History Recap / AreYouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason7TheTaleOfTheLastDance

* CruelToBeKind: Michael ''knows'' Tara is good at the violin, but he legitimately thinks there's no future in playing professional music beyond busking in the streets. As far as he's concerned, his unsupportive attitude towards Tara's violin-playing is just his way of "letting her down easy" so she won't be disappointed later on in life.

* DramaticallyMissingThePoint: After Tara's violin is stolen, she bemoans that after playing it for years, she'll never be able to play without it. Oblivious to its sentimental value, Michael suggests she could always rent one of "those things" for the dance. Offended by his callousness, Tara rebukes "'Those things' are violins, Michael! Not bowling shoes, ''violins''!" Even Michael's friend remarks "You know, for a smart guy, you're not so.. smart." Goes UpToEleven when he defends himself with "[[ComicallyMissingThePoint I know what violins are]]!"

Andy, having taken up the violin, treats the others to a rendition of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” The off-key wails rouse a general plea for mercy. To play enjoyable music, Andy notes, takes loads of practise. Tonight’s tale concerns such a violinist - one of whose admirers takes devotion to an ominous extreme. Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, he calls this story “The Tale of the Last Dance”.

Warrenville Recreation Centre, site of weight-lifting, aerobics and music, is due to close down. Before an assemblage seated on wooden chairs, Tara plays violin. While friends Jane and Scot listen raptly, boyfriend Michael dozes off.

From a ceiling ventilation grid, several drops of clear fluid fall onto Tara’s mounted music sheet.

With a whispered excusal to Scot, Michael leaves.

From the ceiling vent sounds a low, heavy breathing. From its grid, a pencil falls onto Tara’s music stand. As Tara draws her performance to a close, she glances bemusedly up. A hearty smattering of applause rises. With a smile, she stands and bows.

In the hallway, Jane and Scott sincerely laud Tara’s playing.

-->'''Tara:''' Yeah.. so amazing I put Michael to sleep.
-->'''Jane:''' What was so important he had to leave before you finished?
-->'''Scott:''' ...Don’t look at me.
-->'''Jane:''' Scot…
-->'''Scot:''' I gotta go.

In the canteen, Tara excitedly shows Jane a headshot for the programme of the Recreation Centre’s farewell dance, at which Tara is scheduled to play.

From above a ceiling ventilation grill, someone watches…

Michael and Scot then arrive - Michael to a cool reception from Tara.

-->'''Michael:''' Look, I’m sorry, alright? I was just getting all fidgety in there. I had to, you know, do something… Tara, I’m sorry… you know, I just… I don’t like that dead guy stuff…
-->'''Tara:''' Yeah, Michael, I know...

As they talk, the tiles around the ceiling ventilation grill start to split…

-->'''Tara:''' ...But it’s important to me - it’s what I do.
-->'''Jane:''' She’s gonna be famous one day - and you’re gonna be, like, ‘workin’ out’!
-->'''Michael:''' Famous? Playing that stuff? Unlikely…
-->'''Tara:''' Well, gee, thanks for the support.

The tiles start to peel away from the ceiling…

Tara shows Michael her chosen for the programme. With a dismissive chuckle, Michael scrunches it up.
-->'''Tara:''' Michael…!
-->'''Michael:''' I’m being supportive! You have better shots than this!

As Michael throws the photo towards a bin, Scot notices the splitting tiles above, and quickly urges the others to duck.

-->'''Michael:''' Good thing they’re closing this place down; it’s falling apart.\

In the locker room…

-->'''Scot:''' You’re being pretty lame with Tara, you know that, don’t you?
-->'''Michael:''' What, you want me to lie to her? Come on, everybody thinks they’re gonna play for some big, philharmonic doo-dah orchestra, you know, and then - they end up playing on the street for quarters. I’m just trying to give her a reality check, that’s all.
-->'''Scot:''' Yeah, but you should listen to her some time - she’s good.
-->'''Michael:''' I know she’s good - so are the guys playing for quarters.

As Michael turns around, Scot notices a broad tear in the back of Michael’s leather jacket.

They peer into Michael’s open locker - and see, at the far end, a hole…

In the girl’s locker room, from somewhere behind the grilled door of Tara’s locker, as she stores her violin, someone watches…

By the mirror, to Jane, Tara confesses doubts about her relationship with Michael. Meanwhile, ny the lockers, through a wide gap in a large ventilation grill, reaches a hand. It takes hold of Tara’s violin case, and steals it into the darkness.

From across the room, Tara hears a small clunk - and sees her violin to have gone. Perplexed and horrified, she wonders what can have happened. The two girls notice the broad gap in the grill.

Back in the canteen, with security having taken a statement, Tara mourns the loss of her violin.

A disco ball casts patterned lights across the Recreation Centre’s semi-darkened, balloon-bedecked hall. To a pulsing record, patrons happily mingle.

Scot gently commiserates the abrupt cancellation of Tara’s performance. Michael heartily urges revelry.

Tara scrunches up her scrunches up her programme, and storms off.

In a darkened hallway, she hears a distant hiss.

In distant pursuit, Jane calls through the darkness.

Tara cautiously ventures further. She hears a distant clang of metal. Her fear mounting, she steps further - and grins with relief at the sight of a steaming radiator.

…

Down the hallway, Jane passes a ceiling ventilation grill. A heavy breathing issues from beyond it…

At the end of the hallway, Jane turns back, and passes beneath the now-open ceiling vent.

From the square black hole, a heavy stream of bright red gunk falls heavily onto her head, splattering her hair, face and dress. She screams.

Tara hears her friend scream, and breaks into a run.

With no sign of Jane, she sees, amidst a puddle of red paint, an upturned can. Above, the rim of the open ventilation shaft drips the stuff. Tara backs away, and hears a low, heavy breathing. She turns. Faced with the cowled figure of the Lurker, she screams…

-->'''Lurker:''' Keep walking…
-->'''Tara:''' Don’t hurt me… Please…!

On a walkway, she trips, and knocks into a railing, which fractures, and falls into the depths.

-->'''Lurker:''' Careful…\

...

In the basement, the Lurker steers Tara round a corner, and into a dimly lit expanse. In the middle, a table is covered with a sheet.

-->'''Tara:''' Who are you?
-->'''Lurker:''' A mistake of evolution… Do not try to run. The underground is treacherous.

-->'''Scot:''' Maybe they… went home.
-->'''Michael:''' She wouldn’t leave without me.

In the darkened hallway, they descend some steps - and run into a shivering, red paint-soaked Jane.

-->'''Scot:''' Jane…? What happened?!
-->'''Jane:''' ''{sobbing}'' Something horrible is going on!

On the floor beneath the ceiling ventilation grid, Michael notices red footprints… and a flower, fallen from Tara’s dress.

-->'''Michael:''' Alright, you guys go for help. I’m finding Tara.\

In the dim light of a nearby candelabra, Tara peers at several lovingly rendered sketches of herself.

-->'''Lurker:''' Do you like it?
-->'''Tara:''' Please…!

The Lurker lithely, tentatively approaches.

-->'''Tara:''' No, I won’ tell anyone about you, okay? I promise.
-->'''Lurker:''' I have something to show you. ''{gestures to the covered table}'' Please?

Fearful, Tara sits.

...

A stooped Michael clambers through a ventilation shaft.

…

-->'''Lurker:''' I prepared this for you…\

He pulls back the sheet. The table is set with dinner for two.

-->'''Tara:''' I don’t have much of an appetite.\

The Lurker withdraws forlornly.

-->'''Lurker:''' I’m sorry. I disgust you.
-->'''Tara:''' No. I mean… I’m just scared… What do you want with me?
-->'''Lurker:''' For years, I’ve watched you from behind these walls. Years preparing myself, and all this, for you. I’ve watched you grow into a fine young woman, Tara. With amazing talent. I’ve brought you here because, after tonight, the building will be torn down, and I’ll lose you forever. And I couldn’t live like that.
-->'''Tara:''' It was you… You dropped that pencil in the music room.
-->'''Lurker:''' I never meant to disturb your playing. I hope you will forgive me.

…

In the ventilation shaft, Michael crawls over a grill - and sees it to overlook the canteen.

…

The Lurker tentatively approaches the table, and lays on it Tara’s violin.

-->'''Lurker:''' No harm has come to it.\

Jubilant despite the situation, Tara takes her instrument.

-->'''Lurker:''' Would you - would you play for me? ...If you wish, I will hide myself!
-->'''Tara:''' ...You don’t have to hide.
-->'''Lurker:''' Then you will play?
-->'''Tara:''' If you show me your face.
-->'''Lurker:''' No, ''anything but that, please''!
-->'''Tara:''' Then I won’t play.
-->'''Lurker:''' You don’t understand, I’m hideous!
-->'''Tara:''' No… anyone who can draw with such brilliance can’t possibly be hideous.
-->'''Lurker:''' ...Alright, then. ‘’{starts to lift hood}’’ Are you certain?
-->'''Tara:''' Yes.

The Lurker stoops. With long, leathery, three-fingered hands, he pulls back his hood, and rises to gingerly face Tara. Beneath long black hair is a frightened, sorrowful face. Unlike his hands, the Lurker’s face lacks any visible deformity.

-->'''Lurker:''' ''{face crumpling to a sob}'' I warned you!
-->'''Tara:''' No, leave it off! I’m not afraid. ‘’{the Lurker stares, awed}’’ What should I play?

Overjoyed, the Lurker tenderly approaches.

-->'''Lurker:''' ''{beaming}'' Pachelbel…!\

Grinning back, Tara proceeds to play the Pachelbel Canon in D Major.

…

Now in the basement, Michael hears the distant strings of Tara’s violin. He hurries on…

As Tara brings the piece to a close, she sees the Lurker to silently weep.

-->'''Tara:''' You’re crying.
-->'''Lurker:''' You play beautifully. Anyone who can’t see that is a fool.

From behind a distant corner, Michael watches.

Tara approaches the table, and sits.

-->'''Lurker:''' You’re thinking of your friend, Michael?
-->'''Tara:''' ...He just doesn’t get it.
-->'''Lurker:''' He can’t see beyond himself to appreciate who you are.
-->'''Tara:''' Maybe he’s right. I mean, maybe there’s no future in playing classical music.
-->'''Lurker:''' Oh, I hope you don’t mean that!
-->'''Tara:''' I don’t know…
-->'''Lurker:''' Stay with me, Tara! I’d never make you give up your music! If this doesn’t suit you, there are other places in the underground that would make a fine home!
-->'''Tara:''' ''{laughs}'' I could play all day, couldn’t I!
-->'''Lurker:''' Yes! As long as you want! I’d adore you forever!

At a distant noise, he tenses. He suddenly stands.

-->'''Tara:''' What’s wrong?
-->'''Lurker:''' '''''NO ONE WILL TAKE HER AWAY FROM ME'''''!

He seizes Tara’s hand, and pulls her into a run.

-->'''Tara:''' ''What are you doing''?
-->'''Lurker:''' I’m protecting you!

He swings into her into a small chamber, and swings shut the door.

Michael advances.

-->'''Michael:''' That’s it, Quasimodo! Show’s over.
-->'''Tara:''' Michael!
-->'''Michael:''' Let her go!
-->'''Lurker:''' Why, so she can go back to you? Someone who doesn’t see her, doesn’t listen to her, doesn’t love her?!
-->'''Michael:''' I don’t know who, and I don’t know what you are, but if you don’t let her go, I swear -
-->'''Lurker:''' You’re in my world, now! Be careful where you tread!

He runs into the depths.

-->'''Tara:''' Don’t go! Please!
-->'''Michael:''' Are you okay?
-->'''Tara:''' I’m fine.

He wrenches open the door.

-->'''Tara:''' Michael, he’s harmless!
-->'''Michael''' Yeah, well, he doesn’t look harmless to me! Come on, let’s get outta here!

They hurry along the walkway.

-->'''Michael:''' I’ll have the cops down here faster than you can - \

The Lurker drops from the ceiling, and stands between them.

-->'''Lurker:''' I won’t let you take her!\

Michael shoves into the Lurker, who shoves back. As they repeatedly lunge at each other, Tara yells for Michael to stop.

As Michael ducks, the Lurker trips, and falls across the edge. He grabs the railing. Tara desperately grabs his arm.

-->'''Tara:''' Help him! Michael, help me!
-->'''Lurker:''' I’m not afraid, Tara.
-->'''Tara:''' '''''NO'''''!
-->'''Lurker:''' Follow your dream. Promise me you won’t let anyone stop you.
-->'''Tara:''' Listen to me! You can’t die!

His left hand slips.

-->'''Tara:''' I promise…
-->'''Lurker:''' Goodbye, Tara.

As the Lurker;s grip starts to slip, Michael reaches down to grab his loose wrist with both hands.

-->'''Michael:''' I got ya, come on!\

He and Tara pull the Lurker to safety.

-->'''Lurker:''' Thank you… I’m sorry for what I did.\

He hurries into the depths of the basement.

-->'''Tara:''' Why did you save him?\

Michael picks up the violin, and hands it to her.

-->'''Michael:''' For you.\

She bursts into tears, and they embrace.

…

In his dark, lonely lair, the Lurker gazes at Tara’s crumpled headshot.

He hears distant violin, slightly muffled violin strings.

By an old gramophone stands Tara. The gramophone plays Pachelbel Canon in D Major.

-->'''Tara:''' Would you like the last dance?
-->'''Lurker:''' Nothing would make me happier!

As they waltz, Michael distantly watches.

…

Some time later, the Lurker, once more cowled, steals through the basement.

-->'''Andy:''' ...The end.
-->'''Megan:''' That was beautiful!

Andy once more takes up his own violin.

-->'''Tucker:''' No offence, man, but… bye.\

While Tucker, Quinn and Vange flee, Megan stays for a listen.

Andy ably plays the opening bars of Pachelbel Canon in D Major.

-->'''Andy:''' I was just getting warmed up!\

* IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy: A variation where [[spoiler: it's not just the Phantom-expy who takes this trope to heart. On one hand, the episode ends with the Lurker going his separate way after he has his [[TitleDrop last dance]] with Tara, so she may live her life. On the other hand, Michael helps save the Lurker from falling to his death at Tara's plea, recognizing him as her friend and the only person who never doubted Tara's talent.]]

** The story parallels several elements of ''Literature/ThePhantomOfTheOpera'', and several adaptations thereof.

** The story parallels several elements of ''Literature/ThePhantomOfTheOpera'' and several adaptations thereof.

-->'''Lurker:''' No, ‘’anything but that, please’’!

* BeautifulAllAlong: Throughout the story, the Lurker wears a hood that conceals his face because he claims he's too hideous for anyone to see it. But at Tara's behest, he finally removes it. ...And he's not nearly as ugly as he thinks he is.

* WhatDoesSheSeeInHim: Michael isn't exactly the most supportive or sensitive boyfriend to Tara. When he's not falling asleep at her violin recitals, he makes an excuse to leave as quickly as he can.

* IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy: A variation where [[spoiler: it's not just the Phantom-expy who takes this trope to heart. On one hand, the episode ends with the Lurker going his separate way after he has his [[TitleDrop last dance]] with Tara. On the other hand, Michael helps save the Lurker from falling to his death at Tara's behest, recognizing him as her friend and the only person who never doubted Tara's talent.]]

* WhatDoesSheSeeInHim: Michael isn't exactly the most supportive or sensitive boyfriend to Tara. When he's not falling asleep at her violin recitals, he makes an excuse to leave as quickly as he can. When Tara