Once there was a boy named Frank. He was your average kid with a big heart. Christmas was soon arriving and he still did not have a gift for his father. Standing in his classroom after school, he talked to his friend George and vented about his issues.

George, I just don't know what to do!

It's almost Christmas, and I don't have a gift for my dad!

What's the matter, Frank?

I really want to get him this album that I found that has all his favorite Christmas music. I think that would be the best gift ever!

Well, what do you want to get him?

 I don't have any money to buy it.

Why didn't you get it yet?

Really? How?

I know how you can make some money!

 Wow! That sounds great!

They are doing a show at a local theatre in town. If you land a good role you can get paid a decent amount, more than enough for that album. Auditions are this weekend, I believe.

Yeah, I can go a while with little sleep. I'll be fine! I'll start preparing tonight.

Now I am going to warn you that rehearsals are late so you won't get much sleep which could really harm you. Are you sure this is what you want?

And practice he did. He learned the script very quickly, and when it came to picking a song to audition with, he knew exactly what to do. He picked a song he had learned for church a while ago that people said he sang nicely. Before he knew it auditions were here.

As he walked into the audition room, there sat the director for the show, Mr. Fredrickson. When it was Frank's turn to audition, he stood with confidence, stated his name, and began to read his script. While his acting was good, it was not the best Mr. Fredrickson had seen that day. Frank knew this, but he also knew that was not where he shined. As he began to sing, Mr. Fredrickson was blown away. Mr. Fredrickson decided then and there to cast Frank as the lead in the show. This was great news, but it would come with some downsides.

Amazing!

Before Frank knew it rehearsals were underway! Although Frank had been warned he didn't realize how late these rehearsals truly went. He tried his best to hide it, but he was exhausted. As if just to make things worse, on this particular day Mr. Fredrickson pulled him aside and said this...

OK

Frank, I've given you more time up until now because you have so much to do, but I really need you to be memorized by next week. 

Although he did try his best, there was no way he could have gotten memorized. He was falling asleep everywhere. At school, at home, and, unfortunately, even at rehearsal. Eventually it caught up to him when Mr. Fredrickson pulled him aside and said...

Frank, I have seen you fall asleep 5 times just in this rehearsal alone. I'm sorry, but I can't have my lead be like this. I hope you will audition again because you are very talented, but unfortunately right now I must say, good day.

This was devastating to Frank. Without the role there was no longer any hope for him to buy that album for his dad. Now filled with panic and worry he went back to his friend George.

I'm freaking out, George!