The Ballad of the Fall Showcase Script

Last time, the guys convinced Mr. Dominguez and Ms. Handel to make it a guys-only week in glee club. The guys skatted and doo-wopped to Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Louis Armstrong while Drew successfully asked Faith out. Ellie and Danielle still aren’t getting along, and Ellie hasn’t apologized to Paige yet. The tension continues to build between Winston and Gabrielle, and that’s what you missed on…The Music Book!



The camera pans the entrance to the Austen Conservatory. It’s nighttime, and streetlights are lit. Sirens blare, and people stream out of the building. Most are dressed in formal attire.

Mr. Dominguez: Everyone away from the building!

Ellie, clinging to Gideon’s arm, hurries over to Mr. Dom.

Ellie: What’s going on, Mr. Dom? Is something wrong with the fire alarm?

Danielle hurries over, too.

Danielle: No, there isn’t. I distinctly smelled smoke, so I was the one who pulled the alarm.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Gideon: So there’s actually a fire.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ellie: Is everyone out of the building?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Mr. Dominguez: I see all of the Dixie Singers and Ms. Handel. As for everyone else, I cannot say.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">A firefighter heads out of the building and over to Mr. Dominguez, Ms. Handel, and the Dixie Singers.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Firefighter: I’m looking for the headmaster, Drake Vincent.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Headmaster Vincent dashes over.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Headmaster Vincent: I’m him.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Firefighter: The fire started in a ladies’ restroom right off the auditorium. We were able to contain it, and only the restroom and part of the wall it shares with a classroom were damaged.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Headmaster Vincent: Any news on the cause?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Firefighter: *glances at glee club* Are you okay with these students knowing?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Headmaster Vincent: This is C.C. Calhoun’s glee club. The Austen Conservatory is like home to them. Someone has messed with their home, and they have a right to know.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Firefight: All right then. We suspect arson, although that’s really for a police officer to say. We’ve got a couple officers examining the scene right now.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Trista: *whispers to Paige* This is so crazy.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Paige: I know. Who would try to burn down the conservatory?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Trista: We’ve got to figure this out. Hey, guys, gather around.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The glee club forms a circle away from the adults.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Trista: Someone did this on purpose. We’ve got to figure out who.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Mark: Someone purposely chose tonight. Whether it was because in the busyness, no one would notice or because someone doesn’t like the fall showcase…

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Jessica: Do you think someone would want revenge?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Devin: What for?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ellie: Who was the last person in the ladies’ room?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Danielle: I had to duck in there during Ian’s performance. I didn’t see anyone else or anything suspicious.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Neal: The police will want to know that.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Paige: Do you think…does anyone think it could be a member of the Dixie Singers?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The glee club members stare at one another.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ellie: Great, now no one can be trusted.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Mark: We’re going to have to. Let’s try and remember what happened yesterday. Preparations for the showcase were going on, so anyone could’ve slipped in and got things ready since they wouldn’t have had time tonight.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Danielle: We were doing final rehearsals in the Half Moon.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ellie: We’re going to get to the bottom of this. I think we should start at final rehearsals.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">'''<span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height: 115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">THE MUSIC BOOK '''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The glee club, Mr. Dominguez, and Ms. Handel are in a classroom.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ms. Handel: I wish we could practice in the Half Moon, but there are crews busy decorating it.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Mr. Dominguez: This will just have to do. Let’s see…who’d like to go first?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ms. Handel: Let’s go in performance order for tomorrow night. So that means, Mark, you’ll start us off.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Mark hops out of his seat and moves to the center of the room.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ms. Handel: The emcee will introduce you, you’ll walk onstage, and then you’ll start. So let’s practice that.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Mark nods and steps off to the side of the room.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Mr. Dominguez: Starting us off tonight is Mark Winters with “Never Say Never” by The Fray.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Mark smiles and heads back into the middle of the room. The band starts playing.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Mark: Some things we don’t talk about ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Rather do without ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">And just hold the smile ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Falling in and out of love ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Same damn problem ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Together all the while ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">  

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">You can never say never ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">While we don’t know when ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">But time and time again ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Younger now than we were before ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">  

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Don’t let me go 

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Don’t let me go 

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Don’t let me go 

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">[2x] ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">  

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Picture, you’re the queen of everything ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">As far as the eye can see ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Under your command ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">I will be your guardian ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">When all is crumbling ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">I steady your hand ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">  

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">You can never say never ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">While we don’t know when ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Time and time again ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Younger now than we were before ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">  

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">We’re falling apart ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">And coming together again and again ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">We’re growing apart but we pull it together, pull it together, together, again ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">  

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Don’t let me go 

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Don’t let me go 

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Don’t let me go 

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">[4x] ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">  

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The glee club applauds. Mark bows.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Mr. Dominguez: Next up, Danielle Meyer is covering “I Who Have Nothing.”

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The glee club is still standing in a circle outside Austen Conservatory.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Trista: I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary during anyone’s performances. Who was the last to leave after rehearsals?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ian: That would be Neal, Connor, and me. We walked out with Mr. Dominguez and Ms. Handel. I needed to ask them a question about my song, and my stupid roommates forgot their keys.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Neal: Hey!

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ian: No offense.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Connor: Offense taken.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Gideon: Ian, were Neal and Connor with you the whole time?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ian: Yeah.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Devin: And we can check with Mr. Dom and Ms. Handel to prove their alibi.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ellie: Devin, why don’t you, Ian, Connor, and Neal go do that? The rest of us will start puzzling over what happened earlier tonight.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The four boys head over to the instructors.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Danielle: I was waiting in the wings during Mark’s performance. I didn’t notice anything suspicious.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ellie: And I was in the wings while you were singing. I had a perfect view of the audience, and no one got up.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Danielle: Are you sure?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ellie: Positive.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Emcee: And now Danielle Meyer with “I Who Have Nothing.”

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Danielle walks to center stage, smiles, and relaxes her shoulders. The music starts.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Danielle: I, I who have nothing ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">I, I who have no one ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Adore you, and want you so 

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">I’m just a no one ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">With nothing to give you but love ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">I love you ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">  

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">She, she buys you diamonds ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Bright, sparkling diamonds ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">But believe me 

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Dear, when I say ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The she can give you the world ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">But she’ll never love you the way ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">I love you ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">  

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">She can take you any place she wants ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">To fancy clubs and restaurants ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">But I can only watch you with my nose ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Pressed up against the window pane ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">  

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">I, I who have nothing ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">I, I who have no one ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Must watch you ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Go dancing by 

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Wrapped up in the arms of somebody else ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">When darling it is I 

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Who loves you. ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">  

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The audience applauds. Danielle curtsies.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Danielle turns to Ellie.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Danielle: At the end of my performance, you hurried back to the wings. Where did you go? Perhaps to the bathroom?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ellie: You’re accusing me of setting the fire?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Danielle: What’s your alibi?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ellie: I was feeling kind of nervous so I found Gideon in the audience. He calmed me down.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Gideon: I can confirm that.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Danielle: Anyone besides Ellie’s boyfriend?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ian: I saw Ellie with Gideon in the audience.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Trista: Me, too.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Danielle: That only proves you didn’t start the fire then.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ellie: My solo was up next. Why would I want to interrupt my own song?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Emcee: Please put your hands together for Eleanor Grace with “On My Own” from Les Miserables.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ellie hurries onstage. She take a deep breath, and the nervousness fades from her face.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ellie: On my own ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Pretending he’s beside me 

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">All alone ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">I walk with him ‘til morning ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Without him ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">I feel his arms around me 

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">And when I lose my way I close my eyes ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">And he has found me 

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">  

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the rain the pavement shines like silver ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">All the lights are misty in the river ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">In the darkness, the trees are full of starlight ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">And all I see is him and me forever and forever ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">  

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">And I know it’s only in my mind ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">That I’m talking to myself and not to him ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">And although I know that he is blind ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Still I say, there’s a way for us 

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">  

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">I love him ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">But when the night is over ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">He is gone ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The river’s just a river ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Without him ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The world around me changes ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The trees are bare and everywhere ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The streets are full of strangers ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">  

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">I love him ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">But every day I’m learning ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">All my life ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">I’ve only been pretending ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Without me 

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">His world will go on turning ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">A world that’s full of happiness ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">That I have never known ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">  

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">I love him ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">I love him ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">I love him ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">But only on my own ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">  

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ellie wipes away her tears quickly. The audience erupts in applause, and Ellie manages a curtsy.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The glee club is still in a circle; Ian, Connor, and Neal are back. Danielle’s arms are crossed.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Danielle: Okay, okay, you didn’t set the fire then. But I still think you could’ve set it at another time. Maybe Gideon here snuck into the bathroom to officially start the fire.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ellie: You have no evidence, Danielle, only hatred for me.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Devin: Ellie has a point.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Danielle: Of course you take her side.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Devin: What does that mean?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Danielle: Please, we all know you like Ellie.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Devin: I have a girlfriend. And if we’re going to go around accusing random Dixie Singers with no evidence, let’s start with you, shall we? You seem to be very accusatory tonight, like you have it all figured out. Maybe you’re trying to cover up your actions.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Jessica: Guys, calm down! Since we have no proof to back up Danielle’s or Devin’s claims, let’s think about the next performance. Maybe someone will remember something from when Ian was singing.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Emcee: Now Ian Scott takes the stage to sing.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ian trots onstage and smiles. The music starts.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ian: Whoa, my love, my darling, ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">I’ve hungered for your touch, ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">A long, lonely time. ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">And time goes by, so slowly, ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">And time can do so much, ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Are you still mine? ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">I need your love. ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">I need your love. ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Godspeed your love to me. ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">  

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Lonely rivers flow to the sea, to the sea, ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">To the open arms of the sea. ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Lonely rivers sigh, wait for me, wait for me, ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">I’ll be coming home, wait for me. ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">  

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Whoa, my love my darling, ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">I’ve hungered, hungered, for your touch, ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">A long, lonely time. ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">And time goes by, so slowly, ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">And time can do so much, ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Are you still mine? ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">I need your love. ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">I need your love. ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Godspeed your love to me. ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">  

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The audience applauds. Ian bows.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Jessica: *sighs* I saw nothing.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Paige: Me, neither. I was waiting in the wings, but I was watching Ian a bit more than the audience.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Danielle: Wait a minute. You guys want proof that Ellie started the fire? Well, I don’t have proof exactly, but I have a motive.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ellie: Can’t wait to hear this.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Danielle: The fire interrupted Paige’s solo. Ellie hates Paige.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ellie: I don’t hate—

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Danielle: Yes, you do.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ellie: Danielle, I don’t.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Paige: Then why haven’t you apologized yet?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Danielle: If you didn’t start the fire, then it should be easy to apologize now.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ellie: I…I…I can’t. I’m sorry, but I’m just not ready.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Danielle: Then you’d better be ready to confess to Headmaster Vincent and the police.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Gideon: Now hold up, Danielle. Just because Ellie can’t apologize doesn’t mean she set the fire. She’s not malicious…unlike someone I know.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Trista: I know someone who can clear Ellie’s alibi for yesterday and earlier today.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ellie: Who?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Trista: Duh, your roommate.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ellie: Of course! I’ll call Cate right now.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Cate Mikkelson hurries over.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Cate: What’s going on?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ellie: Basically there was a fire. Danielle is accusing me of starting it. I need you to clear my alibi for yesterday and today.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Cate: Of course. Ellie and I were hanging out all last night and today. I was calming her nerves and keeping her distracted so she didn’t think about the showcase. Last night, we went to dinner together and then did homework in our room. Today, we watched movies and had a spa day. The only time she left my sight was to go to the bathroom in her dorm, and she wasn’t gone long enough to come all the way here and then get back.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Gideon: There, that proves things, doesn’t it? Ellie didn’t set the fire.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Danielle: Then who did? None of you seem to have any other ideas.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ellie: Well, Devin may be onto something. You’ve been suspiciously leading this whole search and throwing out accusations left and right.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Miles: Plus, we can’t forget you said you were last in there during Ian’s performance. That would’ve been the perfect opportunity.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Danielle: It wasn’t me!

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ellie: How can we believe you?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Cate: Especially since you were so willing to blame Ellie.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Paige: Guys, maybe it wasn’t Danielle. Maybe the perpetrator didn’t set the fire until during my song.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Emcee: And now for our last performance of the night: Paige Newton with “All By Myself”!

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Paige steps into center stage. She looks even more nervous than Ellie did.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Paige: When I was young ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">I never needed anyone ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">And making love was just for fun ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Those days are gone ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Livin’ alone ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">I think of all the friends I’ve known ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">When I dial the telephone ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Nobody’s home ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">  

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">All by myself ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Don’t wanna be 

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">All by myself ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Anymore ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">  

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Hard to be sure ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Sometimes I feel so insecure ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">And love’s so distant and obscure ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Remains the cure ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">  

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">All by myself ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Don’t wanna be 

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">All by myself ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Anymore ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">All by myself ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Don’t wanna be 

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">All by myself ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Anymore ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">  

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">When I was young ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">I never needed anyone ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Making love was just for fun ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Those days are gone ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">  

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">All by myself ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Don’t wanna be 

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">All by myself ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Anymore ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">All by myself ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Don’t wanna live ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Oh ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">By myself, by myself ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center">''<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Anymore ''

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">  

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The fire alarm sounds, cutting Paige off at the end of the note. The audience starts to panic and hurry out the door.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Danielle is practically in tears.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Danielle: I swear, I’m not who started the fire!

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Trista: Okay, we believe you.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ellie: I believe you, Danielle.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Devin: But who else could’ve done this?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Paige: I guess we’re going to have to leave it up to the police at this point. Hopefully they’ll uncover some incriminating evidence.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ellie: I hate leaving this unsolved. Someone tried to destroy our auditorium.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ian: Let’s see if Mr. Dom and Ms. Handel need us for anything. Otherwise, I’m ready to head back to my room.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Gideon: *to Ellie* I’ll walk you and Cate back, okay?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ellie: Okay.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">A girl in a formal black dress and black hoodie slips through the shadows and into Austen Conservatory, ignoring the yellow crime scene tape. She silently walks down the hall into the auditorium. As she observes the smoky wall of the Half Moon, the lower half of her face is shown. A smile curves her dark red lips.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“Nice work.”

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The girl spins around. Winston Davies steps out of the shadows.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Winston: I knew the perpetrator would return to the scene of their crime. Risky, stupid, and cliché. But the fire itself was absolutely brilliant on your part.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Girl: I think that’s the first compliment you’ve ever paid me.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The girl pushes down her hood and reveals herself. It’s Gabrielle.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Winston: So tell me. How did you do it?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Gabrielle: Are you trying to get me to confess so you can turn me in? Do you have a recorder hidden in your coat pocket?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Winston: *laughs* No recorder. There’s no one hiding in here, either. I just want to know.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Gabrielle: I snuck out during Paige’s performance. That was easy, since I was sitting at the back. I lit the fire in the few trashcans in the restroom. Then I slipped back into my seat, and no one knew what I’d done.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Winston: Simple but effective. I’m impressed. Now, why did you do it?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Gabrielle: Oh, that’s easy. I wasn’t selected to perform in the fall showcase when I’m twenty times better than Danielle, Ellie, and Paige. Even if I only cut off one of their performances, I ruined the memory forever. Tonight will never be remembered as the night that they hit every note and sang beautiful songs. No, it will be remembered as the night someone set a fire in the Austen Conservatory.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Winston: I like the way you think. Perhaps we could be partners in crime instead of adversaries.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Gabrielle: *narrows her eyes* What do you have in mind?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Winston: I’ve wanted to get revenge on your stupid glee club for ages, but my plan needs a second person. We’re going to get one of the guys expelled so I can take his place. Then we can bring the Dixie Singers down from the inside.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Gabrielle: I’m listening.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Winston: Before my father was on the C.C. Calhoun board, my older brother attended Westmore Preparatory. He was a member of their glee club. Every year, Westmore lost to the Dixie Singers in Sectionals until finally, the headmaster disbanded the glee club. My brother can sing circles around any of the Dixie Singers. So I’m doing this for him.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Gabrielle: And who’s our target?

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Winston: With my plan, we’re aiming for him.

<p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Winston points over by the door where pictures of the current glee club hang. Gabrielle peers closer in the dim light. The picture Winston indicates can just barely be made out. It’s Connor. The screen goes black.