Back-Up Plan - Book 2 - S.E.

The Spanish teacher

"All right, guys!" Mr. Schue said as he walked into the choir room. "Let me ask you something. Where do you think you'll be in the year 2030?"

"Broadway." Rachel and Kurt said together before turning to each other with smiles on their faces. "Twinsies!"

"Walking." Artie said.

"In jail, or dead." Puck said. "Or both."

"Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, you're going to need to be able to speak Spanish." Mr. Schue said, as Winnie frowned a bit, in surprise. "The reality is, by 2030, more people on this planet will be speaking Spanish than any other language. The world is changing. Our culture is changing. And that needs to be reflected in here. So for our next assignment,.we're only doing songs written or performed by someone Latin, or of Latin descent. Or English songs.performed bilingually."

"Oh, I'm bilingual." Brittany said, excitedly.

"Hum, Mr. Shue, though I love that we're finally getting all Lima Sound Machine in here, why now?" Santana asked as Winnie nodded. After all, despite being the Spanish teacher, Mr. Schue had never really cared if anyone spoke Spanish or not.

"Oh, Santana, because it's long overdue." The teacher said, as if it was obvious. "The truth is, I love all things Latin. I mean, I love Latin food, Latin art, Latin people..."

"You don't know any Latin people." Santana said.

"I know. Hum..." Mr. Schue stood there rather awkwardly for a second, but, as if timed, a new man walked into the room, as Mr. Schue smiled when he walked over to him. "Guys, this is David Martinez. David Martinez, this is the Glee Club."

"Oh, my God." Winnie mumbled, raising a pleased eyebrow as she looked the man over.

"Hello, everyone." Mr. Martinez smiled as Winnie playfully fanned herself causing Quinn to laugh. "It's a pleasure."

"David here is one of my many Latin friends." Mr. Schue said as he stood beside Mr. Martinez. "And, hum, he's interested in starting his own night school Glee Club, after hours. So, hum, I invited him to come watch us get our duende on."

"Duende?" Finn asked.

"Ugh, it means dwarf, you ass." Santana said.

"Now I'm completely confused." Finn frowned. "So what's the assignment?"

"To sing, in Spanish, with duende." Mr. Schue said, as if any of this actually made sense. "Which, yes, literally means dwarf, but metaphorically, it means to have Spanish soul. To be filled with Spanish passion."

"Does it, though?" Winnie mumbled quietly.

"Will, can I... hablar con ellos?" Mr. Martinez asked, as Mr. Schue just stared at him, clearly confused.

"That's... right."

"A performance with duende transforms you." Mr. Martinez said, clearly going along with Mr. Schue. "Makes you sing, makes you cry, makes you laugh. Makes you want to kiss a person you love. A song sung in Spanish must have duende, or else..."

"Would you mind showing us?" Santana asked, as Winnie smirked.

"Oh goodness, please, yes." She said.

"Be my guest." Mr. Schue nodded when Mr. Martinez turned to look at him.

"Okay." The man nodded then. "Well, I'm-I'm not a professional like you guys, but I'll give it a go."

"All right." Mr. Schue said then as he turned to look at the kids. "Now, guys, hum... Remember, Mr. Martinez is here as our guest, okay? Let's create a safe and supportive environment."