Authors Note: Okay, I realized this update is about 3 months overdue. I apologize. To say I was busy would be an understatement. On top of this, about halfway through, I got some serious writers bloc. I now present part one of the two part end. The second part is already written and I hope to have it up tomorrow morning (at the latest). I should mention this chapter includes sections that are from other points-of-view besides Finn and Rachel's. Also, this story takes place in my fictitious world in my head where Magic Mike has not come out yet. Please read and give feedback.
A/N 2: Edited for a few typo correcctions.
Disclaimer: If I owned Glee "Hey Ladies" by the Bestie Boys would have been in the Saturday Night Fever episode. (And I thought this far before recent events. You're missed, MCA.)
He got up and gently pushed her through the doorway and closed the door behind him, "Rachel, what are you doing?"
She gabs his wrist and drags him along the corridor. Her nails are digging into her skin and it kinda hurts. She pulls him further down the hall, as her grip digs deeper. He thinks she might draw blood by the time the shoves him into the stairwell and against the wall.
Janitors closet dream coming true…?
Nope. She's standing about a foot away foot away from him. Damn. "What the hell, Rachel?" he yells. "Do you have any idea what you just did?"
"Ryan Murphy, the guy who made Nip/Tuck, just pitched a network TV show to FOX about High School Glee Clubs!" She yelps.
"Are you serious?" She can't be telling the truth. Can she?
"Yes. I overheard Kevin Riley talking about it after their meeting was over!"
"Well do you think that Ryan-guy is still here?"
"I don't know, but we should find out," she announces before taking off back down the stairs.
He follows her, because he as to. Because with this…they will always been a team.
They ran down to the ground floor, Rachel commenting on their way down that the receptionist might know where to go or look.
"Hello," Rachel beings, flipping her hair for emphasis. "We were wondering if Ryan Murphy was still here, and if so, where would he be exactly?"
"You actually just missed him. He might still be at valet if you're lucky."
They were running through the lobby to the front door before the woman finished speaking. He stood at the elaborate entranceway and there was no one around. Then "There," he announces as he points to the man waiting for his car.
They ran towards to him as the attendant was already driving his sports car up. "Mr. Murphy!" Rachel calls out, waving her arms. Trying desperately to get his attention.
The bald man, medium build, turned towards them and took off his sunglasses with a 'what the fuck'-look all over his face.
"Mr. Murphy," Rachel begins panting. "We…we want to help you."
"Huh?" the older man asks, looking even more confused.
"I heard that you are hoping to make a show about high school glee clubs," Rachel explains.
"Yeah? so?" He opens his car door, as if they're unaware that he wants to get going.
"Well, we can help you," he adds again.
"How?" Ryan asks, almost as a challenge.
"Well, Finn and I are the former co-captains and lead singers of the William McKinley High Glee Club."
"New Directions!" he adds. "Say it a few times."
Rachel giggles, but Ryan just shakes his head. "Look, you're cute kids, but I really must be going," Ryan says doubtfully as he puts one leg in his car; leaning in.
"Well at least let us have you card?" he asks, grasping at straws. "So we can set up a meeting."
"Since we are the stars of the two hottest, new, award-winning shows on the network you are trying to develop a deal with," Rachel interjects, proving they have a powerful hand to play.
"Fine, here," Ryan sighs take some cards out of his wallet. "You can set up a meeting some time soon."
"Thank-you!" they say in unison as he drives off.
"Ya know, this has his e-mail on it," Rachel observes.
He feels like their quest might be a loss cause and he leads her back towards the building. "So, you want to set up a meeting for next week or something?" he asks her.
Looking down at the card, she slyly says, "I have a better idea…"
She looks at him with a devilish smirk and he realizes he has to get back to his contact negotiations. "Oh, crap, I gotta go," he announces, running off. "I'll see ya later," he calls out before heading into the stairwell.
Running back into the conference room with perspiration on his brow, he asks, "So, what did I miss?"
The questioning and stern looks on his co-workers faces showcase that he might be in a little bit of trouble. Flashing his I'm-innocent-please-be-nice-to-me smile doesn't even help.
Her meeting goes well. Really well. They give everyone very sizeable raises and more flexible shooting hours. They also praise the cast for their hard work and effort. It was the first time she was ever really evaluated by her work from an employer before. And to be honest, despite the praise from critics and fans alike, hearing that your bosses are proud and appreciative of the work you've done (and want more of it) is the best honor she could be given.
Her meeting ends quickly and she walks out into the hall to find Finn playing a game on his phone while waiting for her in the lobby. God, boys and their video games. She didn't understand it. "Hi," she says getting his attention.
He glances up at her. "Hey. You ready for lunch because I'm kinda hungry."
"You're always kind of hungry," she comments. He smiles. "Yeah, we can go, but we have to eat lunch at Kurt's place. We have a project ahead of us."
They leave quickly and get to Kurt's apartment in a jiffy. She connects her laptop to her external hard drive and opens up the folder entitled Glee Club. Inside are video files of nearly all their performances of the three years of their club.
"When did you film all of these?" Finn asks her as she opens up her e-mail account.
"I had a hidden camera in the back of the auditorium and I would often film rehearsals in the choir room as well. I would use these as a way to tell Mr. Schue who was not keeping up with the others." She moves the folder to her desktop and disconnects.
"Narc," he comments.
"Just be quiet and start to send videos as well," she bosses annoyed, gesturing to her external drive for him to plug in and drag and drop the folder.
"Hey! I'm not your boyfriend anymore! You can't boss me around anymore!"
His words sting as she looks down at her keyboard. He's right; she's not his girlfriend anymore. And she no longer has the right to tell him what to do.
"I'm sorry…" she says quietly, still looking away from him.
"No. I'm sorry," he rebuttals quickly. "That was over the line."
"No. It wasn't," she explains, looking back up at him.
He did his eyes-shifting-from-side-to-side, shoulder-shrug which indicated that he wanted to move off the topic. "So…what do you need me to do?"
"If you don't mind, please plug into the hard drive and start sending him the videos that aren't from competitions. Like that mattress commercial and us performing with April Rhodes."
"No problem," he said as he grabbed Kurt's laptop and started it up.
He was in meetings all afternoon, but he could hear his phone buzzing with e-mail after e-mail. It was strange for a Thursday afternoon. Not even wanting to look at his phone, he headed back to his office hoping his assistant cleared some of the issues filling his inbox.
The e-mail address 'rbberry ' appears to be who jammed up his inbox until no more messages could come through.
"What the fuck?" he muttered to himself as his eyes scanned the screen.
Each message had a very simple subject. Sectionals 2009, Regionals 2010, and so on. He didn't know who had sent him all this and whether he should open the files in case of viruses. Sure, he has a Mac, but all that bullshit about how they don't get viruses was just that.
Risking his computer (and his sanity) he opened the first message and found a video and one sentence written down, "We're the last group."
Brad, his partner in crime for his business, came walking in as he was about to watch. "So, I think we need to maybe rework Ian's script a little more and represent because I think we have something really great to show Kevin."
"I agree," he replied, hitting play with his mouse.
"What's that?" Brad asked.
"I don't know..." he trailed off as the girls from Jane Addams Academy start to shake their booties and perform "Proud Mary" in wheelchairs and that song from Dreamgirls.
Then, was a group of deaf kids singing "Don't Stop Beleivin'" which was entertaining in its desperation.
By the time the deaf kids were on their second song, Brad called Ian from down the hall, telling him he had to see this. All three men sat entranced as the performances went on.
They watched as the third group was announced. "And now, from McKinley High School...New Directions!"
"New Directions! That's awesome!" Ian comments.
"Why?" Brad asks.
"New Directions. It sounds like 'nude erections.' That's funny," Ian explains.
The other two men smile as the beginning cords start to play for the final performance.
"Barbra," Ryan softly mutters before they hear her sing.
Don't tell me not to live, just sit and putter. Life's candy and the sun's a ball of butter…
She eventually came into the sight of the camera from the back of the theater singing the Streisand Ballad. Then, as the rest of the group emerged and cascaded into formation. The boys were mesmerized. The seamless transition from the ballad, to the Rolling Stones classic, to the heartfelt Queen crowd pleaser.
But those were just the beginning…
As soon as they watched one video, another came into the inbox. The satirical and the strange. Songs about love, life, and overcoming adversity. Music videos parodying those of the past. The three men were hooked.
Some even had funny comments in the e-mail. Such as: 'Yep, that's Mercedes Jones' 'Is that TV heartthrob Jesse St. James performing "Bohemian Rhapsody?"' And 'The superman of kisses.' Which had the reply, 'Why is that T-Rex eating that Jew?'
There were also e-mails with YouTube links to bazaar videos of these kids' lives. They watched every installment of Fondue for Two.
"So...who wants to watch the 'Run Joey Run' video again?" Ian asks as the other two men who were still mystified.
"Oh, yeah," Brad replied, as he leaned towards the computer to find that video again.
Later that evening, she checked her e-mail quickly before heading to bed. A grin grew on her face before she even opened the reply.
Okay, so you got my attention. I can meet Friday for lunch.
She replied that Friday works and told Ryan to meet at the trendy place that Ariel from her show insisted had tasty vegan fare (because if she was doing work over lunch, she was going someplace she can eat).
The following morning, she let herself into his and Mike's apartment. Careful to make enough noise to wake up Finn, but not get him completely pissed off. The brief comment he gave her yesterday, even though he apologized, really stuck with her. He was right. She didn't have the right to have to demand the obligations of a boyfriend if she certainly wasn't giving him the perks.
"Morning Rachel," Mike says coming down the hall in a t-shirt and flannel pajama bottoms. Oops. She didn't want to wake him. "Did Finn give you a key?" he asks as he pours some milk from the carton to a glass.
"I used the hid-a-key. Kurt told me where it was," she explains.
"Oh." He takes a big gulp from his glass.
"I'm sure that Finn told you all about the project we're working on."
"Oh, yeah. Some guy wants to make a show about Glee. Well, you and Finn can certainly give him lots of material."
"Yeah. Last night we sent him all these videos of New Directions performing. It was fun to look at all the old stuff again."
"That wasn't what I was referring to," Mike comments, but she was already aware.
"How's Tina?" she asks, desperate to change the topic.
"Good, I guess. I haven't spoken to her in a while. Last I heard she had a really nice boyfriend she met at Ohio State."
"That's nice. I must admit though, besides me and Finn, when we were kids, I was convinced that you and Tina were gonna get married."
Mike shrugs. "Well Rachel, they're high school romances. They're not met to last forever."
She looks down at a spot on the counter where the Formica has chipped off. They should really fix that. "I guess you're right," she replies, eventually bring her eyes back up towards him.
"Well, I have to get ready for rehearsal. It was nice seeing you," Mike says, walking up to give her friendly kiss on the cheek.
"It was nice seeing you, too," she replies as he heads back down the hall.
Mike knocks on the door across from the room he emerged from. "Wake up!" he commands.
"Why?" Finn asks from the other side of the door.
"Because you have a petite, brunette visitor waiting for you in the kitchen," Mike explains.
She can hear him groan. "I'll be out in a minute, Rachel," Finn replies.
After she explains that Ryan Murphy did respond to their massive amount of e-mails, they sit down to start working on how they are going to explain their life in show choir. Glee, and all that it entailed. They needed to present this as professional young people who can handle being at the grown-ups table, but she also wanted to make sure they expressed how much this meant to them in school. It's harder than she thought, but somehow they get through it.
They go to the fancy restaurant to meet with Mr. Murphy and he's nervous. He's done a few of these fancy lunches. Meetings where they all order water because it's healthy and they discuss the possibilities of the future while their fish get cold.
She insists that they get there early. They must come off as qualified as possible. They have to be taken seriously. This is too personal to them for it to be seen as willy-nilly. This is their one shot to lay everything down to this man. He knows she's right.
When Mr. Murphy walks in, he can't read his expression. His attitude. He seems like he's appeasing them, but at the same time, genuinely intrigued. They just practically laid out their entire romantic relationship to him, he must be a little curious as to why.
Ryan politely greets them and about two seconds after he picks up his menu, a waitress comes by for their order. They must keep the crowd moving in and out of the tables fast. They have Paps outside waiting for big celeb dating moments. Luckily John Mayer is dining outside with the latest conquest who's succumbed to his douchbaggery; leaving him and Rachel alone.
Ryan orders the Cobb Salad without reading the menu. Rachel orders the Thai noodles with tofu; as she often insists to reports that she does eat carbs. He orders the fish, like he always does at these meetings, because it's healthy enough to seem like he cares about his body but tasty enough to eat the whole plate without realizing its chick food. Everyone orders water with lemon.
The tediousness of the eating rituals associated with these meetings is really starting to get him. And he's just started this all of…this.
"So, I guess my first question is: are you two still together?" Ryan asks understandably.
"No. Absolutely not." Rachel replies quickly. Almost on reflex. He doesn't even get to open his mouth for a response before she beats him to it. And the urgency to which she replies stings as he contemplates what happened.
"Do you think you'll ever get back together?"
We both look at each other with uncertainty. They both know the promises they've made in the past. They both also know the many ways in which their lives have changed over the past five years. And honestly, he's not totally sure what she wants. Or what he wants either.
"Why do you care?" He asks in response.
"Because I want to make sure that you can handle working together is such close proximity at a professional level. The romantic story you shared with those videos it a key element to all of this. When my partners and I were watching these clips, we found your story interesting. Engaging. We wanted to know more and so will the audience. The group of people you performed with are all extremely talented, but the romance between the two of you is essential to all of this. It's necessary for a teen TV series to work. Dating drama. The young audience needs to stay intrigued. Entertained. You two impressed my team and me and we want to work with you. We want to know more. Bottom line."
A mischievous smile spreads across Rachel's face. He's seen it a million times before. "Good," she says "Now let's get to work. We need to get another meeting with FOX. We need to make our voices heard."
"We think we can get you another meeting," he adds, because he has to say something. "We kinda have the network around our fingers right now."
"Great," Ryan replies. "Now, if you don't mind me asking, did you two lose your virginities to one another?"
Well, that was blunt. His eyes pop out of his head. What the hell kind of question was that?
Before the shock wears off, Rachel already has a snarky response. "No," she replies. "Finn Hudson lost his virginity to a closeted lesbian." Her smile still wicked.
He blushes and cocks his head in embarrassment. Trying to express the truth without saying words.
"Okay… "Ryan giggles. "So, I have to ask…how did you come up with the Journey Medley? That was impressive."
"That was all Mr. Schue," he says with his crooked smile.
"But it was a little us," Rachel interjects.
"But mostly Schue," he reasons.
"Who's Mr. Schue?" Ryan asks.
"Will Schuester."
"You want a pippin' hot cup of him," Rachel adds before moving on. "Now we've outlined how we feel the meeting with the execs should go," Rachel begins as she explains in detail how they should pitch the show for a second time.
"Wow…you seem very organized Miss Berry," Ryan comments after Rachel finishes her intricate synopsis.
"Rachel's what you call a Controlist," he adds.
She blushes. "I'm…I'm controlling," shifting towards him, in hushed anger she repeats that, "Controlist isn't a word."
So they easily set up a meeting. Finn was right; they did have the network wrapped around their fingers. They discussed what songs to impress FOX with a few days ago and even ran through the numbers once or twice to be prepared. Finn asked Brad, the studio pianist from Mercedes' album, to help out with the musical arrangements.
"Are you sure he can handle our tunes?" Rachel asks.
"Rach, he knows how to play, like, every song, ever. Don't worry. It will be great," Finn reassures her as he screws on a symbol from his drum set to the stand. He walks up to her and squeezes her shoulder, like he has several times in the past. A gesture which always makes her calmer and much, much surer of herself.
"This is our shot," she says to him, his grip still on her.
"We can't screw it up," he replies.
They smile at one another; sharing a moment of trust, respect, and friendship like those that helped them through so many obstacles in the past.
The hear the three boys walk in and Finn lets go of his hold. She misses the contact immediately, but they both turn and smile as they are greeted by the others.
"Are you two ready for this?" asks Brad before taking a sip of his Starbucks.
"Absolutely," she replies. Because…they are!
The executives walk in with swagger. They are at the tops of their field and know they are hard to impress. They slouch into their seats, eyes fixated on their iPhones (the latest versions which just came out on Tuesday) waiting for a reason to give a damn. To be dazzled!
"As you are aware, Ryan Murphy, Brad Felcheck, and Ian Brenan – the three men sitting aside of you – had a vision to make a television series about high school glee clubs. An idea Finn and I fully support," she begins in her studious, attentive matter. Preparing herself for rebuttals.
Finn adds, "There is an audience for this show, the sure power of music demonstrates that, but Rachel and I would like to show you anyway."
He walks around to his kit and he and the pianist start to play. She shakes her hips a little as she counts off on her fingers: 1-2-3-4.
Don't go breakin' my heart, Finn begins.
I couldn't if I tried, she continues.
Aw honey if I get restless,
Baby you're not that kind…
They sing together in perfect harmony; well aware that Ryan and his partners had not seen them perform this number. She can't help but let a sly smile sneak out at the looks of pure amazement and surprise on the (slightly) elders watching them.
As the Elton John classic comes to a close, with their hands clasped during the final belt, applause breaks out.
"You want to hear another one?" Finn asks with a mischievous grin himself.
"Yeah!" Kevin Riley replies in delight.
She already knows what they are gonna perform next. Not only is it another number that they didn't show the three boys, but it's one that was a pivotal moment in their epic romance.
When the "Borderline/Open Your Heart" mash-up finishes – once again with their bodies only inches apart with sexual tension radiating between them – they are met with even more applause and delight.
"That was incredible," Kevin comments, genuinely impressed.
"Was that two songs?" Dana Gowen asks; curious.
"Yes," she replies matter-of-factly. "A mash-up."
"A mash-up is when you take two songs and you mash them together to make an even richer explosion of musical expression," Finn explains.
When she sees the room full of glee-full smiles, she knows that they are excited. That they are, at least, at a stage that a pilot might be funded. They were going call casting directors and music producers. They were going help them get this started. They were interested. They were gonna do this thing!
He knows that they need to talk to him. Rachel isn't comfortable doing so. He doesn't want to talk to him at all, really, but he knows it wouldn't be 'right' otherwise.
"I'm so not looking forward to this," he murmurs to Kurt over eggs and toast.
"Understandable," Kurt concurs.
"I mean, Rachel and I have this amazing opportunity… a real chance at furthering our careers, but I don't want to see him, but I don't think I have a choice. I guess this is just one of the drawbacks of being an actor."
"One of the many," Kurt included. "God, I still can't believe I almost pursued that road. Luckily I got off that train early enough to find my passion and my solace on 7th and 27th."
"And now you're here," he comments while his bother explains his trepidations of the entertainment industry.
"And now I'm here. Do you want me to go with you?" Kurt asks, trying to help. "I could be like backup."
He can't help but smile. He knows Kurt means well, but it's still a little funny. "Nah, man, I'm good."
"Are you sure? I could be your getaway car. And really, this is the one city where they're needed."
He couldn't argue with that, but he knew he had to do this alone. He's not sure why he had to do this alone, but he had to. "Point taken, but I got this," he replies as he gets up; and grabs the check.
He gets into the Universal Studios lot easily, even though he films at Paramount. He finds Lot 8 with the big promotional billboard posted on the side. This was the New Ally McBeil set. They were still filming for a few more days. He parks the Audi and walks up to the cement siding. Leaning against it, he hears the rumbling of the giant metal doors and steaks out his kill.
Perfectly quaffed hair passes by him and he calls out. "Hey! St. James!"
Jesse turns, and slaps on his slyest grin. "Hudson. To what do I owe the untalented?"
"Please tell more to my SAG award." Two can play at the smart-alack remark game. He went to college.
Jesse inhales deeply, obviously losing a lot of his cool. "What do you want?"
"I have a proposition for you."
When Rachel and Finn insisted they set up a meeting with the young man, he had to admit that he was surprised. But he was in a lot of the videos, so there must be a reason. Plus, he wanted to know if he was gay. And if so, was he available?
In the conference room of Ryan Murphy Productions, he walks in to find the three young people at the table anxiously waiting for him. Rachel and Finn are seated on the shorter end of the rectangular table as Jesse St. James, and his luscious waves, sit directly in the middle of the longer side of the massive counter. He sits opposite him, noticing how his presence fills the whole room, yet he's only one person.
"Hi, I'm Ryan," he starts extending his hand. "Finn and Rachel insisted I meet with you."
He takes a seat as Jesse replies. "Hello. I'm Jesse St. James. Former lead singer and dancer of 4-Time National Show Choir Champions: Vocal Adrenaline."
He can't help it. A small chuckle slips out. Jesse's face snaps back in shock and Finn and Rachel look at himself with concern. Oops. That obviously wasn't a good thing. "Please tell me more," he says to Jesse; because he does want to know more. He really wants to know everything. And he also hopes he didn't piss him off. Ah, he'll give Jesse an Associate Producer credit.
He had a really awesome summer ahead of him. He was gonna be in not one, but two, movies. Yep, that's right, two. They were both small roles, which is why he would be able to cram both into his summer break, but they were opportunities for exposure and work with great actors; which is all he really cared about.
The smaller if the two roles was in the next installment of the I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise. He was one the people who dies right in the beginning. It as a cool bit part and he got to work with Jennifer Love Hewett; and she had, like, the nicest boobs ever. The film also had Emma Roberts, whom seemed nice enough.
The bigger role was for a movie directed by Rita Wilson. She's married to Tom Hanks. Forest Freakin' Gump. The film was written by the Big Fat Greek Wedding lady and it starred John Corbett. He was playing John's son. He guessed this was cool because when he told his mom about who he was working with, she totally freaked out over the phone and got really excited.
Most the filming on Last Summer was first, which to him was a fun way to start the summer. He was covered in all this red goo with pieces of sugar glass stuck to his face. He looked awesome; and so did the guy who played the passenger in his car that gets hit.
They were seated next to each other in front of the mirror as girls in miniskirts did the final touches.
"Hey, I'm Max," said the other guy who was finishing up in the make-up trailer, extending his hand.
"What's up? I'm Finn," he replies as he accepts the gesture.
"Yeah, I know who you are. I have for some time. I heard about the show you're doing with Ryan Murphy. I think that it's cool you're willing to admit that you were in Show Choir."
He didn't know how to respond. How did this kid know that? The press release about the show was particularly vague. "Um…Thanks. But, how did you, like, know that?"
"Well, honestly…and I can't believe I'm about to tell you this…but I was in glee too. I saw you and Rachel Berry totally make out on the stage of Lincoln Center."
This guy easily looked like he his school's starting linebacker. "You did?"
"Yeah, I was in the audience. I was a member of Soundsplosion!"
"Wow. That's cool, man."
"Thanks. Hey, when this all starts to go down, remember me. I think I've earned a right to have bit part on that show."
"Me too," he replied, which his signature crooked grin. "I think I know just the right part for you."
Once they had the go ahead from the network, she knew that Brad, Ian, and Ryan were going want to do research. To know more of the stories besides hers and Finn's. Honestly, she didn't want their whole lives broadcasted to the world, but they were fine if others wanted to interoperate. So they decided to let Ian go to Lima. To go to McKinley. He could explore all he wanted once he got there, but they weren't telling him anything. They simply gave him a check list (a treasure hunt, if you will) to help his journey.
1. Talk to the owner of Puck's Pool Cleaning
2. Have a coffee at the Lima Bean and cheesecake at Breadstix
3. Acquire a wheelchair and roll around the handicap ramps of the local high school
4. Meet the Cheerleading and Football coaches of said high school
5. Set up a meeting with the head agent at Lima Property Acquisitions, Inc.
6. Read any copy of The Thunderclap
7. Find the guidance counselor's pamphlets
8. Meet the director of the local Glee Club
9. Go shopping at Sheets 'N Things
What followed in return – as they flipped through at Help! I'm in Love with My Step Dad and My Mom has Bi-Polar Disorder and She Won't Stop Yelling! – was a chronicle of exploration and delight.
A Journey to Lima, Ohio
By Ian Brennan
Day 1
After picking up a medium drip at the Lima Bean – which is quite tasty – I travel to William McKinley High. It's the tail end of their school year and the kids in the parking lot look bored and tired. I doubt the school is air conditioned. As I walk up to the entrance, I already see one of the craziest sights of my quarter-life. There is a group of hockey players, all rocking business in the front and parties in the back, literally throwing kids into dumpsters. Nerdy kids dressed like the geeks on Saved by the Bell just being hoisted and tossed in. And no one was stopping it! Not a sole! Some gawkers off to the side took pictures on their phones, but most people just walk by. Teachers…students, not caring at all. I've only been here 30 seconds and already know I'm in for a wild ride.
Upon entering, the school is pretty generic. Basic. Locker lined hallways. An interesting mix of ethnicities. The popular kids, the unpopular kids, and a lot of in-between. My first mission of the day is to attend my meeting with Principle Figgins. When I called saying that I was an Ohio State school official who wanted to come and take a walk of the school and meet some teachers, expressing some interest in the extracurricular, I was not questioned once. Walking into his office, with windows facing out into the hall, I notice that several of the faculty offices have this feature. I make a note as this could be great for our set design.
"Hello, you must be Mr. Brennan," the Indian man politely greets.
"Hello."
"We are so pleased to have you here to look at the proud William McKinley." That was a little too enthusiastic.
"Thanks…"
"Please feel free to look around. I know the ranking of the state's best schools, by district, is due out next month."
Oops. How do I proceed? "Yes it is. Can you tell me where the guidance counselor may be?"
"The office two doors down. The petite redhead, Mrs. Pillsbury-Schuester."
"Thank-you. And I hope all your students are on their best behavior." I have to keep up this school official act.
"Oh, they will be!" the energetic principle replies as I head out.
Walking to Mrs. Pillsbury-Schuester's office, I nock on the open door, and the teeny-tiny, exceptionally well-dressed, woman turns to me with a sweet smile as she dusts a bookshelf.
"Hello, may I help you?" she ask, removing her rubber gloves.
"Hi, I'm Ian Brennan."
"Oh, yes, from the state education department!" she comments as she moves away from the bookcase and sits at her desk.
There they were. Hidden behind her small frame. The pamphlets.
The titles! So incorrect! So wonderful!
Must get copies of all of these. Must get them now.
"So did you have any questions about the school?" asks the petite guidance counselor, snapping me from my daze.
"Yes. Who's the director of the Glee Club?"
Her face lights up a million watts.
The tiny redhead escorts me to an office off the music room – another with windows facing out into the hallway – and a man with a knit tie and a waistcoat looks up from his desk. He has curly hair with more product in it than ever needed on a human. The guidance counselor waits by the door.
"Hi, I'm Ian. I had a few questions about the Glee Club."
"Great. I'm Will Schuester, the Director of the club."
"Will Schuester?" Wasn't the Oscar-Nominated song about that guy in Crossrhodes?
"Yep."
After a few moments of awkward silence as I ponder whether that song is about the same guy I'm talking to, my thoughts are interrupted.
"So…what did you want to know about the club?" Mr. Schuester asks.
"Oh…well…anything. Everything. As much as you're willing to tell."
Mr. Schuester looks at me suspiciously and asks, "Um, exactly who are you?"
"Oh, I'm sorry," Mrs. Pillsbury-Schuester interjects. "Mr. Brennan is from the Ohio State Department of Education. He's here to find out about McKinley's extracurricular programs."
I smile in agreement as this woman saves me from blowing my cover. She politely walks off.
"Oh, I'm sorry," the curly-haired man flusters. "What would you like to know? I can tell you about our budget, our fundraising efforts, our successes, and our failures, anything you want to know. New Directions is an open book."
That was a 180° from my earlier reception. "Wow, that's a lot of information. You can give me whatever information you wish to. I'm just here to learn as much as I can about all the activities here at William McKinley."
"Oh, great!" gesturing for me to take a seat as he sits as well. "Glee at William McKinley has always had mixed reviews, but kids are still joining. They have found that Glee is a way to express themselves. Their emotions, insecurities, and life-lessons. I'm proud to say that I get to be the person teaching that."
After that, Mr. Schuester went on for hours about how the club had evolved. He talked about his personal experience in the club and the recent resurrection in 2009. He talked for a really long time and occasionally I started to zone out. Interestingly enough, not once did he mention Finn or Rachel. He did say that he was very proud of what several of the recent graduates have been doing after leaving high school, so I guess that's the only clue I will be getting from him now.
"I would love to invite you to Glee practice this afternoon if you would like to come?" Mr. Schuester asks as his catches his breath.
"Well, I'm supposed to go to Football practice," I explain.
"No worries. We end before Shannon's practice starts. We're the last class of the day."
"Okay, well, I'll see you then."
It's just around lunch time when Mr. Schuester says he has a class he needs to get to. The bell rings and he heads off; which was weird because I was still sitting in his office. I get up to look at the posters and pictures. I take a good 5 minutes looking over all the
"Priorities" listed on a manifesto; number one being: Help the Kids.
Moving over to the wall behind Schuester's desk, I finally saw the goods. There, right in the middle of the pinned up papers, was a picture of Rachel, Finn, April Rhodes, and the mohawked douchbag-guy from Crossrhodes. They all appear to be holding SAG award trophies. Looking at the handwritten letter with two different penmanships, I took it down from the board. Turning it over, I see it was written on the back the back of a SAG invitation.
Dear Mr. Schue,
Rachel and I just wanted to say 'hi' from the Screen Actors Guild Awards, as we are now members of the Screen Actors Guild. We stole Puck's invitation because we doubt he will know its missing to tell you thank-you. None of us…April, Puck, Finn, or myself would be here today if it wasn't for you Mr. Schuester and we will be thankful forever.
We also wanted to let you know what a wonderful time we are having and we wish that you were here. You are more than welcome to visit anytime. (Just as long as you don't rap.)
As your favorite students we wanted to let you know again how much you have meant to us and how much we miss you. (Just so you know Rachel added the favorite students' part.)Well, we're running out of paper. Thank-you again.
Much Love,
Finn & Rachel
I take a gander at some of the other documents, which include letters of congratulations on New Directions several victories, current class schedules, and unpaid parking tickets. I notice the halls have thinned out. My tummy grumbles and I head off for substance.
Walking into the faculty and staff lounge, I found the surroundings dismal at best. No wonder these teachers seam out of their minds. Looking at their only place of solace, I would be disturbed too.
I pour myself a cup of coffee and Mrs. Pillsbury-Schuester waves to me to join her. She is with two other…women? I think.
"Hi," I say because I don't know what else to do.
"Oh, yes, Shannon, Sue: this is Mr. Brennan, he's from the state education department and he's here to look into our extracurricular activities," Emma explains as she gestures to me and the two people on the opposite side of the table. She thinks I can't see her she mouths, "Hopefully this means more funding!"
The larger, muscular brunette extends her arm, "Hi, I'm Shannon Beiste. Head Football Coach."
"Football coach?" I repeat back.
"Yep." Brilliant!
"Sue Sylvester," the blond, slightly older women introduces as I shake her hand as well. "Coach of the 10-Time National Champion Cheerios."
"Cheerios? Like…the cereal?"
"No, Cheerios like the champions who get featured on Wheaties boxes."
"Oh, okay." I honestly don't understand what she's talking about, but she seems scary, so I let it slide. Emma jumps in, "Shannon, Mr. Brennan—"
"Please, call me Ian," I interrupt.
"Sorry. Ian was interested in going to watch the football practice after glee rehearsal this afternoon," the redhead explains.
"Sounds great—" Shannon manages to squeak in before Sue cuts her off.
"Glee club? Why would you want to go watch those talentless hacks? The last original idea they had was when I helped them win Nationals in 2012. The only reason why they even win stuff is because they have a few of my champions in their little collection of misfit toys."
My, my, that was an impressive rant. "I'm going to visit as many of the actives as possible, Ms. Sylvester. I also plan to watch your cheerleaders as well." With that I get up and go find lunch elsewhere, because I'm terrified of what the blonde lady will say next.
The bell for the last period rings and I walk into the choir room. The generic chairs, the red sound wall, the baby grand aside the jazz band. It's just like the videos. Even with the different faces, a familiarity –sameness – is still there.
I sit off to the side high up in the back, trying hard not to intrude on their camaraderie. The kids quite down as Will walks in. "Fun," he writes on the dry-erase board.
"As Nationals is over and there is only a short-while left in the school year, your assignment for this week is as simple as that. Find a song that is fun and have fun performing it. I don't want you to be serious or dramatic. Just teenagers having a good time." The young people all nod in approval. "But, my one rule: no one can perform 'We Are Young' because I'm just sick of hearing it. And that's saying something since it was a big single 5 years ago."
The class all claps and cheers in response. Genuinely excited by the assignment they are to set forth.
"Oh, and before I forget, this is Mr. Brennan," Mr. Schuester gestures towards me. Eeek! "He's from the Ohio State Department of Education and he will be watching our rehearsals for the next few days."
I awkwardly wave as they all turn and look my way. Highly un-amused. They go back to what they were about to do, unaffected by me presence. They all seem so energized. Talking about what songs they could perform. What costumes and choreography to use. It was entertaining to watch. To learn how much thought, time, and effort went into one 3 minute song. I was once a member of show choir myself and watching these kids this afternoon brought back a flood of memories for myself. It showed why this show was important. Why this show had to happen.
I am introduced to the teammates of Shannon's football organization in the locker room. They could care less. They show competence on the field, but The Beiste seems frustrated. She's yelling out calls and commands I don't understand, since I know nothing about football, but overall she seems annoyed by a lack of effort and acknowledgement to what is going on. She gives a speech later on about how their efforts this summer will affect what spots they will have come fall. They all look a little intimidated by that, but not enough to discuss it afterward. There are five gentlemen in the corner whom I recognize from Glee. They noticeably distance themselves from the other players and, as I walk by them on my way out, I hear them discussing their mistakes which cost them Nationals. I smile.
Day 2
First thing, I go to Lima Property Acquisitions to set up with a meeting with their lead agent – Lucy Fabray.
"Miss Fabray's is next available appointment isn't until 5pm tomorrow," the mouse-faced receptionist informs me.
"I'll take it," I reply because I don't really have much of a choice. I would have preferred something earlier so I wouldn't be rushed, but whatever.
I stop by the Cheerios morning practice, which is kinda intense. This Sue chick is really out of her mind. But maybe that's a good think, because these cheerleaders…they are incredible. Flawless. Each movement in perfect sequence to the last. They have easily earned every title handed to them.
"That was disgraceful! You think this is hard?" shouts rhetorically Ms. Sylvester from the middle of the bleachers. "Try giving birth at 50; that was hard!"
The girls silently get back in formation and began the performance again from the top.
And with that exchange…we have our villain.
Once they're done, I head to auditorium. In arched letters over the left entrance way, I am told this is the April Rhodes Civic Pavilion. Well, I can thoroughly understand what she's a local legend around here. She is pretty awesome. You know, for a former drug addict.
Anyway, I walk inside and I'm surprised by the massive space. I guess this was built before they (supposedly) had no funding, so they're stuck with it now. They should really rent it out for community events (or AA meetings) as it does look pretty new.
I go up on to the stage and feel powerful. I like it. I can see why the kids liked it up here too. I walk backstage and find lots of costumes and props. It's to be expected. But when I find the 10 or so wheelchairs folding up against the wall, I am perplexed.
Well…I guess I can fulfill one part of my assignment. I decide to take one and roll my way off the stage with the ramp. I navigate the halls unscathed, but I do get several strange glances from members of the football team. Yes, you met me in the locker room yesterday and I was standing like an able-bodied man. I'm simply going through my scavenger hunt.
I spend the next two hours going up and down every handicap ramp on the McKinley property and then return the chair so I can get some lunch.
I head into breadstix and see every person who must work in every office in Lima. This is clearly the town Peach Pit. As tempted as I am by the soup and salad lunch special, I place my order for mediocre, over-processed rigatoni with pesto and make sure to have slice of the cheesecake. The cheesecake is actually not bad. It's soothing for my state of confusion in this strange land.
I head back to the school and go to the library. I find The Thunderclaps: the school yearbook. Fabulous. They are oh, so entertaining. I soon notice that in every copy I pull, the glee pages are defaced. It's kinda sad, but also kinda funny. Either way, I obviously take note.
I decide to stop by glee rehearsal again, which today is located in the ARCP. I am impressed by their performance, even thought it appears to be purely for fun. They are enjoying themselves and are their element. I remember seeing a few performances like this from Rachel and Finn's videos. I make a mental note that these performances must be part of the show as well. Camaraderie is key.
Day 3
I decide not to go back to McKinley today because of fear of people getting too suspicious. In early afternoon, I head to Sheets 'N Things.
Wow. This place is a nightmare. It's wonderful!
Seeing several customers bombard the sad townies is highly amusing. It just showcases so much the desperation of the "Lima Loser" – a phrase I heard Rachel and Finn coin a few times. They kept saying they saw the glee club as a way to prevent becoming Lima Losers. Seeing the sad folks here at 2:15 on a Thursday, I now understand why.
Is that man with a pink sweater draped over his shoulders selling weed? Can I get some?
My hunches are correct and I am able to acquire an ounce. The Chronic Lady. I take a hit later in the day. It's pretty strong. Now I just need to deal with the difficult task of coming up with a better name.
I walk around the rest of Lima in the time I need to kill upon leaving Sheets 'N Things and my meeting with Miss Fabray. It's a quaint little community of strip malls and houses. Suburbia at its best. I walk into Hummel Tire because I know that's where Finn's stepdad works. Owns, I should say. He's not in though when I ask one of the other shop attendants to speak with him.
"Okay, do you know he'll be back?" I naively ask.
"Not until next week. He's in Washington right now." This kid look so annoyed and out of it. As I lack a vehicle, I am clearly the last person he wants to deal with.
"Why?"
"Uh, because congress is in session…" The young man walks off and leaves me stunned and to my own devices.
Uh…congress? Making a mental note to ask more about that.
I promptly get to my meeting at Lima Acquisitions by 4:45. I'm asked to take a seat in the lobby and Miss Fabray will be there soon. I told them I was looking for household properties since I figured that would lead to less Googleing than if I was hoping to open a business.
I wait for patiently for two minutes and Lucy appears. It's the pretty pregnant girl from the videos. She's obviously older now. More mature. Adorned monochromatically in a tight grey pencil skirt, patent pumps, and silk blouse, she's all business. Hair perfectly coiffed, not one strand out of place, her face is serious. She has a very serious job. Life. (Or lack thereof, as the case maybe…)
She's stunning. One of the most beautiful women I've ever seen. The perfect blond Shiksa Goddess.
"Mr. Brennan, it's a pleasure to meet you," she begins, acknowledging my presence. I stand as she reaches for a handshake. "You file indicates you are looking at residential properties in Lima."
"Yes," I reply, accepting her extending hand.
"Well, I must admit I mainly deal with commercial acquisitions, but since Mr. Bradley, the main residential agent has left for the evening, I will be glad to show you a few properties."
"Thank-you."
She smiles and takes a deep breath. Looking me over. Analyzing me. It's like she already knows I have no intention to buy.
"Right this way," she gestures towards the door.
As we walk to her Lexus IS convertible I ask, "I thought your name was Quinn?"
She stops short in tracks and looks at me suspiciously "Quinn is my middle name," she replies curtly, her eyes narrowing.
I nod and she continues towards her car. She's scary.
The property tour gets boring by the third house. They're all the same. I guess that's to be expected. We're in a development. I finally get up the courage to ask some questions as a way to show some interest. I can tell she's getting annoyed by lack of interest. To her, I'm just a waste of time.
"I read on your profile on the company website that you graduated from Yale. How did you end up doing this?"
"Well, I started out as a theater major, actually. But after a semester in New Haven learning how amazing yuppie greed is, I changed to business and property management."
"But why would you move here from Connecticut?" I try to act that I don't know she grew up here.
"Less competition. Higher commission rates. And, I'm from here."
"Oh, okay." The short, serious sentences are painstaking.
"So, do you have any interest in this property?"
"No. Not really."
"Well, I only have one more place to show you. It's just a few doors down. We can walk from here."
We leave the house and head west down the street. We walk past a few houses as a spot the truck for Puck' Pool Cleaning. Great. Two birds, one stone.
We walk inside and it appears that life is still going on here. It's the only place that's been furnished. "This place just went on the market earlier this week. You're the first person to look at it," Lucy (Quinn) explains as we head to the second floor.
I'm looking in the bathroom as I hear her heels clack down the stairs. I follow, since I have no idea what else to do, and I find her in the living room. Talking to the guy from Crossrhodes whose picture is in Schue's office. I try to keep my distance as I eavesdrop.
"So you want to hit Breadstix Friday night?" The mohawk guy asks.
A sly smile spreads across Lucy's face and shakes her head. It is obvious that the walls are falling down. All the defenses hidden behind her professionalism and costumes are slowly slipping away. It's obvious that there are only a select few who get to see her like this.
"I have plans," she rejects.
"Oh, really? What plans could be better than hanging with the Puckmister."
"I'm washing my hair. And don't call yourself that again. Ever. That might be your worst one to date."
"Washing your hair, huh? I could help… " Gosh this guy is cocky. A douche. It is rather entertaining.
"Not tomorrow."
"C'mon! I miss you, Quinny. Alright!" Uh-oh. Douche-boy is getting angry.
"Well too bad. Because I'm not Quinn anymore. And never going back to being that girl again."
"Whatever. I'll bring wine coolers…"
She sighs and shakes her head again. Cracking even more under his pressure.
I see this as a good opportunity to fake a cough to get their attention. They both jolt up, startled. I walk up to them as I hope this is the pool guy.
"Hi, I'm Ian." I extend my right hand.
"Sup' I'm Puck," Mohawk boy replies, shaking my hand.
Lucy has transformed from her venerable state back to Little-Miss-Business. "Noah has his own pool cleaning business."
"I see," nodding my head.
"Well, I need to take Mr. Brennan back to his car at my office, so we have to be going. Goodbye, Noah."
"Nice seeing ya, Luce," Noah snarks back.
"It was a pleasure meeting you," I chime in to Noah.
"Yeah," he says with a head nod.
Once we are in the Lexus back to Lima Acquisitions as we pass by the pool truck, I ask, "Why is it call Puck's Pool Cleaning if his name's Noah?"
"His last name is Puckerman," Lucy replies.
She drops me off at my car and gives me her card. She tells me to let her know if I'm interested in anything. She then takes off quickly through the parking lot.
Ah Hah! I have found the other major couple. The one that constantly competes and entangles with Finn and Rachel. Prefect!
When she's done reading his notes, she smiles. He did good work. He got it and she knew she could start trusting Brad, Ryan, and Ian more with telling their story.
"It sounds like you got a feel for Lima and McKinley High over your visit," Finn remarks putting the daily recap down.
"Yeah, I did. I think I found some great material to start reworking the pilot," Ian replies.
"And we'll help too. We have some ideas as well. Lots really," She chimes in.
At his weekly brunch with Kurt, he's paying for their tab – since he now makes more money than Kurt which his stepbrother constantly reminds him about – and turns around from the cashier station only to be stopped by a familiar face. Cooper Anderson.
"Hey!" he says with excitement. Although he has made some friends while living out here, with the extremely dense population, the rare occurrence of seeing a person from his no-so-distant past is always a welcomed delight.
"Oh, Hey!" Cooper replies back, surprise all over his face as well. "How are you?"
"I'm good. Definitely cannot complain." Because, well, he can't.
"I'm glad. You're show's pretty awesome."
"Thanks. I always point whenever necessary." Cooper smiles. "I've see a few of the roles you've done. They're good," he complements honestly.
"Thanks—" Cooper's about to say something else when he's interrupted by Kurt.
"You ready to go?" Kurt asks; walking up to him dressed and groomed to perfection. Kurt looks instantly startled when he sees Cooper. He feels kinda bad."Hi," Kurt says shaken.
"Hey, Kurt," Cooper replies naturally. Years of acting, of course. "How have you been?"
"Great," Kurt nods. "Things are really going well. I love styling and working with Rachel. And I'm making a lot of connections for the future which is really exciting as well. How are you?"
"Good." Cooper nods back. "Things are looking up."
Taking a deep breath and slowly letting it out, clearly trying to stir up courage, Kurt finally asks, "How's Blaine?"
"He's really good. He really loves London. I just got back from visiting him. His play is doing well and he's living with a really good guy." Cooper speaks in such a reassuring manner that must have taken years of practice.
Kurt smiles. "I'm glad. We're friends on Facebook so I see posts by him from time to time. I'm happy that he doing well."
He can't help but feel a little bit bad for Kurt. He knows that his and Blaine's breakup was hard. On both of them. In the end, they both clearly wanted different things and they needed to let go. But, like with all first loves, it was hard to say goodbye.
Cooper smiles. "I'm glad. And I'll be sure to tell Blaine how you're doing the next time we chat."
"Thanks."
"We better be going," he finally interrupts, knowing that if doesn't start to clean his room in the next 15 minutes, he's not gonna get it done. And with his mom coming for a visit in a few days, it better be clean if wants to avoid guilt and a lecture. "Goodbye."
"Bye," remarks Kurt with a wave.
"Wait! Finn!" Cooper hollers, getting the boys attention as they start to stagger off.
"What's up?" he ask, turning back to him.
"I, um, I'm about to start work on a new film," Copper walks closer to him, obviously he wants to keep his voice down for the rest of this, and the small diner is filling up with patrons quickly. "I have a small part in it, but they are still looking to cast one of the leads." Cooper leans in and whispers with excitement. "Its…it's the Channing Tatum Stripper Movie! I'm a bit too old for the part, but you might be perfect for the young kid lured into the world of male stripping."
He can't help but smile. It's almost too ironic. "Honestly," he starts, his smile growing. "I don't think I'm right for the part. But…I think I might know the perfect person."
At first, Sam was apprehensive. Understandably so. Sam had no intention of ever becoming an actor. Sam came out here to be with Mercedes and become a musician. But, as he explained to him, Sam's romantic relationship with Mercedes has been non-existent since she became a back-up singer for Rihanna. And the fact that Sam was living a disgusting one-bedroom apartment with the two other members of their bad was not lost on him.
"This could be the opportunity of a lifetime," he explained to his blond friend as they set up for their band practice that afternoon.
"But, I didn't come out here to be an actor. I have no desire to do that. Plus, after you and Rachel came and rescued me from Stallionz I promised myself I would never even think about that part of my life again. It's something I'm ashamed of, Finn."
"Look, I realize that, but it could be the opportunity for something amazing. People will want to hear your music if they like you in this. Plus, it could put some money in your pocket so that you don't have to do valet parking at the Beverly Hills Hotel to pay your rent!"
"Hey! That was uncalled for!"
"Look, dude, it's just an audition. Just go and see what happens."
Two days later, he got Sam to the Warner Bros. offices dragging his feet. Sam took a deep breath as he walked in into the small room with a line of people ready to judge him. Once they shut the door, he couldn't hear much except:
"Why do you feel you're good for the part," some person says.
"Because…I'm White Chocolate," Sam replies.
The next day, Sam got the part. He was a good friend and drove Sam to his fitting for his wardrobe fitting right before his mom was due at the airport. (Although he's not really sure what kind of 'wardrobe' is needed for a film about male strippers…)
"Dude, you really need to get your car fixed," he comments as he walks into the wardrobe trailer with him.
"Well, once I get my first paycheck from this, I will be able to," Sam snarks back.
They continue to walk through the racks of clothes looking for the stylist when they hear, "Okay Matthew, we just have one more outfit and then you're out of here."
"Alright, alright," replies a Southern twang. It's so distinctive, they both stop in their tracks.
"McConaughey..." Sam murmurs softly with excitement and awe, walking towards the voices.
He took a few steps back and eventually went outside to wait for his buddy. He knew Sam didn't need him anymore. That Sam was going to be okay.
His mom was visiting this week. As first he was kinda looking forward to it, but then, she arrived. He loved his mom – he truly did – but now with the independence of adulthood, he realized how much he liked doing things himself. Plus, she was a bit of a tourist, and that was totally cramping his style.
Either way, he knew the main reason why she was visiting was because she wanted to see where he worked. Carole Hudson-Hummel had always wanted to see a real movie set. He couldn't blame her. It was pretty cool.
Escorting her around, he moved at a glacial pace as she took pictures every two steps. But her elated grin made it all worth it. That was the mantra he kept telling himself. He knew purposely to have her visit when he was working on the Rita Wilson film because he had a bigger part in it. And it had actors his mom probably knew.
"Finn, I don't live in a cave. I'm well aware who Jennifer Love Hewett is. I watch Lifetime. Also, you were barely speaking in complete sentences when the first I Don't Know What You Did Last Summer came out," Carole lectures.
"Sure, Mom," he obliges.
"Granted, you barely speak in complete sentences now," she muses.
"Hey!" Okay, he might deserve that.
Carole looks at him knowingly and they keep walking around the back halls of the set, passing walls of plywood painted to look like bedrooms and houses on the opposing side. Walking in their direction is his costar John. In the film, he plays John's son and in real life, John has been a real father-figure to him. He knows that he says that about a lot of people, but in the case of John, it is kinda true. Just like it was for Burt, and Mr. Schue, and his mom, and…never mind… Anyway, John was a really cool guy and he definitely took him under his wing.
His mom stops short with a look of awe as John comes closer and into focus. She appears to be shock.
"Hey, Finn," the older man greets. His southern accent dripping from every syllable.
"Hi, John. This is my mother, Carole," he gestures towards his mom.
"Carole," John repeats, extending his right hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
Carole looks down towards the ground as she accepts his greeting. Her face is turning redder and redder by the second. She finally speaks. "Hello…John Corbett," Carole shudders. "It s a pleasure to meet you as well. Huge Northern Exposure fan."
John smiles a lopsided grin and Carole's blush deepens. "I'm glad," he replies, letting go of her hand. "I have to go. I hope to see you around later."
Carole lets a high-pitched giggle. "Okay," she squeals as John walks off.
"Are you okay?" he asks, facing his mother, mildly disgusted.
"I'm fine. I'm wonderful," she replies back with a smile that's stretching across her face like the people in the "Black Hole Sun" video.
"Okay. Well, I'll guess I'll show you my trailer now," he says as he leads her off in the opposite direction.
Gross. Now he knows his mom's celebrity crush.
Sam comes with him to a barbeque that Jennifer Love Hewett is hosting to celebrate wrapping up their film. Even though he had a really small part that he filmed in, like, two weeks, he was still invited and he wasn't about to pass up the opportunity for juicy pulled pork. Sam decided to tag along claiming he wanted to be exposed more to these kinds of actor get-togethers, but he knew Sam was only in on for the free food.
Sam had two more weeks of filming in LA until he was headed to Florida to work on the majority of his big feature film. He thinks Sam is having a hard time adjusting to all this attention, and he knows exactly how that feels, so he lets Sam come to get-togethers like these when he can to ease his nerves.
As the blonde goes off to take a second helping of mac and cheese and Frito pie, his costar Emma Roberts walks over. "Who's Will Hunting?" she asks incredulously.
"Huh?"
"Over there. Your friend with Matt Damon's haircut circa 1997."
"Oh, um, that's Sam. We're in a band together."
"So...what's Sam deal?"
"What do you mean?"
"Single, taken, gay, straight? Details please."
He can't help but smile. "He's straight and he's single, but Sam's still pretty close with his ex. He's had a hard time getting over her after she dumped him. She's a friend of mine too." It occurs to him after saying this that he could easily say that about himself.
"Okay, perfect, he's a little wounded and lonely. What does he do? Besides crash parties he wasn't invited to."
He wasn't sure how much information to give her. It wasn't sure how much Sam wanted to talk about it. "He moved here after school to become a musician, but he just got a role in that upcoming Channing Tatum Stripper movie."
Emma smiles. "Good to know. Steven Soderbergh is directing that, isn't he?"
He had no idea who that was. "Um, sure, I think so."
"Good to know. Good to known," Emma ponders and walks away.
Two days later, he wasn't too surprised when he got a call from Sam notifying him that he had a date with Emma. "She said she was visiting the set because the director is good friends with her aunt," Sam explains over the phone. "She, like, just came up to me and asked me out. It was the coolest thing. I told her I leave in two weeks for Florida to film the remaining parts of the film, but she didn't seem to mind. She seems like a really cool chick. I haven't liked a girl like this since Mercedes, so this means a lot."
"I'm happy for you man. I gotta go, but tell me how everything goes."
"Will do. Later."
"Later."
He wasn't lying. He really was happy for him. And he was also glad not to hear Sam mope about Mercedes all the time.
But, when he went to the studio to help Mercedes as she recorded a hidden track for the Target-exclusive version of her CD, things were not as peachy. He assumed the Diva saw the images of Sam and Emma holding hands as they left In-N-Out Burger that were on some crappy internet celeb blog.
"Did you do this, Lurch?" Mercedes asks, integrating him if he set the young couple up.
"She sought him out herself! And why do you even care? You broke up with him like a year ago!"
"Finn, he's my first love, I will always care."
"Well then let him go. They've been on one date. Who really cares?"
The question was rhetorical, but a few weeks later, according to Us Magazine, Emma and Sam were getting "hot and heavy." Apparently there are people, he's not really sure whom, but people who care about Sam's love life. To him it's all good if Sam seems happy. He hasn't really heard from him much, but Sam does surface the night before he's headed to Tampa, when Puck comes to town at the end of June.
"So, Sam, what's it like dating Eric Roberts' daughter?" Puck asks over beers him, Mike, and even Kurt.
"It's not too bad," Sam replies.
"Uh, huh," Puck agrees sarcastically. He then proceeds to start playing on "Mr. Brightside" by the Killers on his iPhone. Kurt tries to hide a laugh behind his Blue Moon bottle.
"What?" Sam asks, frustrated.
"Are you sure Mr. Roberts has taken you aside for a 'Man to Man' talk?" Puck pesters.
Mike and Kurt smile as Sam gets viably flustered. He feels for him. Hell, he dated a girl with two dads. But Emma's dad was in The Expendables and Celebrity Rehab so it was different.
Sam finally gives in and Puck and Mike light up. "Well, this one time he did kinda scare the crap out of me, but he knows Emma and I aren't that serious, so I'm not too worried."
The all chuckle. He gives him a sympathetic smile. "Is Emma sad that you're leaving tomorrow?"
"As I said," Sam explains, "It's been really causal. We've only been on a handful of dates. But…she says she's gonna visit me while I'm in Tampa."
"That's a great start!" he encourages.
Sam shrugs. "I hope so."
Preening in the mirror, the wig was great. Fabulous! She now knew she could pull off a pretty awesome bob, if she ever wanted. Sitting here, she knew this was the part she was destined to play. The prefect role. Her calling.
Not Franny, Maria, or Elephba. No. Just her. Barbra.
When she walked into the recording studio for the first time, she remembers her goose bumps and shivers. Now, in full costume, principle photography in full swing, the nerves have dissipated, but the excitement still exists. Thrives.
Things are too perfect.
Between working on this and on her amazing sitcom… life was good. In place. Perfect. To top it all off, she was working on Glee, a crazy program; based on a crazy concept itself: Glee Club. It was amazing working on this. Telling the others all the stories of their high school days. Of all the songs, and performances, and romances. All the moments which molded herself into the woman she is today.
When working on their program (which they were Executive! Producing), they had set up some ground rules. They were only going to tell Ryan, Ian, and Brad about their romantic relationship when moments came up in the story and not earlier. That was the most important.
Also, of course the names – all the names – were changing. They also needed to find a way to notify their friends near and far.
That was probably going to be the hardest part. "Hi Artie, I'm glad to hear you're doing well at Berkeley. Oh, by the way, Finn and I are creating a show for FOX about our tales of Glee Club." That might not go over as well as they had originally anticipated. But it was too late now. And it was too awesome.
She's getting called onto set and she has to go. Butterflies float around her stomach. That's an all day occurrence while she's here. Things were perfect.
They knew they had to cast the main leads way in advance. They needed to get the ball rolling on this before they went back to work for the sophomore seasons of their shows.
Another rule was they were not going to be at the casting sessions based off themselves, she had to be responsible for finding the perfect Finn; and him, the perfect Rachel. They would not have impute into who they were casting as themselves until the final decisions were made. It would be too weird otherwise. So, now, she was rifling through audition tapes to find Finn.
Or, well, Conner, as he's called in the pilot.
After two days in a stark room sitting through cattle-calls, she could not watch another skinny kid, who looked like Zac Efron circa 2006, audition to play a character based off her 6 foot 3, broad, ex-boyfriend. It's not that these kids weren't talented – they definitely were – they just didn't fit the bill and didn't seem to get the humor in his anomaly.
Robert Ulrich, the casting director given the honor of handling this madness, gave her two boxes of tapes of potential candidates for their Conner. It's was now 1 o'clock in the morning, and she wasn't sure if she was still watching these videos because she just wanted this to be over, or because they were so god-awful that they were entertaining.
Then after hundreds of similar faces, a perfect crooked smile appeared.
Oh!
"Hi, I'm Cory Monteith and I will be auditioning for the part of Conner."
This boy ran his lines perfectly. Awkward, adorable, and totally Finn.
Then there was this whole section of him playing the drums on Tupperware. Which, really, could not have been more perfect.
But…he didn't sing.
Could he sing? If this boy couldn't, she knew Ryan and the boys would not take him on. Reading the generic resume that came with the video, it said that he was from Vancouver.
Cory from Canada. The Perfect All-American Boy.
She walked into Robert's office the following morning (a little later than she originally planned, but hell, she had been up since one) and handed him the tape. They called Cory's agent and she said he was on his way down.
What?
His agent explained that he was driving down to LA, by car, and left the previous afternoon. She and Robert shared shocked expressions as they glanced up from the speakerphone.
It this boy had any vocal talent, in her mind, the part was his.
He had to audition people to play Rachel. His best friend. It was strange. How can anyone else be someone you're that close to?
Ryan said from the start that he had a candidate in mind; even before their paths crossed with his. A perfect female lead with a voice comparable to Rachel's. He wasn't sure that was quite possible.
The petite brunette walked in wearing a tiny skirt. She had great legs. He read her resume and recognized several of the items on the list. Hit musical Spring Awakening among them. He knew Rachel was disappointed when she had two callbacks for the lead in that play, and still didn't get the part.
Lea Michele kinda looked like Rachel. Similar facial features and brown hair. She came in and started to run her lines. It was a conversation with their Glee Director. Rachel's infamous "Being a Part of Something Special Makes You Special" speech. She was funny. He wasn't sure if she was intentionally being funny, but he was laughing along with everyone else.
"Why are you laughing? That was supposed to be my serious moment," she barks. More hysterics break out.
Robert asks her to sing. She pulls out a binder filled with sheet music and lists the songs she can perform. Ryan insists on a song from Le Miz. He's heard Rachel sing every song from this play before. It was one of her favorites.
Her voice is beautiful; filled with grace and poise while she sings. Stage presence even while in the gross white office.
Then…she interrupts herself. "We have to go back to the second verse," she announces as she walks over to Brad the accompanist.
What's going on?
"Excuse me," she apologies. "I have to sing the entire song."
Ryan was right. She was perfect for the part.
Cory was even more adorable in person.
Once again his line reading was above par, but his singing was what put him over the edge.
He blushed a little when he was asked to start and he sang his Billy Joel song tenderly. His voice wasn't as good as Finn's but she knew with some training it could be. Just like when they first started in Glee.
Applause broke out when Cory was finished and he blushed several shades darker. "I don't do that too often," he jokes as he runs his hands through his hair.
In her opinion, Cory was cast. But she knew they had to have the final network audition with everyone a few days later.
"This is really weird," he explains to Rachel as he sits down next to her.
"What is?" she asks.
"This. Casting someone to play a fictitious version of myself. It's weird. Like right now there are three people in the lobby who look oddly similar to me about to come in and say words I've said myself."
"Yeah, you're right. That is weird."
"So, which guy did you like the most?" he asks, trying to debunk the awkwardness.
She smiles, like she knew he would forget. "Cory. Cory from Canada."
"Okay." He nods in understanding.
And she was right. Cory from Canada was the best candidate. Ryan called him about 30 minutes after he left and the young man proudly accepted the part. He knew he could trust Rachel's choice.
She purposely got there early. She now very much understood what Finn was talking about when he said this was weird. It was. He said that the final girl auditioning was his favorite. After the first two who were merely mediocre at best, she had a feeling she would agree.
Walking into the casting room, her eyes widened, but she was didn't know why she was surprised. It was, in so many ways, inevitable that this girl had auditioned for this. Even becoming one of the finalists to be suggested.
But… as much as she tried not to admit it…Rachel Berry hated Lea Michele.
Well...maybe 'hate' is too strong of a word. Extremely disliked? Maybe that was better? Either way, she knew exactly why she 'disliked' her so much. It was because they were so similar. They were practically at every audition with one another. Their similar hairstyles and noses at times made them look like sisters.
So in all honesty, it should not be a surprise in the least that she's here. Running in a few minutes late. With scrapes on her arms and glass in her hair.
Wait...glass in her hair?
"Are you okay?" asks Robert with genuine concern.
"I'm fine," Lea replies, pulling some of the shards from her strands and placing them on the folding table.
"What happened?" asks Finn as he was trying to understand all the commotion.
"Um...a car just t-boned my Mini Cooper while I was pulling into the parking lot. I'm okay though," she replies, shaking a little.
"Are you sure you want to audition?" Ryan asks. Everyone was worried for this girl's current state of wellbeing.
"Yes," the girl says with a shake of the head. "I am fine."
"Okay then, let's begin," Robert interjects.
Lea was good. Really good. But she already knew that. This was the part that Lea was perfect for. They only, literally, knew each other all-too-well. It just all seemed too surreal. She knew she had to give her blessing, even though the devil on her shoulder tapped her feet in disgust for doing so.
Lea was elated when they gave her the big news. She silently hoped that the girl had her doubts because she had auditioned to play her real-life biggest threat.
Walking out of the office and down the hall, Finn called out for her to "Wait up!" as he was jogging towards her.
"What's up?" she asks; trying to hide the bittersweet feeling inside.
"Hey," he says and she knows he's about to give one of his patented Finn Hudson Pep Talks. "I know that was hard for you. That she was the chick that beat you out for that Spring Awakening thing—"
"As well as countless others," she interjects.
"But, ya know, maybe it's a good thing that you've been each other's competition. This way at least you know for certain that this girl understands what it's like to be you. She can relate to your ups and your downs."
He had a point. She kinda hated that too. Taking a calming breath, she agreed. "I know you're right. It's just…it's hard," she reasoned.
"I know. But really, she definitely was the best person."
"Yeah, she was."
The chick just better appreciate it…
They had already casted "Conner" but Robert told her that he wanted her to have a look at this kid he asked to come to audition. He had sent in his tape late, but Robert felt he had promise. Were they trying to have back-up? Recast Cory perhaps? She knew this was a more common practice than Hollywood wanted to admit, but she definitely didn't want to break poor Cory's heart.
She agrees to go because she knows, for right now, she needs to walk a careful line keep this show for crashing before it even begins. It was a lot more yes-ing that she was used to.
"S'up? I'm Mark," the cocky boy introduces himself.
He clearly has 'guns' and doesn't mind showing them off as he came to audition dressed in a sleeveless tee and board shorts. He runs the sides for Finn's character with arrogance that really didn't fit the character, but was very entertaining nonetheless.
Now she understands why Robert called her down here.
He plays the guitar and sings a delightful rendition of "La Camisa Negra" by Jaunes. This kid looked about Hispanic as she did, so she had no idea why he chose to sing a song in Spanish (maybe so we wouldn't know when he messed up), but it was still good. Really good.
Mark finishes and they applaud. The ask him to perform the sides for Rabino, the character based off Puck. He looks startled as he takes the paper they hand to him.
"It's okay if you don't know them," she explains politely, trying to calm him down. "Just read the lines off the paper."
He reads his lines well, even with the off-kilter change and Robert asks him to come in for a network audition.
Three seconds into Mark's reading, Finn has a big, goofy grin on his face. They had found Puck.
But…one question still needed to be asked, and Finn was the one to do it. "How would you feel about cutting your hair into a Mohawk?"
Mark looks terrified. Perfect!
A/N: There's more to come. This chapter was just so long; I split it up into two. I hope you are liking it so far. I will have more up ASAP as promise above. Please, please, please review and let me know what you think. Positive or negative. Or if you agree that Chord Overstreet would have been better in Magic Mike than that guy Dianna dated. Let me know! =)