Season 1, Episode 19:  Dream On

Special Guest Stars:  Neil Patrick Harris as Bryan Ryan and Idina Menzel as Shelby Corcoran

Ownership of Glee:  FOX, Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan, Brad Falchuk

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Will is in the choir room standing next to a blonde man. "Okay, guys, listen up. This is Mr. Ryan. He's a member of the school board, and he would like to say a few words. I-I just want you guys to listen critically and know that what he's saying is just one of many opinions."

Bryan looks at the Glee kids. "Take out a piece of paper. And on that paper, I want you to write down your biggest dream. A dream that means so much, you're afraid to admit it even to yourself." He instructs.

Rachel writes down "Huge Star," Puck writes down "3some," Quinn writes down "No Stretch Marks," Violet writes "Family" and "Teacher." Bryan goes over and crumples up Artie's paper.

"Your dream is never going to happen. Ninety one percent of you will spend your entire lives living in Allen County, Ohio. So unless you wrote down that your dream was to "work for a mid-market health insurance provider" or "find an entry level job in an elderly care facility," you're going to be very disappointed." Bryan says.

"This is really depressing." Mercedes states.

"I'm going to guess that a lot of your dreams involve "showbiz." Well, let me tell you. Showbiz dreams are the most unrealistic of them all." Bryan claims.

Tina looks crushed. "But... that's what I want to do with my life."

"Oh, look, I'm not trying to hurt your feelings, I'm just trying to spare you disappointment." Bryan says.

Will looks annoyed. "I think we get your point."

Bryan smirks. "Aw, well, Schuester here's a prime example. He used to have that glimmer of hope in his eyes that I can see right now in all of yours. But he couldn't make it happen for himself, so he now has to try and convince you all that it will happen for you. Guess what? His dream didn't work out. And neither will yours."

Tina sobs and everyone feels bad for her.

Will is angry now. "Okay, you're done here."

Bryan looks at Will. "You would be wise to show me some respect."

"You've said your piece. Now get out." Will says through gritted teeth.

Bryan smiles. "Well, Schuester, I should thank you. You've made my decision about which program to cut a lot easier."

= = =

Jesse meets with Shelby in a car in the pouring rain. "She has the tape. She won't listen to it." He informs.

Shelby looks shocked. "What? She has to listen to it. That's the point of all this."

Jesse sighs. "I'm doing my best! Look, when you told me to seduce her..."

"'Befriend' her was the word I used, actually." Shelby corrected.

Jesse sighs. "Whatever. The thing is, I was into it because I thought it would be a good acting exercise, but now I think I kind of like her. I don't want her to get hurt."

Shelby looks at him "Look, one more week, this will all be done; you can come back to Vocal Adrenaline where you belong."

"I don't understand why you don't just go up to her and Violet and say, 'Hi, my name's Shelby. I'm your mom.'" Jesse says.

Shelby sighs. "I signed a contract. I can't contact them until they're both 18. They have to come to me. That's why they have to listen to the tape. Once they hear it, they won't be able to sleep until they find me. I answered an ad in the paper. Nine months work here would make me enough money to live in New York for two years. Their dads seemed like nice guys, so I went for it. I never got to hold either of them. And I only saw them for a second when they were cleaning them off. It was through a bunch of nurses, but they turned their little heads, and they looked at me. I've failed as an actress. My walls are lined with trophies instead of wedding pictures, but through all of that...I only have one regret. You get her to listen to that tape." Shelby says, knowing that Jesse can get Rachel to listen to the tape.

"And what about Violet? Rachel never talks about her anymore." Jesse reminds. Shelby's up to date on the Rachel/Violet tension.

Shelby smiles. "It's a good thing I have a spare tape. I made two copies — one for each of them. I don't care what you say to Violet, but you have to get her to listen to this tape." She instructs.

Jesse smiles. "Consider it done."

= = =

That same night, Kurt and Violet are cuddling together on the couch, watching 'Moulin Rouge' together. "I thought Mr. Ryan was kinda harsh on Tina today. Poor girl just wants a chance to shine." Violet says.

Kurt nods. "I thought he was a bit brash in general. Hey, what'd you put on your paper?" He asks.

Violet blushes. "You'll think I'm a little ridiculous."

"Baby I won't judge you. Just tell me." Kurt encourages.

Violet smiles. "One of the things I wrote down was teacher. I know people say that teaching sucks, but I'd love to be able to teach kids and help shape them for their future. The subject doesn't matter, but I'd preferably like to teach performing arts." She admits.

Kurt beams. "Baby I think you'd make a great teacher. What else did you write?" He asks.

"Family. Growing up, I didn't have that familial love like other kids had. I had to fend for myself and teach myself things. I want to belong to a family that loves me, will support me, and is willing to help me with anything I need help with." She explains. "And if I have kids one day, I will make sure that they know how much they're loved each and every day. I won't let my kids grow up the way I did — motherless and fatherless. They'll have much better childhoods then I had."

Kurt kisses her face and then kisses her lips lastly. "Violet you have such a big heart, and I adore that about you. You're willing to see the good in everyone. You would make an exquisite mother." He compliments.

Violet blushes. "Thanks. So I told you what I wrote down. What'd you write?" She asks.

Kurt smiles. "My original thought was Broadway, but I decided on becoming a fashion designer. I want to design clothes that are appealing to the eye and will look good on anyone. To make something and watch other people appreciate what you've made... I want to do that." He says.

Violet smiles and gives him a kiss. "Kurt if you ever become a fashion designer, I will buy your entire line and I'll be there for you every step of the way." She says.

Kurt smiles. "I know baby." He says.

He's so glad she didn't ask him if he wrote anything else.

It would've been embarrassing if he told her that he wanted to be a part of her future.

Kurt's second dream was to marry Violet Berry, and make her Violet Hummel.

= = =

Bryan stopped by Glee Club the next day with boxes. "Guys, I've got good news. I siphoned off funds from the Cheerios and I took a little shopping spree through the Jazzhands catalogue. You know why? 'Cause the arts matter. And I got custom-made New Directions jean jackets and some rad tearaway dancewear. Hello. And every piece of sheet music from every Broadway show for the last 50 years. Everything a show choir needs to become champions." He says.

Will smiles. "Wow, that's just amazing. Let's all give a hand for Mr. Ryan."

The glee club claps.

Bryan bows. "Thank you. Thank you."

Sue arrives. "Congratulations, Will. I'm over the moon for you."

Will smiles. "Thanks, Sue. I'm glad you have a good attitude about your budget being cut."

Sue smiles more. "No, no, I'm not talking about that. I came over here to congratulate you on your new role. Local director, Herb Duncan, does the dry cleaning for the Cheerios and he let it slip that you just landed the lead in Les Miz! Congratulations. Oh, I'm ecstatic. And the good news just keeps coming, 'cause you got a part, too, Bry. The exciting role of Townsperson. And you got a line, too. Way back here in the second act, you get to say..."Hooray." Congratulations, both of you, really. I can't wait for opening night." Sue says before leaving.

Bryan is clearly upset by this news. "Wait, Bryan." Will says.

"Congratulations, Will. You're going to be great in the show." Bryan says in an upset tone.

"Can we talk about this?" Will asks.

Bryan shakes his head. "Nothing to talk about. I'm cutting the program." He says and then leaves.

= = =

Jesse stops at Violet's locker, tapping on her shoulder.

Violet looks over to see Jesse. "Hey. What's up?" She asks.

Jesse pulls out the second tape labeled 'From Mother to Daughter.' "I found this in a box of Rachel's baby stuff. There were two tapes. One for Rachel and one for you. You should listen to it later." Jesse says. He hands her the tape and walks away.

Violet stares at the tape in shock.

The tape is addressed to her from her biological mother.

= = =

When Kurt and Violet get home, Violet pulls out the tape. "Kurt look at this." She says.

Kurt walks over and reads the caption. He looks at her in shock. "This is from your biological mother?" He asks.

Violet nods. "She made two tapes. One for me and one for Rachel. Jesse said I should play it, but I'm kind of nervous. This is life-changing baby." She says.

Kurt smiles. "You should listen to it. If it's from your mom, you should definitely listen to it. It'll give you some closure after being in the dark about her for so long. You deserve this." He says.

Violet nods and she puts the tape in a stereo player.

"I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miz starts playing.

"Hi, baby. It's your mom. I think this pretty much says it all." Shelby says on the tape.

Shelby starts singing "I Dreamed A Dream." Rachel and Violet join in and it cuts to the three of them singing together in the auditorium.

[I Dreamed A Dream by Shelby, Rachel and Violet]

= = =

Will smiles as he stands in front of the glee club the next day. "All right, guys, listen up. Tina has something that she wants to share with all of us, but first, I have an announcement to make. You've all been reprieved. Bryan Ryan isn't cutting Glee." He announces.

Everyone claps.

"Did he die?" Puck asks.

Violet rolls her eyes. "Why do you immediately think he's dead?" She asks but isn't answered.

Will chuckles. "No. He didn't die. He, uh, is going to be distracted for a couple months making his star turn in Les Miz. He got the lead role."

Quinn looks confused. "But I thought you got the lead."

"I resigned. It was the price for keeping the club." Will says.

"Sorry you had to do that, Mr. Shue." Finn says.

Will smiles. "I'm not. You know, th-the way I see it, I'm trading my one dream for the chance that all 14 of you might find yours. I mean, come on — you can't argue with those numbers. So, let's start with Tina's dream. Come on up, Tina." He says. Tina comes up and high fives Will because that's how they do it in glee club. "I understand that you whipped up a little dance number for us — a breakout that we might use at Regionals." Will says.

Tina smiles. "Yes."

"You got a dance partner?" Will asks.

Tina smiles. "Mike Chang."

Matt cheers. "Yeah!"

Brittany also claps. "Whoo!"!

"Yeah Chang!" Cheer some voices.

"You go, Mike!" Violet cheers for her dance partner.

= = =

In the auditorium with the entire glee club on stage. Artie starts singing "Dream A Little Dream of Me." Mike and Tina dance like badasses.

[Dream A Little Dream of Me by Artie]

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2051 words

Songs Mentioned/Performed
1. I Dreamed A Dream - Shelby, Rachel and Violet
2. Dream A Little Dream of Me - Artie

Like I said, this was mostly a filler chapter. We are now 3 chapters away from the season finale.

Next update is Theatricality.