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“All right! Listen up everyone. This year the musical collaboration between the Drama and Music Departments will be a bit different. We’ll be putting together a showcase of the music of “Chess”. Due to reasons beyond the control of the show’s creators it was never properly staged in the way that it was originally intended, at least not in the states. We will be casting for the main characters and certain song selections will be performed. We need lots of people for the chorus and background characters. Our production will be a synthesis of the original score from the London concept album as well as at least one of the newer songs that was added for the failed launch on Broadway, which in my opinion really butchered the original concept...” Jody Mills was interrupted by an elbow in the ribs by Donna Hanscum, head of the Music Department.
Donna whispered fiercely in her ear, “Cool it Jodes, wait until they’ve been cast then you can go off on your rant.”
Jody cleared her throat, “ Ehm, okay, so auditions will be this Friday and all casting decisions should be posted Monday morning inside the green room. Hope you all will come out and audition.” She stepped back and dismissed the class. This was an announcement that she and Donna were making in all of their classes. Hopefully coupled with the flyers promoting the upcoming auditions they’d have a good turn out.
Once the classroom was empty Donna turned to her, “It’s a fine idea you have to stage something that won’t need full sets or a large budget, especially considering the cuts that both our departments took this year. There are some very powerful songs that will showcase the talents of the four main leads. I know that this musical is very near and dear to you, but you can’t dwell on everything that went wrong with “Chess” in the 80s. Just focus on the great songs and getting performances that’ll do them justice.”
Jody sighed, “The songs are full of such deep emotion and angst, they’re just right for college students. You know, when I was in high school and during my early undergrad years I used to listen to the songs from the original London black album over and over again. I was so excited to hear that the show would finally go to Broadway, then when I heard about the changes that were made to the lyrics - without the consent or approval of the lyricist, Tim Rice, I was angry. When Rice was interviewed by the New York Times he stated that perhaps lyricists weren’t important anymore, well, I was crushed by the heartbreak in that sentence. This was the man who wrote “Evita”, “Jesus Christ Superstar”, and “Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” now saying that he felt that his work didn’t count, it was all too much.”
Donna patted Jody on the back. “I know that your strong feelings will make this a success. I’m excited too. The music is by the two guys from ABBA and the whole thing is basically a rock opera with repeating leitmotifs throughout which really tie all the songs together. Don’t worry Jodes. You’ll get a chance to show that “Chess” is about more than “One Night in Bangkok”. Come on and I’ll get ya a coffee before the next class.”
***
By the time Dean Winchester filed out of class the green room was abuzz with talk of the upcoming musical. He saw some faces that he didn’t see too often. The room was the main common area for all the performing arts students, since it functioned as the green room for all three of the building’s theaters. It housed three vending machines and the space was open to everyone, it was primarily the domain of the drama students as the music students, while equally welcome, didn’t actually hang out in the large room as they were more likely to be found in one of the studios on the other side of the building.
Dean saw a flash of blue eyes and a shock of artfully messed up black hair near the posting of the audition details. As he got closer the more certain he became that the guy was one of the music students. Off to the front of the blue-eyed dude a female voice huffed in disdain.
“Are they serious? There’s only four good parts and one or two others that get a song. Anyone who doesn’t get one of them will be stuck in the chorus,” Abby Donaldson practically hissed.
“And just what’s wrong with being in the chorus?” Asked Garth Fitzgerald, the kind-hearted music major who could always be counted on to help out anyone who needed accompaniment or back-up vocals as they prepared for auditions. He rarely tried out for roles but seemed quite happy to be part of the chorus when the opportunities would arise.
Abby looked him over and backed down. “Hey, nothing against being in the chorus, but when it’s the one big show a year, ya’ kinda have to hope for more than two shots out of the scores of other women who will be auditioning, always more women than roles available.” She took a deep breath. “Sorry, I really didn’t mean to offend. I’m just frustrated that unless I’m cast as a lead I won’t get a showcase performance this year on the main stage.”
“Abby. You make it sound like it’s a given that you’ll get cast in every major production. You know that casting isn’t based on talent alone. Graduate students and seniors have a much higher likelihood of landing roles. Not that there's anything wrong with that. For most of them, it’s either their thesis or senior project, so I get it.”
“Yeah,” she grumbled. “Doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
Dean, like all the other drama grad students, had already seen the postings in his mailbox this morning. He knew he had a great shot at one of the two male leads, even though he’d likely be competing against a few of the music grad students. He exited past the small crowd and brushed shoulders with blue-eyes as he made his way to the elevator to head upstairs to his office on the sixth floor. As much as he hoped to be cast he knew he was covered either way as his thesis project revolved around this play. He was exploring the use of the Cold War as a proxy for the self-imposed repression of feelings and how self-denial was mistakenly seen as self-reliance in “Chess”. He rubbed his palms against his jeans as he stepped out of the elevator and unlocked his shared office and sat behind his desk. He rummaged in his file drawer until he found the sheet music he was looking for. He needed to brush up on his audition pieces before Friday. Tucking the scores into his bag he headed back downstairs after one last glance around to see if there was anything he’d need before heading back to the dorms. He poked his head inside the green room before leaving the building for the day. Several students were still huddled around the casting call information, clearly making plans for auditioning. He was a bit surprised to find himself feeling disappointed that blue-eyes had already left. His eyes darted around the room to see if any of his friends were around, and not seeing them, he made his way back to his dorm room.
He opened his door and flung his bag on his bed and got out his phone to text Garth to see if he could get in some rehearsal time with him so he could be top of his game for Friday. Once he was set up with Garth, he dug out his music and proceeded to review his song choice. He narrowed his choice down to a selection from another rock opera that Tim Rice had done lyrics for, though he was tempted to go with a classic rock and roll selection. As the night wore on Dean changed his mind. With the score of “Chess” being heavily rock and pop he felt more and more that using a rock song would give him an edge. He went through some of the sheet music that he kept in his room and finally settled on a rock ballad that he felt would show his range musically and emotionally. Once that was decided he found that he was feeling better about the whole thing and pulled up his laptop and worked on his research.
Thursday night before the auditions, the musical was the talk of the Arts floor in the dorms. The university gave students the option to room in dorms where the floors were sorted by majors. As a result all of the performing arts students and some of the fine arts students shared the same floors, making for some interesting collaborations. Still, the music folks were on one end and the drama students on the other. Everyone was so busy with their individual and collective projects that they didn’t stray to the other side of either building unless there was a good reason to. The dorm setup, as well as finances, was one of the reasons that Dean still chose to live on campus. He liked living in a built in arts community and it was close to all of his friends. On the first floor of the building was a recreation room that had a piano, pool table, darts, and a few video games. It was a place where the girls from the east wing of the dorm could mingle with the boys from the west wing. Even though other majors filled the upper floors of the building this was the hangout of most of the arts students outside of the green room. There was a good sized group gathered around the piano as various people practiced their audition pieces. Dean sat in one of the overstuffed couches and listened. He was soon joined by a girl with bright red hair who flopped next to him and put her arms around him.
“Hey, Winchester, you all set for tomorrow?” she asked.
“Strangely enough, Charlie, I think I am. I’ve run my song with Garth a few times this week, and I think I’m as solid as I’m going to get. You and the others on the tech crew have it pretty good. You know that you’ll be working on the big musical and in what capacity. It’s more stressful for those of us who have to try out.”
“Who are you fooling, Dean? You know that you’ll get a part. Heck, good money says that you land one of the leads. You’re one of the best actors and singers in the whole department and a grad student to boot. Say, is your thesis wrapped up in this production?”
“To put it mildly, yes. It is. I’m writing a thesis paper on themes in the musical and if I’m cast then my performance will be my graduate showcase. I’m hella nervous but worrying won’t do me a damn bit of good, so I figured I’d just hang out here and keep an ear out for the competition.”
Charlie patted him on the knee, “I’m sure you’re gonna knock ‘em dead tomorrow. Just try to rest up tonight and do your best.”
“That’s the plan. Once I’ve sung it’s all out of my hands and up to the gods of casting or rather our two directors. I think I’m going to grab some food and call it a night. I’ll see ya later Red.” Dean lifted up from the couch, leaving Charlie to watch as he left for the dining hall.
***
Friday afternoon Jody and Donna camped out in the audience seating with their notes in front of them. It had been a long afternoon full of endless renditions of the same Broadway show tunes over and over again. Jody mumbled under her breath, “If I hear one more version of “Tomorrow” I think I’ll start turning into Miss Hannigan.”
Donna patted her hand, “Cheer up, there’s only a handful more to hear then we’ll call it a wrap.”
Their eyes were drawn towards the stage as Dean Winchester handed his music to the accompanist and waited for the signal that they were ready. At Jody’s nod, he launched into “We Are the Champions” by Queen. Jody and Donna both sat up straighter as he finished the song then bowed and left the stage.
Jody leaned over to Donna and whispered, “That was refreshing. A little rock is exactly what the performers will need to bring to the roles if cast. Not surprised that Winchester gets it.”
The two looked at each other and a look of understanding passed between them before the next hopeful handed over his music.
“This should be equally interesting. That’s Castiel Novak, he’s one of my grad students,” Donna whispered as the opening chords of Alice Cooper’s “No More Mr. Nice Guy” began to play.
The students hung around the green room waiting to hear which of them were getting callbacks. Dean and Castiel were both asked to sing again, this time a different selection if they had one. Dean pulled out the music for “Hey Jude” by the Beatles and Novak handed over “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi. They filed back in with the others. After singing again, they were all made to stand next to one another in various pairings as the directors took notes. Finally, they were all dismissed and told to check the casting list that would be posted Monday afternoon in the green room.
Dean packed up his music and headed off stage only to bump into the blue-eyed guy who had caught his eye earlier in the week.
“Sorry man, I didn’t mean to run into you there. Nice song choice by the way. The name’s Dean.” he extended his hand and the other man shook it.
“Castiel Novak. You had a pretty good song yourself. I felt with this musical that rock was definitely the way to go.”
“Same here. You one of the music majors?”
“Yeah. I take it since I haven’t seen you around that you’re a drama major?”
“Guilty as charged,” Dean said as he took a closer look at those deep blue eyes. His thoughts were interrupted as a group of girls came brushing past. Two of the brunettes walked over to where Dean and Castiel were standing and each hooked an arm around one of the boys. Meg Masters hung on Castiel’s shoulder while Lisa Braeden put her hand on Dean’s hip. The two women exchanged pointed looks and watched as Lydia Green and April Fallon glared at them and walked out of the room while Abby Donaldson just laughed. “You two get any more possessive, you'll be marking them with urine. Geeze, I know that you’re insecure but really, you’re practically jumping these poor guys.”
“You’re just jealous, Abby.” Meg retorted.
“Sorry to disappoint, but I have my sights set somewhere else. Neither you nor the eye candy there interest me. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to try to find something to do for my showcase. I’m sure that between you and Lisa you guys have the female leads sewn up.” With a wave over her shoulder, Abby left, without looking back.
“Dean, wouldn’t it be great if we were cast together. Especially as your love interest,” Lisa purred.
“I don’t know how familiar you are with this musical, but the romances don’t really go all that well for the leads,” Dean said, trying to get free of Lisa’s hand. “Actually, by the end pretty much every character has decided that they can only rely on their own self and are better off alone, not dependent on anyone. It’s sorta bleak if you think about it.”
“Humf, that doesn’t mean that we still can’t rehearse together if we both get cast,” Lisa countered.
Dean watched as Castiel looked on with mild amusement as Lisa tried to grab a firmer hold on him. The blue-eyed man seemed to be ignoring how Meg was clinging to him. He appeared to have no interest in Meg and Dean wasn’t sure why that notion made him happy. Castiel’s eyes met Dean’s, “It was nice to meet you, Dean. Good luck. Maybe see you around on Monday.”
“Yeah, man, Maybe see you then.” Dean watched as Castiel followed by Meg left, leaving him with a very insistent Lisa.
“Hey, Lis, I’m pretty beat. I’m going to go catch a nap and then work on my research. I’ll see ya around.”
Lisa gave him a look of disdain but didn’t say anything as he left. She was sure that he’d come around and submit to her charms soon. It was one of the reasons she was hoping to be cast, so she could spend more time with Dean. He was the hottest guy in the drama department and she wanted him. And what Lisa wanted, Lisa got. End of story.
***
Monday afternoon the final cast list was up:
The American - Dean Winchester
The Russian - Castiel Novak
Florence - Meg Masters
Svetlana - Lisa Braeden
Dean stopped reading after seeing the casting for the four main characters. It looked like he would be getting another chance to get to know Castiel Novak. He found that thought to be quite pleasing though he wasn’t sure why.
Rehearsals started at 6 pm, so he had a few hours to eat and study before he had to report back to the building. He was just starting to head out when Lisa practically tackled him.
“Isn’t it great, Dean? We’ve both been cast. I can’t wait to rehearse together.”
“I hate to break it to you Lisa, but your character is the wife of Cas’s character. Meg is playing my character’s ex-love interest and Cas’ current love interest. I won’t have any songs with you. Sorry.”
If looks could kill, Lisa would have certainly murdered someone. She was livid. “Well, we can still practice together, right? I mean I’ll still see you for the scheduled rehearsals, right?”
“Of course, Lisa.” Dean sighed. He had told her last semester that he wasn’t interested in her but she wasn’t the type to take “no” for an answer. “Listen, I’ve got things to do before the big meeting this evening. I’ll see you around.” He took off without looking back.
At six o’clock the theater was filled with the cast. Most of them would be in the chorus and would be working with the assistant musical director, Chuck Shurley, while the four leads would be primarily working with Jody and Donna. The musicians would be under the skilled guidance of Gabriel Milton. Gabe and Chuck would be guided by Jody and Donna as they were co-directing this production and it was their vision that would drive it.
Jody stood in front of the assembled cast and started to review the rehearsal schedule and the expectations for them as individuals as well as for the production as a whole. She had just begun describing how the four leads would be meeting with her and Donna when suddenly a voice interrupted.
“Jody, I mean Professor Mills, I think there’s been a mistake in casting,” Lisa interjected.
“Oh, is that so, Miss. Braeden,” Jody asked, barely concealing her scorn.
“Yes,” Lisa continued, unaware of the fine line she was treading. “I have more chemistry with Dean and as such, I should be cast as Florence. I’m sure you and Professor Hanscum weren’t aware, but now that you know you can make the change.”
Jody glanced at Donna and saw reflected in her eyes confirmation that she'd stand by whatever the other director was about to say. She sucked in a deep breath before responding.
“Your thoughts on our careful casting choices have been duly noted. We did not come to these decisions lightly. We understand that you may have mistaken this production for those that you were a part of in high school, where no doubt you were a big fish in a very little pond and used to getting your way. This is college and our job here is to prepare you for life as a working professional not to cater to the libido of a given individual. If you are unwilling or unable to perform the assigned role, I can assure you that we have other actors that would love to step in. If you prove to be problematic we will have no qualms about replacing you immediately. Is that clear?”
The color drained from Lisa’s face as she nodded and sat down, “Yes, ma’am.”
“Now if there are no further interruptions or backseat directing…”
Once the scripts and scores were passed out a brief break was called after which work would begin, starting with the two female leads and their duet. Jody figured she should see early on if Lisa and Meg could share a song together let alone a stage.
Their rendition of “I Know Him So Well” went better than expected. There was some posturing but Lisa seemed to take to heart the note to channel her feelings about the roles into the song about two women singing about the love they have for the same man but know that they can never really have.
Dean sat on the floor of the green room next to the vending machines when he felt someone sit down next to him.
“Hello Dean,” said a deep rumbling voice. “Congratulations. I understand from Donna that this is your thesis project as well. Perhaps we can compare notes. I’m focusing on the musical aspects of the production and I hear that you’re reviewing the text and lyrics. I dare say that no one else will have a better understanding of “Chess” than the two of us, maybe even better than our directors.”
“I’d really like that, Cas. It’s a pretty emotional musical and I admit that there are bits that touch a little too close to home. Having someone equally familiar who can also help me keep things in perspective would be great.”
“You sure your girlfriend won’t mind if you spend your free time with me? She seems pretty, um, clingy.”
“Oh, Lisa? She’s not...I mean I’m not..she only wishes she was my girlfriend. What about yours? Meg seemed to be firmly latched on to you.”
Cas laughed softly, “Meg is just a friend and my beard. She can be a bit possessive but she means well. Florence is a great role for her. They’re both feisty women who take no prisoners and say just what they feel and don’t beat around the bush.”
Dean’s green eyes went wide, “Your beard?”
Cas looked down a bit sheepishly, “Yeah, when I first started here I found myself the focus of… unwanted attention. Meg swept in and agreed to act as my girlfriend to keep other would-be suitors at bay. I have to say that it's worked quite well and allowed me to concentrate on my music and my studies. If I may ask, what are your plans for after you graduate?”
Dean took a moment to absorb what he’d just heard before responding. “I finished up my required education courses so teaching is a solid option if I don’t go into broadcasting. I don’t think I could live from audition to audition so I’ve already put in some applications at a few schools looking for a drama teacher. What about you? What’s your plan?”
Cas chuckled, “Not too different from yours. I’ve put out feelers to a few schools and will probably keep on the lookout for side gigs where I can play and opportunities to write scores. I compose as well as play and sing.”
“Wow, look at you. Any school system would be lucky to have you. Say, Cas, are you free tomorrow night after rehearsal? If so I’d like to take you to dinner and talk some more about the play and themes and how everything all fits together.”
“I’d like that very much, Dean. Tomorrow is fine.”
Lisa and Meg filed into the green room. Meg kicked at Cas’s shoe, “All right handsome you guys are up next.”
Dean and Cas made it a habit to sit in on each other’s numbers and take notes for things to discuss when they met for dinner. What started as a one-time thing soon became the norm. The two men would spend all of their rehearsals together with a debrief over food immediately after. They even started hanging out together on the weekends during the day talking about things unrelated to the production.
“Cas, you’re magnificent. You really sell these songs. I can feel your anguish when you sing. Your expectation of betrayal in “Where I Want To Be” and the feeling of being chased comes through so clearly.” Dean said one night over burgers after a very emotional rehearsal.
“Yes, well, I suppose that song touches something personal for me. I can identify with the lyric:
Now I'm where I want to be and who I want to be and doing what I
always said I would and yet I feel I haven't won at all
Running for my life and never looking back in case there's
someone right behind to shoot me down and say he always knew I'd fall.
My family was less than supportive of my choice to major in the arts nor were they pleased when I told them I was gay. I feel that I am finally coming into my own and having success based on my talents yet I also feel that if I trip up the least little bit that my family and other detractors in my life will say that they always knew I’d be a failure. In fact, I know that several of them actively root for me to fail.”
“That’s horrible, Cas! You’re the most talented person I know, and that’s saying quite a bit. I believe you can do anything you set your mind to.”
Cas pushed his food around a bit before looking back at Dean. “My family was…is very religious and practical. They expected me to major in business and accounting and when I didn’t it caused a major ruckus. I have always loved music and as a child I took piano lessons and later learned to play guitar. My family encouraged me to sing at church and felt that I would apply my musical hobbies through the church. You can imagine that they were less than thrilled when I started taking music and composition classes rather than ones on bookkeeping and business administration. The last straw for them seemed to be when I came out. I knew as far back as middle school that I was attracted to guys but didn’t have my first boyfriend until I got to college. One of my older brothers came to campus to visit me and saw me holding hands with another man. He confronted us and I didn’t deny the relationship. Word got back to my parents and other siblings and resulted in all but one of them breaking off all ties with me. Luckily I’d earned enough in scholarships that I’m not dependent on them for financial support. I still keep in touch with my brother Alfie, and he keeps me abreast of anything major going on in the family, but I don’t have any contact with my parents.”
“That’s terrible, you must miss them”
“Actually, I don’t really. Mine was not an affectionate family to begin with. So the loss isn’t as drastic as it could have been. There was always pressure on me to conform to what they wanted me to be and lots of scorn and disappointment when I would fall short of the mark. Honestly, it’s a relief not to have them harping on me all the time and weighing all my actions and finding me wanting.”
“I can understand that. I didn’t have such a great upbringing either. I have a brother that I practically raised and a father who never thought that I was good enough no matter how hard I tried. My mom died when I was four and my brother was six months old. After she was gone my dad just crawled into a bottle and was basically useless. I lost both my parents the day my mom died. Dad just stopped caring. He would barely do the minimum to keep a roof over our heads and food on our table. The day-to-day caring of Sam was left to me. I was a child trying to raise a baby with little to no help from the person who was our so-called parent.” Dean says before sighing and taking a deep breath. “I don’t talk about this stuff, Cas. You’re the first person that I’ve really told in any great detail. Working on this musical really brings a lot of those old scarred over feelings back up for me. Especially in the song “Pity The Child”. I know that I’m still holding back when I sing. I can feel it. I’m just afraid that if I really let it go that I’ll break down completely. While my situation wasn’t the same as the character, I can totally identify with the lyrics and passion behind them:
When I was nine I learned survival
Taught myself not to care
I was my single good companion
Taking my comfort there
Up in my room I planned my conquests
On my own -- never asked for a helping hand
No one would understand
I never asked the pair who fought below
Just in case they said no
Pity the child who has ambition
Knows what he wants to do
Knows that he'll never fit the system
Others expect him to
Pity the child who knew his parents
Saw their faults
Saw their love die before his eyes
Pity the child that wise
He never asked "Did I cause your distress?"
Just in case they said yes
When I was twelve my father moved out
Left with a whimper -- not with a shout
I didn't miss him -- he made it perfectly clear
I was a fool and probably queer
Fool that I was I thought this would bring
Those he had left closer together
I’ve always kept things locked down inside me, Cas. I never let my brother Sam know just how much I took on or how I really felt about anything. I’ve always kept a facade of being okay so he wouldn’t worry. Even when we went to live with our Uncle Bobby, hell, even to this day, I just focus on the end goal and hide my feelings. Ironic considering that acting forces me to confront my feelings and actually feel things. There’s a part of me that’s afraid that this production will break me.”
Cas reached across the table and took Dean’s hand, “Dean, you are one of the most talented and strongest people that I’ve ever met. Thank you for trusting me with the story of your past. I’m honored that you feel you can share that part of yourself with me.”
Dean squeezed Cas’ hand and let out a disdainful snort, “Even the bit about being queer hits pretty dead on target. I never came out to my dad, but I think that he’s had his suspicions. I’ve wondered if that’s one of the reasons why he picked me for the family punching bag and whipping boy. Nothing I’ve ever done has been good enough. Last time I heard from him he was calling me all sorts of names and made it clear that my life and career choices fell short of being a “Real Man”. I wish that I’d told him to go straight to hell. But instead, I just turned and walked away from him before I said or did something that I’d regret. To think, that was his reaction to my going to school and majoring in education and drama, I could only imagine how livid he’d be if he knew about my past boyfriends. I was in the middle of undergrad studies when I saw him last and I’ve been happy to keep it that way. Sam hasn’t heard from him either, thank goodness. I don’t miss him, but I miss the relationship that could have been if he wasn’t the way he is. Am I making sense?’
“Yes, Dean. I understand all too well how that feels. Families should love us for who we are, not kick us to the curb for not measuring up to all their preconceived ideas and plans for us. I know what it’s like to miss the ideal of a loving and accepting family. I wouldn’t have cared if they were perfect or not just as long as I knew that I was loved and accepted. But no use crying over that which cannot be. The past is in the past and I, like you, need to focus on the future and what can be built. I hope one day to be able to give my students the support and acceptance that was denied to me.”
“With an attitude like that, Cas, you’re certain to be a wonderful and caring teacher.”
“Thank you, Dean. Let’s head to one of the rehearsal rooms and I’ll accompany you on piano and you can give “Pity The Child” another go, and you can let ‘er rip and let go. It’ll be just the two of us, so no judgments if you do ‘breakdown’ as you say.” Castiel said using air quotes.
Dean looked up at him and nodded. “Shouldn’t be anyone else around this time of the evening and besides the rooms are pretty soundproof. Okay, let’s go.”
Once Castiel was at the piano he let Dean warm up with some of his other numbers then played the hell out of “Pity The Child” while Dean poured his heart into the song. The pain long pent up in his soul came gushing out along with the bitterness of being betrayed by his father, the one who was supposed to protect him but instead left him to fend not just for himself but to care for his baby brother as well. Years of anguish that he’d long suppressed were released as tears cascaded down his face and his body trembled as his shoulders quaked with his efforts to hold in the emotion. He turned to look in the direction where Castiel was sitting only to find that the other man had already gotten up from the bench and was launching himself across the room until finally Castiel held him in a strong embrace. Dean sobbed into Cas’ shoulder as the musician rubbed circles along his back to comfort him. Cas just held him and stroked his hair, until his breathing returned to normal.
“It’s okay Dean, I’m here. I’ve got you. How do you feel?”
Dean pulled back slightly so he could look into the blue eyes in front of him. “I feel like a weight has been lifted. I didn’t realize just how much I was carrying around emotionally until now. I’ve always been good at pushing things down deep inside. Thanks, Cas. I think I really needed this, and to be able to do it with someone I trusted. I think that I can probably hit some of those deeper emotions in the performance now without completely going off the rails.”
“That’s very good Dean, I’m glad to hear it.” Cas kept Dean in his arms and let his hands drop to Dean’s hips. Dean looked at Cas’s lips then looked back up to his eyes.
“Would you mind if I kissed you, Cas? I know that you have Meg to keep away unwanted attention, so if you don’t want to, then I completely understand…” Dean’s rambling was cut off by the gentle press of Cas’ lips to his. He wrapped his arms around Cas and pulled him closer. The two came up for breath and parted slightly. “So, I take that as a yes?” Dean said.
“Yes, Dean. I’m very interested in you, both as a friend and as something more. We complement each other well in both our similarities and differences. I’m glad that we were both cast in this musical. Even though both our master's thesis depend on it, I still have to say that meeting you and getting to know you better has made this a life-changing experience. You make me very happy.”
“There is something magical about the music of “Chess” even if in the story itself none of the lovers wind up with one another it reminds me that the lyricist Tim Rice was in love with the actress playing the original Florence. In fact, the whole musical is a thinly veiled account of his feelings toward both his wife and his lover. I wonder if the girls know any of that history when they’re singing “I Know Him So Well”. The whole play is basically about his affair and his love for both women.”
“So that would make Rice the Russian, correct Dean?”
“Yes. It’s one of the reasons that your character is so sympathetic. It’s a stand-in for the author himself.”
“That explains so much,” Cas said. “It’s getting late, we should head back to the dorms and try to get some sleep. We only have a week before dress rehearsals then it’s time for our performances.” Holding hands the two walked across campus and back to the dorms, kissing goodnight when they parted to go to their respective side of the building.
The morning of the first dress rehearsal Dean got an email asking if he would be interested in interviewing for the open position of drama teacher at Woodbury Academy. With graduation just around the corner Dean was delighted to receive the invitation and responded immediately. Woodbury Academy was a well-known private school with an outstanding arts program. Many of their graduates went on to top universities and careers in the fine and performing arts. Getting a teaching position there would place him in consideration as one of the top drama teachers in the country. He sent his response and crossed his fingers that the interview would go well.
He hadn’t long to wait. An interview was set up for the following week. The same day as opening night. He was nervous all week and to make matters worse, he and Cas hadn’t been able to get together outside of rehearsals as Cas was busy preparing for a series of auditions as he too was trying to land work for after graduation.
The morning of his interview, Dean walked into the welcoming doors of Woodbury Academy only to see a familiar face walking down a corridor heading his way. A voice called out, “Dean, what a pleasant surprise. I didn’t expect to see you here. Are you interviewing for a position as well?” Cas asked.
“Yeah, Cas. Drama instructor. And you?”
“Musical instructor.” Before Cas could say anything more a woman with soft eyes and medium length brown hair came out to the hallway to speak to them both.
“You two know each other?” she asked in a voice that was slightly accented. Dean noticed that she wore a pair of hearing aids.
“Yes, we’re at university together and were cast in the same production this semester. In fact tonight is our first performance,” Dean replied.
“That’s wonderful. I’m Ms. Leahy, but you can call me Eileen. I’m the principal here. I’m very pleased to meet you both. I hope that your interviews go well and that I will see you both again. It was very nice meeting you,” she said as she left presumably to go to her office.
“Everyone seems very friendly here,” Cas mentioned. “I think my meeting went well. We’ll see. Good luck on your interview, Dean.” He squeezed Dean’s hand to wish him luck and Dean pulled him close and gave him a peck on his lips.
“Thanks Cas. See you at curtain tonight.”
“Break a leg, Dean.” Cas responded smiling as he headed off leaving Dean to his interview.
Prior to going onstage, there was a knock on the green room door. It was a delivery of a dozen roses. The delivery person announced, “I have a delivery for Dean Winchester.” Dean stepped forward and collected the flowers while Lisa stared daggers at him. Dean read the card “As one in love of Chess - Cas”, and smiled. Cas had included a line from one of the songs, a line that reflected the love that they both had for the musical and the experience of being cast together, and the opportunity it had given them to get to know one another. He tucked the card away for safekeeping and put the flowers in his dressing area. His eyes met Cas’ over the flowers and they exchanged a private smile. They wouldn’t have a chance to talk until after the closing curtain but that look said plenty.
The production was a great success and well reviewed. Closing night was sold out. Jody and Donna were thrilled with the performances of their students, especially Winchester and Novak’s. The rest of the semester was spent finishing up their respective thesis and related work and awaiting news on the employment front.
Two weeks after the production wrapped Cas and Dean were having lunch together when Dean’s phone rang followed by Cas’ phone ringing as well. The two men looked at each other and stepped away from each other to answer their phones.
“Hello, this is Dean,” Dean answered.
“Hi Dean, this is Becky Rosen from Woodbury Academy. I’m pleased to inform you that we would like you to be our drama instructor. Classes will start in the Fall, but you would come on board this Summer and get acquainted with the other staff and how things run at Woodbury. I’ll be emailing you the additional details including the initial contracts. Looking forward to working with you. Oh, and I saw your performance in “Chess” and it was to die for. We’re really lucky to have you and looking forward to other roles that you will take in other productions in the community. Talk soon. Bye.” She hung up before Dean could get a word in edgewise. He was still staring blankly at his phone, not sure if this had really happened. Teaching at Woodbury was a dream come true. He looked up and saw that Cas was still on his phone and was nodding and smiling at whatever he was being told. Finally, he hung up and looked at Dean.
“You’ll never believe who that was. Mr. Roche from Woodbury just called to say that the job of music instructor is mine if I want it. They’ll still give me the flexibility to write scores and do other projects. In fact, they want me because I will be a working professional and not just an academic musician.”
“Ms. Rosen called me from Woodbury and said much the same about the drama instructor position. Looks like we’ll be working together again, Cas.”
“So it would seem. I think that this calls for a celebration. Let’s go somewhere nice for dinner tonight and maybe toast to our futures.”
“I’d like that a lot. Speaking of futures, I think that we have bright ones ahead of us both professionally and personally. If you don’t think this is rushing things, I’d like to call you my boyfriend.”
“That is more than alright with me Dean. I’d be honored to be your boyfriend and for you to be mine.” He leaned over and the two kissed for several minutes as there was no place they’d rather be, and nothing they’d rather do, nor anyone else they’d rather be with.
The musical “Chess” would always hold a special place in their hearts no matter how many years went by, as it signified the beginning of a relationship that would last them a lifetime. The characters in “Chess” may have had to pretend that “stories like ours have happy endings” but in the case of Dean and Cas, it actually did.