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Episode 5x04: Keep Your Head Up
Synopsis:Finn tries to keep Sue from getting Penny (Phoebe Strole) fired, while Marley is confronted by Bree (Erinn Westbrook). Meanwhile, in New York, Rachel meets the Funny Girl lead, Miriam Reign (Jessie Mueller), who seems to dislike Rachel. A talented musician (Adam Lambert) auditions for Kurt's band; Kurt is torn on whether or not to accept him.
Puck and Jake stepped outside of the dorm, walking around campus so they could have their conversation in private, and not in front of Finn. The two walked and talked until they reached a picnic table outside of Puck's dorm, taking a seat.
"So, you're really into this Marley chick?"
Jake nodded.
"But she's a prude, and she won't put out, so you're looking elsewhere to get some, AKA Bree."
"First of all, don't call her a prude." Jake said, slightly irritated, as he folded his arms. "Marley is an amazing, special girl, but she views sex differently than I do. She wants losing her virginity to mean something, and be special, and she doesn't want to 'give it up' just because I want it." He sighed, looking down at the ground. "But I have needs, you know? Bree is practically begging for it, and I could just go for it, but I don't want to ruin anything I have going on with Marley."
"You know there is such thing as porn, right? That can't fulfill your 'needs'?" Puck asked with a laugh, laughing harder as Jake pushed him. "Look, I get it. We're Puckermans: having lots of sex is hereditary. But if you're really into Marley, my best advice is to kick this Bree chick to the curb. Don't let her continue to try and seduce you, no more one-on-one dance lessons, nothing. Nip it in the bud, especially if Marley doesn't like it."
Puck spoke from experience – he knew what cheating could do to a relationship. He did it all the time in high school! Jake knew of his brother's reputation, too, but that's why he came to him for help. He knew Puck learned from his mistakes, and because he was afraid to make the same mistake, who better to go to for advice than his brother?
"I think you're right." Jake admitted defeatedly, standing up as his brother did the same. "Thanks for the advice, bro. I really appreciate it."
Puck nodded as the two gave each other a hug. "Been there, done that, okay? I've been in this scenario enough times for your entire lifetime." He looked at the time. "I gotta head back to the dorm, Finn needs my help studying for an exam."
"Alright. See you around, Puck!" Jake said as the two split off. This talk really put things into perspective for Jake; before he met Puck, he hated him, and wanted nothing to do with him, especially when hearing stories about how much of an ass he was. However, after meeting him, he realized that Puck wasn't that bad. He had a good heart, and overall good intentions, but he didn't have the right moral compass. Now that he did, Jake knew he had his best interest at heart.
"Don't screw up!" Puck called as they continued to go their separate ways.
Finn rounded the corner at McKinley as he headed towards the nurse's office to see Penny. They had gone on a couple dates now, and things seemed to be going great! He really enjoyed her company – she was sweet, funny, thoughtful, and they enjoyed a lot of the same things. Finn's life was great. He had a lot of good things going for him, and nothing could derail his positive trajectory now!
"Boobs McGee."
Except for one Sue Sylvester, who happened to be leaving the nurse's office as Finn approached the doorway. Sue had it out for Finn ever since he called her baby – who had down syndrome – a derogatory slur. He didn't mean it... he was trying to make a point that Sue knew what it was like to be in the glee club's shoes, but it just came out wrong. Regardless, Finn said something wildly inappropriate, and he knew that, but Sue took it and ran with it, using it as an excuse to rain down hellfire on Finn any chance she got.
"Hi, Sue." He looked into the doorway. "What's going on?"
"Yearly flu shots. Faculty is required to get them." She also looked back inside the office, following Finn's gaze to Penny, who was practicing putting needles into a sausage. She looked back to Finn. "I heard she was taking a gaze at the McDonald's dollar menu! By that, I mean your flabby body."
Finn looked down at himself, frowning. He never understood why Sue always insinuated he was fat, as he was in good shape, but it always got to him for some reason. "If that's your rude way of asking if Penny and I are seeing each other, then yes, we've been hanging out recently."
"Well, workplace romances almost never work out. Well, except for if you're turned on by creepy Spanish teachers named Will Schuester!" She patted Finn on the back. "No worries, bubble guts, I'm taking the liberty of complaining about that supposed 'nurse' back there to Figgins. She'll be fired in no time."
As Sue walked away, Finn stood in shock. He could only assume Sue was trying to get her fired because of Finn's interest in her, an assumption that was almost definitely correct. Regardless, that wasn't fair! Penny needed this internship at McKinley to make it into nursing school and achieve her dream. Finn wasn't going to let Sue ruin her life just because of her association to him! "You can't do this!"
"I'm doing you a favor! Saving you the hassle of dealing with all of that HR paperwork. Haven't you seen the episode of The Office where Jim and Pam have to talk to Toby about that? I'm also doing this school a favor. That girl shouldn't be trusted with a needle!" Sue shoved past him before turning back around quickly. "By the way, if you think for a second that this is personal? You're absolutely right. I warned you what would come of being my enemy, Finn Hudson, and now you will face my wrath."
As Sue walked off, Finn rushed panickily into the nurse's office, watching as Penny continued trying to use a sausage as a test subject. She looked up and smiled. "Hey, you!"
"Did that lady in the tracksuit say anything to you?"
Penny shrugged. "She just said I had big Timmy Turner teeth, nothing I haven't heard before."
"Penny, that's the cheerleading coach I told you about? She's like, my arch enemy, and she's going to try and get you fired because of me!" Finn watched as Penny struggled to give the sausage a flu shot. He started to see why Sue thought she wasn't fit to be a nurse. "Are you injecting that sausage with influenza?"
Penny chuckled a little. "Yeah, I know. I had an extended panic attack during the two weeks we studied injections last semester, so I was practicing on that guy." She began wrapping a band around Finn's arm as he sat down on the hospital bed. "Did you say fired?"
Finn nodded. "Sue Sylvester is bad news. She's trying to do everything she can to derail me, Mr. Schue, and the glee club from staying dead focused on Nationals... firing you is going to distract me, obviously, but it's also going to kill your shot at getting into nursing school!" He sat up, looking mighty confident. "But that's not going to happen. We're going to keep our heads up, prove Sue wrong, and keep you on track to complete your internship!"
Penny giggled, kissing Finn's cheek as he began to turn red. "How are we going to do that?"
"Well, first, we need to make sure you know what you're doing with that needle." Finn responded, looking down at the needle on the table.
"Oh right. Are you ready for your shot?" She asked, reaching for it.
"Is that the same one you put in that sausage?"
"Good eye!" Penny responded enthusiastically, giving Finn a wink.
Finn jumped off the hospital bed, stretching as he did so. "I don't think I'm ready yet."
Penny put the needle down, walking over to Finn and giving him a hug from behind. "Relax!" She insisted. "I know you're worried about Sue. Believe me, I am too – I've heard stories about her, and considering how inexperienced I am, I'm super freaked out. But we have to stay positive! You guys have beaten her before, and you can do it again, right?"
Finn listened closely, nodding his head and not responding for a while, but eventually his eyes lit up. "You just gave me the best idea for a glee club lesson!"
{The scene cuts to Finn playing the drums with the band as the music begins}
I've been waiting on a sunset, bills on my mindset
I can't deny they're getting high
Higher than my income, income's breadcrumbs
I've been trying to survive
{The entire glee club is shown to be enjoying Finn's performance, except Bree}
The glow that the sun gets right around sunset
Helps me to realize
This is just a journey, drop your worries
You are gonna turn out fine
Oh, you turn out fine
Fine, oh, you turn out fine
{Finn throws the drumsticks to the drummer as he gets up and begins to dance}
But you gotta keep your head up, oh oh
And you can let your head down, eh eh
You gotta keep your head up, oh oh
And you can let your hair down, eh eh
{Jake and Blaine get up to dance backup for Finn}
I know it's hard, know it's hard
To remember sometimes
But you gotta keep your head up, oh oh
And you can let your hair down, eh eh eh eh eh
{Finn walks over to Artie and Tina as they sing to each other}
Only rainbows after rain
The sun will always come again
{Finn walks over to Sam and gives him a high five}
And it's a circle, circling
Around again, it comes around again, I say
{Finn stops and sings to Bree, who basically ignores him}
Only rainbows after rain
The sun will always come again
And it's a circle, circling
Around again, it comes around again
{Finn moves back to the center of the choir room and starts clapping to the beat. The New Directions also begin clapping}
But you gotta keep your head up, oh oh
And you can let your head down, eh eh
You gotta keep your head up, oh oh
And you can let your hair down, eh eh
{Finn, Blaine, and Jake continue to dance}
I know it's hard, know it's hard
To remember sometimes
But you gotta keep your head up, oh oh
And you can let your hair down, eh eh eh eh eh
{Blaine and Jake sit down as the glee club waves their hands side to side, while Finn stops dancing}
Keep your head up
And you can let your hair down
And keep your head up
And you can let your hair down
Keep your head up
And you can let your hair down
Say oh, no no no, no no, no...
The musical number ended with the glee club cheering as Finn walked to the whiteboard and wrote one word.
Optimism.
Mr. Schue walked in, a little late for glee club this week, and looked at the board. He was impressed; Finn was coming up with a lesson, without any help! "Optimism, Finn?" He asked, an envelope in his hand.
Finn nodded enthusiastically. "That's right, optimism. Nationals is closer than we think, guys, and we need to remain positive! We need to go into this competition, feeling confident in ourselves and in our teammates. We need to forget about the opposing teams, the crowd, people trying to tear us down like Sue... we need to remain optimistic! So, that's what this week's lesson is all about. Sing a song about optimism, self-confidence, and keeping your head held high!"
The glee club began to clap again as Mr. Schue stepped into the center of the room, waving the envelope in his hand. "I have in my hand our competition for Nationals!" He opened it as he began reading the names aloud. "We've got the Rust Belters from Pittsburg, the the Thundershow Cats from Gainsville... and finally, from Fort Wayne, Throat Explosion."
Tina screamed bloody murder. "NO! WHY, GOD?"
Bree looked up from filing her nails. "Uh, did you say Throat Explosion? That has got to be a joke."
Blaine groaned. "Anything but! They're the new supergroup that the Show Choir underground has been buzzing about. Their budgets for costume, makeup, hair alone are astronomical. You guys have read that Malcolm Gladwell book, Outliers, right?"
Silence. Blaine continued, "So, Gladwell says you can't possibly master anything unless you've spent 10,000 hours practicing it... so students can't even join Throat Explosion without proving they've logged in 10,000 hours of show choir rehearsal. They don't even go to class; they just perform, every minute of every day. They're constantly pushing the envelope, living and performing on the edge... they're like, mini Lady Gagas!"
Finn pointed frantically at the whiteboard. "Uh, hello, did you not hear my lesson plan? Optimism? Remaining positive?" Finn was urging the kids to stay positive regarding their Nationals competition, which was genuine, but he was also trying to remain positive himself, what with the whole 'Sue trying to get Penny fired' situation.
"Finn is right, guys. I don't like this attitude!" Mr. Schue agreed. "We don't complain about competition, we step up and face any adversity head on. Okay? I don't want to hear any more complaints – let's make sure we properly follow Finn's lesson."
Finn smiled proudly as he got approval from Mr. Schue – it was like your dad telling you how proud he was of you! Finn looked around the room as he could see the fire in the student's eyes. Well, most of them. Tina was still freaking out over facing Throat Explosion at Nationals, but the point was they wanted to win, and knew they could do so!
"Optimism!" Sam stood up, voicing his support for Finn's idea and the overall theme of the week. He knew a thing or two about the lesson planned; he had just spent the previous week down in the dumps about Brittany leaving, and now that he had fully accepted that, he was ready to turn his attitude around and take life head on. "Listen to my friend, Finn! Finn is smart! Finn knows things!"
"Get a room." Kitty muttered with an eyeroll as Sam and Finn high-fived.
Finn pointed to the board one last time. "I'll say it one last time... optimism. Remember that this week."
"Okay, guys. Don't Rain on My Parade, from the top!" Rupert Campion, Funny Girl director, barked from the audience, as the cast got into formation for the number.
Rachel cringed inside as she heard Rupert's demand. Don't Rain on My Parade was her go to song; she sung it at the New Directions' first Sectionals performance, and she sung it at her initial audition for NYADA. It was her favorite song from Funny Girl – it might be her favorite song, period. Sitting on the sidelines, dancing in the background while someone else performed? It was her worst nightmare!
It wasn't that the actress playing Fanny Brice, wasn't talented. Miriam Reign was a five-time Tony Award winning actress, for her work in previous productions such as Heathers and Grease. Rachel had actually seen her perform as Rizzo on Broadway with Kurt and Santana. She was amazing, and absolutely deserved the role of Fanny, but Rachel couldn't help but be jealous. She had been dreaming of playing Fanny her entire life, and she felt it should be HER singing the lead right now, not Miriam. Rachel's mind began to drift off as she imagined a world where she landed the lead... when suddenly, a woman she looked up to went full diva mode.
"We're going to have to start from the top. Everyone needs to pull their weight in this production. EVERYONE. Especially her!" Miriam shrieked, pointing to Rachel. "Let's get a move on with this rehearsal. I need to pick up my kids from Shining Stars Academy in an hour."
Rachel completely ignored Miriam blaming her for holding up rehearsal as they heard that last part; her biological mother, Shelby Corcoran, ran Shining Stars! The last time Rachel saw her mother, she came to NYADA to help Rachel with her Funny Girl audition. What a small world!
"Miss Reign, I would just like to firstly say how big of a fan I am, and secondly, it is so funny how you take your children to Shining Stars, because my mother is the woman in charge! Well, she's kind of my mother. She's my biological mother, but she carried for my two dads, who adopted me at birth. She eventually adopted my friend's baby, and-"
"Your mother is Shelby Corcoran?" Miriam walked over to Rachel, with a small smile.
Rachel nodded. "Yes!"
"Well, I'll be sure to mention that her daughter was the reason I was late to pick up my kids!" Miriam barked as Rachel took a step back. "Can we go back to rehearsal, or do you want to gaze up at the ceiling a little bit longer?"
This must be what everyone thought of me in high school. Rachel stared at Miriam blankly as she realized what a true diva looked like. The entire cast was in awe of not only Miriam for screaming at her understudy, but Rachel for trying to strike up a conversation in the middle of Miriam's screaming. Rupert stepped onto stage, asking everyone to take five, as he walked backstage with Miriam to calm her down. As everyone briefly dispersed, Rachel felt her stomach drop. She was likely on Miriam's shit-list now, meaning her time at Funny Girl was about to get even harder. Once again, she felt she was at an all-time low.
Rachel was then late for work at the Spotlight Diner due to her Funny Girl fantasy and Miriam's explosion. She crept in through the front door, where she found Kurt, Santana, and Dani working behind the counter. As she rushed up to clock in, Kurt whipped around, like the concerned parent he always acted as. "Where have you been?"
"Rehearsals. It was rough today. I'll explain later." Rachel replied, clocking in and throwing her apron on over her waist.
"Well, perfect. Now that you're here, I'd like to talk to you for a second." He sat on the counter, ushering Rachel over, as Santana and Dani worked behind them. "So, after class the other day I was in Cooper Square, putting an ad in the Village Voice for my new band..."
Dani overheard as she walked over and leaned over the counter. "You're starting a new band?"
Kurt nodded. "Yes, yes. Well, I sort of have to because Adam kicked me out of the Adam's Apples when he found out I was back with Blaine." Adam was a guy Kurt had been seeing during the breakup, and obviously that was history now.
"Well, what kind of band are you starting?" Dani asked enthusiastically, as Santana joined the group. "Are you taking girls?"
"Well, originally, I was thinking of a Madonna cover band, but I think I want it to be more organic than that. So, yes, girls will be in it, and I was hoping the three of you would spare me the agony of open auditions by signing up?" Kurt pleaded with a smile, looking from Rachel, to Dani, to Santana.
"I don't know, Kurt..."
"Rachel!" Kurt cried, beginning to beg.
"Whatever strength and creative energy I have, it has to go towards Funny Girl!" Rachel argued, wiping down the counter. "I think that joining a band right now would just be a little too much, but thanks." She gave Kurt a quick hug as she walked into the kitchen to find a new, clean rag to use.
That left Dani and Santana, who Kurt looked at with sad, puppy dog eyes. Dani cracked first. "You've got me!"
"Yes!" Kurt exclaimed excitedly. Putting a band together was easier than he thought!
Dani turned to Santana. "What about you, babe?" After their little Alanis Morisette duet, the two had gone on a few dates, and were officially together now. Brittany S. Pierce was now a person of the past.
Santana looked at Dani, then at Kurt, as she hesitated. "Okay, I guess." Dani and Kurt clapped and squealed before Santana continued. "But listen, if we're going to be apart of this band, we don't just get to help with the setlist. We also get a say on who joins, right?"
Kurt hesitated himself before answering, "Sure, as long as you don't go all crazy, Nicki Minaj on me. I'll see you at auditions!" Dani squealed yet again as Santana kept a cool, calm, and collected smile.
Kurt also seemed rather excited. He was a little bummed Rachel wouldn't be participating, but his group already had two members! He hadn't hung out with Dani a whole lot since she and Santana started dating, but he liked her and was excited to get to know her a little bit better, and of course, he and Santana got along very well. He had been wanting to start a band since before even getting to New York, and now that dream was becoming a reality. Plus, it wouldn't hurt to have another hobby, since he and Blaine were doing long distance yet again. Things were looking up for him!
Finn sat in the nurse's office with Penny once again, as Finn finished writing on flashcards and Penny skimmed through her textbook. He wasn't sure if she had ever studied in her time as a nursing student, but whether she had or not, Finn was going to ensure that she kept her internship, if it was the last thing he did.
"You really take studying seriously, don't you?" She looked up at Finn, who was urgently writing information on each notecard.
Finn didn't even look up as he nodded his head. "I work well under pressure, especially if that work entails studying at the last minute. It worked with Puck before he graduated, so it should work now too!"
"Puck is your best friend, right?"
Another quick nod from Finn. "Yup, and my roommate. You'll meet him eventually."
Penny put her textbook down as she tapped her foot over and over. "He's the guy who was on the football team and glee club with you, and he also got your girlfriend Quinn pregnant during your sophomore year?"
"You're really good at remembering stuff!" Finn finally looked up to see Penny now fidgeting with her bracelet. "Can that habit be applied to your studying?"
"Yeah! Maybe. No. I don't know!" Penny cried, slamming her book shut. "I get really distracted when I get nervous, and I start talking about irrelevant information. Puck's the guy with the mohawk, right?"
"Penny, relax." Finn stood up and walked over to her, sitting down next to her. "Why are you nervous?"
"Because Sue is gonna fire me!"
Finn sighed, full of frustration that the pressure of working with Sue was getting to Penny. Considering Penny did nothing wrong, Finn didn't think it was fair. Although, she did practice injections on a sausage... that was besides the point. He knew Sue only cared about her due to her connection to him! It was garbage! "No, she's not. We're going to prove how great of a nurse you are when we offer the entire school flu shots, free of cost! We're going to protect the students and staff of McKinley, one immune system at a time."
Penny blushed. "Thank you, Finn." She took a deep breath. "Puck's first name is Noah."
"Yes, I'm aware. Stay focused."
The two shared a quick laugh, which subsided when they locked eyed. Penny was touched that Finn was going through all this trouble just to help her. He was so selfless and humble, both very attractive qualities to her. As they both began to lean in gently, someone barged in the door.
"Get a room, Finnocence!"
In the doorway stood Becky Jackson, in full Cheerios gear. As most people knew, Sue took the fall for Becky's firing of a firearm on school grounds. Becky was set to graduate in May, and in fear of the outside world, she brought her dad's gun to school, and accidentally dropped it in Sue's office, causing it to go off. She was suspended for a month after admitting the truth, but she was back, and better than ever.
Finn scooted away from Penny quickly as he heard Becky enter. "Becky, hi! You're back from your suspension?"
Becky nodded, looking to Penny. "I have a headache."
Penny jumped up, eager to assist a student. "I can help with that! One ibuprofen coming right up." She walked over to the medicine cabinet, leaving Becky to try and kiss Finn herself, who allowed her to peck his cheek. Penny returned quickly with an ibuprofen tablet for Becky, who took it quickly.
"Thanks, bitch." Becky said happily. "I have a thank you present for you."
Penny pouted. "Aw, that is so thoughtful! You don't have to do that."
Right as Becky stepped out of the nurse's office, Finn knew something was up. In his mind, Becky was like a human Sour Patch Kid – sour one minute, sweet the next. In his experience with her over the years, he knew that there was some kind of catch if Becky was being sweet. And, he was right, as when Becky returned, she had a white Styrofoam cup in her hand, filled with a bright red slushie. Becky promptly threw the slushie onto not only Penny and Finn, but Penny's textbook and the flash cards Finn made. She giggled and bolted out of the nurse's office, leaving the two alone as they were covered in red food coloring.
Finn licked his lips. "I haven't been slushied in years... I forgot how cold it was."
Penny was in pure shock. "Getting slushied is a COMMON OCCURANCE HERE?"
Finn shrugged. "Welcome to McKinley?"
As Finn looked through cabinets for towels to dry themselves off, he looked up to see Sue and Becky staring into the window of the nurse's office, cackling with laughter at the sight of him and Penny. Everything clicked for Finn in that moment; of course Becky and Sue were in cahoots! Sue waved innocently to Finn as they made eye contact, then made a cutting motion with her finger across her throat, as Becky blew a raspberry with her tongue. The Hudson-Sylvester war raged on, but Finn would not go down without a fight.
"So, how long do we have to wait here?"
Kurt, Santana, and Dani sat in a NYADA dance studio, with a full band behind them, as they waited impatiently for people to enter and audition. Obviously, the group was getting impatient; Dani was the one who asked the question, while Kurt sulked in his chair, and Santana had suddenly become obsessed with clicking her pen over and over.
"This is humiliating." Kurt sighed, sitting up as Santana looked over at him. "I mean, I spent all my tip money renting out this room because I thought we'd have a turnout!"
Dani sighed herself as she rolled her eyes. Santana leaned over to Kurt and said, in typical Santana fashion, "What did you expect? No one is gonna try out for a band that doesn't even have a name! Although, I came up with an amazing one!"
In an equally sassy tone, Kurt responded, "We are not naming the band 'The Apocalipsticks,' okay?" Santana shrugged as Kurt continued. "I am manifesting the perfect name, alright? It takes time."
"Yeah, well, in the meantime? No one signs up." Santana pointed to the almost blank clipboard, as if to say, I told you so.
Kurt picked it up, reading their name. "One person did, but they obviously chickened out... but maybe it's for the best. I mean, who names themselves 'Starchild'?"
Almost on cue, the mysterious 'Starchild' entered the room, wearing an all-black, sparkly outfit with a top hat to match. "It's an homage to Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars." He walked in, giving a polite wave to the band and Dani, before addressing Kurt and Santana directly. "Sorry I'm late... people kept stopping me on the street, asking if they could take their picture with me."
Dani spoke up once again, this time full of life and enthusiasm. "Yeah, because you look freaking badass!"
"Thanks!" Starchild looked back at Dani with a smile before turning back to Kurt and Santana. "I did design and sew this costume myself."
Santana, like Dani, was obviously impressed; and for her, that wasn't easy to do. She smiled brightly, glancing at Kurt encouragingly as she began to make notes on Starchild. Kurt, however, was not as impressed. "It's a little Project Runway? Season 6." With that comment, Starchild's smile diminished. "Have you prepared a song?"
"Yeah, of course!" Starchild responded, walking over to Dani and the band to tell them what to play. "It's by one of my favorite artists, someone who always inspires me to by myself, no matter what... other people think."
That last comment was directed at Kurt, evident by Starchild's finger point. That was another point in Santana's book, who smirked and wrote down yet another note on her notepad. Kurt rolled his eyes, annoyed, as he sat back and watched the show begin.
{Starchild clutches onto the microphone stand}
I'm gonna marry the night
I won't give up on my life
I'm a warrior queen
Live passionately tonight
I'm gonna marry the night
I'm gonna marry the night
{Starchild throws his top hat to the ground as the music continues}
I'm gonna marry the night
I'm not gonna cry anymore
I'm gonna marry the night
Leave nothing on the streets to explore
{Kurt and Santana are shown in awe of his voice}
M-m-m-marry
M-m-m-marry
M-m-m-marry the night
{Starchild begins walking back and forth on the stage slowly}
I'm gonna lace up my boots
Throw on some leather and cruise
{Starchild jumps off the stage and struts slowly towards Kurt and Santana}
Down the streets that I love
In my fishnet gloves
I'm a sinner
{Starchild stops to sit on a piano}
Then I'll go down to the bar
But I won't cry anymore
I'll hold my whiskey up high
Kiss the bartender twice
I'm a loser
I'm gonna marry the night
{Starchild jumps off the piano and runs onto the stage again, singing in Dani's face as Santana begins recording}
I'm gonna marry the night
I'm not gonna cry anymore
I'm gonna marry the night
Leave nothing on these streets to explore
{Starchild sits on the stage and begins dancing}
M-m-m-marry
M-m-m-marry
M-m-m-marry the night
{Starchild stands up and begins creeping towards Santana and Kurt again}
Nothing's too cool
To take me from you
New York is not just a tan that you'll never lose
{Starchild sings directly into Santana's camera}
Get Ginger ready, climb to El Camino front
Won't poke holes in the seats with my heels
'Cause that's where we make love
{Starchild now sings in Kurt's face, who is visibly annoyed}
Come on and run
Turn the car on and run
Run
{Starchild moves into the middle of the room to sing and dance}
I'm gonna marry the night
I'm not gonna cry anymore
I'm gonna marry the night
Leave nothing on these streets to explore
M-m-m-marry
M-m-m-marry
M-m-m-marry the night
{Starchild jumps and hangs from the chandelier}
M-m-m-marry
M-m-m-marry
M-m-m-marry the night
Yeah
The night!
Starchild threw the mic stand down to the ground as the entire room stood up and exploded into cheers, with Santana leading the charge. He was amazing! Everyone was in awe of his raw talent, and they began to individually praise him.
"Bravo! I would not be embarrassed to share the stage with you." Santana applauded.
Dani spoke in agreement. "You just rocked it so hard."
"Thank you!" Starchild replied with a gentle smile, as he looked to the band's leader for final approval. As Kurt spoke, it was not the answer anyone wanted to hear.
"Thank you for your time, Starchild, but it's not a fit."
Santana was about to go all Snixx on him. "Are you insane?" She looked up to Starchild with a fake smile, "I'm sorry, would you mind just stepping outside for a moment, while I bitch slap some sense into my friend?"
Kurt stood up with frustration. "I don't need a minute, okay? I made my decision, alright." He looked Starchild dead in the eye, who was clearly offended and annoyed, as he continued. "Your aesthetic is striking, Starchild, but it's a little... outré for the team that I'm assembling. But, if you're willing to tone down your look, maybe I'd reconsider!"
The collective confusion in the room spoke volumes. Not only Starchild, but Dani, Santana, and even the entire band looked at Kurt like he was crazy. This guy was insanely talented. Why was Kurt going to let him walk away without giving him a real chance?
Bree was late for glee club. She lingered in the hallway, purposely, with a million different excuses as to why she was late. Cheerios practice ran late! That wouldn't work, since Kitty was on the Cheerios as well, and she was on time. Coach Sylvester made me feed her baby! More believable. I got my period! Who was going to argue with that one?
No, the real reason was that Jake wasn't there yet, and Bree had a bone to pick with him. They had scheduled times to recite the Cheerios dance numbers, but he had blown her off every time since their first lesson. She was pissed; she thought Jake was gorgeous, and based on his previous body language, she knew he felt some kind of way for her. All she had to do was get him to leave Marley and he was hers.
As he rounded the corner, rushing to glee club, Bree found her time to pounce. She pranced over and gave him a silky smile. "Hey, Jakey! Late for glee club?"
Jake looked at her and blinked before walking past her. "Was busy. Talking to my brother about something."
Bree followed. "Oh yeah, your brother is the Puck, right? You're just a knockoff." He ignored her – Bree absolutely hated being ignored. She grabbed his wrist as he turned around. "You didn't show up to any of our rehearsals. What gives?"
"Our?" Jake asked as he pulled away. "No, not anymore. Those are your rehearsal times, find someone else to choreograph for you."
A surprised Bree raised her eyebrows. "Excuse me?"
"I have a girlfriend, who I want to remain loyal to. So, yeah, maybe I am a knockoff Puckerman, but I'd rather be myself than a shadow of my brother."
Jake left Bree in the hallway, alone, as he turned into the choir room. She was so mad; she could feel steam coming out of her ears. Jake was choosing the 'quirky wallflower' over her? Head cheerleader, smoking body, the ability to actually put out? She was always the first choice. Nobody would reject Bree.
Nobody.
She stormed into the choir room, where everyone waited, except for her. Mr. Schue looked up from his sheet music. "Bree! Glad you could make it. Everything okay?"
Over in the corner, Finn was sitting playing Temple Run on his phone when Blaine tapped his shoulder. "Hey, Finn?"
Finn turned and looked up. "What's up?"
"I was hoping I could talk to you about something important." Blaine cleared his throat and began to whisper, "So, I'm planning on-"
Blaine's question to Finn was cut short as Bree ignored Mr. Schue and walked straight up to Marley. "What's the matter, Rose? Being a controlling girlfriend isn't a great look for you."
Marley was confused; she and Jake hadn't even spoken since he tried to go further with her a few days ago. "What are you talking about?"
"Jake can't choreograph for me anymore because of you." Bree sneered, folding her arms and looking down at Marley, as the entire glee club stared at the two. "I guess I get it. I'd be insecure too if I was a toothpick like you, not offering anything physical to a real man like a Puckerman."
Jake stood up. "Bree, enough."
Finn and Mr. Schue also began to step in. Mr. Schue walked behind Bree, as he demanded, "That kind of behavior is not tolerated in this choir room."
However, Bree continued. "And you know what, Marley? It makes even more sense, considering how obese your mother is. You're probably scared the weight is going to hit you next, so you need to keep Jake on lockdown before he leaves you for someone a little more his speed."
Marley stood up, with fire engulfing in her eyes. "I'm not making Jake do anything. Mind your business."
"Yeah, but I heard you're making him stop at making out." She smirked. "Too bad he's gonna come running to me to get some."
At this point, Unique stood up, putting herself between Bree and Marley. Marley was Unique's best friend; she wasn't going to let Bree talk down to her. "You better check your tone. You mess with my girl, Marley? You mess with me."
Bree snorted before looking back to Marley, "Did you deny Wade here your magical garden too? Is that why he wants to be seen as a she?"
Unique shoved Bree, who quickly shoved her back. As the two began to fight each other, Mr. Schue got in between them, as Finn and Sam quickly got up to pull the two girls apart. Bree laughed, as she succeeded in getting a rise out of both Marley and Unique, while the latter two sat down in fury. Mr. Schue pulled Bree to the side and pointed to the door. "I told you, that behavior isn't tolerated in this choir room. You're done until further notice."
Just as she was in the hallway with Jake, Bree was in awe. "I'm done?"
"Don't let the door hit you on the way out, bitch." Kitty said under her breath as she moved her seat to comfort her friends.
Bree whipped her head. "I'm sorry, is the bitch who dates a man with dysfunctional legs speaking?"
Kitty stood up to go at Bree, but was quickly pulled back down by Marley, who stared at Bree and said nothing. Her silence said everything that was needed to be set. Mr. Schue once again to the door of the choir room, asking Bree to leave. She stared back at everyone, who glared in her direction, but her eyes lingered over to Jake. He had the angriest look of them all. In frustration, she pulled away from Mr. Schue and slammed the door on her way out. Nobody knew exactly what her angle was, or why she wanted to stir up trouble, except for Bree. She wanted Jake, and she wanted that entire choir room to know she was a force to be reckoned with, especially when she didn't get what she wanted. Her message was heard loud and clear, as even when she had left the choir room, everyone felt it.
"You girls okay?" Joe asked in a comforting tone, although he and everyone else was obviously very uncomfortable.
Marley nodded, as did Kitty and Unique. "I think we're okay."
Ryder sulked in his chair as he rolled his eyes. "That Bree chick is a real bit-"
"Enough." Mr. Schue shook his head, signaling Ryder to stop, which he did. As the glee club fell into silence, Mr. Schue continued. "I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Bullying is not tolerated in this choir room. The glee club is a place for students to come and feel accepted... nobody here should feel they are being targeted for any reason. Girls, I'm sorry that Bree spoke to you in that way."
Marley stood up. "I have a song I'd like to sing if that's alright. Mr. Schue, Finn, I think it goes great with the theme of this week, and I'd love to have Unique and Kitty sing it with me."
Unique and Kitty eagerly stood up as they joined Marley in the center of the choir room. Mr. Schue looked excited, although was cautious when asking, "This isn't going to rile up anymore feathers, is it?"
Marley shook her head. "This song is just a reminder to keep pushing forward, no matter what obstacles stand in your way."
{Marley, Unique, and Kitty each grab a microphone as the band begins playing}
[Marley]
Well, I won't back down
No, I won't back down
You can stand me up at the gates of hell
But I won't back down
{Marley and Jake make brief eye contact}
[Unique]
No, I'll stand my ground
Won't be turned around
And I'll keep this world from draggin' me down
Gonna stand my ground
{Unique looks to Ryder, who turns away, face full of guilt}
[Unique]
And I won't back down
[Marley, Unique, and Kitty]
I won't back down
Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out
I won't back down
Hey, I will stand my ground
And I won't back down
{Kitty walks over to Artie and sings to him}
[Kitty]
Well, I know what's right
I got just one life
In a world that keeps on pushin' me around
But I'll stand my ground
And I won't back down
{Kitty caresses Artie's face as she returns to where Marley and Unique stand}
[Marley, Unique, and Kitty]
I won't back down
Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out
{Bree is shown lingering in the hallway, watching the performance}
[Marley, Unique, and Kitty]
I won't back down
Hey, I will stand my ground
And I won't back down
{The glee club is shown thoroughly enjoying their performance}
[Marley, Unique, and Kitty]
I won't back down
Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out
I won't back down
Hey, I won't back down
Hey, I will stand my ground
And I won't back down
I won't back down
[Marley]
No, I won't back down
As the performance ended and the glee club stood up to embrace their friends, Bree stared into the choir room from the outside, full of envy. When she saw Jake and Marley hug on their own, and watched Jake mouth the words "I'm sorry about her," she stormed off angrily.
A groggy Kurt walked over to his next customer, notepad and pen in hand. "Hello, and welcome to Spotlight. I'm Kurt, I'll be your chorus boy waiter today... can I start you off with one of our signature orange freezes?"
The customer put down his menu, with a voice that sounded eerily familiar to Kurt. "First, can I ask you something? Is this toned down enough?"
Kurt's heart began to pound. As the man took his glasses off, he instantly recognized him. "Oh, my god. Starchild!"
"It's Elliot Gilbert, actually." He replied, with a brief chuckle. "Do you have a minute to talk?"
Kurt nodded before looking around and yelling, "I'm taking an intermission!" As he sat and Elliot laughed once again, he explained that an 'intermission' is what the Spotlight Diner referred to as a break, and that they have to say it or they get fined. "I'm so happy to see you! I've been trying to find you since your audition." His voice was full of guilt.
"Same, hence my stalking you." Elliot chuckled. "So, I'm just gonna come right out and say this. I need to be in your band. I came to New York to be in your band! It'll be something cool, and fun, and special."
"Here's hoping!" Kurt felt even more guilty after hearing that, if that were possible. "Came from where? If you say Ohio, I'm gonna die."
"Paramus, New Jersey. Land of malls. As soon as I was old enough, I used to take New Jersey transit to the city to see shows, concerts, museums... so I only applied to colleges in New York." Elliot explained.
"Oh, do you go to NYADA too?"
"No, NYU. I didn't get into NYADA." Elliot responded, leaving Kurt shocked. "But it's cool! I'm doing things all over the city, and one of the things on my artist bucket list is to be in an indie band... so if Starchild is 'too much' for you, I can be whoever you want. I just wanted to make an impression."
As Kurt considered what Starchild said, he thought back to a conversation he had with Rachel the night before. She came up to him and revealed Santana showed her Elliot's audition video, and asked if he passed on him so he didn't have to share the "lavender limelight" with him.
"Rachel, it's a band, alright? If I was afraid of sharing the limelight with someone, I would do a solo show at the duplex about my obsession with Broadway divas."
Rachel sat on Kurt's bed. "Why did you do that? You know, he is really something special."
Kurt folded his arms. "Like I said before, Starchild's look is too edgy, out there... it's not what I want with this band."
"And what is that, exactly?"
Kurt rolled his eyes and sighed. "I don't know, mainstream acceptance and success for once? Look, I've been doing this weirdo-quirky-fabulous-outrageous-sidekick-best friend thing for a while now, and it hasn't gotten me very far."
"It got you to New York! It got you into NYADA!" Rachel made a valid point.
"Does that give me financial security? A mass audience? A song on the radio?"
"Since when is that what you want?" Rachel asked, confused.
"Maybe since I moved to New York and saw one of my friends book a Broadway show, understudy or not. And another one, a national commercial!" Kurt sat at the edge of his bed and looked back at her. "Look, Rachel, there's nothing wrong with wanting to be that thing that everyone likes, the thing that everyone wants to see and hear. You know, that doesn't offend or challenge anyone."
"That's not you. You're way more specific!"
"Which is code for fringe, which is code for unsuccessful, which is code for 'You'll never make it in the big leagues, kid, stop trying!'"
Rachel sighed, trying to stay patient as she helped her friend. "I know it's not my band, so I'm not gonna tell you what to do. But, as your best friend and biggest fan, what I love most about you is that you don't try to do or be what anyone else is doing, okay? You make your own path!" Another valid point from Miss Berry.
Kurt sighed in frustration. "It's so hard sometimes."
"I know." Rachel gave a sympathetic smile; she related to Kurt's anger, as she was experiencing it at rehearsal. "But it's gonna be worth it in the long run, I promise you. Your brand is gonna be huge. Look at Madonna! She was performing in the East Village, and then she was on the Super Bowl! That's gonna be you, I know it!" She stood up and gave another smile. "You are a true talent, Kurt, but I think Starchild might be as well, and luckily it might not be too late to call him back."
Kurt snapped back to reality and gave Starchild a sympathetic smile of his own. "After a lot of soul searching, I've come to the conclusion that the greatest chance for my band and for my brand to be successful is to surround myself with the best people. Although there wasn't much of it, you blew the competition away."
Elliot laughed. "So, I can audition again?"
"No." Elliot frowned but his facial expression changed as Kurt continued. "You're in, as Elliot Gilbert, as Starchild, or someone in between. Whoever you wanna be!"
Their pow-wow was interrupted by an irritated Santana. "Intermission is over, and you have a boyfriend, so stop flirting." She said as she stood behind Kurt, glaring at Elliot, not realizing he was the man who blew her away the day before.
Kurt turned around. "Santana, this is Elliot Gilbert... AKA Starchild!"
"Oh, well, hot damn!" She said with a growing smile.
Kurt turned back to Elliot. "And I hope the newest member of our band?"
Elliot looked at Kurt and Santana and nodded as Kurt clapped happily. Their trio just turned to a quartet!
Finn stood proudly outside the nurse's office as the line was out the door. Everyone was showing up for he and Penny's mini flu-shot clinic, and to everyone's surprise, Penny was doing a great job! It certainly helped that everyone who got their shot would get a complementary brownie.
The brownies were Finn's idea. "Who knew Finn Hudson knew how to round up the McKinley High troops?" Penny laughed as she continued to give out flu shots.
"I've done it all, Miss Owen. Bake sales, kissing booths, calendars... I'm a seasoned veteran." He replied with his classic smirk.
Sugar Motta, who sat on the bed as Penny and Finn conversed, waited for her shot. "Did you know that vaccinations can give you Asperger's? That's how I got it."
Penny looked confused. "I don't think that's accurate."
Next up to receive their shot was "Stoner" Brett Bukowski. "Do the brownies contain the magical green plant?"
Finn looked at him weirdly. "No..."
After Brett was Dottie Kazatori, who was a good sport about receiving her shot. Next up was Blaine. Finn smiled as he saw his friend walk in. "Hey Blaine! Here to receive your shot?"
Blaine sat and nodded. "Yeah, super exciting. Do you mind if I talk to you now?"
"Sure, what about?"
"Well, I'm going to-"
Blaine's question was cut off yet again when Finn's phone began to buzz. "Sorry, man, just one second. It's probably my mom."
Finn stepped out of the nurse's office into the hallway and took his phone out of his pocket. As he read the name that appeared on his screen, he felt his heart begin to pound out of his chest. It was a name that had appeared on his phone many times over the past few years, but he had not really spoken to her since he started seeing Penny.
Rachel Berry.
Finn took a deep breath and picked up the phone. "Hey, Rachel! Everything okay?"
On the other end of the phone, Rachel sounded upset. "Not really." She had just gotten berated by Miriam Reign for what felt like the millionth time. "I don't think I can do Funny Girl anymore."
Finn sounded shocked. "W-what? Why? I thought you said you got over the whole understudy thing."
"I did, but the woman playing Fanny, she... she's just been really hard on me. Earlier she told me I should consider playing Zazu when The Lion King returns to Broadway because I missed my mark during a rehearsal of I'm the Greatest Star. And she keeps blaming me for holding up rehearsal!" Rachel cried, knowing she could confide in Finn, judgement-free. "I love Broadway, Finn, and I love this musical, and the role, but I don't know if I can take the constant mental torture of being Miriam Reign's understudy. I did it once with Cassandra July, I don't want to go through with it again."
Finn leaned up against the lockers. "Well, Cassandra was hard on you because she saw something special in you, right? She was trying to motivate you."
"Are you saying this Miriam lady is doing the same thing?"
"Maybe." Finn responded. "I spoke to Kurt earlier. He told me you gave him some great advice on his band."
Rachel smiled at the thought of Kurt and Finn keeping in touch. "I told him to continue to go down his own path like he always has."
"Right. He never cared what people thought, or what was the 'cool' thing to do; he did what he wanted because he loved it. He never let anyone stand in his way of a dream." Finn continued. "And the Rachel Berry I know is the same way. So what if this Miriam lady is giving you a hard time? Use it. You did it with Cassandra, so yes, you can go through with it again. Everyone in that cast will see how much you want this role, how much you care about the production, and they will respect you... eventually."
"Respect is earned, not given." Rachel sighed in agreement. "Who knew the best advice I could get was, well, my own?"
Finn laughed. "You did, deep down."
"Yeah, well, it's always nice to hear some words of encouragement from you." Rachel bit her lip, blushing. "Thank you, Finn."
"Always. Remember, be optimistic. Keep your head up and keep pushing!"
"I will. Bye, Finn."
"Bye, Rachel." Finn hung up the phone, feeling a mixture of emotions. It was always great to talk to Rachel and hear her voice, but he knew the more they continued to chat, the more his feelings for her would return. Hell, they already did, off a 30-second phone call. He really liked Penny, and since Rachel was in New York, away and busy, he didn't want to blow Penny off just for the chance of another failed long-distance attempt. He put his phone back in his pocket and sat down against the lockers, leaning up against them once again.
Rachel put her phone back in her bag with a wide smile on her face. No matter where he was, she knew Finn would always be there for her. He always gave the best advice. She stood up and walked into her dressing room, looking into the mirror and giving herself a confident smile.
{Rachel fixes her hair briefly}
Welcome to the planet
Welcome to existence
Everyone's here
Everyone's here
{Rachel walks out of her dressing room and onto the Broadway stage}
Everyone's watching you now
Everybody waits for you now
What happens next?
What happens next?
{Rachel closes her eyes as she sings, a spotlight shining on her}
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
{The scene cuts to Rachel watching Miriam Reign and Paolo San Pablo rehearsing a scene together}
Welcome to the fallout
Welcome to resistance
The tension is here
Tension is here
{Rachel fantasizes her being Fanny instead of Miriam, rehearsing with Paolo}
Between who you are and who you could be
Between how it is and how it should be, yeah
{The scene cuts to Rachel, fantasizing herself on stage in her Fanny Brice costume, as Finn, Santana and Kurt are in the audience}
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
{The fantasy ends as Rachel is once again shown in her dressing room}
Maybe redemption has stories to tell
Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell
Where can you run to escape from yourself?
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
As Rachel finished her rendition of one of Swiftfoot's biggest songs, she pulled herself together as she prepared to return to rehearsal with a different outlook on life and her role as the understudy. Her current position in the musical was a lot for her to process; as someone who was used to being the most talented in the room, and overall getting whatever she wanted, this was a culture shock for her. However, it wouldn't deter her. Rachel Berry was going to work as hard as she could to show the world how great she was, one step at a time.
Outside of Rachel's dressing room stood Miriam Reign, who had heard Rachel's voice. She smiled gently before returning to her own dressing room, as Rachel left the theater for the day.
After finally standing up, Finn began to return to the nurse's office, when he was stopped by Sue Sylvester, who stood with her arms folded by the door.
"I see everyone has been getting their flu shots." She said in a slightly irritated tone.
Finn nodded. "H1N1 for no one, right?"
"H1N1 is the swine flu, idiot. That shot clearly didn't work as it would prevent you from being around this school, Porky Pig." Sue responded, moving out of the doorway. "I have to say, I thought Petunia Pig in there was a shoo-in for getting fired, but it seems like my complaint to Figgins would fail."
Finn smirked and nodded. "She's a great person, hardworking student, and she'll make a great nurse one day."
Sue rolled her eyes hard. "Keep it in your pants, would you?"
She began to walk away before Finn called her name. "Hey, Sue?" She turned around, confused as to why Finn wanted to continue to talk to her. He approached before asking, "We have a number we wanted to put on in the auditorium later, and I think it would be great for you and the Cheerios to come watch. You'll love it."
"Is it Bee Gees week?"
"No..."
"Then I doubt I'll love it. However, I would love to see your pathetic attempt at being a teacher with a high school degree and half of a semester of college under your belt, so I'll be there."
"Perfect!" Finn exclaimed happily. "See you then."
"What if we named our band 'The Nipslips'? Boob lovers of all genders will show up, for sure!" Dani asked.
Dani, Kurt, Santana, and Elliot sat in the living room of the Kurtcheltana apartment, pizzas and sodas scattered, as they struggled to come up with a name for their band. Everyone was getting tired and annoyed, as they had been brainstorming all afternoon and had nothing to show for it.
"It worked for the Bare Naked Ladies! They were guys..." Elliot spoke in support of Dani's idea.
"Sure, we'll just call ourselves 'The Areolas.'" Kurt responded in sarcasm.
Santana spoke up as she wrote on her notepad. "Nope, 'Areola 51,' we'll get the sci-fi geeks!"
"I was being sarcastic."
"No, you're actually just being the 'no-bot.' How about you pitch something instead of just shooting down everything that we're coming up with?" Santana asked in a Snixx-tone.
Kurt was quick to remind Santana of his manifestation. "I don't have it yet, but I will know it when I hear it!"
In that moment, Rachel walked in with a smile. Santana quickly changed the subject, "Hello, girl! How was rehearsal?"
"It was alright. What are you guys doing?"
"Beating our heads up against the wall, trying to come up with a name for our band that pleases the queen!" Santana said in a fake-happy tone, motioning to Kurt as 'the queen.' He sent a death glare back.
Rachel giggled as she put her coat down. "Why don't you call yourselves 'Pamela Landsbury?'"
A collective lightbulb went off in everyone's heads. Elliot, who was laying down in a bean bag, instantly shot up as his eyes widened. Dani's face was also full of intrigue, as Santana and Kurt quickly looked at each other and back to Rachel.
"No, I was kidding!"
"Rachel, you're a genius! A band with the raw sex appeal of Pamela Anderson, and the quiet dignity of Angela Landsbury!" Kurt cried, standing up to hug Rachel. "Now you have to join!"
"No, I can't. I told you!"
Kurt was fed up now. "Rachel, I'm serious, okay? No more Funny Girl excuses. When Barbra was doing Fanny, she still had time to sing for the President and Ladybird Johnson, pose for the cover of Time magazine, and sing Happy Days Are Here Again to adoring nightclub audiences all around the country. Now, you can do this!"
Rachel thought about the advice she gave Kurt (which was then given back to her by Finn). She looked around the room at the pleading eyes of Kurt, Santana, Dani, and Elliot, while she contemplated her decision. Finally, she spoke.
"Okay, you had me at Ladybird Johnson." Rachel said with a giggle as everyone jumped up with happy cheers.
'Pamela Landsbury.' A five-person band, consisting of Rachel, Kurt, Santana, Elliot, and Dani. What a group!
"Okay." Kurt said after the cheers died down. "Let's get to work."
{The scene cuts to Sue, Becky, Bree, and the rest of the Cheerios sitting in the auditorium as the New Directions begin their performance}
[Marley]
I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath
Scared to rock the boat and make a mess
[Unique]
So I sat quietly, agreed politely
I guess I forgot I had a choice
[Kitty]
I let you push me past the breaking point
I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything
{Marley, Unique, and Kitty all glare at Bree, who rolls her eyes}
[Sam]
You held me down but I got up
Already brushing off the dust
[Sam and Unique]
You hear my voice, you hear that sound
Like thunder gonna shake the ground
[Jake and Kitty]
You held me down, but I got up
Get ready, cause I've had enough
I see it all, I see it now
[New Directions]
I got the eye of the tiger, the fighter
Dancing through the fire
Cause I am a champion
And you're gonna hear me roar
{Finn is shown waving with a smile to Sue from backstage, who ignores him}
[New Directions]
Louder, louder than a lion
Cause I am a champion
And you're gonna hear me roar
Oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
You're gonna hear me roar
{The scene cuts to Pamela Lansbury in the Kurtcheltana living room, who also happen to be singing the same song}
[Rachel]
Now I'm floating like a butterfly
Stinging like a bee, I earned my stripes
[Rachel and Dani]
I went from zero
To my own hero
[Elliot]
You held me down, but I got up
Already brushing off the dust
You hear my voice, you hear that sound
Like thunder, gonna shake the ground
[Santana and Dani]
You held me down, but I got up
Get ready cause I've had enough
I see it all, I see it now
[Pamela Landsbury]
I got the eye of the tiger, the fighter
Dancing through the fire
Cause I am a champion
And you're gonna hear me roar
{Pamela Lansbury is shown dancing and laughing together}
[Pamela Landsbury]
Louder, louder than a lion
Cause I am a champion
And you're gonna hear me roar
Oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
You're gonna hear me roar
[Santana]
Roar, roar
Roar, roar
Roar
[Dani]
I've got the eye of the
{The rest of the performance cuts back and forth between the New Directions and Pamela Landsbury}
[New Directions and Pamela Landsbury]
Tiger, the fighter
Dancing through the fire
Cause I am a champion
And you're gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
Cause I am a champion
And you're gonna hear me roar
Oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
You're gonna hear me roar
As the performance ends, both the New Directions and Pamela Landsbury cheered excitedly with their respective groups as the week's lesson came to an end.
Meanwhile, back in his dorm at the University of Lima, Puck sat on the edge of his bed, staring at his phone. He had been thinking this decision over for weeks, and finally, he was doing it. He picked up the phone and dialed the number, waiting anxiously as it rang. They picked up as Puck laughed nervously.
"Hey."
glee
Season Five, Starring Cory Monteith
STARRING
Cory Monteith as Finn Hudson
Lea Michele as Rachel Berry
Matthew Morrison as William Schuester
Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester
Chris Colfer as Kurt Hummel
Naya Rivera as Santana Lopez
Kevin McHale as Artie Abrams
Jenna Ushkowitz as Tina Cohen-Chang
Darren Criss as Blaine Anderson
Chord Overstreet as Sam Evans
Melissa Benoist as Marley Rose
Jacob Artist as Jake Puckerman
Becca Tobin as Kitty Wilde
Alex Newell as Wade "Unique" Adams
Blake Jenner as Ryder Lynn
GUEST STARRING
Mark Salling as Noah "Puck" Puckerman
Phoebe Strole as Penny Owen
Erinn Westrbrook as Bree
Samuel Larsen as Joe Hart
Vanessa Lengies as Sugar Motta
Peter Facinelli as Rupert Campion
Jessie Mueller as Miriam Reign
Demi Lovato as Dani
Lauren Potter as Becky Jackson
Adam Lambert as Elliot "Starchild" Gilbert
Ryan Heinke as "Stoner" Brett Bukowski
Pamela Chan as Dottie Kazatori
Ioan Gruffudd as Paolo San Pablo
SONG(S) PERFORMED:
Andy Grammer - Keep Your Head Up: Performed by Finn Hudson
Lady Gaga - Marry the Night: Performed by Elliot "Starchild" Gilbert
Tom Petty - I Won't Back Down: Performed by Marley Rose, Wade "Unique" Adams, and Kitty Wilde
Switchfoot - Dare You To Move: Performed by Rachel Berry
Katy Perry - Roar: Performed by New Directions and Pamela Landsbury