Summary:
When Sue Sylvester gets fired from McKinley, everyone is asking her one thing: Why'd she want to teach in the first place? This is her story. And as a bonus, Robin's sperm donor will finally be revealed.
AN: I'm very sorry for the long hiatus. I have my excuses, but I don't wanna bore you with them. I'll try to get the final three episodes done faster.
Songs used in this episode:
Brittany Dance Solo: What A Feeling - Flashdance
Rachel and Jesse: Maybe We Don't Mash Up – Pitch Perfect The Musical (Original)
The New Yorkers feat. Jesse: Rise - D. Criss and Friends
The ND 3.0 Girls: Bang Bang - Jessie J, Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande
Will: Jesus Christ Superstar – Andrew Lloyd Webber
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Episode 10: The Rise and Fall of Sue Sylvester: April 2015
Here's what you missed on Glee. Kitty and Unique uploaded videos of Sue's misdeeds on the Internet and managed to get her suspended. Rachel joined a production featuring her former beau Jesse St. James as her romantic interest, which Kurt thinks St. sucks. Brittany's been dancing in music videos since moving to New York, but her real goal's to join the Rockettes and Sam plans to move to L.A at the end of the school year to be with Mercedes, but doesn't know what he's going to do once he gets there. And that's what you missed on Glee.
Lima, School Board Meeting
Sue defies the board's expectations of dress code and arrives at her hearing in her favorite red tracksuit. Superintendent Bob Harris is seated behind a long table with the other members of the school board when Sue walks into the room. She vaguely recognizes some of them from when David Karofsky's expulsion had been overturned, and now, those same idiots hold her fate in their hands. It's preposterous, and Sue tells them as much.
"Susan Sylvester, 48 years old, teaching in Ohio since 1991," Bob Harris reads from her file and Sue scowls because that's clearly not her real age. After all, she's the mother of a two and a half year old.
"After careful examination of the charges against you and the videos provided by your students," the superintendent continues, "we have ruled unanimously that your teaching license for the state of Ohio will be revoked effective immediately."
Although, she should have expected this outcome, Sue stares at the members of the school board in disbelief. But then rage takes over and she pushes back her chair and overturns the table in front of her.
"We can't stop you from petitioning a license in another state, but be advised that we'll be leaving a note in your record explaining the circumstances of your dismissal," Bob Harris continues unperturbed, which only angers her more.
So she kicks over a few more chairs on her way to the door, but the superintendents parting words make her stop in her tracks.
"Why did you even want to be a teacher in the first place when you clearly despise your students so much?"
Lima, William McKinley High School, 1975
A young Sue Sylvester watches as her crying older sister Jean is being soothed by a teacher.
"Don't listen to them honey. They're just kids, they don't know any better yet. But they'll grow up and they'll learn to be nicer."
"You promise?" Jean sobs.
"I'm a teacher and teachers don't lie, right?"
Columbus, Ohio State Campus, 1985
Proud, recent high school graduate Sue is showing her older sister around campus. She'd just been accepted into Ohio State on a cheerleading scholarship and had been assured a promising future if she stuck with it.
Jeans looks around with wide eyes, happy to spend a day out with her adored, younger sister. A group of college Freshmen walk by, but they stop when they see Jean.
"Don't tell me they're letting retards come here now," one asks, a disgusted look on his face.
"Like my dad said, OSU has really gone to the dogs," another one comments, while a third one turns to face Jean.
"Hey retard! Which mental hospital did you escape from?"
Throughout the altercation, Sue remains frozen, not being used to such treatment. Before she can put them in her place, however, the threesome walks on, cheering and high fiving one another, and Sue only stops shooting daggers at their retreating forms, when she hears Jean's sobs.
"Why are they so mean?" her sister asks. "Ms. Williams said, people are nicer when they don't go to school no more. She promised me."
"I guess she thought she was helping you," Sue pulls her sister into her arms, "when clearly she didn't," she adds under her breath.
Columbus, Ohio State, College Advisor's Office, 1987
"You still haven't declared a major Susan and I'm sorry to tell you that majoring in cheerleading is not an option. One day you're going to be too old to be a cheerleader, and then what? Is there nothing else that interests you?" her advisor asks.
Sue chews on the ends of her long blond hair. If she knew what else she's good at, she'd already have declared a major, but cheerleading is her life and she can't see herself doing anything else.
"I like to tell people what to do," she finally says. "And, I don't know, maybe help them or prepare them for life. Show them how to be prepared, you know?"
Her advisor studies her critically for a moment.
"Sounds like you could either be a life coach or," she pauses. "I think you'd make a good teacher, actually."
A teacher, Sue muses. It's not the worst idea. She could really help prepare kids for the cruel real world, unlike what her and Jean's teachers had done.
New York City, Studio next to Radio City Music Hall
Brittany is standing in line with a group of other hopefuls; all tall and beautiful and even though she regularly gets praised for her dance skills, for the first time in her life the idea of having to dance in front of a group of strangers makes her nervous. She'd told Santana that she didn't have to tag along for support, but now she regrets not having her wife with her. It's still a bit strange to call Santana her wife, but at the same time it's the best feeling in the world. It's confusing, like breakfast sometimes is.
Another girl exists the rehearsal space, her face pale and her eyes already red rimmed; clearly another hopeful who didn't make it past the first round.
"Brittany Lopez-Pierce," a young woman with a clipboard calls out and Brittany follows her into the next room.
And then she dances for her life – of course not literally – to What A Feeling, mixing the original choreography with a little something she'd come up with on her own.
"Thank you. Come back tomorrow for round 2," a tall, bald man in his mid-sixties tells her once she's trying to catch her breath after her performance and Brittany smiles so brightly, her smile should be blinding everyone in the room.
Back on the streets, she takes out her cellphone and calls her wife.
"San," she shrieks. "I've got a callback!"
Lima, Jones House,
"Mercedes," Sam walks past her into the house without giving her the usual kiss on the cheek. "Why did I get an email inviting me to audition for the voice of 'Tony' in that new show Cartoon Network is doing?"
Mercedes closes the door behind her boyfriend quietly, mindful of her mother taking a nap on the living room couch, before taking Sam's hand and leading him upstairs to her room. The door, as always, stays three quarters of the way open even though she's a grown up and her mom never reinstated the rule when she returned to Lima a few months ago. But old habits die hard.
"Remember when you uploaded that video of me singing 'Disco Inferno' my senior year to help me get discovered?" she asks once he's seated beside her on the bed. Sam nods. "Well, I may have put together a showreel for you, showcasing your impressions and sent it to a few contacts in L.A. You seemed so lost about what you wanted to do once we move there and I thought this could be fun and something you're good at," Mercedes explains with a frown because she'd expected a more enthusiastic response from her boyfriend.
Sam wrings his hands between his knees. "Don't laugh, but I've been thinking about going to school to become a social worker – so I can help families in need."
Mercedes beams at Sam. "That's amazing. You're going to make an awesome social worker. The way you helped your family when you were barely seventeen."
"You really think I should apply to college, again?" Sam asks, clearly insecure about his previous attempts to go to college.
"I think, you'll be doing great now that you know what you want and I'll be with you every step of the way. And in the meantime, why don't you audition? No one says you can't do both and you know those college loans are a bitch to pay back. A little extra money can't hurt."
Sam's shoulders sag in relief. "You're right. So tell me about this show. They didn't tell me much, only that I have to be in L.A on June 6 for my audition."
Mercedes puts her head on Sam's strong, broad chest. "It's about a group of animal misfits who become reluctant superheroes. Unfortunately, they want someone famous for the lead characters, but my contact assured me that 'Tony' plays an important part as well. It would be so cool if I could tell my friends that my boyfriend is the voice of a cartoon character."
Sam laughs and Mercedes feels it vibrating deep in his chest. "You think your friends are going to be impressed? Wait till Stevie and Stacey hear about this!"
New York City, Pitch Perfect – The Musical Rehearsal
It's their first rehearsal in front of the whole cast and when Rachel and Jesse finish 'Maybe We Don't Mash Up' – the duet written specifically for the stage version of the movie – their fellow cast mates whoop and cheer.
"I know Beca and Jesse aren't even together yet when they perform the song," Jim, who plays Ben, says, "but you can really feel the unresolved sexual tension between them."
"Please tell me you guys dated at some point," Chloe who plays Chloe adds, "because if that was just acting, I'd better find a new career."
Rachel blushes, while Jesse replies for both of them.
"Yes, Rachel used to be the leading lady in my life once upon a time, but alas I wasn't worthy of her affections. Now I'm atoning for my sins, one duet at a time."
The cast laughs while Rachel tries to decipher the meaning behind Jesse's words. Sure he'd tried to kiss her after their last performance, but after she'd revealed to him that she was seeing someone, he hadn't flirted with her again. But atoning for his sins – did that mean he was maybe still interested in her? Right now she could really do with a lady chat with her best friend, but unfortunately Kurt was still firmly of the opinion that Jesse St. Sucked.
"Alright, take it from the top," the director interrupts her musings and Rachel gratefully steps behind 'the doors of the police station' her character is about to be released from.
New York City, The Loft
Kurt is dragging his tired body up the three flights of stairs to the loft after a long day of classes, extracurricular classes to catch up to his classmate who started a semester early and a grueling shift at the Spotlight Diner. All he wants right now is a quiet evening with his fiancé, maybe even a relaxing bubble bath with Blaine, but when he shoulders the heavy sliding door open, he's greeted with Rachel's excited babbling.
"…and everyone thinks we have this amazing chemistry and Jesse and I sounded so good together on the duet they wrote for the show. The cast could barely believe that we aren't lovers in real life."
Kurt groans because the last thing he needs right now is listen to Rachel go on and on about how great Jesse St. James is. And he gets it; he's the dick because he won't jump on the Jesse appreciation bandwagon.
When Blaine spots Kurt, he rushes to the door and relieves his sore shoulders from their heavy load by taking his bags.
"Have you eaten? Rachel and I made vegetarian lasagna with eggplant," he quickly changes the subject.
"I got the recipe from Jesse," Rachel adds unhelpfully and Kurt glares at her. But he knows it would be childish to refuse to eat the lasagna, just because Jesse was involved in its creation. And also, he's starving, because after working at the diner for more than a year, he really can't eat there anymore.
Rachel, unfortunately, catches his glare and puts her hands on her hips.
"Oh my God, Kurt, it's only a recipe. He didn't make it and then spit in it just to spite you. You really need to get over the grudge you're still holding against him. If I could forgive him, then so can you. It's not like he did anything really bad to you."
Kurt wants to protest, because Jesse's hurt him plenty, but Blaine gently squeezes his hand and Kurt snaps his mouth shut.
"I think, maybe in order for you to be able to get over the past, you need to meet him again as he's now," Blaine suggests. "It's been a while since we've had a party; why don't we invite over a few friends and ask Jesse to join us as well. If he acts like a jerk, then I'll fully support you hating him."
Kurt knows that protesting would make him look like an immature jerk. "Fine," he huffs and pulls the hot plate out of the microwave nearly burning off his fingers in the process. "But he better behave."
"Awesome," Rachel claps excitedly. "I'll get started on the party menu."
"No!" Kurt and Blaine yell in unison, because even though it's easier to eat with Rachel since she'd changed her diet from vegan to vegetarian, most of her cooking is still pretty disgusting.
"We'll make it a potluck party," Kurt decides. "Let the guests bring the food, Rachel and I will take care of the booze."
Lima, Schuester Home
When Emma returns home after a long day of trying to keep McKinley organized and assuring enraged parents that Sue won't return as an educator, she finds Will on the couch, Danny napping on his chest. It's become a familiar sight since Regionals, Will moping on the couch, often watching mindless reality shows while their son is playing with his blocks in front of the TV.
"I ordered Chinese. Leftovers are in the fridge," Will informs her without looking away from the screen and Emma sighs.
She knows he means well, but there's no way she can eat something god only knows how many hands have already touched.
"I'll make something in a bit. I need to work on my application first if I really want to become principal."
"You should, you'd make a great principal," Will assures her, but Emma has her doubts; quite a few of them actually.
"I don't know, Will. I already have a hard time fitting my students in and I'm only the interim principal."
"If anyone can make it work, it's you," Will says, finally turning away from 'The Bachelor' to face her.
Will's support means the world to her, especially after he'd been so against her going back to work not too long ago. Hoping to cheer up her husband as well, she pulls a flyer out of her bag and hands it to Will.
"The Lima Community Theater presents 'Jesus Christ Superstar'," Will reads, his brows furrowed.
"The director came in to see me about his daughter today and let it slip that they still haven't found the right Judas. I think you should audition for it."
Will sighs. "That ship has sailed, Emma."
Emma takes the remote and switches off the TV. "Alright, that's it. As happy as I am that you're spending so much time with Danny, you can't stay on the couch forever. The role's in your range, you're talented and you have enough time to take on a leading role. So you're going to audition and you're going to show them that your students aren't the only stars in this town. I don't care if I have to drag you there kicking and screaming, but you will get off this couch."
"But what if I'm not even good enough for community theater?"
Emma's expression softens. "You've already proven that you could make it on a big stage. And this time, there aren't any kids to put first. Put yourself first for once, Will."
Will carefully lifts Danny off his chest and puts his sleeping son down on the couch before taking Emma's hands into his own.
"Have I told you lately how glad I am I married you?"
Emma shakes her head.
"Well, I'm telling you now. You're the best thing that ever happened to me, Emma Pillsbury – Schuester."
New York City, The Loft
When Kurt and Rachel return with their haul – wine, beer, vodka and an assortment of mixers – Blaine is pushing the rest of their furniture against the walls, leaving only their dining room table so they can all eat before the party really starts. He's surprised to see though, that Jesse is trailing after Kurt and Rachel and his fiancé seems to be at least civil. Maybe it's got something to do with Jesse clearly carrying the heaviest bag, Blaine muses.
"I wanted to come by earlier to help you set up and ran into those two around the corner," Jesse explains as Blaine takes his bag full of bottles and a surprisingly delicious looking quiche. Although, after the eggplant lasagna he shouldn't be surprised anymore that Jesse knows his way around the kitchen.
"If you want to help set the table – everything else's done for now," Blaine says as he puts the vodka into the freezer and the rest of the bottles into the fridge. Hopefully, none of the food their friends are bringing needs to be refrigerated, because there's not much space left after he's emptied the first bag.
"So, Kurt, Rachel tells me you're quite the star at NYADA," Jesse turns to Kurt.
"She's exaggerating," Kurt replies modestly. "Blaine's the more successful one out of the two of us."
Jesse turns to Blaine who's blushing furiously. "You were the lead of the Warblers. Youngest soloist in Ohio. You even beat me to that title. Too bad I never saw you guys compete."
"From what I've heard, you would have wiped the floor with us," Blaine replies because if they couldn't beat the New Directions, they would have never stood a chance against Vocal Adrenaline.
Jesse waves him off. "It's still impressive."
Just then, the door slides open and Santana, a dejected looking Brittany in tow, struts through the door. Kurt pulls Brittany into a hug immediately.
"I'm sorry, Britt. Santana told me."
Brittany shrugs. "It's okay. I can audition again next year. And I already have an audition lined up for Miley Cyrus' summer tour."
As always, Kurt marbles at how fast Brittany can shake off auditions that haven't gone her way. If only he could take rejections as well as his friend.
The newlyweds dump chili con carne and nachos on the table before Santana strides over to the freezer and pulls out the bottle of vodka.
"I'm making Bloody Marys," she announces as Brittany takes a bottle of tomato juice out of her bag.
Kurt shudders, because it never ends well when Santana mixes drinks. But if he's supposed to get along with Jesse, maybe Santana's cocktails are the way to go.
Soon after, the door slides open again and Elliott, his newest boyfriend, Dani and her girlfriend walk in together. Kurt hasn't seen either of his former band mates since Brittany and Santana's wedding and hugs them enthusiastically.
"Now we definitely have to sing tonight," he announces happily. "Blaine, you're on piano duty as long as you can still hit the right notes."
When Artie calls to say that he and Jess are downstairs– as far as Kurt knows, she's forgiven him for being rude to her during the shoot – Elliott and Blaine go and get him, because of course, the elevator is broken again.
"That's everyone, so let's eat before we get too drunk," Rachel decrees and Kurt frowns. Quickly, he pulls her out onto the fire escape.
"Ben's not coming?" he asks once they are seated next to each other.
Rachel shrugs and adverts her eyes. "I didn't invite him," she admits. "I thought, maybe it'd be weird with Jesse here."
Kurt sighs. "Rach, do you have feelings for Jesse?"
Rachel shrugs again. "I don't know, Kurt. I like how I feel when I'm with him, but then I think about what Finn would say if he knew I'm considering giving Jesse of all people a second chance."
Kurt puts his arm around her and pulls her closer. "I'm pretty sure all Finn would want is to see you happy. And if Jesse makes you happy – and I can't believe I'm saying this – then that's all that matters. But you need to figure out your feelings. You can't string Ben along and you can't let Jesse think he's got a chance unless you mean it. Otherwise, someone's going to get hurt and it may just be you."
"I know," Rachel sighs. "Everything would be so much easier if Jesse and I didn't have the history we have."
"I get it, Rach, but only you can decide if his worth a second chance. And in the meantime, I'll try my best to keep an open mind and be nice to him. If he's going to be an important part of your life, then I want us to be friends."
Rachel wipes a tear from her eyes before they climb back into the loft, only to be greeted with cheering from the living room.
"Sorry, song choice emergency. What did we miss?" Kurt says.
"San didn't want to say anything because of my bad news, but she's got amazing news and we should celebrate," Brittany hands both of them a glass of champagne.
"My contract was renewed for another season," Santana smiles shyly, disbelief clear on her face. "Apparently, the Latina Queer community loves my character."
"I think this calls for a song," Jesse turns to Rachel. "You're up for it?"
Rachel rolls her eyes in reply, because when has she not.
Rachel
Have you ever felt like you woke up
On the wrong side of your heart
Has it ever felt like it's broken
Like the world tore it apart
Artie
Have you ever felt so weak
You can hardly stand
Artie and Brittany
Like if you ever fell
You could never tell
If you'd ever get back up again.
Kurt and Blaine
I know it's hard to do,
But I think you can make it
Cause I know we can take it.
Santana
Baby we will….
Jesse, Dani, Elliott
Rise
We are young we are the dreamers we will
Fly
When the world will not believe us
We will rise above the ashes
Before the whole life passes us by
You and I, we will rise.
Santana and Kurt
It's difficult to try to stay awake
When you walk a tired path
And there are moments when it's easier to take
The road that leads you back
Jesse
I'm not the first to say it
And I won't be the last
But I want to remind you
I'm there it's time to hold on
You're stronger than that.
Rachel
But when it gets too tough to
Find my way home
And I'm stupid enough to
Try and find it alone,
Blaine and Artie
When it feels like there is nothing I can do
There's nothing I can do
But give up
I look up, thank God I have you to tell me.
Brittany and Dani
I know it's hard to do
But I think you can make it
Cause I know we can take it
Yeah Baby we will
The New Yorkers
Rise
We are young we are the dreamers we will
Fly
We will rise above the ashes
Before this whole life passes us by
You and I, we will rise
Rachel
Oh we will…
We will rise!
Kurt and Blaine
We are young we are the dreamers we will fly
Brittany and Santana
When the world will not believe us
We will rise above the ashes
Rachel and Jesse
Before this whole life passes us by
You and I, we will rise.
Lima, McKinley High School
Emma looks through her application one more time, before putting it into an envelope. In the end, the decision had been easy. Being principal would mean giving up her career as a guidance councilor, and that was something she was not willing to do. So she decided to submit her name for the position of vice principal. It would allow her to keep an eye on whoever the school board picked as the new principal and she could still help the students at McKinley with their problems.
It's her lunch break so she decides to post the letter right away, but a loud crash coming from Sue's office makes her stop in her tracks. It isn't just the noise though that makes her stop, it's the smell of burned synthetic fiber emanating from Sue's office.
"What are you doing?" she yells, before putting her hand over her mouth and nose.
Instead of replying, Sue throws another trophy into a barrel filled with burning pomp poms.
Emma watches helplessly as Sue destroys her McKinley legacy; trophies, track suits, pictures from competitions and newspaper clippings about her Cheerios. She looks crazed, her eyes wild and her face blackened from the smoke. When she starts coughing, inhaling even more smoke in the process, Emma finally unfreezes and pulls Sue from her former office with a strength she hadn't known she possessed.
Together with Shannon, who'd also come to investigate the smell, she pulls Sue into the thankfully empty girls' locker room and pushes her into the showers. While Sue cleans herself, Shannon hunts down a towel and some clean clothes, and Emma stands watch in front of the door, because she feels that no matter what Sue had done to the students, they didn't need to see her like that.
"So, what's next for you?" Shannon asks, once all three of them are off campus a short while later.
Sue's reaction is surprising, because she smiles.
"I'm gonna head out west. Get all those wannabe actors into shape. My baby daddy Michael Bolton called a few people for me."
Emma and Shannon frown. "Are you saying that Michael Bolton really is Robin's father?"
"Well of course he is. I've only been saying it for years."
Los Angeles, Michael Bolton's Apartment, 2 Days Ago
He gets the call from his doorman in the middle of his morning workout routine.
"A Susan Sylvester to see you, sir. She says it's urgent."
Michael sighs, but knows by now not to keep the crazy lady waiting.
"How can I help you today?" he asks through gritted teeth the moment Sue Sylvester steps into his apartment, and inexplicably back into his life.
"I'm moving to L.A and you are going to help me meet celebrities in need of a fitness coach."
Michael takes a deep breath. "And why would I do that?"
Sue smiles, like only a crazy person can smile. "Because you don't want people to find out that you have a daughter you don't pay child support for and refuse to recognize."
He knows he shouldn't shout but he can't stop himself. "For the last time, she's not my daughter. And you're lucky I didn't get you arrested for what you did to me. But if this gets you off my back once and for all, I'll introduce you to whoever you want!"
Sue just keeps smiling, unperturbed by his outburst. "Excellent, I knew you'd come to your senses. And by the way, I think it's high time you met your daughter."
"But she's not," he mumbles defeatedly, but Sue's already walking away. "Not really."
Los Angeles, Mount Sinai Hospital, 2011
Sue, wearing a nurse's uniform, is talking to Michael Bolton who's being treated for dehydration.
"And now all I need is a sperm sample and then we can sign your release papers."
"Why do you need a sperm sample?" Bolton frowns.
"It's procedure to give every patient a full check up before we release them," Sue explains and thrusts a cup into Michael Bolton's hand. "I'll be in the bathroom, let me know when you are done."
Fifteen minutes later, Sue, back in her trademark track suit, leaves the hospital, Michael Bolton's genetic material and a turkey baster in her bag.
Lima, McKinley Parking Lot
"… but it became clear to us immediately that we couldn't be together because he was a famous singer and I only a famous cheerleading coach. But he was happy for me when I told him about Robin, and he's really looking forward to spending time with her as soon as we get to L.A. And on that note; ladies, knowing you was tolerable, I've met worse. So long."
The moment Sue walks around the corner, and presumably out of their lives for good, Shannon turns to Emma.
"Are we really supposed to believe that Sue Sylvester had a drunk one night stand with Michael Bolton?"
Turning back to McKinley High, Emma shrugs. "You know what, stranger things have happened here. We're probably better off not questioning them."
Lima, McKinley Choir room
Unique
She got a body like an hour glass
But I can give it to you all the time
She got a booty like a Cadillac
But I can send you into overdrive
See anybody could be bad to you
You need a good girl to survive
Jane
Bang bang into the room
Band band all over you
Wait a minute lemme take there
Wait a minute till ya
Bang bang there goes your heart
Back, back seat of my car
Wait a minute lemme take you there
Wait a minute till ya
Madison
She might've let you hold her hand in school
But I will show you how to graduate
No I don"t need to hear you talk the talk
Just come and show me wat your momma gave
See anybody could be bad to you
You need a bad girl to blow your mind.
Kitty
Bang bang into the room
Band band all over you
Wait a minute lemme take there
Wait a minute till ya
Bang bang there goes your heart
Back, back seat of my car
Wait a minute lemme take you there
Wait a minute till ya
Kitty, Madison, Unique, Jane
Bang bang into the room
Band band all over you
Wait a minute lemme take there
Wait a minute till ya
Bang bang there goes your heart
Back, back seat of my car
Wait a minute lemme take you there
Wait a minute till ya
Mercedes is holding Sam's hand as he watches the girls perform, knowing he'll make the announcement at the end of the meeting, because there's no use postponing it now that they've settled things. And although she's going to miss some of the new Glee kids, she's beyond ready to return to L.A for good. It's harder for Sam, because he'd been ready to settle in Lima while for her, being back here was only ever temporary. She'd only come back to sort things out with Sam once and for all and now she gets to go home, while Sam has to leave his home again. But he's made his decision, so she has to believe that he'll be happy with her, that he won't regret giving up his life here in Lima for her. The song ends and Sam steps in front of the Glee club with a nervous smile on his face.
"That was great but probably not the right performance for graduation. The Glee club at this school really can't afford to cause another riot," he tells the girls diplomatically.
"Why do you care? You're leaving anyway, right?" Kitty challenges him and Sam wrings his hands nervously, thrown off guard because he wasn't aware that anyone else knew about his plans.
"What? You're leaving us?" Madison cries. "I know we aren't as good as you when you were in Glee, but we can work harder and we'll sing all the songs you like. Just don't give up on the Glee club. We need you if we want to survive next year with half the club gone."
Sam sighs. "Kitty's right. I'm moving to L.A at the end of the school year, but this has nothing to do with you guys. I'm barely older than you, I can't just stay here and teach Glee club and coach football instead of getting an education," he explains, hoping for their understanding.
"So Glee won't be over?" Jane asks.
Sam looks at Mercedes who nods. "Well, we have an idea about how to keep the Glee club for a long time, but we're going to need all your help. You up for it? Helping us make Glee an institution that's here to stay? Because Mercedes and I, we can't do it with you."
"If you're asking us to go out with a bang, I'm in," Unique announces, quickly joined by Kitty.
Mercedes smiles. "Then let operation 'Save the Glee Club' begin.
Lima, Post Office
Shannon is standing in front of the Lima post office, together with her boyfriend. She's holding an envelope in her shaking hands, addressed to the Lima School Board.
"You sure I can do this? I won't be a laughing stock if people find out?" He nods.
"High school would have been so much easier for me, if I'd had a teacher like you."
Bolstered by his support, she pushes the door open and gets in line behind a lady with a huge cardboard box. When it's finally her turn, she hands over the envelope and pays for the postage. It helps with her nerves, knowing that it's out of her hands now.
Back on the street, John kisses her sweetly. "No matter what happens, I think you are the best choice for principal," he assures.
Shannon just hopes he and Emma, who'd suggested she submit her name, are right. Because now that she applied for the job, she really wants to get it.
New York City, The Loft
It's nearly two in the afternoon, when Kurt finally wakes up. He, Blaine, Santana, Brittany, Rachel and Jesse were the last to go to sleep, nearly two hours after their other guests left around 3 AM. He's on the couch with Blaine, because Santana and Brittany stole their bed the previous night, and Rachel also refused to give up hers.
It's the smell of coffee, that has woken him. Jesse is handing a mug to Rachel who looks the way Kurt feels. Like shit. There's a blanket on their second couch, so he assumes that's where Jesse has slept. He can't remember. Kurt slowly, removes the arm Blaine has flung over his stomach, but his fiancé only tightens his hold. Coffee right now, is more important though than snuggling with Blaine, so he turns in his embrace and shakes him. His fiancé wakes with a groan.
"God, my head hurts," he winces.
"Let go of me and I'll get us coffee," Kurt promises and presses a kiss to the corner of Blaine's mouth, morning breath be damned.
In their kitchen, Rachel stares at Jesse like he's the messiah after he's handed her the mug of coffee.
"Have to make sure my leading lady feels better," he smiles at her. "I'll see you later."
Rachel nods dumbly and watches him leave. She also tries not to think about the fact that she has to be in rehearsal in two hours. It's Santana's fault. Once, she'd started mixing cocktails, everyone got drunk so fast, that the party lasted the whole night. She hears someone stir on the couch. When she looks over, Kurt is disentangling himself from Blaine. When their eyes meet, he starts humming Make up your mind, you want clarity and Rachel gets the hint. But it really isn't as easy, as Kurt thinks it is. Because while her feelings for Jesse are stronger, Ben is the safer option, kid and all. With a sigh she retrieves her cellphone from the couch table under Kurt's watchful eyes and sends a text to Ben inviting him to dinner.
Lima, Community Theater
Will's the last to audition and he takes it as a positive sign, when the director's eyes light up when he sees Will coming into the auditorium.
"Thank God you're here," he greets Will. "I couldn't even pick an understudy yet, because everyone was just so off key. But my daughter video taped a school assembly where you performed with your Glee Club, so unless you are a truly horrible actor, the role's yours."
"So no pressure then," Will laughs. Next to him is Emma, holding Danny in her arms. He knows she's here for moral support as much as making sure he really does audition. But there's no force necessary anymore. He's really missed the stage, not just watching his kids perform on it, but taking center stage himself.
"Jesus Christ Superstar," he tells the pianist on stage.
It's only community theater, but Emma's right. It's a start. His life isn't over because he was fired from Carmel High. He'll find a new calling, and in the meantime, he can do something he loves - perform on stage.
When, he finishes the song, Will's met with applause from the director.
"Thank Judas," he jokes. "We start rehearsal next week."
"Looking forward to it," Will tells him earnestly.
The director studies him for a moment. "You got a little free time on your hands right?" he then asks and Will nods reluctantly. It's an open secret that he's currently unemployed. "Then let me tell you about an idea of mine."
Los Angeles, Dance Studio
And in an L.A dance studio, Sue Sylvester is standing in front of two rows of blond clones. Trying to whip them into shape, she's shouting orders at them through a megaphone. She should be happy, finally having a group of people who follow her every order without questioning it. But it's not the same as drilling her students to prepare them for the harsh real world they would face after graduation. Jean never stood a chance in the real world, not after her teachers coddled her instead of showing her how to fight back, how to stand up for herself. And with Sue gone, who would show the Beckys at McKinley that they were more than their disability. Would Shannon and Emma? She really hoped so, because one day soon, Robin would start school and if she couldn't trust the two women she sort of considered her friends to do the right thing, she'd have to homeschool Robin. Because no matter what anyone said, when it mattered, Sue Sylvester was a damn good teacher.
Notes:
One more regular episode to go and then we have the two hour long finale.