"Thank you for that… stunning performance," the host of the competition, Sandy Ryerson, says. "I know my chills are multiplyin'. Now, let's give a round of a round of applause to all the contestants before we announce the winners of the group competition."
"And remember, tomorrow is individuals," his co-host, April Rhodes, adds.
"April, what's your individual talent?" Sandy asks.
"That would be lookin' sober, Sandy," she banters and the two laugh. April pauses. "I'm serious."
Sandy rolls his eyes. "Now, in third place… The Pristines coached by Emma Pillsbury!"
Sue claps half-heartedly as the Pristines take the stage to claim their trophy, catching Roz Washington's eye. Sue smirks at her rival. They're always neck and neck, but with Harmony as the lead soloist, Sue just knows she has it in the bag.
"Loser," Sue coughs in Roz's direction.
"And the second place prize goes to… Cheeriosity!"
"WHAT?" Sue roars. "I demand a recount!"
"There are no recounts," Sandy says into his microphone.
"Yikes," says Sam in the audience. He doesn't know much about the dance competition world, but he knows enough about Sue Sylvester that he's already afraid for that poor man's life.
"We lost?" Harmony says, starting to cry. She doesn't even join her teammates on stage as they collect their trophy. She's too upset and her mother comforts her quietly.
"Hey now," Rachel says, looking her daughter in the eyes. "It'll be okay. I'm here. Besides, you can always win tomorrow at individuals."
"No she can't," Santana whispers to Brittany with a smirk.
April sways over to where the girls and Rory of Cheeriosity are still on stage. "Okay, kids, time to announce the first place team. Which means scram."
"But where'd Coach Sue go?" Sugar asks, looking around.
Rory, who'd watched her the entire time, speaks up. "I saw her storm outside," he says. "She looked like demon possessed by Sue Sylvester."
As Cheeriosity shuffles off the stage, Kurt decides to follow Sue out the door.
"This is the moment we've all been waiting for," Sandy says. "The winners of the group competition. Can I get a drum roll please."
"No, but I got a drumstick stuffed down my bra," April says, pulling out a piece of chicken. "In case I get hungry later." She tucks it back in for safe keeping.
"That's your worst joke yet," Sandy says. "Seriously, why do I always get paired up with you?"
"Just announce the winner for God's sake," Santana yells from her front row seat. She doesn't have time for this. Her kid's team already lost.
"Fine by me, bossy lady in the front row," April says, snatching the envelope out of Sandy's hand. "The winner is Olympic Dance coached by Roz Washington!"
Harmony sobs even harder.
The parents trail out of the auditorium and into the lobby disappointedly. For the most part, the girls and Rory don't seem to mind they placed second.
"I mean, did you even see Olympic perform? They were flawless," Rachel complains. "Even I had no critique."
"Yeah, I hate to admit it, but they were better," says Quinn, wrapping her arm around Rachel's waist and giving her half a hug.
Rachel leans into Quinn's side. "Well, if there's one thing I know it's that the sun'll come out tomorrow."
"Actually, it's supposed to rain," Santana says.
Just then, Kurt runs into the lobby from outside. "I trailed Sue to the parking lot," he reveals, slightly out of breath. "She took the bus with her and everything!"
"What?!" Sam asks. "Our luggage was on there!"
"Not anymore. It's in the parking lot now. I recognized Santana's Louis Vuitton suitcase. I think Sue backed over it."
Santana glowers. "That bitch is lucky my wife brought enough clothes to share with me otherwise I'd be P-I-S-S-E-D!"
"Okay, we all totally know what that spells," Sugar says, rolling her eyes.
"Santana," Quinn says, "don't you know a few people who could help us out?"
"I am not putting a hit out on my daughter's dance teacher," Santana says so only Quinn can hear.
"What? No! Just have one of your cop buddies pull her over."
"That's not really necessary. Besides, I'm trying to keep a low profile. You wouldn't understand," Santana replies, looking over her shoulder.
"If we don't get Sue back, how are we supposed to compete tomorrow?" Rachel asks. "I mean… how are the girls supposed to compete?"
"And Rory," Kurt adds.
"Let's just ask the girls. Even if we can't find Coach Sue in time, it should be their decision anyway," Brittany says wisely.
Kurt rolls his eyes. "The girls and Rory."
"I'm in," Sugar says, raising her hand. "There's a lot riding on this."
"I'm in, too," Harmony says to Sugar's annoyance. Rachel gives her daughter a high five.
"I'd be fine if I didn't dance tomorrow, but I think my daddy would be disappointed," Rory says. He sighs. "Count me in."
"Beth? What about—" Quinn starts to say before she's rudely interrupted by Jesse.
"Beth, sweetie. Don't you wanna spend some quality time with your old man? I'll take you to the zoo or maybe even a museum."
Beth looks back and forth between her parents. "Dad," she says, "I came here to dance."
Jesse nods sadly. "Okay, I get it."
"But…" Beth continues, "Maybe we can do something next weekend."
Quinn smiles as her daughter gives Jesse a hug.
"Aphasia?" Sam asks.
"Shit. I'd rather boo people on stage," Aphasia says. "Only if you'll join me, Sam."
"Okay!" he agrees happily. "I'll teach you all the best insults I heard as a stripper!"
"Then can you show me how to beat Misty? She's pretty tough for a girl wearin' suspenders," says Aphasia.
"Duh," Sam grins.
Roz Washington, followed by her Olympic Dancers, walks up to the group. "Seems to me like Sue abandoned ship. My name is Roz Washington," she introduces herself, handing out her card to each of the parents. "I coach these fine dancers behind me and I would love to coach your girls as well. My studio is here in Chicago, which is just a stone's throw away from Lima if you've got a good arm." She winks.
Rachel steps forward. "With all due respect, Ms. Washington, most of Sue's students are second generation Cheerios. Our girls—and Rory—aren't interested. Thank you for your time though."
Roz nods her head. "If any of you change your minds, give me call."
And with that, she's gone.
"There's just one more problem," Santana says. "How are we all getting to the hotel? Our SUV seats six, but we'd have to make a few trips since Kurt's hair products take up the whole car."
"Ha ha," Kurt retorts. "Very funny."
Santana shrugs.
"I have my car," Jesse volunteers. "Quinn and Beth can ride with me. I can squeeze one more in, too."
"That still leaves two people," Kurt says. "Which I'm guessing is me and my son since we always seem to get neglected."
"Actually," Rachel says, "Harmony and I aren't staying at the same hotel… so we can just catch a cab. I went to the Coinstar this morning."
"You aren't staying in the same hotel as me—I mean, us? The rest of us?" Quinn asks.
Rachel looks at the ground. "It's a little out of our price range."
"You can stay with us," Quinn offers. "Beth and I would enjoy the company."
"What about me?" Jesse asks.
"You can crash with me, man. Aphasia has her own room, but I think there's a pullout couch," Sam says. Jesse shrugs. "It'll be like boys night!"
"I hope boys night includes the Hummels," Kurt says sarcastically.
"Everybody quit your whining," Santana says, taking charge. "Let's get to the hotel, check in, eat some dinner, and after you've all stuffed your faces, we'll have a parent's meeting to discuss what's going to happen after this weekend."