Summary: Now that Rachel is a NYADA, Broadway, and Hollywood flop, she's back in town to find herself again, and revives the New Directions. Blaine is now the coach of the Warblers, whose new lead performer is none other than Jake Puckerman. Will is now the coach of Vocal Adrenaline, whose returning star performer is Wade Unique Adams.
Guest Starring:
Samantha Ware as Jane
Noah Guthrie as Roderick
Billy Lewis Jr. as Mason
Laura Dreyfuss as Madison
Marshall Williams as Spencer
Mike O'Malley as Burt Hummel
Romy Rosemont as Carole Hudson-Hummel
Brian Stokes Mitchell as LeRoy Berry
Jeff Goldblum as Hiram Berry
Dianna Agron as Quinn Fabray
Kevin McHale as Artie Abrams
Erinn Westbrook as Bree
NeNe Leakes as Roz Washington
Iqbal Theba as Janitor Figgins
INT. THE LIMA BEAN – SUN AUG 17
Artie and Quinn sat a table consoling Rachel.
"Are you sure you're not moving back to New York?" Artie asked. "It'll be weird with just me and Kurt there."
"I can't believe Blaine and Kurt broke up again," Quinn said. "And now Blaine's back home in Westerville trying to get a job."
Rachel thought back to the day her TV show, That's So Rachel, was scrapped immediately after shooting the Pilot.
EXT. PARAMOUNT
Rachel was being escorted off the premises of the Paramount lot.
"Sorry it just didn't work out, Rachel," said Mary Halloran, one of the show's writers, and the girl who submitted the Pilot script that was approved for filming. "I guess FOX just wasn't interested in the story of a singing waitress and her friends in New York trying to make it on Broadway."
Thus, Rachel wound up back at home to be in the comfort of her dads. Kurt, who had come home for the summer, was so worried about Rachel, that he planned a dinner between the Hudson-Hummel and Berry families.
INT. BERRY DINING ROOM
"Sweetie, this is just one big hurdle for you," Leroy said.
"Yeah, you can always go back to New York and give things another shot," Hiram said.
"But Sidney Green told me that if I deviated away from Broadway and breached my contract, I'd be blacklisted and never welcomed to Broadway again," Rachel sighed. "And on top of that, being a college dropout and a Hollywood failure, I'm stuck."
"You'll never be stuck in this predicament forever," Burt said. "You just need to rediscover yourself and just start from square one and give it your all. You made it once before, you can do it again."
"We've always been proud of your accomplishments, Rachel," Carole said. "Everything's going to work out, just, maybe not always in the way that you expect it."
"If you do decide to stay in Lima, I'll respect your decision," Kurt said. "It's just hard to believe we've all scattered from the Big Apple when we sort of promised to stay there for at least two years, no matter the success or failure."
INT. THE LIMA BEAN
"If things were meant to happen, it'll happen," Quinn said. "Now, drink up. I've got a flight to catch back to New Haven. Here goes junior year!"
"Sophomore year!" Artie echoed excitedly.
EXT. MCKINLEY – MON SEP 29 – AFTER SCHOOL
Sam and Rachel drove into the school.
"Okay, I'm going to go pick up a visitor's pass from the office," Rachel said, getting out of the car.
"Sure thing, I'm going to go help Coach Beiste get the equipment ready," Sam said. Ever since he moved back to Lima in May, he'd been helping Shannon as an assistant football coach. He really loved it.
Sam followed a group of female Cheerios (one male Cheerio walked with them) to the athletic field. Sam saw Ryder, some teammates, and one of the new sophomore athletes, Spencer, hanging out under Finn's tree. Ryder wasn't the same guy he was in sophomore year. He was just the average football jock now. Spencer, on the other hand, was a typical jerky jock, who was also an out-and-proud gay.
"Looking good there, Mason!" Spencer teased at Mason, the male Cheerio.
"Shut up," Mason and his twin, Madison, hissed together.
Ryder laughed hysterically. "I don't think he likes you, Spencer."
"Hah, as if I'd be interested in that girly boy," Spencer laughed.
"Hey, guys, get your equipment on, practice starts in half-an-hour!" Sam instructed.
Ryder and Spencer rolled their eyes and led their teammates to the locker room. No one messed with Spencer with that attitude he had.
Sam moved toward the field and said "Good day!" to Shannon.
"Hey, good afternoon, Sam!" Shannon exclaimed. "I just need your help setting up the cones in that training area over there; we're going to get the offensive line to do some speed drills today. Also, I need you to run some passing and catching exercises with the boys too. Ryder's been off his game lately, which isn't good because he is the best running back we have. Also, this is Spencer's first game as starting quarterback, so make sure he knows what he's doing, okay?"
"Will do, Coach," Sam said, noting everything down. "Well, looks like a pretty good day to play!"
Adjacently, Cheerio co-captains Kitty and Bree began leading their team through a very tight routine. Sam and Shannon watched impressively. Ryder showed up to watch too. He had actually been dating Kitty for about seven months now. She and Artie broke up shortly after Artie's graduation, and Kitty and Ryder really began to bond on and off the athletic field.
"WHOO!" Coach Roz exclaimed. "Beautiful ladies! From the top!"
INT. AUDITORIUM
The place was barren. Clearly, the stage hadn't hosted a performance in ages, probably not since Sue funded a community theatre production of Annie in April, starring herself as Ms. Hannigan. Rachel walked over to the stage right wing and saw the portraits of Lillian and Finn.
"Glee, by its very definition, is about opening yourself up to joy."
"Maybe she's right," Rachel said to herself. "I've been stuck in this funk for a month. Maybe what I need now is something to open me up to joy. But what?"
Rachel glanced over to Finn's portrait, remembering Finn's voice during the junior year 'Night of Neglect' concert; "What is that saying? The show must go… all over the place… or something."
"He always knew what to say," Rachel began wondering what McKinley must have been like last year without New Directions. Will would've only had his History students, the ex-clubbers would have had to find other clubs, or worse, been stuck on their own. Where would Rachel be if there hadn't been a Glee Club to join? Honestly, Rachel didn't even know. Would she have even been able to get to New York at all after graduation?
"I know what I need to do."
INT. SUE'S OFFICE
"No, you cannot bring the Glee Club back," Sue said flatly.
"Principal Sylvester, with all due respect, the kids here need a creative outlet in their lives," Rachel said.
"No they don't," Sue said. "Ever since I disbanded that club of misfits, test scores have gone up. The students here no longer have to be interrupted in their studies by the Glee Club wailing out every Beatles one-hit-wonder ever made. Besides, you don't have the qualifications to take over that club."
"Finn did it, and he had zero qualifications besides being a three-year veteran of the Glee Club," Rachel said. "I'm also a three-year veteran, I trained for three semesters at NYADA, I've starred on Broadway—"
"And how'd that all work out?" Sue asked. "Besides, I have to question your ability to direct that club since, out of all of your fellow Glee graduates, you are the ONLY one who didn't come back to mentor the kids. If it were Mercedes or the dancing Asian, I'd consider it. But I'm not quite so sure about you yet…"
Rachel put on her best puppy dog pout.
Sue grimaced. "Fine."
INT. DALTON – TUE SEP 30
Sam and Rachel walked down the hallway together, turning right and entering the Warblers' rehearsal room.
Song: "Sing" by Ed Sheeran
Jake: It's late in the evening
Glass on the side
I've been sat with you
For most of the night
Ignoring everybody here
We wish they would disappear
So maybe we could get down now
I don't wanna know
If you're getting ahead of the program
I want you to be mine, lady
To hold your body close
Take another step into the no-man's land
For the longest time lady
[Chorus:]
Warblers: I need you darling
Come on set the tone
If you feel you're falling
Won't you let me know
Oh-Oh-Oh-Ooh-Oh
Oh-Oh-Oh-Ooh-Oh
If you love me come on get involved
Feel it rushing through you from your head to toe
Oh-Oh-Oh-Ooh-Oh
Oh-Oh-Oh-Ooh-Oh
Sing!
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh [2x]
Louder!
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Sing!
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Jake: This love is a blaze
I saw flames from the side of the stage
And the fire brigade comes in a couple of days
Until then we got nothing to say and nothing to know
But something to drink and maybe something to smoke
Jake & Blaine: Let it go until our roads are changed
Singing we found love in a local rave
No, I don't really know what I'm supposed to say
But I can just figure it out and hope and pray
Blaine: I told her my name and said, "It's nice to meet ya."
And then she handed me a bottle of water filled with tequila.
I already know she's a keeper
Just from this one small act of kindness
Jake: I'm in deep
If anybody finds out
I'm meant to drive home but I've drunk all of it now, not
Sobering up we just sit on the couch
One thing led to another
Now she's kissing my mouth
[Chorus:]
Blaine (Warblers): (Can you feel it?) All the guys in here don't even wanna dance
(Can you feel it?) All that I can hear is music from the back
(Can you feel it?) Found you hiding here so won't you take my hand darling
Before the beat kicks in again
Can you feel it?
Can you feel it?
[Chorus]
"Wow, great job!" Sam remarked.
Blaine and Jake led the Warblers in a bow.
Soon, it was just Blaine, Jake, Rachel, and Sam sitting together.
"So, Jake, how'd you end up here?" Rachel asked. "You seemed to be doing so well in McKinley."
"Well, uh, Jake kind of readopted his bad boy ways in junior year," Sam said.
"Puck noticed something was wrong so he tattled on me, he and my mom got me into a juvenile correctional facility, and after a bit of rediscovery, they felt it was best that I come here to Dalton. I actually think it's been working out pretty well," Jake said appreciatively. "I mean, there are no girls here, so it kind of keeps my, um, intimacy addiction under control, and these guys are a pretty good influence on me."
"Such is the magic of the Warblers," Blaine remarked.
"But, Blaine, what about NYADA?" Rachel asked.
"Well, I had to have a meeting with Madam Tibideaux approving me for distance-learning," Blaine explained. "I pay tuition and everything but I'm just taking 12 online credits, plus I did some summer school stuff in New York, so I'm not terribly behind. Even though it's because we broke up, I told Madam Tibideaux that my family was having financial struggles and that going home temporarily was the only way to make ends meet without dropping out of NYADA entirely. Besides, the Warblers need a coach. They didn't get to compete at all last year because after the Hunter Clarington steroid scandal, the Warblers are banned from competition if they don't have a director. If we get through this year with a clean record, they can be self-coached again, like tradition."
"But Blaine is a great coach for us," Jake said. "He really gets us."
"Well, I got Sue to allow me to reinstate the New Directions," Rachel said.
"What?" Blaine asked. "But, what about the computer lab?"
"The what?" Rachel asked.
"Oh, yeah, did I forget to mention that?" Sam asked. "When I moved back here in May, the choir room is a computer lab now. It allowed McKinley to introduce more Information-Technology courses."
"That's not good," Rachel said. "I mean, IT classes are great, but… This is a music room! What are we supposed to do?"
"Leave it to me," Sam said. "I'll get something figured out."
Rachel smiled. "I don't know how everything is going to work out, but what I discovered this week is that I wouldn't have been where I was without the support of Glee Club, and if there are kids in those halls who have a future that could be accomplished through a show choir, I want them to get that chance."
Jake smiled. "I think Marley will really appreciate it. But good luck getting Kitty and Ryder back on the team."
"What about Unique?" Rachel asked.
"Oh," Jake said. "Wade transferred back to Carmel. He—I mean, she—got tormented so much last year without the protection Glee Club afforded to her, so she went back home to Carmel. Mr. Schue's there too, now."
INT. AUDITORIUM
For the first time in ages, the spotlights of the April Rhodes Civic Pavilion shined down upon Rachel, in a beautiful pale dress.
Song: "Let It Go" from Frozen
The snow glows white on the mountain tonight
Not a footprint to be seen
A kingdom of isolation,
And it looks like I'm the queen.
The wind is howling like this swirling storm inside
Couldn't keep it in, heaven knows I tried!
Don't let them in, don't let them see
Be the good girl you always have to be
Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know
Well, now they know!
Let it go, let it go
Can't hold it back anymore
Let it go, let it go
Turn away and slam the door!
INT. HALLWAY
{Rachel slams Sue's office door, and strolls through the hallways.}
I don't care
What they're going to say
Let the storm rage on,
The cold never bothered me anyway!
It's funny how some distance
Makes everything seem small
And the fears that once controlled me
Can't get to me at all!
It's time to see what I can do
To test the limits and break through
No right, no wrong, no rules for me I'm free!
INT. AUDITORIUM
Let it go, let it go
I am one with the wind and sky
Let it go, let it go
You'll never see me cry!
Here I stand
And here I'll stay
Let the storm rage on!
My power flurries through the air into the ground
My soul is spiraling in frozen fractals all around
And one thought crystallizes like an icy blast
I'm never going back,
The past is in the past!
Let it go, let it go
And I'll rise like the break of dawn
Let it go, let it go
That perfect girl is gone!
Here I stand
In the light of day
Let the storm rage on,
The cold never bothered me anyway!
INT. HALLWAY – WED SEP 31
Rachel pinned up the audition notices for Glee Club. An African-American girl watched from afar. Her name was Jane.
"They're really bringing the Glee Club back? I've always wanted to join! I was a freshman when they took home a 2nd place finish at Nationals, and I really wanted to join, but they cut the program. I hope I have a shot. I've tried joining other clubs on campus. The African-American club and the community service club are fun and all, but I still feel like there's a club out there that can help me to open up. And that club is finally here."
"Good day, Principal Figgins!" Rachel exclaimed to Figgins, who was mopping the floors. "Oh, I'm sorry… Erm… Mr. Figgins?"
Figgins merely continued mopping. Marley hurried down the hallway, almost slipping on the floor.
"Woah, are you okay?" Rachel asked.
"Oh yeah," Marley said hurriedly. "So, you're really bringing the Glee Club back? Jake told me yesterday. I'm sorry things didn't work out for you in New York and LA."
Rachel smiled. "You know, I never got to tell you this, but I really enjoyed your performance as Sandy in Grease. For a girl who never did a theatrical production before, it was really good."
Marley grinned. "I did take a theater class at my old school in freshman year, but we didn't do any shows."
Rachel beamed. "Well, it was really good. Finn, Artie, Mike, and Mercedes really pulled off something special. I guess that's why I'm just nervous about this whole coaching thing. I don't know if I can do it. I know how much you all loved Finn, and I know how much he loved you guys. And Mercedes and Mike would always talk about how fun it was mentoring you guys for Grease, Sectionals, Regionals, and then Mercedes helped you all out at Nationals with Burt and Carole. I'm kind of bummed I missed out on all of that."
Marley nodded in understanding. "I'm sure you'll do great. I can't wait for auditions!"
"Oh, you're not auditioning," Rachel said. "You're helping me run auditions."
Marley beamed, but not before she and Rachel were slushied by Bree and Kitty.
"Break a leg, girls!" Bree exclaimed.
Rachel brushed the slush out of her eyes. "I didn't miss that."
Figgins wailed. "WHY DO YOU KIDS HATE ME?!"
INT. AUDITORIUM – THU OCT 1
Rachel, Sam, and Marley set up their desk in the center of the auditorium. The twin Cheerios came out on stage. Marley giggled. "These two are hilarious. Basically the only humane Cheerios on that squad."
"Nice to have you back, Brad!" Rachel cheered from the stage. Brad kept on his usual bored face.
"Hi, I'm Madison—"
"And I'm Mason—"
"And we'll be singing 'What I've Been Looking For' from our favorite musical ever!" they both said together.
Song: "What I've Been Looking For" from High School Musical
Mason: It's hard to believe
That I couldn't see
Both: You were always there beside me
Thought I was alone
With no one to hold
But you were always right beside me
Madison: This feelings like no other
Both: I want you to know
I've never had someone that knows me like you do
The way you do
I've never had someone as good for me as you
No one like you so lonely before I finally found
what I've been looking for
Madison: So good to be seen
So good to be heard
Both: Don't have to say a word
Mason: So long I was lost
So good to be found
Both: I'm loving having you around
Mason: This feeling's like no other
Both: I want you to know
I've never had someone that knows me like you do
The way you do
I've never had someone as good for me as you
No one like you
So lonely before, I finally found
What I've been looking for
Both: Doo Doo DooDoo
Doo Doo DooDoo
Do Do
Woa-ah-ah-oh
Rachel, Sam, and Marley applauded, and then heard applause coming from the rear entrance.
"Kurt?" Rachel asked.
"What are you doing here?" Sam asked.
Kurt came to the judges' table and held up a NYADA document to Rachel. "I'm approved for 12 credits of Distance Learning: Creative Writing, History of International Cinema, Playwriting and Screenwriting, Contemporary Musical Theatre History, and I told Madam Tibideaux that this would be a good senior project opportunity for me to do, and she went for it!"
Rachel hugged Kurt tightly. "I'm so glad to have you here!"
"It's only for the semester," Kurt said. "I figured you needed help to kick-start the club and get them through Sectionals, and then I can move back to New York in full swing, where I hope you'll join me."
Rachel smiled, turning back to the twins. "Thank you both, we'll be posting the list tomorrow. Alright, who's next?"
The African-American girl took the stage next.
Song: "Pretty Hurts" by Beyonce
Mama said, "You're a pretty girl.
What's in your head, it doesn't matter
Brush your hair, fix your teeth.
What you wear is all that matters."
[Pre-Hook:]
Just another stage, pageant the pain away
This time I'm gonna take the crown
Without falling down, down, down
[Hook:]
Pretty hurts, we shine the light on whatever's worst
Perfection is a disease of a nation, pretty hurts, pretty hurts
Pretty hurts, we shine the light on whatever's worst
We try to fix something but you can't fix what you can't see
It's the soul that needs the surgery
(Uh huh huh)
Blonder hair, flat chest
TV says, "Bigger is better."
South beach, sugar free
Vogue says, "Thinner is better."
[Pre-Hook:]
[Hook:]
{Jane imagines what her first competition will be like if she got to be the soloist. She imagines some fellow Glee girls backing her up as she unleashes her high notes on the chorus. Rachel, Kurt, Sam, and Marley, who are just seeing Jane and a microphone, are inspired.}
[Bridge:]
Ain't got no doctor or pill that can take the pain away
The pain's inside and nobody frees you from your body
It's the soul, it's the soul that needs surgery
It's my soul that needs surgery
Plastic smiles and denial can only take you so far
Then you break when the fake facade leaves you in the dark
You left with shattered mirrors and the shards of a beautiful past
[Hook:]
[Outro:]
When you're alone all by yourself (pretty hurts, pretty hurts)
And you're lying in your bed (pretty hurts, pretty hurts)
Reflection stares right into you (pretty hurts, pretty hurts)
Are you happy with yourself? (pretty hurts, pretty hurts)
You stripped away the masquerade (pretty hurts, pretty hurts)
The illusion has been shed (pretty hurts, pretty hurts)
Are you happy with yourself? (pretty hurts, pretty hurts)
Are you happy with yourself? (pretty hurts, pretty hurts)
Yes
Uh huh huh
Marley exclaimed, "Jane! I didn't know you had that voice in you!"
"You know her?" Rachel asked.
"Yeah, she was in my Algebra class last year, she's a genius, from the calculator to the microphone!" Marley said excitedly.
"Thank you, Jane," Rachel said appreciatively.
"Next!" Kurt exclaimed. "Gosh, Marley, being in this chair reminds me of the day we discovered you!"
Next up, a heavyset student took the stage.
Song: "Corner of the Sky" from Pippin
Everything has its season
Everything has its time
Show me a reason and I'll soon show you a rhyme
Cats fit on the windowsill
Children fit in the snow
So why do I feel I don't fit in anywhere I go?
[Chorus]
Rivers belong where they can ramble
Eagles belong where they can fly
I've got to be where my spirit can run free
Got to find my corner of the sky
Every man has his daydreams
Every man has his goal
People like the way dreams have
Of sticking to the soul
Thunderclouds have their lightning
Nightingales have their song
And don't you see I want my life to be
Something more than long...
[Chorus]
So many men seem destined
To settle for something small
But I won't rest until I know I'll have it all
So don't ask where I'm going
Just listen when I'm gone
And far away you'll hear me singing
Softly to the dawn:
[Chorus]
"WHAT THE HELL?" Sam exclaimed. "DUDE! That was flipping AMAZING!"
Kurt blew his nose and wiped away his tears. "Oh my goodness. I haven't been touched so much by an audition since Jake Puckerman sang 'Never Say Never' and then threw a tantrum."
"What's your name?" Sam asked.
"I'm Roderick," he said.
"Damn!" Marley exclaimed. "We could definitely use a voice like that!"
"We sure can," Rachel said excitedly. "Thank you, Roderick. Who's next?"
No one else came on.
"Seriously?" Sam asked. "Only four people?"
"Don't lose hope just yet," Kurt said. "Mr. Schue started out with five of us, and we got to twelve within a month."
Marley sighed. "It's so weird being in this predicament. When I joined, at least there were already eight people in the Club. Now it's just me and these four new kids? I don't want to be the only senior."
"But you'll get solos!" Rachel exclaimed, to frowns from Sam and Kurt.
"I don't want to be the spotlight hog, no offense, Rachel," Marley said. "I just really hope I can persuade Ryder and Kitty to rejoin."
"You know what," Sam said. "We're going to settle this Mr. Schue-style. We go to the athletics department and steal them, just like Finn."
INT. GIRLS' LOCKER ROOM
Coach Beiste was refilling the air in some volleyballs when Rachel came in after an afternoon jog.
"Hey, Coach!" Rachel exclaimed. "Thanks so much for letting me use the field and gym today."
"No worries, sweetie," she said. "You're always welcome here."
"Coach Beiste!" Roz exclaimed, coming out a random locker check. "I think we might have to invest in some drug-sniffing dogs, because I'm smelling things in here that should only be wafting from the men's locker room."
"Fine, then let's talk to Sue about it," Shannon said. "Rachel, I'm locking up in half-an-hour, so shower and pack up before then, alright?"
"Got it," Rachel said, fleeing to the showers.
Rachel didn't even step into the shower hall when she heard another shower turn on, and a girl's voice belting out a Grease song.
Look at me, I'm Sandra Dee
Lousy with virginity
Won't go to bed 'til I'm legally wed
I can't! I'm Sandra Dee!
Rachel stepped into the shower next to her and said, "Despite the fact that it was Santana who sang that song on stage, I know that Patty Simcox voice anywhere."
"Oh my gosh!" Kitty screamed. "Get out!"
"I just want to talk!" Rachel argued.
"I'm not rejoining Glee Club!" Kitty exclaimed, wrapping a towel around herself and storming out to the locker area.
"Why not?" Rachel asked.
"Alright, I'm going to cut it to you straight," Kitty said. "You and your fellow graduates traipsed back into these halls at the end of my sophomore year, only to spend the week singing old songs or rekindling old relationships. You all did nothing to fight against Sue to save the Glee Club. You left it up to Mr. Schue and the two drunk blonde ladies. You know, Glee Club used to mean a lot to me, but after I spent the last year having to dig up whatever was left of my original freshman year popularity, I'm not going to risk losing it again."
Rachel paused. She didn't think of it like that. "Look, I know I didn't do my part, but now that Glee Club is back up and running, we could really use your voice! Your belt has a really nice ring to it and your tone has a country-ish vibe that I think we could explore."
"Not interested," Kitty said. "Go pull members from the Chess Club, perhaps."
INT. BOYS' LOCKER ROOM
Shannon was about to lock up when she saw Kurt and Sam talking to Ryder.
"What's going on, boys?" Shannon asked.
"We were just in the middle of asking Ryder if he wanted to rejoin Glee Club," Sam said.
"I already told them 'no,'" he said.
"Well, why not?" Shannon asked.
Ryder shook his head. "It's personal."
"Well, whatever the personal reason, I have to question why you're being so hesitant," Shannon said. "You know I'm flexible between scheduling Glee and football. And truth be told, Ryder, you became a totally different person when Finn got you to audition for Grease. And by the time you started doing Glee Club, it was all signed, sealed, and delivered. You looked so much happier than when you first got to this school. I saw this with a lot of my best football guys. Finn, Puck, Mike, Artie, Dave Karofsky, my boyfriend even tells me that the one-year Glee Clubber Matt Rutherford totally changed from Glee Club."
"Who?" Sam asked.
Kurt explained, "Matt was one of the original twelve Glee Clubbers. He was with us the year before you joined. He was Mike's best friend, and even though he didn't talk much, he was a damn good dancer. But, Coach, who's your boyfriend?"
"Oh, Ken Tanaka!" Shannon exclaimed happily.
"WHAT?" Kurt asked.
"Yeah, Mr. Schuester got us hooked up on an online dating service thing back in Spring 2013, and we talked for a bit and finally got together last year. He makes me feel so special, a lot better than that Cooter Menkins," Shannon explained.
"Okay, back to the point," Ryder said. "I know I changed from being in Glee Club, but that was in sophomore year. I'm really happy where I am right now with football. I mean… I'll give it some thought, but I can't make you all any promises."
Kurt smiled and nodded with understanding. "We don't want to force you into anything you don't want to do, Ryder. But you were a huge asset to the Glee Club the other year. From Danny Zuko, to supporting Tina's 'Gangnam Style' chorus, to singing 'Hall of Fame' at Regionals. You're really special, and we just don't want all that talent to go to waste, particularly in your senior year."
Ryder nodded. "Well, um, I guess I'd better get home. See you tomorrow, Coach Beiste, and Sam."
INT. CARMEL AUDITORIUM
Rachel, Kurt, Sam, Marley, Mason, Madison, Roderick, and Jane entered the auditorium to watch Vocal Adrenaline's Fall Festival of Arts.
"Hello, everyone!" Will exclaimed from the stage. "I am pleased to introduce, after a two-year hiatus, Vocal Adrenaline!"
Twenty performers in aqua-blue uniforms came out on stage.
Song: "End of Time" by Beyonce
[Chorus]
VA: Come take my hand
I won't let you go
I'll be your friend
I will love you so deeply
I will be the one to kiss you at night
I will love you until the end of time
{The 19 dancers part the formation to reveal Unique in the middle.}
[Chorus 2]
Unique: I'll be your baby
Now promise not to let you go
Love you like crazy
Now say you'll never let me go
VA: Say you'll never let me go (say)
Say you'll never let me go
Say you'll never let me go (say)
Say you'll never let me go
Unique: Take you away from here
There's nothing between us but space and time
I'll be your own little star
Let me shine in your world
In your own little universe
Make me your girl
[Chorus]
[Chorus 2]
Unique (VA): Baby, come on
Get up on it
Show me that you really want it
I wanna be the one to love you baby, let's go
(Ohhhhh Hooo Ohhhh) Let's go (Ohhhhh Hooo Ohhhh)
I wanna provide
This loving that you're giving
I ain't frontin' in this love
Can you let me love you from your head to toe?
(Ohhhhh Hooo Ohhhh) Baby, let's go (Ohhhhh Hooo Ohhhh)
VA (Unique): Boy come to me (come to me)
Let me turn your rain into sun (come to me baby)
You don't have to worry baby (oh no)
I Promise I'll set your heart free
And my love into your soul
You go
I Go
We Go
That's all she wrote
VA Girl: Say you'll
Say say
Say you'll Ne-Never [x4]
Unique: Can't you see me?
I just wanna love you
Can't you feel me babe?
I just wanna be with you
I just wanna live for you
I'll never let you go
Free your love to me
[Chorus]
[Chorus 2]
The performance was absolutely stunning for a group that had been put together a few months ago.
"So, um…" Madison hesitated. "We're not up against them for Sectionals, are we?"
Rachel gulped.
INT. WILL'S NEW CLASSROOM
Will and Unique welcomed Rachel, Kurt, and Marley in. Sam took the other kids outside for snacks.
"So you're actually teaching music here now?" Rachel asked. "I thought you didn't have a degree in that field."
"I don't," Will said. "But the administration considered all of my credits and felt I was better off teaching music than teaching History or Spanish, or supervising Accounting Club. But the pay here is a lot better than McKinley. Emma just got a job counseling here, too! And the thing about Carmel is that the students here really are interested in the arts."
"Of course, Vocal Adrenaline was the top team for so many years," Kurt said.
"Well, after Jesse St. James' run as coach in 2012, the administration felt that Vocal Adrenaline wasn't up to its game to keep the amount of funding they used to have," Will explained. "So for two years, Vocal Adrenaline was on hiatus. Most of the kids had nowhere to turn, so once Sue submitted a letter of recommendation for me here, they were impressed. A National championship in 2012 and a runner-up title in 2013, they felt I could be the one to bring Vocal Adrenaline back to the caliber they boasted when Shelby Corcoran was their coach."
"What about you, Unique?" Marley asked. "I really miss you at McKinley."
Unique smiled. "I miss you all so much too, but you know how much I struggled at McKinley. I couldn't stay there."
"I totally understand," Kurt said. "My junior year, things got so bad I felt I had no choice but to transfer to Dalton."
Rachel frowned. "It's funny how cruel some people can be, and yet you come to a school like this and the kids here are relatively decent."
"It's a changing culture," Will said. "As teachers, it's up to us to change our students, to make them see other viewpoints besides their own. I know you two aren't really teachers, but you don't need a college degree to make a change."
Kurt beamed. "I think I've got a thesis statement for my senior project!"
"I thought you were just a sophomore?" Unique asked.
"Yeah, but I'm getting this done early," Kurt said. "Maybe instead of fussing around about senior projects, I can actually be auditioning for Broadway by my senior year."
"Well when that happens, score us tickets," Unique laughed.
INT. DALTON – FRI OCT 3
The Warblers started some a cappella beats.
Song: "Royals" by Lorde, Pentatonix arrangement
Jake: I've never seen a diamond in the flesh
I cut my teeth on wedding rings in the movies
Jake & Blaine: And I'm not proud of my address,
In a torn-up town, no postcode envy
INT. AUDITORIUM
[Verse 2]
Sam/Kurt/Rachel (Kurt): (But every song's like) 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.
(But everybody's like) Cristal, Maybach, diamonds on your timepiece.
Jet planes, islands, tigers on a gold leash.
We don't care, we aren't caught up in your love affair.
INT. CARMEL
[Chorus]
Will (VA): 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
Tri-campus
Will: And baby I'll rule
Blaine: I'll rule
Rachel: I'll rule,
Kurt: I'll rule.
All: Let me live that fantasy.
INT. AUDITORIUM
{Marley, Jane, Madison, Mason, and Roderick enter}
Roderick/Marley/Jane (Marley): 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 (that we're fine with this
We didn't come from money.)
[Verse 2: Sam/Kurt/Rachel (Kurt)]
INT. CARMEL
[Chorus]
INT. DALTON & CARMEL
Blaine: Ooh ooh oh
Life is great without a care
We aren't caught up in your love affair.
Blaine w/ Will & Unique runs: Ooh ooh oh
We're bigger than we ever dreamed,
And I'm in love with being queen.
[repeat]
INT. CARMEL
[Chorus]
INT. AUDITORIUM
New Directions: Ooh, ooh, oh
We're bigger than we've ever dreamed
Sue, Kitty, and Bree watched from the rear of the auditorium.
"Girls, this is what I call a travesty of epic proportions," Sue whispered. "You two are the Cheerios co-captains. How dare you let the twins join Glee Club?"
"Principal Sylvester, we had no knowledge," Bree said. "I knew something was up with them the moment they joined the varsity squad. All that… cheerfulness, and… pep…"
Kitty wasn't listening to the argument. She watched regretfully as she watched the New Directions and their mentors hug on stage. They even recruited new band members! Kitty began to wish she rejoined this week. What would Sue say?
