The Little Merman Glee Edition

Chapter 1

Three seagulls fly through gray clouds then swoop down over the ocean. Below, three smiling dolphins leap through the waves in arcing jumps porpoises are swimming happily. The three dolphins stop and a seagull flies beside them on the surface. Behind them, a sailing ship looms through the mist, crashing through the waves. The ship's huge wooden prowl heads straight towards the viewers and cruises past. On board, burly sailors haul in a net full of fish from the water.

Sailors: I'll tell you a tale of the bottomless blue
And it's hey to the starboard, heave-ho
Look out, lad, a mermaid be waiting for you
In mysterious fathoms below

Blaine: Isn't this great? The salty sea air, the wind blowing in your face . . . a perfect day to be at sea!

Cooper: (face green and leaning over the side of the ship) Oh yes... delightful...

Sailor: A fine strong wind and a following sea. King Burt must be in a friendly-type mood.

Blaine: King Burt?

Sailor 2: Why, ruler of the merpeople, lad. Thought every good sailor knew about him.

Cooper: Merpeople! Blaine, pay no attention to this nautical nonsense.

Sailor 2: (wildly waving a fish in Cooper's face) But it ain't nonsense, it's the truth! I'm tellin' ya, down in the depths o' the ocean they live.

All: Heave. ho.
Heave, ho.
In mysterious fathoms below.

The fish in his hand wiggles away and lands back in the ocean, relieved. He stops for a breath then speeds down, leaving a trail of silvery bubbles behind him. Titles roll in shimmering letters as various fish swim and seaweed sways gently. The camera follows the escaped fish as it makes its way through the ocean. Near the ocean floor a whale swims with two calves. In a landscape of coral and seaweed, merpeople swim. They speed over the ocean floor, gently slipping their flipper tails. Swimming through a tunnel, they reach a great palace with pearls decorating its front gates. This is the Kingdom of Atlantica. They swim inside and take their seats filling the concert hall inside. Fish with trumpet-like noses play a fanfare. A tiny seahorse with a ruffled collar appears. He coughs before he speaks.

Harold: His royal highness, King Burt! (Burt enters dramatically, being pulled on a seashell chariot by a trio of dolphins to wild cheering. Sparks shot from his trident and light a chandelier.) And presenting the distinguished court composer, Horatio Thelonious Ignatius Crustaceous Will Schuester!

Will enters to mild applause.

Burt: I'm really looking forward to this performance, Will.

Will: Oh, Your Majesty, this will be the finest concert I have ever conducted. Your kids, they will be spectacular!

The fish flip Will upside down.

Burt: Yes, and especially for my little Kurt.

Will: Yes, yes, he has the most beautiful voice. Hmm? ... (under his breath) If only he'd show up for rehearsals once in a while...

A spotlight appears over Will, and he rides his chariot out over the stage and takes his place at the podium. He takes out a book of music. He taps his baton and directs the orchestra of fish.

Siblings: Ah, we are the siblings of Burt.
Great father who loves us and named us well:
Rachel,
Quinn,
Santana,
Brittany,
Artie,
Sam,
Noah,
Mike,
Mercedes,
Finn,
Tina!
And then there is the youngest in his musical debut,
Our twelfth little brother,
we're presenting him to you,
To sing a song Mr Schue wrote,
his voice is like a bell,
He's our brother Kurt...

A shell rises as the sisters surround it. It opens to reveal that Kurt is absent. The siblings and Will look worried.

Burt: (angrily shouting) Kurt!