So here's what you missed on Glee: It's 2022, and we're nearing the 10-year anniversary of the graduation of the original Glee kids. A lot has happened in 10 years, and to celebrate the New Year, all of the old New Directions and teachers held a reunion concert, where Tina decided that she was going to try one last time to pursue her dreams in New York City, too. Kurt decided to spend a few months back in Lima with the baby, so Blaine can focus on developing their new musical in New York. Kitty and Jake were working as singing and dancing waiters at the Spotlight diner, but they're trying to make their dreams come true, too; nothing's really happened just yet.
INT. SPOTLIGHT DINER - MON. JANUARY 10, 2022 - MORNING
It was the crack of dawn. As Mandy began opening the shutters of the windows, Kitty began tidying up the tables and setting silverware. She was joined by her coworkers, a 24-year old Turkish-American girl named Ameera, and 25-year-old Harmony Robinson, known to Rachel and Kurt as "the Gerber baby" from Defiance, Ohio, who intimidated them at their NYADA prospective students mixer.
Kitty: The day starts like the rest we've seen
Another carbon copy of an old routine
Ameera: Days keep coming
Harmony: One out, one in
Harmony/Ameera: They keep coming
Mandy: And make the coffee strong enough to chew!
Kitty: I don't know what I wish I had
But there's no time now for thinking things like that
We've got too much to do
Harmony/Ameera: Too much to do
Harmony/Ameera/Kitty: All these same things
We're always
Opening up
Letting the day in
Over a cup
We'll say "hello, how ya been?"
Looking around
Seeing the same things
Every day brings
Ameera: I wouldn't call this place a happy end
But I been 'round the block and just came back again
Mandy: Order up!
Harmony: Ordered up is how the day will find me
Everything in its place and time
And I like the way most of the days look exactly the same
Mandy: Order up!
Waitresses: Check the clock
Tick, tick tock
Mandy: Don't stop!
Serve with a smile!
Waitresses: Hurry up, fill the coffee cup
And then in a while
Take a breath when you need to be reminded that with days like these
We can only do the best we can
'Til we do it again
Mandy: Come on, move it now!
Waitresses: Opening up
Letting the day in
Opening up
Some things never change
"Hello, how ya been?"
"Thank you, come again!"
Some things never change
The diner was now packed with New Yorkers and tourists, spreading the three waitresses thin and causing tensions to rise. Kitty and Ameera were roommates, but Harmony was Kitty's mortal enemy. One year older than her, the pair were rivals at NYADA. Harmony resented Kitty for being Cassandra July's teacher's pet, while Kitty resented Harmony for getting all the leading and featured roles in student productions and showcases. Yet, despite Harmony's and Kitty's successes in school, neither had ever booked a Broadway job since graduating college in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Ameera, on the other hand, was an aspiring recording artist, and though she had gotten to sing backup for a few artists here and there, she had not yet gotten her big break.
"Put some hustle to it, Ms. Wilde, table four over there let me know they've been waiting ten minutes for you to take their order, and you know full well that much of a wait is unacceptable," Mandy whispered to Kitty.
"Mandy, we just need more help," Kitty said. "We've been short staffed since Jake and Mena quit, and you won't hire anyone else."
"Find me some quality wait staff to audition, and we'll revisit the notion that I simply just 'won't hire anyone else,'" Mandy said, retreating to the kitchen.
Harmony and Ameera eavesdropped on the unfolding conversation.
"How are Jake and Mena doing, do you know?" Harmony asked Ameera.
"They're working at Collins' Youth Performing Arts Studio," Ameera explained. "Brandon Collins was that super nice guy in the orange coat who came here like a month ago. He recognized them from a student showcase they did way back at Juilliard, and he hired them, like, on the spot. Jake's teaching dance, and Mena's teaching acting." The pair continued to take down orders before Ameera smirked at Harmony and asked, "Why do you ask?"
Harmony almost blushed. "No reason."
"Don't pretend like I didn't see you side-eying Jake any time we were on shift together," Ameera teased.
"How do you know it wasn't Mena I was looking at?" Harmony asked. "The two were always side-by-side the entire time; could've been either one."
"Because according to your Instagram, you only follow Jake, not Mena," Ameera noted.
Harmony rolled her eyes and went to the kitchen to place an order. Ameera giggled and followed her, joining up with Kitty at the center counter.
"So, Kitty, I hear your friend Blaine is auditioning people for this workshop of their musical?" Ameera asked.
"Yeah, would you be interested?" Kitty asked.
"I mean, I'm not quite a Broadway girl, but I hear the tunes are pretty poppy, so I'd be down to try it," Ameera said.
"When are the auditions?" Harmony asked curiously.
"Nunyaday," Kitty said with a roll of her eyes.
"Kitty, don't be like that," Ameera pleaded, serving yet again as the impartial member of the trio who had no bad blood between either of the girls.
"No, Ameera, it's fine," Harmony said. "If Kitty doesn't want me in her friend's projects just because of some petty college rivalry, then that's that."
Harmony continued off to take more orders. Ameera glanced at Kitty.
"What are you looking at me like that for?" Kitty asked.
"Harmony's voice could kill, in the best way possible, why would you not want Blaine to have a talent like that in his cast?" Ameera asked.
"Because that bitch can get any role she wants, and should let the rest of us have a chance especially when it involves my own friend's creation," Kitty snapped.
"Enough with the chit-chat; get back to work," Mandy hissed, reappearing from the kitchen, sending Kitty and Ameera back to their tables.
Just as the three waitresses walked back to their stations, in walked the very man they were just talkin about: Brandon Collins, accompanied by an eleven-year-old girl. Somewhere in his 40's, he was a handsome African-American man, and the girl had a medium brown complexion with beautiful curly hair.
"How about I seat you folks right over here?" Harmony asked, beckoning for Brandon and the girl to take one of the center booths.
"Uh-uh, I'll take this one," Mandy said, butting in between Ameera and Brandon. "Scram" she snapped, sending Harmony on her way.
"Honey, that was a bit harsh," Brandon whispered as he watched Harmony tend to her next table, her head held down.
"You don't have any idea the long day I've had," Mandy sighed, leaning in for a kiss. "Being short staffed is brutal."
From afar, Ameera hurried over to Kitty. Both of them had just witnessed the kiss. "Are you seeing this?" she asked.
"Yeah, is our boss banging the guy who owns that performance studio Jake works at?" Kitty asked.
"Check it out - they both have rings," Ameera pointed out.
"Wait, did we not notice the wicked old hag was married, this whole time?" Kitty asked.
"You don't think they're–" Ameera guessed.
"Get with the times, you two, yes, Mandy Rosario is married to Brandon Collins," Harmony clarified to the pair. "You didn't know?"
Back at the booth, Mandy was checking in with their daughter, Sofia.
"Are you excited about the first day of dance class?" Mandy asked.
"Definitely," Sofia said excitedly, watching a dance tutorial on TikTok.
"You made sure she still has her jazz shoes, right?" Mandy asked Brandon.
"Yes, don't worry about it," Brandon assured. "As soon as we're done here we're going straight on over to the studio. Word has it, my instructors have a really cool guest performer lined up."
Mandy smiled. "Can't wait to hear about it."
INT. COLLINS' YOUTH PERFORMING ARTS STUDIO
"Dude, what more could possibly go wrong?" Jake whined, flustered as he paced behind Mena plugging a variety of cords in and out of a sound system.
"Chill, bro, I'll get it figured out!" Mena assured.
"What would I do without you?" Jake asked, bending down to help untangle an extension cord.
"Nothing; that's what," Mena laughed. "So long as you plug my youth improv class to your kids, consider me your executive assistant tonight."
"Well, even though I am the dance major of the two of us, I hope you'll jump in and help show these kids what a decent triple threat looks like," Jake said.
"Hey, hey, hey!" Mercedes exclaimed from the door, walking in with Tina. "We're here to help Mr. Jake Puckerman knock the hell out of his first youth dance studio lesson!"
Jake walked forward to hug Mercedes and Tina. "Thanks so much for coming!"
"Hold up!" Mena exclaimed. "You're THE Mercedes Jones?!"
"Mercedes and Tina, this is my classmate and roommate from Juilliard, Mena," Jake introduced.
"What are you doing here in New York?" Mena asked.
"Oh, I've actually moved back to the city for the next few months to tackle my next big project," Mercedes said. "Figured I'd come back to where it all started with my first album."
"Can't wait to find out what that is," Tina said excitedly. "So anyway, we brought our shoes. When do the kids start arriving?"
"Well, right about now!" Jake exclaimed excitedly as the first few sets of children and their parents began to arrive at the studio. This particular class was Pre-Teen Hip-Hop for students aged 10-13.
"Hey, if it isn't Mr. Boss Man," Mena greeted as Brandon and Sofia walked into the studio.
"Great job with the setup," Brandon remarked. "I hope setting up all the technical equipment didn't give you much trouble?"
"No trouble at all, sir, all the training at Juilliard really paid off," Jake said.
"And by that, Jake means that this Juilliard grad pulled it off," Mena said.
Brandon chuckled. "I can't wait to watch. My daughter's really been looking forward to this."
A few moments later, Jake was leading the group through stretches and warm-ups. He had about twelve students signed up for this class, a mix of different body types and racial backgrounds. Tina, Mena, and Mercedes watched from the sidelines, admiring Jake's professionalism and how well he connected with the students.
"Okay! I think we've done enough for stretches and warm-ups, right?" Jake asked. "Who wants to get to the combo!"
The kids immediately cheered.
"What song are we doing?" Sofia asked eagerly.
"Well, we're doing something our old high school choir teacher used to call, a mash-up," Jake said, to multiple "ooh's" and "aah's" from the students. "We're going to be doing Jason Derulo's 'Savage Love'-"
"Mashed up with Megan thee Stallion's 'Savage,'" Mercedes finished.
The children cheered. Both of these songs were very big on TikTok!
Jake: Oh… Savage love…
Jake (w/ Tina): If I woke up without ya, I don't know what I would do
Thought I could be single forever 'til I met you
Usually don't be fallin', be fallin', fallin' fast
You got a way of keepin' me comin' back-to-back
I just found out, the only reason that you lovin' me
Was to get back at your ex-lover but (before you leave)
Usually I would never, would never even care
Baby, I know she creepin', I feel it in the air
Mercedes (Mena): I'm the hood Mona Lisa, break a brotha into pieces
Had to X some cheesy brothas out my circle like a pizza (Yeah)
I'm way too exclusive, I don't shop on Insta' boutiques
All them lil' cheap clothes only fit fake booties
I need a mop to clean the floor, it's too much drip, ooh (Too much drip, ooh)
I keep a knot, I keep a watch, I keep a whip, ooh (I keep a whip, baow)
Let's play a game, Simon says I'm still that chick, ayy (Still that bitch)
I'm still that chick, yeah (Ah)
Jake: Every night and every day (Tina: Every day)
I try to make you stay, but your
Jake: Savage love, did somebody, did somebody break your heart?
Lookin' like an angel, but your savage love
When you kiss me, I know you don't give two fucks
But I still want that
Your savage love (Mercedes: I'm a savage)
Your savage lo-lo-love (Mercedes: Classy, bougie, ratchet)
Your savage lo-lo-love (Sassy, moody, nasty)
You could use me (Acting, stupid, what's happening?)
'Cause I still want that (Yo, what's happening?)
Jake: Your savage love
Your savage lo-lo-love
Your savage lo-lo-love
You could use me
Tina: Baby…
Jake: Savage love (Mena: Oh girl)
Did somebody, did somebody break your heart (Mena: Heart)
Lookin' like an angel, but your savage love (Tina: Savage, baby)
When you kiss me, I know you don't give two fucks (Tina: Ooh…)
But I still want that
Jake: Your savage love (Tina: Savage love…) (Mercedes: I'm a savage)
Your savage lo-lo-love (Tina: Oh…) (Mercedes: Classy, bougie, ratchet)
Your savage lo-lo-love (Mercedes: Sassy, moody, nasty)
Girl you could use me (Mercedes: Acting, stupid, what's happening?)
'Cause I still want that (Mercedes: Aye)
That savage love (Mercedes: I'm a savage)
The routine ended with the twelve children in a sassy hip-hop finish pose. Jake, Mena, Mercedes, Tina, Brandon, and a few lingering parents applauded proudly. The kids high-fived and hugged each other excitedly.
"You all KILLED IT today!" Jake exclaimed. "Everyone, give yourselves a pat on the pack and high-five your classmates on the way out, because this was a team effort, right? Okay, now we're not gonna be meeting for Pre-Teen Hip-Hop again until next week, but if you guys are interested, Mr. Mena up here is going to be hosting Youth Improv class on Thursday, so if you want to hone in on your acting skills, Mr. Mena's the man to learn from! Alright, that's it; have a great evening, everyone!"
"Daddy, that was so much fun!" Sofia exclaimed to her dad as he handed her a water bottle.
"Yeah?" Brandon asked happily. "I'm glad you had fun!" Brandon led Sofia over to Jake.
"Mr. Puckerman!" Brandon greeted. "Fabulous job, if I do say so myself."
"Oh, thank you so much, Mr. Collins," Jake said with relief. "That means so much, coming from you."
"Well, what I saw that day in the Juilliard showcase two years ago is exactly what I saw here again tonight: driven, motivated, exceptionally hard worker, and you just connect with these kids so well," Brandon said. "You know, Miss Nadia who teaches our young adult jazz and contemporary classes is going to be out this summer, if you're looking to pick up any extra classes and earn more money?"
"I'd have to check on how my summer pans out, but yeah, I'd love to take on another class or two!" Jake said.
"And Mr. Hassan, looking forward to seeing what your Youth Improv class has in store," Brandon said. "Don't forget to lock up, boys," he said, before walking out with Sofia.
Once everyone was gone and the studio was all locked up, Jake, Mena, Mercedes, and Tina high-fived and cheered.
"Congrats, guys, that was such a great first class!" Tina exclaimed.
"Who's down for a drink?" Mercedes asked.
"We are," Mena and Jake said together.
INT. HUMMEL-ANDERSON HOME – TUE. JAN 11, 2022 - EVENING
Rachel and Jesse arrived at Blaine's house after Rachel's performance at Jane Austen Sings.
"Hello, Berry St. James!" Blaine greeted from his piano. "How was the show tonight?"
"Good as usual," Rachel said. "Each performance gets more and more bittersweet as we get closer to our last show at the end of this month."
"So, are you thinking of what's next?" Blaine asked as he wrapped up some fine tuning on a new original song.
"I have a few auditions lined up and some self tapes submitted," Rachel said. "I have some final callbacks next week as well for a few shows and even a new Pilot filming in the city, so we'll see!"
"She's not worried one bit," Jesse remarked.
"Of course not, Ms. Tony-winning actress," Blaine laughed.
"So, what are you working on, Blaine?" Jesse asked.
"One of the last original songs that I'm going to be sampling for our musical workshop," Blaine said. "Kurt just sent me the finalized pages of the libretto, along with the sides we're going with for auditions. We're going the indy route for now until we get some good investors willing to take us up on a big-time workshop. I don't know if that would interest you, Rachel, but I'd love to have your voice in the workshop cast, and you too if you wanted, Jesse."
"Ah, I'm a bit busy with my next gig," Jesse said. "Can't say too much, but I have a Neil Simon play revival in the works, hoping to get launched in the next few months, but if you need an audition accompanist, I'm your guy!"
"How are you feeling about the whole process?" Rachel asked.
"Well, it's hard doing it without Kurt and Hepburn here, but at the same time, that's what's motivating me to be sure that this goes off well," Blaine said.
"Indeed, the Hummel-Andersons, the new Pasek and Paul, the new Rodgers and Hammerstein," Jesse teased.
"Gah, don't even say that," Blaine laughed. "Pasek and Paul were only like 25 when the musical adaptation of James and the Giant Peach came out, and like 30 by the time Dear Evan Hansen premiered."
"But, Rodgers and Hammerstein didn't write the 1943 Oklahoma until they were in their forties," Jesse clarified. "Remember, the fates of our paces are in motion. We just gotta trust and roll with it."
"It's so interesting, like, here I am, with a Tony by 25, just as I imagined, and yet, I feel this internal race against the clock, like, by what age do I get that EGOT, you know what I mean?" Rachel asked.
Jesse and Blaine stammered a bit, not wanting to burst Rachel's bubble, but validating her feelings just the same.
"I mean, there's a whole musical about just that," Blaine laughed, beginning to tap on the keys. "Jesse? You're now thirty; do you want to start us off?"
"Wow, thanks for the reminder, brother," Jesse said, with a joking roll of his eyes.
Song: "30/90" from Tick, Tick, Boom
[JESSE:]
Stop the clock - take time out
Time to regroup before you lose the bout
[JESSE & BLAINE:]
Freeze the frame - back it up
[JESSE:]
Time to refocus before they wrap it up
Years are getting shorter
Lines on your face are getting longer
Feel like you're treading water
But the riptide's getting stronger
Don't panic, don't jump ship
Can't fight it, like taxes
At least it happens only once in your life
They're singing, "Happy Birthday"
You just want to lay down and cry
Not just another birthday, it's 30/90
Why can't you stay 29
Hell, you still feel like you're 22
Turn thirty 1990
Bang! You're dead,
What can you do?
What can you do?
What can you do?
[JESSE (RACHEL/BLAINE):]
Peter Pan and Tinkerbell (Ahhh)
Which way to Never Never Land? (Ahhh)
Emerald City's gone to hell
Since the wizard
[ALL:]
Blew off his command
[JESSE:]
On the streets you hear the voices
Lost children, crocodiles
But you're not into
Making choices, wicked witches,
Poppy fields, or men behind the curtain
Tiger lilies, ruby slippers
[JESSE & ALL:]
Clock is ticking, that's for certain
[JESSE:]
They're singing, "Happy Birthday"
[JESSE:]
I just wish it all were a dream Happy birthday (Blaine/Rachel: Happy birthday)
It feels much more like doomsday
Screw
[ALL:]
30/90
[JESSE:]
Seems like I'm in for a twister
[JESSE (BLAINE/RACHEL):]
I don't see a rainbow, do you? (Ah, ah)
[ALL:]
Turn 30 in the 90's
[JESSE:]
Into my hands now
The ball has passed
I want the spoils, but not too fast
[JESSE W/ BLAINE/RACHEL:]
The world is calling Ahhhh
It's now or Neverland
Why can't I stay a child forever
And
30/90 (repeats)
[ALL:]
30, 30/90
What can I do?
[ALL & JESSE:]
30/90, 30, 30/90
What can I do?
The trio embraced in a hug.
"This workshop is going to be so much fun," Rachel said.
"I'm excited for it; I really am," Blaine said gratefully.
The door opened and Tina walked in.
"Tina!" Rachel exclaimed, turning around to hug her former teammate. "How was your day?"
"I tanked an audition," Tina sighed. "I thought I was going in for some modernized Shakespearean thing, but no, it was for a legitimate Shakespeare production, old English and all, and despite me having a degree in drama, I am no Shakespearean actress."
"Aw, it's okay, you'll get 'em next time," Blaine said.
"So, I hear Blaine and Kurt are letting you sublet while Kurt is taking time back home with the baby?" Rachel asked.
"Yes, and I am so, so grateful," Tina said. "I mean, I wasn't about to bank on my luck to score a big ass hangar in Bushwick like you all did."
"Well, not gonna lie, I feel much safer out of that old neighborhood," Rachel laughed, to much agreement from Blaine.
"For sure, and it's nice to have company, Tina," Blaine said. "I may have agreed to a temporary long distance agreement with my own husband and child, but it's nice knowing I have someone here to live with, laugh with, grow with–"
"Aww, Blainey-Days!" Tina cooed, hugging Blaine tightly.
"Well, Rachel and I had better head home," Jesse said, fetching his coat. "Thank you for having us over, Blaine."
"Of course, any time!" Blaine said, escorting Rachel and Jesse to the door.
INT. SUBWAY - WED. JAN 12 - MORNING
Tina trailed closely behind Kitty and Ameera as they made their morning commute to work. Tina was not used to such huge crowds and the fast-paced environment of public underground transportation.
"Thank you so much for letting me tag along, guys," Tina said breathlessly. "I got so lost yesterday, I almost thought I ended up in Jersey!"
"You probably did," Ameera said. "Don't worry; took me a few weeks to get the hang of it as well."
"Ah, that's nice to know," Tina said. "And what was your name again? Amee–"
"Call me Mira," Ameera snapped.
"We don't like to say her real name in these parts for fear of some bigoted anti-uslim-mays," Kitty whispered.
"Anti-uslim-mays… Oh, anti-muslims!" Tina said a little too loudly, causing a stare-down from two nearby women in hijabs.
"Why do we even try," Kitty sighed.
"Sorry," Tina stammered.
"Hey, it's okay," Ameera said, taking a seat and beckoning for Tina to sit in between her and Kitty.
"So, what's on your list of auditions today?" Kitty asked.
"Oh, I have a callback for Janis on the national tour of Mean Girls," Tina said excitedly. "I may have used a makeshift headshot from 2009, but I just wanted to show off my old goth look, and I think it at least got my foot in the door."
"Don't get your hopes up," Kitty said. "I've gone in for Mean Girls five times, and you would think that as a former mean girl myself with an amazing redemption story of how I one day became a nice person by my senior year, I've never made it past the third round of a dance call."
"Really?" Tina asked. "That's so shocking!"
"It really is," Ameera said. "Okay guys, this is our stop!"
The trio exited the subway and made their way towards the diner.
INT. SPOTLIGHT DINER
"I'm just saying, Tina, I think you're right" Kitty continued as they entered the diner. "Sometimes you do have to sell something false about yourself. Think of every casting director in this city as one cisgendered heterosexual white man: he knows what he wants and he knows how to get it while staying in power at the top while the rest of us beg for scraps on the streets."
"Girls, you're late," Mandy hissed, tossing aprons at Ameera and Kitty.
"It's 7:58, we're totally on time," Kitty said.
"Who's this?" Mandy asked, pointing at Tina.
"Oh, this is my friend Tina, from Ohio," Kitty said. "Tina, this is our manager, Mandy Rosario."
"Nice to meet you," Tina said, extending her hand to shake Mandy's, but Mandy didn't take it. "Yeah, Kitty and I go way back to high school glee club."
"Glee club?" Mandy asked, suspiciously impressed. "So you can sing? You know, we're looking for wait staff here if you'd be interested in auditioning for me."
Tina glanced sideways at Kitty and Ameera, both of whom were trying to shoot discreet death glares that Mandy wouldn't see. Still, to Tina, this was a potential job. She knew that some of the singing and dancing waiters and waitresses at this diner had at least been picked up for small-scale performance projects. What did she have to lose?
Song: "When He Sees Me" from Waitress
Tina: I stick with real things,
Usually facts and figures.
When information's in its place,
I minimize the guessing game.
Guess what? (Kitty/Ameera: What?)
I don't like guessing games.
Or when I feel things,
Before I know the feelings.
How am I supposed to operate,
If I'm just tossed around by fate?
Like on an unexpected date?
With a stranger who might talk too fast,
Or ask me questions about myself,
Before I've decided that,
He can ask me questions about myself.
He might sit too close.
Or call the waiter by his first name,
Or eat Oreos,
But eat the cookie before the cream?
But what scares me the most,
What scares me the most,
The rest of the Spotlight staff began joining with background vocals.
Is what if when he sees me, what if he doesn't like it?
What if he runs the other way and I can't hide from it?
What happens then?
If when he knows me, he's only disappointed?
What if I give myself away, to only get it given back?
I couldn't live with that.
So, I'm just fine, inside my shell-shaped mind.
This way I get the best view.
So, when he sees me,
Oh, God.
Tina began envisioning herself as a fully uniformed waitress at the Spotlight Diner, being spun and lifted around by three gorgeous Spotlight diner waiters while Mandy watched impressed from the counter.
What if when he sees me,
I like him and he knows it?
What if he opens up a door,
And I can't close it?
What happens then?
If when he holds me,
My heart is set in motion,
I'm not prepared for that.
I'm scared of breaking open.
But still I can't help from hoping,
To find someone to talk to,
Who likes the way I am.
Someone who when he sees me,
Wants to again.
Tina snapped out of her daydream and found herself face-to-face with Mandy, with Kitty and Ameera standing off to her side.
"I don't know what it is about you Ohio girls, but I don't like your repetitive repertoire," Mandy said with brutal honestly. "I mean, I feel like this is the third Waitress song I've heard from you people this week. It's almost like your old high school choir teacher wasted your education away some Sara Bareilles tribute lesson or something."
"So, does she have the job or not?" Ameera asked earnestly, earning a painful jab in her side by Kitty's elbow.
Mandy looked at Tina from head to toe. "It's yours if you want it."
"Really?" Tina screeched. "Ms. Rosario, I happily accept!"
"Great," Mandy said. "I'll need you to fill out a formal application and do a formal interview, but glad to have you on board, effective tomorrow. Now, Kitty? Ameera? BACK TO WORK."
Kitty and Ameera slung their aprons over their head and immediately began tending to customers. Tina followed Mandy to the rear of the diner to finish the next steps in beginning her employment.
INT. AUDITION HALL
After several long and grueling hours of singing and dancing, dozens of aspiring performers sat waiting in the hallway, eagerly awaiting to hear if they would be advancing to the next round or not.
Tina found herself seated next to a heavyset 22-year-old male who appeared to also be a part of the Asian-American and Pacific Islander diaspora.
"Hey, I'm Tina," she said, shaking hands with the boy.
"I'm Brandon," he answered back.
"What'd you go in for today?" Tina asked.
"Just ensemble," Brandon answered.
"Really?" Tina asked. "I went in for Janis. You look like you'd make a pretty good Damian!"
"Are you just saying that because I'm fat?" Brandon asked.
Tina gasped. "Oh my god, no, no, no! I'm so sorry if that's what it seemed like I was trying to say. God, I'm so stupid, I just offend everyone–"
Brandon laughed. "Nah, nah, it's okay! I'm actually quite flattered that you think I'd make a good Damian. But truthfully, I don't have the vocal range to pull off that role, so the only thing I really put myself in for was the ensemble."
"Oh, well I'm sure if you took voice lessons–" Tina began.
"What's your vocal range?" Brandon asked.
"About Eb3 to F5" Tina said.
"Same!" Brandon pointed out. "Just down the octave. Eb2 to F4. See? Any song in a female key, I can do. But, musical theatre composers never have and never will write for the male voice in that way," Brandon said.
"Ah, bummer," Tina said. "I see what you mean. I'm pretty grateful to consider myself a mezzo soprano, but I know how hard it can be for altos to find good roles in musical theatre. I'm sure it's hard for you baritones, too."
"I wouldn't even consider myself a baritone," Brandon laughed. "Full on bass here."
"Your voice doesn't sound that deep to me," Tina said.
"Yeah," Brandon agreed. "I guess you could say, I'm different. You'd never think I wasn't a tenor just because I don't talk like Hades from Hadestown."
"Different can be beautiful," Tina said. "In high school, that's what made me and my friends so special. You wanna see a picture of my boyfriend?"
"I'm sure you probably dated the high school quarterback who was forced into performing, classic high school musical–" Brandon began before seeing Tina's phone: a photo of Tina and Artie, who Brandon noticed was in a wheelchair.
"Different," Tina repeated.
"Different," Brandon echoed, with a genuine smile.
The casting director then exited the audition room.
"On behalf of the casting team, we regretfully inform you that none of you in this group will be advancing to the next round," he said. "Thank you all for coming in to today's open call."
"Bummer," Brandon sighed, slinging his bag over his head and standing up.
"Hey, Brandon?" Tina asked. "My friend that I'm living with, he's an up-and-coming theatre composer, and he's auditioning people for an independent workshop of a new musical he and his husband are writing. Would you maybe want to exchange contact info and tag along with me?"
Brandon grinned. "Sure. What's your Instagram?"
INT. NYADA THEATRE - FRI, JAN. 14 - EVENING
Blaine, Mercedes, Jake, and Jesse pitched their stations at a judging table erected in the center of the audience. About twenty hopefuls were gathered on stage, including Tina, Ameera, Kitty, Harmony, and Brandon.
Blaine turned on a microphone and began speaking to the audition hopefuls. "Welcome, everyone, to the first auditions for my independent workshop of The Fork in the Road, music and lyrics by Blaine Anderson, and book by Kurt Hummel. While we are definitely hoping to one day be greenlit for an official workshop, I hope you can all understand that my husband and I are creating this process from scratch, and as thus, can offer only a $100 stipend in return for your brief time in helping to essentially grow this musical in the womb that it's currently in… Awkward metaphor, I know. Anyway, I'm joined by some friends of mine – Jesse St. James, who will be serving as my dramaturg as well as our audition accompanist; Mercedes Jones, serving as a music consultant; and Jake Puckerman, our choreographer. Let's give them a round of applause."
"Your friend is connected to some really awesome artists," Brandon remarked to Tina.
"Now, each of you will be choosing a song from the show to audition with," Blaine said. "Reason being is we want to hear how your voice sounds with the material that you'd directly be working with. We'll be auditioning you folks in order of sign-in. Good luck to you all."
As everyone stood in line to receive sheet music from Jesse, Ameera tapped Harmony on the shoulder. "Don't look now, but I think Mr. Choreographer is glancing your way," she teased.
Harmony rolled her eyes playfully, but in one split second, did awkwardly make eye contact with Jake as he sipped his coffee at the creatives' table.
"I know that guy," Jake whispered to Mercedes, pointing out Brandon. "He auditioned for the Spotlight Diner last Christmas. Didn't make the cut."
In no time, auditions began, and the line of hopefuls dwindled as the last of the contestants took their turn to sing.
"Number eighteen, Brandon Kealoha?" Jake called.
Brandon took to the center of the stage, nodded to Jesse to begin playing, and sang.
Song: "First Sign of Forever" by Joey Contreras
Brandon: What I want is to hold you tight
What I want is to feel you're mine
What is it about this time
I'm totally falling
I mean look at me falling with these stars in my eyes
You're smiling at me as I'm here rambling
Hooked on a magical moment
For real, you're a high
That scares me inside
As the music crescendoed, everyone was impressed. Brandon had a beautiful tone and sang with such passion. Mercedes, Jake, Kitty, Harmony, Ameera, and Tina all looked in love.
'Cause you kissed me and oh,
I melt like snow
Kinda like the first sign of forever
Keep proving to me I'm not dreaming
Something that we both will remember
I'll tell you
I could get used to this
I could get used to you
Closing my eyes and you're warming me up, warming me up oh oh oh
Take me back 'cause I wanna know
It was the first sign
The first sign of forever
How can I hide, now that I've tried
Something like the first sign of forever
Maybe a fool, but it's worth it for you
Whatever it is, I'll always remember
I'll tell you
I could get used to this
I could get used to you
Closing my eyes and you're warming me up, warming me up oh oh oh
One kiss and the snow arrived
It was the first sign
The first sign of forever
Forever
The audience blew up with applause. Brandon took in the love with immense gratitude and tears in his eyes. He looked out into the audience, where Tina was flashing him an encouraging two thumbs up. After the applause died down, Blaine remarked, "That was beautiful, Brandon."
"Thank you, Blaine; it's a beautiful composition," Brandon remarked.
"I'm just a little confused," Blaine said, sparking raised eyebrows from many in the crowd. "That song is the Act 1 opening ballad for the show's female lead… I'm sure you probably just misread the casting breakdown. If you have the time, I'd love to hear you on one of the songs for our male lead, Grey–"
"Actually, I put on my audition form that I would like to audition for this role. The role of Alex," Brandon said.
"Oh!" Blaine exclaimed. "I'm so sorry, uh, do you use she/her pronouns?"
"No, he/him pronouns," Brandon clarified. "But I read through the libretto, and the story would make sense of Alex was a male just as much as if Alex were a female, or even nonbinary. I didn't sign up for any male roles, because they're all tenor roles."
"Ah, well if you were cast as Grey, I'm sure we can transpose his solos down a key or two," Blaine said.
"I'd need them transposed down several keys," Brandon said. "And even if you were to transpose down the solos, the key would still be too high for me in the group numbers that you already have written."
Blaine stared at Brandon for a moment. "Thank you, Brandon. We'll be in touch with you about our final cast list."
Brandon nodded, and took a seat in the audience, away from Tina. She looked worriedly between Blaine and Brandon, praying that Blaine would give him a shot.
"Nineteen, Harmony Robinson!" Mercedes called.
