Jailbreak! by Bindi Irwin Page A

that!’
    They made their way inside. Showbiz was always full of surprises!

Tess and Ella were in danger of becoming completely swept up in Adam Starr hysteria when Bindi found them and finally managed to drag them into the main auditorium. They had just enough time for a short rehearsal and sound check before theconcert. Bindi was really excited – it had been a while since she had last performed. The family had been doing lots of overseas travelling recently, having been to both Cambodia to help the Asian elephants and then onto an international climate change conference in Finland. They had been amazing experiences but it was also good to be back on home ground looking out for their native animals.
    The three girls were working on the dance moves they had choreographed for their number. They were going to perform ‘Jailhouse Rock’, the song made famous by Elvis Presley, in cute little convict outfits. The themeof the charity concert was black and white, in keeping with Black and White Day that was held annually and raised funds for Tassie devils. And, of course, the theme also tied in nicely to the state’s convict history.
    The steps were a little complicated as they broke out from a chain gang into some pretty funky dance moves. Everybody just rock! The girls worked the number through twice but each time their timing was a little off.
    â€˜Let’s try it one more time,’ suggested Bindi. She moved to the part of the stage where the number began. They started with their heads down in a line as if they weremarching along in an old-fashioned prison chain gang.
    â€˜One, two, three!’ Bindi began the slow stomping march of the chain gang only to realise she’d lost the rest of her gang. Where were they? She looked up to find the girls standing at the front of the stage, staring out at the auditorium.
    Bindi approached her friends. ‘Um, this isn’t part of the choreography, is it?’ asked Bindi. She received no reply. Bindi followed her friends’ gaze.
    â€˜I should have guessed!’ she muttered. Ella and Tess were staring at Adam Starr, who was busy talking with the lighting technician.
    Bindi peered closely at the young heart-throb. ‘What is he wearing?’
    â€˜Pretty cool, huh?’ Tess turned to Ella, who nodded enthusiastically.
    From a distance it looked as if Adam’s costume was made of diamonds it sparkled so brightly, but then Bindi realised it was a black-and-white-striped suit made entirely from sequins. Trust him not to want to wear a plain old prison uniform. Bindi checked her watch. They were running out of time to get this number right!
    Just then a young man in khaki overalls entered the room carrying a cage in each hand. The cages were covered with cloth but it wasn’t toodifficult for Bindi to work out that he was carrying a pair of Tassie devils.
    â€˜All right!’ cried Bindi. ‘The real stars of the show have arrived.’
    Her exclamation drew Adam’s attention to the cages and to Bindi. He gave Bindi an amused look and sauntered over towards the keeper.
    â€˜Excuse me,’ Adam called out, making sure that Bindi could hear. ‘I’m pretty certain I’m the star of this show.’
    The keeper smiled and gently placed the cages on the floor. He held out a hand to Adam. ‘G’day, I’m Chris.’ He took a look at Adam’s costume and grinned. ‘That’s some outfit you’ve got there.’
    Adam posed. ‘Totally random, hey?’
    Chris nodded, still grinning. ‘It sure is.’
    Adam kneeled down next to one of the cages.
    â€˜Don’t get too close, they don’t know you,’ warned Chris.
    But before Chris could stop him, Adam had peeled away the covering.
    Tasmanian devils are mainly black in colour but with a few white markings. They have a strong squat build with a large head and a thick short tail. Startled by the sudden light and unfamiliar