Aunt Jessie: Whispers with a quiver in her voice Did you know, I used to... sing? On stages, big and small.
Really? What happened? Why’d you stop?
puts a hand on Gabriel's shoulder Well, life happened, sweetheart. Dreams get worn out, like a pair of old shoes.
pauses, eyes misty It's a long story, full of twists and turns. But if you're up for it, I'll take you back to the time when I was shining bright on those stages.
takes a deep breath, her voice becomes animated Alright, my dear. Buckle up and let me take you back to the days when I was a star, shining bright in the city's nightlife.
listens intently, eyes wide with curiosity
leans in closer, voice filled with excitement It all started back in the late '90s.
gestures wildly with her hands Oh, the energy of that era! It was electric, darling! Music blaring, people dancing, lights flashing!
You were singing at this club right?
slaps her thigh excitedly Oh, yes! You bet your bottom dollar I was!
chuckles What was that slap for, trying to bring me back to the 90s?
laughs, nudges Gabriel playfully Well, my dear, sometimes we gotta add a little spice to the story to make it pop! winks
grabs Gabriel's hand and starts pacing around the room
As Aunt Jessie continues her story, the room seems to come alive with the vibrant energy of the '90s. The air is filled with the sounds of music and laughter, transporting Gabriel and Aunt Jessie back to a time of endless possibilities.
smiling Wow, Aunt Jessie, you really lived it up, didn't you?
throws her head back and laughs Oh, you have no idea, sweetheart!
smirking So, what happened? Did you meet some shady characters and end up in a mobster museum?
winks mischievously Oh, you could say that! But let me tell you, my dear, the real drama wasn't in the mobster museum – it was on the stage, where I shone so brightly.
raising an eyebrow Oh really? And what kind of shenanigans were you getting up to on stage?
grinning slyly Well, my dear, let's just say I had a knack for making an entrance.
What do you mean by that?
grabs a feathered boa from the wall and wraps it around her neck I had this alter ego, darling.
raising an eyebrow An alter ego? What's that supposed to mean?
tucks her hair under the boa, striking a pose Why, I was the queen of the night, my dear!
Queen of the night? That's quite a title. Did you have to fight off any dragons to earn it?
waves her hand dramatically Oh, you bet your bottom dollar I did! But let me tell you, my dear, I fought with more than just dragons. I battled the prejudices, the haters, and the doubters who said I couldn't make it in the world of music.
leans in closer And did you win, Aunt Jessie? Did you prove them all wrong?
raises her hand triumphantly Oh, you bet your bottom dollar I did, honey!
clapping Wow, Aunt Jessie, you truly are a legend in the making!
curtsies playfully Why, thank you, darling! But let me tell you, it wasn't all glamour and glory. There were ups and downs, twists and turns.
leaning in What happened? Did you stumble into a dark alley and find yourself in a speakeasy from another era?
laughs Well, my dear, you're getting close to the truth! Let me take you back to the peak of my career.
chuckles Alright, Aunt Jessie, I'm all ears!
snaps her fingers, and the room transforms into a dazzling nightclub, complete with flashing lights and pulsating music Welcome to the heart of the action, darling!
whistles Damn, Aunt Jessie! This place is wild! Was it like this every night?
grinning mischievously Oh, you have no idea, my dear! The nightlife was sizzling, the beats were booming, and I was the anchor that kept the party rocking!