Summary: Marley advances through the rounds in The X Factor competition. Tina auditions for the film version of Miss Saigon. Mercedes is offered to sing the National Anthem at an NFL game.
Guest Starring:
Aylin Bayramoglu as Ameera Sadik-Tiryaki | Melanie Amaro as Paige Medrano
Marissa von Bleicken as Claire | Kevin James as Theater Manager
Special Appearances by:
Anna Maria Perez de Tagle
Selena Gomez
Simon Cowell
Kelly Rowland
Paula Abdul
Cameron Mackintosh
Mario Lopez
Co-Starring:
Hallie Todd as Professor
Absent: all McKinley & NYC cast
INT. APARTMENT – MON SEP 7, 2015 – EARLY MORNING
"OH MY GOSH YES!"
The deafening scream jolted Ryder out of his bed. He grabbed the nearest weapon he could find (a mere ruler) and sprinted into the living room to find Tina leaping with joy. She saw Ryder, shirtless, wielding the ruler like a knife, and stopped.
"What are you doing with that?" she asked.
"I heard you screaming, I just thought—" Ryder stammered.
"TINA!" Mercedes shouted, limping into the living room exhaustedly. "This had better be worth it because I need my beauty sleep for my promotional performance today."
"It is!" Tina exclaimed. "So you know how last week Ryder and I got an agent? I got signed up for an audition for the movie adaptation of Miss Saigon!"
"What's that about?" Mercedes asked.
Tina rolled her eyes. "It's the most epic musical ever written by the same writers of Les Miserables, produced by the same man who staged the legendary productions of Phantom of the Opera and CATS, about a Vietnamese girl who falls in love with an American soldier in the Vietnam War, but tragedy separates the couple, resulting in—"
"But wait, you're Korean," Ryder said, pulling a shirt over his head.
"The leads in the stage productions are hardly ever actually Vietnamese," Tina explained. "Lea Salonga originated the role and she's a Filipino. The lead Kim in the West End along with her alternate are both Filipino, and their understudy is Korean! So long as you're representative of an Asian race, you've got a shot. I'VE GOT A SHOT!"
"Okay, Tina, you are about to wake up the whole city if you don't calm down," Mercedes giggled. "We are really happy for you, girl. When's the audition?"
"Tomorrow!" Tina exclaimed gleefully.
"Wow, do you think I could get an audition too?" Ryder asked. "I mean, that show has a lot of parts for American soldiers, right? I mean, look at Les Miserables. Eddie Redmayne, Aaron Tveit, their careers totally took off after the film."
"Well, good luck with that Ryder, because bottom line is, this Korean girl is finally going to get her big break!" Tina exclaimed.
"Don't get too confident, Tina," Mercedes said. "This just means that every Asian actor and actress in the world is flying into LA this minute to audition."
"Well, actually, they're auditioning all over the world," Tina said. "London, New York, Hanoi, Manila, LA, Honolulu, this is going to be amazing!"
"Well, since Tina just broke her great news, I figure I might as well tell you folks something," Mercedes went on. "I got offered to sing the National Anthem at the 2015 NFL kickoff!"
"THAT'S AMAZING!" Ryder exclaimed.
Tina rolled her eyes.
Mercedes hopped up and down excitedly. "I am so excited. Ariana Grande performed it last year, so can you believe they asked me to do it this year? I'm so honored. Once I do this, and Beyonce's world tour, I just know that my career is going to pick right up and hurdle full-speed right towards a Grammy. Well, Tina, thank you for waking us all up, because I did have a meeting with my team in a couple hours to discuss how I'm going to perform. So, what do you say we act like real roommates, whip up breakfast, and take on the world together?"
Ryder grinned. "Sounds like a plan. Congratulations, ladies."
INT. USC MUSIC REHEARSAL ROOM
Tina sat at the piano, rehearsing her audition piece.
"For so many years, my talent has sat in the back, waiting to be recognized. Now, I feel like an opportunity has finally struck for me to show the world what I can do. Like recent Tony winner Ruthie Ann Miles said in an interview for her role as Lady Thiang in The King and I, there just aren't enough roles out there for Asian actors, but now, the role is here, and I will claim it."
INT. APARTMENT
"I cannot believe we are finally going to get to see you on TV!" Artie exclaimed, handing out bowls of popcorn to everyone.
"I'm so nervous," Marley said, sitting anxiously between Tina and Mercedes, clasping both of their hands tightly.
"Here it comes!" Ryder exclaimed.
On TV, Marley walked into the X-Factor stage in front of judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Kelly Rowland, and Selena Gomez. Marley introduced herself, and a montage of Marley's life's story came up, talking about facing adversity in a low-income household with a single mother, bullying in school, and finding her place in show choir. Pictures came up of Marley singing 'All or Nothing' at her sophomore year Regionals and winning the MVP award for singing 'Piano' at her senior year Nationals. Finally, it was time for the song.
Song: "Skinny Love" by Birdy (originally Bon Iver)
Come on skinny love just last the year,
Pour a little salt we were never here,
My my my, my my my, my-my-my my-my...
Staring at the sink of blood and crushed veneer.
Tell my love to wreck it all,
Cut out all the ropes and let me fall,
My my my, my my my, my-my-my my-my...
Right in the moment this order's tall.
And I told you to be patient,
And I told you to be fine,
And I told you to be balanced,
And I told you to be kind,
And in the morning I'll be with you,
But it will be a different kind,
'Cause I'll be holding all the tickets,
And you'll be owning all the fines.
Come on skinny love, what happened here?
Suckle on the hope in light brassieres,
My my my, my my my, my-my-my my-my...
Sullen load is full, so slow on the split.
And I told you to be patient,
And I told you to be fine,
And I told you to be balanced,
And I told you to be kind,
And now all your love is wasted,
Then who the hell was I?
'Cause now I'm breaking at the britches,
And at the end of all your lines.
Who will love you?
Who will fight?
And who will fall far behind?
Come on skinny love,
My my my, my my my, my-my-my my-my...
The audience rose to their feet as Marley shyly took in the applause.
"Girl, you nailed it!" Artie remarked.
"Wow, Marley Rose, you are truly a gift to this stage," Paula complimented.
"You came out here so shyly but seriously, you owned that performance, gurl, and I wanna see you again," Kelly said.
"I heard so much vulnerability in your performance, and that speaks a lot to your experiences and what you've been through," Selena said.
"Marley, you strike me as a girl who is willing to go the distance and work hard to accomplish her dreams," Simon said. "Let me start off the voting by saying yes."
The other three judges also said yes, sending Marley off to the next round.
The LA kids cheered for Marley as she buried her face in her hands, excited for this chapter in her life. "Tomorrow is our boot-camp performances."
"You are going to nail that performance and get to the live shows, Marley," Mercedes said.
INT. AUDITION HALL – TUE SEP 8
Tina signed in at the audition hall. She was so excited, until she looked around. Everywhere she looked, there were dozens of Tina Cohen-Changs. The hall was full of many different nationalities. Koreans, Japanese, Chinese, Filipinos, Vietnamese, Indonesians, Thai, etc. There were also some Caucasian girls there auditioning for Ellen, as well as many non-Asian men auditioning for Chris, John, and the ensemble.
Tina stepped into the audition room.
"Hi, my name is Tina Cohen-Chang, I'm 19 years old, I'm full Korean but I was adopted by an American family and I grew up in Ohio, so you could say that this story is very close to my heart, so much so that I am auditioning for the role of Kim," she explained.
Song: "Waiting for Life" from Once on this Island
A stranger in white
In a car
Going somewhere
Going far...
How it must feel to go racing
Wherever you please
Flying as free as a bird
With his tail in the breeze
Even the fish in the sea
Must be longing to fly
Catching a glimpse of a stranger
In white racing by
A stranger!
Racing down the beach
Racing to places
I was meant to reach
My stranger
One day you'll arrive
The car will stop
And in I'll hop
And off we'll drive...We'll drive!
Oh, gods
Oh, gods
Please, be there
Don't you remember
Your little Ti Moune from the tree
Wake up!
Look down!
Hear my prayer
Don't single me out
And then forget me...
INT. USC MUSICAL THEATRE CLASS, LATER THAT DAY
{Tina along with 3 male and 3 female classmates perform.}
Oh gods, oh gods
Let me fly
[CLASSMATES]
Oh oh oh
[TINA]
Send me to places
No one before me has been
[CLASSMATES]
Ooh la ooh la ooh la
[TINA]
You spared my life
Show me why
[CLASSMATES]
Oh oh oh
[TINA]
You get me to rise
Like a fish to the bait
And tell me to wait
Well, I'm waiting...
[CLASSMATES]
Waiting
[TINA]
Waitng for
Life to
Begin!
[MEN]
One small
Girl
[WOMEN]
One small
Girl
[TINA]
Waiting for
Life to
Begin!
[MEN]
One small
Girl
[WOMEN]
One small
Girl
"So, Tina, tell us about your audition," the professor said.
"It was amazing!" Tina exclaimed. "I performed this song for them and they said that they admired my optimism, but they said they wanted something deeper. But, I got a call this afternoon saying they want me back for the next round!"
"Congratulations, dear," the professor said.
INT. APARTMENT
"GUESS WHO GOT A CALLBACK!" Tina exclaimed, bursting through the door.
"Tina-Cohen Chang!" a male voice exclaimed.
Tina whipped around. "Puck?!"
Puck got up from the couch and gave Tina a big hug.
"What are you doing here?" Tina asked.
"Well, I'm on Air Force Reserve and I got stationed here in the City of Angels!" Puck exclaimed. "So, of course, I knew you all were living here, so I asked Mercedes about moving in and being Ryder's new roommate."
"Yay!" Tina exclaimed, hugging Puck tightly. Mercedes and Ryder, however, looked none too enthused.
"We need to set some ground rules," Mercedes said.
"I'm sorry, are you the matriarch of this apartment?" Puck asked.
"Yes," Ryder and Mercedes both said.
"Look, Puck, you kind of have a reputation as a big-time womanizer, so as your roommate it just makes me concerned that—" Ryder began.
"Dude, I'm still dating Quinn Fabray," Puck said.
"Really?" Mercedes asked. "Shoot. I totally forgot. I mean you guys got back together in like June 2013 and, to be honest, you two haven't really interacted much, even last year when the Glee grads came back to restart the Glee Club."
"Well, we decided that it was in our best interests to keep this long-distance relationship a subtle one until she graduates this year," Puck said.
"Makes sense," Ryder said.
"Fine," Mercedes said. "But as roommates we are making things 4-way equal round here. That means equal cooking and cleaning duties, equal rent payments, equal sleeping time, so any guests over has to be unanimously agreed upon by all of us."
"Deal," Puck said. "Just know that I'm expected to serve an average 39 days per year so I could be out of the apartment for 39 days a time."
"I have no problem with that," Ryder muttered.
"We'll adjust your rent accordingly," Mercedes added.
INT. X FACTOR
Marley waited backstage nervously to go on for the boot-camp performance, where she would sing against another contestant in her category (the girls).
"Next up, Marley Rose and Claire Graciano," Simon called.
Marley and another young adult girl took the stage. The music began immediately.
Song: "King of Anything" by Sara Bareilles
Marley (Claire): Oh (oh oh oh)
Oh (oh oh oh)
Oh (oh oh oh)
Oh (oh oh oh)
Marley: Keep drinkin' coffee
Stare me down across the table
Both: While I look outside
Claire: So many things I'd say if only I were able
But I just keep quiet
And count the cars that pass by
You've got opinions, man
Both: We're all entitled to 'em
Marley: But I never asked
Both: So let me thank you for your time
And try to not waste any more of mine
Marley: Get out of here fast
Both: I hate to break it to you, babe
But I'm not drowning
Claire: There's no one here to save
[Chorus]
Both: Who cares if you disagree?
You are not me
Who made you king of anything?
So you dare tell me who to be
Who died and made you king of anything?
Marley: Oh…
Both: You sound so innocent
All full of good intent
You swear you know best
Claire: But you expect me to
Jump up on board with you
And ride off into your delusional sunset
Both: I'm not the one who's lost
With no direction oh
But you'll never see
Marley: You're so busy makin' maps
With my name on them in all caps
You've got the talkin' down
Just not the listening
[Chorus]
Claire: All my life
I've tried
Both: To make everybody happy while I
Claire: Just hurt
And hide
Waitin' for someone to tell me it's my turn
To decide.
Marley (Claire): Oh (oh oh oh)
Oh (oh oh oh)
Oh (oh oh oh)
Oh (oh oh oh)
[Chorus 2x]
Claire: Let me hold your crown, babe.
Marley: Oh ohhhhhhhhhhh
Claire: Ahhhhhhhhhhh
"Marley," Simon began. "I hate to say this, but the performance was just absolutely… boring."
"Simon!" Selena exclaimed.
"It was!" Simon argued.
"Marley, I think you just need to put in a little more energy," Paula said.
"You know, girls, I just thought that this song would've been like this perfect musical fight of all girl musical fights!" Kelly said excitedly. "I was just kind of expecting that kind of a rivalry you'd see on Pitch Perfect or something."
"Claire, I definitely think you rose to the challenge," Paula said. "You sang this like a real diva-off."
"Both of your voices are really good, though," Selena said.
"Thanks, girls," Simon said. "We'll deliberate and let you all know which 10 girls are moving on to the 4 Chair Challenge round."
INT. X FACTOR – WED SEP 9
Marley and the other girls took to the stage.
"Hey, girls," Simon greeted. "The time has come. We are about to lose a lot of talent, but we have made our decision. Ten of you will be moving on to the 4 Chair Challenge, which will be filmed this coming weekend and aired in one month."
One-by-one, Simon, Selena, Kelly, and Paula read the names. They reached the tenth and final girl. Marley's name was not called. Marley stood on stage with the other eliminated contestants. The spotlights blacked out.
EXT. X FACTOR
"I didn't make it, mom," Marley sobbed into the phone. "I know the experience is what's important, and there'll be more chances for me, but I just wanted a chance to be on live TV to show America what I can do."
"Attention, everyone!" one of the production assistants exclaimed to the courtyard. "The judges have asked me to call the following people back to the stage: Marley Rose, Ameera Sadik-Tiryaki, and Paige Medrano."
Marley hung up the phone and joined the three other girls to the stage.
"Hey, girls," Paula said. "We talked it over and we realized that, though you may not have had what we were looking for to progress to the girls' category, we felt that you three girls could bring something special to this competition as a group."
The three girls leapt into the air, crying and laughing and hugging each other, even though they barely knew each other.
"The X Factor has had immense success with groups," Simon said. "JLS, One Direction, Little Mix, Union J, Fifth Harmony, Alex and Sierra. I wouldn't be surprised if you three made it to the finals."
"You three will be moving on to the 4-Chair Challenge," Kelly continued. "It'll be tough. You'll be going up against groups that have been together for years, some of them are even siblings. You have a few days to get yourselves together and show us what you can do."
"We won't let you down," Ameera, a Turkish girl said.
"Thank you so much!" said Paige, a brunette girl.
INT. AUDITION HALL
"Tina Cohen-Chang," the casting director called.
Tina took a deep breath and walked into the hall.
"Hello there," said one of the film's lead producers.
"Oh my god, you're Cameron Mackingtosh!" Tina exclaimed. "I am such a huge fan of your work."
"Isn't everybody?" Cameron giggled. "So, congratulations on your second round audition for the role of Kim. What've you got for us today?"
Song: "Something Wonderful" from The King and I
This is a man who thinks with his heart,
His heart is not always wise.
This is a man who stumbles and falls,
But this is a man who tries.
This is a man you'll forgive and forgive
And help and protect, as long as you live.
He will not always say what you would have him say
But, now and then he'll say something wonderful.
The thoughtless things he'll do will hurt and worry you,
Then, all at once he'll do something wonderful.
He has a thousand dreams that won't come true
You know that he believes in them and that's enough for you.
You'll always go along, defend him when he's wrong
And tell him when he's strong, he is wonderful.
He'll always need your love and so he'll get your love
A man who needs your love can be wonderful.
"THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!" Cameron exclaimed.
Tina beamed with surprise. "Wow, thank you!"
"You know, a lot of the girls who've come in today totally ignored one of our most direct instructions: not to sing a song from the show," Cameron said. "And in lieu of that I can't even count how many girls came in today singing 'On My Own' or 'I Dreamed a Dream.' You brought in a song that, in many ways, shows us what you can do as an actress if you were to be cast in the film. Bravo. We'll let you know if you're invited to the callbacks within the week."
INT. MOVIE THEATER OFFICE – EVENING
Puck, Artie, and Ryder sat in the manager's office listening to Tina rant about her audition.
"We're stoked for you, Tina," Artie said. "But I am super nervous about whether or not we're getting these jobs."
"Please, you're definitely getting it, Artie," Puck said. "Remember back in Glee year one when we all spent the week in wheelchairs? Rachel got Finn a job on the basis of nondiscriminatory employment. And if Finn was faking it, you can land this job easy. Plus, Ryder, you've got being an extra on your freaking resume. Tina's out there auditioning for some Taiwanese princess role—"
"Kim is a Vietnamese orphan," Tina argued.
"What've I got?" Puck asked.
"You're hired!" the manager exclaimed, entering the office.
"What?" Artie asked. "All of us?"
"Indeed!" the manager exclaimed. "You four can start tomorrow. I let go of several employees last week after they got into a physical altercation over how good The Fantastic Four was. Ms. Cohen-Chang, you'll be working the box office. Mr. Abrams, you're a projectionist. Mr. Puckerman and Mr. Lynn, you're concessions workers."
"Well, friends, looks like we've got ourselves a solid paying gig," Puck said.
"If you're comfortable with $8.90 an hour, sure," the manager muttered.
INT. APARTMENT – LATE NIGHT
"Thanks for letting me stay the night," Marley said, sipping on tea with Mercedes. "I really wanted to be with friends to celebrate the good news."
"I am just so stoked that they gave you another chance," Mercedes said. "I mean, look at the amazing track record X Factor has had with groups. Your group is going to do so well, you're going to rack up a fan base, who are going to vote you girls into the finale, and get you signed to a record deal, okay?"
"It doesn't always work out," Marley said. "Look at the UK X Factor. It took eight years for a girl group to win, or even get signed for that matter."
"But look at the US version," Mercedes said. "Huge success. And that's the thing about shows like American Idol and The Voice. You know, as a solo artist myself I know I wouldn't fit in a group, But if there's a place for groups to succeed, this is the show for it."
Marley smiled. "I'm just so excited."
"And seriously, don't even act like your life isn't changing already," Mercedes said. "Last time I checked your Twitter, you only had like 40 followers. Girl, you are now up to 5,000, and climbing fast. America loves you."
"And they love you too," Marley giggled.
"Eh, 700,000 Twitter followers ain't that bad," Mercedes said modestly. "Okay, I'm kidding, it's really surreal. And you know, we can't base our worth off of social media, but it's neat to see how many more people know your name and want to take the time to know you. As artists, we love feeling that kind of validation, you know?"
"I know," Marley said. "Thanks for the tea."
"You're welcome here any time," Mercedes said. "Just amp up the passion at your performance, okay?"
INT. BOX OFFICE – THU SEP 10 – EVENING
Tina was busy selling movie tickets at her first ever shift. A girl with sunglasses went up to the counter.
"Hi, just one ticket for The Gift," she said.
Tina issued out the ticket. "That'll be ten dollars and fif—WOAH!"
The girl was startled and her sunglasses slipped off her face.
"I KNEW IT!" Tina exclaimed. "YOU'RE ANNA MARIA PEREZ DE TAGLE!"
"SHH!" Anna hissed, hurriedly putting the shades back over her eyes.
"Oh my goodness, Camp Rock was totally one of the highlights of my childhood!" Tina exclaimed.
"Hey, what's the holdup here?" a customer asked angrily.
"Coming through, coming through," the manager said. "Tina! This is unacceptable. Either get back to work or take a break."
Anna snatched her ticket out of Tina's hands and hurried into the movie.
Tina sighed as the manager took over the register. "Tina, you are now on janitorial duty for the rest of your shift."
INT. THEATER – THREE HOURS LATER
Tina was sweeping up popcorn outside the door when patrons began exiting the movie that had just finished. Tina waited for her chance and quickly grabbed a hold of Anna as she exited.
"Oh, it's you again," Anna laughed.
"You're not pissed at me?" Tina asked.
Anna shook her head. "Some days I don't even get recognized. I mean, I'm no Demi Lovato or Joe Jonas, nor does anyone on the streets of LA really take to recognizing a Broadway star when they see one after my role in Godspell. I'm actually quite flattered that you were so… excited to see me. Anyway, I was just in town for an audition and I figured I'd stop by this movie I've been curious to see."
"What audition?" Tina asked.
"Oh, Miss Saigon!" Anna explained. "The producers invited me to audition for Kim."
Tina sighed and slumped against the wall.
"Oh, I see," Anna said, sitting down next to her. "You auditioned as well?"
"Kim's been one of my dream roles for so many years," Tina said. "And now knowing that you're auditioning, they're bound to give the role to you."
"You don't know that," Anna said. "The thing about the stage Kim is that the role almost always goes to an unknown young ingénue that wows the world."
"But look at Les Miserables," Tina said. "All those star vehicles: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried… The most unknown one in the cast was Samantha Barks and she was already doing big-time gigs before that, like the Les Mis 25th anniversary."
Anna nodded. "This industry is tough, I'm not going to lie. Even people who get the biggest roles find themselves never getting an opportunity again. But you have drive. What's your name?"
"Tina Cohen-Chang," she giggled tearfully.
"Tina," Anna said. "I can just imagine that name lighting up billboards one day. You never know, but don't ever doubt yourself. Times are changing and Asian representation is climbing. Be one of those global superstars."
EXT. RESTAURANT
"I'm so glad we could meet up for lunch like this," Ameera said. "We really need to think of a name for our group."
"How about…" Paige considered. "Triple Threat?"
"Lame," Ameera said bluntly. "How about we put our initials together? Paige, Ameera, Marley… We can be PAM!"
"That sounds weird," Paige said. "How about MAP? Our girl group will map the way of the American music industry."
Marley smiled, thinking of something Mercedes had told her the night before. "How about AMP? You know, like 'amp' up the crowd? 'Amp' up the music? And I like the zing of saying it by letter, A-M-P."
"I like that," Ameera said. "Introducing A-M-P!"
"Girls, I think we've got our name," Marley said excitedly.
"Now we just have to perform a song that'll get us into the top four of the groups category," Paige said nervously.
The girls pondered. "How about we go with this?" Ameera asked, scrolling through her iPod.
INT. MOVIE THEATER
What looked like a mere Guitar Hero game setup was being turned into a live stage.
"Happy closing, movie theater goers!" Puck exclaimed.
"We're super stoked to send you off on your merry way, introducing some special guests of ours," Ryder said.
"R&B hit sensation, soon to be going on tour with Beyonce Knowles, it's Mercedes Jones!" Artie exclaimed. "And, if you're a 90's kid like us, you probably know this girl from Camp Rock, it's Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, along with rising singer-actress Tina Cohen-Chang!"
The patrons flooded the theater lobby excitedly. Puck began playing guitar, Ryder was drumming, and some of Mercedes's musicians took to the stage as well.
Song: "Price Tag" by Jessie J, feat. BoB
Anna: Seems like everybody's got a price,
I wonder how they sleep at night
When the sale comes first
And the truth comes second.
Just stop for a minute and smile
Tina: Why is everybody so serious?
Acting so damn mysterious?
Got your shades on your eyes
And your heels so high
That you can't even have a good time
[Pre-chorus: Tina & Anna (Ryder)]
Everybody look to their left (yeah)
Everybody look to their right
Can you feel that (yeah)
We're paying with love tonight?
[Chorus: Anna (Ryder)]
It's not about the money, money, money
We don't need your money, money, money
We just wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the price tag
Ain't about the (uh) ch-ch-ching ch-ching
Ain't about the (yeah) bl-bling-bl-bling
Wanna make the world dance,
Forget about the price tag (OK)
Puck & Mercedes: We need to take it back in time,
When music made us all unite!
Ryder: And it wasn't low blows and video hoes,
Am I the only one getting tired?
Puck & Mercedes: Why is everybody so obsessed?
Money can't buy us happiness
Puck: Can we all slow down and enjoy right now?
Guarantee we'll be feeling alright
[Pre-chorus:]
[Chorus:]
[Artie w/ Puck repeats]
Yeah, yeah
Well, keep the price tag
And take the cash back
Just give me six strings and a half stack
And you can, can keep the cars
Leave me the garage
And all I, yes, all I need
Are keys and guitars
And guess what? In 30 seconds
I'm leaving to Mars
Yeah, we leaping across
These undefeatable odds
It's like this, man
You can't put a price on a life
We do this for the love
So we fight and sacrifice
Every night
So we ain't gon' stumble and fall
Never
Waiting to see or send a sign of defeat
Uh uh
So we gonna keep everyone
Moving their feet
So bring back the beat
And then everyone sing
It's not about the money
[Chorus 2x w/ Mercedes belts and Artie adlibs]
[Anna ‒ Outro]
Yeah, yeah
Oh-oh
Forget about the price tag, yeah
The crowd began swarming Anna (and sometimes Mercedes) for autographs.
Tina, Artie, and Ryder looked on longingly.
"The life we're striving for," he sighed.
"It's funny," Tina said. "Look at how short Mercedes's line is compared to Anna's. I mean, Mercedes has been at this for only a few years. Anna since we were in middle school. I guess it just takes time to get there."
INT. X FACTOR – SAT SEP 12
Host Mario Lopez walked onto the stage. "Welcome back, everybody. We are in our final round of the 4-Chair Challenge, where the top ten contestants in each category battle it out for one of four open seats to head on to the preliminary live show. Mentoring the Girls is Simon Cowell. Mentoring the Boys is Kelly Rowland. Mentoring the Over 25's is Paula Abdul, and now, about to see her tenth and final contestant perform, is the Groups mentor, Selena Gomez. I present to you our newly formed girl group, AMP!"
Song: "Better Together" by Fifth Harmony
Marley: When we were together
We were just strangers
I was just playing around
Marley w/ Paige: So I didn't wanna work it out
No, I didn't wanna work it out
Ameera: Thought something was missing
Were we too different
Baby I'm a-looking back now
Ameera w/ Paige: And I really should've worked it out
Yeah, I really should've worked it out
Marley: Because now that you're gone and I sleep alone
I can't help it, I want you back 'cause I...
[Chorus]
Marley w/ All: Boy I miss you, said I really do, boy I miss you
Now I understand that we're better together
Boy I miss you, said I really really do, boy I miss you
Now I understand that we're better together
Ameera w/ All: We're better, we're better, we're better, we're better, we're better,
You know we're better together
We're better, we're better, we're better, we're better, we're better,
You know we're better together
Marley: I'm watching you with her, thinking I had you
How was I ever so dumb?
Marley w/ Paige: Boy I should've known that you're the one
Boy I should've known that you're the one
Marley: So, if it's not too late,
All: I just wanna know babe
Ameera: And tell me if we could still run
'Cause I finally know that you're the one
Yeah, I really know that you're the one
Paige: Because now that you're gone and I sleep alone
I can't help it, I want you back 'cause I...
[Chorus w/ Ameera runs]
Marley: And now that you're gone and I sleep alone
I can't help it, I want you back 'cause I
Marley & Ameera w/ Paige belt: We're better, we're better, we're better, we're better, we're better,
You know we're better together
We're better, we're better, we're better, we're better, we're better,
You know we're better together
[Chorus: All w/ Paige whistle note]
The crowd rose to their feet. "PUT THEM THROUGH!" they screamed.
Mario took the stage again and waited with the girls. "Selena, your call. Are these girls through to the next round?"
Selena looked immensely surprised. "I knew from the moment you three set foot on that stage that we were in for something special. I am in love with you girls! Your voices blended so well together and I'd be stupid to let you go. You are through to the live shows. Take a seat!"
The girls cried tears of joy as they took Selena's fourth and final seat for the next round.
"Good luck with the groups," Paula said to Selena. "I coached them my first year on this show and it was very difficult. America, for some reason, doesn't take to groups very well."
"I beg to differ," Simon said. "I coached Alex and Sierra to first place and Fifth Harmony to third place with immense international success."
"Selena, honey, just be open to ideas, because if America wants any of your four groups in the market, they'll find a way," Kelly said.
Selena looked at her choices sitting on the four benches on stage. She had a girl group, a boy band, a 4-piece group of friends (2 boys and 2 girls) and a country-singing duo of 30-year-old men.
INT. APARTMENT
"Thank you so much, I really appreciate it!" Tina exclaimed.
"What is it?" Ryder asked anxiously.
Tina hung up the phone, took a deep breath, and revealed, "I'm invited to the final callbacks!"
"That's great!" Ryder exclaimed, hugging Tina tightly. "This is so huge for you!"
Mercedes and Puck dashed into the living room to join in on the hug.
"We're so proud of you, Tina," Mercedes said happily.
"We are," Puck said. "Say, you think you could introduce me to the screenwriters while you're on set?"
"Nothing is that set in stone yet," Tina giggled. "I'm just so happy. After feeling neglected all this time, it's just exhilarating to feel like I'm finally headed somewhere."
"And you met an actress already in the business," Puck said. "That's not too shabby either."
"Speaking of which," Mercedes said. "My manager found out about our little movie theater performance with Anna—"
"Little?" Ryder asked. "The YouTube videos are basically going viral."
Mercedes chuckled. "Well, my manager and I both agreed on something that I think would make my NFL performance tomorrow a little more personal."
EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD – SUN SEP 13
"And now, please welcome, singing our National Anthem, Mercedes Jones!" the announcer exclaimed.
Mercedes took center-stage, flanked by Puck, Tina, Artie, Ryder, Marley, and Anna behind her. The orchestra began playing and Mercedes began doing what she does best.
Mercedes: Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
Mercedes w/ background singers: And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
The crowd applauded loudly.
"It was so refreshing to hear a national anthem sung without all those riffs and runs that everyone else does," one woman in the stands said to her husband.
"Totally," the husband said. "A good old national anthem, just the way it should be."
Mercedes hugged her friends tightly.
"Thank you for having me!" Anna exclaimed. "My agent is thrilled. I mean, I'm sure my fans will be wondering why I was just a backup singer, but hey, this experience just opens so many more doors, and it'll open doors for all of you as well," she said to Tina, Artie, Puck, Ryder, and Marley.
"Alright, I'd love to stand here and keep being all gushy," Puck said. "But we all have VIP seats to get in on the NFL action, so let's go!"
The pack headed off to their section as the game began. Mercedes and her gang were served hot dogs, popcorn, and drinks.
"This is the life," Artie said. "Just think, in five years, where will we all be?"
"VIP tickets to the Super Bowl with Marley and her hugely successful girl group singing the National Anthem, that's for sure," Ryder said jokingly.
"And hopefully an Emmy, Oscar, and/or Tony in my hands," Anna added. "Now come on, let's get to the kickoff!"
