Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom or any of the characters. Danny Phantom is the sole property of Butch Hartman, Nickelodeon and Paramount global.
Staged
Chapter 3: A School Play?
Previously
"As I was saying, given that many of you did rather poorly on the test...and again, I won't mention any names..."Mr. Lancer said, though his eyes glanced at Dash, Kwan and the rest of the jocks who weren't even bothering to pay attention.
"I do have rather good news. Principal Ishiyama has accepted my request and I shall be directing this seasons school play!..."The teacher announced, showing a rare moment of excitement.
"School play?..."Danny, Star and the others all thought, unsure how to take this.
Present Time
Mr. Lancer had just announced that he will be directing a school play. While most students don't care much what the least popular teacher at Casper High had to say, there were a few that were curious about this whole thing.
"A school play?..."Colette asked, pretending to care.
"Yes. I finally get to show some culture here for the juvenile masses..."Mr. Lancer said, looking excited as his love for theater was showing and he had no shame in it.
"I haven't seen him this excited since he actually won a bet with Tetslaff..." Danny whispered to his girlfriend.
"I remember that..." Star whispered back, as Lancer went on about this play.
"Uh, so what is the play gonna be about?..."Sam asked, curious.
"Well, after the success of last semesters Macbeth and last years Romeo and Juliet being a smash hit...Principal Ishiyama has allowed me to direct another one of Shakespeare masterpieces and a personal favorite of mine..."Mr. Lancer said, looking enthusiastic as he then went to a book on his shelf and soon displayed it to everyone.
"A Midsummer Night's Dream!..."He announced dramatically, smiling as if he was announcing a celebratory part on his behalf.
"A what?..."Dash asked, looking bored and barely paying attention as it is.
Mr. Lancer looked annoyed and pinched his nose.
"It's the story that you were suppose to READ to study for the test..."The teacher said, irritated before continuing.
"A Midsummer Night's Dream, while not as well known as Romeo and Juliet, is a classic tale of romance and comedy of Shakespeare's era. It involves romance, magic, political conflict and falling in love with the wrong people at the wrong time..."Lancer said, unaware that he's the only one who seems excited about it.
Colette tried to resist the urge to yawn and doze off. While she may enjoy going to the theater, she predicted that this play in particular will be below her standards.
"Oh please, as if a cheap, public school is even capable of throwing a half-way decent performance. No way that I am even bothering taking a part of this laughable mockery of theater..."Colette thought, having no desire to be a part of this.
"A play, huh?..."Star thought, indifferent to this.
The last time she was on a stage was during the beauty pageant disaster with Spectra and to be honest, she didn't feel any desire to be in front of a crowd or put on act again.
Her boyfriend also seemed indifferent to this as their teacher kept spouting details of the show that he plans to put on.
"I will be in charge of auditions and the entire school has the opportunity to take part of my vision and making it into a reality!..."Mr. Lancer said, grinning.
To his displeasure, nobody else looked interested. Some seemed to be even bored and half-asleep, and only very few seemed interest, mostly kinds in the drama club or had aspirations of being actors.
The members of Team Phantom were none of that.
Anyway, Danny heard this and looked as bored as possible. While he did play the lead of Macbeth in the last school play, he had no desire to dress up in tights, memorize a bunch of boring, hard to understand lines and make a fool of himself on stage in front of the entire school and whomever else Lancer plans to invite to his washed-up version of a very old play.
"Never in a million, billion years..."Danny muttered, looking bored and almost wishing that a ghost actually did attack right now.
"Oh, and students who have roles in this play will be given an 10% extra credit bonus on this test..."Mr. Lancer said, sweetening the deal. "Even though it might not help much for SOME students here..."He thought bitterly as he tried not to think about certain jocks who still didn't seem to be paying attention.
Danny, however, was. His eyes widen and his attention was on the extra credit and his mind then went to the Space convention and how he might still have some hope left.
"I gotta practice my lines!..."He said quickly, getting the attention of his girlfriend and friends.
"Huh?..."Star asked, confused by his sudden 180.
"Has it been a million, billion years already? I thought you'd have more grey hair..."Tucker said sarcastically as Mr. Lancer kept talking.
"Anyway, sign ups are in the hall and auditions will be after school in the auditorium and they close tomorrow at 4. Be there or be square, as you kids say..."Mr. Lancer said, laughing to himself while his students groaned at his lame attempts at humor.
As soon as the bell rang, everyone left the classroom and some students , particularly the ones with less than stellar grades, were the first ones in line to sign up for the play...and Danny was among them.
Outside
Danny waited in line for the sign up sheets. After waiting forever, it was soon his turn and he quickly began to sign up his name on the paper.
"I just gotta rehearse whatever lines I need to and I'm golden...hopefully..."He said, happy to get a spot before the entire sheet was full.
"Danny..."Star said as she went to him.
"Dude, since when are you interested in theater?..."Tucker asked as he and Sam knew he's not one to care for that kind of stuff.
"I'm not, but you heard Lancer. 10% extra credit. I don't know about you guys but I need that if I want a chance to go to the space convention like my folks promised..."He said.
His friends and girlfriend knew that he really wanted to go to that convention, but they were still surprised that he was going to these kind of lengths to do so, even if it would increase his grade a bit.
"But I thought that after that incident with Sir Hamalot, you weren't planning on putting tights on again for as long as you walk this Earth..."Sam said, since that incident had been rather unpleasant.
Her male friend shrugged.
"Desperate times, desperate measures..."Danny said, not budging on this.
His girlfriend knew how much this convention meant to him, and it seems he really is willing to do this if it means going there.
"Well...I guess you're that desperate..."Star said, while her man nodded.
He then turned to her, getting an idea.
"Why don't you sign up too, Starlight? Play alongside me to keep me from going crazy...who knows? Maybe we could rehearse together too..."Danny said.
Star laughed and shook her head, turning down the suggestion.
"I don't know, Boo...I love you but I'm more of an artist than an actress. Besides, last time I was on stage, it was a ploy by ghosts. I'm not in any hurry to get in front of a large crowd in a super poofy dress..."Star said.
She loves him and would face the entire ghost zone for him, but apparently, this is one battle that she has no desire to face. He may end up solo on this one.
"Oh..."Danny said, somewhat bummed that they won't do this together but saw why she didn't want to do it.
"Sorry, maybe next time you're desperate for extra credit..."Star said.
"It's okay. I understand, I won't force you...but I would appreciate if you come along as I audition...I'm not the only one who wants that extra credit and I gotta be ready. Competition will be tough and I can use all the support I can get..."Danny said, and Star nodded.
"Of course, I'll be there. I'll be your number one fan..."Star said, before wondering what character he'll play. "So, any idea what role you wanna audition for?..."She asked.
Her boyfriend just shrugged, not really caring to be honest.
"I don't care who I end up playing, as long as I get a part in the play and a chance to boost up my grade before Mom and Dad find out and ground me from going to the convention..."Danny said.
"You really wanna go that bad, huh?..."Star said.
"Duh, this convention is hosted by NASA, and will have some of the most famous rocket scientists, researchers, engineers, astronomers and real life astronauts! Not to mention they plan on showing off all sorts of tech and upcoming projects that they are planning on having! I'd have to be nuts to pass that up!..."Danny said, his NASA fanboy side showing.
"Okay, if it means that much to you, Danny. I'll give you all the support I can as your number one fan..."Star said sweetly, earning a smile from him.
"Thanks, Starlight..."Danny said, happy that he has her support for this.
Meanwhile, Tucker and Sam both kept their distance as they spoke to each other.
"We're going to see this too, right?..."The techno geek asked.
"See our best friend make an idiot of himself by spouting cheesy archaic lines, possibly wear a ridiculous costume while wearing tights and making a fool of himself in front of everyone at school on stage..."Sam said flatly, before looking amused. "No way I'm missing that..."She said, smirking.
"Me either..."Tucker said, high-fiving her.
"Did you guys say something?..."Danny asked, hearing them muttering.
"Oh, nothing. We're just planning on being there to support you too..."Tucker said, semi-lying and Sam nodded.
Before Danny could say anything, the warning bell rang and they knew that they had to hustle if they wanted to avoid tardies. The teenagers soon went to their next class and Danny made mental note to pick up a copy of the script to memorize before going to the auditions later.
Unknown to Danny or the others, someone had been eavesdropping on their conversation behind a row of lockers and were currently smirking a mile wide.
It was Colette, who once again, was spying on the couple and heard the part about Danny trying out for the play..and Star's lack of desire to do so.
"Hmmm...so, Mon Amore plans to audition for a role in zee play...and Estelle has no desire to be a part of it...interesting..."The spoiled brat thought as ideas formed in her twisted mind.
The bell rang and the fake read-head headed to class. She gave a fake apology and excuse before she ignored the teacher who questioned her for her tardiness. She didn't care about that or this class, especially since this is one of the few classes that she doesn't share with her beloved Danny. Anyway, as the teacher began a lesson on whatever topic that she didn't even bother to listen to, the spoiled red head made plans for this afternoon at the auditions for the play.
This was an opportunity that has appeared right before her and she couldn't resist the urge to snatch it. After all, it was common for romance to occur during plays...and not just during the love scenes too.
"L'Amore..."She thought mischievously, before daydreaming about her "darling" and what the future may have in store.
One thing that she is certain, is that this play might turn out more...interesting than she imaged.
Oh boy!
-To be continued-
Next time on Staged
Auditions
A/N(1): I dedicate this chapter to my family, my friends and my love for God :)
A/N(2): Special thanks to NeoMark for helping out with this chapter. You rock :)
REPLIES to my loyal and totally awesome reviewer:
RonaldM40196867:
1) Yeah.
2) Sorry, no spoilers. I guess we will have to wait and see what happens.
Luiz4200: Yeah.
Jebest4781: Thank you :)
Leonardo: Sorry, no spoilers. I guess we will have to wait and see what happens.
Invader Johnny: Not exactly Romeo and Juliet, but it's another Shakespeare play.
Jay The Average Fanboy: Thank you :)
Here are my responses to your questions:
1) I guess we will have to wait and see what happens.
2) Hard to say.
3) Sorry, no spoilers. We will have to wait and see what happens.
4) I see them as loving, if overprotective parents to him.
5) I haven't decided yet.
6) How's this?
Hmilles02: Thank you :)
Here are my responses to your questions:
1) She is a kind ghoul, despite her temper, so maybe.
2) No, Vlad only loves the idea of having a family with Maddie. I don't think he'd ever make a genuinely good parent to them.
3) No. He only saw her as a tool to use and he didn't care if she melted.
4) It probably would have been interesting.
5) It definitely would have made an interesting dynamic to the show.
:) I hope you enjoyed this! Remember to read and review :)