PREVIOUSLY: Michael Baxter finally met Will and Emma Schuester, but the meeting didn't go very well, as it caused Will to have an emotional outburst and he clearly wasn't over what happened to him and the New Directions Alumni 10 years previous. The question is have we seen the last of Will or was that initial first meeting too much for Will to take?
.
And now the continuation
.
PART 7 - TWO CHANGS DON'T MAKE A WONG DIRECTION
.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
.
..."You didn't see his reaction..." said Michael as he sat across from his eldest brother Jack. "He was quite upset."
.
Michael had literally scurried back to Texas, from Denver, as he had lost confidence after witnessing Will Schuester's break down
.
"What did you expect?" started his other brother Rick, who was just a few years older than Michael, he was standing against the office wall "You basically ripped opened old wounds from the past. You didn't expect a reaction like that at some point on your travels? No one's ever going to be over something like that, and then it get's sugar coated."
Michael turned to Jack "Why is HE here?"
"He speaks the truth," replied Jack "And you two tend to feed off each other at times. Do you want want to give up now? The moment you get your first no?"
"He's the glue that held them together," said Michael "He knows how to make them tick."
"And it sounds like after all that he got shafted by the very group who he kept together," replied Rick "Would you want to come on board after something like that? I know I certainly wouldn't."
"So just give up," said Kevin, the third of the brothers, "You receive a negative, it hurt, so go on, just lay on your back, and roll over."
"You knew going into this..." started Jack "That somehow you would open a can of worms, and you've just opened one big one. You need to deal with it now. Because you're going to be dealing with so much more, and then some. But if you can't handle it, your precious New Directions reacting that way, by all means, Give up now. But that is not the Michael I know... The Michael that I taught this business to, doesn't give up. He just keeps on going. That's why he's such a good business man."
Rick was about to open his mouth, but decided against it when he got the dreaded stare from Jack.
"So there are plenty more Group Directors out there," said Kevin "Just hire the next best."
.
His brothers were being supportive. They all knew what the New Directions meant to him. He worshiped the ground that they walked on.
.
Michael needed to make a decision whether to just pull the plug now, or just get over himself, and keep going. He remembered what it was like to see Finn Hudson's face, Noah Puckerman's, Brittany S Pierce's, Sam Evans's, and even Will and Emma's faces before Will broke down. It had all been a dream come true, and all worth it. It was just an honor for him being in the same room as them...
.
"It was tough," said Michael "But to steal a quote from the great Mercedes Jones... HELL TO THE NO am I going to give up now. After all, Finn, Puck, Brit, and Sam all said yes."
"Now that's the Michael we all know," smiled Jack "The one who doesn't give up.
"Dang it," said Rick forcing a smile "I thought I was going to win the bet by default."
"Yea right," replied Michael getting up "See you guys around... maybe towards the end of the week."
"Where are you off to now?" asked Kevin
"To see some famous Changs," replied Michael heading to the door "And then maybe to see a part time director in New York, and then maybe who knows where."
"I'll keep in touch then," said Jack
Michael nodded and left the office.
"Why do you guys just keep turning him around?" asked Rick "I know I can beat him."
"Because the New Directions are his passion," replied Jack "You know this too. And when Mikey's focused he delivers great results work wise. I hate seeing him so down. We all don't need a depressed Michael around... Besides you love his little challenges, when he's not focused he doesn't tend to give it all, and you sometimes come away feeling like he should have tried more, well Ricky my brother, you have a job on your hands to win this one."
"We'll see," smiled Rick.
.
.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
.
As his flight was about to touched down in San Francisco, California, Michael looked over his notes. All he knew about Michael Chang, and Tina Cohen-Chang that they both lived in San Francisco but at opposite ends of the city. Both weren't aware that the other one was living there as well. They had been high school sweethearts, until Mike left for college, and their relationship became estranged after that. Then Tina and Artie got together, and well that was that.
Tina and Artie got engaged during their college years, and afterwards, and things were going great, and were about to get married when the incident between the New Directions tore everyone apart and so they split up. Never to talk to one another. According to his notes, Tina had been living in San Francisco for the last three years, but before that things were unclear.
As for Mike Chang, once he broke up with Tina, he started seeing a girl named Raven Fredericks. (yes I decided to bring her across from the Remembering Finn story), and she seemed to change him, well that's what his friends in the New Directions said, each time they saw him, that he was a completely different person. When the incident happened both he and Raven disappeared, and Mike had shown up San Francisco 4 years previously. According to his detectives, Michael read, that members of the public where Mike had been out, said he first appeared looking all disheveled, and heart broken. There was no sign of Raven. So whatever happened, he had to restart his life again.
.
.
PACIFIC HEIGHTS, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
.
Michael pulled up to an apartment building in Lafayette Park in downtown Pacific Heights area, and got out of his rental car. He looked at his notes.
Michael made his way into the building, and to the apartment of Mike Chang. He knocked on the door. Once again according to his notes, this was his day off from working. Working as a Dance Teacher at the DeVry University. Mike was using his expertise to get by, which was a great thing. At least he knew how to rely on that.
The door opened, and Mike Chang was standing there. The Mike Chang, one of the best dancers, next to Will Schuester of course, and Brittany S Pierce, that the New Directions had.
"Can I help you?" asked Mike
"I would like to talk to you about a great opportunity," started Michael
"Sorry sir," said Mike "I'm not buying anything today."
Mike goes to close the door.
"No, no, Mr Chang, but I'm not selling anything."
Mike keeps the door ajar. "How do you know my name?"
"Like I said I'm here to talk to you about about a fantastic opportunity, I'd like to come in, and so I can talk to you about it."
"And LIKE I said, how do you know my name? Tell me that first, before I do anything else."
Michael sighed "My name is Michael Baxter, of the Baxter Family who is running..."
"The World Championship of Show Choirs," finished Mike off "Yes I'm aware of that championship, but how do you know MY name."
"If you let me finish," smiled Michael "Yes we are running the World Championship of Show Choirs, but I've decided to run a team of my own, and I know you are one of the best dancers around and like to offer you a place on my team."
Mike looked at the stranger for a second, but kept the door slightly ajar "That still doesn't show me where you got my name from? Or how do you know that I am one of the best dancers around. I haven't danced like competitively for over 10 years."
"But you teach dancing," replied Michael and then realizing that just slipped out
"Have you been following me Mr Baxter?" asked Mike getting worried "I think you better go before I call the police."
"Please don't do that," Michael said, not wanting to cause another seen. He couldn't handle a second scene in the short amount of time he recovered from the first one "I grew up watching Show Choir Mr Chang. Especially Show Choirs that came from Ohio, in particular, Lima, Ohio. I was a fan of the New Directions."
Bang, Mike shut the door in Michael's face.
"Go away, I'm not interested."
"Please hear me out," shouted Michael
"No, we're done," came Mike's voice from behind the door "You have a minute to leave before I start calling the police."
"I'm prepared to offer you $1 Million dollars to come on board as a dancing director and another $1 Million to come on board as a singer." That's $2 Million. A healthy pay packet."
There was silence from the other side of the door. Michael had, had no choice but to offer that much, now that Will Schuester was officially out of the picture. He needed someone with experience to deal with the routines. Good routines. And to him Brittany and Mike were the next best two.
"... I don't sing any more." replied Mike finally from behind the door "Just dance..."
Michael smiled. He had a foot in.
"Okay, how about I offer you $1,500,000 for being a dancing direction and a dancer in my group?"
There was silence again.
Suddenly the door opened, this time fully, and Mike ushered Michael into the apartment. Michael walked through the door.
.
The apartment looked cramped. But it had done Mike for what it was needed. A place to stay, and a roof over his head. There was just enough furniture to survive. Mike walked past Michael and made his way over to a table, where he pulled a chair out, and then sat down on the other side.
"So what are the details?" asked Mike
Michael walked over to the chair, and sat down. He put his briefcase on the table and opened it.
"Originally I wanted you as part of the team," Michael stated "And I'm happy to have you on board as a dancer if that's what you want to do. I was prepared to offer you $1 Million like I said. You would receive $100,000 straight away once you signed, and the rest, the $900,000 you would receive when you come for the first team meeting at my home in Dallas, Texas next month."
"You said originally," replied Mike "But you've just offered me $1,500,000 why?"
"My first dance instructor pulled out the other day, and I'm running out of time to find a replacement," said Mike "You're the next best. I can draw up a second contract and have you sign it when you get to Dallas next month."
"Why did the first dance instructor pull out?" asked Mike
"He didn't think he could get the new group into shape in time," lied Michael
Mike sat there thinking for a second. His eyes began to wander around his apartment.
"You know a lot about me," said Mike "Or what you're letting on. So look around, I don't own much, I'm barely surviving from my job, and before that, I was barely surviving full stop, so for you to offer me $1,500,000 means a lot. I have kept my dancing up, so I know I am worth that much. But the singing... the singing I gave up... because... well let's just say it just wasn't me anymore... I enjoyed my early years in the New Directions... They gave me a shot with dancing... improved my singing... But there was an unhappy period in my life, where singing didn't do it for me like my dancing did. I need the $1,500,000."
Michael felt there was a small window of opportunity to ask about the unhappy period, but he wasn't confident enough after the whole ordeal with Will Schuester, and held off.
"Okay," Michael said taking out the contract from his briefcase "Let's start with this. The first contract is worth $1 Million, you'll receive an initial $100,000 the moment you sign, and then receive the rest once you get to Texas next month, plus then also an extra $500,000 for signing on as a dance instructor. You'll sign that contract when you get picked up at the airport from one of my assistants. Does that sound good?"
Mike just nodded, and pulled the contract over to him, and took a look. He didn't ask anything about the numbers of members that had already signed, or who they were. Michael just hoped he wouldn't ask that.
"Sounds good, this could set me up for another 10 years." said Mike grabbing the pen, and signing his name.
Michael grabbed his phone, and texted a number. He waited for Mike to pass the contract back, which he did.
"You now have the $100,000 in your bank account, pleasure doing business with you."
"It's a pleasure to be offered something that I thought was well and truly long gone," smiled Mike "It just means that I bid my time, after what happened, happened, and worked really hard to get back to where I was. Now the thought about being able to get by will help."
Michael grabbed a card from the briefcase and handed it to Mike.
"These are my details, just let me know your flight time on the day of the meeting, and I'll see you at the meeting. I'm sure you'll be able to whip the team into shape with your dance routines."
"That'll be cool," smiled Mike "I'll get started on some right away. I'll tell you my ideas once we're in Texas."
"Looking forward to it," replied Michael putting the contract in his briefcase, closing it, and standing up "I'll see you next month."
Mike nodded. They shook hands. He must have been thinking about how he would spend the money, or moves, because he escorted Michael to the door, without another word, opened it, and let Michael leave before shutting the door behind him.
"That was easy," said Michael to himself. He was back on track. That was 5 members now signed, and he had a guaranteed Dance instructor. Probably two with Brittany being an unofficial second dance instructor.
.
.
TERRACE CAFE
LAKE SHORE, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
.
About an hour and a half after finishing up with Mike Chang, Michael walked into the Terrace Cafe, where Tina Cohen-Chang was working as a manageress. From what he read about Tina, she took over the Terrace Cafe about a year ago, after working there for 2 years as a Waitress. But before that, there was less information.
.
Michael walked up to the serving counter.
"Good afternoon sir," said the waitress "What would you like today?"
"A nice latte, thanks," said Michael "And I would like to talk to your Manager Miss Cohen-Chang. I believe she's here today."
"The latte will be coming right up," said the waitress looking over to the barrister who nodded. "I'll just go and see if she's available."
"Thank you."
The waitress walked off, to the back of the shop, and knocked on a door, and walked in. She closed the door behind her.
Michael waited a few minutes, before the barrister walked over with his latte.
"That'll be $5."
Michael smiled and pulled out his wallet, and took out a $100 note, and passed it over to the barrister. The barrister looked at it wide eyed.
"Keep the change," said Michael
"Thanks sir, but we don't accept more than $10 in tips. It's house rules."
"Well keep the change, and donate the rest to a charity of your choice," smiled Michael
"Will do, thanks," replied the Barrister
Michael grabbed his latte and watched as the door at the back of the shop and see the waitress walk back out. She was alone. She walked back up.
"The manager will be out shortly."
"Okay."
The waitress returned to behind the counter, and spoke with the barrister, who told her about the money, and discussed it quietly. Michael kept an eye on them, and smiled as he watched them laughing.
Just then "I understand you want to see me?"
Michael turned around, and there she was, another former New Direction. Tina Cohen-Chang. Her hair was propped up in a different style, but it was her all right. She was smiling an unfamiliar smile, but not a scowl.
"Is it possible to talk in private?" asked Michael
"Why?"
"Because I want to offer you the chance of a life time."
"This better be good, follow me."
Tina walked off towards the back of the room, Michael followed her. She walked through into her office, and stood aside and ushered Michael in. Then she shut the door, and walked to her desk. She sat down. There were a few televisions behind her desk. She had been checking Michael out.
"How can I help you Mr...?"
"Michael Baxter,"
"How can I help you Mr Michael Baxter?"
"I was wondering if you've seen any advertisements about the World Championship of Show Choirs?" asked Michael
"Nope, don't watch television much these days. I'm too busy making sure this place keeps going, among other things."
"Well I'm part of the Baxter Family who is running the World Championship of Show Choirs."
"Good for you," butted in Tina "So what does that have to do with me? Do you want my cafe to sponsor it."
"No, that's not why I am here."
"Well tell me why you are here then."
"I'm trying to."
"Look Mr Baxter I don't have all day, spill what you want to say and then let me get back to my work."
Man, Tina was just as frustrating as Brittany was.
"I grew up watching Show Choirs. I had my favorites. I want to run my own show choir so I need to have the best of the best in order to make a strong showing and try to get to the Worlds."
"I'm not hearing what it has to do with me," replied Tina
"One of my favorite show choirs growing up was the New Directions. You were a part of the New Directions. And so I want to offer you a place on my team."
Tina just sat there.
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why do you want to offer me a place on your team, I haven't sung for over 10 years."
"Like I said you were one of the New Directions. I am a fan of yours?"
"Are you offering other New Directions a chance to be on your team?"
Mike hadn't asked that question, yet Tina had no hesitation into asking the question. Michael had to answer.
"I've hired some while others have said no."
"Why did they say no?" asked Tina intrigued
"They wouldn't tell me." lied Michael "But some sort of incident was all that was said."
"So if some said yes, and others said no, what are you expecting me to say?" asked Tina
"I'm hoping that you would wait until you hear what I have to offer you," replied Michael
"Go on then," smiled Tina "Offer away."
"I will give you a contract worth $1 Million dollars just for saying yes. You will receive $100,000 instantly the moment you sign. The rest, $900,000 you will receive when you come to my home in Dallas, Texas next month for the team's first meeting."
"Wow that's an offer," replied Tina "But why would I go back into show choir when I can run this place, and I own it at the same time?"
"Maybe you miss singing?"
"Nope, not really."
"Maybe you miss your friends?"
"Yeah so called friends, but no."
"Maybe you miss being part of a team?"
That hit the spot. Tina reflected on that for a second. Michael saw that as a window of opportunity to open his briefcase, and take out the contract and placed it under Tina's nose. Tina looked down at it.
"I do miss being part of a team," said Tina reminiscing to herself "But I don't miss the drama."
"This team will be the best of the best," replied Michael "So you have a chance to be part of the best. A true chance to be a world champion. A team full of world champions."
Tina continued to look at the contract.
"I could use the $1 Million. Not just for this place, not just for me, but my family!"
Did Michael hear right? Did Tina just say family? What did she mean by family?
Just then Tina picked up the pen, and signed the contract. Michael got on his phone, and texted a number.
"Damn it, I need the money more than I'm worried about the history." said Tina
"Congratulations," smiled Michael "You now have the $100,000 in your account."
"Good," smiled Tina handing the contract back to Michael "I guess I can find my voice again."
Michael put the contract back in his briefcase, and took out a card and gave it to Tina.
"These are my details for next month. Just give me a ring about your flight details, and I'll have my assistant pick you up on the day."
"Sounds like fun,"
Michael closed his briefcase, and held out his hand.
"I'm sure you are going fit right in with the team. It's a pleasure doing business with you."
"Thanks for choosing me," smiled Tina shaking Michael's hand.
Just then there was a knock at the door. The door opened and in came what looked like a teenage boy.
"Mum, I'm here."
Tina took a look at the door, as the boy came in "That's good son, I've just finished in here."
"Do you want me to cover the counter?"
"Sure thing."
Michael had a second look at the boy. His features were unique. And he did not look like Tina. But he looked like someone else that he had met on his travels. He was sure of it. But he couldn't believe it. He took one last look. And sure enough he had the facial features of...
...
...
Noah Puckerman...
.
First big clanger for you guys. Part of one several issues that tore the New Directions apart. I thought I would put in a juicy one this early, as you guys seem to enjoy my story, so I wanted to reward you. Enjoy trying to figure that out.