CHAPTER 3
The New Directions watched with a mixture of worry and fascination as the Warblers came onto the stage and performed. They were once again led by Sebastian, who didn't bother looking at Blaine the entire time. The Warblers performed two Elvis Presley songs, "All Shook Up" and "Animal Instinct", and their performance received tumultuous applause.
The New Directions headed to their greenroom, waiting for the announcer to call them. They knew that they had the support of Sue, Emma, and Coach Beiste, as well as the former members, and they managed to gather enough courage to go out and perform. The greenroom indicated their time to go on, and everyone but Alexander and Emily headed to the doors leading to the back of the audience. Mr. Schuester took his place behind the curtains to view their progress, and they waited for the announcer to introduce them. Emily took this moment to try and talk to Alexander.
"Hey, um, Alexander?"
"Yes?"
"I just wanted to say, um…"
Alexander waited for her to finish, attempting and failing to maintain eye contact with her.
"I just wanted to say good luck to you."
"Thank you, good luck to you as well", he said, in a somewhat disappointed tone. Emily nodded and headed back to her spot, tripping over a rise in the ground and almost hitting her head. It didn't take long for her to realize that Alexander had caught her, and she turned just enough to look into his icy eyes. It was at that moment that the announcer introduced the New Directions, and Alexander helped Emily back into her position and went back to his spot. They shared a smile as the opening music to "Almost Paradise" from Footloose began playing, and they headed out of their respective doors, performing the duet all the way to the stage.
As they headed down the aisles towards the stage, they maintained eye contact, mostly in the heat of the moment, and neither could help but feel a connection stronger than they've ever felt between each other forming.
As their performance entered the third verse, the curtain raised to reveal the others, who helped them finish the song, earning them thunderous applause from the audience and the judges. Emily and Tina traded spots as the others arranged their positions, and they performed Tevin Campbell's "Eye To Eye", with Alexander, Tina, Sam, Artie, Amanda, Joe, Blaine, and Rory getting prominent parts in the performance. When they were done, the audience was on their feet, and the New Directions and the jazz band headed off the stage to rest up.
The announcer introduced the Music Masters, who were being fronted by Vance, and they performed "Do You Hear The People Sing" from Les Miserables, combining the first Act and the reprisal, which received a five-minute long standing ovation.
The judges were quick to enter their room to make up their minds. The New Directions were somewhat worried about the judges, who were Rod Remington, a film and music critic named Thomas Prackston, and a former Broadway critic named Barbara Unger. The New Directions were all huddled outside the judges' door, listening to every word they said.
"I'm just going to say it right now: I despise pop culture songs", said Prackston, "They think that because they are hip and happening right now that they outdo all the classics? Teens think that their music supersedes the music that gave birth to it? Uh-uh, that's a no in my book. Personally, I think the Warblers and Music Masters deserve a tie of first-place."
"I agree, but I like the energy that the New Directions gave out. They had a sort of passionate drive in their performance. Footloose is one of my favorite productions, and the two that sang the opening number had surprisingly good chemistry", said Unger.
"They did place first at last year's Nationals. I say they deserve another shot. But I do tend to agree with Mr. Prackston here. Their performance of 'Eye To Eye' was admirable but not praise-worthy. The Music Masters did a good job combining the First and Second Act performances of 'Do You Hear The People Sing?' and I do admire the Warblers' choice of Elvis Presley", said Remington.
"The Warblers were definitely a plus, but they lacked compassion, and I didn't get any indication that they understood Presley's messages in those songs. Their dancing was good, vocalizations superb, and I like that Sebastian kid. He's got real leadership abilities", said Unger.
"Which proves my point. The Warblers and the Music Masters both performed songs from legendary classics. Footloose is too recent, and Tevin Campbell is like the 90s version of Michael Jackson. God rest his soul, I don't think Jackson would have tolerated his image being spat upon", said Prackston.
"No argument there, but I do think that the New Directions deserve another shot. The Warblers were admirable, but they need to work some more", said Remington.
"Well, I know who I'm voting for, and I think it's pretty clear where you stand, Mr. Prackston", said Unger.
With that, the New Directions backed away from the door and headed back to their greenroom to wait to be called back. It didn't take more than an hour before the greenroom lit up, signaling their return. All three groups headed to the stage, where they saw the three judges and two first-place trophies on a table. This told them that the judges had arrived at a tie. Earl Daniels, the head of the Show Choir Committee, went to the front of the stage to announce the winners.
"Our fine judges have come to a tie for who gets first place, so there is no third place prize being given today. First, I would like to congratulate all three music groups for coming out here today and showing us what they've got, and having it all pay off."
The audience applauded, as did the New Directions, the Warblers, and the Music Masters.
"In second place, we have…"
Daniels opened the envelope, and the tension rose everywhere.
