§Going The Full Diva §
By Muirnin CocanDisclaimer: See chapter 1 for the full disclaimer … Glee belongs to the powers that be - RIB (Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan, & Brad Falchuk) oh and Fox …
Author's Note: This is the last chapter of Going the Full Diva … I don't know if the story just felt threatened or what … since it's the last chapter … butit got ugly … and it fought me … tooth and nail … painfully trying to get it written … but here it is the last chapter … I would like to thank those who have taken the time to review and tell you that I do appreciate your words of advise and support …
Going the Full Diva – part 4Winter Garden Theater (Backstage dressing room) – Broadway, New York City, NY – Saturday, October 28, 2028
Elisabeth Barbra Hummel watched in silence as her mother paced the floor in a near panic "Mama, you are going on stage for your last show tonight … you need to calm down … its not good for you or the baby" Lizzy pleaded with her mother.
"Your Daddy is supposed to be here …" Rachel said as she paced back and forth in the small dressing room that she had since she had started the run. The room itself had her simple costumes draped in plastic and hanging on the rod suspended from the ceiling. Her make-up was laid out in front of the mirror and awaiting her final performance.
"So … I guess this is what Daddy meant by saying you have a habit of going the full diva … Mama! Yes, Daddy will be here … but you have to know … Auntie Isabelle had him do some work … at the … um … office this afternoon … so he's probably stuck in traffic." Lizzie said hopeful that she sounded believable.
"You're probably right sweetheart … thanks for being here for me …" Her cellphone that was on the vanity vibrated and she immedately answered it on speaker phone. "Kurt! Oh honey where are you?" she sobbed into the phone.
"Isabelle needed me to do some work at the office … I'll be there as soon as I can" Kurt's voice said softly through the speaker.
"That's what Lizzy said … but you are going to get here before the curtain goes up right?" Rachel asked her hands shaking.
"It will be real close to showtime …" Kurt explained.
"You mean I won't see you before I go on for my first scene? You've never missed an opening number … I can't go on then …"
"Rachel … Trust me I will be there for the bridal shop scene … I have never missed your appearance on stage and I won't miss tonight … Now make sure that Lizzy gets the boys with their grandparents and she will wait with you in the wings … I love you Rachel … you will be brilliant tonight." Kurt's voice said with tenderness and love.
"Thank you … that was a very good pep talk … and Lizzy has already gotten the boys with the Grandfolks … She also told me that a few of our friends from high school are in the audience tonight …" Rachel said slowly calming down "Santana stopped by backstage a little while ago and wished me luck"
"Well that's our Satan … I can't wait to see you perform tonight my love … I have to go … you go get centered and warmed up … you are as beautiful today as you were the first time you performed as Maria ... and you take my breath away" Kurt said as he hung up the connection.
"Oh that man … Lizzy thank you for being here with me …" Rachel said taking a deep breath trying to stay calm.
"Mama, its my pleasure to be here with you tonight … this is a very big night for you and the entire family is here for you as well." Lizzy said as she hugged her mother.
From the hallway they heard "Ms. Berry 5 minutes" the stage manager let her know.
"Well that's your que …" Lizzy said as she helped put the finishing touches on her make up.
Rachel made her way out to the side wings it was the middle of Scene 2 – The Back yard when all of the sudden Rachel heard a voice onstage she had not heard in years … in the portrayal of Riff – was Mike Chang and then her eyes got very big when she saw that the part of Tony was being played by Kurt.
RIFF
Womb to tomb!
TONY
Sperm to worm! [Surveying the sign.] You sure this looks like
skywritin'?
RIFF
It's brilliant.
TONY
Twenty-seven years the boss has had that drugstore. I wanna
surprise him with a new sign.
RIFF [shaking the ladder.]
Tony, this is important!
TONY
Very important: Acemen, Rocketmen.
RIFF
What's with you? Four and one-half year I live with a buddy and
his family. Four and one-half years I think I know a man's
character. Buddy boy, I am a victim of disappointment in you.
TONY
End your sufferin', little man. Why don't you pack up your gear
and clear out?
RIFF
'Cause your ma's hot for me. [Tony grabs his arms and twists it.]
No! 'Cause I hate livin' with my buggin' uncle uncle UNCLE!
[Tony releases him and climbs back up the ladder.]
TONY
Now go play nice with the Jets.
RIFF
The Jets are the greatest!
TONY
Were.
RIFF
Are. You found something' better?
TONY
No, But-
RIFF
But what?
TONY
You won't dig it.
RIFF
Try me.
TONY
OK ... Every single damn night for the last month, I wake up-and I'm reachin' out.
RIFF
For what?
TONY
I don't know. It's right outside the door, around the corner. But it's comin'!
RIFF
What is? Tell me!
TONY
I don't know! It's-like the kick I use to get from bein' a Jet.
RIFF [quietly]
...Or from bein buddies.
TONY
We're still buddies.
RIFF
The kick comes from the people, buddy boy.
TONY
Yea, but not from a Jet.
RIFF
No? Without a gang you're an orphan. With a gang you walk in two's three's four's. And when your gang is the best, when you're a Jet, buddy boy, you're out in the sun and home free home!
TONY
Riff, I've had it. [Pause.]
RIFF
Tony, the trouble is large: The Sharks bite hard! We got to stop them now, and we need you! [Pause. Quietly.] I never asked the time of a day from a clock, but I'm askin' you: Come to the dance tonight ... [Tony turns away.] ... I already told the gang you'd be there.
TONY
[after a moment, turns to him with a grin]
What time?
RIFF
Ten?
TONY
Ten it is.
RIFF
Womb to tomb!
TONY
Sperm to worm! And I'll live to regret this.
RIFF
Who knows? Maybe what you're waitin' for'll be twitchin' at the dance!
[He runs off.]
TONY
Who knows?
The music starts and Kurt starts to sing causing Rachel's heart to start pounding as she hears the love of her life singing once again
Could be!...
Who knows?...
There's something due any day;
I will know right away,
Soon as it shows.
It may come cannon-balling down thru the sky,
Gleam in its eye,
Bright as a rose!
Who knows?...
It's only just out of reach,
Down the block, on a beach,
Under a tree...
I got a feeling there's a miracle due,
Gonna come true,
Coming to me!
Could it be? Yes it could.
Something's coming, something good,
If I can wait!
Something's coming, I don't know what it is,
But it is
Gonna be great!
With a click, with a shock,
Phone'll jingle, door'll knock,
Open the latch!
Something's coming, don't know when but it's soon-
Catch the moon,
One-handed catch!
Around the corner,
Or whistling down the river,
Come on-deliver
To me!
Will it be? Yes, it will.
Maybe just by holding still,
It'll be there!
Come on something, come on in,
don't be shy,
Meet a guy,
Pull up a chair!
The air is humming,
And something great is coming!
Who knows?
It's only just out of reach,
Down the block, on a beach...
Maybe tonight...
The lights on the stage dim and Rachel takes a deep breath again and walks out to her point on the stage for the start of Scene 3 – the Bridal Shop. After seeing Santana earlier and seeing the scene before it didn't surprise Rachel that the part of Anita was now played by Santana Lopez.
MARIA [holding out scissors]
Por favor, Anita. Make the neck lower!
ANITA
Stop it, Maria.
MARIA
One inch. How much can one little inch do?
ANITA
Too much.
MARIA [exasperated]
Anita, it is now to be a dress of dancing, no longer for kneeling in front of an altar.
ANITA
With those boys you can start in dancing and end up kneeling.
MARIA
Querida, one little inch; uno poca poca-
ANITA
Bernardo made me promise-
MARIA
Ai! Bernardo! One month have I been in this country … do I ever even touch excitement? I sew all day, I sit all night. For what did my fine brother bring me here?
ANITA
To marry Chino.
MARIA
When I look at Chino, nothing happens.
ANITA
What do you expect to happen?
MARIA
I don't know: something. What happens when you look at Bernardo?
ANITA
It's when I don't look at him that it happens.
MARIA
I think I will tell Mama and Papa about you and 'Nardo in the balcony of the movies.
ANITA
I will rip this to shreds!
MARIA
No. But you perhaps could manage to lower the neck-
ANITA
Next year.
MARIA
Next year I will be married an no one will care if its down to here!
ANITA
Down to where?
MARIA
Down to here. [Indicates her waist.] I hate this dress!
ANITA
Then don't wear it and don't come to the dance.
MARIA [shocked]
Don't come! [Grabs the dress.] Could we not dye it red, at least?
ANITA
No, we could not. [She starts to help Maria into the dress.]
MARIA
White is for babies. I will be the only one there in a white-
ANITA
Well?
MARIA
Ahhhh-sí! It is a beautiful dress: I love you![As she hugs Anita, Bernardo played by Noah Puckerman enters, followed by a shy, gentle sweet-faced boy: Chino.]
BERNARDO
Are you ready?
MARIA
Come in, 'Nardo. [Whirls in the dress.] Is it not beautiful?
BERNARDO [looking only at Maria's face]
Yes. [Kisses her on the cheek] Very.
ANITA
I didn't quite hear...
BERNARDO [kissing Anita quite differently.]
Very beautiful.
MARIA
[watches them a second, then turns to Chino]
Come in, Chino. Do not be afraid.
CHINO
But this is a shop for ladies.
BERNARDO
Our ladies!
MARIA
'Nardo, it is most important that I have a wonderful time at the dancing tonight.
BENARDO [as Anita hooks up Maria]
Why?
MARIA
Because tonight is the real beginning of my life as a young lady of America!
[She begins to whirl in the dress as the shop slides off and a flood of gaily colored streamers pours down. As Maria begins to turn and turn, going off-stage. Sharks girls, dressed for the dance whirl on, followed by Jet girls. By boys from both gangs. The streamers fly up again for the next scene.]
The rest of the performance proceeded the same way with many of Rachel's original High School Production cast taking their place on stage and recreating her original cast. As the end of the production began Rachel was fully in her Maria mode and dealt the final emotional blow the show called for.
TONY
You're a girl: be a girl! Beat it. [She retreats.] CHINO, I'M CALLING FOR YOU, CHINO! HURRY! IT'S CLEAR NOW. THERE'S NOBODY BUT ME. COME ON! Will you, please? I'm waiting for you. I want you to- [Suddenly, all the way across the stage from him, a figure steps out of the dark. He stops and peers as light starts to glow on it. He utters an unbelieving whisper.] Maria ... Maria?
MARIA
Tony ... [As she holds out her arms toward him, another figure appears: Chino.]
TONY
MARIA! [As they run to each other, there is a gunshot. Tony stumbles, as though he has tripped. Maria catches him and cradles him in her arms as he falters to the ground. During this Baby John and A-rab run on; then Pepe and Indio and other Sharks. Chino stands very still, bewildered by the gun dangling from his hand. More Jets and Sharks, some girls run on, and Doc comes out to stare with them.] I didn't believe hard enough.
MARIA
Long is enough.
TONY
Not here. They won't let us be.
MARIA
Then we'll get away.
TONY
Yes, we can. We sill. [He shivers, as though a pain went through him. She holds him closer and begins to sing-without orchestra.]
MARIA
Hold my hand and we're halfway there.
Hold my hand and I'll take you there,
Someday,
Somehow ...
[He has started to join in on the second line. She sings harder, as though to urge him back to life, but his voice falters and he barely finishes the line. She sings on, a phrase or two more, then stops, his body quiet in her arms. A moment, and then, as she gently rests Tony on the floor, the orchestra finishes the last bars of the song. Lightly, she brushes Tony's lips with her fingers. Behind her, Action, in font of a group of Jets, moves to lead them toward Chino. Maria speaks, her voice cold, sharp.]
Stay back.
[The shawl she has had around her shoulders slips to the ground as she gets up, walks to Chino and holds out her hand. He hands her the gun. She speaks again, in a flat, hard voice.]
How do you fire this gun, Chino? Just by pulling this little trigger?
[She points it at him suddenly; he draws back. She has all of them in front of her now, as she holds the gun out and her voice gets stronger with anger and savage rage.]
How many bullets are left, Chino? Enough for you? [Pointing at another.] And you? [At Action.] All of you? WE ALL KILLED HIM; and my brother and Riff. I, too. I CAN KILL NOW BECAUSE I HATE NOW. [She has been pointing the gun wildly, and they have all been drawing back. Now, again, she holds it straight out at Action.] How many can I kill, Chino? How many … and still have one bullet left for me?
[Both hands on the gun, she breaks into tears, hurls the gun away and sinks to the ground. Schrank walks on looks around and starts toward Tony's body. Like a madwoman, Maria races to the body. She kisses him gently. Music starts as the two Jets and two Sharks lift up Tony's body and start to carry him out. The others, boys and girls, fall in behind to make a procession, the same procession they made in the dream ballet, as Baby John comes forward to pick up Maria's shawl and put it over her head. She sits quietly, like a woman in mourning, as the music builds, the light starts to come up and the procession makes its way across the stage. At last, she gets up and, despite the tears on her face, lifts her head proudly, and triumphantly turns to follow the others. The adults: Doc, Schrank, Krupke, Glad Hand … are left bowed, alone, useless.]
The Curtain Falls.
When the curtain came back up the orignal New Directions Cast as well as the Broadway cast for the parts that they played each took curtain calls together each of the alternate actors the former New Directions as they took their independent curtain calls. It had been the strangest ensamble ever until it was time for Tony who went to center stage and announced:
"In the part of Tony … the original Tony to our own Maria … her husband Mr Kurt Hummel." And as Kurt came out he was welcomed with an unprecidented standing ovation.
Then Kurt held his hand out towards Rachel as she came out; the tears streaming down her face. Kurt's voice clearly announced "In her last performance as Maria … Ladies and Gentlemen may I present Ms Rachel Berry."
The standing ovation that the audience proceeded to give outshone anything that they had given before.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm so touched by your acknowledgement to our performance … to my final performance … I am more surprised at the final gift both of these amazing casts have given me tonight … I am nothing without this man here next to me …" Rachel said as she gave him a moldering kiss which garnered more applause.
A scurrying of little feet followed by a young woman all carrying bouquets of roses came out onstage. Lizzy, Patric and Colin walked confidently to where their parents were and handed their mother the bouquets of roses.
"Our children … Elisabeth, Patric and Colin …" Rachel said as she knelt down and kissed the boys and then standing up she gave Lizzy a kiss as well.
A while later all the cast, friends and family of the Hummels gathered at their home in Jackson Heights celebrating the end of a successful run and also breaking the news to all of the gathered masses of the new addition that was coming to the family.
"I can't believe you didn't tell any of us …" Santana scolded Kurt and Rachel.
Rachel rolled her eyes "Why else would I have left the show … seriously San … and thank you so much for playing Anita tonight … brought back a lot of great memories."
Santana shrugged her shoulder "It's no big deal … besides, it gave me a chance to play a scene on broadway … rather than all the commercials I have ended up doing."
"Well its so good to see all of you guys … we've missed you so much." Rachel said as she looked at the gathered friends.
Puck was dressed back into his uniform, ready to head back to his base in Trenton, New Jersey. He was playing happily with Patric and Colin who were revelling in his stories about being in the Air Force.
Quinn and her husband Mitch were seated speaking with Mercedes and her husband Henri about Mercedes latest album and about Quinn's latest movie.
Brittany was talking to Sam about their 2 children while Santana who was talking to Dani would glance over and stare at the pair then look back at Dani and realize she was in the relationship she was meant to be in.
Tina, Mike and Blaine were talking with Rory, Joe and Sugar. Burt, Carole, Hiram and LeRoy were overlooking the party while talking to Shelby and Beth who while looked a lot like Quinn, had darker hair like Puck and acted a lot like both Shelby and Lizzy.
Overall it had been a fantastic night and the fact that they were able to share it with all of their friends and family meant even more … Rachel wondered what else could top this experience but no matter what Kurt would be there for her and she for him.
TO BE CONTINUED:
Author's Second thoughts : First Off: West Side Story is an American musical with a script by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and choreography by Jerome Robbins. It is an adaptation of William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet.
Well this was the original last chapter … I had a dream last night about how this story would end which ironically co-insided with the story outline in my head … go figure … anyway I hope you enjoyed this story as much as I have with writing it … the Eplogue will be soon …
I have abandoned any 12-step program for my addiction to reviews and being a review whore and so … I beg of you … please feed my addiction … You all are the best … So be constuctive … throw out ideas … thanks for reading it and remember …
FEED MY ADDICTION! The box is right here …
\/
