Can you guys do me a favour? Before you review (if you're gonna leave a review), could you listen to both versions of the song 'What I've Been Looking For' and tell me which one you like best and why?

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The next morning, Troy entered his homeroom class. The first person he saw was Gabriella. He sneaked a peak at her and realised she was looking at him, too. They both smiled sheepishly and looked away as Ms Darbus started making her announcements.

Ms Darbus: *sternly* Now, I expect we learned our homeroom manners yesterday, people. Correct?

Everyone nodded obediently. Serving detention with Ms Darbus is like travelling through a desert or total hell! Literally!

Ms Darbus: *warningly* If not, we have dressing rooms that need painting. *calmly* Now, a few announcements. This morning during free period is your chance for musicale auditions both singles and pairs. I will be in the theatre until noon for those bold enough to explore the wingspan of their latent creative spirit.

Behind Troy, Chad rolled his eyes at this and leaned forward towards him.

Kevin: *whispering* What time is she due back on the mother ship?

His buddies snickered. Troy smiled uncomfortably. As he sat through the rest of homeroom, he tried to focus.

Ben: Basketball. Keep your eyes on the prize, Troy. Don't think about anything except basketball.

He kept rethinking those thoughts throughout homeroom. When Ms Darbus released the class, everyone piled out into the hallway. Chad quickly caught up with Troy.

Kevin: Hey, Troy...the whole team's hitting the gym for free period. What are you gonna have us run?

Ben: You know what? I can't make it. I've got to catch up on homework.

Kevin: What!? Hello, this is only the second back, dude. I'm not even behind homework yet. And I've been behind homework since pre-school.

Ben: *laughing* That's hilarious. I'll catch you later.

Troy took off and melted into the crowd. Chad looked after him puzzled.

Kevin: Homework? There's no way.

He followed Troy, determined to figure out this mystery. Troy has been acting funny since the first day back. Something's going on with him. And he's determined to find out what.

Ben: Chad would never make a good spy.

He saw an open classroom door and quickly ducked inside. He saw Chad peer inside and started talking to a couple of students as a cover. Then someone passing in the call called out to Chad. As soon as Troy saw that his friend was distracted, he slipped out the back door of the classroom, scooted down the hall and hurried down the stairwell. The stairwell led outside to the courtyard. As Troy darted across the open area, he suddenly saw his father walking towards him. Thinking fast, Troy hid behind a wall, and then opened the door to the automotive shop just as his father approached.

Coach Bolton: Funny. I could have sworn I just saw Troy...

He looked around but his son was nowhere in sight. The coach just shrugged.

Coach Bolton: I must be seeing things. Must be the pressure of the big game.

He went on with his business. Troy's evasive skills and fast footwork came in handy as he moved quickly around the large pieces of equipment in the auto shop. As he reached the door, the auto-shop teacher approached.

Ben: *quickly* Shortcut. Late for class.

Then he ducked out the door, ran down the hall and entered the school theatre from the backstage entrance. He peered out through the stage curtains and saw dozens of kids arriving, eager to try out. He spotted the cleaner's cart with a mop and bucket. He turned the mop upside down and used it as a cover as he rolled the cart down a ramp, along the side on the theatre and into the shadows at the back of the auditorium. From his safe hiding place, he watched as Ms Darbus stepped onto the stage and began the auditions in her trademark dramatic style.

Ms Darbus: This is where the true expression of the artist is realised, where inner truth is revealed through the actor's journey where----. WAS THAT A CELL PHONE!?

Kelsi Neilson, the composer for this year's musical, was standing next to Ms Darbus on stage carrying a shoulder bag.

Kelsi: No, ma'am. That was the warning bell.

Ms Darbus: Ah. Those wishing to audition must understand that time is of the essence, we have many roles to cast, and the final callbacks will be next week. First, you'll sing a few bars, and then I will give you a sense of whether or not the theatre is your calling. Better to hear it from me now than from your friends later. Our composer, Kelsi Neilson, will accompany you and be available for rehearsals prior to callbacks. Shall we?

She took a seat in the front row and braced herself for what was to come. She had too many years of experience with student auditions. She knew it wasn't going to be pretty. The first student, a shy boy with a slightly flat voice, took the stage. Kelsi began the audition song, 'What I've Been Looking For', and he sang along. When they'd finished, Ms Darbus thought that it hadn't been horrible, but it certainly wasn't up to her high standards. Next came Susan, whose off-key voice and overly enthusiastic gestures were...well, Ms Darbus thought, they were scary bad. She winced as Susan belted out the song. At the end of Susan's audition, Ms Darbus put on a fake smile.

Ms Darbus: That's nice, Susan. Perhaps best saved for a family gathering.

Then Alan bounded up, smiling. He was a very snappy dressing, but when he opened his mouth, Ms Darbus realised sadly that he was a terrible singer.

Ms Darbus: Alan, I admire your pluck. As to your voice...that is a lovely tie you're wearing. Next!

Next was Cyndra, whose high-pitched wail made Ms Darbus grimace.

Ms Darbus: Ah, Cyndra, what courage to pursue a note that's never been accessed in the natural world. Bravo. Uh, I mean, Brava. Perhaps the...spring musicale.

She thought she had reached her breaking point, but that was before she saw the next audition, a boy and a girl who made strange gestures and performed slow summersaults as they chanted the lyrics in a hypnotic tome.

Ms Darbus: OK. That was...very disturbing. Go see a counsellor.

As Troy watched the auditions wistfully, he felt a tap on his shoulder. It was Gabriella.

Julie: Hey! You decided to sign up for something?

Ben: No. You?

Julie: *shaking her head* No. *notices his disguise* Why are you hiding behind a mop?

Embarrassed, he awkwardly pushed the mop out of the way. Gabriella looked at him knowingly.

Julie: Your friends don't know you're here, right?

Ben: *hesitantly* Right.

He glanced at the stage, where the auditions – and Ms Darbus's putdowns – were continuing. On the stage, a girl got ready to sing. She took in a deep breath and opened her mouth but, nothing came out. Stage fright!

Ms Darbus: Thank you. Next.

Ben: Ms Darbus is a little...harsh.

Julie: *teasingly* The Wildcat superstar is...afraid?

Ben: *hesitantly* No. Not afraid...just...scared.

Julie: *relieved* Me too. Hugely.

As soon as they saw Ms Darbus looking at her clipboard for more hopefuls, Troy and Gabriella seized the opportunity to hide behind the mop.

Ms Darbus: Now, for the roles of Minnie and Arnold, we only have one couple signed up: Sharpay and Ryan. I think it might be useful for you to give us a sense why we gather in this hallowed hall.

This was just the moment Sharpay and Ryan were waiting for! They got up and headed to the stage. Kelsi finally regrouped herself and stood up as Sharpay and Ryan walked onto the stage.

Kelsi: What key?

Cash: *smugly* Oh. We had our rehearsal pianist do an arrangement.

Kelsi: Oh.

Sharpay clicked her fingers and the curtains closed. They did their vocal warm-ups and cued one of the Drama Club members to hit the PLAY button. The music started and the curtains opened as Sharpay and Ryan grabbed their microphones and started singing their style of the audition song.

Cash: It's hard to believe that I couldn't see.
Both: You were always there beside me.
Thought I was alone with no one to hold.
But you were always right beside me.

Kai: This feeling's like no other.
Both: I want you to know!

I've never had someone that knows me like you do, the way you do!
I've never had someone as good for me as you, no one like you!
So lonely before, I finally found,
What I've been looking for.

Their voices were great, Kelsi admitted to herself, and their dancing! They must have had a professional choreographer! But they had changed her soulful ballad into a fast, upbeat number. She couldn't help but feel disappointed as they sang.

Kai: So good to be seen, so good to be heard.
Both: Don't have to say a word!
Cash: For so long I was lost. So good to be found.
Both: I'm loving having you around!

Cash: This feeling's like no other.
Both: I want you to know!

I've never had someone that knows me like you do, the way you do!
I've never had someone as good for me as you, no one like you!
So lonely before, I finally found,
What I've been looking for.

Doo doo doo-doo, doo, doo, doo-doo do, do!
Woa-ah-ah-oh!
Doo doo doo-doo, doo, doo, doo-doo do, do!
Woa-ah-ah-oh!

They finished with a professional flourish and beamed proudly. They were good, and they knew they were good.

Kai: I told you not to do the jazz squares.

Cash: It's a crowd favourite. Everybody loves a good jazz square.

After their audition, everyone else also knew that they were good. The few kids who were gathering their courage to audition at the last minute quietly slinked out of the theatre, totally intimidated.

Cash: Don't be discouraged. The theatre club needs more than just singers. It needs fans, too. Buy tickets!

Kelsi finally gathered up her courage and approached Sharpay and Ryan.

Kelsi: Actually, if you do the part...with that particular song, I imagined it---.

Kai: IF we do the part? *puts on a fake smile* Kelsi, my sawed-off Sondheim. I've been in 17 school productions. And how many times have YOUR compositions have been selected?

Kelsi: This would be the first.

Kai: Which tells us what?

Kelsi: Uhh...that I need to write you more solos?

Kai: No. It tells us that you do not offer direction, suggestion or commentary. And you should be thankful that me and Ryan are here to lift your music off its current obscurity. Are we clear!?

Kelsi: Yes, ma'am. I mean, Sharpay.

Once she knew she made her point to the shy pianist, Sharpay wore a fake smile on her face.

Kai: *innocently* Nice talking to you.

She and Ryan turned on their heels and left with the regal stride of future superstars. Kelsi began gathering her music, her pulse racing after this close encounter with celebrity ego.

Ms Darbus: Any last minute sign-ups?

Ben: *whispering* We should go.

Ms Darbus: No? Good. Done.

She tossed her clipboard into her shoulder bay and began to leave. Gabriella took in a deep breath. It was now or never. Before she could have second thoughts, she ran up to the drama teacher.

Julie: I'd like to audition, Ms Darbus.

Ben: *quietly* What!?

Ms Darbus: Timeliness means something in the world of theatre, young lady. Plus, the individual auditions are long, long over. And there are simply no other pairs.

Ben: I'll sing with her.

Gabriella and Ms Darbus turned around and saw Troy walk into the auditorium with his hand up. He stopped when he was next to Gabriella.

Ms Darbus: Troy Bolton!? Where's your sports...posse or whatever it's called?

Ben: *helpfully* Team.

Ms Darbus: Ah.

Ben: But, I'm here alone. Actually, *smiles at Gabriella* I'm here to sing with her.

Ms Darbus: Yes, well, we treat these shows very seriously here at East High. I called for the pairs audition, and you didn't respond. Free period is now over.

She turned to leave. Troy and Gabriella were disappointed. It was their only chance.

Ben: *disappointed* She has an amazing voice.

Ms Darbus: Perhaps the...next musicale.

Ms Darbus left the auditorium. Kelsi started to leave the stage, clutching her sheet music. She was so distracted by the drama – on and off stage – that she tripped over the piano leg and sprawled to the floor. Her pages of music scattered everywhere. Troy and Gabriella looked at each other and ran onto the stage. They began picking up her sheet music. Kelsi didn't lift a finger to help – she was too stunned. Troy Bolton, the Troy Bolton, the school's star basketball player, was helping her? She stared at him, frozen. Troy didn't notice the effect he was having on Kelsi.

Ben: So you're a composer?

Kelsi didn't acknowledge his question. Troy finally noticed his effect on her.

Ben: You wrote the song Ryan and Sharpay just sang?

Speechless, Kelsi nodded.

Ben: And the entire show?

Again, Kelsi managed to nod. Barely.

Ben: *truly impressed* That's way cool. I can't wait to hear the rest of the show.

He pulled her up. When she didn't respond, he went on.

Ben: Why are you so afraid of Ryan and Sharpay? I mean it's your show.

Kelsi: It is?

Ben: Isn't the composer of a show like the playmaker in basketball?

Kelsi: Playmaker?

Kelsi hadn't ever heard that term, but she liked the sound of it.

Ben: The person who makes everybody else look good. Without you, there's no show. You're the playmaker here, Kelsi.

Kelsi: I am?

Kelsi never thought of it that way before. But now that Troy Bolton – the Troy Bolton! – had said it, she had to admit, it made a certain kind of sense. She actually felt bold and strong for the first time.

Kelsi: Do you want to hear how the duet's supposed to sound?

She walked over to the piano and started playing the audition song that Ryan and Sharpay had rearranged. She played it more slowly, with feeling and soul. Troy and Gabriella listened with growing appreciation.

Ben: It's hard to believe
That I couldn't see
You were always right beside me.

Julie: Thought I was alone
With no one to hold.
But you were

They looked into each other's eyes and sang the song like they knew it off by heart. They felt that feeling again. The same feeling they felt when they sang together on New Year's Eve.

Both: Always right beside me.
This feeling's like no other.

I want you to know.
I never had someone who knows me like you do, the way you do!
I never had someone as good for me as you. No one like you!
So lonely before, I finally found
What I've been looking for.

Julie: Oooh Ooooh Oooooh.

Kelsi beamed as the song finished. It was the way she dreamed it would sound. Troy and Gabriella couldn't stop smiling at each other.

Ben: Wow. It's nice.

Ms Darbus steeped forward from the darkness by the back door. She had been watching and listening the entire time. And what she had seen and heard surprised her.

Ms Darbus: Bolton, Montez! You have a callback. Kelsi, give them the duet from the second act. Work on it with them.

Ms Darbus strode off to her next class as Troy and Gabriella looked at each other stunned. Now what? Kelsi handed them the music.

Kelsi: *eagerly* OK. If you want to rehearse, I'm usually here. Even sometimes during biology class. Or you could come over to my house for breakfast. I have a piano. We can rehearse there. After school, before school, whatever works for you guys. After basketball class...

Ben: What?

What in the world have Troy and Gabriella gotten themselves into? Are they actually attempting to break social rules of East High? But, the ultimate million dollar question is, how will the others react?