Episode Report Card Niki: A+ | Grade It Now! YOU GRADE IT Acting Out
By Niki | Season 3 | Episode 4 | Aired on 10.18.2001
Cut to Grace bursting through the auditorium doors. She leans against the wall to collect herself. "Alexa?" Creepitri calls, emerging into the hallway. He stops when he sees Grace there. He grins widely and says, "So, who knew you had such a great voice?" He saunters over to a pop machine, while Grace blushes out a "yeah, who knew." Creepitri assures her it was "quite an audition." Grace beams and thanks him. He pauses with his dollar midway to the machine and says, "But, I guess you'll have a lot of competition." Grace agrees. Creepitri gets his bevvie and says, a little too nonchalantly, "Now, Jessie Sammler is your stepsister?" Grace looks away and confirms it. He asks whether they get along. Grace phonies that they do, and then lets it slip out that it can be "you know, awkward." She glances at him, looking a little guilty, and waits for his reaction. He chuckles and says, "This must be really awkward, huh? Up for the same part?" He's enjoying this just a little too much, the Machiavellian asshole. Grace laughs and says she's fine with it. "And if she gets the part?" he prods. Grace says that it's okay; Jessie's "really good." She slowly adds that Jessie's "really sensitive, which makes her a good actress." She's as convincing as the losers on Oscar night, when they praise the winners. Creepitri stirs it up, asking what Grace means. "Just that she's...sensitive. Which is good." Devil Grace starts whispering in her ear: the pins are all in place -- just knock 'em down, baby. Grace adds, "But it also might make it hard for her." Creepitri looks intrigued, stepping forward and asking what she means. Angel Grace tells her to play nice, so Grace quickly tries to back off the subject, saying she doesn't know: "Never mind." Creepitri prods her, while Devil Grace binds and gags Angel Grace. Grace slowly confesses that it might be hard for Jessie because she's had some problems. "What kind of problems?" Creepitri asks, stepping even closer. He's practically drooling. Grace acts like he's tearing it out of her and says that Jessie had an eating disorder, and Grace "just hope[s] that [the play] wouldn't be too much pressure." It's a better performance than she just gave on stage. Alexa comes rushing through the doors, explaining to Creepitri that she just had to go to her locker. Grace instantly looks racked with guilt. Creepitri knowingly tells Alexa that she really shouldn't smoke. Alexa disappears inside the auditorium, leaving Creepitri to give Grace an appraising look before saying simply, "Bye, Grace." She says goodbye and takes a sharp intake of air, as if she wants to say something more, but Creepitri's already gone. Grace lumbers down the hallway, dragging her heavy conscience and her big, fat mouth with her.