Life Inside the Dollhouse Ain't Easy

[Bucky Kentucky]

Steve sat back in the soft chair and scanned the stage. "She stinks!" He turned to the woman in a white coat beside him. "You assured me you could deliver me a singer which would knock the socks off the customers of the new club I'm opening. This is what I get? She's so mechanical. She can't sing worth a lick and has no stage presence. She just isn't natural and her performance is dated. I need something fresh and hip. I paid you serious cash and I expect more."

The woman stood. "I'm sorry. Look me and my partner can do two things. We can refund your money or if you'll give us a little more time I think we can provide you what you requested."

Steve replied, "I'll give you one more chance. I really need a sensational singer opening week to get people in the door. She better be better than she was tonight. That was agony booth bad."

The woman onstage covered her eyes with her hands as tears streamed down her face.

A man turned to Steve as she wrote notes on a clipboard. "We have to make some adjustments but I think we'll give you something you'll be most pleased with." He looked up on the stage. "It's okay Echo you did your best." Echo exited the room crying.

Steve walked from the room. The man checked his notes. "We screwed this one up."

"I thought Echo could do it."

"We didn't have a baseline scan to work from. Imprinting the files we did have wasn't enough. I need a live brain scan from a ultra talented and popular performer to get what we need. I have to have more to work with. I need an indepth brain anagram."

"Any suggestions?

"Well who's the most popular popstar on the planet today?"

"Hannah Montana. Oh I love a challenge."

"Let's prepare Echo."

Miley smiled at the young woman then stood up and clapped. "You're a very talented dancer. " She approached her. "You're good. I wish I could use you. You just aren't quite ready to be on my tour yet. You're a nice girl too. I need somebody who has a little more experience. I hope you keep dancing and working on it. Please don't be sad or take it personally."

"That's okay. There are some really good dancers who showed up for the audition. It was great meeting you Hannah. I'll keep working. Bye."

Miley sat back in the chair and took a sip of bottled water. "It's so hard to find just what we need for the concert. So many of the girls are good but they are just lacking a little something."

Robby Ray agreed. "It's not easy. Many people are really good and they give it their best but today's audience has higher expectations. I'm proud of how you're handeling it."

Jackson examined the call sheet. "Let's see who the next girl is." He looked up. "Oh my......"

She softly said, "Hello" and bushed back her dark hair.

Jackson uttered, "Ahh...ahh......ahhh."

Miley stared at the floor. "I'm sorry. " She looked up. "What's your name?"

"Echo."

"Thats an unusual name. I'm Hannah and why don't you show us some of your dance moves."

"Okay." The music started, Echo grabbed a chair, jumped on it and gracefully tipped it over landing on her feet. She ran to the wall and backflipped. As Miley starred in admiration Echo executed several backflips then daneced on her tip toes and leaped across the stage.

Robby Ray was impressed, "Only a highly trained balerina could do that."

Jackson's jaw dropped. "She's got more moves than Metamucil." Miley swatted him.

After Echo landed doing splits Miley said, "You're hired."

Echo nodded. "Thank you you're so kind. I'm so looking forward to working with you Hannah Monana."

(to be continued)

[huskerrich]

more please, this is interesting.

[destinysmiles!]

ore

[caylee[:]

this is interesting! more.

[Bucky Kentucky]

Echo hopped on her hand as the concert crowd cheered. She walked across the stage on her two hands as Miley smiled. Echo adjusted her cap then wormed like a slinky back across the stage.

Miley waved. "Thank you all I had such a great time and it sounds like yall did too."

Lilly greeted her wearing her green wig. "That was great."

"Thanks. Hey let's invite Echo to hang out with us tonight. She seems kind of lonely."

"Really?"

"Yeah she's kind of distant and I think she needs to have someone to talk to. She's really nice it's just, I don't know."

"Jackson likes her."

"The less time he spends with her the better. I don't want to scare her off."

Miley turned to Echo. "Hey this is my friend Lola and we're going to hang out together tonight in my room. I got a scary movie to watch. A friend of mine sent it to me and hasn't been released yet. Would you like to watch it with us?"

Echo said, "Okay."

Lilly added, "And we're going to stuff our faces with junk food."

Echo giggled. "Girls night out. I'm there."

Lilly leaped over the bed. "What movie did you get?"

Miley held up the DVD. "It's Teen Bigfoot Two: The Return of Sasquatch starring one Jake Ryan."

Echo asked, "Who's Jake Ryan?"

Lilly informed her. "He's a movie star Hannah worked with him on Zombie Slayer."

Echo sat down. "Oh I don't go to the movies much. I really can't remember when I last saw a movie."

Lilly grabbed a bowl of popcorn. "Echo you should be on Dancing with the Stars you've got mad skills."

"What's Dancing with the Stars?"

"It's a talent show where professional dancers teach celebrities how to dance and they compete against each other. You've never seen it?"

"I don't watch TV much. I'm not up on all of the latest stuff."

Miley opened the microwave. "I'm going to make some smores."

Echo asked, "What are those?"

Lilly laughed. "Oh come on. Chocolate, marshmellows and graham crackers melted together."

Echo sighed. "It sounds good."

Miley popped in the DVD and put down a plate of treats. "When I was a real littler kid I used to watch monster movies and I'd scream my guts out but now I know it just a guy in a rubber suit."

Lilly agreed. "Yeah I can't believe the things which used to frighten me when I was little. They seem so silly now."

Miley pointed. "Oh look there's Jake and it looks like Bigfoot is sneaking up on him."

Echo snacked on a smore. "This seems so familiar maybe I saw the other movie. It's like a strange dream. Sorry I just have weird dreams and things remind me of them."

On the TV Jake exclaimed, "We'll use beef jekry to catch teen Bigfoot."

Miley asked, "Echo do you think there's really a Bigfoot?"

She answered, "I went camping once and some strange animal came snooping around. I don't know what it was. I think we chased after it. I remember being scared. That's odd I haven't thought about that in a long time."

Lilly said, "Jackson likes you."

Echo dismissed it. "Nah. He acts weird around me."

Lilly explained, "That's because he likes you."

"Oh I hadn't thought of that. He alright but he's not really my type. I like guys more mature."

Miley said, "Well if you find a mature guy let me know."

Echo took a sip of soda. "Yeah boys can be a bit on the immature side."

Miley burped. "Ya think?"

Echo sat back. "But you can't help but like the cute ones."

Lilly nodded her head. "Preach it loud sister."

Echo stretched. "Boys can be like you know but they can also be like you know."

Miley agreed. "Exactly."

Echo pulled back her hair. "They probably feel the same way about us. Gosh it's been so long since I been able to hang out like this. Watching a cheesey movie and chit chatting and eating junk food. Thanks for inviting me."

The three watched as Bigfoot jumped on top of the camper.

Lilly snored with her face plunged into the pillow. Miley opened her eye and saw the bathroom light on and heard water running. She staggered into the bathroom then pulled her wig on straight and found Echo washing her face. "You okay Echo?"

"Just a bad dream. I have those alot. I was being shot at and there were explosions around. It seemed so real."

Miley tapped her shoulder. "Well you're safe here. It was just in your head. Did you ever notice having these dreams when you eat certain foods. I've had some real wacko dreams after eating certain things."

"I never noticed it."

"Are you sure you're okay? You look kind of upset."

"I'll be okay Hannah. Thanks."

"Let's try to get some sleep we have another concert tomorrow."

Miley crawled back into her bed and Echo slid inside the Hannah Montana sleeping bag on the floor.

[huskerrich]

more please

[caylee[:]

this is cool. moree.
(:

[destinysmiles!]

more

[Bucky Kentucky]

Miley opened her dressing room door. On the table in front of her was a cake decorated with the Hannah Montana logo. "How do you do it?"

She spun to see Echo emerge from behind a curtain. "You startled me."

"Sorry."

"I usually need some time to decompress. All of the noise and energy of the crowd is great but I do need some time to wind down."

Echo chewed on a cupcake. "I can go."

"No it's okay."

"So many singers try to so what you do and fail. What do you do to keep all of those people entertained?"

"I have a lot of help. It takes work too. It took many lessons and studied music. Some of it is just a matter of chance and circumstance. Some of my songs are high energy pop songs but I do try to put some emotion in my music too. I think the fans respond to that."

"If one could put your talent in a bottle and sell it. They'd be millionaires."

"Every singer is different. We all have our own style and it's up to the public to decide what they like."

Echo added, "I think your attitude and how you present yourself is a big part of it."

"Well bad girl rock stars can be very popular too. I just didn't want that to be my thing because that's not me."

Echo offered, "Would you like a cup cake? They are really good."

Miley took it and noticed the sprinkles spelled out HM. "This looks so good." She took a bite. "Wow this is great. It's a bit spicy. I.....I...oh I'm tired. I'm so sleepy." Miley's head flopped into the cake.

Echo gently pulled her up and wiped the icing off with a towel. "I'll clean you up. This isn't your color."

"What's going on?"

"It's okay let's go for a little walk."

"All right. I'm pretty sleepy."

Echo supported her. "Come on Hannah let's go." They walked out of the room. "We have to get going."

"Wha...wha wha..what's the rush?"

"We're going for a little ride."

Lilly approached Echo and Miley. "Hey is she okay?"

Echo said, "Yeah she just needs a little air."

"Yeah yeah I'm good Lola. I'm fine."

Echo took Miley out a back door and they headed toward a car parked on the street. Echo opened the back door. "Here you go watch your head."

Miley laid down on the seat. "I'm going to take a little nap now."

"That's fine. You'll be okay." Echo shut the door.

"And just where do you think you are going?"

Echo turned and faced Roxy. "Hannah isn't feeling well and I thought she might like some fresh air."

"I don't think so. I don't know what's going on but let her out."

"We're just going for a ride that's all."

"No you're going to let her out of that car now Miss whoever you are."

Echo cocked her head. "I can't do that Roxy."

"You want to go one on one with Roxy. Roxy like a puma." She struck a pose.

Echo laughed. "You're going to use the puma pounce on me? Don't waste my time."

Roxy grabbed her shoulder. Echo lept back and threw several punches which failed to connect as Roxy dogged them. Roxy grabbed Echo's arm and threw her over her shoulder.

Echo jumped up. "Not bad for a beginner." Echo charged, jumped, locked her ankles around Roxy's neck, spun and took her to the ground. Roxy felt several sharp blows to her sides, midsection and legs.

Roxy strained. "I can't move."

"The feeling will come back into your limbs soon. Look I wouldn't do anything to hurt Hannah. I just need to borrow her for a little while. I won't anyone hurt her. I not here for that but I do have to complete my mission." Echo entered the car and drove off.

(to be continued)

[huskerrich]

more please

[Bucky Kentucky]

Miley shook her head. "Wha...wha...where am I?"

Echo replied, "You're safe. These people just want to talk to you. Oh I need a nap."

Two men in white coats gently held Miley. "Wow it's really Hannah Montana. Could you sign a picture for my daughter?"

"I guess. What's going on?"

"We have a place for you to rest. Echo?"

"Yeah."

"It's time for your nap."

"Oh okay."

Echo sat down on the chair. She smiled, "It looks like a dentists chair." She placed her palms on the blue pads. A man pushed some buttons on a control panel on the wall.

"You did a good job Echo now it's time for bed."

Echo closed her eyes. She saw a pattern of shapes and colors form in her mind's eye. Echo stretched and looked up. "Was I sleeping?"

"Yes you were sleeping. It's time for you to go to bed now."

"Okay." She stood.

Miley was dropped in the chair. "Should we sedate her?"

"No I need her awake. Don't worry Hannah this won't hurt." A boom box was placed on a table next to her. A man examined the control panel. "Now we need to get the cerebral scanner online."

"What are you doing to me?"

"We're going to probe your mind. Not to worry."

"Mad scientist say what?"

"Restrain her." A number of straps clapsed from under the chair and onto Miley.

"Let me go!"

Miley heard "The Best of Both Worlds" on the boom box. Another man joined the one already with her. "Beginning scan."

An image of a brain flicked on the panel. "There that's what I thought. Her music's stimulating the part of her brain which remembers the melody. Right there. That bundle of neurons is a bit overdeveloped. That's where Hannah Montana's talent lies in that part of her brain."

"She's undergone extensive schooling."

"I'm sure she has but there's also a genetic componant. A relative must had been musically gifted. I'm going to start probing her memory. We need these scans to program Echo."

"See when Hannah here performs she needs to access her memory of the song and dance routine. She then uses the memory the control her vocal cords and limbs to sing and dance. It's just a single thought to her. Her talent and performance orginates in the brain. I need to probe deeper to get those electrical impluses active."

Miley involuntarily began singing the scales. Miley turned her head as she saw Echo stroll past. "Echo help me!"

Echo walked over. "What are you doing to the blond girl."

The man answered. "We just giving her a check up Echo."

"Oh okay."

The man checked some more readings. "What is going on in that head of yours Hannah? She doesn't want us to know something. I'm having trouble accessing her memory. She's very strong willed for her age."

"Could it be a school boy crush?"

"No it isn't that. It's not romantic. She's hiding something." He leaned over Hannah. "You can't resist. It won't do you any good."

Miley ordered, "Leave me alone! Echo help me please!"

Echo scratched her head. "Do I know you?"

Miley said, "I'm Hannah Montana."

Echo replied, "That's a funny name."

"We're friends. Don't you remember. Smores, the Bigfoot movie. We hung out together."

An image appeared on the panel. The man replied, "She won't remember you. Who is Uncle Earl?"

Miley clamped her eyes shut. "My head hurts."

Echo looked down at Miley. "Bigfoot and I was dancing."

"Echo never mind go to bed."

"You're hurting her."

"Echo do as you're told and go to bed now."

Echo straighted up. "No Hannah is my friend. She didn't sign up for this. It isn't ethical. Turn the scanner off now and let her go."

"That's it you're grounded Echo."

"I'm too old for that." Echo struck the man by the scanner several times. She grabbed the other ones head and slammed it into the wall. Both fell to the floor. She then studied the control panel before tapping on the keys.

The straps unwrapped themselves around Miley. "What is going on?"

"They were trying to copy your talent so they could program an active."

"I'm not sure I understand."

"They were trying to scan your mind to understand how it is you use your talent. Then they would copy it and program someone else, an active, to be a superstar singer. I'm destroying the data they collected. What they did to you is unethical. Keep back." Echo grabbed the boom box and threw it into the panel.

The one man asked as he crawled. "What's Echo doing? Her memory is supposed to be wiped. Is she's self aware she will compromise the Dollhouse operation."

Echo kicked him. "I'm getting you out of here."

Miley stood up. "I think I'm okay."

"We need to move." The two ran into a huge room.

Miley saw several people standing on mats. She looked up to see another story in the room. An alarm rang in her ears.

Echo said, "We don't have much time."

"Where are we?"

"I live here Hannah. My friends are here. I'm not sure why I live here but I do. Those rectangular slots in the floor are where our beds are. I'm starting to loose it. My memory is fading. I have to....I have to get you home.....because we're friends. I need to tell you before I forget. I never meant to hurt you. I really did enjoy hanging out with you. I think I was sent to be a dancer and then bring you back here. I kind of have to do what they tell me to I think. I can't remember."

"It's okay Echo."

Echo felt a sharp pain in her shoulder. Miley grabbed her neck as the floor came up and hit her. Echo's eyes closed. Miley tried to pull the dart out as the alarm sound faded.

"What happened?"

"I'm not sure. It's possible that Echo's memory wipe didn't work. I think because of her emotional attachment she might have retained some of her mission's memories. We can do a deeper wipe this time. I just don't want her to be a vegatable."

"No we don't want that."

"I'll do another memory wipe. With the drug you gave her it should stick this time. I'll hook her up to the polygraph just to make sure. What will we do with Hannah?"

"We'll just invent a cover story and put her back where she belongs."

"I hope it won't be anything which makes her look bad."

"No, no. We'll just say one of her dancer's got in a fight with her bodyguard and drove off before bringing her back. I don't want to trash the young lady. We probably shouldn't have brought her here. We'll give Steve his money back."

(to be continued)

[huskerrich]

more pleaes

[destinysmiles!]

ore

[Bucky Kentucky]

Miley squirmed in the seat. Her foot hit something. She lifted her head and looked up to see a concert hall. Miley pulled herself up. "What am I doing in the car?" She opened the door and stumbled out outside. Miley took some deep breaths and headed toward the building.

Lilly ran to her as Miley entered. "Oh my where have you been? Are you all right?"

"I'm just a little groggy."

Her father hugged her. "We were looking all over for you. Where did Echo take you?"

Miley rubbed her eyes. "I'm not sure. I was talking to her in my dressing room and then I didn't feel good. She took me outside to get some fresh air. All I remember after that was laying down in the back of the car. I must have fallen asleep. I just woke up in the car."

Roxy hobbled over to her. "Thank goodness you're all right."

"I'm fine Roxy what happened to you?"

"Echo sucker punched me."

"She attacked you?"

"Yeah she was talking crazy. I saw her put you in the car and then she drove off."

Miley said, "That doesn't sound like Echo. I felt like she was trying to help me and protect me. She wasn't trying to hurt me. Did she hurt you?"

"I just have a few bruises. If she shows up she has a lot of explaining to do."

Echo's eyes flicked open. "Was I sleeping?" She stretched out.

Two men looked down at her. "Now Echo its very important you tell us the truth."

"I will."

A picture was held up in front of her. "Do you know who this girl is?"

"No, is she nice?"

"She's telling the turth."

"Do you know who Hannah Montana is?"

"That's a funny name."

"But do you know her or have you ever met her?"

"Nope."

"She's telling the truth."

"That's fine Echo. It's time for bed. You need to go to bed now."

"All right." Echo stood up and walked to the center room. A slot in the floor slid open and Echo curled up inside.

The End


(As you might have guessed I wrote this as a Dollhouse/Hannnah Montana crossover. Dollhouse is a new series created by Joss Whedon the creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and Firefly. He's a more talented writer than I am. I haven't seen Dollhouse but this is my best guess given what I've read about it as to what the show will be like. This was my attempt to cross over those two series. I hope you enjoyed reading it.)

I made some minor revisons here and there, mostly just spelling and typing errors.

[huskerrich]

nice job I loved it.

[caylee[:]

that was really intriguing! you should write more!

[destinysmiles!]

it was really good