Ahhh...I assumed that, since most of you are probably Sharpay fans, this will make you happy.

Moofoot: Yes, you caught the obsessive neatness. It was actually the cookie over the sink line, which I'm pretty sure was in an episode. I REMEMBER THE BYE BYE BIRDIE ONE! And then Rachel went up and drew a bean, and everyone got it. I think that's the episode you're talking about. Prongs, unfortunately, I haven't gotten around to reading the Unfortunate Events, so...um...thanks? I heard it's a great series.

Theater is not like Tinker Bell.

Well, obviously it's not a blond fairy running around in a skimpy green dress, sometimes adorning antique Absinthe bottles. But, on a more subtle level, it's not "If the audience claps, then it'll go great!" If the actors look like they're enjoying themselves, the chances are something unfortunate happened to another cast member a few hours before the curtain went up, and they're finally able to dispel that humorous energy. Not because they're hoping that the audience will also have a good time.

The audience pays 120 dollars to see this. They're obligated, at least to themselves, to have fun.

That being said, if the actors look desperately happy, then the audience will probably catch onto that, and spend more time searching for the source of disparity than watching the actual production.

Unfortunately, in this case, while the first act of The Phantom of the Opera went off beautifully on opening night, even the fog machine boy knew something was up. Sharpay Evans's ears were ringing with possibly good news. Of course, it would only be good from where she stood.

"Sharpay! Sharpay, you have to go on!" Gabriella stumbled into her dressing room. The blonde looked up happily, and quickly slipped a demeanor of concern over her face.

"What are you talking about? You sound great out there! You know, if I didn't know better, I'd have thought that you were actually in love with Michael! And Ryan!" She smirked as Gabriella squirmed. Perhaps, Sharpay thought, she shouldn't have looked through the curtain at the audience. Bad for the nerves.

"Sharpay, you have to go on after Intermission. Sharpay," she pleaded, pulling the lace of her "All I Ask of You" costume down to reveal her neck. "Sharpay, please..."

"Oh my god. Ugh, what do you have?"

"It's hives, Sharpay, I'm too nervous to do this; you remember what happened on Twinkle Town, right?"

"Well, you almost cried, but..."

"This is in front of people!"

"...As opposed to Twinkle Town. Where you performed in front of tissue boxes and cardboard tubes," the blonde said wryly.

"Lots of people!" Sharpay paused for a second, allowing anyone who might be watching a chance to think that maybe she wasn't going to jump at the chance because she was a Nice Person. Maybe she'll give Gabriella a nice talking to and send the poor girl back on stage.

"Fine," she resigned, doing a Happy Dance on the inside. And some on the outside, but she passed that off as nerves. "Fine, I'll do it. Where's the director?"

She passed Amanda in the corridor in her search for said man. Amanda was slumped against the wall, shaking her head in disappointment and a bit of relief.

"Hey. You. Me. Make-up. Two minutes," Sharpay snapped.

"But Michael—"

"You have assistants, don't you?"

"Well—"

"Then let them handle him. I've got a face to put on, you know." As she stalked away, she could hear Amanda drag Gabriella out of her dressing room and demand of her just what the Hell was going on.

The same conversations were going on when the announcement was made that the understudy was taking over on opening night. Everywhere, the couples debated the same thing. Well yes, honey, it was Sharpay Evans, but there was a reason this Montez girl got lead, right? Maybe she was having a bad night, needed back-up. Honey, casting directors don't make mistakes. Well, they do—I hate your mom! Shut up, the lights are dimming!

Clapping doesn't usually resurrect a production like it does Tinker Bell, but it would do wonders for Sharpay Evans and her ever-rising mood, which was why she was so giddily happy when she floated off stage after the curtain call.

All right, I had to make a compromise, because I wanted Gabriella to pull through, but I really wanted to use the "Tissue boxes and cardboard tubes" line. So. If you've read all my notes, then you know that I actually just went with the second option. Sorry, People Who Like Realistic Endings. I usually go for them, too, but hey. Tissue boxes and cardboard tubes!

Hmm...Moulin Rouge was part of my inspiration, along with Daniel Tosh, Dancing on Dangerous Ground and its Making of.

There will be one more chapter, which will feature Troy and Sharpay. Yay, Troypay!

Review, even if you didn't really like how this ended up.