It was a dark, stormy night in the underworld. Thunder clapped, and rain shook upon the castle of the once great king. A castle, and a nation, in great turmoil.
Monster Kid: Who's there?
Snowdrake: Nay, answer me. Stand and unfold yourself.
"Stand and unfold yourself"? Who talks like this?
Rudy: Cut!
The dimmed lights of the stage turned bright as the director closed the take. Members and crew waiting in the wings could make an audible groan that carried through the gymnasium.
Monster Kid: Damn it Snowy! How hard is it to read off the script?
Snowdrake: It's hard when the script is stupid! I mean who writes this stuff, seriously?
Rudy: Shakespeare, Snowdrake, Shakespeare. If you don't want to read it kid, then you can just leave!
Rudolph Holiday reached for the cup of coffee beside his director's chair, only to find it was empty after the day's failed dress rehearsal. It took a great amount of effort and willpower for him to resist the urge to toss it across the room, willpower he no longer had.
Snowdrake: Hey, watch it!
Snowdrake and Monster Kid ducked for Rudy's barrage.
Rudy: That's it! We're done for today! Everyone, go home!
The cast and crew slowly poured out onto the stage, breathing a sigh of relief. Talking amongst themselves as they all shuffled out the room. Asgore meanwhile approached the director, head in his hand.
Asgore: When's our next practice going to be, Rudy?
Rudy: Asgore, buddy, I'm getting the impression there shouldn't be another practice.
Asgore: Huh? What do you mean?
Rudy: I mean this whole production is a mess! Half the time we can barely get past Act 1 Scene 1, and when we can, we can't get much further than that! And with only a few months to go...
Asgore: Can't we push it back?
Rudy: Push it back? No way pal, not happening. I barely managed to convince the old ball and chain I could do this, now I have to grovel and say I need more time? I'll never hear the end of it...
Asgore: I see...
Asgore silently stepped away from the director's chair, and followed everyone else into the hall. Where they were waiting.
Susie: Well? What did he say?
Asgore: He says that, we might have to abandon the production.
From the hall erupts cheers.
Monster Kid: Quiet guys! We don't want him to hear.
Susie: Alright, now that's what I'm talking about! I told you guys, it's easy, just act so bad that no one wants to work with you. Worked like a charm in drama class.
Asgore: But... he seemed pretty upset...
Toriel: How do you mean?
Asgore: I think... he really wanted to put on this play. Y'know, for the town. He's really upset he'll have to tell the mayor that he's given up...
The cheery crew becomes more drab and dreary, as those within it are split between their desire to not act and the pain in seeing Rudy defeated.
Toriel: Oh, that poor thing. An idiot on the one hand, who can never take "no" for an answer. But I suppose that's what makes him admirable.
Monster Kid: Yeah, I felt bad about Snowy getting the same lines wrong every time. I kinda wanted to say more of mine...
Susie: Wait, guys, seriously? After everything, we want to start actually trying now??!
The quiet murmurs and discontent erupt into more conversation and argument, as guilt turns to shame, and shame to drive.
Asgore: We have to do this right, for Rudy!
Snow Drake: No way! Nuh uh, I couldn't get it right even if I tried at this point!
Catti: Well then maybe try harder...
Snow Drake: What did you say?
Rudy: Easiest con I've ever played.
The director remained in his chair, looking not at his palm, or hoof, but rather the hallway where he could hear the debate in full.
Rudy: It's one thing to be upset. But by pretending to be upset, you can bring out things from people they would've otherwise kept from you. Feigning sadness, yes, that is how I have gotten them right where I want them. Thank you for the heads up, good Hamlet.
Berdly: Oh, would it t'were any trouble, oh wise Polonius.
Rudy sighs.
Rudy: Don't make me regret giving you the part.
