-GROUP C PLAY-OFFS-
Overlapping chants were heard as the crowd cheered for their favorite masked performers. The Camera pulled back slowly as the announcer spoke. "It's the last of our play-offs tonight, with Group C vying for a chance to sing in the Championships. Who will advance tonight? And who will be unmasked? Will it be The Cherub? The Sun? The Tweedles? The Lioness? Or The Grape Vine?" As each name was announced, the audience cheered and shouted. "Let's get things started by introducing our host, Nick Cannon!"
Tonight, Nick emerged in a dark grey suit that seemed to sparkle a little as the light hit it. The shoes were crushed black velvet, and also twinkled sporadically.
"Thank you! Welcome to the Group C Play-offs. This group astounded the judges last time with their singing. Will they keep that going tonight? Let's meet our esteemed panel of singing sleuths. She's the divine songstress using her talents to teach the next generation of musical theater stars, Carmen Tibideaux!"
Carmen stood and waved to the audience, who cheered and clapped for her.
"He Chairs the National Show Choir Committee, but before that he starred in just about every Broadway musical under the sun. Mr. Will Schuester!"
Will stood and bowed, clasping his hands in front of himself and grinning to the audience.
"He's clueless when it comes to the identity of his own daughter, Pierce Pierce!"
"I know who your daughter is Nick!" Pierce shouted.
Nick rolled his eyes and continued. "And finally, He has more awards and nominations than I have shoes. Mr. Blaine Anderson!"
The crowd cheered the loudest for Blaine, who stood and waved, blushing slightly around the ears with all the love and devotion. He blew a kiss to Kurt who was back from his audition and in his usual spot for the night. Kurt blew a kiss back.
"Aww, I'm going to need a dentist with all that sweetness. Kurt, how did the audition go?"
Kurt smiled. "It went really well, actually. I should hear back soon, and then the callbacks are in a couple weeks."
"Well, I'm sure you'll get it," Nick said. "But will our judges get any ideas about tonight's performers, The Cherub, The Sun, The Tweedles, The Lioness, or the Grape Vine? Let's see what they can deduce from this clue package for The Cherub!"
The video opened to The Cherub standing in a grand hall, his hands in his pockets. "So last round I got to show what I'm capable of. It never bothered me that I was always one of the harmonizers and never front and center. The important thing was that I loved what I was doing. But I remember people questioning whether all of us could sing so now, I'm giving my answer my way. Yes, I certainly can sing and yes, the rest of us could too. But we all have our places in everything we do, and for that matter, it's better to see the glass as half full. Don't let the idea of being the backup keep you from believing the best of yourself. And don't ever leave your heart behind."
"Sounds like they were part of a group and were constantly in the background," Will whispered to Carmen as a familiar Tony Bennet classic began to play.
The loveliness of Paris seems somehow sadly gray
The glory that was Rome is of another day
I've been terribly alone and forgotten in Manhattan
I'm going home to my city by the Bay
I left my heart in San Francisco
High on a hill, it calls to me
To be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars
The morning fog may chill the air, I don't care
My love waits there in San Francisco
Above the blue and windy sea
When I come home to you, San Francisco
Your golden sun will shine for me
I left my heart in San Francisco
High on a hill, it calls to me
To be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars
The morning fog may chill the air, I don't care
My love waits there in San Francisco
Above the blue and windy sea
When I come home to you, San Francisco
Your golden sun will shine for me
The audience clapped, but their cheering wasn't quite as loud as it had been the last time that The Cherub had performed.
"Come on over here, Cherub. Let's see what the judges think of your performance. Pierce? What did you think?"
"Did you bring any pie?" Pierce asked, looking dead serious, and Nick was confused.
"Pie?" the host asked.
"Yeah, you know, cherub pie?" Pierce said.
"I think you're thinking of rhubarb pie," Blaine said. "But that doesn't explain what pie has to do with his performance."
Nick shook his head again. He should be used to this by now. "Blaine, what about you? Any thoughts?"
Blaine looked back at The Cherub and studied him for a moment. "While I still think you definitely should have been given a chance to shine, I think this performance wasn't quite as strong as your first one."
"Any guesses who is under the mask?" Nick asked.
"Well, I think it's probably another former Warbler, but I only know of a few whose voices I ever had the pleasure of hearing stand on their own, and I don't recognize yours, so I'm not entirely sure."
The Cherub just shrugged, but gave Blaine Heart Hands.
"Aww, The Cherub still loves you anyway, Blaine! Carmen, oh wise one, enlighten us, please!"
"I'm sensing these old timey ballads are more your style. But I might suggest that if you go through this week, you try something out of your comfort zone next time. I think you might find you'll sparkle again when you shake things up."
Nick smiled. "Hopefully you'll get the chance to sing again next time. Until then, we have a little clue here to help you all out. This week, we've asked the performers to bring us their favorite go-to snack to fuel up for their performance. Men in Black, please bring out The Cherub's favorite snack!"
A plate covered by a cloth was wheeled out on a podium and the judges were all looking on vicariously. "Let me help you with this," Nick said, and pulled the cloth off to reveal carrot sticks and ranch dip. "Okay," Nick said. "That's a good choice of snack. Why the carrot sticks, Cherub?"
"When I was in high school, staying healthy wasn't the easiest for me. So I always made sure I took the stage with one healthy source of fuel."
Nick nodded. "Alright, that's actually a good reason. Will, does this clue help you out at all?"
"I never had the chance to know Blaine's former team of Warblers, but I'm going to agree with him, that it might be one of them, because it sounds like someone he's sure he knows."
"Well, we might find out later tonight if you are correct, if The Cherub receives the fewest votes. For now you can head on backstage, while the judges feast on this clue package from The Sun!"
This time, The Sun was perched on a log in a tropical forest. She looked at the camera. "Round one was proof that big things come in small packages for me. And I come from a place I feel like I'm always working. Gotta keep up that warmth. Anyway, I've never been shy about the kind of music I like and singing along with it wherever I go. As The Sun, I know how to create shadows. But unfortunately, I have been known to be a bit naive. I sometimes don't think through on directions. That has landed me in not so great positions in the past. But I'm trying to keep a better focus now. So shine on!"
"Let the Sun shine!" Nick said, as music began to play.
Listen,
To the song here in my heart
A melody I've start
But can't complete
Listen, to the sound from deep within
It's only beginning
To find release
Oh,
the time has come
for my dreams to be heard
They will not be pushed aside and turned
Into your own
all cause you won't
Listen
Listen,
I am alone at a crossroads
I'm not at home, in my own home
And I tried and tried
To say what's on my mind
You should have known
Oh,
Now I'm done believin you
You don't know what I'm feelin
I'm more than what, you made of me
I followed the voice
you gave to me
But now I gotta find my own.
Oh,
Now I'm done believin you
You don't know what I'm feelin
I'm more than what, you made of me
I followed the voice
you gave to me
But now I gotta find my own.
The audience went wild at the end of the performance, and there was no doubt The Sun had pulled it off again.
"Well, there's no doubt you cast some shade with that performance. Don't you agree, Will?"
"You know, that performance sounds somewhat familiar to me. I actually remember a young lady who had attempted to join my glee club, but was led astray by someone else, and she ultimately ended up changing schools. She did that exact song."
"Do you wanna make a guess about who this could be?" Nick inquired.
Will was quiet for a moment. "Unfortunately, I can't quite recall her name, but she was from the Philippines where it's sunny everyday."
"Okay. How about you, Blaine? What did you think of The Sun's performance?"
"Can I just say wow?" Blaine started. "We have some really great front runners so far this season, and I think you're up there with them."
"High praise indeed. Carmen?"
"There is no doubt about your talent Miss Sun," Carmen said. "And I think you are the kind of voice the world needs right now. So don't be afraid to put yourself out there after this. You're going to continue to shine."
"Okay, let's find out what go-to snack fuels The Sun!"
When the snack was revealed, it turned out to be a package of sunflower seeds. "That's an appropriate snack," Nick said.
"Packed with protein, these tiny things pack a powerful punch, just like me!"
"I see that," Nick said. "Pierce, do you have anything to say that actually makes sense?"
"They aren't going to hit me in the face are they?" Pierce asked. Before Nick could comment, he went on, "I've heard the Philippines are beautiful. I hope by leaving, you didn't take away all their daylight."
The audience awed at the comment, which was actually kind of cute.
"We'll see The Sun again at the end of the show, when we find out who gets to keep their masks on, and who must reveal their true identity. In the meantime, here is another clue package. Will it help you decipher the mystery of The Tweedles?"
The video opened to The Tweedles jumping on a bed. "Tweedle Dee talked last time, so now it's my turn!" Tweedle Dum said. "We like fun, we like excitement, we like to goof off. And some people like to call me stupid." At that point, the two of them flew off the bed and landed on the floor. "This room is one we used to share at private school. It's how we really got to know each other." Tweedle Dee smacked him. "Ow! Anyway, because we're always on the go, you will know if something is wrong. Being the I-don't-want-to-get-out-of-bed type is so not our style. Physically, we are light and dark opposites in a manner of speaking. But that's why we go together like rama lama lama ka dinga da dinga dong!"
"Twiddle your thumbs for The Tweedles!"
The duo bounced on to the stage to cheers and laughter, as the music started.
(Dee) (Dum) (Both)
Hiya, Barbie
Hi, Ken
You want to go for a ride?
Sure, Ken
Jump in
I'm a Barbie girl, in the Barbie world
Life in plastic, it's fantastic
You can brush my hair, undress me everywhere
Imagination, life is your creation
Come on, Barbie, let's go party
I'm a blond bimbo girl in a fantasy world
Dress me up, make it tight, I'm your dolly
You're my doll, rock'n'roll, feel the glamour in pink
Kiss me here, touch me there, hanky panky
You can touch
You can play
If you say, "I'm always yours" (ooh, oh)
I'm a Barbie girl, in the Barbie world
Life in plastic, it's fantastic
You can brush my hair, undress me everywhere
Imagination, life is your creation
Come on, Barbie, let's go party (ah ah ah yeah)
Come on, Barbie, let's go party (ooh oh, ooh oh)
Come on, Barbie, let's go party (ah ah ah yeah)
Come on, Barbie, let's go party (ooh oh, ooh oh)
Oh, I'm having so much fun
Well, Barbie, we are just getting started
Oh, I love you, Ken
The crowd was in fits of giggles and Kurt was shaking his head, a hand clasped to his mouth. With just that one performance, he thought he might know exactly who The tweedles were. It was too bad he wasn't on the panel.
Nick had noticed Kurt's reaction, of course. "Blaine, I think your hubby might have an idea who these clowns are. What about you?"
Blaine glanced at Kurt. "Well, if he's thinking back to the same night I am, there's only one Warbler duo I know that would do that, and I say this next bit with sarcasm, thank you for reviving an image I never wanted to see again. That said, there's no doubt that this is Nick Duval and Jeff Sterling."
"The hosts of the new Fox Late Night sketch comedy show, Double Exposure," Nick said, nodding. "Makes sense. Pierce, one comic act to another, what do you think?"
"I'm disappointed," Pierce said with a slight frown. "I looked under my seat, expecting to find a Barbie to play with and all I got was a candy wrapper."
"It's in your dressing room. I left it there for later," Nick said with a straight face.
"Oh! Okay! Maybe we can all play Barbies later."
Nick rolled his eyes, but continued. "Will? Anything to say?"
"Well, you two certainly know how to make a spectacle of yourselves. Essentially, that gives me reason to believe that Blaine is right. These clowns have to be Nick Duval and Jeff Sterling."
"Good guesses. Let's see if The Tweedles' favorite go-to snack gives us any more clues."
When the cloth was pulled off, the presentation of the snack was just as goofy as they were. A mannequin head had a bubble of gum sticking out of its mouth. "Okay, that's one thing I wasn't expecting," Nick said.
"Sharing," Tweedle Dee said.
"Is caring!" Tweedle Dum finished.
At the judge's table, Blaine facepalmed. Kurt was right along with him. Clearly, they both thought of the same thing again.
"I'm not sure I want to know," Nick said, glancing between the contestants and Blaine. "Anyway, Madame Tibideaux, would you care to wager a guess?"
"I think some people forget there is a time to be serious and a time to be silly. That said, I think they are still taking their performances seriously, even if the song was ridiculous. I'm not as familiar with Nick and Jeff as Blaine and Will might be, but I agree that comedians are under the masks."
"Very well. Will we find out if Will and Blaine are correct at the end of the show? Maybe, if The Tweedles get the fewest votes."
"And it would be nice if they would stop giving Blaine and I inappropriate images!" Kurt interrupted.
"Again, not going to ask. In the meantime, check out this clue package from The Lioness!"
The Lioness was seen standing in the middle of a zoo this time. "Round one was the best result I could have hoped for. And that's why I'm glad I'm starting to make a splash of my own in this world. People are really starting to notice me and recognize my own talent. When I was in high school, I felt like my abilities were kept in a cage. Sure I got to wail on the end every now and then. But what Lioness likes to be locked up?" She walked over to one of the cages and pulled on a bar for emphasis. "I don't think any of us do. But now that the right people are behind me, my soul has finally been let out of its cage, and I am running free."
As another Motown favorite began to play, The Lioness descended from a tall staircase.
Listen baby, ain't no mountain high
Ain't no valley low, ain't no river wide enough baby
If you need me call me no matter where you are
No matter how far, don't worry baby
Just call my name I'll be there in a hurry
You don't have to worry
'Cause baby there ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough
Ain't no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you babe
Remember the day I set you free
I told you you could always count on me darling
From that day on, I made a vow
I'll be there when you want me
Some way, somehow
'Cause baby there ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough
Ain't no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you babe
Ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough
Ain't no river wide enough
To keep me from getting to you babe
Don'tcha know that there
Ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough
Ain't no river wide enough
Ain't no mountain high enough
Ain't no valley low enough
The standing ovation at the end of the song was enough to tell The Lioness she'd hit it out of the park once again.
"The Lioness has some bite, people! Judges, what can you say to that performance? Carmen, we'll start with you."
"Honey, whenever you feel caged up, just remember that you are a powerful woman and nothing is going to stop you."
"I think The Lioness has a powerful ally on her side. Pierce? Anything to add?"
Pierce wiped at his eyes. "I guess that means, there's no stage large enough to keep you from getting to us either."
Once again the audience cooed at Pierce's response. "Wow, if you can make Pierce give a serious response for once, you have all my respect!" Nick said. "Will, did The Lioness' performance move you?"
Will looked down at his notes. "I have to apologize, because I think I may have been one of those people caging your talent. But I am so glad that it's out now, because you are really going places."
"Does that mean you think you know who The Lioness is?"
"Going off the clues in this package, I think The Lioness is Mercedes Jones."
Nick nodded. "I can see that. But will you change your mind after we see what go-to snack fuels The Lioness? Men in Black! Bring forth the food!"
When the snack was revealed, everyone was met with a plate of tater tots. "That's a good comfort food," Nick said.
"This is undoubtedly my all time favorite side dish."
"Mine too," Nick admitted. "What about you, Blaine? Do tots do anything for you?"
"It reminds me of something Kurt was telling me was going on at his school in the months after we'd first met. Apparently, there was a tot war and one of his best friends started it. So, I have to go with Will on this one and say Mercedes Jones."
"A tot war? Okay. For now The Lioness can return to her Pride with her head up and her mask on, while we study this next clue package for anything we can glean about The Grape Vine."
The clip opened to The Grape Vine sitting in a seat in an auditorium. She held up a program with the words blurred out. "Round one did a lot of good for me I think. I mostly show all the confidence in my kids, but don't exuberate much for myself. Though my kids try to tell me that if I wasn't good at what I do, I wouldn't have taught them or guided them so well. I do have nervous habits. And sometimes I don't realize how much time has passed when I'm in the midst of one of them. Some of my coworkers think it just makes me quirky and they like having me as a part of their school. But I've been told that it might not be healthy for me. I'm supposed to be a role model, and getting help for myself was never something I was good at."
The Grape Vine took the stage to a healthy round of applause. As her song began to play, people were a little surprised by the difference in her voice this time. It was stronger and richer than it had been last time.
There ain't no reason you and me should be alone
Tonight, yeah baby, tonight, yeah baby
But I got a reason that you should take me home tonight
I need a man that thinks it right when it's so wrong
Tonight, yeah baby, tonight, yeah baby
Right on the limit's where we know we both belong tonight
It's hot to feel the rush, to brush the dangerous
I'm gonna run right to, to the edge with you
Where we can both fall far in love
I'm on the edge of glory and I'm hangin' on a moment of truth
Out on the edge of glory and I'm hangin' on a moment with you
I'm on the edge, the edge, the edge
The edge, the edge, the edge, the edge
I'm on the edge of glory and I'm hangin' on a moment with you
I'm on the edge with you (with you, with you, with you, with you)
I'm on the edge with you (with you, with you, with you, with you)
I'm on the edge with you (with you, with you, with you, with you)
I'm on the edge with you (with you, with you, with you, with you)
The crowd erupted in applause once more.
"Wow," Nick said as The Grape Vine joined him. "That was quite a different tone than your first performance. Carmen, what did you think of The Grape Vine this time?"
"I can't believe this is the same person who performed last time. I might even think you have Multiple Personality Disorder. I'm blown away. If you keep performing like that, I can easily see you in the final three."
"Some powerful words from Madame Tibideaux. Will, what say you about The Grape Vine?"
"Marry me?"
"You want to marry a giant bunch of fruit?" Nick asked.
"Why not? Mariah married you, didn't she?" Kurt called out.
The audience broke out into a chorus of oohs at his words and Nick was very careful not to flash him a dirty look, on the chance that Blaine would have his head.
The host cleared his throat. "Blaine, do you have any words for The Grape Vine?"
"Absolutely brilliant song choice! I have no clue who you could be, but when this is all over, I want to talk to you about the possibility of doing a duet."
"That's a big deal right there. But it's time to find out about The Grape Vine's go-to fuel snack! Men in Black, bring us that bite!"
The audience weren't very surprised when the snack was revealed to be a large bowl of grapes.
"You can always get through the day with contaminate-free fruit."
Nick nodded a little. "I can agree with that. Pierce? Final thoughts on The Grape Vine?"
"All this food talk is making me hungry. I didn't get dinner tonight. But do the grapes give you powers?"
Nick shook his head. "Okay, that was our last performance of the night so let's bring everyone else back out here. Wonderful job all of you, but only four of you can go through to the Group C Championships. So, audience, judges, it's time. Vote for your favorite singer now."
There were a few moments of silence as everyone put in their votes for their favorite performance of the night.
"Okay, the votes are in. The singer with the fewest number of votes, who will have to remove their mask tonight is…"
Silence hung in the air for several moments, and this was one of the points in the show that they would go to commercial break.
"...The Cherub!"
The audience all awed. "Cherub, come down over here. Everyone else, that means you are safe and can head backstage." The other four waved as they all walked offstage. "Okay, Cherub, we are sorry to see you go, but we can't wait to see whose famous face is under the mask. But before we do, judges, we'll need your final guesses. Will, we'll start with you."
Will studied his notes for a moment. "I really don't have much to go on, but if I take in the fact that Blaine believes it is one of the former Warblers, I am going to guess Ohio State Lt. Governor Thad Harwood."
"Okay, sticking with Warblers. Pierce, what about you?"
"Tony Bennet?"
Nick blinked. It was another what the fuck answer from Pierce. He shook his head off and moved on. "Carmen, who do you think it is?"
"I've had a few former Warblers come through my course at NYADA, but I can't say I recognize this voice. The only one I can think of is Blaine, and we know it's not him, so I will go with Will and say Thad Harwood."
"Okay, that's fair. Last but not least, Blaine, do you think you know exactly who The Cherub is?"
Blaine glanced at Kurt before speaking. "Actually, I think I do. I was wracking my brains, trying to remember which one of them used to snack on carrots all the time, and I suddenly remembered one particular Warbler bonding night where one particular Warbler ate all the carrots from the snack table. I think this is YouTube sensation, Warbler Trent Nixon!"
"Okay well, we'll see if any of you are right and if it turns out to be Pierce, I'll eat my shoes. Cherub, it's time. Audience, say it with me, take it off!"
The usual pretend struggle as the audience chanted ensued. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the mask came off to reveal…
"Ladies and gentlemen, YouTube star Trent Nixon!"
Blaine and Kurt stood and applauded with the audience. Cheers filled the studio as Trent laughed and pointed at Blaine.
"So tell me something Trent," Nick said. "Did you really eat all the carrots?"
Trent laughed again. "Well, to be honest, I've never been a big fan of vegetables, but I absolutely love carrots, so I left everything else on the tray."
"Except for the dip!" Kurt shouted.
"Yeah, you left us having to snack on the rest dry boned," Blaine said.
Trent blushed.
"Ladies and gentlemen, give up one more time for the artist formerly known as The Cherub, Trent Nixon!" Nick said.
Trent started to sing them out as the credits went to roll.
"Can I have some carrots now?" Pierce asked.