KOURTNEY: Previously on
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series...
I knew Carlos would get his dream quinceañero,
and some people would end up getting cold feet about everything.
I'm ready to come home.
But the one thing I didn't see coming
was my friends making up stories about some random guy liking me.
That little man is my employee.
Like, hello, I think I would know if someone had a crush on me. Right?
(CHUCKLES)
Point your compass North
and "tie a napkin around your neck, cherie,"
'cause we are coming to slay.
(IN FRENCH)
(BELLE GIGGLES)
-(BLOWS) -(GASPS)
(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)
Oh, my gosh, that's what's-her-name. Lily, from our auditions.
She isn't just co-directing their show, she's starring in it.
You mean perfect-pitch, looks-like-an-actual-Disney-princess,
super-fangirl/mean-girl Lily?
I'll go with yes.
I remember her vaguely.
MISS JENN: Thank you all for coming so quickly on a Saturday.
Or most of you all.
We're missing a teapot and a village idiot.
-Uh, I think they're at the pizza place. -Kourtney texted in the group.
They couldn't get anyone to cover their shifts. Oh.
Oh... I didn't see that text.
So here's the thing. There are two drama club group chats.
There's the group chat with all of us and Miss Jenn,
where we send, like, Lin-Manuel Miranda tweets to.
-And then there's the real group chat. -Without Miss Jenn.
I meant the group chat with me and EJ.
Well, back to the matter at hand.
I can tell from your solemn faces you've all seen...
-the video. -STUDENTS: Yeah.
It's incredible. Even I have no notes.
I can't believe they stole our show.
I think their Lumiere is an actual French exchange student.
Miss Jenn, how are we supposed to beat North at the Menkies
if they're churning out this a second after changing their musical? It's like...
(ALL CLAMORING)
Wildcats! Take heart.
North High is clearly focusing on bells and whistles.
Impressive. But distracting.
All we need is...
Friendship?
No, Seb, all we need is to get back to basics.
Emotional performances that connect with the audience
can make all the difference with these judges.
And I have a plan.
Which is why you've been called in today.
And that plan is...
a weekend acting intensive.
-Acting intensive like... -MISS JENN: Improv.
Character work.
Movement exercises.
Hey, Gina.
Gina.
Are you here?
Mmm. Yeah. Yeah.
So I spoke to my mom.
She said I shouldn't rush into leaving Salt Lake
because "who knows what the universe has in store for you."
So I guess I'm waiting for a sign.
No, not literally.
We're going to connect with our characters.
And impressive performances,
not fancy staging or actual killer wolves,
will be our key to the gold.
And don't forget, we have something North High doesn't.
-Friendship? -A brand-new original song
for the Beast and the rose.
(ALL APPLAUDING)
Um, and, uh, how's that coming along, you guys?
Uh...
Spoiler alert, Nini has a part in the show now.
You are looking at...
(IMITATING DRUMROLL)
Say it.
-The Beast's rose! (CHUCKLES) -Whoo! (CHUCKLES)
I had this idea at Carlos' quinceañero to get Nini back on stage.
I thought it was Miss Jenn's idea.
Uh... Whatever.
You're in the show now. (CHUCKLES)
Miss Jenn's having us write a song together.
Which we haven't started because whenever I try to write something,
-he totally distracts me. Hmm. -That's not true, okay?
We have good ideas. We do.
-We're in total sync. -Disarray.
We'll get there. (CLEARS THROAT)
Ricky, you stay here with me for deep-dive Beast character work.
Nini, take the weekend, skip the workshop,
and get a first draft of the duet down for the Beast and the rose!
Okay!
Let's get something on our Instagram by Monday
so we can clap back at Zackey. I mean, North High. Capisce?
CARLOS: Mmm-hmm.
Can't believe you're back in the show and spending Saturday without me.
Oh, I'll need to write a song for the two of us.
-Call me after every verse. Okay? -(NINI CHUCKLES)
I'll try.
You okay?
Yeah.
Just a little antsy.
Tonight's the big night.
-Ah, Miss Jenn's first date with your dad. -Can you lower your voice?
It's one thing to see them flirting on the sidelines,
but it's another thing for it to be an official dinner.
MISS JENN: Ricky!
We're circling up in 30 seconds.
-(CLEARS THROAT) -Go get 'em?
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
Uh, Nini, (CHUCKLES)
legally, if you're gonna sit at the best booth and not order something,
-I'm gonna have to ask you to leave. -(SIGHS)
Everything I write is mush.
I'm trying to write about how the Beast sees the rose
as this symbol for love slipping away,
but nothing's working.
Is a pizza place really the best place to write a song?
I was at home, but then I read some articles on writer's block,
and one of them said, "Change your environment." So I came here.
But then I read another one saying, "Eliminate distractions."
Apparently the Internet is one giant contradiction.
The Internet only gave this place two stars, so, I totally get it.
Thanks.
(KOURTNEY CHUCKLES)
I'm telling you, the Robinsons live on Meadow Wood Drive.
For the last time, it's Meadow Wood Road, and I bet you my overtime.
(CHUCKLES)
The Robinsons order pizza three times a week.
I think I know whether it's Drive or Road.
Howard, look it up and tell me I'm not right.
Okay.
KOURTNEY: Hmm.
-HOWIE: It's actually Meadow Wood Avenue. -Ha!
(CHUCKLES) What is "ha"? Why "ha"? We're both wrong.
Today is all about warm-up games.
The important thing is that we all...
(RATTLING)
(THUDS)
Focus.
Strong start.
Here we go, my young thespians.
(GRUNTS)
(CLAPPING) Okay. Everybody, drop your noodle
and pair up for a mirroring exercise.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Hey, G. Do you wanna...
Got it.
May I have this exercise?
(SIGHS) Team Wonderstudy.
Yeah, I got you.
So.
What is acting, really?
Acting...
is reacting.
Ow!
In character, Lumiere.
Ow... (SIGHS)
Ricky,
could you please put your phone down and join the family?
Mmm-hmm.
So maybe I didn't have a lot of time to plan this weekend workshop,
but it's important to know how to improvise,
which is what I am about to teach these kids.
Improv is all about graciously handling the moment.
Hey. Kourt.
Neen, I'm on the clock.
You are totally in love with Howie, the pizza guy.
Uh, remember how I said I didn't want any boy drama, ever?
-You're not denying it. -(CHUCKLES) I'm not confirming it.
Nini, I'm way too busy to add having a crush to my to-do list.
-So you do have a crush! -(SHUSHING)
-(SQUEALS) -I don't know anything about this dude.
What if he has a girlfriend or feels weird because we work together?
I am kind of his boss. What if he's not even into me? (CHUCKLES)
Kourt, he drove through an ice storm to give you flash cards.
It's called a sign.
Yeah, I mean, he's good at his job.
It probably didn't have anything to do with me.
See, Neen, this is so not me.
I'm using too much brain space figuring out what some guy thinks of me.
-No, no, no. -But, Kourt...
KOURTNEY: No.
So, (CLEARS THROAT) how's the song going?
Oh...
-It's fine. -(CELL PHONE CHIMES)
Just a few distractions. (CHUCKLES)
Oh, this is like ten texts in a row from Ricky.
I know. I sent him a selfie of me eating pizza.
-Okay. -And he was like,
"Why you eating pesto and not Hawaiian?"
Okay?
And I texted back that I only eat Hawaiian because he likes it.
And now he thinks that I'm "changing." (SCOFFS)
Which is to say, the song's going great.
Uh, you don't have anything written down.
I don't.
But I will once you tell Howie you like him.
Uh, the fate of our musical should not be dependent
on whether or not I talk to some stupid guy.
Hmm.
Uh, fine, I'll think about it.
(CHUCKLES) Okay.
Okay. Ashlyn will start us off
and, Gina, agree with what Ashlyn says and then add on.
It's "Yes, And" people.
Remember, improv works best when you are all in.
If you've got one foot out the door, it does not work
and the audience will smell your fear.
Fun!
Let's get a suggestion from the group on a location.
The Louvre?
Sure, the Louvre, okay.
Go ahead. You ready? Okay.
No, I'm not on edge.
But if I were on edge, maybe it would be because North High's latest Instagram post
is literally playing over and over in my head.
BELLE OVER PHONE: Point your compass North...
ASHLYN: It's not like anyone would say it's my fault
if we lose to North at the Menkies,
but, like, it would be.
I'm literally half the title of Beauty and the Beast.
But no, not on edge.
(IMITATING FRENCH ACCENT) Now, Madame Rousseau,
I understand you're here to look into purchasing some art.
From the Louvre?
Well, if one's as rich as you are, Madame,
one can purchase nearly any piece of art.
Take this piece. Do you like it?
Yeah, I'm not sure.
Well, what is your heart telling you?
-I really don't know. -(SIGHS)
Yes, and?
(IN NORMAL VOICE) Yes, and maybe we should take a break.
Uh...
-I'm sorry. -MISS JENN: It's okay.
We're learning. We're learning. (CHUCKLES) There are no rules here.
Except that I will need you to do it correctly.
Okay, let's try a new pair as an example.
Um... Carlos and Seb, you boys wanna try?
Hey, I'm sorry, I totally ruined your scene.
Improv's weird.
You just have to agree with what I say and then add something else.
It's not that intense.
Okay.
Wait, I didn't mean to...
(SIGHS)
Hey.
I know we were supposed to go out for dinner,
but I thought dinner could come to you instead.
(CHUCKLES)
MISS JENN: You want it? No? Okay.
-I ate all the good stuff. -You want some of mine?
-(CHUCKLES) Yes, I do. -(LAUGHS)
Mmm-hmm. Oh, I...
You know, I'm sorry. I...
I wanted our first official date to be romantic,
not shrimp fried rice in my office.
Who says those things are mutually exclusive?
Um...
Thought we could try this, it's from the newspaper.
I mean, it's silly, but, um...
"Five questions to really know someone."
Ooh, It's like the New York Times' 36 love questions. (CHUCKLES)
But they say it only takes five in Salt Lake.
-(BOTH CHUCKLE) -Okay.
All right, uh, first one.
"If you had to pick one book to live inside,
"which book would it be and why?"
The Wizard of Oz.
Because I wanna see the world in technicolor.
-And I want a dog in a basket. You? -(CHUCKLES)
Oh, Where the Wild Things Are, just because.
Oh... (CHUCKLES) Ah.
Here, oh, next one.
"What would you ask your future self?"
Oh...
Um.
When Lynne and I first separated,
it felt like the end of the world.
So...
I'd ask my future self if he's still as happy as I am right now.
Same.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
(BELL RINGS)
Five questions to really know someone's character.
Today, I want you all to go fully method.
Stay in character for this entire exercise.
I want each of you to come forward,
I'll prompt you with a question
and you'll answer in character.
Gaston,
let's start with you.
Whoo...
MISS JENN: Question one.
"If you had to pick one book to live inside,
"what would it be and why?"
Ooh. Uh...
Like a book of etiquette?
You know, 'cause Gaston could really use some manners,
always spitting and shooting stuff,
-like, "Chill, Gaston." -(ALL LAUGHING)
MISS JENN: Love that. Okay.
"What would you ask your future self?"
Oh, trick question. Gaston's dead. (CHUCKLES)
(CHUCKLES)
I'd ask him if he could learn to love anyone after Belle.
I mean, anything's possible, right? (CHUCKLES)
MISS JENN: Intriguing.
STUDENT: Whoo!
-Whoo! -Mr. Beast. Wanna give it a go?
(WHISPERS) Sure.
(CLEARS THROAT)
MISS JENN: "If you had to pick one book to live inside,
"which book would it be and why?"
Well, as the Beast, it's canon that I can't read.
-So... -(ALL CHUCKLE)
Beast, I'd like you to take this seriously.
Next question.
"What would you ask your future self?"
Uh, I guess...
if I ever miss the old days, when I was all alone in the castle.
And why would you miss that?
Everything was the same every day.
Nothing changed.
Um, I mean, the forks didn't talk, teapots didn't sing.
(ALL CHUCKLE)
Okay, let's go deeper with this feeling.
-Think that's all I got. -But when you say that nothing changed...
I'm really trying. Can you get off my back?
-Can you watch your tone? -Yeah. (WHISPERS) Okay, Mom.
Let's take a ten, everyone.
But stay in character, please.
Oh.
I should give you some space, shouldn't I?
Suit yourself.
Look, I didn't know the right time to tell you this,
but my mom got a job in Louisiana
and I've never lived in Louisiana before, so I think I'm gonna join her.
You're leaving?
-It's not what you think... -Hold on.
Look, um, I know I can be a little moody sometimes.
-No, I know... -When I saw that video
of North High and Lily...
I get snappy when I feel threatened.
I can't help it, I'm still a Caswell.
(CHUCKLES)
Ashlyn...
I did something last semester that nobody knows about.
I actually know about the secret understudy plan with EJ.
(CHUCKLES) No, not that.
You know how when the plane is going down, people confess things
because they know they'll never see you again?
I've heard of it.
Do you remember on opening night, when you couldn't find me after the show?
I heard you were getting something you needed.
Yeah, I suppose I was.
Gina.
What happened?
-I should probably... -Yeah.
-One more. -Mm.
-(BOTH CHUCKLE) -Okay.
RICKY: I'll catch up.
Gotta get some of this makeup off.
(NINI CHUCKLES)
Hey.
You were amazing out there, Ricky.
I mean, Breaking Free?
Um, guess so.
Trust me.
I'm a theater person.
You guys made some magic.
Yeah, it was, uh...
It was actually good to...
get something right for once.
I guess you feel that way all the time.
I don't do anything right the first time, Ricky.
My thing is that I just keep pushing
and I never quit.
I know you don't.
So...
I guess I just wanna say that...
(BREATH TREMBLING) Um...
I'm sorry, this is so stupid, I don't know why I'm crying.
Say it.
I wouldn't quit on us
if I wasn't moving away.
So now, I'm gonna give you a really tight hug
and then I'm gonna walk away with my head held high.
Okay?
Okay.
Hmm.
ASHLYN: You told him that?
(CHUCKLES)
Yeah, the plane was going down.
Well, have you talked about it since then?
I mean, Nini's back and...
He's so happy now.
What's there to talk about?
It's just been really hard and Louisiana sounds like a nice break.
CARLOS: Gina? Ashlyn?
Okay, isn't there some magical thing I could say
to make you consider staying?
I wish...
but this isn't, you know, a musical.
Can't sing and dance our way out of this.
Feather, Princess, are you guys ready to do some improvisation?
GINA: Always.
(LINE RINGING)
-NINI OVER PHONE: Hi! -(SIGHS) Finally. I got you.
-How are you? -Been better.
When do I get to hear the new song?
Um, as, uh, as soon as I start writing it. (CHUCKLES)
I thought songs just poured out of you. What's the problem?
I didn't say there was a problem.
I'm just a little low on inspiration today.
Okay.
"Roses are red, violets are blue,
"uh, my rose is the prettiest, wow, what a view."
There you go. Just gave you some free lyrics.
Okay, what is up with you today?
Oh, I just thought, uh,
the quicker you finish the song, the sooner we could hang out again today.
I mean, Saturdays are kind of our days, right?
Then, uh...
I'd better get back to work.
Um...
Thanks, thank you.
You're welcome?
(LINE DISCONNECTS)
(SIGHS)
(BEEPS)
I'm telling you, Antoine, we're North High.
They're plotting against us, okay? I... I have a nose for these things.
Ow!
Don't look! You have to be subtle.
I am very sorry, this is my first time doing...
Uh, what is the word in your language for "espionage"?
Espionage.
That is convenient.
Let's get outta here. I've seen enough. I have to think.
I have barely begun to eat... Okay, cool. Okay.
(SIGHS) Okay.
"And every day the sun rises in the east.
"And every day, I am a Beast."
Oh, my God, no.
"I am a Beast, you are a rose, can I make it any more obvious?"
Okay, that is just Sk8er Boi.
-(SIGHS) -(KOURTNEY CHUCKLES)
Okay, I think you're like a Ravenclaw with a Hufflepuff moon?
Wow, Hufflepuff? You're really gonna do me like that?
(CHUCKLES)
-KOURTNEY: Hey, How's the song going? -Hey.
How's the confessing your-undying-love-for-Howie thing going?
(CHUCKLES) Okay, if it'll get you off my back,
I will gently hint to him that I would maybe want to hang out outside of work
doing a non-work-related activity.
-Like making out. -(CHUCKLES) Okay, no!
But also yes?
But also yes.
(BOTH LAUGH)
I need a moment alone with him.
KOURTNEY: (GASPS) Ooh!
-Oh, no! -(WHISPERS) You're crazy.
The crazy ideas always work.
-Nicolas Cage, National Treasure. -What?
Go!
Hey, Big Red, can we get some help here?
(WHIMPERS)
It seems like we have a missing Beast.
Anyone seen him?
Belle.
You wanna come up here and do the five questions?
Um...
Could I ask for permission to explore my character
by singing a song from our show instead?
Of course.
(SINGING) Is this home?
Is this where I should learn to be happy?
Never dreamed
That a home could be dark and cold
I was told
Every day in my childhood
Even when we grow old
Home will be where the heart is
Never were words so true
My heart's far
Far away, home is, too
What I'd give
To return
To the life that I knew lately
But I know that I can't
Solve my problems going back
Is this home?
Am I here for a day or forever?
Shut away
From the world until who knows when?
Oh, but then
As my life has been altered once
It can change again
Nothing lasts
Nothing holds all of me
My heart's far, far away
Home and
Free
(SNIFFLES)
Okay. (SHUDDERS)
(CRIES)
You, uh... You need me?
-Nope, nope. I'm good. (CHUCKLES) -Okay.
So, uh, I'm gonna run these over to the Elbaums'
and I'll be back in a bit.
Hold on. (CLEARS THROAT)
Hold on.
Wait!
Uh...
I'm not good at playing games. My mom and dad never play games.
I mean, there's a lot of Scrabble... Why am I talking about my parents?
Okay, look.
I never wanna be the kind of girl who low-key falls for a guy
and then loses herself when she's around him.
-Kourtney... -It's better if you don't talk.
But I know I definitely am the kind of girl
who doesn't wait for things to happen.
I want to be the kind of girl who knows who I am
and isn't defined by who you want me to be.
So, even if you think this seems super random,
I just gotta say how I feel.
And if you don't feel the same way,
we'll go back to being normal co-workers and...
-(CLEARS THROAT) -Do you want a drum roll?
Actually, kind of.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
(DRUM ROLL)
I like you.
Like, like-like you.
(CLEARS THROAT) Okay, that's how I feel. How do you feel?
Uh...
Like a Gryffindor...
who...
(CHUCKLES) maybe found his Ravenclaw?
(CHUCKLES)
(BELL RINGS)
You can come in, Ricky.
(EXHALES SHARPLY)
I, um...
just wanted to apologize...
as me, not as the Beast,
for blowing up at you.
Apology accepted.
I've spoken to your dad.
We both agreed it's best if we don't see each other again.
Really?
Theater is a safe space.
It didn't look like you felt very safe yesterday.
(SIGHS) I've just been...
adjusting...
to a lot of new stuff, recently.
Have you talked to your dad about it?
No. He's not really the parent I go to for this kind of stuff.
Have you spoken to your mom?
(SCOFFS) We haven't talked in a minute.
I bet she misses hearing from you.
Uh, I'm not sure about that. (CHUCKLES)
I am.
(BELL RINGS)
(SIGHS)
I'd ask him if he and Belle were still together.
-I'm sorry? -The Beast.
That's what I'd ask my future self.
(LINE RINGING)
(OVER VOICEMAIL) Hey! It's your girl, Kourtney.
-Leave me a message. Bye. -(BEEPS)
Hey, Kourt. I was hoping we could meet up in the auditorium.
Yeah, wanted to play you something.
Um, I don't know... I guess I just wanted to say I realize
I've been having so much trouble writing this duet
because I tried to write it from the Beast's point of view.
But once I switched it
and the song became about
the rose singing about being a rose, (CHUCKLES)
it was so easy. Um...
And you kind of inspired that. So thank you.
Um...
So here it is. The Rose Song.
Hope you like it.
(SINGING) All my life I've seen myself through your eyes
Wonderin' if I am good enough for your time
You love me
But for all the wrong reasons
Am I somethin' to you and not someone?
'Cause I feel trapped on this pedestal you put me on
You tell me that I'm beautiful But I think that's an understatement
'Cause I am more
Than what I am to you
You say I'm perfect But I've got thorns with my petals, too
And I won't be confined
To your point of view
I'm breaking through the glass you put me in
'Cause my beauty's from within
(VOCALIZES)
My beauty's from within
(VOCALIZES)
So I am done livin' my life just for you
You watched me wither
And now you watch me bloom
You are hiding in the dark but I'm reaching for the sun
(VOCALIZES)
'Cause I am more
Than what I am to you
You say I'm pretty but I've got magic that you never knew
And I won't be confined
To your point of view
I'm breaking through the glass you put me in
'Cause
I am more
Than what I am to you
You say I'm perfect but I've got thorns with my petals, too
And I won't be confined
To your point of view
I'm breaking through the glass you put me in
'Cause my beauty's from within
(CLEARS THROAT)
So, yeah, that's it. Um...
Call me as soon as you get this. Oh, and don't tell Ricky about it.
Let's just keep this song between us for now.
Okay, bye.
(CELL PHONE BEEPS)
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Take that, North High.
(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)