The One With the Marching Competition

by Godeerc VanDrey

 

Category: Friends

Genre: General, Humor

Rating: PG

Language: English

Summery: Okay, Part 4 of The High School Days Series.  I’ll try to get this one and the next one out to you in the next few days (or weeks?).  This one features Adrienne (plus quite a few previous characters), and Annacaye.  I must warn you; I’ve had too much fun with this series, so it will be, I repeat, I will be very, very silly.  Adrienne will be at the title’s marching competition, and Annacaye will be at some intercultural festival with dancing.  She’s a good dancer.  She likes being a good dancer.  If you don’t know what she’s gonna do, read on.

 

A/N: Okay, I’m working my tail off with these fics, and soon, I’ll have none left to write.  Nah.  I can still use people I know in the Altar Ego series.  I’ll be working on it.  I’ve still got a few friends that I haven’t written about.  Oh, and if you’re familiar with who Cmon really is, this is the big marching competition we go to.  You’ll see a similarity or two between them.

 

 

Scene 1: Outside a Football Stadium

(amidst many band members, Halley donning medieval clothing meets up with Christopher donning an orange and white band uniform)

 

Halley: (horribly cute British accent) Christopher!

 

Christopher: Halley. (hugs her) So, you came.

 

Halley: Of course. (no accent) Nice duds.

 

Christopher: Right back at you.

 

Halley: (British) You like?

 

Christopher: Yes, and I liked it even more at the play the other night.  Where they were appropriate.

 

Halley: So, show me around?

 

Christopher: You bet. (walks over a group of Lincoln High band members) The saxophones.

 

(a group of saxophones are playing an impromptu ensemble)

 

(Halley sways)

 

Christopher: And, here come the trombones to face off.

 

(the trombones start a new tune)

 

Christopher: And the trumpets aren’t going to be left out, now are they?

 

(the assemble in an arc and play the national anthem)

 

Christopher: Now, they can never do that good at baseball games.

 

(they walk on)


Christopher: And here we have the flutes and clarinets.  Well, the female clarinets, of course.

 

Halley: Who are they all huddled around?

 

Christopher: Sam Brown.  The only male flute.  Kind of makes him a hero.

 

(in the group)

 

Monica: So, you are so cool.

 

Isabel: (A/N: See TOW Incense.) Yeah.  It takes a real man to play flute.

 

Sam: (fake modesty) Well, I could play anything I wanted, but the flute is such a (looks around) beautiful instrument.

 

Girls: Ahhhhh.

 

Halley: You know, that is pretty brave of him. (teasing smile)

 

Christopher: Moving on, we have the infamous drumline.

(the break into a loud, complex cadence, complete with stick twirls and other visuals)

 

Halley: Wow.  So, this is the group you couldn’t make?

 

Christopher: That I didn’t want to.

 

Halley: That you didn’t want to.

 

Christopher: And, my personal favorite, the front ensemble.

 

Halley: Otherwise known as the pit.

 

Christopher: No marching, no problem. (grabs a pair of mallets out of his bag, and plays the xylophone from the front) Ladies? (offers his mallets)

 

(a few girls place themselves in front of the keyboard)

 

Allison: (a rather tall girl with dark hair) I’m in the mood for a little “Elfin Melody.”  Does the High Pitmaster Marie Dublin wish to count us off?

 

Marie: Thank you.  Good idea.  1… 2… 3… 4…

 

(they break into a simple, upbeat melody)

 

Halley: (after they finish, she claps) Beautiful. (to Christopher) Drum majors?

 

Christopher: Yes, Your Highness.

 

Halley: Keep it up. (British accent) Flattery is a very good trait.  We might actually start dating for real.

 

Christopher: I rue the day.  Wait, “rue” isn’t good.  This is why my SAT English is still at a 680.

 

Rachel: (walking by) By the way, she’s totally right about the flattery thing.

 

(OPENING CREDITS; A/N: Just for fun, this time it will include not only the six Friends, but will extend into the second verse, showing the New Friends; in the next episode, I’ll think up actual clips)

 

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

 

Scene 2: Outside a Football Stadium

(Christopher takes Halley to the drum majors)

 

Christopher: Speaking of drum majors… (pulls a yearbook from his backpack, and flips through it, and shows it to Halley) Look, it’s Adrienne Kyles, Mrs. Donahue’s Sixth Grade Class, Van Walter Elementary, Class of ’81.

 

Halley: She’s adorable!

 

Christopher: And here they are. (points, and swiftly puts the yearbook in his backpack)

(Patrick is wearing a Zorro costume; Marda and Adrienne are wearing similar, but unique, red Spanish maiden costumes)

 

Halley: Hey, guys.

 

Adrienne: Hey, Halley.  Guys, this is Halley.  You knew that, didn’t you, Chris?

 

(he returns a sheepish smile)

 

Halley: Nice costume.

 

Marda: Well, I’ll play rubber and say the same thing.  By the way, good job in the play.

 

Halley: Thanks.  I’d play rubber, too, but I haven’t seen you.

 

Adrienne: Then you’d best congratulate us now and then leave.

 

(they laugh)

 

Halley: Sorry for saying so, Patrick, but you look kind of…

 

Patrick: So?

 

(Marda gives her signals behind his back)

 

Halley: No.  Kind of cool. (pause) Oh, and girls, how many people have asked for your… rates.

 

Marda: Our rates?  Oh. 

 

Adrienne: Fifty an hour, if you know anyone who’s interested. 

 

Christopher: (whispers to Halley) And to think, next year we’re doing Moulin Rouge.

 

Marda: Touché. 

 

(Halley pulls out a prop sword)

 

(Marda, caught off guard, pulls out her sword)

 

(Adrienne and Patrick follow)

 

Marda, Patrick, and Adrienne: All for one, and band for all!

 

Halley: Chris, help.

 

Christopher: I’m actually kind of for the band.  Plus, all I got is a pair of xylophone mallets.

 

Patrick: Charge!

 

 

Scene 4: A Ballroom

(a large dinner, with multinational flags all around)

 

Annacaye: (walking around) Nice.

 

(A/N: This takes place at night, so it is not synchronized with the other story arc.)

 

Annacaye: Ooh, punch. (reaches for a punch cup, but a lady slaps her hand and shows her a note: “Alcoholic” and shows her another punch bowl) Okay. (to herself) Like I’d get drunk. (sips the punch; and her face sours, looks around and spits it back into the alcoholic punch bowl) Ah, they deserve it if they’re drinking.

 

(a Hispanic couple walks by speaking Spanish)

 

Annacaye: You know, I just realized it’s going to be really hard to meet guys here. (an attractive Indian man passes her) Or at least talk to them.

 

 

Scene 5: The Marching Competition

(LHS Marching Band has taken the field)

 

(they perform songs from The Mask of Zorro; they also walk around a lot in lines and form all sorts of groups, while flag girls dances around waving flags; the drum majors stand on ladders and direct; the pit is situated at the front sidelines)

 

(the winds all put down their instruments and start dancing in a choreographed sort of way)

 

(Monica, in the front row, falls over and somersaults, interesting enough back into a standing position, but looking very wobbly at that)

 

(Patrick, very concerned at this occurrence looks back and forth to his female counterparts, and they just give him wide eyes and signal for him to continue directing)

 

(the band continues, and the pit instruments are pushed back to center field)

 

(the pit and drumline start to perform a cadence, including a few visuals with sticks, not to mention a few unintentional ones)

 

(Allison is banging away on her keyboard when the crossbeam collapses; she catches it and she continues to play with one hand while holding it with the other hand until a couple of auxiliary band members come to fix it)

 

(Christopher, pounding on the timpani (kettledrums), during a double hit, finds his mallets airborne, though he catches them, desperately trying to continue)

 

(Marda, now center stage, is visibly sweating)

 

(Mr. Cord takes a bottle out of his coat and takes a sip)

 

(as a finale, Isaias whacks the living heck out of the gong, which in addition to causing the entire percussion section to rumble, it unbalances the drum majors, who pull out their swords in desperation before falling to the ground backwards)

 

(Mr. Cord takes a larger sip, and passes it along to the assistant directors, then to a man dressed in raggedy clothes who happens to be at the end)

 

 

Scene 6: The Intercultural Dinner
(a group of Russian waltz dancers congregates on the dance floor)

 

(music begins to play)

 

(they dance gracefully)

 

Annacaye: (from her seat) Easy. (there is a Hispanic boy her age sitting across the table) Yo.

 

Boy: ?

 

Annacaye: Can… (points to him) you… dance? (makes dancing movement and points to the dancers)

 

Boy: Sí, sí, sí.  Mi papa me enseñó a bailar.

 

Annacaye: Yeah, whatever.  Dance with me.

 

Boy: ¿Qué?

 

(Annacaye grabs him and starts to waltz with him, with more exaggerated movements than the Russians)

 

(people clap)

 

 

Scene 7: Outside the Football Field

(Christopher, Daniel, Matt, Phillip are walking with James, hobbling on crutches)

 

Christopher: (with the yearbook again) Can you guess who this is?

 

Matt: It’s Adrienne!

 

Daniel: That’s honkin’ crazy.  What about the other two?

 

Christopher: Later.  I only have so much time between copying down my homework from my calculator and solving the space-time continuum.

 

James: Chris, you’re not gonna solve it in ten dimensions.  Give up and look for more blackmail material.

 

(time lapse)

 

Matt: Well, we were worried that Monica would hurt the show because James is on crutches.  Instead, she falls over.

 

James: (half defending her, half teasing) Lay off.  I’m sure she’s getting enough heat at it is.

 

Daniel: Look out, James.  Ex-girlfriend at three o’clock. (they turn their heads and walk toward the stadium as a tall, dark-haired girl passes)

 

Matt: Coast is clear.  As I was saying…

 

Daniel: Uh-oh, another one, eleven o’clock. (they repeat the process as a short, honey-haired girl passes)

 

Matt: Wow, somebody has it in for you.  Two in a row.

 

Christopher: Make that three, no… four.  Your last two, twelve o’clock, dead ahead. (all but James repeat the process)

 

James: (to the girl as they pass) Hey, Cammy.  Hey, Lydia.

 

Cammy and Lydia: Hey, James. (they continue chatting to one another)

 

(the others come back)

 

Daniel: Wow, I guess he said, “Let’s just be friends.”

 

James: Of course.  What’s so funny?

 

(A/N: Wow, a blooper within my own fic series.  I’ve already used this joke.  Pathetic, aren’t I?)

 

(the rest look at each other)

 

Phillip: Hey, current girlfriend, 3:44.

 

(the look at him, and he’s staring at his watch)

 

Phillip: What?  It’s 3:44.  Well, 3:45 right now.  And Amber is coming.

 

(they repeat the process a little bit faster)

 

Amber: (a tall redhead; walks up to where the guys were, with a friend) Hey, where they going?  I though Phillip saw us.

 

Katie: (very cute brown-haired girl) He did.  They all did.  They’re running.

 

Amber: Oh, he’s gonna pay for that.  C’mon. (she runs off)

 

Katie: If I had joined band, I would have come here.  I joined choir instead; my best friend (inadvertently switches to a Cajun accent) dates a band member, and I have come here. (rolls her eyes and runs after Amber)

 

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

 

Scene 8: The Intercultural Dance
(Annacaye plops down, energized; her dance partner collapses beside her)

 

Annacaye: Wasn’t that fun?

 

(her partner’s head is on the table; he takes his glass of water and splashes it on himself, and rolls out of his chair onto the floor)

 

Annacaye: I hate when they do that.

 

Announcer: Let’s have a warm thank for the Moscow Waltz Symphony!

 

(cheering)

 

Announcer: And our own little redheaded waltz professional. (Annacaye beams) And now, let me introduce to use the Argentine Tango Experts.

 

(they dance)

 

Annacaye: (continues to look bored) Easy.  Hey, José Mexicano.  Ah, never mind. (looks around the room before settling on Chinese youth looking at the tango dancers curiously. (walks over) Wanna dance.

 

Youth: Shi kaa wa chi sawi li’i.

 

Annacaye: You bet. (pulls him to the dance floor)

 

(she knows exactly what she’s doing; the Chinese youth is clueless)

 

 

Scene 9: Inside the Stadium

(a band is playing in the background)

 

(Amber is telling off James)

 

Matt: (to Katie) Katie.

 

Katie: Not interested.

 

Matt: What?

 

Katie: I’m sorry.  It’s my normal response to any boy who approaches me.

 

Daniel: I can tell you know.  That’s not going to get you many dates.

 

Katie: It’s not eliminating enough as it is.

 

(Phillip opens his mouth)

 

Katie: Phillip, give it up while you’re… (looks him up and down) not that far behind. (pauses) Sorry about that.

 

Phillip: It’s okay.  That’s not what I was gonna ask.

 

Katie: Oh, what were you?

 

Phillip: Wanna go out? (Katie gives him a dirty look) Just kidding.

 

Christopher: (giggling at the yearbook)

 

Katie: (looks) Oh, isn’t she just (Cajun) adorable?

 

Daniel: Hey, it’s not your fault. (thinks) By the way, if you really wanted to, do you think you could get a whole lotta dates?

 

Katie: (just smiles) Hey, Chris. (signals to him)

 

Matt: Chris is…

 

Katie: Helping me to demonstrate something.

 

(Christopher pulls out his timpani mallets; and walks over to a spare set of timpani)

 

(he tunes them while Katie waits impatiently; Christopher signals to her)

 

(Katie turns around, and walks away, shaking her hips like nobody’s business, while Christopher pounds the timpani in the rhythm of her step)

 

(this, of course, dumbfounds the guys)

 

(they stop, and smile at each other)

Halley: (walks up) Hey, who you flirting with?

 

Christopher: I’m not flirting with her, I flirting with… I’m…

 

Katie: He was just helping prove the quickest way to a man’s (Cajun accent) heart is through his eyes.

 

(Halley looks confused; Katie does a side-to-side shake with Christopher accompaniment)

 

(Halley gives Christopher a dirty look)

 

Christopher: What?

 

Halley: (shakes her head; to Katie) Well, for one, that shouldn’t be legal.  And, two, I’m not sure that’s the way to their hearts.

 

(Katie just flips her hair)

 

 

Scene 10: The Intercultural Banquet

(Annacaye has just worn out the Chinese boy)

 

Announcer: Well, let’s here it for our tango squad.  And out tango extras.

 

(Annacaye again beams)

 

Announcer: Well, we have a special treat for you.  These young ladies have been movin’ and groovin’ all their lives, and there here to show you what it’s all about.  Please welcome, from Barcelona, Spain, the Flamencadoras

 

(a group of Spanish women start flamenco dancing)

 

Annacaye: Oh, I’ve taken a class or two about this.  Let me just find a suitable partner. (looks around) Oh, yeah.

 

(she shakes her booty on stage, showing up the dancers, who continue dancing, but shoot her nasty looks)

 

 

Scene 11: The Football Stadium Grandstands

(the LHS Band awaiting results)

 

Announcer: (^_^ - A different one, in case you were wondering, which I hope you weren’t.) And, now for the results of Lincoln High School of Greenich Village, New York.  Winds: 8.3.  Percussion: 9.1.  Flags: 9.2.  Visual: 9.5, an extra bonus for the outstanding solo visual by fourth flute.  Overall Effect: 8.7.

 

Rachel: Solo visual by fourth flute.  Monica, that’s you.

 

Monica: Tell me about it.  I’m a star!

 

Stephanie: (A/N: Yeah, Matt, your sis.) 9.2?!  I worked these flags into the ground!  Did the summer classes mean nothing?!

 

Tessa: (a flag; A/N: See TOW Junior Bridesmaid or TOW Too Much Affection) It’s okay, Stephanie, we did okay.

 

Stephanie: You did amazing.  Let’s just hope the Nixon Magnate Tigers didn’t pull ahead.  There’s a separate judge for flags.

 

 

Scene 12: Elsewhere at the Stadium

(Chris with fellow pit members Jed and Isaias)

 

Isaias: Oh, c’mon.  You have to admit it was hilarious.

 

Christopher: Well, yeah.  But Mr. Cord didn’t put that in the drill.

 

Isaias: I don’t have any drill.

 

Jed: Yeah, Chris… do you?

 

Christopher: Totally. (pulls out his music binder) See, I’m that little circle. (on a computer-drawn bird’s eye view of a football field, Christopher show Jed a little circle at the edge of the field)

 

Jed: (takes the pages, and flips them flip-book style, other shapes move back and forth and a round, but the circle doesn’t move until a few seconds and then only to the middle of the field; Jed gives Chris a dull look) Well?

 

Christopher: Do you know how long it took me to memorize that?

 

(Tessa comes over)

 

Tessa: Jed, let’s go get hot dogs.

 

Jed: Sure.  Chris, wanna come?

 

Christopher: Aw, I don’t want to be a third wheel. 

 

Jed: You won’t be.  Isaias is our third wheel.  We’re a tricycle.

 

Christopher: Well, I’m just a unicycle that follows other wheeled vehicle around.

 

Jed: That’s okay.  Come along.

 

(they leave together)

 

Christopher: So, it this how it’s going to be like at your wedding?  Jed, the groom; Tessa, the bride; Isaias, the best man; and me, a groomsman?

 

Jed: No.

 

Christopher: No?

 

Isaias: I’m going to be the flower girl.

 

(A/N: The scary part is, Creedog has had this conversation, only an extended version.)

 

 

Scene 13: The Intercultural Festival

(Annacaye, at the edge of the stage, has successfully finished with the flamenco dancers)

 

Announcers: Let’s that our lovely ladies and lady. (applause) Let’s bring out the Swing Team from the good ol’ US of A.

 

(Annacaye rolls her eyes)

 

Annacaye: Oh, I rock swing dancing to its core.  But this means I have to find a date. (as she scans the crowd, many of the males her age that make eye contact disappear into the crowd) Oh, so that’s how you’re gonna play it. (smiles) Hey, Mom.

 

Mrs. Lee: Yes, Annacaye?

 

Annacaye: Swing dance with me?

 

Mrs. Lee: Oh, of course, Honey.  I was wondering if you were gonna ask me.  Let’s show the Swing Team who’re the Swing Queens.

 

(they boogie down)

 

(^_^ - O, Dear Third Commandment, what are you saying and clichéing?)

 

 

Scene 14: The Stadium

(LHS and other high schools are nervously awaiting the scores)

 

Announcer: And first place for overall effect, it’s Nixon Magnate High School for their performance based on The Godfather!

 

(time lapse)

 

Announcer: And first place for winds… it’s Nixon Magnate High!

 

(time lapse)

 

(Stephanie and the flag girls with their fingers crossed)

 

Announcer: And first place flag line is…. Nixon Magnate High!

 

Stephanie: Anybody got some water?  Particularly any laced with sodium cyanide?

 

Announcer: And first place for best visual individual… Whoa!  Lincoln High School!

 

(insane cheering from the orange area in the stadium)

 

Announcer: And second place… Nixon Magnate High…

 

(time lapse)

Announcer: And in first place for best direction… a tie… between Lincoln and Nixon Magnate!

 

Nixon Magnate Band Director: (with a big nose and bushy eyebrows and fendora hat, in a scratchy voice) Mickey, you know what to do… (a drum major leaves)

 

(time lapse)

 

Announcer: Well, it’s been a fierce competition. (pause) Hey, what’s that on the board?  Oh, is this thing on?  Well, where’s the red button?  Oh, here it–

 

(on the scoreboard screen, there is a huge picture of Adrienne, only younger, with a big, toothy grin, freckles, and a bow)

 

(Adrienne is wide-eyed)

 

Adrienne: Where in the world did that come from? (she is standing by Christopher, who is giggling his head off) Hey!

 

Christopher: I’m sorry.  I just can’t get over how cute you looked.

 

Mr. Cord: (walks by) Thanks, Chris. (hands him his yearbook)


Christopher: I think this is where Mr. Cord got it. (opens it up and shows her)

 

Adrienne: Oh, my…! (grabs it and compares it too the one on the screen) Chris, where did you get this?

 

Christopher: (flips back a few pages) Van Walter gave this boy one.

 

Adrienne: Who is it?  And why did you take it from him?

 

Christopher: It’s me.

 

Adrienne: Oh.  I guess it does sort of look like you.

 

Christopher: Oh, okay.  But, y’know, SHE (points to the scoreboard) looks just like you.

 


Scene 15: The Track Around the Stadium

(a long line of drum major in front of trophies)

 

(the Nixon Magnate drum major, dressed in gangster attire, pulls out a water gun from his jacket, and discreetly aims for the LHS band members beside him)

 

(Patrick briskly draws his sword and slashes the gun from the other’s hand)

 

(the other two jump to attention with theirs, causing the Nixon Magnate drum major to trip and fall backwards, knocking over all his trophies)

 

(a Navajo-dressed drum major comes up and with a semi-real tomahawk, cuts off a good chunk of hair)

 

Patrick, Marda, and Adrienne: (hold their swords together in the air) All for one, and band for all!

 

Announcer: And for Best Visual Performance, Lincoln High School

 

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

 

(ENDING CREDITS)

 

Scene 16: The Intercultural Festival

(Annacaye watches a group of Irish step dancers, distressed and envious from her table)

 

(annoyed, she throws a handful of grapes onto the stage, which causes the Irish dancers to trip and slide and fall)

 

(Annacaye smiles, victorious)

 

(END)

 

 

A/N: Wow, that wasn’t so bad.  Well, I didn’t get to bring out Adrienne as much as I hoped, but I’ll be doing more of this New Friends stuff later.  Anyway, I’ve got one more chapter to go: The One With the School Dance.  As always, I will try to make this one good, so it may get a little cheesy sometimes, but it might just turn out really good.  Well, I’ve got school starting soon, so it may be a week or two before I get this out.

 

^_^ - (tap tah-tap tap) Whoo!  That’s fun!  Hey, is there anyway I could get my picture up on the OmniTron?

 

 

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        ___________

 

 

©2002, Godeerc VanDrey Enterprises.  Created Wednesday, July 24, 2002.  Finished August 18, 2002.

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