Epilogue
Act 1: A work of art
Lancer could feel his bones jitter with worry. His heart was beating quite quickly. Sweat rolled down his forehead. His mind was overwrought but at the same time fired up with excitement. This was his chance to explain the true purpose of Romeo and Juliet.
Slowly Lancer walked in the center of the stage. "Good evening" he said.
"Good evening" the crowd replied in unison.
Collecting his inner thoughts, Lancer brought himself to ask, "Does anyone know the true purpose of Romeo and Juliet?"
The crowd was in silence. Lancer noticed the jumble of eyes staring at him, waiting and waiting. Just waiting. He did not know if they were tired of waiting and watching nothing. It crept up to his nerves. What if they do not like the play?
In surprise to Lancer, one person decided to raise her hand. It was a young girl, with brown curly hair and amber eyes. From the looks of it, she seemed to be the age of Danny and the others.
"It is a play. What about it? It is nothing more than a piece of romance from Shakespeare" the girl uttered.
Lancer replied with a smirk. "Yes it is a play but if you pay close attention to it, Shakespeare is trying to give us a message. Everyone knows Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy but why did Shakespeare base it on that theme itself? It is also romance so why did he not say Romeo and Juliet is romance or action? There are events in the play where people fight. However, instead of choosing the simple themes of just romance and action, Shakespeare combined it. Now the question I'm trying to imply is why he did so"
The girl was lost in words with the rest of the audience. She had no answer to Lancer's question so she sought it out through the people around her. She looked at the eyes of the plebeians but she only saw the state of confusion everyone expressed.
The factions were silent as was Jazz and Valerie who stood behind the curtains.
"He really got the crowd going for it" Valerie remarked, "They are questioning the reason of the play"
"It is just going according to plan" Jazz whispered.
"Yeah but I never knew Mr. Lancer could actually catch the attention of the crowd. Heck they don't even know its 8:30 already and the play hasn't started"
"He is buying time. That was his part and he is doing a rather good job. Now it is our turn"
Mr. and Mrs. Fenton and Tucker arrived in time to hear Mr. Lancer's announcement that bemused most of the audience.
Tucker realized the plan was going well and took the chance to play his part. "Mrs. Fenton, just stay here. I have to go backstage and get ready"
Mrs. Fenton nodded her head and agreement and Tucker raced off.
Tucker arrived at the backstage and met up with Dash and Paulina who were standing behind the curtains watching Mr. Lancer.
Dash spotted Tucker. "Just in time! I thought you would never come!"
"You were waiting for me?"
"Yeah!" Paulina intruded. "Danny and Sam is not here yet so Mr. Lancer is buying us time. Do you know where they are? The play was suppose to start a long time ago but the two lead characters aren't here!"
"Calm down" Tucker reassured. "Lancer started the plan off and now we just have to finish it"
"I see everyone does not know" Lancer viewed. "The real reason is obvious. Love"
The heads of people turned from side to side in awe as to how simple the answer was.
"Love?"
"What about it?"
"Is that the reason?"
"It is so simple!"
Murmurs, whispers, and conversions started from that simple word Lancer spoke.
"Every person falls in love. Nevertheless, when you love, in the end someone in someway or another will get hurt. It cannot be help. Shakespeare pushed the idea and went above it. He decided to prove that love can overcome anything even death. As you know, in the end of the play Juliet dies because she loves Romeo. She took that risk for that simple reason. Love is sacrifice, love is pain but love is also good. Do not be afraid to love someone because you will get hurt. Jump and take the risk. That is the point of this whole play"
After finishing his statement, everyone applauded. The crowd of people cheered.
"To think the play didn't even start and Mr. Lancer already got the crowd excited. Not bad for a teacher" Valerie applauded.
Act 2: Just in Time
Danny Phantom flew in the air with Sam on his arms. He carried her as they raced with time.
"I hope we aren't late" Sam murmured.
"Trust me we aren't" Danny replied and raised his speed.
Finally spotting a section of Amity Park, Danny landed on the grass and transforming back to his human form.
"Let's go!" Sam urged and charged off with her heels.
Danny smiled at the scene. "I didn't know you could walk in heels"
Sam stopped in her tracks. "I had a lot of practice" she laughed and pulled Danny's hand.
Both arrived at the stage. Tucker, Dash, and Palina spotted the two and trotted towards them.
Paulina noticed Sam and Danny's clothing. "What happened to both of you! Your dress – ugh! You can't go out like that!"
Sam's once beautiful dress was cut un-evenly from the bottom. The sides of the dress had wholes and she still had the goo like substance stuck in her hair.
Danny in relation looked much worse. He had bruises and cuts on his cheeks. Half of his arm was still numb and his hands bled from the injuries he received. The two look terrible.
"This is no time for making fashion statements!" Sam sneered.
Danny pulled Sam's hand and stood in front of her. "Sam doesn't need to wear or put on make up, wear heels or beautiful dresses. She still looks beautiful even if she is a mess!"
Sam felt warm inside and wanted to thank Danny for defending her.
Paulina rolled her eyes. "That is sweet and everything but I was just going to say I have a dress made for Juliet. I thought I would be out of the hospital earlier so I asked father to get someone to make me one. However the doctor told me I had to rest so the dress is no use to me now"
"You are going to give me a dress?"
Paulina pulled back her hair with her free arm. "Give you?" she scuffed, "I'm going to lend you borrow it"
"Why!" Danny, Sam, and Tucker asked in unison.
"She's doing a favor for Sam. Why do you people need to keep asking?" Dash interrupted.
"I don't want to owe her anything" Sam scuffed clearly disapproving.
"This is once in a lifetime chance. I'm never going to be this 'giving' the next time I see you" Paulina retorted, "besides my dress is better than the one you already have"
Paulina looked at Danny. "I also made a perfect costume for you"
Danny raised an eyebrow.
"I thought you and I would do the play together but like I said my stupid ankle had to get in the way. It is really up to both of you if you want to take my offer or not. I'm not the one who will look like a fool"
Danny and Sam looked at each other as if they read each other's thoughts.
"Sam…we have to. Everyone worked hard for this play to happen" Danny pleaded. He took her hand and held it tight.
"Gosh!" Sam thought, "If he didn't hold my hand like this then I would've said no!"
Sam sighed. "Fine. But this is the first and last time I will ask her for help!" Sam ushered her finger to Paulina.
Act 3: Let the Play Begin
Jazz walked into the middle of stage next to Mr. Lancer. She smiled widely and Lancer immediately knew the reason for it. The show was about to start.
"Thank you Mr. Lancer for your explanation. I hope that everyone can understand the concept of the play now" Jazz announced, "And now what everyone has been waiting for – Romeo and Juliet!"
Everyone applauded. Lancer walked pass Jazz and uttered something in her ear. "Great job"
All Jazz did was smile in reply.
The curtains finally opened and the stage was revealed to the eyes of the audience. Everyone even Lancer sighed in disbelief. The setting was magnificent. The platforms, the battle scenery, and the perfect imaging of the lights illuminated the wonderful stage.
Valerie walked in the stage wearing her costume. "The story begins with the battle of Romeo and Juliet's family"
Tucker and Dash walked in each side wearing their costume.
"Alas I have met you and this will your last day that you shall ever see Dawn again!" Tucker proclaimed holding his plastic sword in the air.
"We shall see!" Dash snapped drawing forth his sword too. The two charged towards one another. Their plastic swords clashed as if they were in a real battle.
Tucker and Dash continued fighting. Dash was getting the upper hand and Tucker was slowly being driven back.
Giving a final shot, Dash took his sword and pierced through Tucker's costume.
The audience went wild. Did Dash kill Tucker? The acting of the two boys was magnificent. They really caught the attention of the audience.
Later on, the play was finally to the part of the climatic kiss. Sam who played Juliet was crying as she saw her Romeo laying on the floor unconscious.
"Romeo thou shall not be alone. Thou love is greater than thy death. I will be joining you my love" Sam spoke with pain and sorrow in her voice. She kneeled down to Danny and gently kissed him on the lips.
Everyone watched in awe. Jazz and Valerie cheered with joy. They hugged one another in tears. Tucker and Lancer were crying with jubilance. Teacher and student hugged one another.
"It happened! It finally happened!" Lancer proclaimed. "The kiss! She did it! I am so proud!"
Dash and Paulina could not also help but smile. They did admit to themselves how sweet Danny and Sam looked. Realizing the fact that both Danny and Sam meant to be together, Paulina and Dash moved closer until they were side by side.
With the final scene finished everyone in the play all went into the center of the stage and bowed together.
Danny and Sam glanced at Danny's parents who embraced one another. They noticed that everyone in the crowd was moved by the play.
"Sam" Danny called.
She turned to Danny indicating she was listening.
"That was a nice kiss" Danny smiled.
Sam paid no attention to the yelling and shouting of the audience. All she listened to and cared about was Danny's voice. She smiled in return and embraced him as if she never did before.
FINISHED!