Season 1, Episode 9:  Wheels

Ownership of Glee:  FOX, Ryan Murphy, Ian Brennan, Brad Falchuk

= = =

Violet was sitting next to Kurt in the choir room when she happened to overhear Quinn and Finn's conversation. "What about target?" Quinn asks.

Finn sighs. "Tried. Not hiring."

Quinn rubs at her temples. "Another doctor bill came to my parents' house last night, Finn. We're lucky that I'm clever and intercepted it. But we have to start paying these doctor's bills or they're going to go to a collection agency and then my parents are going to find out that I'm with child. Your child."

Will walks in and starts handing out sheet music. "All right, guys. We're doing a new number for Sectionals. I know that pop songs have sort of been our signature pieces, but I did a little research on past winners, and it turns out that the judges like songs that are more accessible. Stuff they know. Uh, standards, Broadway."

Kurt looks at the sheet music excitedly. "'Defying Gravity?' I have an iPod shuffle dedicated exclusively to selections from Wicked. This is amazing." He says. Violet lets out a squeal of excitement. Will smiles at them.

"Think you can handle it, Rachel?" He asks. Violet's grin fades quickly.

Rachel smirks. "It's my go-to shower song. It's also my ring tone."

Kurt looks crushed. Violet places a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Mercedes pipes in. "Why do we have to go all vanilla on this song? See, what we need is my chocolate thunder."

Will smiles. "Okay, we don't have time to rearrange a song for you, Mercedes. Rachel is singing it. Don't worry, we'll find something for you to dip in chocolate. On to item two. The school won't pay for the special bus we need to take Artie and his wheelchair with us to Sectionals." He reveals.

Tina gapes. "W-w-what?!"

"That's completely unfair." Rachel says.

"I agree. Mr. Shue, the school budget is whack. Most of the money goes to football and Cheerios." Violet states. She quickly glances at Brittany, Santana, and the football boys. "No offense to you guys."

Will sighs. "So we're going to have to raise money to pay for it ourselves. See, when I was in glee club, and we needed new silk cummerbunds for Regionals, we held a bake sale." He announces.

There's a pause before there's scattered laughter.

"You're joking, right? I mean, bake sales are kind of bougie." Santana claims.

"So hip people stopped eating delicious sugary treats?" Will asks.

"It's not that. It's most of us don't know how to bake. I find recipes confusing." Brittany says.

"My family is fully committed to takeout." Rachel proudly states. Violet's heart breaks when Rachel doesn't include Violet in her 'family.'

Finn nods. "Yeah, Mr. Schue, kids are busier than when you went here. We've got homework and football and teen pregnancy ... lunch."

"Can't Artie's dad just take him?" Mercedes asks. Violet bites back a snarky comment.

"I can't believe how insensitive you're all being. Are you a team?" Will asks.

Quinn sighs. "Of course. But Artie understands, don't you, Artie?" She asks.

Artie looks dejected. "Oh... Of course. I-It's cool. Anything that takes away our time from rehearsing doesn't serve the team." He says.

Violet stands up and goes to sit next to Artie, which shocks Kurt. "They're all a bunch of hypocrites Artie. I got your back." She says softly.

Artie smiles and fist bumps with Violet. "Thanks Violet. That makes me feel better." He says.

The bell rings, and Violet wanders down to the health room, spotting a wheelchair. She looks at the health teacher. "Can I borrow this for the week? I'll give it back I promise." She says. The teacher nods.

Violet gets into the chair, wheeling herself down the hall to the choir room. "Hey Mr. Shue. Hey Artie." She waves.

Will takes a double look. "Violet? Why are you in a wheelchair?" He asks.

Artie doesn't hesitate to shoot her a smile when he sees her wheelchair.

Violet smiles. "Well for one, it's Disability Awareness Week. And two, I thought I'd show my support for Artie by using a wheelchair all week."

Artie blushes a bit. "You didn't have to do that Violet." He says.

"I wanted to. It's not fair how they treated you at rehearsal. They don't understand what it's like to live a day in your chair. Besides... it'll be like 2nd grade all over again." Violet says.

When Artie got into his accident in 2nd grade, Violet used a school wheelchair for 2 weeks so her friend wouldn't feel completely and totally alone.

Artie smiles at the memory. "Thanks. I appreciate it. Can I use the auditorium this afternoon to rehearse, Mr. Schue? Some of the band equipment's in there." He asks the teacher.

Will smiles. "Sure."

Artie wheels away, Violet not far behind him.

"Want some company?" She asks.

Artie smiles. "Absolutely. Hey do you wanna rehearse with me?" He asks.

"I'd love to Artie." Violet responds.

= = =

In the auditorium where Artie is on stage with Violet and a guitar. He starts to sing a jazzy version of 'Dancing With Myself,' with Violet providing harmonies.

[Dancing With Myself by Artie and Violet]

Artie and Violet finish the song back in the auditorium. When they've finished, they leave the stage. Will was backstage watching them.

= = =

Violet is sitting next to Kurt the next day in Glee Club, but she's in her wheelchair. She's gotten strange looks from everyone, but doesn't care.

"I have something I'd like to say. I want to audition for the Wicked solo." Kurt announces.

There are murmurs of encouragement, especially from Violet. "Do it Kurt."

Will looks at the boy. "Kurt, there's a high F in it."

"That's well within my range." Kurt retorts.

There are several ooooh's.

"Well, I think Rachel's going to be fine for the female lead, but I'm happy to have you try out something else, Kurt. And we'll make sure it's got a killer high note." Will promises.

Kurt sits back down. Violet and Artie both pat his back.

Artie smiles slightly. "You tried."

"Anyway, I wanted to say something to you guys. I was a little disappointed at how you were all so willing to take the bus to get to Sectionals and make Artie drive by himself with his dad. We're a team, guys. We're in this glee club together." Will explains.

Mercedes looks at Mr. Shue. "Artie doesn't care. His dad drives him everywhere." She states.

Artie looks hurt. "I do care. It kind of hurt my feelings."

"We didn't think you would take it personally." Rachel says insensitively.

"Well, you're irritating and a pain in the ass most of the time, but don't take that personally." Violet mocks.

"What're you doing in a wheelchair, Violet? You're not injured." Rachel states.

"No I'm not. This is an act of support for Artie this week. And by the way, you're all a bunch of hypocrites. You talk about accepting what makes others different, yet you completely shut Artie out when he needs us the most. That doesn't fly with me. Maybe you guys should reconsider what it means to be a true friend. Otherwise, you would be more compassionate about Artie and him having to use a wheelchair." Violet snaps.

No one dares to speak until Will clears his throat. "Violet's right. I don't know if you guys really understand how much harder Artie has to work just to keep up."

"Preach." Artie says.

"We're riding to Sectionals together. Or we're not going at all. And to pay for the bus, we're having a bake sale." He decides. Groans come from around the room. Will then goes to the door to let in several people pushing empty wheelchairs. "St. Ignatius nursing home was having a tag sale, and my AV club friends here agreed to help out. I want to say thank you to Violet for inspiring me to make this decision. For the next week, each of you is going to spend three hours a day in a wheelchair. Oh, oh, oh. And we're doing a wheelchair number." He reveals.

Violet smirks at their shocked faces. "Fasten your seatbelts kiddies. You're about to get on the Artie Abrams Express."

= = =

Violet and Kurt are up at Burt's tire shop, bringing him a bag of donuts. "Where's my jelly creme center?" He asks.

Kurt smiles. "Sorry, dad, I must've forgotten."

Burt looks at Kurt. "What's up with your brain today? You know, I think it's going soft from all that crap you put in your hair."

Kurt rolls his eyes. "It's organic and I'm fine. I'm sorry, it's a glee club thing." He apologizes.

Burt raises an eyebrow. "It's not about a guy or girl, is it? 'Cause I'm not ready to have that conversation." He says while looking over at Violet. She's dressed up in a uniform for Hummel Tires and Lube. She and Kurt help Burt out when they can.

Kurt looks to Violet, who's currently working on someone's hood and looks back at Burt. "Oh, at least you don't have to worry about me getting someone pregnant." He chuckles, making his dad uncomfortable. Kurt sighs. "It's not a guy. And it's not Violet either. We're doing this amazing song for Sectionals, a personal favorite of mine, and Mr. Schuester won't give me a chance to sing it." He says sadly.

Burt looks at Kurt. "Why?"

"It's traditionally sung by a girl." Violet comments as she walks up to them.

Burt purses his lips together. "Well, you sing like a girl. You know, in a good way." He reassures his son, who nods. "Look, Kurt, I don't know how this music stuff works. I'm pretty exclusively committed to my Mellencamp collection. But isn't there more crossover nowadays? You know, chicks doing construction, guys wearing dress shoes with no socks? Didn't that girl from your high school just join the boy's wrestling team?" He asks.

Violet shudders. "Lauren Zizes is someone you don't wanna double cross. I've heard and seen that she's not afraid to body slam someone into the lockers for looking at her the wrong way." She explains.

Kurt also shudders. "Yes, but her parents had to sue the school." He answers his father.

Burt studies Kurt's face. "This is really getting you down, isn't it?"

Kurt looks down. "I'm full of ennui."

"So, it's ... really getting you down?" Burt reassures.

Kurt sighs. "Yes."

= = =

Will is talking to Rachel after talking to Burt earlier in Figgins's office. "I know this is going to be hard on you, Rachel, but I can't, in good conscience, preach about the importance of helping Artie and then reject Kurt's request out of hand."

Rachel looks like a kicked puppy. "So, you're giving him my part? This is totally unfair. You gave me the part." She vents.

"And I will give it to you again. If you can sing the song better than Kurt." He says. He waits for Rachel to take her seat in her wheelchair before he continues. "Now, all of you are going to judge, and in the spirit of full access, each of you is going to get a vote. Whatever singer has the most votes, gets the part."

"This isn't going to be about talent, Mr. Schuester. It's going to be a popularity contest." Rachel says smugly.

"Stop right there. Mr. Shue, if I may." Kurt says and wheels to the front of the room and faces the rest of the group. "We all know I'm more popular than Rachel. And I dress better than her. But I want you all to promise me that you're going to vote for whoever sings the song better. Raise your right hand." He says. Everyone raises their right hand with varying levels of enthusiasm.

Brittany raises her left hand. "Your right hand, Brittany."

Santana pats Brittany's right hand. "It's this one." She whispers.

"Sorry." Brittany says quietly.

"Repeat after me. I promise to vote for whoever sings the song better." Kurt says.

"I promise to vote for whoever sings the song better." New Directions recites.

Kurt smiles. He faces Rachel. "It's on." He does a twirl in his wheelchair and goes back to his position amongst the group.

The school bell rings.

"All right, guys." Will dismisses.

Everyone but Rachel leaves.

"Maybe one of these days you'll find a way to create teaching moments without ruining my life." She states. She goes to exit and bumps her wheelchair into the doorway on the way out.

= = =

Finn, Quinn, Santana and Puck are on cupcake duty at lunch. Violet is sitting a few tables away, preparing her packed lunch she'd made at the Hummel house. She sees Kurt struggling to get condiments whilst in his chair, so she wheels over.

"Mind if I try?" She asks. Kurt gives a sigh.

"If you can." He replies.

Violet sees the ketchup packs he's trying to reach for. She parks her chair on its hind wheels, pushes herself up using just her arms, and grabs two packets. She settles into her chair, handing the ketchup packets to a gobsmacked Kurt.

"How-How did you do that?" He asks with wide eyes.

Violet shrugs. "Practice." She answers as they wheel to their table. She wheels herself backwards and returns to her original place.

Kurt looks at her with awe in his eyes. "You can do things so easily in that chair."

Violet nods. "I spent two weeks in a wheelchair in 2nd grade after Artie got into the accident that put him in the chair. And every year for Disability Awareness Week, I use a school wheelchair to support Artie." She explains.

Kurt's taken aback by the sheer loyalty Violet has to Artie.

Her loyalty is another reason added to the list of things that's made Kurt fall in love with her all over again for years.

= = =

Artie and Violet are helping the New Directions use their chairs. Right now, it's a double turn. "The key to a double turn is to just go for it. You push with the right wheel and pull as hard as you can with the left, and find a spot on the wall to spot you so you don't get dizzy." He says. "Violet, care to demonstrate?"

Violet performs a double turn, spotting a place on the wall so she doesn't get dizzy.

"You do it just like that." Artie says, beaming at his friend. Violet beams back.

Everyone starts doing double turns, with varying levels of enthusiasm and success.

"Okay, guys, take five, all right? Oh, remember to show up early on Thursday. It's Rachel versus Kurt for the big solo." Will says.

Everyone starts wheeling out.

= = =

In the choir room, Violet is sitting at the piano, labeling certain keys. She puts a gold star on a high F. Kurt starts singing, ascending with each high note. Violet hits the high F key, and Kurt hits the high F note, smiling triumphantly.

"I did it. I did it!" He cheers. Violet smiles as he pulls her into a hug. "I'm so proud of you Kurt!" She says. When they pull away from the hug, their faces are mere inches from each other. Kurt lets his gaze fall to her lips before clearing his throat.

"Let's go tell my dad."

= = =

At Hummel Tires and Lube, Burt is angrily trying to make a pot of coffee when Kurt and Violet come in.

"Hey, dad." Kurt greets.

"Hi Burt." Violet chirps.

Burt grumbles. "What the hell is wrong with this machine?"

Kurt takes over with the coffee machine. "I hit it, the high F. The magical note I need for "Defying Gravity." I hit it. It means I'm going to win. And Violet helped me!"

"That's great. Good for you. Just how long till the damn coffee's ready?" Burt says rigidly.

Kurt's happy expression is gone. "What's going on?"

Burt sighs. "I got a phone call this morning. The anonymous kind. It was some dude telling me my son was a fag."

Violet covers her mouth with her hands. "They. Did. What?" She asks slowly. She couldn't be hearing this right. She just couldn't be.

Kurt's face falls slightly. "Oh. Well, that's not a big deal. I get that all the time." He shrugs it off.

"Yeah, but I don't. Now look, Kurt, I... I try to do right by you, you know, open some doors. What father wouldn't do that for his kid? And I know it's good for you to be out there with all this glee club stuff. I just... I don't want you to get hurt." Burt says.

"So you don't want me to audition for the solo?" Kurt asks.

Burt shakes his head. "No, no, let me be clear, all right? No one pushes the Hummels around. Especially cowards on the phone. Sometimes I just... I wish your mom was still around, you know? She was better at handling this kind of thing, you know, handling me. Well, congrats on, uh... You know, the cool A or the high C or whatever." Burt congratulates.

"High F." Kurt corrects.

Burt sighs. "Yeah."

Kurt walks towards the break room and Violet looks over at Burt. "Are you okay?" She asks.

Burt sighs. "Honestly? No. I mean, how does he just let this kinda stuff roll off his back?" He asks.

"Kurt's a tough nut to crack, Burt. But he just goes on about his day, knowing that one day, he'll rise above everyone else. I know he will." Violet says.

Burt's demeanor becomes much softer. "You love him, don't you?" He asks. Violet sighs.

"More than anything in the world."

= = =

It's Thursday. Time for the big diva-off. "All right, welcome to the glee club's first official diva-off." Will says. Everyone cheers and gets situated. "Let's get this party started."

Kurt and Rachel both sing 'Defying Gravity'.

[Defying Gravity by Rachel and Kurt]

When the song comes up to the high F, Kurt 's voice cracks while Rachel manages to nail it. Everyone applauds. Violet gives Kurt an encouraging smile. He returns it somewhat disappointed.

"Good job, Kurt. Good job." Will says.

In an instant, Violet realizes Kurt threw the entire thing.

= = =

Later that afternoon, everyone's gathered in the choir room. "Twelve hundred dollars. That's enough for the show bus and two cases of Natty Light for the ride home." Puck says, handing Mr. Shue the wad of cash from the bake sale.

"Oh, dream on, buddy." Will says. The group cheers and applauds. "I'm very proud of you guys. Artie... Why don't you bring this to Principal Figgins yourself?" He offers.

The group cheers and applauds again. Artie looks hesitant.

Finn looks at Artie. "What's wrong, dude?"

"I really appreciate what you guys did for me, but I'm not the only kid in a wheelchair at this school. And I'm sure there will be others after I graduate. And I know how important it is for all of us to go to Sectionals together, but I think I'd rather just get a ride from my dad and use this for a handicapped ramp in the auditorium." Artie says.

Will smiles. "Any objections?" He asks. No one objects.

"Well, sure beats having to carry him in every day." Finn jokes.

= = =

Kurt and Violet walk over to Burt in his tire store. "Hey, dad. What are you doing?" Kurt asks.

"I'm making biscuits. What does it look like I'm doing? How did the tryout go?" Burt asks.

"They gave the part to Rachel." Kurt and Violet answer.

Burt slams his hand down angrily. "I knew they were going to rig it. I'm going down to that school and I'm talking to Schuester."

"I blew the note. I wanted to lose." Kurt admits.

"Kurt, I stuck my neck out for you, and you go and you throw the game?" Burt asks incredulously.

Kurt sighs. "Dad, I've known who I was since I was five. I adapted. Being different made me stronger. And at the end of the day, It's what's going to get me out of this cow town. You never had to do that." He explains.

"I can handle myself just fine." Burt says adamantly.

"No, you can't. Not about this. That phone call yesterday was just the beginning. Especially if I get up in front of a thousand people to sing a girl's song. When I saw you right after you got the call, and you were so hurt and so upset ... It just killed me. I'm not saying I'm going to hide in the closet. I'm-I'm proud of who I am. I'm just saying that I love you more than I love being a star." Kurt reveals.

Burt and Violet both begin tearing up at his words. "You are your mother. You know, she was always the strong one ... Look, uh, You want to help me put a 195 on this bad boy, huh?" Burt asks.

"Let me change into my coveralls. This sweater's an Alexander McQueen." Kurt says and leaves for the men's restroom to change.

Violet smiles as she thinks about Kurt's ultimate sacrifice. Burt smiles knowingly. "How long did it take you to realize he threw that tryout?" He asks.

Violet smiles a bit more. "It was right after he finished. He had this look of disappointment on his face. That's when I knew he'd thrown the entire thing. I still voted for him, even though Rachel got the majority of votes." She says.

"He said everyone promised to vote for who sang the song better." Burt says.

Violet smiles. "I did. I voted for the person who sang the song with more feelings and emotions rather than hitting the high F. In my eyes, Kurt won by a landslide."

= = =

The New Directions are in the auditorium, onstage in their wheelchairs, performing 'Proud Mary' in their wheelchairs.

"This one's for you, Artie!" Finn says before the performance really starts.

[Proud Mary by New Directions]

When the performance is over, Will gives them a standing ovation. They chatter happily amongst themselves.

= = =

3688 words

Songs Mentioned/Performed
1. Dancing With Myself - Artie and Violet
2. Defying Gravity - Rachel and Kurt
3. Proud Mary - New Directions