[ WP ] Your neighbor is the protagonist of a musical . Any time a musical number starts , anyone within a certain radius ca n't help but join in . You are trying to have one normal day when you hear music approach .

Oh no... here it comes again. The distant noise of mindless followers is a warning that I wo n't finish the washing the dishes anytime soon. Outside my window a hive of people march down the street in complete unison. Jerald is at it again, using his upbeat songs to steal time from his neighbors. Their smiles and enthusiasm mask who they really are. The song becomes clear to me now, his favorite number, `` Today, Today...'' All of sudden my arms swing about me in a circle forcing my body to spin. A smile invades my face and words suffocate my mind until they explode out of my mouth. `` Today, Today! Today I will be new...'' I sing at the top of my lungs. I hate this song. Nothing is new today, in fact since I have to sing this stupid song again it just means that it's just that same. `` Today, Today...'' I spin my way through the living room and skip to the front door. I swing it open and extend my arms to the world, `` Today, Today! I will make a friend Today!'' The crowd jumps and shouts as I dance into formation. Jerald is at the lead, leaping through the street. His control is absolute, but yet involuntary. `` Today, Today...'' we continue to sing in formation behind him. I notice Sarah upfront. She spins with grace. I can never tell if she actually enjoys this or is just naturally gifted. I try to make my way upfront. Jerald stops at an ice cream shop. The people out front all throw their ice cream away with looks of sadness, until they ca n't help but join in like the rest of us. I get next to Sarah and begin to mimic her movements. This is a first... I've always been interested in her but never had the chance to talk or even get close. Jerald leads us down the street once more, towards city hall. He loves to finish there. Sarah and I skip together in unison the whole time. I look over at her and ca n't help but wonder what her smile hides. Maybe she enjoys it, maybe she hates it, maybe she just wants to finish washing her dishes like me. `` Today, Today...'' we sing together. `` Today I will ask you...'' I fade off. I've never heard that lyric before. 
 `` Today you will, you will ask me Today...'' she sing back, her eyes wide. 
 `` Today I will, I will ask to come with me, Today'' I sing. Then we both stop, for a second, and just stand there. I notice her face looks back at me with a hidden smile. I take a step a forward to hold her hands. 
 I pull her close and then Jerald jumps in between us, `` Today, Today! Today we will continue'' we both look over and to him and unison sing `` Today, Today! Today we will fall in love...'' The crowd stops. Jerald's face floods with gloom. In silence we stand there at the steps of city hall. This is it, we've done it. He ca n't control us anymore. Sarah and I lean in and kiss. The crowd cheers and Jerald falls to his knees. I look up at Sarah and smile. She smiles back. I ca n't wait to actually spend time with her. To learn who she is and show her who I am. Then Jerald gets up, `` Why Oh Why, does the world bring me down...'' he fades to a sob. 
 `` Thank GOD! Are we done yet? This has been too much this time Jerald,'' Sarah says as Jerald stands. `` I do n't even know who this guy is.'' The crowd starts to mutter to one another as they all turn to make their way home. 
 `` It's all part of the musical, or should I sing it instead?'' Jerald asks. Sarah huffs and walks away from him. 
 I just turn and go back to my house to finish the dishes. I hate that stupid song.
