Time of My Life
Part 1
"The show starts in an hour, ok? I'll see you two there." Noel said grabbing her leather jacket.
"We won't be late." House groaned for the third time.
"But you will if you don't hurry!" Allison said, shooing her out the door.
"I'll see you there!" Noel called climbing into Daniel's mustang.
It was the big night of the play and Noel was jittery as usual. Daniel tousled her hair from the driver's seat.
"You'll do great, as always."
"I know. I'm just worried that they'll be late."
"They won't be late!"
"So everyone tells me."
Noel peeked from behind the curtains at the audience. She was done up in her opening outfit; a loose red tunic, black leggings, and red flats. The outfit was complete with a leopard print jacket, Mimi's signature. She could see Chase sitting in the second row, next to a red head that she recognized from the cardiology department. Wilson and Cuddy were just coming in, followed by Foreman and his girlfriend Julia. They took the seats next to Chase. She spotted Daniel's sister, Jeannie, sitting a few rows back with her fiancé, her hands on her pregnant belly. Next to them were Daniel's parents, chatting amiably. But the two seats in the front row, center labeled "RESERVED!!!!" were empty and it was three minutes to show time.
"They'll be here." Kendra said.
"Yeah. I mean everyone else is here so why shouldn't they be?" Ross said as he struggled to pull his boots on. He promptly fell over.
"Smooth." Noel said giggling. Moving away from the curtains, she straightened up Ross' scarf and pulled Kendra offstage, preparing for the start up the play.
"Are we late?" Cameron asked, scooting into the seat in front of Wilson.
"Just made it." He said.
House peered down at the program, feeling a swell of pride when he looked at the cast list.
Cast
Mark Cohen: Ross Jacobs
Roger Davis: Daniel O'Connell
Tom Collins: Jay Peters
Angel Dumott Schunard: Kenny Roberts
Benjamin Coffin III: Michael Peters
Mimi Marquez: Noel House
Maureen Johnson: Kendra Lewis
Joanne Jefferson: Lauren Williams
And it went on and on…
When the curtains opened, House recognized Ross right away. His blonde hair was sticking up in every direction and he was buried in an oversized coat and red scarf. An old camera was seemingly glued to his face.
"December 24th, 1989, 9p.m., Eastern Standard Time. From here on in, I shoot without a script. See if anything comes of it… instead of my old shit."
He was totally into the character, becoming Mark instead of Ross.
The show had begun.