So here's what you missed on MY version of Glee! After emerging victorious at the 2014 Sectionals (canon), the New Directions were able to reclaim Marley, Ryder, Unique, and Jake to their team, and after teaming up with the disbanded Cheerios, emerged victorious at the 2015 Nationals in Nashville. Since then, the Class of 2015 has graduated. Rachel, Kurt, Santana, Brittany, Jake, and Kitty are headed to New York while Mercedes, Puck, Artie, Tina, Marley, and Ryder are headed to Los Angeles. McKinley High is now a Performing Arts school, where the New Directions are now comprised of seniors Jane and Alistair, juniors Mason, Madison, and Spencer, and sophomore Myron.
Summary: It's the first day of school for the newly structured McKinley High School of the Performing Arts. As Sam begins to lead the New Directions, some new threats (and a potential romance) pop up in his way. Meanwhile, Ryder, Marley, Mercedes, and Artie settle into Los Angeles.
Note: Some of this chapter occurs simultaneously with the 2015-based scenes of 6x13 "Dreams Come True."
Series Regulars
Jacob Artist as Jake Puckerman (absent)
Melissa Benoist as Marley Rose
Chris Colfer as Kurt Hummel (absent)
Darren Criss as Blaine Anderson (absent)
Blake Jenner as Ryder Lynn
Dot Marie Jones as Sheldon Beiste
Kevin McHale as Artie Abrams
Lea Michele as Rachel Berry (absent)
Heather Morris as Brittany Pierce (absent)
Chord Overstreet as Sam Evans
Amber Riley as Mercedes Jones
Mark Salling as Noah Puckerman (absent)
Becca Tobin as Kitty Wilde (absent)
Jenna Ushkowitz as Tina Cohen-Chang (absent)
Samantha Ware as Jane Hayward
Guest Starring:
Matt Morrison as Will Schuester
Brittany Snow as Camille Robins
[your imagination] as Edward Quintin (40's)
Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester
Christopher Cousins as Bob Harris
Julia Abueva as Tanya Reyes | Carlito Olivero as Nicolas Hernandez
Laura Dreyfuss as Madison McCarthy | Billy Lewis Jr. as Mason McCarthy
Marshall Williams as Spencer Porter | Michael Weisman as Brian
Finneas O'Connell as Alistair Bukowski | JJ Totah as Myron Muskovitz
**Just because of physical similarities I am making Alistair Stoner Brett's brother. xD
**I just LOVE Brittany Snow in Pitch Perfect so I thought she'd be a great addition to Glee.
INT. GYM – MON AUG 17, 2015
"Alright, students, file in!" Sheldon hollered, ushering the students into their seats. Sheldon stopped an elderly woman in her footsteps. "What are you doing here, Sue?"
Sue, dressed in a hideous green shawl with sunglasses, an elderly woman's wig, a hunchback, and a walking cane, stopped in her tracks. "Well, I just had to find a way into the school to personally witness our dear new principal make a fool of himself on his first day on the job."
"Not going to happen," Sheldon said. "Will is going to do a fantastic job."
"I'm happy you feel that way, Sheldon," Sue said. "You know, you're the only coach who was invited back to teach PE because Will has a bias for you. But all the other coaches, who used to teach meaningful things like volleyball, tennis, swimming, baseball, and hockey, they were all sent away to make way for people who are actually certified to teach kids how to sing, act, and dance."
All eyes dashed to the entrance where Will and Superintendent Harris walked in.
"Welcome, everyone, to the new William McKinley High School of Performing Arts," Bob said. "I am proud to introduce you to your new principal, Mr. William Schuester!"
Will walked up to the podium. "Welcome back, students new and old! We're going to have a great year this year, and I cannot wait to watch you all become the stars that you are. Now, Superintendent Harris here will read out the new approved academic curriculum plan. One of the new changes here is that classes will now be scheduled in blocks. Your one-credit classes will be held every day for one semester, or every other day for the whole year, depending on the kind of content taught. Half-credit classes will be held every other day for one semester."
"All students need to complete all the following to graduate," Bob continued. "Four credits of English, four credits of Social Studies, three credits of Mathematics up to Algebra 2, three credits of science including Biology and Chemistry, one semester of Speech, one semester of Personal Health, and two semesters of Physical Education among freshman and sophomore year, one fine arts elective in the non-performing arts, and four years of study skills, which will also function as a Homeroom and Study Hall. In addition, all students must take five performing arts courses. The rest of the credits are up to your choosing! All students also must participate in one student showcase and a senior project."
The students all took these requirements differently. Some, like Jane, looked absolutely thrilled. Others, like Madison, looked discontent. Mercedes and Artie were also in the audience. Rachel, Kurt, Blaine, Tina, and Kitty were at home packing up for college.
"Now, one of the changes this year is that we will be having several Glee Clubs at this school, including the TroubleTones and Dually Noted," Will said. "This is due to the overwhelming increase in interest since the nationally acclaimed success of our New Directions. Auditions will occur on Wednesday, so use the next couple of days to prepare. So, to get you pumped up, I've asked a few friends of mine to join me."
"Oh, dear god," Sue muttered, as Jane, Madison, Mason, Spencer, Alistair, Myron, the two remaining Warblers, and four former Cheerios joined Will on stage. "Let me guess, is it the song of the summer by Third Melody?"
"Fifth Harmony," Mercedes whispered.
Song: "Worth It" by Fifth Harmony, feat. Kid Ink
[Chorus: Madison w/ All]
Give it to me, I'm worth it
Baby, I'm worth it
Uh huh I'm worth it
Gimme gimme I'm worth it
Give it to me, I'm worth it
Baby, I'm worth it
Uh huh I'm worth it
Gimme gimme I'm worth it
[Rap verse: Will]
OK, I tell her bring it back like she left some-
Bring it bring it back like she left some-
In the club with the lights off
Whatchu acting shy for?
Come and show me that you're with it with it with it with it with it
Stop playing you know that I'm with it with it with it with it with it with it
Whatchu acting shy for?
[Jane:]
Just gimme you, just gimme you
Just gimme you, that's all I wanna do
And if what they say is true
If it's true, I might give me to you
I may talk a lot of stuff
Guaranteed, I can back it up
I think I'mma call you bluff
Hurry up, I'm waitin' out front
[Pre-Chorus: Spencer]
Uh huh you see me in the spotlight
"Ooh I love your style"
Uh huh show me what you got
Cause I don't wanna waste my time
Uh huh see me in the spotlight
"Ooh I love your style"
Uh huh show me what you got now
Come and make it worth my while
[Chorus]
[Madison:]
It's all on you, it's all on you
It's all on you, so what you wanna do?
And if you don't have a clue
Not a clue, I'll tell you what to do
(All: Come harder just because)
I don't like it, like it too soft
I like it a little rough
Not too much, but maybe just enough
[Pre-Chorus: Mason]
[Chorus]
[Rap verse]
[Pre-Chorus: Mason & Spencer]
[Chorus]
Madison: Give it to me, I'm worth it
The students cheered ecstatically, very much like the reaction to the 2009 New Directions' "Push It." Sue, however, was not amused by the borderline sexual choreography.
INT. LOS ANGELES APARTMENT
The apartment was currently piled high with boxes. Ryder was moving into Tina and Mercedes's apartment. Marley was helping him.
"You are so lucky that you get to move in with them," Marley said, sorting Ryder's clothes into piles. "I mean, I love my dorm at Northridge and my roommate is really cool; she's into poetry and stuff; but I just wish I lived with people I knew."
"Well, you're always welcome to hang out," Ryder offered. Marley smiled. "I definitely think I'll be dropping by every now and then. But this is good for you! You're right in the big city, surrounded by opportunities to pursue for your acting career. The ends are limitless for you."
"And for you too," Ryder said. "I mean, there's got to be hundreds of singer-songwriters here. You'll meet your people, make your connections, and get one of your songs on the radio in no time."
Marley smiled. "If it all works out. So, have you found a roommate?"
"No," Ryder answered. "I asked Artie, but he's staying in the USC dorms."
Marley nodded. "I'm sure you'll find one."
"I don't exactly make friends all that easily," Ryder laughed.
Marley giggled. "That's something we both have in common."
The two gazed into each other's eyes.
"Does it even feel like that long ago I came to your hotel room to talk you out of giving up on your dreams?" Ryder asked.
Marley shook her head. "Feels like it was just yesterday."
The two moved in for a kiss, came in close, but backed out at the last minute.
"Sorry," they both stammered, returning to sorting boxes and clothes.
INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE
"Well, this is awkward," Will said, sitting in front of his own desk. Bob took the principal's seat while Sue took the second chair in front of the desk.
"Let me be the one to break the ice," Sue began.
"Oh, that sounds familiar," Will argued.
"That was the most offensive thing I have seen—" Sue went on.
"—In over twenty years of teaching; you've said this all before," Will interrupted.
"Because, yes, this has happened before!" Sue exclaimed. "Superintendent Harris, how could you bestow this precious school in such irresponsible hands?"
"My hands are not nearly as irresponsible as yours," Will retorted.
"Let me list the following," Sue continued. "The sexually explicit 'Push It' performed to recruit students, a performance of Britney Spears's 'Toxic' done as a courtship device for one ginger school counselor, twelve drunk students performing Ke$ha's 'Tik Tok' encouraging alcoholism to their peers, starting a food fight after 'We Got the Beat," a girl in a bra lip-syncing to another Britney flop, 'Gimme More,' twerking to 'Blurred Lines,' a song about date rape, and alumni flooding the cafeteria, dancing on tables, this time to 'Take on Me.' The New Directions have left a dirty mark on this school that will never be cleaned up until the man behind it all is dismissed from this fine educational institution, and to think that this behavior will be enforced ten-fold due to this school's new status as a performing arts school, is sickening! We all know that performing arts students are some of the most vile, inappropriate beings to walk this planet."
Will rolled his eyes. "My kids have done no worse than Sue's Cheerios, and my kids have done a heck of a lot of good for the community: advertising Mattress Land, planning Sue's sister's funeral, performing Christmas songs at a homeless shelter, encouraging cross-state bonds with other show choirs through a marriage proposal—"
"Oh, Klaine," Sue giggled.
Bob and Will stared at Sue.
"In any case," Bob said. "Sue, I understand your concerns over the performance that happened today, but the students are hyped, and that was the goal when I asked Will to put together a number for the assembly. This school is worth it, and it was the perfect song, Rated PG as requested."
Sue rolled her eyes and got up out of her seat. Donna, the old secretary, gloated as Sue stormed out of the office. Bob shook hands with Will and also left the office. Will reclaimed his seat and beckoned for Sam to come in.
"Hey, Mr. Schue," Sam said. "I have Kitty, Tina, and Rachel posting signup sheets for auditions around the school."
"Great!" Will exclaimed. "Because I'd like to introduce you to the new coaches I've found for the other choirs. To coach the Dually Noted and Choir Class, along with several other music classes, I have hired Mr. Edward Quintin for the job."
A man in his late 40's walked in and shook Will's and Sam's hands.
"Pleasure to meet you," Edward said.
"Ed, this is Sam Evans, he's a 2013 graduate of this school and will be coaching the New Directions," Will said. "Sam, Edward is one of Ohio's most distinguished music teachers."
Edward continued, "I've coached three different schools' Marching Bands to state victories and national tours over the last 20 years. Here at McKinley, I will be teaching Concert Band, Choir, Music Theory, Music Technology, Pop Rock and Jazz Band, and Orchestra, in addition to coaching the Dually Noted and the McKinley High Marching Band after school."
Sam whistled. "Wow, that's quite a lot of commitments!"
"But he'll be affording our students here the best education possible," Will said proudly. "And now, coaching the TroubleTones is Camille Robins."
Expecting another middle-aged teacher, Sam turned around and saw girl in her early-twenties walk in. Sam, being 20, knew that she couldn't be more than a few years older than him. He didn't even notice her trying to shake his hand until she grabbed it herself.
"Nice to meet you all," Camille said, sitting down on the side couch next to Edward. "I just graduated from Ohio State University, Columbus, with a double major in English and Theatre with a certificate in Education Studies. I'm volunteering at McKinley as a student teacher to gain experience to apply for the Master's in Teaching program at the university. I have extensive choir and show choir experience. I'm from Defiance, so I actually used to be a Unitard, and I took four years of choir in college where we also toured the state, and my A Capella choir competed in Collegiate A Capella competitions where we placed in the top ten every year. The highest we got was third, but we lost to The Addams Apples from NYADA and the Treble Makers from Barden University."
Sam took this all in. He was totally infatuated with her.
"Auditions will be held on Wednesday," Will continued. "You'll all get to take your picks for students and then have a fun year ahead of you! The New Directions, of course, will be our competing choir, but I'll be sure to look for opportunities for Dually Noted and The TroubleTones as well."
Edward and Camille left the room. Sam followed sneakily, observing Camille in the teacher's lounge, the English classroom, and the auditorium.
Song: "Blank Space" by Taylor Swift
Nice to meet you, where you been?
I could show you incredible things
Magic, madness, heaven, sin
Saw you there and I thought
Oh my God, look at that face
You look like my next mistake
Love's a game, wanna play?
New money, suit and tie
I can read you like a magazine
Ain't it funny, rumors fly
And I know you heard about me
So hey, let's be friends
I'm dying to see how this one ends
Grab your passport and my hand
I can make the bad guys good for a weekend
[Pre-Chorus]
So it's gonna be forever
Or it's gonna go down in flames
You can tell me when it's over
If the high was worth the pain
Got a long list of ex-lovers
They'll tell you I'm insane
'Cause you know I love the players
And you love the game
[Chorus]
'Cause we're young and we're reckless
We'll take this way too far
It'll leave you breathless
Or with a nasty scar
Got a long list of ex-lovers
They'll tell you I'm insane
But I've got a blank space, baby
And I'll write your name
Cherry lips, crystal skies
I could show you incredible things
Stolen kisses, pretty lies
You're the Queen, baby, I'm your King
Find out what you want
Be that girl for a month
Wait, the worst is yet to come, oh no
Screaming, crying, perfect storms
I can make all the tables turn
Rose garden filled with thorns
Keep you second guessing like
"Oh my God, who is she?"
I get drunk on jealousy
But you'll come back each time you leave
'Cause, darling, I'm a nightmare dressed like a daydream
[Pre-Chorus]
[Chorus]
Girls only want love if it's torture
Don't say I didn't say, I didn't warn ya
[repeat]
[Pre-Chorus]
[Chorus]
INT. AUDITORIUM – WED AUG 19
Will, Sam, Camille, and Edward sat as panelists in the center of the auditorium. The audition pool was enormous. They had over fifty students auditioning today. By this time, they had already listened to forty-two auditions.
"This is exhausting," Sam said. "Can we just call it a day and call everyone back tomorrow?"
"That wouldn't be fair to the other students," Will said. "They're really excited about this and they all want to know where they're getting placed."
"Next up, Tanya Reyes," Will called. A Filipino girl walked up on stage. "Introduce yourself, please."
"Hi, I'm a sophomore, and I'll be auditioning for the TroubleTones or the New Directions today. I haven't sung much before, so if you decide to put me in the beginner's choir, that would be okay too," she said.
Sam and Camille smiled at each other as the music started.
Song: "Try" by Colbie Caillat
Put your make up on
Get your nails done
Curl your hair
Run the extra mile
Keep it slim
So they like you. Do they like you?
Get your sexy on
Don't be shy, girl
Take it off
This is what you want, to belong
So they like you. Do you like you?
[Pre-Chorus]
You don't have to try so hard
You don't have to give it all away
You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up
You don't have to change a single thing
[Chorus]
You don't have to try, try, try, try-i-i
You don't have to try, try, try, try-i-i
You don't have to try, try, try, try-i-i
You don't have to try
Yoooou don't have to try
Ooooo, oooooo, oooooo...
Get your shopping on,
At the mall,
Max your credit cards
You don't have to choose,
Buy it all
So they like you. Do they like you?
Wait a second,
Why should you care, what they think of you
When you're all alone, by yourself
Do you like you? Do you like you?
[Pre-Chorus]
You don't have to try so hard
You don't have to bend until you break
You just have to get up, get up, get up, get up
You don't have to change a single thing
[Chorus]
You don't have to try, try, try, try-i-i
You don't have to try, try, try, try-i-i
You don't have to try, try, try, try-i-i
You don't have to try
Yoooou don't have to try
Oooooo
Oooooo
[Pre-Chorus]
[Chorus]
Take your make up off
Let your hair down
Take a breath
Look into the mirror, at yourself
Don't you like you?
Cause I like you
The coaches applauded happily. The girl was immensely talented.
"It's the Filipino genes, I tell you," Edward remarked.
"Thank you very much, Tanya," Will said. "The final results will be posted tomorrow. Next up, Nicolas Hernandez."
A Latino boy took the stage next.
"Hey, I'm also a sophomore, and I'll be auditioning for just the Dually Noted," he said. All eyes went to Edward as he began taking notes.
Song: "Stand by Me" (Spanglish version) by Prince Royce
When the night, has come and the land is dark
y la luna, es la luz que brilla ante mi
Miedo no, no tendré, oh I won't, te asustaré
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
And darling, darling stand, by me, oh stand by me
Oh stand, junto a mi, junto a mi.
Y aunque las montañas o el cielo caiga
no voy a preocuparme
por que se, que tu estas junto a mi
No llorare, no llorare oh, I won't share a tear
por que se, que tu estas junto a mi
And darling, darling stand by me, oh stand by me
Oh stand, stand by me, stand by me
That's class right there
And darling, darling stand by me, oh stand by me
Oh stand, junto a mi, junto a mi
And darling, darling stand by me, oh stand by me
Oh stand, junto a mi, junto a mi
No I won't be afraid, oh I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand by me
Whenever you're in trouble won't you stand by me?
Oh, stand by me
Oh stand, junto a mi, junto a mía
"I know I run the risk of getting fired by saying this, but he is cute," Camille whispered. Sam looked at her jealously.
"Thank you, Mr. Hernandez," Will said. "The list will be posted tomorrow."
"Well," Sam continued. "Forty-four down, eight more to go, and then we can all go home!"
INT. HALLWAY – THU AUG 20
Will moved through the halls with four sheets of paper.
Tanya checked the TroubleTones list and grinned happily. She made it! Nicolas also fist-bumped a few new fellow Dually Noted members.
Myron went up to the list and tip-toed to read it. "Wow, we have 23 New Directions now!"
"Looks like the days of struggling to find 12 members is long past," Jane laughed.
Spencer looked at the list and saw that the Dually Noted currently only had seven members.
INT. HALLWAY – FRI AUG 21
"Well, Sam's country music lesson was actually pretty interesting," Mason said to Jane as she shut her locker.
"Tell me about it," Jane laughed. "Although I just hope that the whole year isn't going to be focused on country music. It's best if we learn all kinds of genres, which is why I really liked Rachel, Kurt, and Blaine teaching last year. They were so well-rounded with genres."
INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE
Will watched Mason and Jane walk past, then diverted his attention to Camille.
"I want the TroubleTones to compete," Camille said.
Will raised his eyebrows. "I thought I made it perfectly clear that the New Directions will represent us at competitions? That's how it's always been."
"I was the volunteer assistant director for the Unitards when they went to Sectionals in 2011, against two teams from McKinley: the New Directions, and the TroubleTones," Camille said. "Why were they both allowed to compete back then?"
"The rivalry sparked so much drama between the kids, which is why the TroubleTones and Dually Noted were instated as non-competitive choirs for this school," Will said.
"I won't have it," Camille said. "That Tanya girl is a star, and she will not shine if her coach is shoving country music down her vocal cords. All twelve of my girls are great performers and they deserve a shot at competing and representing this school."
"But then I'd have to grant the Dually Noted permission to compete, and I don't see how the show choir board is going to let one school enter three choirs," Will said. "It's unfair to the other schools."
Camille sighed and looked down. "So my girls are just going to be confined to Christmas concerts and nursing home performances, while Sam's kids get all the spotlight and recognition that my girls deserve just as well?"
Will sighed. "I understand where you're coming from, Camille. Let me think about it. I'll call a meeting with the other coaches to see what we can do."
Camille nodded. "That's all I can ask of you. I just really want my girls to have their fair shot."
INT. APARTMENT – SUN AUG 23
Ryder and Marley were enjoying brunch.
Song: "Royals" by Lorde
Ryder: I've never seen a diamond in the flesh
I cut my teeth on wedding rings in the movies
Ryder & Marley: And I'm not proud of my address,
In a torn-up town, no postcode envY
Marley: But every song's like
EXT. CHURCH
{Mercedes slips out of her gown and gets into a cab to go home.}
[Pre-Chorus]
Marley/Ryder/Mercedes: Gold teeth, grey goose, trippin' in the bathroom
Blood stains, ball gowns, trashin' the hotel room,
We don't care, we're driving Cadillacs in our dreams.
Marley: But everybody's like
All: Cristal, Maybach, diamonds on your timepiece.
Jet planes, islands, tigers on a gold leash.
We don't care
Marley: We aren't caught up in your love affair.
[Chorus]
Artie (All): And we'll never be royals (royals).
It don't run in our blood,
That kind of luxe just ain't for us.
We crave a different kind of buzz.
Let me be your ruler (ruler),
You can call me queen Bee
And baby I'll rule,
Ryder: I'll rule,
Marley: I'll rule,
Mercedes: I'll rule.
Artie: Let me live that fantasy.
INT. APARTMENT
{Artie reaches the apartment.}
Ryder, Marley, Artie: My friends and I—we've cracked the code.
We count our dollars on the train to the party.
And everyone who knows us knows
Artie: That we're fine with this,
We didn't come from money.
[Pre-Chorus]
{Mercedes arrives at the apartment. The four enjoy a jam session on the couch.}
[Chorus]
Marley: Ooh ooh oh
Life is great without a care
We aren't caught up in your love affair.
Marley & Ryder & Mercedes: Ooh ooh oh
We're bigger than we ever dreamed,
And I'm in love with being queen.
[repeat all w/ Artie]
[Chorus]
"I've missed singing with y'all," Artie remarked. "Mercedes, you wanna tell these two the good news you told us back at McKinley right before you slayed our ears with 'Someday We'll Be Together'?"
Mercedes laughed. "I've been picked up to be the opening act for Beyonce's new world tour!"
Ryder and Marley gawked.
"That is amazing!" Marley exclaimed. "Who else?"
"The opening acts are me, Raury, and GRL. I am SO excited for this!" Mercedes exclaimed. "So I'll be leaving in a couple months, but I do get Christmas off, and I'll be back in early 2016!"
"That's amazing," Marley said, longing for those opportunities.
EXT. PARAMOUNT – MON AUG 24
Ryder was getting ready for a shoot today as an extra on the set of a new crime show, Nerves.
"Scene Three, Take Four, Action!"
The filming commenced. Ryder and several other guys stood in the background as the show's leads strolled down a dark alleyway, when suddenly, the lead male tripped over a large bag.
"What the-?" the man acted, standing up as his girlfriend flipped the bag over, revealing a rotting corpse. She led out a blood-curdling scream, when—
"CUT!" the director exclaimed. "I'm not liking the lighting. Let's reset and try this again in ten."
The extras went off-set to relax under a tent, where there were refreshments waiting.
"You're a pretty good actor," one of the extras said to Ryder. "I mean, considering we just have to make a fake conversation in the background and look worried when she screams, you do it pretty spot-on."
"Thanks!" Ryder exclaimed, putting his donut down and shaking hands with the guy, who looked around his age.
"I'm Brian," he said. "So how many acting gigs have you gotten?"
"This is my first," Ryder said.
"No kidding!" Brian exclaimed. "This is my sixth time as an extra, although you think I'd have done a lot more considering I was born and raised here in LA."
"Well, I just moved here literally in the past week, so—" Ryder began.
"Neat!" Brian exclaimed. "Where are you from?"
"Ohio," Ryder replied.
"Wow, kind of a far distance away," Brian said. "Well, congrats on getting this gig, man. Even if we're just extras, it is most definitely the building block to stardom. This year, extras. Next year, co-stars. The year after, guest stars. And in no time, series regulars! And then, movie superstars!"
"You're quite a dreamer," Ryder laughed. "That's really cool. The funny thing is that I only started this whole acting thing in my sophomore year of high school and I just graduated."
"You in college?" Brian asked. "I'm a sophomore Political Science major at UCLA."
"Really?" Ryder asked. "You seem really serious about acting."
"Oh, I am, but it's always nice to have a fallback plan, you know?" Brian asked. "Don't get me wrong. I will not rest until my face is one on of those 20-story-high billboards. But, there's no shame in pursuing something that you love just as much. Who knows? Maybe my life's ambition and academic passion can go hand-in-hand one day and I can play the president of the United States."
INT. APARTMENT
"Rachel just called me to thank you for the song you wrote," Mercedes said, joining Marley for lunch in the kitchen. "She stopped by McKinley before going to the airport and she couldn't muster up the courage to leave again until she sang it."
"Aw, tell her it's no problem," Marley said. "I'm glad the song helped her to move on. It really did for me after I left McKinley in my junior year."
"So, don't mind me, but since we're roommates now I was taking the liberty of sorting through my files to make sure all of my tour contracts were in order, and then something fell out of your file cabinet," Mercedes explained. Marley's eyes widened. "You wanna tell me something about a little reality singing show?"
Marley giggled and grinned. "Okay, but you can't tell anyone because this has to be as secret as possible, per the contract. But, early this past summer, I auditioned for The X Factor and I made it past the audition. Next week is the boot-camp round!"
Mercedes's jaw dropped. "I am so happy for you! But I thought the show was cancelled back in 2013?"
"It was, but FOX brought it back for the 2015 season," Marley explained. "The judges are Simon Cowell, Kelly Rowland, Paula Abdul, and Selena Gomez."
"You are going to kill it on that show," Mercedes said excitedly.
"Well, my audition airs next week!" Marley exclaimed. "I am so excited."
"Well, I hope you have your Twitter set to public, Marley Rose, because let me tell you, thousands of people are going to want to know your story the moment your voice fills their living rooms," Mercedes said.
Marley grinned. "I'm just warning you now, that if you hear me singing in the shower, it's because I'm trying to rehearse my boot-camp piece to perfection."
"You can sing until any hour of the dawn, Marley," Mercedes said. "We are getting your dreams to come true. That goes for all of us here in the City of Angels trying to make it in these crazy businesses."
Ryder then burst into the door. "Guess who just got his second episode as an extra on Nerves!"
"Let me guess," Mercedes began.
"Ryder Lynn!" the two shouted together.
INT. CHOIR ROOM – FRI AUG 28
Sam walked into the choir room to meet his students.
"Good afternoon, everyone!" Sam exclaimed, writing the words 'Country Love' on the board. He turned around to explain the week's concluding lesson when he saw a shocking sight: of his 23 members, only 17 showed up today. "Where did everyone go?"
"Why don't you tell him where they all went, Mason?" Myron spat.
Mason rolled his eyes. "Madison, Spencer, and Alistair all defected."
"WHAT?" Sam shouted, taking a count of his new roster. He only had eight boys and nine girls left. "This has Camille written all over this!"
INT. SPEECH CLASSROOM
"And so, your speech assignment for next week is to talk about your favorite performing artist, and why you chose that person," Camille explained. "Since you're all freshmen, grading will be based mostly on participation, but as the semester progresses we'll take into account things like—"
"CAMILLE," Sam barked from the doorway. "Can I speak to you for a second?"
"Excuse me," the main teacher reprimanded from her desk. "You can't just barge into my classroom and—"
"Don't worry, this will be quick," Camille said, meeting Sam outside the door.
INT. HALLWAY
"What is it?" Camille asked.
"How dare you steal one of my star performers?" Sam asked.
Camille rolled her eyes. "Sam, if I recall correctly, you have 22 kids on your team now, I just got my thirteenth member and she came to me."
"News flash, I only have 17 now because five of my boys quit," Sam said.
"Don't blame me for that," Camille said. "They probably quit because they heard Mr. Quintin was doing a lesson on Latin music this week, which probably interested them a lot more than your country music. I did not steal Madison, Sam. If she felt that her talent was better suited for my girls, then that was her decision."
"Why would Madison defect to your club?" Sam asked. "She was one of our lead performers at Sectionals last year, she wouldn't leave for a non-competitive team."
Camille smiled. "Mr. Schuester didn't tell you, did he?"
"Tell me what?" Sam asked.
"Sorry to break it to you, Sam, but all three Glee Clubs will be vying for a shot at competing this year," Camille said, turning around and walking back into her classroom. Sam glared and continued down the hallway.
INT. TEACHER'S LOUNGE – LUNCH TIME
"Look, Sam, I mean you no hard feelings," Edward said to Sam over coffee. "It's just that five of your young men came to me, interested in the lesson I was planning, and decided to stick with me. I only got seven students from auditions, and now I have an even twelve members for the competition that will decide who gets to represent McKinley at Sectionals."
Sam looked across the table to Will. "Who's going to judge?"
Will shrugged. "I'm still figuring this out. Since Sue made a competition out of Invitationals last year, I think I'm going to do the same thing. But, naturally, I think this means that we need a panel of judges."
"That won't work," Sam said. "If you leave the decision up to only four or five teachers, guaranteed there will be a bias somewhere. I mean, you don't think I don't hear teachers talking behind my back about how I'm not nearly qualified enough to run this Glee Club?"
"How about we put the vote up to the students?" Will asked.
"Sam has more students than Camille and I," Edward said. "But, in hindsight, I do suppose it might be the fairest solution. Whichever team the student body supports most is the team that should rightfully represent their school."
Sam sighed. "I guess that's fair."
"I'm sorry that this isn't going the way you wanted, Sam," Will said. "But all these years I've preached about equality and fair education, and what kind of a principal would I be if I was neglecting half our students from the right to compete?"
"Why couldn't we just have one Glee Club then?" Sam asked.
"There are too many students interested," Will said. "Look, when I was in Glee Club, we had a strong team of forty go to Nationals, but if there's one thing I've learned from teaching Glee the past few years, it's that students just want the opportunity to shine. Sam, can you imagine how ugly things would have gotten if there were forty Rachels, Santanas, Mercedeses, Blaines, Kurts, Tinas, and Arties constantly fighting for solos? I don't think it would've been a pretty scene. There was enough spotlight fighting in a team of twelve. I felt that three Glee Clubs would give equal opportunities to all, and as such, I need to provide those Glee Clubs with equal opportunities to compete."
Song: "A Place in this World" by Taylor Swift
INT. AUDITORIUM
{Sam, Jane, Mason, Myron, and two other New Directions rehearse.}
Sam: I don't know what I want, so don't ask me
Cause I'm still trying to figure it out
Don't know what's down this road, I'm just walking
Trying to see through the rain coming down
Even though I'm not the only one
Who feels the way I do
INT. GYM
{Sam watches as Camille coaches the TroubleTones.}
[Chorus:]
Sam & Camille: I'm alone, on my own, and that's all I know
I'll be strong, I'll be wrong, oh but life goes on
Camille: Oh, I'm just a girl, trying to find a place in this world
INT. LOS ANGELES KARAOKE BAR
Ryder & Marley: Got the radio on,
Marley: My old blue jeans
And I'm wearing my heart on my sleeve
Ryder & Marley: Feeling lucky today,
Marley: Got the sunshine, could you
Marley & Ryder: tell me what more do I need
Marley: And tomorrow's just a mystery, oh yeah
But that's ok
[Chorus: Mercedes with Artie]
INT. GYM
Camille: Maybe I'm just a girl on a mission
But I'm ready to fly
Sam & Camille: I'm alone, on my own, and that's all I know
I'll be strong, I'll be wrong, oh but life goes on
Oh I'm alone, on my own, and that's all I know
Camille: Oh I'm just a girl,
Camille & TroubleTones: trying to find a place in this world
Camille & TroubleTones: Oh I'm just a girl
INT. LOS ANGELES KARAOKE BAR
Marley: Oh I'm just a girl, oh, oh,
Mercedes: Oh I'm just a girl
INT. GYM
Sam walked out of the auditorium silently as the girls continued to rehearse. He decided to go to the auditorium, where Edward was coaching the Dually Noted. Sam looked jealous. Spencer and Alistair looked like they were having so much more fun in the all-boys choir. Sam noticed Sheldon watching from the lower entrance to the auditorium. He walked over to her. "What's up, coach?"
Sheldon shuddered, having been taken by surprise.
"Oh, hey, pumpkin, nothing, just, uh," he stammered, turning on his heels and exiting the auditorium.
If Sam didn't know any better, he would have guessed that Sheldon had a crush on Edward. After all, he was pretty handsome for his age, and in the same age range as Sheldon.