Alex sits to the side of the auditorium, doing homework, while the cast of Romeo and Juliet mingles around him. Ms. Starr approaches him.
Kira: Hey, Alex. Are you doing okay?
Alex: Oh, yeah. I'm just waiting for Ava so we can walk home together.
Kira: Well, you know I don't mind you staying here. But I thought you might be interested in this.
She hands him a flyer, which he reads over.
Kira: Mrs. Cole is starting a Robotics club next week, and they meet on the same days we have rehearsals.
Alex: Really? Thanks, Ms. Starr. I'll definitely think about it.
Kira: [with a wink] Stay out of trouble over here, alright?
Across the room, Ava and Katy are talking.
Katy: Yeah, so almost everyone on my dad's side is named after a city in Texas. My grandma's name is Abilene, my uncle's name is Denton, and my dad's name is –
Kira: Katy? Can you read as Benvolio in the next scene? Mark is still running late.
Katy: Sure, no problem.
Kira: And Ava, your costumes are almost done. Can I have you go try them on so we can do the last couple alterations?
Ava: Okay.
Ava: [to Katy] I'll talk to you later?
Katy: Yeah!
As they go their separate ways, Alex approaches Ava.
Alex: Well, look who's getting on like a house on fire.
Ava: [smiling] She is so cool. And we actually have a lot in common, too!
Alex: Oh, really? Like what?
Ava: Umm…our dads are both named after a city in Texas.
Alex rolls his eyes, amused, before going back to his homework.
One week later, Alex is in a new classroom for the first Robotics Club meeting.
Mrs. Cole: Alright, everyone, I'm going to have you group up for our first Robotics project. Get together with at least one other person.
Alex is overwhelmed by the flurry of students roaming around and forming groups. Finally, he notices someone sitting by themselves in the corner of the room and approaches them.
Alex: Hey! Wanna be partners?
River: [relieved] Sure. I'm River.
Alex: I'm Alex. Nice pronoun button!
River looks down at their jacket, which has a 'they/them' button pinned on it.
River: Thanks! Wait, is that the new edition of the Electric Avenger?
Alex: Yeah! Only my favorite comic superhero ever.
River: Mine too!
Alex: I think we're going to get along just fine.
The two new friends smile at each other while Mrs. Cole passes out the assignment instructions.
A few days later, Alex and River are at the music factory working on their project. Austin and Ally walk downstairs.
Ally: Hey, guys! How's the project going?
Alex: It's going great! Here's what we've come up with so far.
He hands a schematic to his parents, who look it over.
Austin: This is so cool! You two are doing a great job.
River: Thanks! I came up with the blinking lights part.
Austin: You know, Uncle Dez is coming down to visit in a few days. I'm sure he could help you build it!
Alex: Perfect!
River: Wait, your uncle is Dez Wade?!
Alex nods.
River: That's awesome! He's my favorite director!
Ally: He's our favorite, too. Helped us with quite a few music videos back in the day.
River: Music videos? What for?
Ally: ...For our music careers?
Austin: Yeah, you know! Austin Moon, Ally Dawson-Moon?
River: [shaking their head] Never heard of you.
Austin and Ally share a strange look as River's phone lights up.
River: Oh, my mom's here.
River's mother, Brooke, walks into the music factory.
Brooke: Hey, sweetie! Ready to go?
Ally: Brooke?!
Austin: You're River's mom?
Brooke: Is there a problem?
Brooke: [bitterly] Austin. Ally.
Austin: [awkwardly backing away with Ally] Not at all. See you later, River.
River: Bye! See you tomorrow, Alex.
Alex: Bye!
River and Brooke leave, and Alex turns to his parents.
Alex: [confused] What was that all about?
Austin and Ally look at each other in a panic.
Ally: Uh…we'll tell you when you're older.
The next day, Alex and River stop by the auditorium after Robotics Club. The rehearsal is descending into chaos.
Alex: What's going on?
Katy: Our assistant stage manager has to get her wisdom teeth taken out, so she's going to be out of commission for the rest of the show's run.
River: That's awful!
Ava: And if that isn't enough, the lights aren't working right. Our electrician has no idea what he's doing.
River: Well, what's the problem? I can take a look at it.
Katy: That would be great. Come with me, Ms. Starr can probably explain it better.
Katy and River walk off to find Kira.
Ava: Alex, do you think you could help the stage manager? Just until the end of today's rehearsal?
Alex: Yeah, where are they?
Ava: Right over there.
Alex: Got it!
Alex and River get to work, slowly helping the rehearsal run more smoothly.
Austin and Ally are in the music factory with Dez and Carrie.
Austin: I'm so glad you guys were able to come down!
Ally: The kids are going to be so excited!
Carrie: Well, we couldn't miss Ava's big debut!
Dez: And you said Alex wanted help with his robotics project?
Austin: Yeah, and you'll never believe who his partner is. It's Bro-
Ava and Alex enter.
Ava: Uncle Dez, Aunt Carrie!
Dez, Carrie, Ava, and Alex all hug.
Carrie: It's so good to see you!
Ally: How did school go?
Alex: It was great! I'm going to work on the show as an assistant stage manager, and River is in charge of the lighting!
Ally: That's amazing!
Ava: And that's not even the best part! Ms. Starr said if things go well, Alex could be the lead manager for next year's show, since the current one is a senior.
Austin: Wow! Buddy, that's so awesome! I'm so proud of you.
Dez: Does this mean you won't need my help with that robotics thing anymore?
Alex: No, but I could use all the help I can get with stage and prop designs.
Dez: I've got you covered!
Dez and Alex start walking towards the practice room together.
Dez: Now, I'm thinking a three-story arcade, a football field, and ten-foot Zalien crystals.
Alex: Cool!
As the practice room door closes, Ally looks at the others.
Ally: For 14th century Italy?
Ally, Austin, Ava, and Carrie look among themselves before collectively shrugging.