*STILL DON'T OWN ICARLY OR HSM!*

Carly, Sam, and Freddie were walking out the door of the rehearsal hall and were headed home when they were stopped by a voice, "Ms. Puckett? Can I speak with you a moment?"

"Walt? Um… sure?" Sam raised her eyebrows and made eye contact with Freddie and Carly.

Sam quickly followed behind the middle aged red-head in front of her leading her to his office. She didn't know what to expect, she had tried her hardest not to do anything that would get her kicked out of the play, and Valerie in her place. She didn't roll her eyes while Walt was talking! She didn't torture Freddie… as much anyway.

Aw man! I lost my part because of Fred-dork! Sam silently groaned.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she found herself facing a big brown door with a window to the inside of his large office.

She walked in and it was like a treasure trove of props and costumes. The first thing to catch her eye was a big clown head.

"Hey Freddie I didn't know Walt asked you to come meet him too" Sam chuckled at the clown head.

"Problem?" Walt asked, turning around to face Sam.

"Uh… I was just umm….."

"Relax, I was kidding." Walt smiled and started walking again.

Wow… Who knew that beneath all of the… Walt, there is a normal person.

Sam shrugged to herself.

They were finally seated in short black office chairs facing each other.

"Walnut?" He asked opening a desk drawer.

"Um thanks?" Sam raised her eyebrows and got a handful of nuts.

They sat there in silence for at least a minute until Sam opened her mouth to speak, only to be cut off by Walt, "I bet you're wondering why I called you up here…Am I right?"

"Yep" Sam said popping her lips on the p.

"Well, I have been in this business for a long time."

"Ok…" Sam said wondering where this was going.

"I have seen you before." He stated.

"On…" She trailed off.

"That's right, on stage."

Sam's mouth hung agape in shock.

O no. Word of advice: Never call your past your past, you never know when it's going to come back and give you a Texas wedgie….

"And," He continued, "You have a lot of talent, Ms. Puckett, in fact you have more talent than I have seen in a long time." Walt said pursing his lips together as he watched her reaction.

Her eyes grew wider and she didn't know whether to believe it or not.

"Why are you telling me this?" She asked in awe.

"Because, there is a large audition for Wicked that will be taking place this Friday."

"And?"

" 'And' I think you should audition. You have an outstanding shot at the lead. Elphaba."

"HA! You can not be serious!"

"I am." Walt answered solemnly, "But."

"I knew there would be one of those…"

"Ms. Puckett!"

"Sorry." Sam sighed and sat up straight to look like she was interested.

"You will have to choose: High School Musical or Wicked."

Sam groaned, "Thanks Walt, but there is no competition. I'm doing High School Musical."

"Suit yourself, Samantha." Walt answered dryly.

He sighed and stood up expecting Sam to do the same.

Instead she sat there contemplating her options. She knew that Carly and Freddie would be really mad if she backed out of the play, giving Valerie the lead role, but she knew what was better for her.

"Sam?"

"Eh? O sorry." Sam sighed as she stood up.

Before she even knew what she was saying Sam had tapped Walt's shoulder and said, "Put my name on the audition list."

Walt smiled. "Excellent choice."