[ Autumn, Julian | 4h | 1500c ]
One afternoon, you’re walking across campus when you see Autumn and Julian rush by!
ADDISON: Whoa, you guys are going somewhere fast. What’s up?
JULIAN: No time to stop!
AUTUMN: Walk and talk with us, Addison!
JULIAN: More like run and talk!
You about-face and start running alongside them.
ADDISON: So… what’s going on?
You, Autumn, and Julian rush across campus together.
AUTUMN: Julian and I are going to sign up for the Annual County Charity Dance-a-thon! But the deadline to enter is coming up really quickly! We’re running to the county office today to drop off the paperwork! Want to come with?
ADDISON: Of course! It’s nice of you to volunteer for charity. What inspired you to do this?
AUTUMN: It’s something I used to do at my old school actually…
ADDISON: At Hearst High?
AUTUMN: No… the school I went to before that. Twin Branches. I totally forgot about it until I saw a flyer for the dance-a-thon. And then I thought it would be fun for us to get involved too!
ADDISON: How’d you get Julian to join with you?
JULIAN: It’s hard to say ‘no’ to Autumn.
AUTUMN: That, and I told him that the prize for staying on the dance floor the longest is a weekend at the charity founder’s lakeside cabin! Doesn’t that sound fun?
ADDISON: Totally!
You all arrive at the county office to drop off the paperwork for the dance-a-thon. Autumn and Julian walk up to the receptionist’s desk and talk to her. They come back to you with concerned expressions.
ADDISON: Something wrong?
AUTUMN: Apparently, we need an entry fee before they’ll let us join… and Julian and I don’t have the funds…
JULIAN: Hey, Addison, want to donate to a good cause?
[ Spend 30000 coins | None | 100b ]
You walk into the county office with Julian and Autumn and watch them turn in their application and entry fee.
ADDISON: So are you officially in?
JULIAN: We’re not done yet. We still need a sponsor from the community to help us. The sponsors pledge money, so that the more we dance, the more they donate.
AUTUMN: They’re donating to the Cybersmile charity this year, so I really want to help them out.
ADDISON: Do you know any sponsors?
AUTUMN: At my old school, we asked at this one sports store nearby. They often donate to school charities. We should stop by!
You, Autumn, and Julian walk to the front of the store to talk to the owner about donating to your cause. But two people have already beaten you there!
OWEN: Twin Branches thanks you for your generosity, Mr. Workman! The charity’s going to love how much you pledged for the dance-a-thon!
KIMI: Yeah, this is so great! Goodbye!
They turn and nearly run smack into your group! Autumn gasps.
OWEN: Autumn? Wow, I nearly didn’t recognize you without your glasses!
KIMI: It’s a good look for you!
AUTUMN: Owen? Kimi?
JULIAN: Uh, who are these people?
AUTUMN: Julian, Addison, these are some friends from Twin Branches, my old school. This is Owen. He’s a football player, like you, Julian. He’s actually the star player at Twin Branches…
OWEN: Thanks, Autumn! But I’m not the only guy on the team. We all work pretty hard.
AUTUMN: This is Kimi. Kimi is… well, she’s kind of everything. She did a school play, she was on the cheerleading team, and she had this crazy viral YouTube video that went big…
KIMI: Oh, let’s not bring that up… I’m just Kimi. Regular, fashionable old Kimi.
ADDISON: So what bring the two of you here?
KIMI: In kind of a nutshell, Owen and I had a bad semester, and we’re partnered up doing some community service for school, and--
OWEN: They don’t want to hear our life story, Kimi. We’re just getting sponsorship for the Annual County Dance-a-thon! Mr. Workman just pledged a ton for our school if we stay on the dance floor for the entire night! What are you doing here?
AUTUMN: The same thing, actually… we were just about to ask Mr. Workman if he’d pledge for us.
ADDISON: I don’t suppose Mr. Workman’s going to want to sponsor two schools?
KIMI: Sorry… I don’t think that’s how it works…
OWEN: But there are plenty of other stores and businesses willing to donate. Good luck! I hope you do find someone. It’ll be fun to see you at the competition… Before we take you down, of course!
JULIAN: Think you can take us? We can dance until dawn.
KIMI: OMG, I have always wanted to say this… BRING IT ON!
OWEN: Come on, Kimi, we have some practicing to do if we’re going to talk that big. See you later, Autumn!
Owen and Kimi hug Autumn, then walk away, laughing.
ADDISON: Ha ha, they’re pretty funny. I like them.
AUTUMN: Me too! But anyway, if Mr. Workman can’t sponsor us, then we’ll have to figure out someone who will.
ADDISON: Let’s talk to some people who are really social. I’m sure they’ll have someone in their network who can help us.
[ A Level 4+ Prep except Addison, A Level 4+ Actor (Dale, Laurie) | 6h | 1600c ]
DALE: You want someone to help sponsor you for this dance-a-thon?
ADDISON: Yeah, do you guys know anyone who would be able to do that?
LAURIE: Dale and I know a couple of business owners on Main Street.
DALE: Yeah… let me think… Okay, I’ve got this. Mr. Cole at Hardhat Hardware has donated to a charity run for me in the past. He’s a bit of a grump, but he has a soft spot for a good cause…
LAURIE: Yes, he’d be great!
JULIAN: Great! Let’s find him before someone else does!
A little later, Dale and Laurie bring you to Hardhat Hardware downtown where gruff Mr. Cole sits behind the counter. In a rough voice, Mr. Cole demands to know why he should help you.
ADDISON: Pledging money to Autumn and Julian would be a good investment because… Maybe you’ll meet someone special! This is going to be the social event of the season, Mr. Cole… you never know who might be there! Don’t you think it’s time you settled down?
Mr. Cole clears his throat and points at a picture of his wife and children on the wall behind him.
ADDISON: Uhh…
LAURIE: Sorry about that, Mr. Cole. Addison’s a serial matchmaker!
DALE: But it’s only because we care so much about helping others! Just like you’d be helping the Cybersmile Foundation by pledging your support!
LAURIE: That’s right! Cybersmile is committed to helping teens deal with cyberbullying. They’ll definitely put your donation to good use!
DALE: So what do you think, Mr. Cole? Can we count on your support?
Mr. Cole seems impressed and agrees to sponsor Autumn and Julian! You leave the store, cheered by your success.
AUTUMN: Well, we’re sponsored, and we’re in! Now all that’s left to do is make sure we stay on the dance floor. I hope I’ll be able to stand up that long.
ADDISON: I have an idea. Why don’t we ask the dance team for some tips?
[ A Level 5+ Dancer, A Level 4+ Dancer (Sheridan, Val) | 8h | 1700c ]
SHERIDAN: Hey, Addison, I heard that you needed our help training?
ADDISON: Yeah, Autumn and Julian are going to be the stars of the dance-a-thon. They could use some practice.
VAL: Awesome! Dancing is what we do best.
SHERIDAN: The main thing to focus on during the dance-a-thon is making sure that you’re dancing correctly with your partner. If you’re moving together and well, then you don’t waste as much energy. And if you’re not wasting energy, you’re more able to win the prize! Ready to get started?
AUTUMN: Yes, we are!
SHERIDAN: What about you, Addison?
ADDISON: Me?
JULIAN: Hey, if we’re dancing, you should too! For moral support!
ADDISON: Okay! Let’s do this!
Several hours later…
SHERIDAN: All right! I know you’ve been dancing for hours, but let’s take it from the top one more time. You ready?
JULIAN: More than ready!
ADDISON: Yep!
Sheridan takes three steps to the right and twirls! Autumn and Julian move to do the same. You take… three steps left. You dance away from Autumn and Julian, realize your mistake, and try to correct it!
VAL: That was… well, Autumn and Julian, that went great!
Sheridan sweeps an arm out gracefully and spins twice!
SHERIDAN: And spin!
You spin… and get off sync from Autumn and Julian!
VAL: Aw, that’s okay, Addison! Close enough!
Sheridan ends the dance with a flourish! You, Autumn, and Julian follow!
VAL: Excellent! Wonderful work!
SHERIDAN: You guys did really great! I think you’re ready for the dance-a-thon!
AUTUMN: Yeah!
SHERIDAN: Now hit the showers… or, you know, go home!
You, Autumn, and Julian walk towards your cars.
JULIAN: I feel pumped! I think we’ve got this in the bag. We are going to win that trip to the lake house for sure.
ADDISON: I hope so. Owen and Kimi seemed like they were really into it. Autumn, how do you think we’ll do?
AUTUMN: Owen is a football player, so he’ll have a lot of energy, and Kimi… well, it’s hard to turn her off. But I think we definitely stand a chance! And, you know, whoever wins, we’ll still have a lot of fun!
JULIAN: Yeah… you know, it’s funny. Even though they’re on the other side, I’d rather see Kimi and Owen win than anyone from Hearst.
ADDISON: Yeah, I meant to ask you, Autumn. Those guys from Twin Branches don’t seem all that bad.
AUTUMN: No, they aren’t. People were pretty nice at Twin Branches. I only left because I had a bad run-in with one of the not-so-nice people, but it was a good school. I sometimes miss it. I even kept my school ID on the chance I’d transfer back.
JULIAN: Oh. Really?
ADDISON: Well, I’m glad we’re facing your friends. It’s better than competing with people who are out to get us like Kara and Max. Anyway, the dance competition’s this weekend. Get some rest. I’ll meet you there.
[ Addison, Autumn, Julian | 10h | 1800c ]
At the dance-a-thon, you meet up with Julian and Autumn to sign them up at the registration table.
ADDISON: Got your school IDs? You’ll need them to register.
AUTUMN: Yep! I have both Julian’s and mine here.
ADDISON: Great… okay, now it’s official! You two are in!
AUTUMN: Awesome! Are there any rules we need to know?
KIMI: We can help with that.
AUTUMN: Owen! Kimi!
OWEN: The rules are pretty simple… stay on the dance floor as long as possible!
JULIAN: That’s it?
KIMI: Well, there’s something about getting a ten-minute break where two people can temporarily sub in for you and being sure there are only registered people from your school on the floor, but blah blah blah… who cares, right?
AUTUMN: Hey, we do! We have our eyes on the prize. We’re going to win this thing!
JULIAN: And show the entire city whose school is the best!
OWEN: I guess Kimi and I will have to bring our A-game tonight.
KIMI: May the best school win!
Before you can wish them luck, though, Owen and Kimi are shoved away from the table by a hulking guy walking through.
KIMI: Ow! Hey!
JACK CARVER: Move out of the way, losers! No one’s winning this stupid event, except for me! I got big plans for that lake house, and if any of you bozos tries to get in my way, you’ll regret it.
He swaggers away from everyone and onto the dance floor.
JULIAN: Hey, you okay?
OWEN: Yeah, thanks.
KIMI: Geez, what’s with that guy? It’s a dance-a-thon for charity, not a convention for jerkfaces.
AUTUMN: Yeah!
ADDISON: Well, the best thing you can do is beat him.
OWEN: Oh, we plan on it. Good luck out there.
AUTUMN: You too!
ADDISON: All right, Autumn and Julian, you guys are up. Remember, stay on the dance floor as long as you can!
AUTUMN: Right!
A few hours later, you find Autumn and Julian still on the dance floor, going strong!
ADDISON: Looking good, you two!
AUTUMN: And one, two, three… one, two, three…
JULIAN: You know that we don’t actually have to waltz to win, right?
AUTUMN: But it’s more fun this way, isn’t it?
JULIAN: Ha ha, I guess…
You meet with Autumn and Julian at the edge of the dance floor.
AUTUMN: Wow, a lot of people dropped out in the last ten minutes there…
ADDISON: Yeah! There’s only three couples left! You two, Kimi and Owen, and Jack Carver and his date! You just have to stay on a little longer, and you’ll be the last ones standing for sure!
AUTUMN: Yay!
ADDISON: So how are you two doing?
AUTUMN: Good, but my legs are starting to feel a little shaky. I could use a quick break…
ADDISON: Let me grab some subs for you, so you guys can get some water.
[ A Level 5+ Dancer, A Level 6+ Jock except Addison and Julian (Sheridan, Finley) | 11h | 1900c ]
You bring over Sheridan and Finley.
SHERIDAN: The cavalry has arrived!
FINLEY: Yeah! Get off the floor and walk it off!
They walk onto the dance floor, while you take Julian and Autumn aside.
ADDISON: Okay, so you guys have ten minutes before the subs have to come off the floor.
AUTUMN: That’s perfect. I just need to sit down for a couple minutes, and I’ll be able to finish the set out.
JULIAN: I’m going to find some water.
ADDISON: All right. I’m going to stay here and make sure you don’t go over your time limit.
Nearby, Kimi and Owen also step off the dance floor to take their ten minute break.
KIMI: Man, I’m so thirsty. I’ll be right back, Owen.
Julian and Kimi open a hallway door, spotting a drinking fountain at the end of the hall.
KIMI: I saw your moves out there. Pretty slick. But I don’t think that’ll be enough to win. Not with me and Owen tearing up the dance floor.
JULIAN: It’s more about endurance than style. And Autumn and I have a lot of energy left.
KIMI: So do me and Owen!
They reach the water fountain.
JULIAN: Ladies first.
Kimi starts to take a drink of water, but suddenly the door to the hallway shuts with a loud bang! Julian runs to the door and tries the handle, but it won’t budge!
KIMI: Julian, look!
Julian looks up and sees Jack Carver’s face in the window above the door!
JACK CARVER: You think you can beat my team? Nice try, suckers! I hope you enjoy your lame weekend… because it won’t be in a cabin!
He turns away with a laugh. Julian tries banging on the door, but the dance music prevents anyone from hearing him.
KIMI: Oh no! We’ll never get back in time to get on the dance floor! What are we going to do?
Back on the dance floor, you watch Sheridan and Finley waltz around.
ADDISON: Looking great, you guys! Thanks for subbing!
FINLEY: This is super fun!
SHERIDAN: Anything for a good cause!
Autumn and Owen come up to you with worried looks on their faces.
AUTUMN: Hey, Addison, have you seen Julian around? I haven’t seen him since we went on break, and our time’s almost up.
OWEN: Actually, I’m having the same problem. Kimi’s still not back from the water fountain.
ADDISON: You guys should probably stay near the dance floor, in case they call you back. I’ll go look for them.
You locate the door to the hall with the drinking fountain and see Julian and Kimi banging on the door. You shout through the window.
ADDISON: Julian, what happened?
JULIAN: It’s locked! We can’t get out… Jack jammed the door handle! Can you open it?
You try the door handle, but it’s stuck! You look around, hoping to find someone who can help you, but everyone’s on the dance floor!
ADDISON: Hold on! I’ll be right back!
You run back to Autumn and Owen.
AUTUMN: Addison! Did you find Julian?
ADDISON: Yeah! Julian and Kimi are trapped in the other room!
AUTUMN: Oh no… they’re calling us back onto the dance floor! If Julian and I don’t get on the dance floor right now, we’re disqualified!
ADDISON: It’s okay. We can just get Sheridan and Finley to stay in while we free Julian and Kimi.
OWEN: Actually, the subs are only supposed to stay in for ten minutes. They can’t take over for your team.
ADDISON: Well, maybe I could dance with Autumn.
AUTUMN: I wish you could, but you’re not actually registered to be on the floor.
ADDISON: What are we going to do?
AUTUMN: Wait! I have an idea…
[ Autumn | 12h | 250b ]
AUTUMN: I know! The rules say you have to have a student ID for the school to be on the team, and I still have my Twin Branches ID!
OWEN: You do?
AUTUMN: Well… of course. The entire photography exhibit aside, I did have a lot of good times there!
OWEN: Oh, right… with Wes, you mean?
Autumn blushes.
AUTUMN: In any case, they’re calling us back onto the dance floor. You ready?
OWEN: Yeah… ready to show Jack Carver that he can’t get away with cheating! Autumn, can I have this dance?
While Autumn and Owen dance against Jack Carver, you tell the still-trapped Julian and Kimi what’s going on.
JULIAN: So Autumn’s subbing for Kimi?
ADDISON: Yeah… it was the only way to keep both of them in the dance-a-thon. At least we have half a shot at winning. How’s it going in there?
KIMI: Well, we have the water fountain and some great interior lighting, but otherwise…
JULIAN: It’s boring. Did you track down a moderator or anyone to get us out yet?
ADDISON: Sorry, guys. No moderators, but I did find a janitor. He’ll be here soon. I’ll wait until he gets here.
KIMI: No, don’t do that. Go support Autumn and Owen!
JULIAN: Yeah, I want them to take Jack Carver down!
Back on the dance floor, Autumn and Owen are still dancing, competing against Jack Carver and his date. Both couples look exhausted, but they’re the only ones left.
ADDISON: Come on, Autumn and Owen! Go, Twin Branches!
AUTUMN: Owen, I’m so tired. I don’t think I can move anymore.
OWEN: Yes, you can. Pick up those feet! You can’t let Jack Carver win this round!
AUTUMN: You’re right. For Julian!
OWEN: And Kimi!
Autumn and Owen dance in one more circle on the floor, eclipsing Jack!
JACK CARVER: Oh no you don’t!
Jack and his date try to pick up their feet, but end up stumbling and falling outside the dance floor!
ADDISON: Yeah! Autumn and Owen are the winners of the dance-a-thon!
Later, after Julian and Kimi have been freed, Owen collects a trophy and a certificate promising him a weekend at the lake house! You, Autumn, Julian, and Kimi surround him as he steps off the stage.
KIMI: You did it, partner! It’s just too bad that I wasn’t there to help.
OWEN: Good thing that Autumn was able to switch sides.
Owen turns to you, Autumn, and Julian.
OWEN: Speaking of which, Twin Branches couldn’t have won without your school’s help. So, it’s only fair that we share the prize with you. Group trip to the lake house?
KIMI: And don’t even THINK about turning us down, Addison!
ADDISON: Then I guess I won’t!
KIMI: Squee! This is going to be SO much fun! There’ll be boats to rent, and mountains to explore, and stars to stare at, and eats to, well, eat!
OWEN: Whoa, there, Kimi. Save some of that energy for these mountains we’ll be climbing.
AUTUMN: Sounds like you really planned this out…
KIMI: Well, you know, lake house weekend! There’s no time to waste! Grab your friends, Addison, and let’s go!
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