Prologue
They were gridlocked. After hours of pouring over photographs, audition tapes, and notes and viewing thousands of hopeful contestants, they had narrowed the contestants down to thirty-three. They had fifteen in one room and sixteen in another. Sixteen were going home, but they just didn't know it yet. The room of fifteen was the future contenders. Then, there was a small room with only two equally talented contestants. That left them with seventeen competitors. The problem? There could only be sixteen. There had been several outbursts and near meltdowns as they tried to decide which one would finalize the cast.
This would be the first season of the show, and no one at the table really even knew if the show would be a hit or a bomb. All they knew was that they had to pick a diverse group to draw in different demographics of watchers. The network had had success with singing competitions before, but never in this format. Nobody had. This was a risk, and the network stood to lose a large amount of money if it failed.
Sue wrung her hands as she eyed the judges. She hated the arts. She'd started as an anchor on the nightly news, but as her ratings went through the roof, she realized that she had a thirst for power. She wanted to be the one to run the show, so to speak.
It had taken some underhandedness and blackmail, but now she was one of the executives for the network. Each of the other executives had taken on a project they were to oversee, and Dueling Duets was handed to her. Truth be told, it was the last project she wanted to oversee. The arts were ridiculous. She had been a cheerleader in high school and college, so she appreciated music. She thought music should be left to the real artists, not to a bunch of young brats that would never cut it in the music business. However, her advancement in the network depended on the success of this show. She was sure she could do it. Sue Sylvester was a champion. Nothing was going to stand in her way of having control of WOHN.
"Sue, are you with us?" Exec. Figgins inquired.
"Of course, I follow. I just don't agree," she said defensively.
"Sue, may I call you Sue?" Mr. Schuester asked politely.
"You may. If I can call you butt-chin? May I be excused. I need to run out to CVS to buy a small diaper for your chin because it looks like a baby's ass."
"Maybe we've been in this room too long, but there's no need for name calling," Ms. Pillsbury commented.
"No, I couldn't imagine someone such as yourself could ever bring herself to ever resort to such a thing, seeing as such you resemble one of the tamest primates in the Rainforest. Have you ever seen a marmoset? You are the spitting image." Sue commented.
"Sue, that's enough!" Mr. Figgins demanded. "Mr. Schuester deserves your utmost respect. He just won a Tony last year for his work in Mrs. Rhodes' adaptation of 'The Whiz'. We are very lucky to have him, and I will not tolerate you treating one of our vocal coaches like that, not to mention Ms. Pillsbury."
"I'm pretty sure I just made a comment. Why, the golden lion marmoset is the most adorable thing I have ever seen, although they aren't above a little poo slinging when they are aroused or angered," Sue smirked. "I'm not even sure why you are here."
"I'm a mentor to the contestants. In case they need an impartial opinion," Emma countered.
"I've never even seen you frown. How in the world are you going to dispense the tough love these amateurs need to whip them into shape?" she snipped.
"It seems to me there will be plenty of people to whip them into shape, Sue," Figgins assured her. "We have top of the line judges, coaches, and trainers. Ms. Pillsbury might be needed to soften the reality of a brutal competition."
"Life is brutal, and these little nobodies think that whining to the tune of a guitar is going to toughen them up. Singing against another spoiled brat? You think that's hard? Try auditioning for Baywatch and being told they are going in a different direction. Now, that's hard!" she yelled.
"Ms. Sylvester, if I may, the contestants we have chosen will be very fierce competitors. I have been a recruiter and scout longer than you have been alive, and you can be assured that they wouldn't have advanced if they weren't "Duets" material," Madam Tibideaux asserted. "I agree that we could all use a short intermission before we make our final decisions.
"I agree with Ms. Tibideaux. I've always thought she had exceptional judgment," Jesse St. James commented.
"Are you done kissing ass there, Brillo boy, because I left Schuester's chin uncovered just in case you wanted to finish the job," Sue sneered.
"I think we need a break too. I'm hungover, and I'm tired and slightly deaf from all of the whining and screeching," Ms. July grumbled. "There may be two of them that are actually cut out for this business," she stated rudely.
A knock on the door interrupted the panel, bringing some much-needed stress relief. The future host stuck his head through the door. "Are we ready to let them know whose hopes are going to be crushed and who is moving forward?
They had filmed many of the contestants throughout the audition process. They had recorded many emotional moments along the way, hoping that it would help the audience make a connection with the participants. They had planned to reveal the results on camera for dramatic effect.
"Yes, Mr. Bryan Ryan," Mr. Figgins answered. "I think we have a consensus. We have already split them into two groups. You can send the group in room two home."
"Me? How come I have to perform your dirty work?" Bryan asked.
"Let's see. Which one of us signed up to be the host? Hmmm. Yes, you did. Therefore, you get to crush the spirits of the lack-luster wannabes," laughed Jesse.
"I'm going to have to slap my agent," he replied. "I'll do it, but not without a bodyguard. The only art some of those psychos will be performing is designing license plates and whittle weapons out of spoons."
"Alert Beiste and the rest of the security guards if you believe there might be incidents. No one will cause any trouble with her." Figgins assured him. "Alright, take five, and then let's get this show on the road.