Because I couldn't wait eight months for Karen to get the standing ovation she deserves. This is a first fan fic attempt. I'd appreciate knowing if you'd like this post-finale story to continue. LW
Ovation - an expanded SMASH finale.
Karen sang out the final phrase with all she had, "…let me be the star," arms wide, head thrown back, as Marilyn filled the screen behind her. The audience exploded from their seats, applauding and cheering. Tom and Julia stood with the rest, laughing, hugging each other amazed at what they had just experienced. She had done it. Karen was Marilyn. Derek had been right. The final note faded and the curtain dropped but not the applause. Behind the curtain Karen dropped her arms and closed her eyes letting the audience's response wash over her. Backstage Linda was calling the company to the stage. As the ensemble gathered, Karen still hadn't moved from her mark. Derek walked over to her from the wings. She smiled up at him and mouthed, "thank you." He smiled. "A star," he whispered, taking her arm leading her off-stage. As the curtain rose on the ensemble, so did the applause. They took their bows and parted as Arthur, Zanuck, and Kennedy stepped forward and bowed. Michael had appeared beside Karen and Derek in the wings. Derek bent to Karen's ear, "Time to take your bow, my darling." Derek turned to Michael, "Take her.". Michael led Karen to center stage as the audience erupted once again. Michael turned loose of her hand and bowed to her, himself. Everyone joined hands and bowed as one. The curtain came down, but the applause didn't stop. "Cast out, Marilyn and DiMaggio only," called Linda. The stage cleared leaving only Michael and Karen. The curtain came up again, and once again applause and cheers filled the theater. This time after they took another bow, Michael walked off-stage leaving Karen alone in the spotlight once again. The applause went on and on.
Karen had experienced applause before, often actually, most recently at the club with Rebecca, but never on this scale. It rolled over her and through her. The smile on her face just kept getting bigger and bigger till she didn't think her face could stretch any further. Her eyes overflowed with tears of joy. She bowed to each side of the house then to the center as the curtain came down for the final time.
"We're out," called Linda. The cast flooded back onto the stage surrounding Karen. Everyone congratulating her at once. "That was amazing!" "Terrific" "Unbelievable" "You were great!" It all ran together, but it was wonderful. Hugs were a free-flowing as compliments. This was what she had been striving for. This was why she moved to this city. Here in this moment there was no heartbreak, no exhaustion, no past, only that applause and the feeling of being a star.
Derek stood in the wings, quite pleased with himself, per usual, yet uncharacteristically proud of Ms. Cartwright. "Derek," he turned at the sound of his name to see Eileen, Nick and Lyle behind him. Eileen stepped up to him, looked him in the eye, "Thank You." Followed by "How did you know?"
Looking just a little smug, Derek replied, "You're welcome," and turned by to watch his cast and his star revel in their moment. He had notes, lots of notes. But they were for tomorrow. Tonight was for celebrating.
In the midst of the cast congratulating Karen and each other on a terrific show, it was Sam who noticed Ivy was missing.