ACT 1, SCENE 2
INT. WILLIAM MCKINLEY HIGH, PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE
FINN KNOCKS ON THE DOOR WITH THE PLAQUE: 'SCHOOL PRINCIPAL (JOINT)' ON IT. HE OPENS THE DOOR AND STICKS HIS HEAD IN.
FINN
Hey, Mr. Schu?
WILL LOOKS UP FROM HIS DESK, SHAKES HIS HEAD, WRY SMILE ON HIS FACE.
WILL
Finn, how long have we been working together?
FINN
About four years, I guess.
WILL
And in those four years, how many times have I asked you to call me Will?
FINN
I dunno. I can't count that high.
WILL
(CHUCKLES)
Not the greatest thing for a teacher to admit, but...
(GESTURES)
Come inside. Have a seat.
FINN ENTERS, TAKES THE VISITOR'S CHAIR.
WILL (cont'd)
You all set for the weekend?
FINN
Yeah. Jacob's letting us use his motel, so everyone's got a place to stay. I helped him clean the place up.
(A LITTLE AGHAST)
We found a crocodile in the pool.
WILL
A crocodile in Ohio?
FINN
I know! It's crazy!
WILL
Why do you need a motel anyway?
FINN
Well, most everybody sold up when they moved away. Rachel's parents followed her to New York. The Fabrays... they're in Colorado now, I think. The Abrahams family's living in South Africa.
WILL
Well, we're all set here. When's everyone arriving?
FINN
Their schedules keep chopping and changing. I'm not even trying to keep up anymore. But they should start coming in from tomorrow.
WILL
It's gonna be great seeing everybody again. This was a great idea, Finn.
FINN
Thanks.
WILL
I mean it. You guys... that first Glee Club... it was something special. I don't think you understand how much you changed my life.
FINN
I don't think you understand how much you changed ours.
(SMALL SHRUG)
It's why I became a teacher. Why I begged you to let me take over Glee.
WILL
Well, you're doing a great job. Making it to Nationals your first full year?
FINN
The kids are really talented.
WILL
Yes, they are.
THEY'RE BOTH SMILING PROUDLY. BUT THEN, WILL'S SMILE FADES.
WILL (cont'd)
Are you nervous?
FINN
We got nothing to worry about at Nationals. We're gonna kick ass.
WILL
Not about Nationals.
(BEAT)
About...
FINN
Seeing Rachel and Quinn again?
(WHEN WILL NODS)
I dunno. A little.
WILL
That's normal. You guys were... well, let's just say those first three years of Glee didn't lack for drama.
FINN
(CHUCKLES)
But I'll be alright. I mean, it's been seven years.
WILL
Yeah. You're older. Wiser.
FINN
Older, maybe.
HE STANDS, HEADS FOR THE DOOR, WHERE HE TURNS BACK.
FINN (cont'd)
Mr. Schu-
(WHEN WILL GIVES HIM A LOOK)
Sorry... Will...
(BEAT)
Thanks. For, like... everything.
WILL
You're welcome Finn. Let me know when they start arriving.
FINN
I will.
FINN EXITS. WILL WATCHES HIM GO, A FOND SMILE ON HIS FACE.
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ACT 1, SCENE 3
INT. SMOKEY BLUES BAR
THE PLACE IS JAM-PACKED. BLUE COLLAR TYPES SWIGGING DOWN LONG- NECKED BEERS AND EATING SALTED PEANUTS. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM FOCUSED ON THE STAGE, WHERE PUCK IS PERCHED ON A STOOL, DRESSED IN A SLEEVELESS BLACK SHIRT, HIS GUITAR IN HIS HAND.
PUCK (V.O.)
Here's what I've learned about being a rock star - you don't gotta sell out stadiums to feel like one.
(BEAT)
I mean, look at this place. It looks like every other dive off any highway in America, right?
(BEAT)
Wrong.
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ACT 1, SCENE 4
INT. SMOKEY BLUES BAR, DRESSING ROOM
PUCK IS CHECKING HIMSELF OUT IN THE HUGE MIRROR THAT DOMINATES A GRAFFITIED WALL. AFTER SATISFYING HIMSELF THAT HE'S AS GOOD- LOOKING AS EVER, HE TAKES OUT A BLACK MAGIC MARKER, AND MOVES TO THE WALL, WHICH WE NOW SEE IS SCRATCHED WITH NAME AFTER NAME AFTER NAME...
PUCK (V.O.)
This is Cleveland, Ohio, baby! The home of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame! The greats played here!
(READS SOME NAMES)
Hendrix, Jagger, Bieber - although I heard he tried to order a beer and the bartender tossed him out on his ass. His bodyguards too.
(BEAT)
And now, my name goes up with the legends who rocked this stage...
HE SCRATCHES 'NOAH PUCKERMAN - THE PUCKSTER' ONTO THE WALL UNDER THE NAME 'KURT COBAIN - THE COBSTER'.
A GUITAR STARTS PLAYING, AND WE:
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ACT 1, SCENE 5
INT. SMOKEY BLUES BAR
PUCK'S STARTED PLAYING. A LIVELY LITTLE RIFF, WITH SOME SOUL.
PUCK
This is... the story of a girl.
Who cried a river and drowned the whole world.
And while she looks so sad in photographs,
I absolutely love her...
When she smiles.
UPFRONT, PUCK HAS SOME GROUPIES. MOSTLY MILFs, MAKING EYES AT HIM, AND UNBUTTONING THEIR BRAS IN READINESS.
PUCK (cont'd)
How many days in a year?
She woke up with hope, but she only found tears.
And I can be so insincere.
Making a promise is never for real.
As long as she stands there waiting.
Wearing the holes in the soles of her shoes.
How many days disappear?
When you look in the mirror, so how do you choose?
PUCK SLIDES OFF THE STOOL - MOVING LIKE A CHEETAH. THE WOMEN IN THE FRONT START SWOONING.
PUCK (cont'd)
Your clothes never wear as well the next day.
And your hair never falls in quite the same way.
You never seem to run out of things to say...
HE'S INTO THE AUDIENCE NOW. WOMEN CLUTCH AT HIM. GUYS MAKE WAY WITH GRUDGING RESPECT. HE'S GOT HIS EYE FOCUSED ON THE BACK OF THE ROOM, WHERE A WOMAN SITS AT THE BAR. WE SEE ONLY HER LEGS, LONG AND SHAPELY, FLAUNTED BY A FLOWING SUNDRESS...
PUCK (cont'd)
This is... the story of a girl.
Who cried a river and drowned the whole world.
And while she looks so sad in photographs,
I absolutely love her...
THE WOMAN AT THE BAR STANDS UP AS PUCK REACHES HER. WE SEE HER FROM BEHIND, NOTICE THE ADORING SMILE HE GIVES HER. PUCK SUDDENLY STOPS SINGING, STOPS PLAYING - TO THE BOOS OF THE
CROWD. HE THRUSTS HIS GUITAR AT A SURPRISED DRINKER AT THE BAR - NEVER TAKING HIS EYES OFF THE WOMAN.
PUCK (cont'd)
(ACAPELLA)
When she smiles...
HE PULLS HER CLOSE AND KISSES HER. THE GUYS IN THE AUDIENCE LAUGH AND CHEER. THE WOMEN LOOK MURDEROUS. PUCK DOESN'T CARE - THIS KISS IS SO HOT IT'S THREATENING TO SET THE PLACE ON FIRE.
PUCK (V.O.)
Nah... you don't need record deals, and managers, and videos on MTV to be a rock star...
(BEAT)
All you need is a girl like her smilin' at you. That'll do it everytime.
HE BREAKS THE KISS.
PUCK (cont'd)
Ready to go?
QUINN
Let's get outta here.
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