Work Text:
Scene 1
INT - Community Centre Hall, Day.
GRIAN is stood in front of a room full of people—18, to be exact, all chattering away among themselves. There are a lot of hybrids, a couple humans, and a couple beings dressed in varying shades of dark purple. He is an avian hybrid, parrot to be exact, and wearing a black beret. He seems to think that this beret makes him 'important', or that he should be wearing one, since he's the director. Scripts of the musical, 'Hadestown' are littered on a table to the left of him, and a clipboard with notes next to it. How GRIAN managed to get the rights to do such an amazing show, he'll never know. But probably part of it came from his constant pestering of the rights people. Either way, he tapped his foot on the ground a few times, hoping the performers would stop their conversations so he could get started. But they didn't.
GRIAN: Okay, okay, everyone quieten down!
… Nothing. The group of people don't seem to hear GRIAN, save for PEARL, who looks over at him, and tries to shush the woman moon's talking to—GEM—but to no avail. GRIAN sighs, and walks over to grab a nearby chair. He stands on it, waving his arms and wings around.
GRIAN: QUIET!!!
This seems to work, as a hush falls upon the room. The group of performers all look up at GRIAN, with varying looks of excitement and confusion on their faces.
GRIAN: Right, well… Now that's sorted! Thank you all for coming! I have to say, when I put out an audition notice, I didn't quite expect this many people, though I suppose that makes sense since I dragged four of you here myself.
GRIAN grins at JIMMY, PEARL, MARYN & BIGB in turn. JIMMY nods enthusiastically, PEARL grins back, MARTYN holds his hand up in a wave, and BIGB smiles back.
GRIAN: I've looked at each of your self-tapes, and I think I have a cast list sorted! Scott, please could you step forward? Keep on walking, and don't look back—you're our Orpheus!
SCOTT, a blue-haired unicorn hybrid steps forward, and waves. He does so in such a chilled way that makes it clear this isn't the first am-dram production xe's been in where he's got the lead role. Xe takes a script, grinning at GRIAN.
SCOTT: Thank you! That's going to be fun…
SCOTT walks confidently back to his spot in the group, with CLEO, who he grins at.
GRIAN: Jimmy, you're our Eurydice…
JIMMY, another avian hybrid—this time a canary—runs forward excitedly.
JIMMY: Oh! Oh, I never expected to get her!
He grabs a script, like SCOTT, and runs back to where he was standing. SCOTT gives him a small smile, which JIMMY returns nervously.
GRIAN: Our fates are… Pearl, Cleo and Gem!
PEARL, CLEO and GEM all step forward to grab their scripts. PEARL is a lunar moth hybrid, with a crescent moon pattern on her face. Moon's holding a cane, with plenty of moon stickers plastered all over it. CLEO is a zombie, with flowers in their ginger hair. GEM is a deer hybrid, with small amounts of mud caked on the bottom of her overalls. GEM gives a wave to the rest of the cast, as GRIAN continues.
GRIAN: Gem is also our choreographer, so make sure to ask her what the moves are. Don't ask me what the moves are. I won't know. And don't ask me to choreograph stuff. When I was with EVOS—That's EVolutionists Operatic Society, for those who don't know!—everyone said my choreography was so bad it shouldn't be called choreography.
MARTYN: Yeah, cause it isn't! It's Grian-ography!
To this, a bunch of the cast start laughing, JIMMY, PEARL and BIGB, who were there, especially.
GRIAN: … Thank you, Martyn. Since you're obviously so excited to chat, you'll be pleased to know I've cast you as Hermes!
MARTYN steps forward, grinning. He does a small, over-the-top bow that includes waving his hand around. He laughs, and speaks very over-dramatically.
MARTYN: I thank you! It's an old song, but I suppose I'll sing it anyway!
He walks back to where he was standing, laughing at GRIAN's slightly exasperated expression.
GRIAN: Yes, yes, okay, anyway! Hades! That's me, the King of the Mine… So, you're probably wondering who Persephone is! Well, our lady of the Underground is… Scar!
SCAR, a heavily scarred human in a wheelchair moves forward, waving.
SCAR: Hello, hello! I'm very excited to be working with you all!
SCAR gives GRIAN a wide grin, who smiles back, his cheeks hot. They keep their eye contact as SCAR wheels back to the space he was parked before. GRIAN only manages to shake himself out of it when OLI taps him on the shoulder. This involves OLI jumping up to reach GRIAN's shoulder, as he's still stood on the chair.
OLI: Uh, hi, you haven't mentioned my important job yet?
GRIAN: Oh! Yes! Everyone, this is our Musical Director, Oli! He's great at playing the piano, and will be looking after the band. Speaking of which… Ren, Impulse and Joel! You guys are our band! … At least one of you can play the trombone, right?-
IMPULSE shakes his head.
IMPULSE: Not yet, just drums!
JOEL makes a noise. It's hard to tell quite what this noise means—it's not quite annoyed, it's not quite excited.
JOEL: Hah, you've put down two drummers, I think.
GRIAN: No, that can't be right…
GRIAN frowns, and bends down to check his clipboard. Nope, that's right. IMPULSE and JOEL are both drummers. GRIAN just got overexcited when he saw they'd put down that they were happy to be in the band. REN takes a step forward, speaking in a very theatrical voice.
REN: Fret not! I shall take it upon myself to learn how to trombone. 'Tis a heavy burden, but I am willing to carry it.
GRIAN: Ren, we need you to play guitar.
REN: … Ah. Nevermind then!
REN steps backwards, and the group laughs. GRIAN looks back at IMPULSE and JOEL.
GRIAN: Well, you two need to work out which one of you is learning the trombone. Or both of you, then you can swap each night between trombone and drumming. I don't really care. And… The rest of you are our Workers! But don't panic, you're all still absolutely an important part of the cast, as each of your are understudies too! Tango is understudying Orpheus, Skizz Eurydice, Lizzie, BigB and Bdubs as the Fates, Ren as Hermes, Azrael—for those who don't know, that's one of our Watchers- Committee members, I should say—as Hades, Mumbo as Persephone, and Etho on creepers & noteblocks to fill in for the band! Lots to learn for everyone!
GRIAN begins to organise everyone about, saying something about what song they're going to begin with—'Wait for Me', the largest number. Meanwhile, SCOTT walks over to JIMMY confidently. He has a grin on xer face.
SCOTT: Hey. Looks like we'll be performing opposite each other as love interests… How are you feeling?
JIMMY: Um—Pretty good, actually? I never expected to get Eurydice! I'm really pleased about that, to be honest! I- I'm Jimmy, by the way! Nice to meet you!
SCOTT: Scott. Pleasure!
SCOTT outstretches his hand. JIMMY takes it, and shakes, pretty enthusiastically. Nervousness is radiating off of JIMMY in waves, in massive contrast to SCOTT's chilled out nature.
SCOTT: So… Have you done much am-dram before?
JIMMY: Oh! Oh, yeah, a little! I did a bit with EVOS, with Grian. We did, um, Nerdy Prudes Must Die! That one was really fun, I was only ensemble in that, but Grian was one of the leads, which was cool! I think Grian ended up being asked by the Watchers—the committee, I mean, that was a nickname for them we had—to come here, instead, and he dragged me along. Martyn, Pearl and BigB too!
SCOTT: So this is your first LSPA production? What are you thinking so far?
JIMMY: I think it's fun! I met Joel, he was really chill and I think we'll get along well. Tango seemed cool too! How about you?
SCOTT nods. Xe looks around, pointing out some of the members that he recognises with the Life Series Performing Arts am-dram society—better known as LSPA.
SCOTT: Let's see, we did… Epic the Musical, Joel was in that one too... And we've also done Legally Blonde, where, again, Joel was in, but Lizzie too. You'll love it here, I'm sure! Don't be nervous.
JIMMY chuckles awkwardly, putting his slightly shaky hands in his pockets.
JIMMY: Was it that obvious?
SCOTT: Very.
JIMMY opens his mouth to say more, but unfortunately he's interrupted by GRIAN once again yelling over everyone. SCOTT winks at JIMMY, before xe walks off, towards GRIAN.
GRIAN: OKAY, OKAY! Martyn and Scott, I need you two onstage right now! Gem, Pearl and Cleo too… Basically, everyone onstage right now except Tim.
At the confused expression of everyone—except those in EVOS—GRIAN sighs.
GRIAN: Nickname for Jimmy. Anyway, Tim, go, uh… Learn your lines? Everyone else, onstage!
GRIAN jumps off of his chair, and pushes his glasses up his nose. JIMMY walks off to the side of the stage, to watch, while the rest of the group begin to take their places onstage.
Scene 2
INT - Community Centre Hall, Early Evening
Having had the rest of the rehearsal go smoothly, GRIAN sits on a chair afterwards, tired out. The rest of the cast are all stood around still, chatting amongst themselves. PEARL walks over, grinning. Moon sits next to GRIAN, leaning her cane up against the wall.
PEARL: Still alive there?
GRIAN: Vaguely.
PEARL: Ya did good there! That was a great rehearsal… I like the other two Fates, they were both super nice. Can't wait to work with them both.
PEARL's face is vaguely pink, and her hands are fidgeting slightly. But with another glance over at GRIAN, moon sighs.
GRIAN: Well, I'm glad it went well! I think my voice is hoarse from this. The other Watchers are very much enjoying the entertainment, and I think they're a little excited to be a part of it, this time, to be honest.
PEARL: So yeah, ya did good! Also…
She playfully elbows Grian, the grin back on moon's face.
PEARL: I saw how ya looked at that one playing Persephone—Scar, was it?
GRIAN: Yeah…
He sighs, taking his glasses off to clean them, mostly for something to do.
GRIAN: When we were doing the auditions, I found I really really enjoyed working with him… We did a bit at the end, after Hades and Persephone have made up, for a chemistry read and, yeah… Definitely felt like there was something there, Gem agreed.
PEARL: I see…
PEARL is grinning wider. There's a mischievous tone to her voice as moon pokes GRIAN.
PEARL: You should tell him you like him!
GRIAN: WHAT- No, no, I don't like Scar, I mean, I- I like him, but not like that.
PEARL: Your bright red cheeks tell me otherwise.
GRIAN groans. PEARL giggles.
PEARL: It's all good! Ya gotta tell him, though! Cause I'm sure he likes you back! I saw those glances all rehearsal.
GRIAN: We weren't glancing- And I don't like him, not like that-
As if on cue, SCAR wheels over.
SCAR: Like who? Hello, hello! You two looked like you were having interesting conversations!
PEARL jumps up. Moon obviously wants to give GRIAN and SCAR some alone time. She giggles, and waves at them both.
PEARL: Well, we were, but I just remembered I need to go ask Gem if she has any pickles… So I'll eave you two alone!
SCAR looks confused, and GRIAN looks terrified. After grabbing moon's cane, PEARL bounces off, to go and find GEM, giggling mischievously.
SCAR: What in the world?-
GRIAN: Don't ask.
SCAR laughs. GRIAN pauses. During this pause, SCAR wheels his chair towards GRIAN, so they're sat directly opposite each other.
GRIAN: I, uh, really liked doing the dance in Epic III with you. In the audition, I mean.
SCAR: Why thank you! I enjoyed it a lot myself, and I can't wait for Gem's choreo!
There's a long pause. Eventually, GRIAN speaks.
GRIAN: Hey, Scar…? While you're here, mind if I, uh, say something?
SCAR: You know, I had actually come over here to ask the same thing!
GRIAN grins. He looks up to make eye contact with SCAR, at the exact same time he finishes putting his breaks on. They look eyes, and both look away again, faces red.
GRIAN: How about we say it at the same time?
SCAR: Good plan, good plan!
GRIAN (Overlapping): I think you're really cool, and I'd quite like to go get coffee together? Like, as a date?
SCAR (Overlapping): Would you like to go on a date, with me?
There's a long pause as they both process what's just happened. They lock eyes again, and this time hold it. Slowly, GRIAN bursts out laughing, and SCAR joins in.
SCAR: Why, I would love to go and get coffee with you! As long as you come on a date with me!
GRIAN: Deal.