Table Read - The Understudy Act Two

Episode Date: January 11, 2026

The wish came true.Now the consequences begin.Natalie Primavera is trapped in a hospital bed, her body broken, her future uncertain — while her mind is stuck inside Ava Ross, a dancer who was never supposed to be good enough for the spotlight.Ava, meanwhile, is living inside Natalie’s perfect body… and discovering that perfection is a prison with great lighting.As Nutcracker rehearsals intensify, the magic destabilizes. Roles are threatened. Loyalties fracture. The Sugar Plum Fairy becomes a battleground. And the line between ambition and identity starts to blur.Friendships turn sharp. Parents get complicated. Romance gets messy. And a Romanian ballet master with secrets of his own begins pushing both girls toward a reckoning neither of them is ready for.Act Two is where the comedy deepens, the stakes rise, and the story stops being about switching bodies — and starts being about who deserves the life they’re fighting for.Because wanting something badly doesn’t mean you understand the cost.It’s still funny.It’s still chaotic.But now it hurts in the best way.Written by award-winning writer Jenna St. John.Starring: Kensington Tallman as Natalie Primavera Logan Laurel as Ava Ross Konstantin Lavysh as Mr. Constantine Carson Bolde as Grayson Garcia Sasha Knight as Trevor Rita Dos Santos as Kenzie Samantha A. Smith as Jasmine Kearn Eva Binder as Zoe Dennings Adele Abinante as Bean Ross Avery Clyde as Mrs. Primavera Katherine Brunk as Ms. Ross Brandon Potter as Mr. Primavera Sarah Elmaleh as Miss Lana Miki Yamashita as Miss Miyako Paula Tiso as NarratorOnly on Table Read.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Okay, so check this out. Last episode, Natalie Primavera, our school's diva ballerina, auditioned for the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Nutcracker. My best friend, Ava Ross, who's only been dancing for five years, also went for it. Our new ballet director, Mr. Constantine, is also super weird and creepy. But anyway, Natalie got the role, and Ava got cast as her understudy. To celebrate, Natalie took this epic Instagram shot on a bridge. At the exact same time, Ava made a wish on Mr. Constantine's magic snowboard.

globe to be Natalie. Natalie falls off the bridge and midfall, they switch. So now Ava is stuck in Natalie's body in a coma at the hospital. I know, super dark. And Natalie is in Ava's body. Natalie thought about switching back, but she decided to stay in Ava's body and have her moment as the sugar plum fairy before switching back to her injured body and saying goodbye to ballet forever. The problem is Ava's mom and little sister are getting suspicious, not to mention Me, Theo, and Ava's boyfriend, Trevor. Not sure how Natalie's going to pull this off, but let's see. Ava's bedroom night.

Early morning and still dark. Ava's phone chimes. 5 o'clock a.m. Natalie shuts off the alarm and jumps out of bed. Exterior street, sunrise. Natalie jogs as the sun rises. Natalie snaps a photo of the sunrise. She posts the photo on Ava's Instagram page with the caption,

early bird gets the worm. Hashtag Sugar Plum Fairy, hashtag Nutcracker. Interior Ava's bedroom day. Bean wakes up and sees Natalie at her dresser doing ballet bar exercises. Bean points two fingers from her eyes to Natalie to say, I'm watching you. Interior Ava's hallway, day. Bean rattles the lock knob of the bathroom door.

Please, I need a pee. Interior Ava's bathroom day. Natalie puts her hair into a perfect high bun. She's applying the lipstick she stole from her room and takes a selfie with Ava's phone. She posts the photo on Instagram with a caption. Hashtag 2-2-Tuesday. Hashtag Bunhead. Hashtag Sugar Plum Fairy.

Interior, Ava's Kitchen Day. Ms. Ross has breakfast ready. Fruit Loop cereal. Bean is chowing down and Natalie makes a face at the bowl. Do we have any coffee? When did you start drinking coffee? Now? Figure I should start.

caffeine is a drug, you know. Ms. Ross walks to the counter to pour an extra cup of coffee. Bean pulls out a pill container from Ms. Ross's purse and pushes it towards Natalie. Natalie snatches it and tosses it back into the purse. Hey, stop being weird. Interesting. Bean jots in her diary as Ms. Ross hands Natalie a mug of coffee. Natalie takes a sip and makes a disgusted face.

Ms. Ross folds her arms. and eyes Ava nervously. With your AP classes, your work study, and college applications, maybe we should talk about switching roles. You too? I'm the sugar plum fairy. Ava, this is just an extracurricular. You're not a ballerina.

Wow. I mean, I don't blame you for thinking it. We're all thinking it, let's face it. This body's weak with shit training. But to say it out loud, to your own daughter? That's really cold, Mrs. R. Mom. Ms. Ross looks up, and her chin starts to train. I'm sorry, Natalie rolls her eyes.

Sorry, I didn't sleep. I just want to know what's going on. You skipped school, Ava. Natalie watches Ms. Ross fight tears for a moment and sighs in defeat. Bean is jotting in her notebook with fury. You really want to know what's going on? Yes. Just talk to me.

You won't get in trouble. Even after saying shit? You get dressed, please. Bean frowns and stomps off. Being a kid of shit. Okay, here goes. I'm not your daughter. I'm Natalie Prima Vera.

Ava made a wish on a magic snow globe to beat me, and so now she's stuck in my body in a coma, and I'm stuck in this one. But I'm going to turn Ava into a ballerina and basically save the show. And yeah, it is a lot of pressure. Ms. Ross looks at her wiping away tears from her cheek. Natalie Primavera?

Yes. Not funny, Ava. Interior Chemistry Classroom Day, Natalie and Grayson stand together at a lab table with textbooks and 3D atom models, Kenzie in front of them. Grayson peeks at Natalie's feet doing degaise while she scrolls through Ava's phone, reading comment after comment. You will never replace Natalie. Too stupid for tutus. Hashtag not my sugar plum fairy. The chemistry teacher, Mr. Hall, 40s, forgettable in appearance and a voice that could be mistaken for white noise. His sweater vest has a portrait of a cat.

In order to calculate the value of the enthalpy change of the reaction, we'll use the balanced equation for the oxidation reduction reaction. Kenzie turns around. Where'd you go yesterday? To the hospital. I wouldn't see... Natalie, Primavera? Oh, my God, I don't think I've ever seen her without makeup on.

How'd she look? Super messed up. Is it bad that that makes me happy in a small way? Yes! What's wrong with you? Kenzie's smile drops. Ava, do you have something you want to share with the whole class? Oh, me? No, thank you.

Then would you like to explain to the class what a happy atom is? One that doesn't take this class? Mr. Hall's face scrunches up. Uh-oh, he's going to cry. Mr. Hall's face scrunches up and tries to stifle himself from crying. Kenzie turns around, raises her eyebrows to say, What are you doing? What?

Since when does anyone care about chemistry? Kenzie and a few other classmates go up to comfort Mr. Hall. Natalie puts her face in her hands. Is he always, it's like brittle? Thank you. Catastrophe just died, Jack Hole. Who? His cat.

The class gathers to comfort Mr. Hall as he sobs. Natalie sits alone before rushing to grab the hall pass. Interior bathroom stall day. Natalie scrolls through her own, Natalie's social media feed. She scrolls past smiling picture after smiling picture.

Zoe and Jasmine enter. Natalie peers at them through the crack as Zoe puts in eyedrops and Jasmine has her phone out. Natalie can't get a clear look at what's happening. Zoe, you're ridiculous. No, watch. It's going to look authentic, okay?

On the count of three. Ready? One, two, three. Okay, duck it. Perfect. Looks kind of artsy. Do you think Timothy will see it? Ava's phone buzzes. Natalie looks at it. It's Zoe's Instagram page with a photo she just took, her face with one tear running down her cheek captioned. Devastated about my bestie at Natalie Primavera. Get better soon. You've got to be kidding. You're made to be the sugarcum fairy. Why didn't you just audition for it? deal with Natalie prima donna? Not worth it. Both girls laugh as they exit. Natalie's jaw

drops. Interior school hallway day. Natalie marches down the hallway, fuming. Trevor Joggs carrying his viola case and catches up with her. Aves! Avers! Ava! Nataly walks faster, dodging students. Slow down there, speed racer! Trevor Joggs in front of Natalie walks backwards. So, I'm I was wondering... You need to stop following me. Did I do something wrong? Natalie pushes past Trevor, and he keeps following her.

Wait, can you talk to me? Just cool it, okay? Cool it? What does that mean? Like, let's just pause this whole thing until after Nutcracker. That's three months, Eva. It'll be okay. Really?

Just focus on your tiny violin there, okay? Trevor runs into a water fountain and falls. Kenzie, at her locker, turns and sees this. Natalie keeps walking. It's a viola. Interior School Hallway Rehearsal Studio Day. Natalie starts to push the studio door open, but hears muffled sounds behind it. She peers through the window and sees Jasmine, Mr. Constantine, Miss Miyako, and Miss Lana all having a meeting.

Jasmine, if you wanted to play the Sugar Plum Fairy, you should have auditioned for it. and compete against my best friend? You guys know I couldn't do that. Look, Ava's a hobbyist. I'm hoping to go pro, so just start me off as an understudy. I mean, you can't risk the entire show by not having an understudy to the SPF, right? Natalie pulls away from the door, breathing heavily.

Interior locker room, day. Natalie gets dressed in her new dance attire, eyeing Jasmine and Zoe, who are lost in conversation as they stretch. Kenzie and Theo enter and approach Natalie. Senior dancer 17 gasps upon seeing Theo. Ew, Theo, Theo, get out of here. You're Natalie. This is an intervention.

I thought you'd be more like beautiful white swan Natalie Portman, but you're unraveling into psychopath, red eyes, black swan, Natalie Portman. Natalie is focused on laughter. It's Zoe and Jasmine. Kenzie and Theo exchange glances. Kenzie waves her hand as though to say, Chime in. Look, you skipped classes yesterday, and now you're blowing off Trevor.

We know you're going through a hard time, and we want to help, okay? Natalie eyes Kenzie and Theo standing in front of her. They're schlubby and mismatched. Natalie laughs. Why don't you guys just work on helping yourselves, okay? And what's her face is right? You're not allowed to be here. Natalie pushes past Kenzie and Theo. What's her face?

You're at my birthday party last week, bitch. Interior rehearsal studio day. Dancers line the wall seated with their various clicks, Jasmine with the cool kids on one side, and Kenzie and the Misfits on the other. Natalie weighs the two sides before, plopping down in the center of the studio. Mr. Constantine, Miss Miyako, and Miss Lana stand in front.

I have a couple of last-minute announcements. Ms. Jasmine Kern will be filling in as an understudy for the sugarplum fair. A few murmurs. Some polite claps. And the role will be subject to recasting at the discretion of myself and Miss Miyako. And me. I have a say to. Natalie shoots her hand up. Miss Ross.

Does this only apply to me? All soloists have an understudy. No. Am I the only one with a role subject to recasting at your discretion? Is there a deadline? Or am I just supposed to be on pins and needles until the show closes? Mr. Constantine and the other teachers look at each other. End of October, Halloween. And yes, it applies to all roles. Dancers burst out in angry protests.

Natalie Smirks. Enough! Natalie Smirks, satisfied and continues putting on her brand-new point shoes. Enough. Dancers quiet down. This is one of the top-performing art school in the country, and you all shit yourselves over a little competition. How many of you plan on dancing for a company?

Quiet. The best dancer for the role will play the part. Let's stop half-assing. What do you say? Yeah. In ballet, we only, full ass. Mr. Constantine looks at Natalie. May the best rise to the top. Natalie looks at Jasmine, who is smiling back at her confidently as she stretches her leg up to her ear. Next to Jasmine, Natalie also notices Grayson looking at her and quickly avert's eyes.

As dancers get up and gather their things, Natalie approaches Kenzie and Theo. So, are you losers ready to rise to the top? Interior, empty classroom, day. Natalie writes, RIP on the whiteboard. Kenzie and Theo are seated and exchanged looks. Are you going to kill us? First up, every morning starts with a run. I don't run.

Daily runs is the fastest way to increase stamina, the more stamina you have, the more you can practice. And practice makes perfect. Begin montage. Various. A. Natalie meets Kenzie and Theo in running attire. They begin their slow, pathetic jog around the school. Back to Interior Empty Classroom Day.

Step two. Incorporate ballet into everything. Let's face it. Jasmine, Zoe, and Brock. Put in the time. We have other things going on besides ballet. It's Christmas. It's September.

September to December is nutcracker season. The other things will be waiting for you in January. B. In chemistry class, Natalie is doing leg lifts while checking her own Instagram page. Comment. We miss you, Natalie. Comment. Get better soon. Mr. Hall is handing out test papers and puts Natalie's face down.

She flips it over and sees a large red F. Grayson looks over concerned. Natalie shrugs. See, Kenzie and Theo at rehearsal in their spot in the back. turns not as tight as the principals and leaps not as high. D. Sugar Plum Ferry Rehearsal. Natalie and Grayson are dancing up front, while Jasmine and Brock mirror them in the back.

Natalie is growing stronger. Her grande-chatees and near splits, but Jasmine's extends in an over-split and seems to linger in mid-air forever. Both pairs hit their ending pose. Natalie falls to the floor exhausted, looking over to Jasmine, who is all smiles? Eve, Ava's Kitchen. In point shoes, Natalie unloads the dishwasher going on point to put away dishes.

Bean quietly sifts through Ava's backpack, finding a receipt. Back to Interior Empty Classroom Day. Number three, post all the time. You both have less than 200 followers. Isn't this supposed to be about dancing? This is about being desirable. Natalie pulls up Zoe's Instagram page and swipes through photos of Zoe, amazing poses and perfect lighting.

If it's between you and Zoe, who do you think it's harder to say no to? F, outside. Natalie, Kenzie, and Theo are running steadily. G, hallway. Natalie at Ava's locker decorated with photos of Ava and Trevor. She closes it. Natalie opens Ava's locker. It's transformed with a collage of ballerina photos and quotes.

Trevor sees this from his locker across the hall and sadly pulls down a phone. photo of him and Ava looking happy. H. shots of the understudies in rehearsal in their spot in the back, extensions at their shoulders, but principals have their extensions by their ears. I, shot after shot of Ava, Kenzie, and Theo's Instagram pages, hearts growing by the hundreds. Back to Interior, empty classroom day. Kenzie stands up. Now your turn. Have you ever been winter soldiered?

Yeah, and I don't know about all this. Look, we're not them. Well, don't you guys want your chance at the spotlight? This is in, okay? Senior year, I want my swan song, and we have one last nutcracker. Jasmine Kern is not playing my role. R-I-P, bitches! Jay, Theo, Kenzie, and Natalie are all doing their morning jog,

this time, mixing in leaps and turns while they jog. Interior ICU room 202 night. Natalie walks in holding two coffees in a cardboard coffee lover's tray in one hand and Ava's phone in the other hand now full of pictures at rehearsal doing dance poses and selfies with Kenzie and Theo. All smiles. Followers are now at 7,860. Comment. You're beautiful, Ava! Ava is a hashtag ballerina boss.

Mr. Primavera straightens up with company. Natalie looks up and her smile drops upon seeing her body in casts and hooked up with tubes for the first time. Interior, rehearsal studio day. Sugar plum fairy, potad de. The pianist is now accompanied with a violinist. Natalie and Jasmine look nearly identical. Mrs. Primavera enters, and she double-takes seeing Natalie dance.

She leans into the wall, taking a deep breath, moved. After the final drop, Natalie sits on the floor out of breath. Mr. Constantine shakes his head. Notes. Mr. Constantine snaps. The musicians play the Paudet d'A. Tell me about this music. It's in 4-4 and the melody goes down a major scale and then there's two...

Stop talking. Mr. Constantine takes Natalie's hand and they step through the routine. This is the last piece, Chekhovsky wrote for this ballet after learning of his sister's death. So this song is about his sister? Wow. You really don't get it. Ms. Kern, let the teacher stick to teaching, eh?

Hmm. Can you hear it? Hear what? The heartbreak of saying goodbye. Natalie studies Mr. Constantine. He gives her a knowing nod. The music swells, and Natalie is swept up in the sad song. I'm not ready.

We don't say goodbye because we're ready. Both Miss Lana and Miss Miyako have tears in their eyes. Stop! I can't listen to this anymore. My divorce. Miss Miyako puts her hand on Miss Lana's shoulder. The musicians stop. Okay, dancers, I think that's all for today. Great rehearsal.

Remember, tomorrow, you can wear your Halloween costumes, but you still need to be able to dance. Natalie quickly grabs her bag, eyeing Mr. Constantine, who is talking to other. their teachers. Kenzie and Zoe and Brock and Theo. Can you stick around? Natalie's eyebrows shoot up. Kenzie, Zoe, Brock, and Theo moved toward the three teachers. Eva? Mrs. Primavera timidly approaches Natalie. Can I show you something? Interior, small studio day. Natalie is dancing the pot-de-do with Mrs. Primavera half-stepping through the role of Prince Cavalier. There's no music,

Just the sound of Natalie working, breathing, and point shoes, thumping and grinding. Mrs. Primavera corrects Natalie with gentle touches, pulling up her chin and arms. Natalie finishes with a smile. That's it. Beautiful. Thanks. I needed this. Your mom doesn't dance, huh? Who? Miss Ross? No, I think she wants me to quit.

Well, I'm happy to help any time. You and Natalie have the same bad habits. Sometimes it's easier for someone on the outside to see what's going wrong. Mrs. Primavera takes a sip of water. Natalie watches her mother, eyes darting to find something to say, but instead, mouths, you are my heart. Jasmine hops her head into the studio. Oh, sorry.

Are we still on? Oh, I think we're done here. Jasmine needs my help with her Royal Ballet audition. Natalie flashes Jasmine a stunned look. Jasmine winks. Interior School Hallway Day. Natalie enters the hallway from the studio and watches her mother and Jasmine through the window. Eyes starting to well.

Boo! Natalie jumps back in surprise and sees Trevor. What are you doing here? Rehearsing. Orchestra for the show. I'll be in the pit. You'll be dancing. We'll be together again.

I gotta go. Here. I wanted you to know I'm here for you. Always. And I'm wearing my half of our costume tomorrow. Your half, actually, don't tell me. She takes the flowers and heads down the hall. Trevor's chin trembles a bit.

Zoe bursts out of the studio sobbing with Brock comforting her. Kenzie exits with Theo a moment later watching Zoe and Brock. Kenzie and Theo exchange guilty glances. Interior, ICU room 202 night. Natalie enters with Trevor's flowers. Mr. Primavera is drinking coffee and has a second untouched cup. Nurse Sandy is switching out IV fluid bags. She

takes the flowers from Natalie and puts them in a vase. Any news? Is she stirring a lot? Doc thinks it can happen anytime now. You see your other friends around? Jasmine and Zoe and Brock? Yeah, every day in rehearsal. Mrs. Primavera, too.

Natalie sits down next to Mr. Primavera. He hands her the second cup of coffee. Ava's phone buzzes. It says, mom. Natalie swipes to ignore. Mr. Primavera looks at her, concerned. So tell me about yourself. What do you plan on doing after school? I plan to dance professionally, but that's not possible anymore. Well, Natalie would tell you that nothing is impossible. She has a goal and she's after it, like a, like a runaway train. Runaway train makes it sound bad. Mr. Primaveraer,

swallows. Looking at his daughter's body, Natalie grabs her father's hand. Interior, Ava's Kitchen, Day. Bean sits at the table dressed as Marie Antoinette with a bloody neck. Natalie enters dressed as the sugar plum fairy. Ms. Ross holds up a large gray sphere costume. Here it is. I wanted to show you last night, but... Is that a new costume? Oh, it's Venus. Oh, men are from Mars. Women are from Venus.

That is a cute couple costume. Interesting. I spent all night on this costume. Aw, that's so sweet, but we're not a couple anymore. You're not? What happens? I got to run. I need to get to the studio before anyone else.

It's two hours before school starts. Can we talk? Hi. Hello? Natalie walks off. Ms. Ross, with a flustered sigh, starts angrily opening mail and gasps as she pulls out a credit card bill of $2,670. dollars. Ava's bedroom day.

Ms. Ross walks into the bedroom. Bean following close behind her, she looks underneath Ava's bed, her dresser drawers. What are you looking for, Mom? Something isn't right with her. There's drugs, or she's cutting herself, or something. You're looking for drugs or razor blades? I'm looking for proof.

I'm not crazy. Bean walks over and pulls out a folder underneath her bed. She hands it to her mom. Ms. Ross's jaw drops seeing a chemistry test with an F on it. She flips through the folder paper after paper with D, C, F. Do better,

not your best, written in red ink. There's no drugs, Mom, other than the caffeine. But I have eight theories. Do you want to hear them? Mom, you listening? Hello? I need you to be quiet.

Ms. Ross's gaze is stuck on a large black and white poster over Ava's bed of Patricia McRide as the Sugar Plum Ferry. Ms. Ross peels off the corner of the poster revealing the Harvard flag underneath. Interior, ICU, room 202 day. P.O.B. of eyes opening.

We see Mr. Primavera, nurse Sandy, and Dr. Patel all standing above. Good morning. I'm Dr. Patel. Can you tell me why you're here? I'm in a hospital. You're at St. John's Hospital. Can you tell me your name? Ava Ross.

I'll exchange a concerned glance. What's your birthday? May 14th. They look at Mr. Primavera. He shakes his head. No. Who are you? Where's my mom?

Mr. Primavera's heart breaks. Some confusion is to be expected with this kind of trauma. Sandy, would you... The lights flicker. What was that? All look up. the ceiling. Ava's eyes squint, trying to make out her reflection in the TV hanging in the corner

of the room. She sees the fuzzy but recognizable image of Natalie's body. Ava screams and begins to scramble to get out of the bed. Dr. Patel and Nurse Sandy jump into action. Two milligrams of varazepam. Nurse Sandy applies some medication to the IV drip while Dr. Patel secures her arms and restraints. Eva POV, concerned faces blur to black.

Interior rehearsal studio day. Natalie dressed as the sugar plum fairy walks into the dark studio and plugs Ava's phone into the speakers. The pot-a-de-do music starts, and Natalie puts on her point shoes and starts to warm up. You know, it takes two to a pot-a-do. Grayson is standing at the door, dressed as a werewolf. What did you say?

I mean, it's kind of hard to dance, you know, without like a partner. Can I? Natalie nods. The two join together and begin to dance. I'm just making up for lost time. I can see that. Hey, do you know how Natalie is doing? How would I know that?

Well, I mean, her dad said you've been stopping by. I swung by the hospital. Why? He only met her once. I don't know, I mean, thinking about her. I was there when she fell, I feel like, I don't know, I should have said something to stop her. You can't stop a runaway train. They dance.

Awkward silence. Inspiration is a guest that does not willingly visit the lazy. Tchaikovsky said that. Is there a chip in your brain? What? Sorry, I'm a stupid joke. I mean, are you always, you know, like this intense? Yeah.

Is that a bad thing? Not at all. You know exactly what you want? I mean, she dressed as a ballerina for Halloween. That's like next level. Natalie blushes. Okay, look, so I got this offer from the Houston Ballet. Wait, what? That's amazing.

Yeah, well, that's the thing. I love dancing. But I don't know if I'm loved enough to commit my whole life to it, you know? All I've ever wanted to do is dance. Grace and smiles, they dance quietly for a moment. Hey, so do you want to, like, grab some food or coffee or watch a movie or honestly, whatever? Or whatever? Whatever will get you to hang out with me?

Are we not hanging out? I meant more like socially. Oh, oh, I don't date. I just, I don't have time, you know. I barely have the time to do anything. I haven't been to the movies since I was like nine. Since you were nine? You kind of go, it's amazing.

Popcorn, stadium seating, 3D, 45, 60. Natalie laughs. Does she like him? Grayson takes her hand to keep moving through the choreography. They look at one another and stop. Are they about to kiss? Grayson leans in, noses nearly touching when... Who is this guy?

They turn to see Trevor. He's dressed in a nude body suit with a short blonde wig and bright red lipstick. This guy. Who are you supposed to be? Wiley Cyrus. And you were supposed to be my recoupal. Oh, the planet costume. That's cute.

Dated, but cute. Well, I can see this isn't a pause button anymore. Stop button. Trevor leaves. Natalie's sheepish smile drops. Trevor pops back in. Everything hurts. My pinky hurts. I don't get it.

Trevor exits. The moment is gone. Interior school hallway day. The hallway is crowded with characters of bulls, cartoons, and tropes. Natalie is at her logger and sees a haunting grim reaper in her mirror. mirror. I'm not the understudy. I'm Clara. Natalie shuts her locker, revealing Kenzie dressed as Red Riding Hood and Theo as a wizard. What? And guess what? I'm the Russian soloist. That means I'm safe, right? Jasmine didn't take my role?

RIP! Natalie lifts Ava's phone just as a call comes in. Mr. Prima Vera pops on screen. Why is Natalie's dad calling you? Down the hallway, we hear a viola playing wrecking ball. playing Wrecking Ball. It's Trevor, playing the song, with his lip quivering, and he begins singing terribly.

We clawed, we chained our hearts in vain. We jumped, never asking why. Oh my gosh. Students giggle as Trevor, no, students giggle at Trevor, who keeps singing. Ava's phone buses again. Natalie answers. Hello?

Suddenly a string quartet pulls their instruments from their lockers and starts accompanying Trevor. Hello? Natalie woke up? Is that what you said? Natalie looks up and sees her mother,

Mrs. Primavera, walking the far end of the hall with her arm full of tutus. Mrs. Primavera is greeted by Jasmine with a hug. Why isn't Mom there? The choir, Glee Club, steps out from behind Trevor and starts singing the chorus of the song.

Hello? You're my wrecking ball, Eva. I have to go. Where are you going, Eva? The lights flicker. The roll of lockers thumb as though something were trying to escape. Natalie breathes in sharply as the grim reaper appears at the end of the hall behind Trevor. Did you see that? I don't think I'll ever unsee that. Is he naked? Where's his penis?

The locker right next to Natalie pounds from the inside. With every pound, the Reaper flickers closer and closer until... Till, Natalie screams and covers her eyes. As her scream echoes down the hallway, everyone goes quiet, and all eyes turn to her. Principal Waters clears his throat. Natalie uncovers her eyes and sees the principal dressed as the grim reaper. Interior, Principal Waters Office Day. Principal Waters sits behind his desk with Mr. Constantine, Miss Miyako, and Miss Lana standing beside him.

Across the desk, Natalie is seated with Ms. Ross. I'm sure you know why you're here. Ava's phone buzzes with Mr. Primavera calling. Natalie hits Signore, shoving the phone under her thigh. I'm not sure, actually. Her grades are dangerously low. And Mr. Hall has had a few comments about your attitude lately. Who?

Mr. Hall. Chemistry. Oh! Well, he's a very brittle man. Miss Lana nods. Ava! Not an insult. It's an observation.

And your mother is concerned with your behavior at home. You went to the principal to talk about my behavior at home? Ms. Ross pulls out the credit card bill. Now that I finally have your attention, you've spent over $2,000 on dance apparel. Point shoes are expensive. Do you want me to dance with dead shoes? It is dangerous to dance on dead shoes, Mrs. Ross.

Ms. Ross. And since when did you start Ubering everywhere? You know we can't afford that? If you haven't been participating in your work study, which is a required part of your tuition assistance. I've been working my as-but-off. Ava, we love your newfound dedication. It's remarkable how much you've transformed yourself in such a short time. We know you're working very hard on your dancing.

Silence. But? But we've collectively decided that Jasmine Kern will be taking over the sugar roll. What, no, no. I've worked too hard to be just the understudy. Actually, you won't be participating in this year's nutcracker at all.

But this is my last nutcracker. This was just supposed to be for fun. Eva, extracurricular for college applications? No, no! This is the most important thing to me. It's just a rollable in a high school production, Ava. This isn't your whole life.

This is some kind of lesson you're all trying to teach me? Yes, yeah, absolutely. I'm the sugar. I can do the role, get my grades up, and my work study. Please. Let me prove it to you. Interior rehearsal studio day. Everyone is wearing Halloween costumes.

Natalie is in the back of the studio dancing with Brock and glaring at Jasmine who is dancing the potadour with Grayson up front. Jasmine wipes a tear, missing a cue. Natalie rolls her eyes but continues dancing. I'm sorry. It got the better of me. The music stops. We're still going here. You four dance together. Wasn't our fault she messed up?

We had to stop every time you fell on your ass. Dance is chuckled. Enough. Miss Russ, a word? Oh, don't worry. We'll wait for you. Interior, Mr. Constantine's office day. Mr. Constantine closes the door.

You're being a sore loser. You made me the understudy. Principal Waters made you an understudy. If it was up to me, you'd be off this production. So you gave Jasmine the role to make me switch back? You promised to switch back when Ava woke up. Just one more show, please. Someday we all have to find our second dream.

I had to. Have you learned nothing from being Ava? Instead, you fail her classes, broke up with her boyfriend. He's a loser. He dresses as a naked woman and gets his whole class to play a song for her. Who does that for you, huh? Natalie is quiet, stung. Mr. Constantine pulls out the snow globe from his desk,

still illuminating a magnificent green and hands it to Natalie. She takes the globe with shaky hands. I did learn from being Ava. My friends are fake. My mother doesn't want anything to do with me if I can't dance, and the only thing I've been working towards my whole life is no longer possible. Why would I switch back? Natalie smashes the globe into the ground.

The room engulfs in green light and black smoke. until they form into two smoky dancers. Papers fly everywhere like snowflake, swirling. Natalie and Mr. Constantine are frozen in fear. What have you done? You've let them loose! The smoky dancers shoot out of the office window into the world. Papers fall to the floor as the room settles.

Natalie breathes uneasy, body paralyzed. Mr. Constantine scrambles to collect pieces of the globe. I'm so sorry. Sorry, Mr. Constance. Get out! Interior, Ava's Kitchen Night. Ms. Ross and Bean's faces are illuminated by a green glow. Ms. Ross's face is awestruck.

This is magical. Uh-oh. I've unleashed a monster. It's like a whole new world. I had no idea existed. It's just Instagram, Mom. They're seated at the breakfast bar looking at an iPad. And where's Ava?

Bean goes to Ava's page. Ava's page. Ms. Ross's brow furrows as she looks at picture after picture of Ava's dance poses. What's wrong? I don't recognize my own daughter. Theory 12. Have you noticed her dipping into a British accent? You delivered twins, didn't you?

Are you listening to me, Mom? Interior locker room night. Natalie handshaking empties out her locker. Ava's phone buzzes, Mr. Pimavera. Natalie swipes to ignore. Natalie shuts her now empty locker closed, turns, and shrieks. Kenzie is standing right there, arms crossed. You're quitting?

Did the karate kid quit when he broke his leg? Did Matt Damon quit when he was stuck on Mars? Why do you care? You got your role, you're welcome, by the way. For what? For what? For dragging you out for 5 a.m. runs, working with you, building your brand. I got you that role.

I didn't care that I was the understudy. This was about us making the best of our last nutcrack. before you're off to Boston. We're never going to have time like this again. You got up at 5 a.m. to spend time with me? Natalie softens. Then Ava's phone buzzes. Natalie jumps.

What's going on? I'm your best friend. Talk to me. Natalie exits, leaving her duffel bag behind. Kenzie sighs defeated. Picking up Natalie's bag and notices the Royal Ballet keychain looped around the zipper. Exterior, Mr. Hall's backyard, night.

Mr. Hall puts an open container of cat food on a small tombstone that reads, Catastrophe, the best cat ever. Several cats roam his yard. Things haven't been the same without you, Catastrophe. But we have a new friend now. Rex, you'd like him. I wish you could meet him. Mr. Hall exits.

A moment later, the smoky dancer enters the grave. and exits. The ground pulses. Interior, hospital room 304 night. Natalie enters cautiously. Her body lies asleep. Natalie walks toward her body and Ava's eyes open. Natalie shrieks. Shh.

Oh my gosh. What the hell? I've been pretending to be asleep so they won't talk to me. Ava examines Natalie. Her body standing in front of her. Mascarist streaked as though she's been crying. Is it... Are you...

Natalie Primavera. I look different. You're welcome. Natalie and Eva stare at each other in silence. Where's dad? Cafeteria. I told him I wanted to be alone. He told me what happened.

The fall. The Instagram picture. And you told him you were Natalie? I had to. Look. I know how to fix this. A snow globe from Mr. Constantine's office. Yeah.

That globe is destroyed. What? How? Natalie is silent. What does this mean? Are we stuck? I don't know. Ava looks at her stunned and then bursts into tears.

Hey, hey, hey, it's not so bad. My dad makes a lot of money and you can study hard and go to Harvard like you wanted. And I'll stay and dance. Maybe it was supposed to happen this way. What about Trevor and my family? Well, You can date Trevor.

It's going to be a big upgrade for him to date you as me. And Mom and Bean, they're doing... You call my mom, mom. It's become a habit. So much. Natalie swallows, doesn't know what to say. She leans in to give Eva a hug. Eva takes the cue and quickly scoops both of her arms tightly around Natalie crying into her shoulder.

You seriously have the best dad. He always brings me coffee. I hate coffee. Natalie pulls out of the hug, regretful, confused, and sad. Ava, did you wish to be me? It was stupid. Over the summer, my dad went on a work trip and never came back, and I was just tired of being me and being sad all the time.

I thought for a second I might be the sugar plum fairy and something would go right for once and I would be like you. always posting these beautiful pictures. And I know Instagram isn't real. I spend six hours in the studio, six days a week, 45 minutes doing my hair and makeup, and I can't remember a time I had big toenails. That still sounds glamorous.

I've got one thing. You've got so much going for you. You're a total brain and potty to boot. And your mom really gives a shit about you. and you have friends, real friends. I bet they'd be in this hospital room every day if it were you. I miss them. Natalie?

Yeah? Natalie turns to see Kenzie and Bean standing at the door. Kenzie's mouth agape and Bean with a large smile. I mean, she's right here. Bean? Kenzie? Bean rushes over and hugs Ava in bed. Ava groans in pain.

Oh. I knew it. Kenzie walks over to Ava like she's seen a ghost. How did you know? You've been off since the fall. The ballet and social media obsession, the Royal Ballet Zipper. Always fighting with Mom? What?

I'm going to figure this out, okay? Damn straight, we are. What's going on? Mr. Primavera enters with two cups of coffee. Oh, nothing. High school shit. Ava nods. Natalie reaches for the coffee and Mr. Primavera pulls back.

This is for Natalie. Sorry, I wasn't expecting you. I wasn't sure you got my messages. Mr. Primavera and the girls stand quietly for a moment. Uh, do you guys mind coming back? There's a two visitors policy, and I'd like some time with my nap. We'll be back tomorrow. Bean gives Eva one more hug before walking out with Kenzie.

Natalie walks out the door, pausing to watch as dad hands Eva a coffee. Ava takes a sip and forces a smile. Interior, Ava's Bedroom Night. Kenzie and Bean sit on Ava's bed as Natalie stands next to a whiteboard that reads, F-A-R. So, by learning to be Ava, you'll become Natalie again. It's in every-body-swap movie. It's science. That's definitely not science.

You're right. It's magic. You're already sounding more like Ava. Okay. So, first up is family. I definitely need Mom off my back. No. Ava is Mom's Rock.

Mom works two jobs and cries in the car when she thinks I can't see her. Wow. And she still texts Dad that she misses him even though he left us for a 24-year-old. She told us he moved to South Korea for work. How do you know that? I read her text messages.

Where's my phone? Interior, Ava's Kitchen Day. Ava's Kitchen. Natalie sets the table for three. Ms. Ross walks in on the phone and Natalie hands her a cup of coffee. I'm just wondering if the late fees can be waived. Just this once. I understand.

Typically, that card is only used for emergencies. Interior, Ava's bedroom night. Next up. Academics. Right now, Ava's failing chemistry, so... You mean you're failing chemistry. You need to end the semester with an A. Or else Ava is definitely not getting into Harvard. How hard can chemistry be?

Interior Rehearsal Studio Day. Natalie is sweeping the studio floor walking on point. With earbuds in, she listens to Mr. Hall's lecture. It's an atomic shell that is full. Sometimes atoms have an extra electron or two and... The lights flicker, and a ghostly dancer swooshes by in the mirror. Natalie pauses, pulls the earbuds out. Mr. Constantine rushes out of his office with an arm full of books,

a note taped to the door that reads, The end is near, save yourself. Natalie gulps. Interior Chemistry Class Day. Who can tell me why water molecules are attracted to each other? Natalie raises her leg to her ear as raising her hand. That's different. Ava?

Because water molecules have both a positive hydrogen charge and negative oxygen charge. Oh, correct. Grayson flashes Natalie a smile. Natalie beams. Back to... Interior Ava's bedroom night, Kenzie walks up and adds T at the end of F-A-R. Before we talk about R, we need to talk about T for Trevor. Ava can do better than him.

Trevor's amazing, so whatever you're doing with Grayson needs to stop until after you switch back. One, nothing is going on with Grayson. And two, do you really want me to get back together with Trevor? They've had sex. You know, am I supposed to just have sex with Trevor? Yeah, you really have to do it for Ava. No. Don't do that. Just steer clear of Grayson and be nice to Trevor.

Interior School Hallway Day. Natalie is at Ava's locker. Trevor is at his locker across the hall. She looks over at him. He fumbles trying to pull something out of his locker. Everything falls out. Natalie takes a deep breath and shuts Ava's locker. She helps Trevor pick up his things. Look, I'm sorry I've been mean to you. I haven't been myself. You're in a school hallway. Oh, okay. You're a little bit. You're not in the front seat of a car.

Okay. You know, normal. Look, I'm sorry I've been mean to you. I haven't been myself. No, you asked for space and I got you stupid flowers. The flowers were sweet. I get you're trying to get me back. What?

No, that was for your dad's, uh, walking out anniversary. I just wanted to make sure one good thing happened to you that day. Oh. Trevor stands up to walk away. Natalie stands and bumps into Grayson. Sorry. She stumbles and Grayson catches her. Dipped like in a dance.

Their face-to-face, Natalie blushes. Watch your step. Trevor sees their moment in exits. Running down the hall and half sob. Natalie watches him with a sigh. Back to interior Ava's bedroom night. Natalie Circles role. The sugar plum fairy is my destiny.

Wrong. It's Ava's destiny. She's the real understudy. But this is my role. Kensi flips over the whiteboard revealing a list of movies. Freaky Friday, the hot chick, the change-up, etc. In all of these, a cosmic lesson, magic, and, ta-da, what's done is undone. Once you accept that the role isn't yours, the natural order will be restored. Hold up. Are we in a movie? Stopping weird.

Stopping word. Wait. Natural order. Where did you hear that? Mr. Constantine monologues about it all the time during rehearsal. Oh, and there's usually a wishing well or fortune cookies or some kind of wish fulfillment, McGuffin. Right. Interior, Ava's living room night.

Kenzie, with a poster board under her arms, speedwalks to the front door. Natalie and Bean follow. I can't believe you broke it. This is going to be impossible. Hey, I'm going to fix it, okay? Kenzie exits with a slam of the door. Natalie looks at Bean. I'm going to fix it.

End of episode two. Stop me.