Will The Real Rachel Berry Please Stand Up?

21

May 2021

The lights rose as the music faded and the presenter faced the camera to introduce his two guests.

"Ladies and gentlemen tonight we have a special treat. Widely tipped for an Oscar nomination for her latest role, Tony winner and Broadway Icon Rachel Berry," thunderous applause almost drowned out the next part of his sentence, "and her partner Quinn Fabray." The camera shot changed to show two smartly dressed women laughing as they headed towards the sofa next to the presenter's chair. Rachel smoothed her hair behind her ears and sent a beaming smile to the audience. The applause gradually died down.

"I know you're usually a little reluctant to appear on talk shows so what brings you here today Rachel?" the presenter asked as they had discussed before going live.

"Well John, Quinn and I," Rachel moved her hand to gently grasp Quinn's, "are here to publicise the launching of a National Anti-bullying 24 hour helpline, chat forum and website."

Applause greeted the statement as on screen a logo, phone number and website address appeared.

"I hear you're involvement is a little deeper than doing publicity," he prompted.

"Well yes we've been working with a variety of child protection and youth charities for several years to get this project off the ground," responded Quinn her voice becoming steadier as she spoke, "It's been an ambition since high school."

She caught Rachel's eye, smiled at her and squeezed her hand.

"Any particular reason for this area of interest?" John asked

"Well, at the risk of sounding like a cliché, I was bullied at school.." Rachel responded to the audience's mix of dismay and disbelief with a mouthed "It's true."

"And so was I," added Quinn with a rueful smile, biting back the need to confess she did her fair share of bullying too.

"We took action then and decided if we ever had the opportunity we'd work to prevent other students going through what we did." Rachel added.

"Your school peers had a problem with highly attractive women?" joked John.

"Well, as unlikely as it seems now in this day and age, homophobia was the reason for this particular bout of bullying," stated Quinn.

"Or maybe a mixing of social strata," added Rachel.

"I believe Quinn you were captain of the cheerleaders?" a picture of Quinn in HBIC pose appeared on the screen behind them to be greeted with appreciative cheers and whistles," and not just any group of Cheerleaders but National Cheerleading Champions for your time in the club."

Quinn glanced down at her hands looking slightly embarrassed.

"Whereas, you Rachel were in the then low status glee club.."

The picture behind them was replaced by a shot Rachel wearing knee length socks, a plaid short skirt and a shirt with an enormous bow. The audience awed.

"Wrong picture I think. You look as if you're twelve" volunteered John

"Seventeen I can assure you," grinned Rachel before fixing Quinn with a mock glare," and I can guess where you got that photo from."

"A good journalist never reveals his sources," John quipped

"So, who gave it to you then?" replied Rachel with a grin to soften the comment.

The picture changed again to a shot of Quinn and Rachel in their prom dresses gazing at each other.

"Oh and that's the happy ending," added Quinn suddenly feeling a wave of emotion towards Rachel as she remembered that incredible evening.