Is this really happening?

Will still couldn't believe what had happened at the diner as he and Emma returned to their hotel. He was going to be a leading man on Broadway in a hit musical for one night, and he only had a week to learn the part including his two big songs, all the lines and the choreography. Could he really do it? All of a sudden, he remembered what the security guard at the Booth had said to him two years ago after he overheard him performing alone on the stage.

"I've been working here 25 years, and seen a lot of talent come and go. But let me tell you something, kid… you got it."

So if that security guard believed in his talent and Emma did as well, then it was certain he was doing the right thing – so he silently promised to give it his all.

"I can't wait to get started," he said to Emma once they arrived back at their hotel. "Tomorrow I meet the director and the cast, from what Rupert told me before we left the diner they all seem really nice. Then the day after that is my first rehearsal, I was also told that my performance will be professionally recorded so I can have a souvenir of the experience."

"This is definitely going to be something you'll look back on for a long time," Emma replied. "You've dreamed of being a performer for a long time, now you can say that you actually did it – not even Sue can insult you about that." Sue always made fun of Will's dedication and optimism towards his own goals as well as those of his students.

"That's her problem now, not mine," said Will with a smile, giving Emma a wink. "This is something I want to do for myself, all those years of coaching and being in glee club are finally going to pay off."


The next day, he arrived at the stage door of the Gershwin Theater to meet the director and the cast. Not wanting to leave Emma by herself, he decided to take her along for support even though she thought he would be fine on his own. Opening the door, he gave his name with the doorman, who told him the director was awaiting his arrival and pointed the way to the main rehearsal hall. Halfway there, he and Emma saw another man waving at him, and when they got close the two men shook hands.

"So you must be Will," the man said, "Rupert told me you were coming. I'm Joe, the director of Wicked here on Broadway."

"Pleased to meet you," Will replied. "This is my wife, Emma, she came along to support me. I've got to say that I am very excited about this opportunity and I promise that I will work hard to give the best performance that I can give." Joe nodded, Will could already tell that the director liked him.

"Here we are," the director said, gesturing towards the door of the rehearsal hall. Will could see a large group of people already gathered in the room chatting with one another. Joe walked in first, followed by Emma with Will bringing up the rear. Emma stood by the door as her husband stood at the director's side.

"Thank you for coming everyone, I know we still have a show to do tonight," the director said after he got everyone's attention, "but there is someone I would like to introduce you to. I would like you all to meet Will Schuester, he will be stepping into the role of Fiyero for next Friday night's performance. I hope you'll all make him feel welcome and help him along over the next week." The cast applauded warmly as Will waved to them, then Joe asked him to tell them a little bit about himself.

"First, let me say it's an honor to be part of the company even if it's only for one night," he said, "but I know I'm going to look back on this experience as something I'll always remember. I guess I'll tell you all about myself then. I'm from Lima, Ohio and I'm a history teacher at McKinley High School. I've been involved in show choir since my own high school days, and since 2009 I've been the coach of our current group called New Directions – under my direction we've won three western Ohio sectional titles, three Midwest regional titles, and in 2012 we won our first national championship in Chicago." There were murmurs of appreciation from the assembled group, then a woman spoke up.

"I recall in 2011 you were tapped to be the male lead in April Rhodes' bio musical Crossrhodes," she said. "What made you give that up?"

"It was because of my students," Will explained. "We were in New York for our first nationals, and when I stood on that stage singing my heart out, and then hearing the security guard tell me I had talent, that's when I knew I had achieved a dream of singing on a Broadway stage. I had new dreams, dreams of helping my students succeed." The woman nodded, satisfied with the answer.

"And this is why we want to help you finish this dream," Joe said.


After the introductory session, Will met each of the cast members, including his two leading ladies for the night: Alli, who played Glinda, and Lindsay, who played Elphaba and would be doing the love duet with him in the second act. They both asked if his wife was okay with all the affection they'd be showing him on stage, to which Emma nodded in agreement. Then he met Derek, the current Fiyero, who had some words of advice.

"A lot of talented, amazing people all over the world have played this part," Derek said, "and the main objective for you is to make the role your own. You need to inject a little bit of your own personality into the character because no two characterizations are ever alike. Use your show choir experience to your advantage. If you can remember that, then the audience is going to fall in love with you next Friday night, I'm sure of it."

"I'll remember that," Will replied, "thank you Derek. I'm looking forward to getting started with rehearsals tomorrow." Just then, the director appeared at his side with what looked to be a gift bag with the show's logo on both sides.

"This is for you," said Joe, "you'll find a shirt, a hat, and of course your script inside with your lines highlighted. I'm pretty sure you know your two big songs by now." He nodded, he listened to his CD copy of the soundtrack enough times to know them by heart.

"Then I guess we'll see you tomorrow for your first rehearsal," the director said. "Meet in this room at about one in the afternoon, and dress comfortably because we'll be working on your first scene and musical number with Lindsay, Alli and the ensemble. It was great to meet you, and we're all excited about giving you this opportunity next week."

"Believe me," said Will, "I'm excited too."