Chapter Text
Nick POV
_______
I felt lightheaded almost immediately when I registered my name appearing on the screen, and I felt everyone’s eyes turn to stare at me.
Daisy looked at me with her big brown eyes wide and a matching tight smile. No one else could see how tense she really was. “Oh, Nicky! Isn’t this just wonderful? You finally become published!” She turned to face Tom and her grin somehow tightened further. “Isn’t this wonderful Tom?” He ignored her.
Gatsby’s own shock was short-lived. “I didn’t know you were a writer, old sport.” He commented, obviously intrigued. I let out a nervous laugh in response.
Mr. McKee spoke up from his seat when it was obvious I was not going to respond. “Nick certainly has a keen eye when it comes to creative things.” I raised my eyebrow at him for his bold behavior but he just looked back unashamed. Luckily, no one noticed.
The light on the screen flickered again and the lights dimmed considerably as I heard a murmur sweep across the room and quickly die as we heard a voice in the dark. Those of us still standing scrambled to find seats.
In the first row, I found myself sitting next to Mr. McKee with Gatsby on my left. Next to him sat my cousin Daisy with Jordan next to her. In the row behind us, Tom sat alone in the far left corner, and a few seats away, Wilson sat with Myrtle, with Catherine to their right. Eventually, we all settled in for the viewing.
“Old sport,” Gatsby whispered, “I believe that’s you.”
Nick: In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I’ve been turning over in my mind ever since. “Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone,” he told me, “just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.”
“That advice explains…so much about you.” Jordan said out loud and Tom snorted. “The only reason that these people haven’t had the advantages we have had is because they don’t work for it. Our generation lacks work ethic–” He was cut off by the actor beginning to speak again.
Nick: Reserving judgement is an act of infinite hope.
Daisy sighed somewhat dreamily, as though she deeply enjoyed this notion. “Nicky, you are still such an absolute rose.” Tom butted in, “More like absolutely naive.” I blushed a little at their comments. Truthfully, I felt a little ashamed of myself, as I found recently that I had been judging the people I have met more often than ever. Gatsby leaned toward me, unaware of my current dilemma. “I personally think it’s a nice thought to have about other people, old sport.” I felt my face only grow redder.
Nick: And after all that’s happened, I’ve begun to suspect that I’m one of the few honest people that I have ever known.
There were a few indignant and uncomfortable murmurs around the room, and I sank deep into my seat in embarrassment.
Nick:
I left my home in Minnesota
To escape a kind of restlessness
I couldn't shake after the war
I saw Gatsby, George, and McKee nod their heads a little in understanding.
Nick:
And when I stepped off of the train at Pennsylvania Station
I felt that restlessness even more
“I remember when Tom and I first came to New York,” Daisy said almost wistfully, “It was so different to Chicago and yet somehow so similar.”
Nick:
All of New York City wanted what was coming next
Everyone was looking for what I was looking for
“I can sympathize with that particular feeling.” Gatsby remarked quietly.
Ensemble:
Tonight, let's misbehave
And take what happens to the grave
No matter what you crave, the city's reignited
The Great War has been won
The bacchanalia has begun
“Why are we recounting the wretched state of New York society? We just came from here.” Tom questioned coldly.
Ensemble:
Manhattan's come undone
And everyone's invited
Where's the party and can you take me there?
And when the party's over, can you find another party somewhere?
We live for today, we pay off the cops
And today is never over if the party never stops
Where's the party and can you take me there?
And when the party's over, can you find another party somewhere?
We live for today, we pay off the cops
And when you think the party stops
The party's roaring on!
The party's roaring on!
And we'll beat on and on and on and on
And on and on and on
“You know, I’ve still only been to maybe three major parties since I’ve been here.” I remarked.
Catherine and Jordan seemed to stare at me in different levels of shock but Gatsby just laughed his bright laugh. “You need to get out more, old sport.”
“If you’d be interested,” Mr. McKee started with a friendly smile, “I have some business on Long Island. I could take you some time.” I nodded slightly and smiled back. Next to me, Gatsby seemed to register this and I noticed him begin to glance at Mr. McKee questioningly.
Nick:
The practical thing was to find rooms in Manhatta n.
Turns out Manhattan is expensive.
A few people let out some light chuckles.
Nick:
So when I heard of a cottage on the grounds of a Long Island mansion for 80 bucks a month , I jumped on it!
Mr. McKee gave me an almost comically surprised look. “Nick, where do you live that’s that cheap?” I was about to answer but Gatsby replied for me. “Why, he lives in the cottage on my property, old sport. And I certainly don’t need the rent.” He laughed slightly.
Mr. McKee’s eyes narrowed and when Gatsby’s attention diverged as he conversed with Daisy, he began to whisper to me. “Nick, I know you’re not from here, but that is ridiculously low rent considering where you live. Are you sure he doesn’t have…an unsavory background or some sort of ulterior motive?” I hesitated. Sure, it was very coincidental that I lived on the same property as the man who was in love with my married cousin. True, the rumors surrounding his rise to riches were mostly–as McKee described it–unsavory. And sure, Wolfsheim freaked me out sometimes, and every new thing I learned about this man only led to more questions and secrets, but Gatsby wouldn’t rent the cottage to me for cheap simply any of those reasons. Right?
Ensemble:
A rumor's goin' round
About a mansion on the Sound
The city’s found another John Jacob Astor
Gatsby slightly blushed and chuckled. “I suppose it is good that people enjoy my parties so much, however I truly hope my story ends differently than his.”
Ensemble:
He opens up his place
Then disappears without a trace
Daisy gasped. “You don’t come to your own parties? Whyever not?” She sounded personally affronted as though she could not believe his lack of appreciation regarding his current social position. McKee, however, seemed to latch onto this. “Yes, why haven’t you, Mr. Gatsby?” Catherine chimed in too. “Yeah, why not?”
Tom looked put out by this. “He uses these parties to lure in women such as my wife to- to corrupt with these…these frivolous luxuries and improper behavior.” He argued. Gatsby looked agitated but kept his eyes glued forward away from Tom. Myrtle, of all people, spoke up in a similarly agitated voice. “T—Mr. Buchanan. Are you implying me and my sister are not properly behaved ? We go to parties like these too, you know.” Catherine let out sounds of assent and George chimed in with, “My wife is not improper!” followed by a whisper to said wife asking if that’s where she kept going with Catherine but Myrtle evaded the question.
Ensemble:
His parties set the pace
And he takes it faster
Where's the party and can you take me there?
And when the party's over, can you find another party somewhere?
We live for today, we pay off the cops
And when you think the party stops
The party's roaring on!
The party's roaring on!
And we'll beat on and on and on and on
And on and on and on
We felt the tempo slow and many side conversations came to a halt.
Nick:
One evening I went down to the shoreline
Here is what I'll never forget
There was my neighbor
Standing in silhouette
He was reaching 'cross the water
His arm stretched to the sky
Gatsby twisted to face me with a surprised look. “You noticed me?” I smiled softly. “I would always notice you, Gatsby.” I said. “That stuck with me. And I carry it in my heart as Mary bore the sorrows of her son.” Gatsby’s brows furrowed and he turned back to the screen.
“Say, isn’t that the light from our dock?!”
“My darling Tom, please calm down.”
Nick:
And then he was gone
And I was left to wonder why
I turned back to my cottage
What was he reaching for?
Gatsby’s eyes shone slightly. “You know why now. What I'm reaching for. You understand.” He whispered to me in the nearly silent room. Tom stood up. “He’s quite literally reaching for everything I have. In case you haven’t figured it out, Gatsby, you may have the same things I have, but you will never be like us on the East Egg.”
I saw Gatsby’s fists begin to tighten and I whispered to him, “Maybe it’s good you will never be like him. He’s a jackass, you’re not.”
Nick:
Then a letter from my neighbor
Fell to the floor
(spoken)
“The honor would be entirely mine if you would attend my next little party
Yours
Jay Gatsby”
“Holy shit!” Catherine yelled and I jumped, startled. “You actually got an invitation?” I smiled. “Apparently so.”
Nick:
The very first time I saw Gatsby’s name
If only I knew then that I would never be the same
Mr. McKee raised an eyebrow at me and I felt my cheeks heat.
Ensemble:
Where's the party and can you take me there?
Nick:
He hypnotized the city
We were drawn to him like moths to a flame
Was there some other way
Ensemble:
Some other way
Nick:
This all could have gone?
Before he crossed the Rubicon
Gatsby, who was previously focused on having a good time watching the performers, suddenly sobered at that. “What do they mean by crossing the point of no return?” I slightly shrugged but also became worried. I would not write a whole story centered around this man if everything went great. My mind began to spiral to thoughts of Gatsby being arrested, or Tom fighting him, or Gatsby losing all his wealth.
Ensemble:
The party's roaring on
Nick:
He had the world at his feet
Ensemble:
The party's roaring on
Nick:
Oh, he made the summer beat on and on and on
Ensemble:
Oh, we beat on and on and on and on and on and on
Nick:
The party's roaring on
Ensemble:
The party's roaring on
Nick:
The party's roaring on
Ensemble
The party's roaring on
And we'll beat on and on and on and on
Nick:
And on
Ensemble:
And on
Nick:
And on
Ensemble:
And on
And on
Nick:
And on
Nick and Ensemble:
And on