After a couple of slight coughs, he asked, "Uh...disculpé?"

His friends all shouted with excitement, "Surprise!"

Tiago said, "Yeah-ha-ha, V! We all decided that you, oh, great Plaza performer, are gonna do an act...right here...at the Scarlet Macaw...next week!"

Vivo was definitely surprised...but not in a good way.

"You WHAT?!"

Of course, his friends misunderstood that reaction.

Charlotte went, "Aw! We just knew you'd be surprised!"

Vivo responded, "Ohh, I'm surprised alright."

Stella was also happy for Vivo...until she became the first one to actually notice Vivo's slightly nervous facial expressions.

Vincent then said, "So, Vivo, it looks like you'll be doing your usual Plaza show just for us come next week! Isn't that exciting?"

However, Vivo had a rather unexpected say in this...

"Um, honestly...no."

Once he said that, it was as though the whole planet shook.

The whole gang was just absolutely...dumbfounded by that response.

Charlotte went, "Wait...what?!"

Roxie practically scoffed, "What do you mean, 'no?!'"

Tiago also said, "Yeah, bro! How could you possible say no to this sweet surprise?"

Vivo answered, "Oh, no reason...except for the fact that I have a partner at home."

Vincent said, "Oh, yes, Gabi. Oh, but it's only gonna be one act, and I'm sure it would only last a couple of minutes; it's not like it's gonna keep you for the entire night."

Vivo raised an eyebrow, "Oh, that's not what I meant. I know it wouldn't take the whole night and my Gabi's a pretty heavy sleeper; I actually could be here the whole night and be back home before she wakes up."

Roxie asked, "Then what's the problem?"

Vivo responded, "The problem is that I can't even bring her to the Scarlet Macaw, let alone for an act. And me and Gabi have always done our shows together. I've...never done even just one solo act."

Novella said, "Oh, but you're incredibly talented in the art of music! I'm sure you are more than capable of performing an act that is just as dazzling as the ones with Gabi!"

However, Vivo responded, "Oh, I know I'm more than capable of playing music by myself. The problem is that the shows we do in the Plaza are a two-performer job."

Tiago asked, "What do you mean by that, bro?"

Vivo explained, "Well, think about what you usually see when we do our show."

Everyone did just that.

***

Everyone recalls a typical Plaza show.

"The first thing that happens is that Gabi sets up our street organ while I'm waiting on the inside."

Gabi turns the crank to unfold the organ and checks in on Vivo to see if he's ready.

"Then she would connect her phone to the organ's speakers so the music could be heard by the audience."

Gabi checks the connection between her phone and the speakers on the organ.

"Once everything's set up, she plays the music and introduces the show."

Gabi does just that and afterwards, Vivo appears and starts his routine.

"And from there, it typically goes with me doing more singing and dancing while playing various instruments from time to time, but Gabi provides the background music for when I'm just singing and dancing."

Everyone was starting to understand what Vivo was talking about.

***

Stella said, "Ok, now I see the problem. In order to put on your shows, you each do a half of the work."

Vivo said, "Exactly! So if she can't join me for that night, who's gonna do her half?"

Charlotte nonchalantly said, "Ooh, it does sound like a serious problem!"

Everyone looked at her.

"What? It does!"

Vivo then said, "So, you see, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to decline the offer, though I do appreciate it."

However, Rico sucked air through his beak.

"Ooh..."

Vivo was a little confused, "Qué? What's wrong?"

Rico said, "You see, the problem with that is I wasn't really expecting no for an answer and I've...kind of already made a big deal out of it."

Vivo asked with slight nerve, "Uh, how big a deal?"

That was when one of the dog waiters came by...with a poster advertising Vivo for that night.

"Hey, boss, where do you want this last of the hundred posters?"

Vivo sighed with a moan.

He said to Rico, "So, what you're saying is that just about every pet who comes here now expects me to do it and if I don't..."

Charlotte knew the answer, "Ooh, ooh! I know! I know! If Vivo doesn't do that show like Rico claimed he would, then it would lead to complete and total pet public humiliation for you and your bar!"

Everyone blinked.

But she was right.

Sometimes, not giving an audience what they came for could tarnish the reputation of a music venue...and the guy who owns it.

Rico had nothing more than a nervous smile on his face as he looked at Vivo.

Vivo could tell he was just silently begging him to do this.

But still, Vivo said, "Rico, I just don't know how I even could put on a solo act, even if I wanted to."

Rico said anxiously, "But I can't even think of an act that could possibly make up for what I promised!"

Vivo was at a cross-roads.

He couldn't tell Rico no since he was clearly in over his plumage.

But how could he put on a show without Gabi's help?

However...Stella said to him as she placed her paw on his shoulder, "Vivo, you don't have to be alone in this. We'll all help you figure this out."

His friends shared agreeing looks.

Vivo didn't have a problem remembering that they have helped him out before.

Of course, it might not be easy since most of them are not really known for putting on musical performances.

But at this point, it was better than no help at all.

So, Vivo gave his final answer.

"Alright. I'll do it. And I'd be more than happy to accept your help."

Everyone cheered, especially Rico, who first took a deep sigh of relief.

And just then, Tiago said, "And hey, yo, I think I just figured out how I can offer my syncopating services!"

Vivo felt a little relieved upon hearing that, "Really? How so?"

Tiago said, "Ha ha! Just meet me tomorrow at the music shop after your Plaza show and we'll get going with the planning!"

Vivo nodded...though he mostly hoped that whatever Tiago was planning would be as big a help as he claimed.