pulls a card from his pocket. “Here’s my number. Let me know if you can attend our first rehearsal this Saturday.”
The words seem magical to Byron. A show at the arts festival? And he is going to be part of it?
He suddenly feels even lighter. “Thank you, sir.”
“Call me Claude.”
“Thank you, Claude!”
Byron wants to jump out of his skin. You’re allowed to be this happy, aren’t you? Especially when something so fantastic happens to you. He can’t wait to tell Tasha.
Chapter 5
Two yesses!
At the school, Byron pulls Tasha aside. “Hey, dude, slow down,” she calls out to him.
But Byron is too excited. He can’t help it. “Check this out!” He shows her Claude’s card. “The guy is producing a show for the arts festival. He invited me to perform!”
“Are you going to dance?” Tasha asks surprised.
“No, Tasha, I’m going to bake cookies,” Byron jokes. “Of course I’m going to dance! What else?”
Tasha throws her arm around his shoulder. “That’s wonderful. Congrats. I knew somebody would notice you one day.”
“Yes, but I never thought it would be at a dirty taxi rank!” Byron laughs. He waves his hand across the sky. “I can already see the headline in the newspaper: From taxi rank to Broadway!”
“Broadway?” Tasha laughs. “You are dreaming so big. It’s still Bloemfontein for now!”
Byron rolls his eyes. But he knows she is happy for him. “Wait. I have to let Claude know I’m coming.”
“Haven’t you yet?” Tasha asks surprised.
“No, I wanted to hear what you say first.”
“It’s a definite yes from me!”
Byron grabs his cell phone. He types a quick message – in proper English, not abbreviations. It’s more professional.
I will gladly attend the rehearsal on Saturday.
Best wishes
Byron
The answer arrives a while later. Wonderful!
Then Byron types something else. But he turns his phone away so Tasha can’t see.
“What are you doing now?” she asks.
“Wait and see,” Byron answers secretively.
After a while, his cell phone beeps again. “Congratulations, Tasha, you are joining me on Saturday!” Byron says.
“What? How?” She seems all panicky.
Then Byron shows her the other message he sent:
“Byron! You scoundrel!” It seems as if Tasha doesn’t know whether she should laugh or cry.
Byron laughs. “You can thank me later.”
She gives him a playful punch against the arm. Then she shakes her head. But Tasha already has stars in her eyes.
While they are joking around, a final message arrives.
Address for the rehearsal: The old community centre in Heidedal
Time: 9 o’clock
Bring a broom and a cloth
Byron frowns. A broom and a cloth?
Chapter 6
Dreamers
On Saturday Byron waits for Tasha at the library. Together they make their way to the old community hall. They only have one broom and two pieces of cloth between them. “I still don’t know what these things are for,” Byron says.
“I think I know,” Tasha says. “I hope I’m wrong ...”
The centre’s door is open when they arrive. A bunch of other kids are already there. Byron knows one or two of them from his school. They hang around, bored. One of the guys also brought along his dog.
Then Claude makes his appearance. “Welcome! Welcome!” he calls out loudly. “It’s wonderful to see you all. So much talent! The arts festival is going to explode with it!” He laughs and comes around to shake everybody’s hand. “I hope you are ready to become famous. To see your names up in lights.”
Byron looks at Tasha. He winks. “See, what did I tell you? We are going to famous.”
“Our show is on the twelfth of July. It’s a Saturday. The highlight of the festival. The venue is nowhere other than the magnificent Sand du Plessis Theatre. You’ve probably seen it before? The lights, the absolutely amazing stage ... And you, my wonderful stars, will shine there!”
Claude makes a charming arm gesture and bows before them.
Byron’s heart beats warmer. He still can’t believe this is happening to him and Tasha.
“Of course, we have to choose a name for the show.” Claude pulls everybody closer. “How does Night of the Stars sound? Or The Talent Show or ... um ...”
“Dreamers!” Byron says suddenly. “Because everyone’s dreams are going to come true.”
Claude’s jaw drops. “I am speechless,” he says dramatically. “It is the perfect name. Yes, yes! I can already see it on the festival programme. I can see it on the posters. I can see it in the theatre. You are the Dreamers!”
Byron feels rather proud of himself. Not only will he be part of the show, he also chose the name.
The other participants also like it a lot. It’s as if somebody has flipped a huge switch. There is an electric atmosphere in the air.
“Steady now,” Claude calls everybody to order. “Before we begin practising, we need to clean the hall. We can rehearse here as much as we like. But nobody can dream in such a mess. We’ll get nightmares.” Everybody laughs at Claude’s joke. “Grab your brooms and cleaning cloths, my Dreamers. There’s water in the kitchen. I brought some soap. Let’s get this place spick and span. Monday, we start rehearsing!”
Byron and Tasha are inspired beyond belief. They don’t even mind cleaning.
It turns out to be huge fun. In between working, they also get to know the other participants. There are ten in all.
Eric who does magic tricks.
Jess, Frankie and Johnny who will perform a short play.
Thabiso who will tell jokes.
Rona who plays guitar.
Another singer – Jayden.
And Dineo who will do tricks with his dog, Peanut.
“Dreamers,” Claude says proudly when they’ve finished. “You did an excellent job. Go home. Rest and make big plans for your performances. You have to blow me away with your ideas on Monday.”
Byron nods. He already has a good plan. He hopes Claude will like it.
Chapter 7
The first paces
Monday after school, Byron heads directly to the centre. Claude is already there. Using tape, he has marked a stage out on the floor. “Are you ready for the rehearsal, Byron?” he asks.
“Yes! I’m really looking forward to it.”
“Excellent. We’ll wait for the others before we start.”
Byron uses the time to try out some dance moves.
Tasha helped him put the music on a CD over the weekend. He drops it in Claude’s CD player.
At last, everybody is there. Tasha had first gone home to put on a new dress. “It’s really pretty,” Byron whispers to her.
She laughs quietly. “Hush, listen to what Claude is saying.”
Byron turns to the front again. But every now and again, he peeks at Tasha. Wow, she really is beautiful.
“Everyone will get a chance to do something today,” Claude explains. “Afterwards, you can give positive feedback. Remember, we are here to help one another. We are standing on each other’s shoulders to success.”
Byron and the other kids nod.
Jayden is up first. She sings one of Taylor Swift’s songs. Her voice is beautiful, but not as stunning as Tasha’s. Or so Byron reckons anyway.
Thabiso’s jokes are super funny.
Dineo and Peanut’s tricks make everybody double up with laughter. Peanut has the cutest personality – even though he is a dog! He seems to enjoy all the attention.
Everybody grows quiet when Tasha sings. Her voice is filled with emotion. She sings a song she wrote herself. It’s all about dreams.
Byron gets a lump in his throat.
But when his turn comes, he pulls himself together. He makes his way to centre stage. His concentration sharpens.
The music starts playing.
The notes pass through his body.
That gets him moving.
It is an Afro Fusion dance style: a mixture of African and more modern dances.
Byron is barely finished when everybody jumps to their feet. He feels a bit shy, hearing their loud applause.
Following Byron, Eric, Rona and the other Dreamers get their turn on stage. At last, everybody is done.
“It was impressive for your first day,” Claude says proudly. “I can now see exactly what I’m working with. The first piece of advice: When you’re on stage, you have to make every centimetre your own. You are a performer. Remember that. Show it. Enchant your audience. You saw what Byron did.” He pats Byron on the shoulder. “I want to see that hunger in each one of you.”
