(A/N: If you haven't read my story Mommie Dearest, I'm going to ask that you do before going on. That way, you won't get too confused later on in the story!)
April: Sorry about that. Roger's all better now. So, shall we get this show on the road?
Roger walks back onstage; looking rather annoyed, but subdued, and flops back onto the table. Mark follows. He reaches center stage, and turns to address the audience.
Mark: Okay, let's get back to the show. We're going to skip ahead to the song Rent so as not to keep you all here for too long.
Roger begins to play "Musetta's Waltz," again wincing. The power blows, and the stage erupts into movement.
Mark: How do you document real life, when real life's getting more like fiction each day? Headlines, breadlines blow my mind and now this deadline, eviction or pay….RENT!
Roger: How do you write a song when the chords sound wrong, though they once sounded right and rare? When the notes are sour, where is the power you once had to ignite the air?
Mark: And we're hungry and frozen
Roger: Some life that we've chosen!
-A few moments later, as the song winds down…-
Roger again picks up his guitar, sitting on the table as "You Okay Honey?" begins. Angel is singing lovingly to Collins, and it is clear that this is more than acting.
Angel: You're cute when you blush. The more the merrier, Ho Ho Ho! And I do not take no.
Mark looks at Roger, who looks like he'd rather be anywhere but on the stage.
Mark: Something bugging you?
Roger: You have to ask, dude? You're the one who dragged me to this stupid thing in the first place.
Mark: I just figured…
Roger: What? That I'd get a kick out of acting out something that's already happened to me? He forgets that the microphone is still on. Because, if you hadn't noticed, Cohen, I would rather not relive it. It was not exactly happy peppy fun camp for me.
Mark: (getting annoyed) You know what Davis? I'm getting sick of your defeatist attitude. You act like the entire world is ending because a couple of things go wrong. Get over it. And we didn't live this entire thing. Angel's still here, isn't she? So stop playing the pity card, Davis. It's not fun for me either. You don't hear me bitching!
Roger: (laying the guitar aside and getting into Mark's face, allowing his extra couple inches of height to be an advantage) Fuck you, Cohen. Fuck you. You have always thought that life is just fun and games, but you know what? It's not. Shit happens every day. And I have never played the pity card in my life. If you didn't push me all the time, you wouldn't know when something was wrong. I've never unloaded my shit on you willingly.
Mark: What the hell did I do?
Roger: Do I seriously have to answer that? Are you really that stupid?
Mark: It's not my fault that your mother is a bitch!
Roger loses it, throwing a punch in Mark's direction. Luckily for Mark, Roger's aim sucks when he's in a blind rage. Nonetheless, Maureen and Mimi rush onstage. Maureen throws herself between the boys, and Mimi pulls Roger back. Roger clenches his fist at his side, determined not to lash out at Mimi. Maureen glares at him.
Maureen: Why do you always have to take your anger out on Mark? What the fuck did he ever do to you?
Roger: Nothing! I just…he picks and he picks, and I can't control it.
Maureen: Well, start controlling it.
Roger glares at Maureen.
Roger: Fuck you. You know what? Fuck this shit. I'm done. Find someone else for your little crap show!
Roger storms offstage (again!). Mimi throws a death glare at Maureen before running after him. Mark crosses his arms, clearly annoyed, and a little bit angry.
Mark: Why do you always have to make it worse? He would have been fine had you not opened your big mouth!
Maureen: Fine. Sue me for trying to help. I never get any gratitude around here. I'm the bad guy for leaving Mark, I'm the bad guy for cheating on Joanne, I'm the bad guy for fucking breathing! Why do I even try?
Maureen storms offstage. Mark is left standing alone in front of the table. He flips the bird in Maureen's general direction, then follows Roger and Mimi. Angel enters, wearing the Santa dress, but without her wig, spandex pants or boots. Clearly, she was in the middle of her costume change. She looks worried, but annoyed at the same time.
Angel: Folks, it seems we're going to have to take another break. I apologize for the inconvenience. If you'd like to leave, please stop by the box office, and we'll give you a full refund of your ticket price.
She exits.
April: Please forgive the delays, folks, it seems Roger's just in a snit today. He'll snap out of it. We'll be back shortly.
A/N: And that's where I leave you all, because I've got to get ready to go out with my aunt. Hope this satisfies you till next time. Eventually we'll make it past Glory!