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Chapter Text

The camera shows a bulletin board with a bunch of pictures on it. The camera first zooms in on a picture of two girls covered with molten peanut brittle. The lyrics play with one girl’s voice while showing the incident.

[Alyssa]

My life was lifeless

It just dragged on

My days were deadly, my nights a yawn

This girl was tragic, a basic bore

The girl next door

The girl next door

In the scene in chemistry class, Emma and Alyssa are lab partners for an experiment involving peanut brittle. They are smiling, then Alyssa gets too distracted while Emma is taking notes until the peanut brittle bursts out and explodes over the two of them.

But then

You happened and turned my life around so easily 

Oh Emma

You happened, and look what happened to me

The camera zooms out of the picture, then focuses on another picture. This picture shows a blond girl in flannel with a guitar, nervously performing on stage. In the background of the picture is a big banner saying “James Madison High School Annual Thanksgiving Assembly”. The camera zooms in more to show the full scene.

[Emma]

I was a loner

No friends allowed

The kind of face you would lose in a crowd

That used to make me a total wreck

A freak

While Emma is shown on stage performing, the camera pans to Alyssa’s proud face in the crowd.

[Alyssa]

No

[Emma]

A loser

[Alyssa] 

No

[Emma]

Check double check

It is clear in that moment that Alyssa is awestruck and visibly infatuated with Emma. 

But then

You happened and turned my life around so easily

Alyssa

You happened, and look what happened to me

And though I know I tried to rush you at times

The scene zooms in on another picture. This scene shows Emma and Alyssa in Grandma Betsy Nolan’s kitchen. Both girls are completely covered in flour and are laughing together.

[Alyssa]

Emma rush, please don’t rush no, no

[Emma]

I’d rather die than make you mad

[Alyssa]

I wanna keep you as you are

The most exciting secret I’ve ever had

[Both]

That's why I’m saying

Now this scene is of Emma watching Alyssa from the stands at a football game. Alyssa is doing her cheer routine, and despite everything else going on around them, Emma is completely focused on Alyssa. Alyssa looks towards Emma, sends a wink her way, and causes Emma’s heart to completely melt.

[Alyssa]

I was devoted

To stupid clicks 

[Emma]

I was a hick just stuck in sticks

[Alyssa]

A total poser

[Emma]

A crying shame

[Both]

Or in three words

Lame, lame, lame

But then you happened

Now it’s lunchtime, and Emma and Alyssa are in the school’s band closet. There are band lockers, instruments, and scattered sheet music all around them. Emma appears to be playing something for Alyssa on her guitar, and Alyssa is acting goofy dancing around the space.

[Alyssa]

And turned my life around so easily 

[Both]

Thank god that

You happened

[Alyssa]

And look what happened to me

[Emma]

And look what happened to me

[Both]

And look what happened to me

The song ends with the final zoom out from the picture of the girls in the band closet. We now see Emma and Alyssa, in the present, in Emma’s bedroom at her grandmother’s house.

“Emma,” Alyssa says, “I’m ready. To come out I mean. Almost. What I’m trying to say is, will you be my date to the prom? I know that my mother is strict at all, but at least it will be public so if she freaks out, she’ll be too busy trying to maintain her reputation to lash out at me. So, will you be my date?”

Emma stands in front of Alyssa, a huge smile on her face, and leans in forward to kiss her girlfriend. The two girls stay locked together in a kiss for a number of seconds before separating to respond with “I love you so much Alyssa Greene! Of course I will go to prom with you!”

They sit down onto Emma’s bed, look at the memory board with all of their pictures, and think out loud, “Two girls going to prom together in Indiana. What’s the worst that could happen?”

[Scene cuts to black, title card appears showing the name of the movie]

To be continued… 

Chapter Text

The scene starts zoomed in on a newspaper. The newspaper has a picture of Emma Nolan’s face on it with the headline “Indiana School Cancels Prom!”. Barry Glickman angrily slams the newspaper down on the table and complains to his friends. “I can’t believe that this small-minded homophobic town cancelled the prom just to prevent a lesbian from going! I know that I never went to my prom, but if the circumstances were right I  would have loved to go!”

Angie, Barry’s tall, blonde friend, responded with “Hey, maybe we could do something about it. Storm the town, ruffle up some change. If there’s one thing that I learned in my career as a swing in the show Chicago, it’s that you always go where you’re needed to make the final show look great! ”

Trent Oliver, the waiter in the restaurant and esteemed Julliard graduate, replied with “You know, in my time at Julliard everyone there was accepting. They taught us at Julliard that any cause you care about is a cause worth fighting for. My tour with Godspell is supposed to stop by some Indiana towns, so why don’t you guys hitch a ride with us?”

Barry and Angie nod in agreement. Just then, the lights in the restaurant blink and in comes an intimidating figure who loudly declares with a music cue “But what about me!?”

Two-time Tony winner and Barry’s friend Dee Dee Allen sure knows how to make an entrance. “What’s in it for you if you help? Is it really worth it? Wouldn’t you much rather bask in the fame of Broadway?”

Barry, Angie, and Trent all gasp. “Dee Dee!” Barry exclaimed, “If you knew what it was like growing up as a gay teen in a small town, you would understand why this is important to me! I love being an actor, but frankly it gets tiring doing the same show all the time. We have a chance to make a difference, and I want to take it. Now, you can wallow in your wealth and filth, or you can join us and actually do something for a change!”

Dee Dee is slightly taken aback by Barry’s exclamation, but she doesn’t let her friend see it. “Alright,” Dee Dee gives in, “I’ll do it. But only for the good publicly so it can win me my third Tony.”

“Good enough,” Barry agrees. “Everyone, on Three- Lesbian!”

“Lesbian!” “Lesbian!” “Lesbian!”

And so, singing a song about how they are going to Indiana to change lives, the four Broadway actors prepare to go help the little lesbian.

[To be continued]

Chapter Text

The scene starts in front of a slightly run-down, navy blue pickup truck. “Remember sweetie,” Betsy Nolan tells her granddaughter, “You are giving your friend Winnie a ride to school. I know that the kids will be extra hard on you because they blame you for the prom getting canceled, but if you fake a smile they will think that they are not getting to you. Not letting them win is the only way for you to not lose.”

“Thanks Gran!” Emma replies. “At least I have Winnie publicly by my side and Alyssa secretly by my side. Things would be so much worse if I were on my own. I’ll meet you after school so we can prepare for the PTA meeting together!

Emma then drives to the nicer part of the neighborhood and stops in front of the largest house on the block. Standing outside of the house is a shy girl with brilliant red hair and worn out clothes. 

“Hi Emma,” Winnie says shyly. “Thanks for giving me a ride to school, again, today.”

“I’m just glad that neither of us have to face the school alone. Between my reputation and yours, things are not going to get easier for us anytime soon.”

Emma and Winnie finish the drive to school, and go their separate ways. Emma stops outside of a locker that is coated with slurs, hate mail, and other nasty messages on it. Emma opens her locker to see a bear that is coated with red paint and hung by a noose. There is more red sludge covering the rest of the items in Emma’s locker. “I’m pretty sure this counts as a couple of hate crimes!” Emma calls out.

The two varsity cheer co-captains, Kaylee Klein and Shelby Gonzales, walk by with their fellow cheerleader and friend Alyssa Greene.

“This is our way of saying, thank you for canceling the prom.” Kaylee says with a condescending voice.

“I didn’t cancel the prom, your parents did!” Emma shouts back

“Hey, guys, knock it off!” Alyssa tells her friend.

“You taking her side now?” Kaylee retorts.

“No,” Alyssa smugly replies, “I’m just not in third grade.” With that, Alyssa leaves her friends and heads off towards homeroom.

The first bell rings and before they walk off Shelby gives Emma a warning: “Unlike your social life, this is not over.”

Emma takes a second to compose herself. In, out. In, out. Just put on a fake smile like Gran said thinks Emma. Emma takes another breath and starts to sing 

Note to self: don’t be gay in Indiana

The first couple of verses show Emma going about her school day. We resume the scene with Emma and two of her bullies, Nick Boomer and Kevin Shields, getting out of the pool at the end of gym class. 

“Hey Emma!” Nick teases, “Who’s this girl you’re taking to the prom?”

Emma knows that she has to protect Alyssa until she is ready to come out, so Emma lies by saying “You don’t know her. She’s new.”

“So like an exchange student?” Asks Kevin.

“Maybe” replies Emma vaguely

“So why don’t you exchange her for a guy?” Nick touts back. “Dude Nice!” Kevin tells his friend.

Note to self: People suck in Indiana

The song continues by showing more and more of Emma’s day. Including her daydreaming about a better place and the teasing from everyone at school. At one point Emma is taken out of class to talk to Mr Hawkins, the principal.

“Emma, don’t forget about the PTA meeting tonight. There will be a lot of people there. I just got off the phone with the state’s attorney, and they think that this is a civil rights issue.” Mr Hawkins warns.

“Shit! Sorry!” Emma curses. 

“It’s okay,” Mr Hawkins says in a comforting tone. “Take all the time you need. Remember that between me, your friend, your girlfriend, and your fierce grandmother, you have a team fighting right alongside you. It won’t be easy, but I think that it can be done. Just relax”.

Mr Hawkins walks off leaving Emma alone to finish the song. The lights go out around Emma, and she appears to be standing alone in a spotlight against a dark background.

Just Breathe, Emma. Picture a beach with golden sand. Just Breathe, Emma. Picture a Xanax in your hand. Try journaling, or start a blog. Just end this inner mon-a-log. And as we’ve discusssssed. Just, Breatheeeeeeee.

The scene ends with Emma back outside of a classroom door, ready to go back in and face the rest of the day.

To be continued...

Chapter Text

Emma and Winnie get home from school and enter the Nolan household. Emma is barely containing the tears in her eyes and immediately runs to hug her grandmother. Once in the comforting arms of family, Emma finally lets her guard down and lets her tears fall.

“There there sweetie,” Betsy comforts her granddaughter. “I am here for you. I know that things seem bad now, but they can only get better from here. Let’s talk about what we will do tonight.”

“I have an idea,” Winnie says. “We will stand our ground and make sure that they know that we are not giving up. Miss Betsy, between us, the principal, and Alyssa we are going to fight our hardest to give Emma her prom! I know that I can’t go to prom because I am too young, but Emma is my only real friend. I would do anything for her. I wish we could all just escape our lives in this town, but until that day comes I say we fight for what is right!”

“Thank you, both of you, so much! I don’t know how I could do any of this without you!” Emma is speaking through her sobs. “People suck in Indiana! The constant bullying everyday, the lack of support, my own parents kicking me out two years ago, it all gets to be a little too much sometimes, all the time. I am just grateful that I am not alone.”

Betsy looks to her granddaughter with pride. “You will never be alone sweetie. Now come on, we have a PTA meeting to prepare for.”

Emma looks to her grandmother. “Yeah, I have to present my case to force them to uncancel the prom. I think I know exactly what to say…” 

The scene now changes to show the house at the other end of the street. The Greene household. Mrs Veronica Greene is looking over real estate paperwork at the dining room table, while Alyssa Greene has a textbook open and appears to be doing complex math equations.

“Mom,” Alyssa carefully approaches her mother, “Is the PTA meeting tonight really a big deal? Just put on the prom and let it be over with. Don’t ruin things for the rest of us just because you disagree with one person.

Veronica looks towards her daughter. “I do not know where that attitude came from but you will watch your tone with me, little girl. I raised you in a proper Christian household. We are to be the perfect little family in the perfect little town and no interruptions will take that image away from me. Homosexuals get in the way with that vision and that is final.”

Alyssa tries to hide the hurt on her face. Alyssa is sick and tired of all the pressure that her mother puts on her, so she goes for the deep blow. “Oh really, in that case would you mind telling me the story of what happened to Father? Did he divorce you, abandon you, or die? I wish I had my father in my life but you never tell me anything about him! Until I learn the truth I can never be your ‘perfect little girl’!”

Both Greene women are seething with anger at this point. Alyssa has been put under too much pressure from her mother for far too long, and the prom incident is the catalyst for Alyssa to finally start to rebel. 

Veronica recovers first, and says with a cool, calm, angry voice, “You will go to your room and stay there until 5:30 when we leave for the PTA meeting. We will present a united front at the meeting, so you have until then to get your head on straight and plan your apology to me. We will speak of this at a later date, AFTER you learn why what you said was wrong.”

Alyssa quickly picks up her school supplies and heads to her room. She sits down on her bed as tears start to form. She starts a text to Emma.

Alyssa

Meet me in the band closet after the PTA meeting tonight. Just had a huge fight with my mother. I need some comfort

Emma

Are you okay? Of course I will be there! Do you need anything?

I should be fine for right now, but if you send me cute animal videos it might make me less sad in the meantime.

[Attached: gif of cat with slice of cheese on head]

[Attached: gif of baby trying ice cream and loving it]

[Attached: gif of golden retriever with sunglasses in pool]

Thank you Emma, you are the best!

Love you!

Love you too!

With the gifs and her girlfriend keeping her satisfied for right now, Alyssa begins to reflect on her life up until this point as the music starts. Alyssa starts by pacing around the room singing to herself.

Straight hair, straight A's, straightforward

Straight path

I don't cut corners

I make a point to be on time

Head of the student council

The scene changes to show Alyssa hanging with her cheer friends after a meet. Everyone is holding a beer, except for Alyssa who simply has a bottle of water.

I don't black out at parties

I jam to Paul McCartney

If you ask me how I'm doing

I'll say...

Well, hmm

We now see a scene of a two year old Alyssa with her mother and father. 

My father left when I was two

My mother spoiled me rotten

Often I ask myself, "What did I do?"

To get as far as I've gotten

A freshman-aged Alyssa Greene is now shown at her locker. Emma Nolan, wearing a blue shirt with a green flannel on top, walks by.

A pretty girl walks by my locker

My heart gives a flutter

But I don't dare utter a word

'Cause that would be absurd behaviour

For little miss perfect

Now we see an image of Alyssa at a debate competition. Mrs Greene is standing nearby, clearly judging every single choice that Alyssa makes in this competition. Alyssa is clearly stressed from the pressure, but she keeps going.

Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na

No, I can't risk falling off my throne

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

Love is something I don't even know

Straight hair, straight A's, straightforward

Straight girl

Little miss perfect

That's me

The scene now shows a sleepover at Kaylee Klein’s house, from around freshman year. This was before everything changed. At the sleepover are Kaylee, Shelby, Alyssa, and Emma. Everyone seems to be having a good time, but Emma and Alyssa keep sending subtle looks at each other that the other two girls don’t seem to notice.

One night my friend stayed over

We laughed, and drank and ordered

Something about her drew me in

What? It's totally platonic

That night was so exciting

Her smirks were so enticing

Hours speed by like seconds

Then, what happens is iconic

By this point in the night, Kaylee and Shelby have both fallen asleep. It is just Emma and Alyssa who are still awake, the only light coming from the two flashlights they seem to be holding. Neither of them seem to care about sleep, they just want to spend more time together.

She takes a sip, I bite my lip

She tells a joke, I nearly choke

She braids my hair, I sit there

Blacking out for the first time

Next thing I know, I lose control

I finally kiss her but oh no

I see a face in my window

Then my brain starts to go

Emma and Alyssa have their first kiss together, but then Alyssa starts freaking out, she runs to the bathroom to hide, leaving Emma alone with the two sleeping bodies. Alyssa throws water from the sink onto her face while she panics in front of the bathroom mirror as she continues the song.

Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na

No, you can't risk falling off your throne

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

Love is something you don't even know

Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na

You can't risk falling off your throne

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

Love

You don't even know

The scene now comes back to Alyssa, in the present, in her bedroom. “Just a little longer,” Alyssa says to herself. “Just a little longer until the PTA meeting and the prom and then graduation will happen and I will finally be free from my mother’s control! I just need to hang tight just a little bit longer.

Alyssa takes out her brush, looks to the mirror, and begins brushing her hair as she finishes the final verse of the song.

Rewind, induce amnesia

Deny the truth, that's easier

You're just confused, believe her

When she says there's nothing there

It's never worth it

When you're little miss perfect

The final note ends and Alyssa gives herself one final glance in the mirror. The scene fades to black.

To be continued

Chapter Text

The scene starts in the school gym. In the middle of the gym is a podium with a set of chairs beside it. The bleaches have been moved so that there is one set on either side of the podium. Mr Hawkins, the school principal, starts the meeting. “We are here for this emergency meeting to discuss the PTA’s decision to cancel this year’s prom. I will act as the moderator for this meeting to try and prevent things from getting too out of hand. First to the podium, I would like student-body president Alyssa Greene to come speak on behalf of the students.”

Alyssa, who still hasn’t completely recovered from her fight with her mother earlier, takes a breath, gets to the podium, and organizes her papers. Just calm down, Greene, Alyssa thinks, Don’t let mother get to you. Just treat this like any other debate. You’re not debate team captain for nothing

Finally composed, Alyssa begins her speech. “I speak on behalf of the entire student body to say that we want a prom. After speaking to representatives from all social levels and activities in the school, we have come to a general consensus that we want a prom more than anything else. If there are homosexuals at the prom, so be it. The student body as a whole is way more upset at the idea of the prom being cancelled than the idea of homosexuals being at it. Prom is supposed to be a fun, last hurrah before graduation. Will you really let your childish grudges take that away from us?” 

At that, the parents in the crowd start to get riled up. One random parent from the crowd yells out “But what about the children!” and another yells some slurs before finishing with “homosexuals should never be allowed anywhere near my child!”

“Settle down, settle down!” Mr Hawkins yells to the crowd. The crowd settles down enough for Hawkins to call up the next speaker. “Emma Nolan, please come to the podium and tell us your story.”

Emma quickly hugs her grandmother and Winnie. They look to her to give her a show of support. While the rest of the crowd is still distracted, Emma sends a quick glance over to her girlfriend. Alyssa notices and sends Emma a shy smile and a wink. That gives Emma the confidence she needs to go to the podium and speak her truth.

Emma looks to the crowd, breathes in and out, and begins her speech. “I know that you don’t like homosexuals. I know that you all hate me. Ever since my parents kicked me out and outed me to the town two years ago, I have been a loner. I am thankful that my grandmother took me in and that my closest friend, Winnie, stood by my side through all of this.” 

Emma starts to really get into her rhythm. The room seems to disappear behind her, and is replaced by a series of pride flags rotating behind her. There appears to be the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Nonbinary, and more pride flags in rotation as Emma finishes up her speech.

“Let’s face it, unless you never leave this small town in your entire life, you will still be faced with homosexuals when I am gone. The world is changing, and unless you attempt to keep up you will fall way behind. History is written by the victors, and in case you missed it, in 2015 hashtag lovewins went around to celebrate the fact that people like me are able to get married anywhere we want in this country. We’re not trying to turn you gay, we are just trying to live our lives. So why do I want a prom? I am just trying to be like any other normal kid. Because I AM like any other normal kid. Having a prom with me and one other person in a room with a hundred plus straight kids is not turning the prom into a gay prom, the straights will still out number us. So in conclusion, I just want to be treated like everyone else. Don’t ruin things for everyone just because you hate me. Thank you.”

The flag scenery behind Emma reverts back into the normal gym. Betsy and Winnie are enthusiastically clapping, while a couple of scattered kids throughout the gym are quietly clapping, to show subtle support while worrying about what their parents will think. The parents, on the other hand, are starting to go way out of control. Throughout the gym you can hear shouts of:

“Honey, I told you to bring tomatoes! This would be the perfect opportunity to throw them.”

“She needs to be expelled for insulting our beliefs!”

“Someone kill her so she can rot in hell for eternity already!”

“If something doesn’t happen soon, I’ll pull my kids from school and enroll them in that private Christian school in the next town over!”

“Has anyone seen my aspirin?” said one confused parent who didn’t know what was going on

“ENOUGH!!!” Mr Hawkins is fuming angry at the crowd right now. “Emma is right in that she is allowed to be gay. She ran her speech by me ahead of time, and all of her points are factually correct. Now, can PTA head Veronica Greene come to the podium so we can hear the parents’ side of this. In a CIVIL manner.”

Mrs Greene heads up to the stand to start her presentation. “As you all know, this is a town of Christians, and homosexual behavior is against our beli----” 

At that, Mrs Greene is cut off because three Broadway actors come storming through the door. They are holding signs that say things such as “Lez is More” “Yay for Gay” and “No More Mister Nice Gay”. The ringleader, Barry Glickman, steps up to the podium and says, “We are here for Emma Nolan. Where is that little lesbian?”

At first he approaches a woman in the crowd who appears to be closer to college age, with short brown hair and big purple glasses. She points out, “no, the lesbian is over there.” The girl then uses that as an excuse to leave the gym before things could get even crazier.

“I’m the lesbian” Emma shyly speaks up.

Angie runs towards Emma and shoves a camera in her face. Emma instinctively raises her hands up to try and block the camera, but it’s too late because the picture is taken.

Trent notices that they only have 3 out of the 4 actors there, and then says, “Wait, where’s Dee Dee?”

The lights then drop. They blink back on and in the doorway is Dee Dee Allen in the most expensive outfit this town has ever seen. “You looking for me?” Dee Dee asks.

“My fellow actors and I are here to change the life of a little lesbian, and nothing is going to stop us.”

Dee Dee, ever the drama queen, bursts into song. Everyone else is confused about where the music came from, but they decide to just roll with it. Dee Dee’s song is her trying to say that she is here to help little Emma, but somehow the song ends up being all about Dee Dee herself. 

The song ends and Barry and Mrs Greene talk. “Look lady,” Barry says. “I don’t know why you hate homosexuals, but we are here to make change. Change will happen whether you like it or not. So be prepared because we are not going to leave quietly. 

With that, chaos erupts from the gym as the PTA meeting abruptly ends. We see Emma and Alyssa heading off one way, Angie and Winnie heading off another way, and lastly we see Betsy, Veronica, and Hawkins staying in the gym.

To be continued...

Chapter Text

Chapter 6 Part 1: Dance With You

The scene starts with Alyssa pacing around the band closet. Emma slips in, closes the door behind her, then proceeds to fall into her girlfriend’s arms. Both girls start crying in the comfort of the other’s arms.

They stand there, crying together for a few moments before Emma speaks up first. “What a day, huh? Constant bullying all day then I end it with showing weakness to the entire town, only to be booed and yelled at. And then the chaos of those Broadway people stormed in. It’s like it will never end! But what about you? How are you feeling after that fight with your mother?”

Alyssa wipes a tear off of Emma’s face. “You know how my mother wants me to be her ‘little miss perfect’?” Emma nods. “Well today I was starting to break from the pressure of it all. I asked about my dad, but I did it in the exact wrong way!” Alyssa is full on sobbing at this point. “I won’t turn 18 until the day after graduation. I can’t wait until that day comes so I can move in with you and your grandmother until college, that way I’ll be free from all of my mother’s expectations!”

Emma leans in closer to her girlfriend. “You know what? You will be able to feel some freedom before this. Once we are dancing at prom together, you will be able to temporarily forget all of your mother’s expectations and just get lost in the music.”

Alyssa sends a hopeful look at her girlfriend. “You really think so?”

Emma nods. “I know so. There is only one thing that I am sure of, and that is that we are an unstoppable duo. I just want to dance with you, to hold you, to love you.”

Emma and Alyssa’s arms are already together, so they start swaying and dancing while Emma sings a song about how she just wants to dance with Alyssa. Alyssa joins in on her second verse, and they continue singing and dancing together until they get interrupted by a notification on their phones.

Their phones read “PTA Meeting Turns Into Chaos”. They look at the article briefly, until Alyssa interrupts their reading by kissing Emma. “Hey,” Alyssa says, “At least things can only improve from here.”

Alyssa steps forward as she delivers the next verse of the song.

Two People swaying slowly, nothing more and nothing less, why anybody fears that, is anybody’s guess

The music picks up again while the two girls finish up the song. When the music ends, they stare at each other for a second before kissing each other goodbye.

Emma leaves first by saying “I need to drive Gran and Winnie home. I’ll text you later to make sure things are okay. I love you!”

Alyssa looks lovingly at her girlfriend before replying with “I love you too. Tell Winnie that I appreciate how she’s always looking out for you.”

The door to the band closet closes. The scene changes the band closet door into the door of the gym. We transition to the next scene.

Chapter 6 Part 2: Winnie and Angie

When the PTA meeting ended, Winnie needed some time for herself. It seemed like too much was happening too fast, and Winnie needed a break. Winnie went out one of the emergency stairwells, and sat and started crying. Angie walks out of the gym, hears the crying, and heads in that direction. Upon seeing the broken down red-head, Angie sits down to comfort her.

“Hi, you’re Winnie right? Emma’s friend?” Angie says as she carefully approaches the crying child. “My name is Angie. I know that my friends and I may seem intimidating, but we are genuinely here to help. Is there anything that I can do to help you?”

Winnie pauses her tears and looks towards the blonde lady. “You’re just pretending to care. I’m invisible. With the exception of Emma and Miss Betsy, no one really cares about me.”

Angie looks shocked at what the child had just said. She pulls a pack of tissues out of her purse and hands one to Winnie. “Here, dry your tears and tell me your problems. I am here to help Emma, and part of helping Emma involves helping the people who are important to her. And you, sweetie, are very important to her.”

Winnie begins her story. Her voice acts as narration as the camera shows the scenes that she is referring to.

So it all started 2 years ago. It was the beginning of my freshman year. I was late to school that day because of a huge fight with my parents. I needed a place in school where I could be alone to cry, so I ran to the music room to hide in the band closet. Turns out I wasn’t the only one who was looking to use that space to cry.

The camera shows a figure in shadows hiding in the corner of the band closet, hidden by a big tuba case. Winnie couldn’t see who it was at first, but she could hear crying. 

I heard that figure yell, “Go away! I need to cry in peace!” Now normally I would just turn in the other direction, but I was too broken that day. Despite initially wanting to be alone, I found that I suddenly couldn’t stand the thought of it. I had a feeling that the other person and I both needed to be cheered up, so I introduced myself to them.

“I’m Winnie.” I said. “And I’m having a pretty bad day also. Maybe if we share our stories we could find mutual comfort in not being totally alone.”

The figure replied “You’ll probably end up hating me like everyone else. But if you are serious about that offer, you can go first as a sign of trust.”

So I started to tell Emma the story, which I will tell you. “I got into a huge fight with my mother and stepfather before school today. I have always had a feeling that my parents wish I was never born, but today they confirmed it. I was always treated as lesser than my younger siblings. If you read the Harry Potter series, then I’m Harry, my mother and stepfather are Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon, and all of my siblings are like a less harsh version of Dudley. They don’t openly attack me, but they treat me like I’m below them and will never let me forget that.”

At that point I had caught the attention of the shadowed figure. They motion for me to continue.

“Last week I found an old box in the attic. It contained letters and pictures of my mom with a guy who was not the person who I was raised to believe was my father. The dates on the letters lined up to the year before I was born. After sitting on that information, I decided to ask my parents about it this morning.”

At this point narrator Winnie is starting to break. Her breathing gets harder and harder, and Angie’s voice breaks the narration to say “Calm down. Just breathe. You can continue whenever you are ready.”

“It turns out, I am the product of an affair. My parents were engaged, but my mother cheated on him with my biological father. Things were really intense for a while, but they eventually decided to keep me. Part of the arrangement was for the bio father to sign away his rights and move to another country. Noone knows where he went or if he is even still alive right now. All I know is that I am my parents’ biggest regret, and they will never let me forget that.”

The narration ends and we see Winnie leaning more into Angie for comfort. 

“Thank you for telling me this,” Angie says. “Here is my number. I want to be a pillar of support for you as long as you are here, and I still want to help you even when I am gone. Let me be Auntie Angie to you. Now, what happened with the shadowed figure in your story?”

Winnie smiles towards Angie and then continues the story.

The figure steps out of the shadows. “I’m Emma,” the figure says “And I am a lesbian. I also like to write songs. I have a girlfriend, and my parents found my sheet music for the songs that I was writing for her, and they noticed the pronouns. They confronted me about it, so I came out to them. They then proceeded to kick me out of the house and disown me.”

Emma pauses to catch her breath before continuing. “I called my cousin Greg and my Gran and they came right over to help me pack up my stuff. Greg is two years older, so he already has his own car. They moved me in, but the worst thing that happened was when I got to school. My parents outed me to this entire homophobic town! I lost my friends and any sense of self. The day has barely started and I am already facing horrific bullying! I don’t know how I can take this by myself!”

I reach out my hand to Emma and say “We are both broken outcasts. But maybe we can be broken outcasts together? I know we don’t have classes together because you’re a year older, but can we be friends?”

Emma took my hand and shook it. I eventually befriended her cousin Greg, but it was only for that year because he left the state for college the next summer. Emma and I are each other's greatest confidants, and I don’t think either of us would have lasted this long without the other.

We resume back to the staircase setting with Winnie and Angie. “Winnie,” Angie says, “I swear on all things dancing that I will try my absolute hardest to be there for you. I know we just met, but I see you as my kid. And I will never let my kids down.”

Winnie hugs Angie again as the noise picks up outside of the stairwell. The camera moves to follow the noise, until it settles on Mrs Greene, Betsy Nolan, and Mr Hawkins

Chapter 6 Part 3: The adults

After everyone else has left, Betsy Nolan, Mr Hawkins, and Veronica Greene are the only people remaining in the gym. Betsy and Veronica are glaring at each other, while Hawkins is in the middle trying to keep the peace. 

Hawkins looks exhausted by this point. He tells the two women “Can we please put this to rest!? I was expecting a civil debate tonight. Between the adults’ reactions to perfectly reasonable arguments made by the students, and the chaos brought about by the uninvited guests, tonight was a total disaster and there is so much damage control that I need to do!”

Veronica responds first by saying “It wouldn’t have happened if they just listened to our reasonable demands.”

“They are reasonable demands!” Betsy interjected! “Did you even listen to your daughter? Your daughter, and the school as a whole, do not care about the prejudices that you parents are trying to force onto them! All they want is to have a prom. Seriously, if you didn’t have a grudge against MY GRANDDAUGHTER this whole thing would have never even happened!”

Hawkins tenses up, he could tell that things are going to get worse before they get better.

“Your granddaughter,” Veronica begins, “is trying to bring her impure thoughts into the town. I am trying to protect MY DAUGHTER from the perils of life! Alyssa is my perfect little girl, and I am doing my best to keep her perfect!”

“So are you saying that if she wasn’t straight you wouldn’t love her? That you would stop having a relationship with her if she stops being ‘perfect’ in your eyes?”

“Don’t you dare put words in my mouth!”

“You want a fight, I’ll give you a fight. I have a black belt in karate, I may look old but I can beat you to a pulp if I need to!”

“If you lay one tiny finger on me I will call the police and have you locked up!”

And so, Betsy and Veronica keep trading verbal blows at each other. The camera zooms in on a clock, and the audience sees the hands on the clock move forward half an hour. The camera then pans back on the adults. This time, the adults are all sitting down. Betsy and Veronica are both exhausted, and Mr Hawkins just looks bored at this point.

Hawkins speaks up and says “I think you two finally got it out of your system. Go find your kids and leave so I can lock up. Betsy, I’ll see you next week with Emma at the courthouse so the state can hear the case. They will determine whether they have to throw Emma a prom or not.”

Veronica and Betsy head in separate directions to leave the gym as the scene ends.

To be continued… 

Chapter Text

The scene starts with the actors all together in a hotel room. Barry seems to be looking at clothes, Dee Dee has her face deep in her phone, Angie is practicing some dance moves involving  a lot of high kicks, while Trent is writing something at the desk.

“I got it!” Trent calls out. 

The other actors are so preoccupied with their own tasks that they ignore Trent.

“I said!” Trent says as he raises his voice and throws erasers at his friends, “I found out how we can help the lesbian.”

Barry looks up from his clothes to reveal a bright, neon yellow shirt that says “We are all Lesbians” on it. “What’s your idea?” he asks

“I used my connections from the prestigious Julliard where I know someone who knows someone who knows someone, who was able to book us a performance in this town for tomorrow night at something called a Monster Truck Rally. I am almost done writing a song for us to sing to try and get the town to accept the little lesbian.”

“What’s your idea?” Barry asks

Trent starts pointing to his friends. “Angie, I need you to work with the Godspell kids to choreograph the entire thing. Barry, I see that you already have shirts prepared. You’re on costumes and adding your own flair to things. Dee Dee, I just need you to be yourself. You have the starpower that will really bring them all to our side. Now on three! Lesbian!”

“Lesbian! Lesbian! Lesbian!”

A big rainbow flag waves over the actors to transition into the next scene.

A big spotlight shines on the stage at a Monster Truck Rally. The picture of Emma with her hands up to try and block her face is largely shown on the stage. Trent walks onto the stage wearing a leather jacket.

“Hello people of Indiana! My name is Trent Oliver, Actor, Activist, and Julliard graduate. My friends and I came into this town to change your mind. You need to learn acceptance, and this is how we are going to do it.” Trent starts singing while cheerleaders dressed in rainbow colors start running out onto the stage. They are all wearing blond wigs and fake glasses.

As Trent is singing Angie comes out dancing on a float. The float is made out of an assortment of random items, including empty pill bottles, pillows, legos, and anything else that the actors could find on short notice. Angie is dressed in a sexy red outfit that’s meant to highlight her long legs and the shape of her body.

Then Dee Dee is shot out of a cannon. Somehow, she manages to land front and center stage, not a hair out of place, and starts singing. With how elegantly she did the canon trick, she looks like a goddess.

The events on stage only get crazier and crazier from there. More and more dancers appear on stage, all wearing crazier and crazier costumes. Drag Queens are there and are highlighting the main performers while putting on a show of their own.

The finale comes with Barry running onto the stage wearing a shirt that says “We Are All Lesbians”. Everyone else on stage takes off the outer layer of their clothing to reveal similar shirts. When the performers sing their last note, confetti cannons shoot confetti all over the stage and fireworks go off. The confetti fills up the screen as it transitions to a more serious courtroom setting.

Starts in a scene in a courtroom. The camera is zoomed in on the judge, who declares “The court rules in favor of Emma Nolan. James Madison High School must include all students in its senior prom.”

The camera cuts to Emma, Betsy, Hawkins, and their lawyer who are all cheering. The scene then shows the outside of the courthouse, where the actors are all waiting.

Barry notices the crew coming towards them first. “So, what’s the verdict?” Barry asks.

Emma has a wide smile on her face. “We did it! The prom is back on! I am so excited!” She looks towards the actors one at a time. “This wouldn’t have happened without your help. You riled the town up to make them more open to this change. I couldn’t thank you enough.”

Barry looks at Emma like a proud uncle. “All I ask in return is that you let me take you shopping. I am a fashion expert and I will make you look the best for your prom. So, what kind of boutiques do you have here? Something high-end? Maybe a mall that will have options?”

“We have a K-Mart. I’ll give you a ride.”

“In your pickup truck?”

“You think that just because I’m a lesbian I have a pickup truck?”

“Well do you?”

Emma pretends to be offended. “Shut up”

To be continued… 

Chapter Text

The scene starts in the cafeteria during lunch. Music is playing and something seems to be up. Alyssa turns to Winnie, who is standing near Kaylee and Shelby, and asks Winnie “What’s going on?”

Winnie, who is normally really shy around big crowds of people, excitedly replies “Nick’s got a promposal all planned out for Kaylee! She’s gonna freak out!”

Nick then proceeds to enter the cafeteria and starts singing a song about how Kaylee changed his life. He has two of his fellow football players as dancers with him. He ends his song by taking off his vest revealing a shirt that says “Prom Yes? No?”

Kaylee is excited and grabs the marker that Nick has offered. She tells him “You’re such an idiot! Yes!” Kaylee checks the “Yes” box on Nick’s shirt then hugs him.

The bell rings and Kevin, wearing a sombrero, appears. He drags Shelby into the nearby Spanish classroom where two girls holding maracas are waiting. He then sings about how Shelby changed his life since the time they met in spanish class. She enthusiastically replies with a “Si! Si señor!”. Kevin lifts Shelby up and spins her around. Everyone is dancing. The camera pans over the dancing until it lands on the band room, where we see Emma and Alyssa.

When the two girls enter the band class, the teacher asks them to get the sheet music for today’s lesson out of the band closet, to which they say yes.

Once inside, Alyssa excitedly looks towards her girlfriend. Alyssa gives Emma a big kiss, which Emma reciprocates, before she begins talking. “Emma you really did it! You got our prom back on!”

“Me and a bunch of crazy actors.” Emma replies

“Regardless, we will soon be at prom together once and for all” Alyssa says with a smile as the music starts

Emma

And no more hiding how we feel anymore

Alyssa

I won’t hid if you’re by my side

Emma

Now that the prom is back on track. And once we walk into that gym hand in hand

Both

It’s pretty obvious there’s no going back

Alyssa

And that’s a promise!

They know that they have spent too long in the closet, so they quickly scoop up the sheet music and head back into class.

Author’s Note: The rest of this chapter was not written by me

Int Study Hall -- Day (Later)

Students have their heads down, studying. TIGHT on Alyssa’s notebook where she’s clandestinely writing AG LOVES EN. Alyssa looks up to see Emma across the room, smiling at her. This is how they have to navigate the school -- in private stolen moments.

Alyssa

Before I met you, I was a mess, not honest with Myself, I confess… 

Emma

I was so Lonely, a total wreck just sad and hopeless? Check, double-check

The students don’t notice their singing, they keep their heads down. Alyssa scribbles a note, takes off a ring, puts the ring in the folded paper and heads towards Emma.

Both

And then You Happened, and turned my life around entirely, Oh Baby…

Both (Continued)

You happened, and look what happened to me

Emma, Alyssa, and Ensemble

And something so true happened, and soon it’s time to share it publicly and all ‘cause you happened

Alyssa slyly drops off the note, Emma enters it, reads it -- “Will you go to prom with me? Put on the ring if its a yes

Alyssa

And said you’d go to prom with

Emma

Said you’d go to prom with

Both

Said you’d go to prom with me… 

Emma puts on the ring, Alyssa grins

Ensemble

You happened! You Happened! Look What Happened to Me

The bell rings, Emma and Alyssa exchange sweet looks as they go. Their PINKIES barely touch.. But Kaylee and Shelby clock this

Kaylee and Shelby look towards each other and both say “What the heck!?!?”

To be continued

Chapter Text

At the Nolan home. Barry and Betsy are in the kitchen. Barry is sipping coffee while Betsy is baking something.

“You know,” Betsy starts saying, “I think that you people are doing a really good thing for my granddaughter. All I ask is that you keep in touch with her when you leave. She hasn’t had many stable adult figures in her life in a while”

“I heard that her parents kicked her out, which is why she lives here. I don’t have a relationship with my parents either” replies Barry.

“To completely understand Emma, I think you should know her full story.”Betsy begins a monologue about Emma’s life from her point of view. The camera shows the flashbacks with her narrations on top of it.

Even from a young age, I could tell that Emma was not like the other kids. While most girls would play with dolls, she was more interested in the superhero toys the boys would play with. Emma never liked playing dress up with the other girls. At parent-teacher conferences, her teachers would always note that Emma acted shy around the other kids. She always had too much anxiety. Whether it was speaking in front of the class or fire alarms, certain things would just set Emma off.

My son and his wife did not like that at all. All they wanted was to be a “perfect little family”, but I think that the pressure they were putting on her just gave Emma more anxiety. My late husband Albert and I noticed this. We gave Emma her own bedroom at our house and she often stayed the night on the weekends and during school breaks.

Her parents would often neglect her. They would provide the basic food, water, shelter, and clothes for Emma, but would often ignore her emotional needs. Albert and I really stepped in to be the real parental figures for her. 

We signed her up for music lessons which helped her gain confidence in front of other people. She bonded with her cousin Greg who lived with us, so that got her more comfortable with making friends. Greg was always more of a brother to Emma than a cousin, so that made it especially hard on her when Greg had to leave for college. 

So over time Emma made friends and gained more confidence. In middle school she would especially talk about her friend Alyssa, a friendship that I had a feeling that something more would bloom from it.

After a sleepover at Kaylee’s house the summer after freshman year, I could tell that something had changed with Emma. She started writing songs and being happier. She even started a YouTube channel where she posted song covers.

But then everything changed. It was a beautiful day at the beginning of the school year, her sophomore year of high school. It was the kind of day that one would call perfect. Until I get an urgent call from Emma. On the phone she is crying and she is hyperventilating. Something is clearly wrong with my granddaughter and I need to help her.

I have Albert drive me and Greg to my son’s house to check on my granddaughter. I stay on the phone with Emma the entire time trying to comfort her. Emma was having an anxiety attack. She was crying and screaming and not thinking rationally at all. She was yelling incoherent things and my heart was just breaking hearing her like that. I knew that we had to get there quickly to comfort her.

We get there and see Emma crying in the driveway with a bunch of her stuff scattered around her. Luckily for us, she already had most of her most important items in her room at our house. Emma was already spending more and more time with us, so the plan was to try and quietly move her in without her parents noticing. This event, however, pushed her out of her parents house for good.

Emma doesn’t know this part, but later on in the day while her cousin Greg was comforting her, Albert and I went back to confront our son. He confirmed our suspicions, that he and his wife never liked having a child and hoped to never see or hear from Emma again. It was very easy for them to sign over parental rights for Emma to us. 

He then told us that they were planning on selling their house and moving to a different state, with a warning to never contact him again. That is not even the worst part. His real estate agent was Veronica Greene, and he told her that he was moving to escape his gay daughter. Veronica was always a big part of the town gossip, so by the next morning Emma was outed to the entire town. Poor Emma, she was already struggling in school but it was like she lost everything all at once.

The next day at school she befriended Winnie, and Alyssa never abandoned her. Things were getting better for Emma for a while, but then the next year Greg moved away for college, leaving Emma without the pillar of support who she was relying on in school. Then at the beginning of this school year Albert had a heart attack. Greg still calls Emma frequently, but for Emma it is not the same as actually having him here. I have to be extra strong for Emma because I am the only adult figure who she has left.

Betsy’s story ends and she looks to Barry. “I really appreciate all of what you are doing for her. All I ask is that you don’t just pop in and leave. Emma needs someone to support her. She has had such a hard life, I can’t stand the thought of her being let down again.”

Barry sits for a second to absorb all of the new information. “Betsy, even before learning all of that I could tell that Emma is a special girl. Honestly, she reminds me a lot of me at that age. I also used to be that shy, anxious kid who was unsure about himself. For the longest time I didn’t have people to rely on until I befriended my crew of actors. I promise that I will do anything I can to be there for her.”

Betsy looks at Barry and cracks a small smile. “You better not let her down, Glickman. I’m keeping my eye on you.”

“As you should.” Barry says the camera zooms in on a picture of Emma.

To be continued… 

Chapter Text

The scene shows Emma and Barry in a navy blue pickup truck. “So, what exactly is the plan?” Emma asks.

“You are going to drive me around town and show me all of the fun things this town has to offer.” Barry says excitedly.

Emma shyly looks down. “I don’t know. There are a lot of places here that give me bad memories.”

“Show me the good memories. Show me the places that are special to you. To paraphrase Dumbledore, there is always light in the darkness.”

That makes Emma smile. “You know what, that sounds like a really good idea. It could be our own little adventure.”

“Where to first?”

We see Emma’s truck start to drive off. It pulls up into the parking lot for a stadium that has a big sign saying Monster Truck rally on it. 

“I know that you have been to one before,” starts Emma, “but you were first preparing for that acceptance song show and then doing the show and then you were looking at the press from it, so you probably didn’t get a chance to actually watch the show. But you might not like it. It’s nothing like the big glam and lights of Broadway.”

Barry puts an arm around Emma’s shoulder. “If this is true Indiana culture, I am proud to partake in it with you. Besides, it sounds like it could be an exciting change of pace from what I am used to.” 

They then proceed to watch the rally. Emma, who is used to the monster trucks but still enjoys it, gets excited at the mayhem. Barry is at first taken aback by the craziness of the monster trucks, but then he really gets into it. The scene now shows the two of them walking out of the stadium with huge smiles on their faces.

“Where to next?” Barry asks.

Emma has a mischievous smile on her face. “I know just the place.”

They come up to a building with a sign on it that says “Sklar, Beguelin, and Martin’s Karaoke Bar”.

Barry gasps and is excited. “Are you telling me that this small middle of nowhere town actually has a karaoke bar?”

Emma explains. “This place started as a regular bar, but when business started to go down they tried out a couple of different things to keep people interested. Turns out the people of Edgewater really love to sing badly in karaoke.”

Barry starts getting really excited! “Okay Emma, you and I are going to go up there and have fun!”

Emma grins. “What song?”

“Trust me, I know the perfect song.” Barry says with a mischievous grin.

We now see Barry and Emma on stage. They both have microphones and are in front of the screen with the song lyrics behind them. Barry starts singing first.

[Barry]

Ooh

You can dance

You can jive

Having the time of your life

Ooh, see that girl

Watch that scene

Digging the dancing queen

[Emma]

Friday night and the lights are low

Looking out for a place to go

Where they play the right music

Getting in the swing

You come to look for a king

Anybody could be that guy

Night is young and the music's high

With a bit of rock music

Everything is fine

You're in the mood for a dance

And when you get the chance

By this point, Barry and Emma are really getting into the music. They come closer together as they begin to harmonize on the chorus.

[Both]

You are the dancing queen

Young and sweet

Only seventeen

Dancing queen

Feel the beat from the tambourine, oh yeah

You can dance

You can jive

Having the time of your life

Ooh, see that girl

Watch that scene

Digging the dancing queen

Barry and Emma continue to sing the rest of the song. Only about a third of the seats are filled in the audience, but the people who are there look like they are enjoying the performance. Barry and Emma sing the last note and then the scene cuts to their next activity.

The scene now Emma and Barry at the food stand at Edgewater Park. It is just a simple park, but it is the hot location where most of the teens like to hang out. In the absence of a mall in this small town, this is where the teens convene to get food and hang out.

Emma and Barry are holding ice cream cones. Emma has a scoop of raspberry sorbet and Barry has two scoops, one of chocolate and one of bubblegum.

Emma looks at Barry’s cone and laughs. “I can’t believe you like chocolate and bubblegum together!”

“What can I say,” Barry says with a grin, “go big or go home”

“I bet you have all kind of crazy flavors up in New York”

“We do. Hey Emma, maybe this summer I could bring you on a trip with me to New York. I could take you to see a show, hit all the tourist sights. It could be a really fun day. We can even bring Winnie and your girlfriend with us. And I’m sure that Betsy would want to come along for the adventure.”

Emma looks down with a sad smile. She tries to make herself look busy by kicking rocks.

Barry notices the distraction. “Okay kiddo, what’s up? You can count on me. I promise that I will be here for you.”

Emma takes a lick of her sorbet then looks Barry in the eyes. “I know that Gran told you my story. So if you are just here for good publicity, you can leave now, go back to the big city and all. But if you really do care about me, I might just take you up on that offer.”

“Did I ever tell you why I came here? Other than to get you a prom, I mean?” Asks Barry.

Emma shakes her head.

Barry puts his hand on Emma’s shoulder. “Just like you, I had a less than pleasant childhood. I started acting as a chance to escape the real world and be part of a fantasy life. Eventually I befriended Trent, Angie, and Dee Dee and it made me realize that I have to start living my life for myself, find what truly makes me happy. As soon as I heard about your situation I knew that I had to come. I feel like we were meant to help each other find a sense of happiness. I want to be your Uncle Barry if you will have me.”

Emma is crying now. She throws down her raspberry sorbet and captures Barry in a ginormous hug. Barry throws away his ice cream to reciprocate the hug. They let go, both of them crying.

“Now, we have a prom to get ready for. Let’s replace our ice cream then go shopping.”

Emma is widely grinning now. “Are you really going to get that chocolate bubblegum monstrosity again?”

“You bet I am.”

Music starts playing and you now see Emma and Barry at K-mart. They are surrounded by a bunch of dress options. Barry starts singing as Emma starts trying stuff on.

{BARRY}

I can tell you're feeling wary

But you can count on uncle Barry

He can turn this butch-y duck into a swan

Your whole look could use a shake-up

You can borrow all my make-up

And the pair of spanks I currently have on

{EMMA, spoken}

I think I'll pass

Barry holds a dress up to himself and starts prancing around the dressing room with Emma watching, laughing

{BARRY}

Treat the whole world like your runway

Make it fierce but in a fun way

Try to flip your hair like Cher

And drag queens do

And I don't mean to be rude, dear

But you could use some attitude, dear

Let's show the school that

Tonight belongs to you

The camera shows them leaving K-mart, and now walking through the park that they were in earlier. They are dancing and being silly and doing different poses.

One thing's universal

Life's no dress rehearsal

So why not make some waves before it's through

Go big or you've blown it

It's time that you own it

Let's make it clear that

Tonight belongs to you

They are back at the Nolan house, in Emma’s bedroom. Barry has an entire hair and makeup kit laid out in front of them as he begins to experiment on Emma.

(Barry, spoken)

Now, whatever we choose, you gotta remember to sell it

{EMMA, spoken}

How do I do that?

{BARRY, spoken}

Allow Miss Glickman to demonstrate

(sung)

You might find this disconcerting

But old Barry's done some flirting

Try to bat your eyes, smize

Each time you grin

{EMMA}

I can guess your whole agenda

{BARRY}

You be Elphie

I'm Galinda

{BOTH}

It's makeover time so why not just give in

Barry puts the makeup brush down as they stand up and dance around Emma’s room.

{BARRY}

Come on

{BOTH}

One thing's universal

Life's no dress rehearsal

So why not make some waves before it's through

Go big or you've blown it

{EMMA}

It's time that I own it

{BARRY}

Yes ma'am!

{BOTH}

Let's make it clear that

Tonight belongs to you

{Barry, spoken}

What ?

The camera zooms in on Emma as she looks confident, delivering her final line.

{EMMA}

Belongs to me

To be continued… 

Chapter Text

The scene shows the Klein house, in Kaylee’s bedroom. Kaylee and Shelby are both wearing their prom dresses and are looking at themselves in the mirror,

{SHELBY}

Oh god, I can't believe this is finally happening

{KAYLEE}

She almost ruined it for all of us

{SHELBY}

Well, what goes around comes around. You look hot

{KAYLEE}

You look so hot

{BOTH}

Well I hate to sound conceited

But the boys get overheated

When I strike a pose or two like thus

{KAYLEE}

You have to hand it to me

I mean even I would do me

The camera shows the two girls leaving the house and entering the cars of their dates. The entire street is lined with cars with the male date holding the door open for the female date to enter.

{BOTH}

Let's show the world

Tonight belongs to us

One thing's universal

Live's no dress rehearsal

Excuse me while I state the obvious

Go big or you've blown it

It's time that we own it

And make it clear that

Tonight belongs to us

The music winds down and we see Alyssa in her bedroom. Alyssa is wearing her dress and is looking at herself in the mirror. Alyssa is clearly nervous about tonight. Mrs Greene enters and Alyssa turns to her mother, ready to talk.

“Mom, I have a couple of things to say before tonight.”

“Make it quick!” Mrs Greene interrupts, “We have to leave very soon”

“Well,” Alyssa starts nervously. “I first want to apologize for my comment about Dad the other night. I clearly crossed a line and I regret bringing him up in such a negative way. The second thing is -”

Veronica interrupts her daughter. “Thank you for your apology but we don’t have time for what you need to say next. I just need to make a couple more adjustments to your dress and then we will be right out the door.

Alyssa tries to get another word in. “I just want to say -” The music picks up as Veronica interrupts Alyssa yet again.

{MRS. GREENE, spoken}

I have worked very hard on this night and I have a right to enjoy it, too. Now you are going to have a wonderful prom. Like a normal girl. I made sure of that

{ALYSSA, spoken}

What does that mean?

{MRS. GREENE}

I don't like when strangers get in my way

Or anyone who messes with the PTA

Well maybe that's just me

But trust me

Fixing little problems is what I do

Now everyone is happy

I promise you

And I would never miss a night like this, Alyssa

You're my superstar

Now get your ass in the car

The camera now shows the people of the school at the country club. Everyone is on the dance floor and is doing an elaborate dance sequence.

{ENSEMBLE}

Tonight belongs to us

Tonight belongs to us

One thing's universal

Life's no dress rehearsal

Excuse me while I state the obvious

Go big or you've blown it

It's time that we own it

And make it clear that

Tonight belongs to

Make it clear that tonight belongs to

Make it clear that tonight belongs to us

The camera points one final shot at the ensemble before cutting away from the prom. You now see Emma, Barry, Trent, Angie, and Dee Dee about to enter the gym. 

Emma is standing nervously by the door. Barry looks at her with a proud smile on his face and says “You look beautiful!”

“Are you sure it’s not too girly?” Emma nervously replies. 

Barry looks to Emma and says “I’ll walk you in. You don’t have to do this alone if you don’t want to.”

Emma and the four actors enter the gym.

The gym looks completely empty, save for a few random streamers and a torn up banner. Hawkins is already standing in the gym, confused and on the phone.

“What’s going on?” Emma asks nervously.

The camera is now split screen. Alyssa on the left half of the screen and Emma on the right. 

Emma talks to Hawkins in the gym at the same time that Alyssa talks to Kaylee and Shelby at the country club.

Alyssa: “What’s going on? Why aren’t we at the gym?”

Kaylee: “We saw you slip that ring to Nolan. We know that you’re the girlfriend the freak was talking about.”

Alyssa: “Emma is not a freak! And if being gay makes her a freak, than doesn’t that mean I’m one also?”

Shelby: “As your friends we are just trying to make you normal. You should be thanking us.”

Alyssa, starting to freak out: “Thanking you? You ruined my life! Emma and I had a plan! We would go to prom together and then Miss Betsy would take me in until I will turn 18 and become an adult. But now that I’m here I feel more trapped than ever! I need to talk to my mom!”

Alyssa runs to her mother. Alyssa tries to steady her breathing and talk to her mother calmly, but there is still a hitch in her voice.

Alyssa: “Mom, tell me why we are here. Why is the prom not being held at the gym?”

Mrs Greene: “There was a last minute change of plans, so we are at the country club instead. There was a problem”

Alyssa: “Tell me what the problem was. Please tell me the truth”

Hawkins: “From what I understand, the courts told the PTA that they must give you a prom. So they set this up for you.”

Mrs Greene: “So we gave the lesbian a prom at the gym, and now we are here at the normal person’s prom with everyone else”

Emma and Alyssa: “Holy Shit!”

At that moment, Alyssa manages to escape her mother and run to the bathroom. She starts crying in the stall as she calls Emma. Emma picks up right away.

Alyssa: “I had no knowledge of this I swear!”

Emma: “Then leave! Come here. That was the plan, remember? It was your idea to come out at prom in the first place!”

Alyssa: “I can’t leave, there is no way I would be able to escape my mother! The most I could do is hide in the bathroom!”

Both girls are heavily crying at this point.

Emma: “Tell her you’re gay, tell her you’re in love!”

Alyssa: “I can’t! I can’t escape my mother. What if she sends me to conversion therapy camp!? What if she starts homeschooling me and never lets me leave the house again?It’s bad enough that Kaylee and Shelby knows! I can’t lose everything all at once!”

Emma: “Bad enough?”

Alyssa: “No! I didn’t mean it like that!”

Emma: “Fine! Go have fun without me at your normal person’s prom!”

Alyssa: “Emma, wait!” but it’s too late as Emma has already hung up. Alyssa slouches down in the bathroom stall as her crying intensifies. She appears to be having a panic attack. 

Alyssa: "Fuck! I just wanted to spend the night with my girlfriend! I feel so lost!" *screams* 

The camera stops showing Alyssa and now only shows the people at the gym.

Barry: “Okay, so we’ll march down to the country club and give them a piece of our mind.”

Emma: “No! I’ve had enough! Just please let me go home! I need to fucking leave!”

The music starts up as Emma soberly sings a tune, reflecting on the situation.

[EMMA]

One thing's universal

Life's no dress rehearsal

When people find a scapegoat to condemn

We went big, yet we've blown it

Well, I guess I should have known it

All along, tonight belonged to them

Emma then starts having an anxiety attack. She starts crying and screaming and yelling incoherently. She storms out of the gym.

Angie sees this and yells to her friends “I’ll go follow her. You guys go clean up this mess. I will take her back home and call Winnie and her cousin.”

The camera shows Angie running out of the gym to follow Emma, then cuts to black.

End Act 1

To be continued...

Chapter Text

The scene starts Monday afternoon, outside of the school. Winnie spots Alyssa exiting the building and pulls her aside outside a brick wall.

“What the hell, Alyssa!” Winnie shouts. “After everything that happened Saturday night, you couldn’t even bother to text Emma? She has been crying in her cat onesie and eating ice cream and watching sad movies all weekend. She didn’t even come to school today. The whole fake prom fiasco really broke her.”

Alyssa has an upset look on her face with a glimmer of tears forming on her eyes. “I’m sorry Winnie! I really messed things up!”

Winnie sees that Alyssa is starting to break down a little, so the younger girl reaches out a hand for comfort. “I’m sorry, I was too focused on helping Emma that I forgot that you were a victim, too. I was too focused on one friend that I forgot about the other. I’m really sorry!”

Alyssa is starting to cry some more and wraps an arm around Winnie. “It’s my fault, too. I should have been more careful around my relationship with Emma. Now that I think about it, I would make comments around Kaylee and Shelby that would imply that I’m not boy crazy. I always used the excuse that I was under too much pressure from my mother, but I guess that they could see that that wasn’t the whole truth.”

Alyssa cries some more before continuing. “Emma Nolan is the love of my life. I should talk to her, but I don’t know how. I can’t bring myself to face her right now, but a text seems too impersonal.”

Winnie looks to Alyssa and says, “Why don’t you write her a letter? I was planning on going to her house once I was done talking to you, so I can deliver it to her.”

“That’s a great idea! If you can just wait a couple of minutes, I’ll write it right now!”

So Alyssa pulls some paper and her nice pens out of her backpack. The camera shows Winnie and Alyssa talking some more while Alyssa writes her letter. Alyssa pulls out some of her cherry-pink lipstick and applies some to her face.

The last thing the camera shows is the ending to the letter.

Love, Alyssa Greene

Next to her signature, the letter shows a mark from Alyssa kissing the letter as the camera fades to black.

[To be continued…]

Chapter Text

It is the Monday morning after the prom and Emma is curled up in a ball in her room. Her eyes are red and puffy from crying so much. Used tissues are scattered around her. Emma gets a knock on her bedroom door.

“Go to hell!” Emma yells without checking to see who it is.

“Is that really how you greet your favorite cousin?” Greg walks in. He is about a head taller than Emma with styled dirty-blond hair. 

“Why are you here?” Emma yells. “Are you just going to go away and abandon me again like everyone else in my life?”

“Okay, 1: rude. But 2: I know that you’re hurting right now so you are just deflecting at me since I’m right here.”

“What do you want, Greg?” Greg carefully approaches his cousin and puts a comforting hand on her back. “I am here because you need me. I have always had your back. Do you remember Halloween when you were 5 and I was 7?”

Emma pokes her head out. “Yeah, what about it?”

Greg begins his story while a flashback of a young Emma and Greg appear on the screen.

That was the year when the movie Madagascar came out. You were obsessed with that movie. You really wanted to go as the lion for Halloween. Some kids made fun of you saying that you should “at least dress as a girl lion” but no, you wanted the full mane on your head. I told you that I would go as the zebra from that movie so you wouldn’t be alone. We ended up having a lot of fun that year and agreed to always go trick-or-treating together after that.

The flashback ends and Greg turns to Emma. “So you see, even when we were kids I have always been by your side. I’m sorry that I wasn’t there that night but I promise to be here for you now. And I heard that I’m not the only one. You have an entire team of crazy adults with you and your friend Winnie is supposed to come by after school. Maybe things will get better?”

Emma starts to sit up and gives a small smile. “Maybe. Want to watch a movie?”

Greg smiles also. “I’ll go make some popcorn while you set up Madagascar for old time’s sake.”

As Greg leaves the room and Emma starts to pull up the movie, she thinks that things might not be as bad as they seem.

Their grandmother would later check in to see the two of them asleep with the 2nd Madagascar movie on in the background. Betsy takes out her camera and takes a picture of the two cousins. The camera zooms in on the picture as it transitions to the next scene.

To be continued… 

Chapter Text

Winnie and Angie enter the Nolan house. Greg is sitting on the couch while Emma is in her room. Greg gives them a small smile and waves them over.

Angie looks to Greg and says “Thank you for taking care of Emma. How is she?”

“She was doing better, we watched some movies and then she took a nap. But now she just feels so hopeless. She is just so lost about what to do next.”

Angie and Winnie walk upstairs to see Emma in her room. Emma is just blankly staring out the window, her face showing no emotion.

“Hey Emma!” Winnie calls out. “I have something for you. It’s from Alyssa.”

Emma’s face is still blank but she reaches out her hand. Winnie places the letter in her hand while Emma starts reading it, Alyssa’s voice narrating the letter. Tears splatter on the letter while it’s being read.

Dear Emma Nolan

Emma, you are the love of my life. That is why I asked you to prom in the first place. Because I love you so much and I want the world to know.

I want you to know that from the second you hung up the phone on me, I spent the rest of the night crying in the bathroom. You didn’t get a prom that night, and neither did I.

I just really want things to be okay. Just hold out a little bit longer. June 12th, remember? That is the day when I will turn 18 and finally be able to leave this house, leave my mother’s control. The day after graduation. I really want to be with you. All I want is to dance with you and be free.

I’ll give you some time to process this letter, but on Wednesday after school will you please meet me in the band closet? Please, I love you! I know that you are still upset about everything, but can we please just talk it out?

Love, Alyssa Greene

Emma notices that next to her signature Alyssa kissed the letter with her cherry-pink lipstick. She is heavily crying at this point. “I love you too,” Emma whispers to herself. She turns to face Angie and Winnie. “What am I going to do? I want things to get better, but I don’t know how they can.”

Winnie hugs her friend while Angie sits down next to Emma, rubbing a hand along Emma’s back in a comforting way.

Angie then starts into an inspirational story about the cast of Chicago facing challenges. She then spirals into the fact that she has had to go on for practically every role in the Broadway production of Chicago that she’s in, except for her dream role, Roxie Hart. Despite never going on for her dream role, Angie never gives up because she knows that she’s important. They value the fact that she can cover wherever she is needed, and the production promised Angie that she would get to go on for that role someday. And that’s the point that Angie makes to Emma, about how Emma should never give up on her dreams.

When Angie finishes her story Winnie leans in closer to her friend. “Angie has been helping me a lot with my self-confidence issues. She really knows her stuff. She taught me all about finding your inner strength, finding your zazz.”

Emma looks confused. “What is zazz?”

They are no longer in Emma’s room, they are now on a stage. Emma is awkwardly standing off to the side, while a big spotlight shines on Angie and Winnie. Angie starts prancing around on her crazy-long antelope legs as she starts singing.

[Angie]

When a challenge lies ahead

And you are filled with dread and worry

Give it some zazz

Winnie starts walking over to Emma holding a fancy cane then joins in.

[Winnie]

If your courage disappears

What'll get your fears to scurry

Give it some zazz

Angie and Winnie transfer into a choreographed dance slightly reminiscent of the Rockettes. 

[Angie and Winnie]

Zazz is style plus confidence

It may seem corny or kitsch

But when scared or on the fence

[Angie]

You'll find that zazz will soon make fear become your bitch

[Angie and Winnie]

And if folks say you can't win

What'll stop them in a hurry

[Winnie]

Give it some zazz

[Angie and Winnie]

There's no contest for a girl who has some razzmatazz

[Winnie]

So call their bluff

[Angie]

And strut your stuff

[Angie and Winnie]

Like no chick in this hick town has

Instead of giving up

Oh give it some zazz

Emma has moved over to the middle of the stage, but she is still really shy and awkward. 

[Emma, spoken]

I just don't think I can do it.

The thought of getting up in front of all of those people?

Look at my hands!

They're shaking!

[Angie]

If your hands are shaking

Just turn 'em into jazz hands

[Angie, spoken]

Doesn't that feel better?

[Emma, spoken]

No

Angie puts her hands on Emma as she tries to guide the young lesbian. Emma is internally freaking out at the thought of having such a hot lady guiding her body like this.

[Angie, spoken]

Try this.

Close your eyes.

Think about Mrs. Greene.

Emma raises up her left hand in front of her face in a fist.

[Angie]

Think about that fake prom.

Emma raises her right hand in front of her face in a fist.

[Angie]

Now, think of finally doing something about it.

Emma starts punching the air in front of her and moving her body, more confident than she was before.

[Angie]

Oh, I'm seeing it!

I'm seeing your zazz!

Now follow me!

A giant staircase moves onto the stage from the left side of the screen. The 3 women quickly run up the staircase so that they can dance down the stage. In order from bottom to top they are positioned as Emma, then Winnie, then Angie.

[Angie, Winnie, and Emma]

Do like the brave and bossy do

And if they tear you apart

Ask what what would Bob Fosse do?

[Angie]

He'd make the people have a step ball change of hearts

Ball change!

[Angie, Winnie, and Emma]

And if folks say you can't win

What'll stop them in a hurry

[Emma, confident]

Give it some zazz!

[Winnie]

There's no contest for a girl who has some razzmatazz

[Angie]

So call their bluff

Bam!

[Emma]

And strut my stuff

Bam!

[Angie, Winnie, and Emma]

Like no chick in this hick town has

Instead of giving up

Give it some zazz

[Angie]

Now that you've found your zazz,

It's time to show it to the world.

You think you know how?

[Emma]

Yeah

The scene returns to Emma’s bedroom. Emma tells the others “Thank you! I think that I gained some confidence back. I will go back to school and talk to Alyssa and face the town! I have nothing left to lose at this point, so let’s show those bastards what this lesbian can do!”

They all yell out “Yeah!” as the scene ends.

To be continued… 

Chapter Text

Alyssa anxiously paces around the band closet, waiting for Emma to show up.

Emma enters with a sorrowful look on her face. She sits down on one of the instrument cases before turning to look at Alyssa. She says “I got your note. You said you wanted to talk.”

Alyssa faces her girlfriend. “Yeah, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking recently and I just wanted to apologize for everything. I am sorry for not being there for you when you needed me to, and I am sorry for not visiting these past couple of days.”

“Why didn’t you.”

“Trust me, I wanted to stand up to my mom. I wanted t tell her that I was gay and to just storm out. But the shock of it all just broke me so hard. I wasn’t thinking that night, I was just so broken down in tears in the bathroom. I couldn’t have sent you a text after we hung up even if I tried.” Alyssa is starting to cry.

“So why have Winnie send me that letter? Why not come to me afterwards?” Emma’s eyes are starting to tear up, too.

“Because I was too broken! My mom puts too much pressure and expectations on me that I try to break free but instead I just snap! You know what my mother is like! She’s a complete and utter control freak!”

Alyssa starts singing a song about her life. How she has all of these expectations on her, but her mother causes her to break. She is practically sobbing as she sings the last verse.

Cause mom’s convinced if you’re perfect

Your father might come back.

You’re not yourself

You’re not what she wants

You’re something in between

You’re whole life’s a lie when you’re Alyssa Greene

The two lesbians hug and cry for a couple of minutes in each other’s arms. When they separate, Emma wipes a tear from her own eye and then from Alyssa’s before saying, “I’m going to go public with my story. I can’t do it alone, will you go with me?”

Alyssa looks away for a second, then answers while refusing to meet her girlfriend’s eyes. “You know I want to, but-”

“Wanting isn’t good enough. I’m sorry. I love you but I can’t continue on like this.”

“Are you breaking up with me?”

“Yeah, I think I am.” Emma answers as she leaves the band closet.

Alyssa sings one final line.

You’re not yourself

You’re not what SHE wants

You’re something in between

You’re whole life’s a lie when you’re Alyssa Greene

Alyssa slinks down onto the floor of the band closet, head in her knees as she starts sobbing. The scene changes to Alyssa in the same position, but now in different clothes, surrounded by used tissues, at home.

Veronica Greene walks into her house to see Alyssa crying on the couch. Veronica drops her bags of groceries on the floor as she walks over to her daughter. “Honey, what’s wrong?”

Alyssa lifts her head up from her knees to reveal her face, puffy and red from crying. It is clear that Alyssa has been crying for a long time. “I made a mistake, mom. I did something at school that ended with my closest friend being mad at me. She cut off from me and won’t pick up when I try to call. I really screwed things up and I don’t know what to do about it!”

Veronica looks down at her daughter and lets out a sigh. “Trust me, I know all about what it’s like to lose someone close to you. I think it’s time that I tell you the full story about your father. I just need to grab something first, and then I will be right back.”

Veronica walks down to the basement and stands in front of a safe. She puts in the code 01-31-77 which opens the safe. She pulls out a dusty wooden box and then walks back upstairs to return to her daughter.

Veronica places the box on the table and opens it for her daughter. She removes a photo album from the box and opens it to her wedding pictures.

“Your father was my true love. We used to live in Indianapolis, you took your first steps in our little apartment above the pizza place your father ran. We were the perfect little family, until it all changed.”

Alyssa is listening intently to her mother’s story. She flips the pages of the photo album to see her baby pictures. One shows Veronica and Daniel holding baby Alyssa in front of the restaurant. The sign “Daniel’s Dough” is visible in the background.

Veronica continues. “Everything was perfect until it wasn’t. One day you and I were out of town visiting my mother, but your father had to work. He was taking out the trash one late night after a really long night at work when he witnessed something that he shouldn’t. He called the police but the criminals noticed him.”

Veronica is crying at this point. “He had to spend some time at the hospital, and then after the trial he was put into witness protection. We couldn’t go with him because if the bad guys found out that he had a family, they could go after us. Before he left, Daniel promised me that he would send you a letter on your 18th birthday explaining everything. I really want him to just come home so we can be a family again!”

Both Greene women are heavily crying at this point. They are hugging and sobbing. 

Alyssa recovers first. “So that’s why you never liked talking about Dad. Because you still love him and wish that he never left. My person can still be in my life. I need to find a way to apologize. I have to go.”

Alyssa grabs her keys then runs out the door. Veronica opens up a hidden compartment of the box to show a more recent photo of Daniel. This one is dated October 2016. It shows Daniel in front of the Statue of Liberty, wearing a shirt that says “I wish I was here with you.” 

The scene ends with Veronica saying “I wish you could see just the kind of woman your daughter has become. Just a little bit longer until our family can be reunited. See you soon.”

Veronica puts the album away and closes the box, wishing that she could have been more honest with her daughter.

To be continued…