ACT 7, SCENE 49
EXT. WILLIAM MCKINLEY HIGH, COURTYARD/ HALLWAY
LEGEND: 2 WEEKS LATER.
THE GANG - MINUS FINN - ARE HANGING OUT AT THE BASE OF THE STAIRS, ENJOYING A BEAUTIFUL SPRING DAY. BRITTANY SITS WITH HER LEGS OPEN, SANTANA TUCKED IN-BETWEEN THEM, FEEDING HER GRAPES. RACHEL, WITH HER LEGS IN KURT'S LAP AND HER HEAD ON QUINN'S LAP, PULLS A FACE.
RACHEL
Ugh! Tell me we don't look like that!
KURT
No. Worse.
QUINN
Ugh.
BRITTANY
Did you both just say ugh?
MIKE
I'm calling an extra practice after school.
SAM
No!
RORY
Come on!
MIKE
Nationals is three days away!
BLAINE
Mike's right. We need it.
MERCEDES
Maybe you do. I am note-perfect.
SUGAR
When you remember the words.
MERCEDES
That happened one time!
TINA
It's been happening to all of us. We haven't been able to rehearse as much.
SANTANA
Thanks to Figgins!
BRITTANY
And Coach Sylvester!
SAM
I don't have anything against Christian music-
QUINN
I should hope not. You're in the God Squad.
SAM
-but they shouldn't be forcing us to sing only Christian music in school!
PUCK
Relax. At least Mr. Schu's helping with the lie that we're gonna do the religious thing at Nationals.
ARTIE
Still, it meant too many split practices singing those fake songs in the choir room. We're meeting at my house at 4.
RACHEL
Yes sir, Mister Director, sir!
ARTIE
And don't you forget it.
RACHEL LAUGHS. BUT IT QUICKLY FADES. QUINN NOTICES HER LOOKING ACROSS THE COURTYARD AND FOLLOWS HER GAZE. FINN HAS JUST STEPPED OUT THE DOOR. HE STOPS THERE, LOOKING OVER AT THEM. THE OTHERS HAVE NOTICED HIM TOO. FINN TURNS, APPROACHES A BUNCH OF GUYS IN LETTERMAN JACKETS, GREETS THEM WITH HUGS AND HANDSHAKES.
BRITTANY
I miss him.
QUINN
We all do.
SANTANA
Have you spoken to him?
RACHEL
Not since he quit Glee.
RORY
Finn was the first person in America to try and be my friend.
(BEAT)
He didn't care that everyone else thought my accent was funny-
PUCK
We all find your accent funny.
RORY
Or that I was just a geeky kid. He introduced me to all you guys. I'll never be able to thank him for that.
HIS WORDS HIT RACHEL AND QUINN LIKE BLOWS. BUT THEN THE BELL RINGS, AND EVERYONE GETS WEARILY TO THEIR FEET. RACHEL AND QUINN LAG BEHIND THE OTHERS AS THEY HEAD INSIDE, BOTH HOPING TO CATCH A GLIMPSE OF FINN.
BUT HE'S GONE.
WITH 'OH WELL' SMILES, THEY LINK HANDS AND FOLLOW THEIR FRIENDS. UP AHEAD, SAM AND MIKE ARE HAVING AN ARGUMENT.
MIKE
You can't compare The Matrix to Crouching Tiger.
SAM
Crappy Tiger is a chick flick with Kung-Fu!
MIKE
First of all, Crappy-
(BEAT)
Crouching Tiger is actually about something. Love. Honour. Trust.
SAM
The Matrix is about something. Illusion. Reality. Gunfire.
MIKE
You simply can't prefer Keanu Reeves to Michelle Yeoh. You can't.
(BEAT)
I won't let you.
TINA
Will you two please-?
SHE DOESN'T FINISH. THE WHOLE GROUP SUDDENLY STOPS IN THE HALLWAY - AN AUDIBLE GASP RISING FROM ALL OF THEM. RACHEL AND QUINN CAN'T SEE PAST MIKE AND SAM.
QUINN
What's going on?
SAM
I'm so sorry.
RACHEL
What is it?
THEY SHOVE THEIR WAY TO THE FRONT.
RACHEL (cont'd)
Is that my locker?
SURE ENOUGH, OVER HER LOCKER, IN LARGE PURPLE LETTERS, ARE SPRAY-PAINTED THE WORDS:
'FABERRY!FAGS!FREAKS!'
RACHEL CLAPS HER HANDS TO HER MOUTH. QUINN'S LIP IS TREMBLING. THERE'S A CROWD AROUND THEM AS THE WHOLE SCHOOL SEEMS TO WANT TO GET THEIR REACTION. JBI IS THERE, WITH HIS CAMERA AND MICROPHONE.
JACOB BEN ISRAEL
A hate crime on school property. Let us watch as-
HE'S SUDDENLY YANKED BACKWARDS AND GOES SKIDDING DOWN THE HALLWAY. HE'S SHOCKED, LOOKS UP TO SEE FINN LOOMING OVER HIM.
JACOB BEN ISRAEL (cont'd)
Sorry.
FINN SAYS NOTHING, MERELY TURNS BACK TO WHERE HIS FRIENDS ARE GATHERED. KURT TRIES TO LIGHTEN THE SITUATION.
KURT
Well, at least we know alliteration isn't dead.
BLAINE
Yeah, that's so portmanteau!
RACHEL SHUTS HER EYES TO KEEP FROM CRYING, THEN TAKES OFF. SHE BURSTS THROUGH THE GATHERED RANKS AND DASHES UP THE HALL. QUINN RUSHES AFTER HER.
QUINN
Rachel! Wait!
BUT RACHEL'S NOT WAITING. SHE WANTS OUT OF THERE. NOW. QUINN HAS TO RUN, AND CATCHES HER TWO CLASSROOMS UP, GRABBING HER HAND AND SPINNING HER ROUND.
QUINN (cont'd)
Stop!
RACHEL
No! I'm done! I'm done, Quinn! I'm done!
THE STUDENTS CAN STILL HEAR THEM. NOBODY SEEMS CAPABLE OF MOVING, LET ALONE SPEAKING. FINN, TOWERING ABOVE EVERYBODY, WATCHES WITH HIS FACE INSCRUTABLE.
QUINN
What do you mean 'you're done'? It's a stupid prank!
(BEAT)
I wish I could say they'll leave us alone eventually, but we'll probably graduate before that happens!
RACHEL
We're not even going to enjoy our graduation!
(BEAT)
This is our senior year! It was supposed to be magical! It was supposed to be-
QUINN
It was magical. For me.
RACHEL SHAKES HER HEAD, CAN'T MEET HER EYE.
QUINN (cont'd)
Wasn't it for you? These past two weeks?
RACHEL
They cost too much. I haven't spoken to Finn in weeks. My parents are pissed at me for being so selfish and breaking his heart!
(BEAT)
This isn't slushies and whispered comments in the hall, Quinn! I can't handle it anymore! I just can't!
QUINN
So what do you want to do? If we're going to be together, then this stuff's going to keep happening! That's just the way it is!
RACHEL TAKES A STEP BACK. SHE LOOKS AWAY. QUINN GASPS. SHE REELS BACK, LIKE SHE'S BEEN STRUCK.
QUINN (cont'd)
Oh, my God...
RACHEL
What are we even fighting for?
(BEAT)
Half-baked plans about commuting from New York to New Haven? A future where neither of us can promise the other a minute's peace? Is that what we're fighting for?
QUINN
I thought so.
(BEAT)
But then... I guess that was just me.
QUINN TURNS AROUND, NOTICES THE CROWD THAT STILL HASN'T DISPERSED. WITH A SAD LITTLE SHAKE OF HER HEAD, SHE STEPS PAST RACHEL, HEADING UP THE HALLWAY. SANTANA RUSHES FORWARD.
SANTANA
Quinn, where are you going?
QUINN STOPS. SHE GIVES A LITTLE GIGGGLE. THE SOUND IS MORE THAN A LITTLE MAD.
QUINN
I have early acceptance. I don't have to be around this.
(BEAT)
Good luck with Nationals. You guys are gonna be great.
RACHEL
Nationals? Wait, what-?
QUINN
Knock 'em dead, Rachel.
(BEAT)
I'll be rooting for you.
WITH GRACE AND A RESOLVE THAT PREVENTS ANYONE FROM STEPPING IN HER WAY, QUINN LEAVES. IT SEEMS THE ENTIRE STUDENT BODY WATCHES UNTIL SHE TURNS THE CORNER, AND IS GONE.
SUGAR
Oh my God... what are we going to do now?
FINN IS STANDING BEHIND HER. HE'S WATCHING RACHEL. A VEIN IN HIS JAW SEEMS TO THROB AS SHE COLLAPSES INTO SANTANA'S ARMS.
CUT TO:
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ACT 7, SCENE 50
INT. WILLIAM MCKINLEY HIGH, CHOIR ROOM / HALLWAY / PARKING LOT
A VERY SOMBRE GROUP - AGAIN, MINUS FINN - HAVE TAKEN THEIR SEATS. WILL STANDS IN FRONT OF THEM, DUMBFOUNDED.
WILL
What do you mean Quinn just quit?
MERCEDES
I think she's leaving school, Mr. Schu.
WILL
I know these past few weeks have been hard on you guys...
(BEAT)
Rachel, you especially, but I didn't think it would come to this.
RACHEL
It's better this way.
SANTANA
Don't say that!
RACHEL
It's true.
(BEAT)
Apparently you can be hated for the person you love. I don't-
(BEAT)
I don't want Quinn to suffer any more of that because of me.
SAD SILENCE FALLS.
ARTIE
Are we gonna rehearse, Mr. Schu?
FINN (O.S.)
Actually...
THEY TURN TO THE DOOR, WHERE A GRIM LOOKING FINN HAS ENTERED.
FINN (cont'd)
Mr. Schu, I prepared a song, if you don't mind.
WILL
Well, the rules have kind of changed, Finn, since you-
FINN
I know. It's a Christian song. By a Christian band, anyway.
RACHEL
(MUTTERS)
You've got to be kidding me...
KURT LEANS OVER TO WHISPER TO HER.
KURT
What?
RACHEL
Now? He's choosing this moment to beat me over the head with his judgmental attitude?
KURT
You know the rules. Anyone in Glee can sing whatever they want.
RACHEL
Screw the rules. I'd leave, but I don't want to give him the satisfaction.
FINN
Rachel?
FINN HAS SET HIMSELF IN THE FRONT OF THE CLASS - READY.
FINN (cont'd)
I'm not even gonna try and be subtle about it. This song's for you.
RACHEL TENSES.
AN ELECTRIC GUITAR. SLOW AND MOURNFUL. MESMERIZING.
FINN (cont'd)
Welcome to the planet.
Welcome to existence.
Everyone's here, everyone's here.
Everybody's watching you now.
RACHEL LOOKS AROUND. SURE ENOUGH, ALL EYES ARE ON HER.
FINN (cont'd)
Everybody waits for you now...
SHE PUTS ON A DEFIANT EXPRESSION. FINN ISN'T FAZED.
FINN (cont'd)
What happens next?
What happens next?
(THEN HE LAUNCHES INTO IT)
I dare you to move!
I dare you to move!
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor!
I dare you to move! I dare you to move!
Like today never happened.
Today never happened before.
SLOW SHOCK REGISTERS ON RACHEL'S FACE, AS THE MEANING OF HIS WORDS START TO SINK IN. TO REINFORCE HIS POINT, FINN STEPS FORWARD, TAKES HER BY THE HAND, AND LIFTS HER TO HER FEET.
FINN (cont'd)
Welcome to the fallout.
Welcome to existence.
The tension is here, the tension is here.
Between who you are, and who you could be.
Between how it is and how it should be.
RACHEL
But...
FINN
I dare you to move!
I dare you to move!
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor!
I dare you to move!
I dare you to move!
Like today never happened.
Today never happened.
RACHEL
(HEARTFELT WHISPER)
Thank you...
SHE TAKES OFF. THROUGH THE DOOR, AND DOWN THE HALLWAY. WE FADE INTO SLOW MOTION AS SHE BOWLS OVER A HAPLESS STUDENT WHO HAPPENS TO GET IN HER WAY. RACHEL HURDLES HIS FALLEN BODY, INTENT ON HER DESTINATION. FINN'S SONG FOLLOWS HER...
FINN
Maybe redemption is stories to tell.
Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell.
Where can you run to escape from yourself?
Salvation is here...
RACHEL BURSTS OUT THE FRONT DOORS AND INTO THE SUNLIGHT.
SHE SPOTS QUINN, LOADING THE LAST OF HER THINGS FROM HER LOCKER INTO HER CAR. RACHEL SPRINTS.
RACHEL
Quinn!
FINN
I dare you to move!
I dare you to move!
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor!
I dare you to move!
I dare you to move!
Like today never happened.
Today never happened before...
QUINN LOOKS UP, STARTLED. RACHEL REACHES HER, COMPLETELY OUT OF BREATH. SHE CLUTCHES AT A PAIN IN HER SIDE, TRYING DESPERATELY TO GRAB AT LEAST SOMEOXYGEN.
QUINN
What are you doing?
RACHEL
Couldn't... let... leave... without... question...
QUINN
Hold on. Get your breath back. You're gonna pass out.
RACHEL
Don't care... have to... question...
QUINN
What? What question?
RACHEL
One I... wanted... to ask you...
QUINN WAITS. RACHEL TAKES A FEW BEATS, HEAVING, MANAGES TO GET HER BREATHING UNDER CONTROL. WHEN SHE'S READY, SHE LOOKS QUINN DEAD IN THE EYE, AND SAYS:
RACHEL (cont'd)
Do you want to?
QUINN
Do I want to what?
RACHEL
I don't know what's going to happen. I don't know if we can make this work. I don't know if those are our dreams waiting for us out there, or just traps for all our hopes. But I'm willing, so...
(BEAT)
Do you want to?
QUINN
Try again?
RACHEL
No.
(BEAT)
This is it. It's over. The music's stopped. So...
(BEAT)
Do you want to pretend it never did?
LOADED MOMENT.
IT TAKES EVERYTHING QUINN HAS NOT TO LAUGH. BUT SUCH IS HER JOY THAT SHE LAUNCHES HERSELF INTO RACHEL'S ARMS.
THEY KISS.
LIMBS ENTANGLED, THE KISS IS HUNGRY AND DESPERATE AND HOPELESS.
IN IT IS ALL THEY WANT AND FEAR AND NEED. BEYOND THE GROPING COUPLE, WE SEE A SILHOUETTE IN THE SCHOOL DOORWAY. A TALL FIGURE. FINN HUDSON, WATCHING TWO WOMEN HE LOVED AT DIFFERENT TIMES FIND LOVE WITH EACH OTHER.
AND HE'S SMILING.
BECAUSE HE KNOWS THE MUSIC HASN'T STOPPED. HE KNOWS THERE'S ALWAYS ONE LAST SONG.
GLEE
It felt like springtime, on this February morning.
In a courtyard, birds were singing your praise.
I'm still recalling things you said to make me feel... alright.
I carry them with me today, now...
As I lay me down to sleep, yes I pray.
That you will hold me dear, though I'm far away.
I'll whisper your name into the sky,
And I will wake up happy...
I wonder why, I feel so high,
Though I am not above the sorrow.
Heavy-hearted til you call my name.
And it felt like church bells, or the whistle of a train,
On a summer evening, I want to meet you barefoot,
Barely breathing...
As I lay me down to sleep, yes I pray.
That you will hold me dear, though I'm far away.
And I'll whisper your name into the sky,
And I will wake up happy...
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END OF EPISODE
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A/N: So... that's it. I don't know if I achieved what I set out to achieve. Only you, the readers, can judge that.
I think the key - in writing this story - actually came to me when I realised Kiss Me would be Rachel and Quinn's song. Because that's when it hit me. In writing a Faberry, or a Pezberry, or whatever kind of AU fic, the key isn't in writing a story about two girls who suddenly become lesbian. That's not what it's about. It's a love story. It's a story about a triangle, three people and their emotions.
That's when, I think, it works.
Anyway, I hope you agree, and I hope you enjoyed it. This was a crazy ride for me, and if I managed to pass a little of that on... I've done my job.
Reviews are love! :)
I'll post the sequel next week. It's fun. Set 7 years in the future, and it gets hectic... :)
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