PREVIOUSLY: The New Directions finally found out their competition for Sectionals - The Sun Flowers, The Jumping Jacks, and Warblers 2.0. They then went to the Ohio Broadcasting Corporation Studios where they were to do a photo session, an interview, meeting their competition, singing a song, and finding out their position for Sectionals.
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And now the continuation:
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CHAPTER 41 - THE INTERVIEW
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Once they were finished with getting made up, the New Directions were then set up with getting photo's done. For the cameras, and for television.
For their group photo they were set in the formation of an arrowhead.
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RACHEL
FINN MERCEDES
ARTIE SANTANA SAM
BRITTANY MIKE QUINN PUCK
JAKE BLAINE KITTY TINA KURT
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Then they had individual photographs taken which was also by camera, and for television. Will also had his photo taken.
"Thank you guys," said Rodger their photographer "You guys were a pleasure to work with. You all listen to instruction well."
"We're use to getting instructions," smiled Santana
"Good luck at sectionals," replied Rodger
"Thank you," said everyone together
"This way guys," said Jacky their liaison.
The New Directions followed Jacky out of the photography room, and down another corridor. They then went an escalator to the 2nd floor. They were then shown into a lounge with a big television hanging on the front wall, and a few couches hanging around the television.
"Everyone not involve in the interview can wait in here, and watch on the television, and from the couches. Refreshments are over there," said Jacky looking down at her clip board "Would Mr Hudson, Miss Lopez, Mr Anderson, Mrs Hudson, and Miss Jones please come with me."
"I would like to come too," said Michael "To keep an eye on things."
"If you have to," smiled Jacky
"Yes, I have to," replied Michael
Michael, Finn, Santana, Blaine, Rachel, and Mercedes followed Jacky out of the room, and into another room, where there were 6 seats, a camera, and lights.
Jacky led them up to their interviewer.
"Guys please meet Erica Tatanaka, she will be interviewing you today. Erica please meet, Mr Hudson, Miss Lopez, Mr Anderson, Mrs Hudson, and Miss Jones. And this is Mr Baxter, their benefactor and manager.
"Good afternoon," smiled Erin "Please to meet you all. We'll be doing the interview shortly, please get miked up, and I'll be with you soon,"
Jacky led Finn, Santana, Blaine, Rachel, and Mercedes over to the technicians. Michael stayed back.
"Just to make 100 percent sure," started Michael "Anything about 10 years ago, is off the table."
Erica looked at her paper work and then at Michael "I understand there's some very juicy scandal that happened back then, there were rumors flying around back then also. It would make for a pretty good interview."
"I'm not saying anything," said Michael "It's off the table."
"Yes Mr Baxter, you got your wish, that it's off the table, or should I say, you brought the silence."
"It's best left alone."
"Come on Mr Baxter, you and I both know that if these guys make it all the way to the Worlds, and judging on their history, they have a pretty good chance to get that far, that more journalists would be digging into their history, and would make more of an issue, and it could ruin their chances. Would it be best to get that out of the way early?"
Michael looked over at the 5 New Directions getting ready for their interview and then leaned in closer to Erica.
"I'm not saying anything about the situation, but if there was a situation, I would understand what you are saying. If there is something to be discussed, then I promise you'll get the interview, but there is nothing to be discussed. Do you understand me?"
Erica smiled "Loud and clear, and I'll hold you to that."
"Oh I know you will."
"Now if you can excuse me Mr Baxter, I have an interview to conduct."
"Go right ahead."
Erica smiled at Michael, and turned around and walked over to the interview set. It was indeed true that Michael had to pay 'Hush' money to the station to sop them from saying anything about the incident from 10 years ago. Their researchers had done some amazing background check, and even had managed to contact some old McKinley High Personnel, who had heard murmurs of things going on, including an argument. So Michael had to pay the 'Hush' money, to keep the pressure off of the New Directions. But he knew Erica was right, they would eventually have to go public with the story, before it became a scandal and threaten their campaign. But for now it was best left alone.
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Finn, Santana, Blaine, Rachel, and Mercedes finished getting organized to go on camera, were shown to their seats. Erica walked up to them.
"This will be just a normal question and answer session, you will all have a chance to answer questions. Are you all ready?"
"Yes," they all said together
"Just relax," smiled Erica heading over to her chair "It won't hurt a bit. I've been looking forward to interviewing you guys ever since I found out that I was given the job to interview you. I was such a fan growing up."
"Just like our benefactor," smiled Santana looking over at Michael who was standing off to the side, behind the camera.
"Yes just like Mr Baxter," smiled Erica "So just breathe and smile, and we'll get started."
Erica looked over at her floor manager and nodded. The floor manager spoke into his headset to the director.
"One minute to start," said the floor manager
Finn looked down the row at Rachel, who had her hand on her stomach on her small baby bump. She looked back at Finn and smiled. Blaine saw the look between them and on behalf of Finn, gave Rachel a hug.
"Thirty seconds,"
Santana took a deep breath in, and then let it out, and looked down the row at Mercedes. She was tapping her hands on her knees.
"Are you okay Mercedes?" asked Santana
"Yea I'm fine," smiled back Mercedes
Rachel gave Mercedes a hug.
"15 seconds...10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1, and the taping is on... now."
"Good afternoon," smiled Erica at the camera "I'm your host Erica Tatanaka, and today I have some very special guests. The last few weeks we've been advertising the World Championships of Show Choir Competition, and well today marks the 2 Month Countdown to the start of that competition.
"The first round is the Sectionals. Four teams compete and only one team goes through to the second stage which is Regionals.
"So my special guests today are a part of a team that won the Secondary School National Show Choir Competition 6 times over the course of a decade and a half. In fact all of 5 guests were instrumental in winning the first of the 6 titles. Their team is called The New Directions. Please make welcome Co-Captain Mr Finn Hudson."
"Hi," smiled Finn
"Miss Santana Lopez."
"Hello," said Santana semi smiling
"Mr Blaine Anderson."
"Hi," smiled Blaine
'"The other Co-Captain and now Finn's wife Mrs Rachel Hudson,"
"Hello," said Rachel quietly
"And last but not least Miss Mercedes Jones,"
"Hi," said Mercedes looking shy
"Mr Hudson, let's start with you."
"Sure," smiled Finn "Fire away Miss Tatanaka."
"You guys found out your competitors earlier this morning, they are The Sun Flowers, The Jumping Jacks and Warblers 2.0. What are your thoughts on your 3 competitors?"
"Well Miss Tatanaka, they are our competitors which means we have to treat them with the respect that they deserve. We know the story of the Warblers so we've had some great battles over the years, with them. So we expect nothing more from the Warblers 2.0. The fact that we don't know anything about the Sun Flowers or the Jumping Jacks, makes them even more dangerous. We can't underestimate them. If we do it'll be at our pearl."
Rachel smiled as she watched her husband speak the truth.
"Well said Mr Hudson," said Erica "Now Miss Lopez all you guys sitting here won the first of the 6 Nationals and you have a team chock full of 1st up winners. only 1 of your team has never tasted National success. Do you feel that the New Directions can go all the way to the Worlds and win it?"
"Well it's like this Erica," smiled Santana doing her normal Santana routine "It's such an old cliche, but we always have to treat our year as one stepping stone after another. If we look too far ahead Erica then we will instantly be in trouble. Do we believe that we can get to the Worlds? Of course we can. But that's belief. It's not actually doing it. We need to start with Sectionals first. Our main focus is to win Sectionals first and then worry about Regionals."
"Another great answer," replied Erica
Michael smiled at Santana, even though she was a rough as guts, her answer was great.
"Moving along to Mr Blaine Anderson," said Erica "Now you have been a former member of the Warblers is that correct?"
"That's correct Erica," confirmed Blaine
"You also coached them for a few years is that correct?"
"That's indeed correct, Erica."
"So you're now a member of the New Directions again, how do you feel about competing against your old club again?"
"Like I always have, Erica, with a mixture of emotion, so I have to focus on what my job is, and that's to help my team win Sectionals."
"Are you aware of how many former members have returned to the Warblers?"
"I haven't managed to catch up with them Erica, I've been too busy with my commitments today."
"Well according to my notes, Mr Anderson," started Erica looking at her papers "There are only 4 members who have returned to the Warblers, who were there in your time, and there's some good gossip a few of that ones that had been adversaries of the New Directions when they were in their prime, have gone over seas to compete. What do you think of that?"
"Only 4 members?" asked Blaine "Well that's 4 more members with experience of how the Warblers work, but at the end of the day whatever the Warblers put out or whoever they are, are always going to be strong, So I don't doubt, they won't be weak, we are going to have to be at the top of our game, to beat them."
"What a great response, thank you Mr Anderson."
"That's okay, Erica."
"Now moving right along to the second Co-Captain Mrs Rachel Hudson."
Finn looked down the row at Rachel, he was worried about how she was going to handle the interview.
"How are you Mrs Hudson?" started Erica
"I am fine, thanks Erica," replied Rachel
"You were Rachel Berry before you married Finn is that correct?"
"Yes Ma'am that is correct."
"Are you the same Rachel Berry, the Broadway star of over 10 years ago."
"Yes Ma'am the very same Rachel Berry."
"You were a sensation on Broadway."
"Correct."
"And you disappeared off the face of the earth."
Everyone looked at Rachel to see what she was going to do or say. The questions were becoming too personal. Was she going to crack?
"Is there a question there Erica?" asked Rachel all of a sudden "Or a statement?"
Erica looked shocked, as she had heard that Rachel was in a very vulnerable state, and she wanted to exploit her but it seem that Rachel had been use to tough journalist questions in the past.
"Well Mrs Hudson, why did you disappear while at the top of your Broadway career for ten years, and reappear to do this. Surely your fans have a right to know?"
Both Finn, and Michael were about to open their mouths, which Erica obviously wanted especially for Michael, who was off camera, and wanted him to intervene to force him into telling the World he was the New Director's benefactor and also a member of the Baxter family funding the World Championships. But they needn't of worried as Rachel went on the attack again.
"Well Erica I had been in the Public eye on Broadway for at least 5 years straight, day in, day out, and I kn ew my fans wouldn't have minded me taking a personal time out. But the fact that the time out took ten years, it wasn't what I was expecting but it needed to be done. Does that answer your question Erica? Do you need to know about my pregnancy or is that self explanatory?"
Erica sat back for a few seconds speechless. A smirk crossed her face. She she that she been bested. Finn, Santana, Blaine, and Mercedes were all smiling. Michael was chuckling to himself of camera.
Erica recovered "No it's cool, but thanks though Mrs Hudson, congrats on the baby though."
"Thank you, Erica," smirked Rachel
"Moving on to Miss Mercedes Jones..."
"Hi," smiled Mercedes "I've got the same answer as Rachel, to that previous question. Yes I know I was top of the pops for a few years, and yes I was devoted to making music to keep my fans happy, but I too needed a break. My fans would have understood. But he fact that it went on for 10 years was just one of those things. It happens."
"That's good to know Miss Jones," said Erica looking flustered "What does it mean to you to be back competing with your friends who won the first title?"
"It means a lot Erica, we get on very well during our High School days, and being back among them at this time is very comfortable. We are like family."
"Families have a lot of ups and downs," said Erica sensing an opportunity "Would you say the New Directions as a whole as individuals had a lot more downs than ups over the last 10 years?"
Finn, Santana, Blaine and Rachel looked at Mercedes. Finn wanted to open his mouth again, as did Michael, they were getting a grilling. Even with Michael paying the station to keep things 'hushed', Erica was looking for her own scoop.
"Well it's like this Erica," began Mercedes "Like Rachel, and like myself everyone needs a time out. Families are never in each others faces 24/7, they always have a break from each other. Just like the New Directions did after we won our first title. We had spent 3 years together competing to get that elusive title. Some of us moved on while other new faces joined the family, so to speak!
"Did we have more downs than ups in those 10 years? I wouldn't know, we were all doing our own thing. But we're back together again, and having had time apart we've appreciated that, and that is why we work so well together. We know we can be very strong the whole year if we had to be, we're ready for the whole year, but we're focused on Sectionals first and foremost."
Michael smiled again, another awkward question that could have turned things pear shaped, answered rightly. Erica sat back defeated again. These guys were good. They hadn't been trained to deal with those types of questions but they had life experience any way, to deal with reality. There was no use to be on the atttack any more. In face the interview was effectively over anyway.
"Thanks for that Miss Jones, said Erica semi smiling, before looking at the camera "ell there you have it, ladies and gentlemen, boys, and girls. They were members of the New Directions. 6 Time Secondary School National Show Choir Champions coming back together to compete in the inaugural and professional and lucrative World Champions of Show Choir Competition, starting with their 1st Round in two months. The Sectionals. Where they will compete against The Sunflowers, The Jumping Jacks and the Warblers 2.0.
"I'd like to thank my guests today, Co Captain Finn Hudson, Santana Lopez, Blaine Anderson, the 2nd Co-Captain and Finn's wife, Rachel Hudson, and Mercedes Jones. Guys thank you."
"Thank you Erica," said Finn, Santana, Blaine, Rachel and Mercedes all together
"Coming up next, all 4 teams will perform a song each to celebrate the 2 Month Countdown and then the Placings draw will happen to see in which position they will perform at Sectionals. That will be exciting. But for now this is Erica Tatanaka signing off."
The Floor Manager held up 5 Fingers and counted down from 5 to 1, and when he to 1 he spoke.
"And we're clear. All cameras are now off. Thank you everyone, that was good."
Erica semi smiled at Finn, Santana, Blaine, Rachel, and Mercedes.
"Well done guys, that was a great interview."
They just looked at her and smiled back as 5 technicians came and took their microphones off of them.
"Can I have a word please, Miss Tatanaka," said Michael walking up.
"Sure," said Erica smiling and getting up
Erica and Michael walked away, and then the technicians left, leaving Finn, Santana, Blaine, Rachel, and Mercedes sitting quietly.
"What a bitch," Rachel said suddenly
They all started laughing.
"She was obviously fishing for stuff," said Santana after pulling herself together, "Rachel, you and Mercedes did really well. She was obviously trying to trip you two up, about your breaks. So very well done for handling her. The Bitch."
"I second that," said Finn getting up and walking over to Rachel and giving her a kiss on the top of her head, "You go girl."
Will walked up.
"Very well done guys. You all handled that well. It was a great interview."
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"So," said Michael "What was all that about? Weer you trying to trip them up on purpose to get a dig out of me?"
"Would I do that?" asked Erica smiling
"Yes, you are a kind of a reporter who would exploit tricks like that," said Michael
"Well it's lucky for you that you have such a strong group having each others backs, and yours. That's very rare."
"They have each others backs, and mine because there's nothing to hide."
"We all know you do, Mr Baxter. You brought the Station silence, so that means something has happened. But they did well in the art of deflecting."
"I'm sorry there was nothing you can get. Better luck with your next interviews."
"Yea, yea, remember our deal should something change!"
"Okay I will," smiled Michael
Michael walked back to the others.
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More to come next.