Synopsis: It's graduation season. The whole gang is back together to celebrate the new directions of Unique, Marley, Jake, Kitty, Ryder, Bree, Roderick, and Skylar.
Guest Starring:
Dianna Agron as Quinn Fabray | Jacob Artist as Jake Puckerman
Melissa Benoist as Marley Rose | Laura Dreyfuss as Madison McCarthy
Ashley Fink as Lauren Zizes | Noah Guthrie as Roderick Meeks
Blake Jenner as Ryder Lynn | Samuel Larsen as Joseph Hart
Vanessa Lengies as Sugar Motta | Billy Lewis Jr. as Mason McCarthy
Jayma Mays as Emma Schuester | Heather Morris as Brittany Pierce
Alex Newell as Unique Adams | Finneas O'Connell as Alistair
Naya Rivera as Santana Lopez | Mark Salling as Noah Puckerman
Harry Shum Jr. as Mike Chang | Dijon Talton as Matt Rutherford
Iqbal Theba as Principal Figgins | Becca Tobin as Kitty Wilde
JJ Totah as Myron Muskovitz | Jenna Ushkowitz as Tina Cohen-Chang
Samantha Ware as Jane Hayward | Erinn Westbrook as Bree Rutherford
Marshall Williams as Spencer Porter
Co-Starring:
Myko Olivier as Skylar | Mason Trueblood as Super Gay Warbler
INT. AUDITORIUM – WED MAY 27, 2015
The McKinley end-of-year assembly was about to come to a close, but not before a final performance from the New Directions, new and old.
Song: "We Are the World" by Michael Jackson
Myron: There comes a time when we heed a certain call
Myron/Santana/Mercedes: When the world must come together as one
Mercedes: There are people dying
Sue: And it's time to lend a hand to life
Sue/Will: The greatest gift of all
Will: We can't go on pretending day by day
Alistair: That someone, somehow, will soon make a change
Quinn: We are all a part of God's great big family
And the truth, you know
Quinn/Puck: Love is all we need
Kurt: We are the world, we are the children
Kurt/Brittany: We are the ones who'll make a brighter day
So let's start giving
Emma: There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true, we'll make a better day, just you and me
Marley: Well, send them your heart
So they'll know that someone cares
Spencer: So their cries for help will not be in vain
Jane: We can't let them suffer
Jane/Mike: No, we cannot turn away
Jake: Right now they need a helping hand
Mason: We are the world, we are the children
Blaine: We are the ones who'll make a brighter day,
So let's start giving
Tina: There's a choice we're making,
We're saving our own lives
Roderick: It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me
Kitty: When you're down and out
And there seems no hope at all
Matt: But if you just believe,
There's no way we can fall
Rachel: Well, well, well, let us realize
That a change can only come, when we
Madison: Stand together as one
Women: We are the world (Santana: we are the world)
We are the children (Santana: we are the children)
We are the ones who'll make a brighter day,
So let's start giving (Artie: better start giving)
Men: There's a choice we're making (Santana: oh…)
We're saving our own lives
Unique w/ All: And it's true, we'll make a better day
All: Just you and me (Unique: oh…)
We are the world (Unique/Mercedes: We are the world)
We are the children (Artie: We are the children) (Rory: We are the children)
We are the ones
Who'll make a brighter day (Ryder: We are the ones who'll make a brighter day)
So let's start giving (Jane: So let's start giving)
Lauren: There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me (Artie: We are the world…)
We are the world (Tina: We are the world)
We are the children (Tina: We are the children)
We are the ones who'll make a brighter day
So let's start giving (Unique/Mercedes: Let's start giving)
Sam: There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me
Sugar: Come on, now, let me hear you!
All: We are the world (Ryder: We are the world)
We are the children (Ryder: We are the children)
We are the ones who'll a brighter day,
So let's start giving (Artie: Let's start giving)
There's a choice we're making (Sheldon: There's a choice we're making)
We're saving our own lives (Sheldon: Saving our own lives)
Sheldon w/ All: It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me
Joe w/ Men: We all need somebody that we can lean on
When you wake up look around and see that your dreams gone
When the earth quakes we'll help you make it through the storm
When the floor breaks a magic carpet to stand on
We are the World united by love so strong
When the radio isn't on you can hear the songs
A guided light on the dark road your walking on
A sign post to find the dreams you thought was gone
Someone to help you move the obstacles you stumbled on
Someone to help you rebuild after the rubble's gone
We are the World connected by a common bond
Love the whole planet sing it along
Jane: Got fire…
All: We are the world (Mercedes: We are the world)
We are the children (Mercedes: We are the children)
We are the ones who'll make a brighter day,
So let's start giving (Mercedes: Let's start giving)
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives (Unique: Save lives, yeah)
It's true we'll make a better day
Just you and me
[Repeat Chorus: All]
The students applauded as the huge lineup of performers took their final bow.
Will took to center stage with a microphone. "Thank you all for your support this year. The New Directions will be back in full-swing next year. Audition notices will be posted on the first day of school. To all of our seniors, happy graduation! We'll see you all back here in late August, as the William McKinley High School of the Performing Arts!"
The students began murmuring excitedly, some excitedly, and some seemed apprehensive. But, no one looked more shocked than the New Directions.
INT. WILL'S OFFICE
Will had just finished explaining Superintendent Harris's tentative plan for the William McKinley High School of the Performing Arts to Rachel, Kurt, and Blaine. They were very surprised.
"Wow," Blaine said. "After all we've fought for the past few years, I never thought we would achieve something of this scale."
"I can't believe it," Rachel said. "I could never have expected this to be the result of all our hard work. I'm excited!"
"Me too," Kurt agreed. "To give these kids a real education in the arts is going to be amazing."
Will grinned. "I'm glad you all support this move. Now we just have to send our seniors off, and transform this school when we all come back for the Fall."
The coaches moved into the choir room.
"And now, I'd like to welcome up all the seniors to let us know where they're all headed," Emma introduced.
Unique started off the seniors. "I am headed to Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, majoring in Women's Studies."
Marley went next. "Along with my MVP scholarship, some prize money from a songwriting contest, and a full tuition scholarship, I am headed to California State University: Northridge."
Next up was Jake. "I got into the dance program at Julliard!"
Kitty high-fived Jake as she went up. "I am also headed to the Big Apple, majoring in Dance Theatre at NYADA."
Next up was Ryder. "So, I won't be attending college, but I will be moving to LA to pursue a career in acting."
Bree went up afterwards. "I'll be staying in-state for college, in the culinary program at the University of Akron."
Roderick went up next. "I'm studying Musicology at the University of Washington."
Super Gay Warbler went up as well. "I'm going to Dartmouth University in New Hampshire to study Chemistry, pre-pharmacy track."
Skylar went up next. "I'm headed to Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to study Business Administration."
"I am so proud that all of you have found your New Directions," Emma said.
INT. CHOIR ROOM – THU MAY 28
"It's hard to believe that my time here at McKinley is about to come to an end," Marley said. "It's going to be really hard to say goodbye, and I've asked Jane and Madison to help me out a bit, to express how much this school means to me."
Song: "The Call" by Regina Spektor
Marley: It started out as a feeling
Which then grew into a hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
Which then turned into a quiet word
And then that word grew louder and louder
'Til it was a battle cry
I'll come back when you call me
No need to say goodbye
{Marley, sitting in the middle of the trio, starts crying. Jane, on Marley's right, takes her hand.}
Marley: Just because everything's changing
Doesn't mean it's never been this way before
All you can do is try to know who your friends are
As you head off to the war
Jane: Pick a star on the dark horizon and follow the light
You'll come back when it's over
No need to say goodbye
You'll come back when it's over
No need to say goodbye
{During the instrumental, Marley flashes back to some sophomore year memories. Auditioning for the Glee Club, singing 'Crazy/You Drive Me Crazy' with Jake in the stands, singing 'Blow Me (One Last Kiss)' with Unique, being on stage with Ryder in Grease, singing 'Holding Out for a Hero' with Kitty, and singing "Don't Dream It's Over" with Finn. Madison grabs Marley's left hand, taking her out of the flashbacks.}
Marley: Now we're back to the beginning
It's just a feeling and no one knows yet
But just because they can't feel it too
Doesn't mean that you have to forget
Madison: Let your memories grow stronger and stronger
'Til they're before your eyes
You'll come back when they call you
No need to say goodbye
You'll come back when they call you
No need to say goodbye
The club applauded for Marley.
"That was a great song choice, Marley," Will said. "You've come so far in this club. And I want to say this to all of you seniors: you will always have a place here."
"It's true," Mike said. "Even if some people might question why you keep going back to high school for every possible occasion, just know that there's no shame in it. We all come back because we want to give back for what this school, this Glee Club, this fantastic teacher, has given to us."
Rachel noticed that Marley quietly slipped out of the room. She followed her.
INT. AUDITORIUM
Marley sat at the piano, looking over a song.
"It was beautiful," Rachel complimented.
Marley smiled. "Thank you."
"You know," Rachel said, sitting next to Marley. "When I was approaching graduation, I wasn't sad about leaving. I couldn't wait to get out of here. But at the time, I was sad that Finn and Kurt wouldn't be coming to New York with me."
Marley smiled sympathetically. "I've been bouncing around schools my whole life. When Sue transferred me out last year, I was actually kind of used to it. Crawford Country Day wasn't all that bad, but the only reason I was able to attend was because my mom was the cafeteria manager there, so my tuition was free. But I missed it here so much. When I heard that you and Kurt were restarting the Glee Club, I wanted so badly to transfer back, but not if it meant experiencing Sue's tyranny again."
"I can't imagine going through what you have," Rachel said. "Glee Club saved me in sophomore year, and I can't imagine having that ripped away from me after only one year, and then getting sent away to another school just when I began to find a place in the last one."
"School was never easy for me," Marley said. "But the only thing that kept my dream alive even after being forced out of McKinley was the advice Mercedes gave to me after Nationals in sophomore year. Even though I stopped singing, I never stopped songwriting."
Rachel smiled. "I'm glad. Finn talked about you all the time. I know you were the one who gave him the confidence to finally go to college. And now, here I am, about to board the train back to New York, and for some reason, I just don't want to leave. I don't know how to let go of this place."
Marley pondered. "What I just learned in that choir room is that it doesn't have to be goodbye." She picked up the song from the piano and put it into Rachel's hands. "I wrote this song the night Sue transferred me away from here."
Rachel looked at the sheet music. It was called 'This Time.'
"It summed up my feelings of leaving McKinley perfectly," Marley said. "And I have a feeling it'll speak to you and your experiences even more."
Marley stood up and left the auditorium, leaving Rachel alone to look over the lyrics. She was truly inspired.
Quinn and Brittany walked into the auditorium.
"Hey, Rachel, we're going out for pizza! Do you want to come?" Brittany asked.
Rachel tearfully looked at the duo. "I actually wanted to ask your help for something first. There's something I need to get off my chest, once and for all, and then I think I'll be able to move on."
Quinn, Brittany, and some other members walked in. Blaine played the piano.
Song: "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion
Rachel: Every night in my dreams
I see you, I feel you,
That is how I know you go on
Far across the distance
And spaces between us
You have come to show you go on
Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on
Love can touch us one time
And last for a lifetime
And never let go till we're gone
Rachel/Quinn/Brittany: Love was when I loved you
One true time I hold to
Rachel: In my life we'll always go on
{The lights behind Rachel shine dimly, showing Quinn, Brittany, Matt, Lauren, Rory, Sugar, and Joe singing backup, as they weren't able to attend Finn's memorial two years ago.}
Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more you open the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on
You're here, there's nothing I fear,
And I know that my heart will go on
We'll stay forever this way
You are safe in my heart
And my heart will go on and on
Rachel tearfully backed up and hugged Quinn and Brittany.
"Thank you," she whispered. "I think this was the last bit of closure I needed to realize that maybe my heart really is ready to go on."
"His love will always be with you," Quinn said. "You know that anyone would want their loved ones to go on and live their lives happily, no matter what.
INT. WEIGHT ROOM
"Enjoy it while it lasts, bro," Puck said, lifting weights on Jake's right. Blaine was benching on Jake's left.
"Enjoy what?" Jake asked.
"Your high school bod," Puck clarified. "You're going to go off to New York, gain the freshman fifteen, and then there goes 85% of potential casual hookups."
Jake rolled his eyes. "I'm not about that life anymore."
"Besides, Jake has nothing to worry about," Blaine said. "Dance students lead a very fit lifestyle, for the most part. And, I've been through the freshman 15 too. If I see anything different with Jake, I'll put a stop to it and get him in the right direction, before Kurt insists on putting him through one of those horrible detoxifying drinks."
Jake widened his eyes. "Knowing that, I won't be touching any cronuts anytime soon."
The guys laughed.
"Well, you're going to love it in New York, Jake," Puck said. "Blaine, just look after him, will you?"
Blaine laughed. "Of course. And Jake, you're welcome to stay with us in Bushwick any time."
Jake grinned. "I might take you up on that offer one day. And in return I'll be sure to get you comp tickets for my first dance recital."
EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD
The football soared through the air. Ryder caught it and ran a touchdown, although it was just him, Mike, and Sam playing.
"Gosh, this brings back such great memories," Mike said.
"Right?" Sam asked. "Even when I'm assistant coaching, every time I see a kid land a tackle or punt the ball, it takes me back to those amazing games."
"Even though you were only on the team for your sophomore year?" Mike laughed.
"Hey, I tried getting into other sports after that," Sam said defensively.
"Like individual synchronized swimming," Mike added.
The boys packed up their equipment and headed back to the locker room. Ryder opened his locker. Mike and Sam saw a lot of pictures decorating the door. Apart from a stinky pair of shoes, they were the only things that Ryder hadn't packed up yet. He took them off the door and put them gently into a box.
"I never thought I'd see this day," Ryder said. "I know my parents always said they believed in me, but I know they doubted that I would ever graduate with how poorly I did academically."
"Grades don't determine a man's intelligence," Mike said.
"Easy for you to say," Sam said. "Your parents freaked out about you getting an A- in chemistry."
"Dude, I can't believe I even got a C- in that class," Ryder laughed, taking a seat on the bench. "I'm really going to miss this place. I mean, I definitely will not miss school. I won't miss having to spend up to five hours a night on my homework just because I can't read fast and absorb information clearly. But I'll miss the bonds, the people, the teachers, and you guys."
"Dude, we all know we're just going to see each other again at the next possible reunion occasion," Sam joked.
"That's true," Ryder agreed. "But it won't be the same as being a student."
"In some ways, it's better," Mike said. "We come back as dignified graduates, who truly know the value of an arts education."
"Even if you don't go into a career in the arts," Sam said. "It still affords you stuff you can't learn anywhere else."
"Speaking of which," Mike said. "We should get back to the choir room. The alumni put together a little special something for you seniors."
INT. CHOIR ROOM
"What's going on?" Unique asked, watching as Kurt, Mercedes, Puck, Tina, Sam, Matt, Rachel, and Blaine took the center stage.
"We would like to take the time to welcome you to our ranks of New Directions alumni," Tina said. "Hit it!"
Song: "Count on Me" by Bruno Mars
{Sam does a 3-way high-five with Ryder and Jake, then fist-bumps Ryder.}
Sam: Oh uh-huh
If you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of the sea
I'll sail the world to find you
If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can't see
I'll be the light to guide you
{Blaine playfully combs back Skylar's hair}
Blaine: We find out what we're made of
When we are called to help our friends in need
{Tina sits next to Kitty and sings to her.}
[Chorus:]
Tina: You can count on me like 1, 2, 3
I'll be there
And I know when I need it
I can count on you like 4, 3, 2
And you'll be there
'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah
Blaine: Ooooooh, oooohhh
Blaine/Tina: Yeah, yeah
{Matt pulls his sister Bree up to dance with him.}
Matt: If you're tossin' and you're turnin'
And you just can't fall asleep
I'll sing a song beside you
And if you ever forget how much you really mean to me
Every day I will remind you
{Mercedes and Kurt sing to Marley and Unique}
Mercedes & Kurt: Oooh
We find out what we're made of
When we are called to help our friends in need
{Rachel sings to Roderick, and then Puck noogies Jake.}
[Chorus:]
Rachel: You can count on me like 1, 2, 3
I'll be there
And I know when I need it
I can count on you like 4, 3, 2
And you'll be there
'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah
Puck: Ooooooh, oooohhh
Puck & Rachel: yeah, yeah
Mercedes: You'll always have my shoulder when you
Mercedes & Rachel: Cry
Mercedes: I'll never let go, never say
Mercedes & Rachel: Goodbye
You know...
[Chorus:]
Puck: You can count on me like 1, 2, 3
I'll be there
And I know when I need it
I can count on you like 4, 3, 2
And you'll be there
'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh yeah
Ooooooh, oooohhh
Sam: You can count on me 'cause I can count on you
Everyone in the choir room applauded. The seniors especially were very surprised.
"That was amazing," Kitty laughed, hugging Tina. "I love you all so much. I mean, I confess, when you all started coming back to high school for every possible occasion, I was a judgmental bitch, but now I see that it's because your hearts are so big, you genuinely want to help students like us succeed. Who can be a better role model? I know a lot of our classmates just can't wait to get the hell out of here. Well, that's because they weren't part of something as magical as this."
"Aww, well said!" Mercedes exclaimed. "Group hug! Yes, everyone, you too, underclassmen! This is YOUR club next year! Let's get it in there!"
Will watched the kids proudly, but spying at the door was one Sue Sylvester, outraged by some bit of news she had just found out through one of her spies (namely, Becky Jackson, who coerced the information out of Myron). The news: all athletics at McKinley High were getting scrapped.
"This is a travesty of international proportions," Sue said in her mind. "Just when you thought we reached a happy compromise."
EXT. FOOTBALL FIELD – EVENING
The audience was settled into the stands for the graduation ceremony, as the graduates filed into their seats to "Pomp and Circumstance."
"Why is Sue presiding as principal?" Santana whispered.
"Mr. Pillsbury was supposed to issue out the diplomas as he's the interim principal," Artie explained from the row behind. "But, somehow, he came down with a cold, and Sue was the only person credible to issue diplomas."
"Sue," the whole gang muttered.
Kitty took the podium to deliver the salutatorian speech.
"Welcome, everyone, to the commencement ceremony for the Class of 2015. My name is Kitty Wilde, and I am the salutatorian of this graduating class, so, salutations!" she greeted. "I am honored to speak in front of you today, with so many amazing experiences under my belt. As I'm sure many of you are now aware, McKinley is in a state of transition. When this school reopens in August, it will be the William McKinley High School of Performing Arts. Four years ago, I would've scoffed at the very idea. What a loser thing to do. But, in my sophomore year, my world changed for the better. It started out as envy towards the new girl in town, which pushed me to audition for the school musical, Grease, playing the godawful part of Patty Simcox, joining the Glee Club, singing backup on a heinously overplayed Korean song, and regretfully leading one of McKinley's most promising students to faint on that stage. When her eyes went out, my eyes opened. I had to change. And, if what everyone says about me is true, I did. I offered to walk my transgendered friend home from school to protect her from discriminatory bullying. Istepped aside from my candidacy for prom queen so that an underappreciated senior could take the crown, and offered her my own dress when hers was doused in red slush. I finished that year, as a featured singer on the national show choir stage in Los Angeles. Junior year was a different story, one that I'd like to forget. But senior year made this whole journey all worthwhile, learning where I stand in life, and where I want to go."
Marley, Unique, Tina, and will all smiled in the audience.
Kitty concluded, "My heart will always thrive as a Cheerio, but the New Directions opened up the soul I never knew I had."
Music began playing. Rachel and Quinn looked on proudly as the music began. Sue took over the podium to issue diplomas. Emma and Sheldon read the names.
BOYS: Ryder, Jake, Roderick, Skylar, SGW
GIRLS: Unique, Marley, Kitty, Bree
Song: "Whenever You Remember" by Carrie Underwood
"Oh, shucks, the name's smudged," Sheldon muttered. "What the hey. Super Gay Warbler!"
{SGW grabs his diploma, flashing back to singing 'Rise'}
Kitty: When you look back on times we had
I hope you smile
And know that through the good and through the bad
I was on your side when nobody could hold us down
We claimed the brightest star
And we, we came so far
And no they won't forget
"Bree Rutherford!" Emma announced.
{Bree accepts her diploma, flashing back to performing 'Salute' with the Cheerios in her junior year.}
[Chorus]
Whenever you remember times gone by
Remember how we held our heads so high
When all this world was there for us
And we believed that we could touch the sky
Whenever you remember, I'll be there
Remember how we reached that dream together
Whenever you remember
"Skylar Crispin!" Sheldon read.
{Skylar flashes back to performing 'My Sharona' at Invitationals.}
When you think back on all we've done
I hope you're proud
When you look back and see how far we've come
It was our time to shine
And nobody could hold us down
They thought they'd see us fall
But we, we stood so tall
And no we won't forget
"Unique Adams!" Emma exclaimed.
{Unique flashes back to performing 'America' at Nationals.}
[Chorus]
"Ryder Lynn!" Sheldon exclaimed.
{Ryder flashes back to performing 'Greased Lightning.'}
Yeah, Oh
"Marley Rose!" Emma read.
{Marley flashes back to performing 'All or Nothing.'}
We claimed the brightest star
And we, we came so far
You know that we, we showed them all
And no they won't forget
Yeah
"Jake Puckerman!" Sheldon announced.
{Jake flashes back to performing 'Hall of Fame' at Regionals.}
Kitty w/ All Seniors: Whenever you remember times gone by
Remember how we held our heads so high
Kitty: When all this world was there for us
And we believed that we could touch the sky
Kitty w/ All Seniors: Whenever you remember, I'll be there
Remember how we reached that dream together
Whenever you remember
"Kitty Wilde!" Emma concluded for the girls.
{Kitty flashes back to performing 'Wannabe'}
Kitty: Whenever you remember
Oh, whenever you remember
"Roderick Meeks," Sheldon announced.
Roderick accepted his diploma, flashing back to performing 'Take Me to Church' at Sectionals. He then took the podium.
"Wow," Roderick breathed. "I can't believe I get to take this stage and speak to you all as valedictorian! I know a lot of you might not even recognize me. I barely recognize myself. I've only been a student at McKinley for this one year, but, so much happened in this one year. My whole life, I was always a loner. My best friends were the people singing through my headphones. And then, one day, I heard a faint voice behind me. The voice of one Rachel Berry, who convinced me to join the Glee Club. Well, it was some club. When I joined, there was only one other person in the club, but slowly, we took on more members. We took six people to Invitationals, sixteen to Sectionals, twenty to Regionals, and thirty to Nationals. It was quite a feat. I have never been part of such a huge team. A lot of people might wonder why the heck the salutatorian and valedictorian keep gushing on and on about this little Glee Club. Well, it's much more than that. Kitty and myself speak on behalf of dozens of people just like us, all sitting out in those stands watching us. We represent a people who come together for a common goal. And I know most people have that, whether you're a part of football, the Cheerios, the AV club, or individual synchronized swimming, if that even exists. But my message is for everyone when I say that being a part of something, no matter how small, how underestimated, is a valuable part of life, and I regret that it took me seventeen years to figure that out. Like Kitty said, this Glee Club changed me, and as McKinley becomes an arts school, I'd like to remind everyone just how influential the arts can be. It truly is a life-changing experiences, something that can't be torn down by public fat shaming, three vicious dogs, and plates of raw kale."
Sue looked outraged from her principal's chair. Will, Emma, and Sheldon giggled.
"So, to my fellow graduates, remember that the power of many is greater than one," Roderick concluded. "Graduates, we did it. Let's go out there and show the world what we're made of."
INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE – LATE NIGHT
Sue turned around her swivel chair, gazing evilly into Mason's, Madison's, and Spencer's eyes.
"Gay Twin, Weirdo Twin, Post-Modern Gay—" Sue began.
"I'm not gay—" Mason retorted.
"Are you calling me weird?" Madison asked.
"I AM a post-modern gay," Spencer said proudly.
"I've assembled you three here because of your achievements in—"
"Juggling?" Mason asked.
"Belting out really high Sia songs?" Madison asked.
"Getting overweight guys to climb ropes?" Spencer asked.
"ATHLETICS!" Sue exclaimed over their interruption. "Cheerleading, football, you three sophomores were some of the best that McKinley athletics had to offer. But, with the McKinley High School of Performing Arts opening next fall, athletics will be closing. That's right, children. Athletics at McKinley are no more."
"No Cheerios?" Mason and Madison asked with puppy-dog pouts.
Sue put on her fake sad face and nodded. "Ugh, it just pains me to see such potential being restricted to whatever is going to replace sports next year. I mean, dancing is not a sport—"
"You take that back," Mason and Madison interrupted.
"Oh, sweet, incestuous twin Cheerios and gay-football-player-who-everyone-assumed-was-straight, I can't imagine what your lives are going to be like ten years from now," Sue fake sighed. "Your senior year will come along, and sure, you'll have more Glee Club trophies and amateur musical theater credits under your belt, but you'll be rejected by every college you apply to simply because you spent more time learning how to stretch a tiny muscle in your throat, rather than the practical everyday usage of your entire body's physical mechanism. Ugh, you'll be homeless, out on the streets, turning to gay prostitution for a living while kids from other schools with strong athletic backgrounds will be CEO's, doctors, lawyers, and engineers, turning America into the top country that it must one day be if we get into the right presidential hands."
Mason and Madison looked down sadly. Spencer didn't look convinced.
"I ask you three to take on one task next year: destroy this whole high school from within," she said in her croaky voice. "You're all incoming juniors, meaning you have two years to accomplish the task, or otherwise die trying. Are we in agreement?"
The trio looked nervously at one another. Mason seemed unsure, Spencer on the fence, but Madison looked Sue straight in the eyes, and unbeknownst to the boys, she winked.
INT. THE LIMA BEAN
Kurt, Unique, and Mercedes were sitting down to coffee.
"Massachusetts isn't that far away from New York, so maybe one of these days I can come in for a visit," Unique said to Kurt. "And Mercedes, gurl, you know that with you and my home girl Marley up in the City of Angels, I might be stopping by for Spring Beak or something!"
"Looking forward to it," Mercedes laughed. "We're so proud of you, Unique. It's so amazing to see who you've become since you came up to us as Wade in your freshman year."
"Totally," Kurt said. "You really are like our love child."
"Oh, don't say that word," Unique hushed. "Trust me, Kitty can hear it from miles away, and she'll show up at my door and give me a repentance speech for the 'Love Child' performance that I totally SLAYED when we were getting ready for that 2012 Christmas nativity."
"Is that the one where Ryder—" Mercedes began.
"Yes, yes, the hunk delivered my black baby Jesus and a blue glittery umbilical cord," Unique recalled.
"TMI," Kurt said awkwardly. "But anyway, we love you and we're proud of you."
"So, how's the album coming along, Mercedes?" Unique asked.
"Ugh," Mercedes sighed. "Three years ago I was headed to LA to be a backup singer. I was dropped, and sold my self-produced EP in a parking lot. You know people told me that the single 'Hell to the No' was just as pitiful and meaningless as Rebecca Black's 'Friday'? That song had meaning. I referenced Sue taking away my favorite food from the cafeteria, not backing down from Rachel's diva attitude, Sue making me lose 10 pounds, etc. Everyone can relate to this, right?"
"I do," Kurt and Unique both sad.
"Exactly," Mercedes sighed. "Well, anyway, after 'Shakin' My Head' reached #89 on iTunes in October, the label was confident enough to set the album's release date for this summer. If all goes well, I'll be picked up to open up for a Fall tour! I don't know, maybe Fifth Harmony or Meghan Trainer? Who knows?"
"No matter who it is, it's going to be big," Unique assured her.
INT. AUDITORIUM – SAT MAY 30
The teachers, alumni, and underclassmen sat in the audience as the seniors presented their final song before parting ways. The stage is dark, but one-by-one, the spotlight shines on each singer at their solo moment.
Song: "Bring on Tomorrow" from FAME
Ryder: We have arrived at a moment in our lives
When the future passes into our hands
We can find out, are we really strong enough
To fulfill what the future demands
Marley: We can stand on the edge
And look out into space
And be awed
By the wonders we see
Roderick: We can all make a pledge
That the whole human race
Will become what we want it to be
All: Bring on tomorrow
Let it shine
Like the sun coming up on a beautiful day
It's yours and mine
We can make a difference
It's not too late
Bring on tomorrow
We can't wait
Bree: Long, long ago in a world we never made
We were children who were making believe
Bree/Kitty: Closing our eyes
We were travelers in air
To a land we would not want to leave
Jake w/ Skylar echoes: But the fairy tale land, fades away as we grow
And we all have to say our goodbyes
Unique: And we now understand, that this world that we know
Unique & Jake: Can be ours if we open our eyes
All: Bring on tomorrow
Let it shine
Like the sun coming up on a beautiful day
It's yours and mine
We can make a difference
It's not too late
Bring on tomorrow
We can't wait
{5 other graduated Warblers, and 5 graduated Cheerios join them on stage}
Bring on tomorrow
We can't wait
Bring on tomorrow
It's not too late
Bring on tomorrow
We can't wait
Bring on tomorrow
We can't wait
INT. HALLWAY
{The new NYC crew (Rachel, Kurt, Blaine, Brittany, Santana, Jake, and Kitty) walk through the halls together, walking out of the exit, the door shutting behind them.}
All w/ Unique runs: Bring on tomorrow
Let it shine
Like the sun coming up on a beautiful day
It's yours and mine
EXT. LOS ANGELES
{The new LA crew (Mercedes, Artie, Tina, Ryder, and Marley) glamorously ride on a bus through Los Angeles.}
We can make a difference
It's not too late
Bring on tomorrow
We can't wait
INT. CHOIR ROOM
{Sue spies through Will's office window on Sam, Will, Sheldon, Jane, Alistair, and Myron hugging each other goodbye for the summer, exiting the choir room, the door shutting behind them for the summer.}
Bring on tomorrow
We can't wait