Sterling Inc.
We see James Sterling sitting in his office. He appears to be drinking Cheese Coffee but that's not important right now. It's a big day for Sterling, he's just opened his very own insurance fraud investigation business.
Sterling quietly hums "Dancing Queen" as a client walks in. He doesn't appear to notice right away so the client hears everything, he can't help but laugh.
Sterling: "Oh you seem to have caught me at a rather awkwa- NATE?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"
Nate: "Oh me? I just came for the show!"
Sterling looks very embarrassed that someone heard him humming "Dancing Queen".
Nate: "Anyway, we've got a problem. Now usually we could handle this without you but since it directly concerns you we figured we'd get you involved. One of your employees isn't who you think he is."
*Sterling 2 walks in*
Sterling 2: "Hey Nate! What's up man?"
Nate: "Hi Sterling! I've been good. How are you?"
Sterling 2: "I'm just fine! Well good to see you Nate! Gotta get back to work now!
*Nate clears throat*
Nate: "Anyway… Can we go somewhere so your employees won't hear? It wouldn't be good if this information got out."
Sterling: "Of course, we can go to the roof of the building."
Sterling and Nate walk out into a room filled with James Sterlings sitting at desks working on various insurance problems. Nate greets the Sterlings as they pass by.
Sterling 32 (In comically deep voice): "Yo."
Nate: "Hello Sterling! I'll talk to you later I have to work now."
Sterling and Nate enter the elevator to go to the roof. An elevator music version of "Dancing Queen" plays, Nate smirks at Sterling and Sterling looks like he might die of embarrassment. Nate presses the roof button but the elevator stops at all 27 floors below it and a Sterling gets on at every stop except for the 27th floor where they all get off to go to a meeting about bubble soap. Finally after much awkward conversation and quite the crowded elevator ride up Nate and Sterling arrive at the roof.
Sterling: "Well Nate? What is it?"
Nate: "The world supply of clowns is dwindling. We have to do something!"
Sterling: "CLOWNS?! THAT'S WHY YOU BROUGHT ME UP HERE?! WHAT HAS MY COMPANY GOT TO DO WITH CLOWNS?!"
*Nate thinks about making a very funny albeit slightly rude comment but decides not to*
Nate (laughing): "I'm just messing with you."
Nate: "The actual reason I brought you up here is because my team and I have discovered evidence that a high ranking member of your incorporation isn't actually a genuine Sterling."
Sterling: "WHAT!? BUT THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE THEY ALL HAVE TO PASS THOROUGH BACKGROUND CHECKS! Wait… Why was your team investigating my business? Why should I believe anything you say?"
*Nate flashes back on himself and his team planning a prank to order 703 autographed pictures of Mr. T, one for every Sterling in the building except the original who gets a couple extras. Hardison was just about to put in the order using Sterling's company's money when he discovered large sums of money that had recently been moved to an offshore account and he decided to investigate it which led to him discovering a fundamental flaw in the background of one of the Sterlings… It said that he was formerly employed as a ballerina but everyone knows that any true Sterling has an irrational fear of tutus.*
Nate: "We just wanted to check up on your company and make sure everything was in order. You never know who you can trust nowadays."
Sterling: "Why Nate! I'd almost think you thought of me as a friend! Almost. But how did you REALLY find out? And does your team have any leads?"
Nate: "Well… It's a long story… I'll tell you later. All we know is that it's a high ranking member of the company."
Sterling: "I have an idea…"
*Sterling explains his plan to Nate*
Nate: "That just might work."
Sterling and Nate are in a room with the rest of the Leverage team as they set up for what appears to be a competition of some sort. The Leverage team and Sterling set up a judges table with all of their names on it and they sit down and wait as Sterling goes to make the announcement of a mandatory competition to weed out the weaker members of the corporation. Sterlings begin coming into the room wondering what they're going to have to do. The last Sterling finally arrives and the original Sterling gets on stage. The lights dim and a spotlight is put on him.
Sterling: "Hello and welcome to my first ever ballet contest"
All the Sterlings immediately get out of their chairs and frantically search for an exit but Eliot is standing by the only one, he slams the door and the Sterlings try to get out but none can pass. One Sterling sits calmly but no one can see him because of the sea of panicking Sterlings.
Sterling: "Come on now people! Don't you want to keep your jobs?! The weakest links will be fired along with anyone who doesn't participate!"
The Sterlings line up by the stage, they anxiously wait for their turns just to get it over with. The Sterlings perform one by one all of them being constantly afraid of seeing any tutus. One Sterling attempts to sneak out but a single glance from Eliot makes him stop and get back in line. After hours of watching terrified Sterlings dance horrendously they finally see him. He comes on stage and gracefully dances with little difficulty, the team feels tears forming in their eyes and after his performance they give him a standing ovation while the Sterlings whimper in fear. Then they realize that he couldn't possibly be a true Sterling and Eliot runs on stage to apprehend him. The rest of the team follows to discover the true identity of the imposter.
Nate: "Well Sterling, if that's really your name… Would you care to explain to us how you learned to dance so beautifully?"
"Sterling": "I've always had a passion for ballet! Ever since I was a young lad!"
Sophie: "I could tell! That was lovely!"
Sterling *glares at Sophie*: "A true Sterling would never have a passion for ballet! Who are you?!"
"Sterling" (in a voice the team recognizes but can't place): "So you've caught me… Well, if you must know… IT IS I! *rips off fake moustache from the Phony Baloney Moustache Emporium* THE GREAT WALLACE SHAWN!"
Everyone: *Gasp*!
Sterling: "Okay really though, that was a terrible disguise… How did I not see it…?"
Nate: "You wanted so badly to believe he was another true Sterling that you wouldn't let yourself believe he might not be."
Wallace Shawn: "On to the next one!" *vanishes in a puff of purple smoke while laughing evilly* *everyone looks over and sees him sneaking out of the room*
Sterling: "Well I'm glad that's over. Thanks for your help Nate."
Nate: "Just be more careful about who you hire next time Jim."
Sterling then holds a formal party and dubs the Leverage team honorary Sterlings.