ACT 2, SCENE 13
EXT. SHALOM MOTEL / QUICK'S ROOM
IT'S LATE. ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE POOL, AWAY FROM THE MOTEL, THE GANG HAVE MADE A SMALL FIREPIT, WHERE THE REMNANTS OF A BONFIRE IS DYING OUT. FROM THE EMPTY CHAIRS, AND LEFTOVER SNACK PACKETS AND GLASSES, IT'S EVIDENT THE GROUP SPENT SOME TIME THERE, BUT NOW ONLY FINN, ARTIE, KURT AND BLAINE REMAIN.
ARTIE
Did you have any idea?
FINN
None.
KURT
Well, that's not surprising. They wouldn't tell you, of all people, now would they?
FINN
Why not?
KURT
Well, here's what you missed on Glee. Finn and Quinn were McKinley's power couple, but then she cheated on him with Puck and fell pregnant, and-
FINN
Okay, okay! Point taken!
BLAINE
So, I'm not the only one completely weirded out by it?
ARTIE
Not even close.
BLAINE
Good.
ARTIE
How come you two didn't last? We all kinda figured you would.
KURT AND BLAINE SHARE A LOOK, ALMOST EMBARRASSED.
BLAINE
Simplest reasons, really.
KURT
Work.
BLAINE
I got a chance to do a show in LA...
KURT
I was headlining at the Paramount in New York...
FINN
Long distance doesn't work, huh?
BLAINE
It really, really doesn't.
ARTIE
Well, there's no distance between you now.
MORE HESITATION AND EMBARRASSED SMILES.
BLAINE
Actually... its not that easy.
KURT
It can be.
HE STANDS UP, HOLDS HIS HAND OUT TO BLAINE.
BLAINE
Where are we going?
KURT
My room.
BLAINE DOESN'T EVEN HESITATE, TAKES KURT'S HAND.
KURT (cont'd)
See you in the morning, guys.
FINN
Night.
KURT AND BLAINE HEAD OFF. FINN AND ARTIE GRIN.
FINN (cont'd)
What about you? Anyone special on the west coast?
ARTIE
You kiddin'? I got baby mamas on top of baby mamas, yo!
(WHEN FINN JUST GIVES HIM A LOOK)
No. No one special.
FINN
Hey, on the plus side, you have two helicopters.
ARTIE
Three.
FINN
Three?
ARTIE GRINS. THEN HE SPOTS SOMETHING OVER FINN'S SHOULDER, AND SAYS:
ARTIE
Alright, Finn, I'm gonna leave you two alone.
FINN
Leave who alone?
ARTIE ROLLS PAST HIM, AND FINN TURNS. HE SPOTS QUINN WALKING TOWARD THEM PAST THE POOL. SHE'S WEARING A SWEATER, HUGGING HERSELF TIGHT FOR WARMTH. SHE OFFERS ARTIE A SMILE AS SHE PASSES HIM.
QUINN
Night, Artie.
ARTIE
See ya, Quinn.
QUINN COMES UP TO FINN. SHE STANDS IN FRONT OF HIM, AND NEITHER OF THEM SPEAK FOR A GOOD FEW SECONDS. THEN FINN PULLS FORWARD A CHAIR, AND SHE SITS. HE DIGS IN A BAG UNDER HIS SEAT, AND TAKES OUT TWO BEERS, ONE OF WHICH HE HANDS TO HER.
QUINN
Thanks.
THEY POP THE BEERS AND TAKE LONG SWIGS.
FINN
So...
QUINN
So...
MORE SILENCE. MORE SIPPING. EVENTUALLY:
QUINN (cont'd)
Go ahead. Ask.
FINN
None of my business.
QUINN
Like that's ever stopped you before.
FINN
It's stopping me now.
QUINN
You're judging me.
SHE WAITS FOR HIM TO MEET HER EYE, BUT HE REFUSES. JUST KEEPS DRINKING THE BEER, HIS EYES ON THE DANCING REFLECTION OF THE FIRELIGHT ON THE WATER.
QUINN (cont'd)
It just happened, Finn. I was covering the Ohio primary. I was in Cleveland. I actually just saw his name on a marquee outside a club and went in.
(BEAT)
For years, the only time we talked was in the comments under the photos of Beth that Shelby put up on Facebook.
(BEAT)
You know, back when Facebook was still around.
FINN
And, what? You just hit it off again?
QUINN
Yes. Is that so hard to believe?
FINN
Honestly? Yeah.
QUINN
Why? Puck is... surprisingly sweet. And charming. And there's something about him on stage now, that-
FINN
Come on, Quinn, who are you kidding? You're doing it again.
QUINN
Doing what?
FINN
Running. For years, it was always the same. Whenever you got scared, you would run. To me. To Puck. Even Sam.
QUINN
I am not scared anymore!
(STANDS, INDIGNANT)
I went out there and I did something with my life! I got shortlisted for a Pulitzer!
(BEAT)
What about you? Holed up in this tiny little nothing town! Coaching Glee! Are you kidding? Who's scared?
FINN
(CALM AS ANYTHING)
Are you done?
QUINN PULLS HERSELF TOGETHER, SIGHS, HAS THE DECENCY TO LOOK EMBARRASSED.
QUINN
Yes.
(SITS DOWN)
I'm sorry.
FINN
It's okay. You've been holding that in for a while, haven't you?
QUINN
I'm not angry with you. I'm really not. I'm just...
FINN
You miss her.
IT'S LIKE A WALL CRASHING DOWN ON THEM. QUINN'S SHOULDERS SAG. SHE PICKS AT THE LABEL ON THE BEER BOTTLE, FIGHTING THE ONSET OF TEARS.
QUINN
Where is she?
FINN
I don't know.
QUINN
Is she coming?
FINN
I don't know.
QUINN JUST NODS. NOW PULLS THE LABEL RIGHT OFF. FINN LEANS FORWARD, SO HIS ELBOWS ARE RESTING ON HIS KNEES. PUTTING THEM CLOSER TOGETHER.
FINN (cont'd)
Trying to decide if that's a good thing or a bad thing, right?
QUINN MANAGES A LITTLE CHUCKLE.
QUINN
I'm sorry. I know what you gave up, so the two of us could be together.
FINN
I didn't give anything up.
(SHE SHOOTS HIM A QUESTIONING LOOK)
Remember - just after - when I quit Glee club?
QUINN
Yeah?
FINN
I was watching you the whole time. Both of you.
(BEAT)
Yeah, Rachel and I were engaged, but you and I were in love too. Once.
QUINN
I remember.
FINN
I'd never seen either of you so happy. So comfortable in your own skin. That's what kept me out of Glee club.
(BEAT)
It wasn't that I couldn't stand seeing the two of you together. It was...
(BEAT)
...knowing that I wasn't enough to make either of you feel that way.
QUINN
Oh, God! Finn. No! We-
FINN
It's okay. I was fine with that, as long as the two of you were together.
(BEAT)
Made it worth it.
QUINN
I wanted it to work. I really did. I-
SHE BREAKS OFF, FINISHES HER BEER. SHE PUTS IT ASIDE, AND STANDS.
FINN
Quinn... does Puck make you happy?
SHE STARES AT HIM IN THE FIRELIGHT. A SOFT, SAD SMILE TUGS AT HER LIPS. SHE BENDS OVER AND GIVES HIM A SWEET, LINGERING KISS.
QUINN
If God had any sense, I would've loved you forever.
SHE TURNS, AND WALKS AWAY. ALL FINN CAN DO IS WATCH HER GO. AND:
FINN
I don't believe,
In the smile that you leave.
When you walk away,
And say goodbye.
Well, I don't expect,
The world to move underneath me.
But for God's sake,
Could you try?
SHE'S JUST A FIGURE IN THE DISTANCE NOW. THE MOONLIGHT CATCHING HER HEAD AND TURNING THOSE BLONDE WAVES INTO A HALO.
FINN (cont'd)
Where is your heart?
Coz I don't really feel you.
Where is your heart?
What I really want is to believe you.
Is it so hard to give me what I need?
I want your heart to bleed.
That's all I'm asking for.
Where is your heart?
QUINN REACHES THE STAIRS, AND WE SWITCH: SO WE'RE WATCHING HER TAKE THE SLOW WALK UP TO THE SECOND FLOOR, AND DOWN THE CORRIDOR, AS SHE PICKS UP THE SONG.
QUINN
I don't understand.
Your love is so cold.
It's always me who's reaching out,
For your hand.
SHE REACHES HER DOOR, AND STOPS. SHE TURNS TO THE RAILING, LEANING ON IT. SHE CAN SEE FINN BESIDE THE FIRE FAR BELOW, AND SENDS A PLEA OUT OVER THE DISTANCE:
QUINN (cont'd)
I've always dreamed,
That love would be everlasting.
Like a petal fallin' to the ground, a dream will follow on this dream...
EMOTIONAL, SHE RUSHES INTO THE ROOM. WHERE PUCK IS ALREADY FAST ASLEEP.
QUINN (cont'd)
Where is your heart?
Coz I don't really feel you.
Where is your heart?
What I really want is to believe you.
Is it so hard to give me what I need?
I want your heart to bleed.
That's all I'm asking for.
Where is your heart?
SHE SITS ON THE SIDE OF THE BED, AND REACHES FOR HIM. BUT HER HAND STOPS INCHES FROM HIS SKIN. ALMOST LIKE THERE'S A BARRIER BETWEEN THEM.
QUINN (cont'd)
I know that you're true to me.
You're always there,
You say you care.
I know that you wanna be mine.
Where is your heart?
Coz I don't really feel you.
Where is your heart?
What I really want is to believe you.
Is it so hard to give me what I need?
I want your heart to bleed.
That's all I'm asking for.
Where is your heart?
SHE'S IN TEARS BY THE END OF THIS. SHE TAKES ONE LAST LOOK AT PUCK'S SLUMBERING FORM, THEN GETS UP AND HURRIES INTO THE BATHROOM. AS THE DOOR CLOSES, WE SWING BACK IN, LOW, UNTIL WE'RE LEVEL WITH PUCK ON THE BED... AS HE OPENS HIS EYES.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
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ACT 3, SCENE 14
INT. SHALOM MOTEL, QUICK'S ROOM
THE NEXT MORNING. PUCK'S STILL ASLEEP. WE WATCH HIM STIR, TURN OVER, FLING HIS ARM ACROSS THE BED - AND HIT NOTHING. HE WAKES UP, LOOKS AROUND BLEARILY.
PUCK
Quinn! Hey, Quinn!
NO ANSWER. SHE'S NOT THERE. PUCK'S GRIM, ROLLS ONTO HIS BACK, STARING AT THE CEILING. NOT HAPPY.
CUT TO:
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ACT 3, SCENE 15
INT. WILLIAM MCKINLEY HIGH, PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE
QUINN KNOCKS ON A DOOR WITH THE SIGN, "SUE SYLVESTER, PRINCIPAL (JOINT)" ON IT.
SUE (OFF)
Come!
QUINN ENTERS. SUE IS BEHIND HER DESK, TAKES OFF HER GLASSES AND SMIRKS AT THE SIGHT OF QUINN.
SUE (cont'd)
Well, well... If it isn't my most errant cheerleader.
QUINN
Hi, Coach.
SUE
Oh, not a coach anymore, Q. As you can see.
SHE GESTURES AT THE PLAQUE ON THE DOOR.
QUINN
You'll always be Coach to me.
SUE
And you'll always be 16 and knocked up to me. Have a seat.
QUINN GRINS, AND SITS DOWN.
CUT TO:
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ACT 3, SCENE 16
INT. WILLIAM MCKINLEY HIGH, FINN HUDSON'S CLASS
FINN IS CONDUCTING A CLASS. THE STUDENTS ARE SMILING - ACTUALLY SEEM TO PAY ATTENTION. FINN HAS TWO STUDENTS UP IN FRONT OF THE CLASS, HOLDING SLIM BOOKS. WE WATCH FROM OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM FOR A SECOND, UNABLE TO HEAR THEM. THE CLASS BURSTS OUT LAUGHING, AND WE PUSH IN.
FINN
Laugh now, but you're following along, aren't you?
A KID IN THE FRONT ROW, MICHAEL, BEGRUDGINGLY SAYS:
MICHAEL
Yeah, sure Mr. H. But you gotta admit, Eric looks like a tool up there.
THE CLASS LAUGH AGAIN.
FINN
Okay, okay, but the point is Shakespeare didn't write books. He wrote plays. Only when you see them acted out, that's when you get what the dude was on about.
(BEAT)
Eric, Jackie, carry on.
HE GESTURES AT THE TWO UP FRONT, WHO STRIKE WHAT THEY CONSIDER SHAKESPEAREAN POSES.
ERIC
Lady, by yonder blessed moon I swear, that tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops-
FINN
Okay, Jackie, interrupt him! You're not happy with the lines this guy's flinging! Get in there!
JACKIE
O, swear not by the moon, the inconstant moon!
FINN
Nice...
JACKIE
That monthly changes in her circled orb, lest your love prove likewise variable.
FINN HAS HIS BACK TO THE DOOR, WHERE A FIGURE APPEARS. MICHAEL SPOTS THE FIGURE, IS ABOUT TO SPEAK, BUT IS HUSHED BY THE FIGURE RAISING A FINGER TO IT'S LIPS.
FINN
Okay, so what's Juliet saying here?
KID IN THE BACK, STEVEN, RAISES HIS HAND.
STEVEN
Something about the moon being a circle.
FINN
(SIGHS)
Okay, maybe just carry on a bit and we'll see.
ERIC
Me?
FINN
Yeah.
ERIC
What shall I swear by?
JACKIE
Do not swear at all.
(BEAT)
Or, if thou wilt-
SUDDEN GIGGLING FROM THE BACK OF THE CLASS.
FINN
What?
STEVEN
Get it, Mr. H? Wilt?
FINN
Yeah, that is pretty funny. Anyway...
JACKIE
Or if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self, which is the god of my idolatry. And I'll believe thee.
FINN
Okay, come on guys! Think! What are they saying here?
RACHEL (O.S.)
Don't make promises you can't keep.
FINN FREEZES. HE DOESN'T TURN AROUND. THE SILENT CLASS WAITS FOR HIM TO MAKE A MOVE. THEY WAIT IN VAIN.
JACKIE
Uh... Mr. H. There's-
FINN
Yeah. Yeah, I know.
(BEAT)
Uh... class dismissed.
ERIC
What?
MICHAEL
There's still 20 minutes left.
FINN
So, do you wanna spend those 20 minutes arguing, or hanging out on the bleachers?
AS ONE THE CLASS BOLT TO THEIR FEET AND HEAD FOR THE DOOR, WHERE RACHEL HAS TO STEP SMARTLY ASIDE TO AVOID BEING TRAMPLED. FINN STILL HASN'T TURNED AROUND.
JACKIE'S THE LAST TO LEAVE. SHE GRABS A PEN, THEN FLICKS TO THE FRONT OF HER COPY OF ROMEOANDJULIETAS SHE APPROACHES RACHEL.
JACKIE
Can I have your autograph?
RACHEL
Sure. What's your name?
JACKIE
Jackie.
RACHEL SCRIBBLES SOMETHING, THEN HANDS THE BOOK BACK.
RACHEL
There you go.
JACKIE
(READS)
"To Jackie, Wish upon the stars. They're closer than you think."
(BEAT)
Thank you so much.
RACHEL SMILES AND THE GIRL LEAVES. SHE TURNS TO FINN, WHO'S NOW STANDING WITH HIS HANDS ON HIS DESK, STARING AT THE OPPOSITE WALL, AND HER SMILE DIES.
RACHEL
You're pretty great with them.
(BEAT)
A natural.
FINN
Thanks.
RACHEL
Are you gonna look at me?
FINN TAKES A BREATH, THEN TURNS AROUND. HE STARES AT HER FOR FIVE LONG SECONDS, THEN DROPS HIS HEAD.
FINN
Dammit!
RACHEL
(ALARMED)
What?
FINN
I was hoping you'd be... you know, hideous or something.
RACHEL BLUSHES. SOME OF THAT SCHOOLGIRL DEMEANOR IS BACK AS SHE TWIDDLES HER THUMBS.
RACHEL
I'm sorry I'm late. I...
(BEAT)
I...
FINN
You weren't planning on coming.
RACHEL
You read minds now?
FINN
(IGNORES THIS)
I'm glad you're here.
MORE SILENCE. UNCOMFORTABLE THIS TIME.
FINN (cont'd)
You, uh... you wanna get something to drink?
RACHEL
Yeah. Sure.
(BEAT)
There are... things to say.
CUT TO:
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ACT 3, SCENE 17
INT. WILLIAM MCKINLEY HIGH, PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE
SUE AND QUINN STILL SITTING ACROSS FROM EACH OTHER.
SUE
I've been following your career with interest.
QUINN
You have?
SUE
Of course! I keep track of all successful alums in case we need donations.
QUINN
So you got my cheque for the boosters?
SUE
And it's much appreciated.
QUINN
I'm glad I could help.
SUE
But answer me this, Q-tip.
(BEAT)
Why aren't you married yet?
QUINN
Excuse me?
SUE
That was always the plan, wasn't it?
(BEAT)
I remember many a fond hour I spent picturing you slowly drowning to death in a few inches of polluted groundwater while you droned on and on about having it all - the marriage, the 2.5 children, which is frankly scary! I mean, what is .5 of a child? The top half is so much less cute without the bottom half. But no, you insisted you were Quinn Fabray and you were going to escape Lima and have it all.
QUINN
Well... you know what they say about the best laid plans?
SUE
I always thought you and that annoying glass-breaker would make it.
QUINN
Glass-breaker?
SUE
Yes. What's-her-name... with the homosexual fathers?
QUINN
Rachel?
SUE
You know I stopped drinking single- malt in my office because of her? Can you guess why?
QUINN
I'm sure I can't even begin to imagine.
SUE
Because the art of drinking a good single malt - and yes, it's an art. One I have peddled on many occasions to be introduced at middle-schools across the nation. Sadly, without result so far.
(BEAT)
But the art of the Scotch, as I call it, is to enjoy that smoked vapour taste in the purest crystal decanters. Sadly, everytime that Berry girl opened her mouth to belt out a showtune, she'd shatter the priceless glasses my grandmother smuggled over from the great European crystal factory, Crystals-R-Us, in 1935.
QUINN
Yeah, she... hit the notes.
SUE
Just not with you, obviously.
QUINN
Why would you even think of me and Rachel? I mean, you're talking about marriage, and kids, and-
SUE
It's the Year of Our Lady 2019, Q! The world's changed. You helped it change, with pieces like your fascinating treatise on gay rights for the Washington Post. What was it called?
QUINN
"That's So Portmanteau".
SUE
Right. I thought that was a clever title.
SUE SWIVELS IN HER CHAIR. QUINN FOLLOWS HER EYES, AND SEES THE ARTICLE, FRAMED IN GOLD, HANGING ON THE WALL BESIDE SUE'S NUMEROUS DIPLOMAS.
QUINN
You... you framed it.
SUE
Something I never told you while you were here, Q. And I wish I had...
(BEAT)
I'm proud of you.
QUINN'S SPEECHLESS.
CUT TO:
ACT 3, SCENE 18
EXT. WILLIAM MCKINLEY HIGH, ROOFTOP
FINN AND RACHEL ARE SITTING ON A COUPLE OF CHEAP FOLD-OUT GARDEN CHAIRS ON THE ROOF OF THE SCHOOL. THEY HAVE THEIR FEET UP ON THE LOW WALL, LOOKING OUT OVER THE FRONT ENTRANCE, WITH THE FOOTBALL FIELD SPREAD OUT TO THEIR LEFT. THEY'RE SIPPING BEERS FROM A SIX- PACK RESTING BETWEEN THEM.
RACHEL
(HOLDING UP A BEER)
Good thing you keep these in your desk.
FINN
I know it's unprofessional, but when you teach at this school you learn to drink during office hours.
RACHEL
How come we never came up here before?
FINN
Only faculty have a key to the door.
RACHEL
Like that would have stopped Puck.
FINN
True.
THEY SIP THEIR DRINKS IN COMPANIONABLE SILENCE FOR A WHILE. THEN:
RACHEL
This is it.
FINN
What?
RACHEL
What I hoped for. Just this...
(BEAT)
Being able to just... sit with you.
(BEAT)
I almost didn't come. I expected to walk straight into a storm.
FINN
Why?
(WHEN RACHEL DOESN'T ANSWER)
What happened with Quinn, Rachel?
(BEAT)
I spoke to her last night. She's doing the Quinn thing, hiding it really well, but... she's a mess.
STILL RACHEL DOESN'T ANSWER, STOICALLY SIPPING HER BEER. FINN NODS.
FINN (cont'd)
I'm sorry. This is exactly what you didn't want.
RACHEL
It's okay.
FINN
Hey, I never congratulated you in person.
RACHEL
On what?
FINN
The Tony award.
RACHEL
That was three years ago, Finn.
FINN
Still a big deal, right?
RACHEL
(LAUGHS)
Yeah.
FINN
Well...
THEY CLINK BEERS. THEY'RE QUIET AGAIN FOR A WHILE, THEN:
FINN (cont'd)
Rachel?
RACHEL
Yes?
FINN
I'm glad you came.
HE WAITS FOR RACHEL TO RESPOND, BUT SHE DOESN'T. HE LOOKS AT HER, AND SHE'S SITTING UP STRAIGHT IN THE CHAIR, HER EYES ON SOMETHING OVER THE WALL. FINN LOOKS, AND SPOTS QUINN, WALKING UP THE PATH, AWAY FROM THE SCHOOL, TO WHERE PUCK'S GTO IS PARKED.
RACHEL
(WHISPERS)
Quinn...
UNBELIEVABLY, QUINN STOPS. SHE TURNS AROUND, GLANCING THIS WAY AND THAT. THEN SHE LOOKS UP, USING ONE HAND TO SHIELD HER EYES. RACHEL'S ALMOST FROZEN, AND SO IS QUINN - STANDING THERE ALL MARILYN MONROE AGAIN.
FINN
(SWALLOWS)
Go talk to her.
RACHEL DOESN'T MOVE.
FINN (cont'd)
Rachel, go talk to her.
STILL, RACHEL HESITATES. AND NOW, IT'S TOO LATE. QUINN SPINS ON HER HEEL AND HURRIES TO THE CAR. FINN SIGHS, PUTS DOWN HIS BEER, AS HE WATCHES HER PULL OUT AND DRIVE AWAY. BESIDE HIM, RACHEL HANGS HER HEAD, A LITTLE ASHAMED.
CUT TO:
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