BackStage of SNL is sheer insanity. Everyone is running around, getting last minute details into place. Luna being familiar, leads Colson through the chaos to meet up with The Band, Ashleigh, Benny, Casie, Ashley and a surprise Dom. They're all buzzing with excitement.
Lorne approaches their group; introducing himself, he bends over to shake Casie's hand. Going on to ask Ashley how she's feeling about her skits. She tells him she's a little nervous but feels confident to Lorne's pleased nod. The older man goes on to tell them all to break a leg. He then hugs Luna, expressing that her grandmother is looking for her. Luna kisses Colson, telling him that she'll be right back. She passes Pete on her way to find her grandmother.
"Dressing room in 10?" He asks as they embrace.
"Definitely." She replies with a smile.
"Cool!" He grins as they go off their separate ways.
Luna finds her grandmother and Joni in the audience. They both excitedly hug her; babbling on about what an amazing experience this is going to be. Luna agrees before kissing them with another smile and hug. Heading back to their group to grab Colson; she can't find Ashley.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
They burn it down in Luna's dressing room. Pete, Luna and Colson getting stoned before The Show. What do you honestly expect from them?
"Ya nervous?" Pete asks Luna, coughing on ONE of the Backwoods; there's three going around the room at the moment.
"Fuck no." She replies with a smirk; it's one of the Super Powers that come along with not giving a fuck about much.
Luna hits the blunt as Colson leans his arms lightly against the tops of her shoulders from behind. "Who you kidding, Luna's only afraid of Casie and large jars!!" He teases her with a roaring laugh.
"Fuck youuuuuuu." She laughs at him to Pete's confusion; assuming it's just another Loons Story.
They pass blunts back and forth. Laughing as they cut on each other. Surprised as hell when Ashley bursts through the door.
"Nice invite, Assholes. We're on in 15." She says with a scowl to the smokey room as she grabs a few hits.
The Boys don't know what to say. Luna's too stoned to explain. About to shut the door, she stops and turns around. Pulling a Polaroid camera from her bag.
"YO!" Ashley shouts; snapping an instant picture of them as they turn towards her, caught off guard and stoned.
"IT'S SATURDAY NIGHT, BITCHES!!!" She laughs walking out of the room.
"Fuck, we better get going!!" Pete tells them as Luna hits the blunt once more before following Pete and Colson out towards The Stage; they're high as FUCK.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Their Crew watches from SideStage as Ashley and Pete open up The Show. After some quick banter, they shout together... "LIVE FROM NEW YORK... IT'S SATURDAY NIGHT!!!!" To a packed audience and different kinds of screens across America
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ashley kills her skits. She's on point, charismatic and funny. The audience loves her. Trying hard not to laugh and break character when she makes fun of herself with her hard Jersey accent.
Colson, Dom and Luna laugh uncontrollably watching her as Ashleigh takes Casie to craft services for a snack. The Boys float around, watching skits, eating and flirting with interns. It's not long before Luna goes to change.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ashley chooses to take a different approach to Without Me. Pulling her red wig half up; she's dressed in a long, off the shoulder, black leather and lace dress. Looking fucking amazing.
Standing in front of a piano. It substitutes any other instruments, showcasing her raw talent. Only a spotlight is on her initially before the lights rise halfway through.
The walls are covered in graffiti. Multiple different sayings, such as I'm so sorry Ashley and I cheated being amongst the largest. Smaller words fill in the empty spaces, listing locations. It's a direct shot a Gerald.
Luna makes it back in time to watch her bestfriend. Her eyes well up over the powerful performance. She's proud and can feel Ashley's pain in her raw voice. Knowing all too well what he had put her through. Ashley ends as the crowd cheers authentically.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Shifting gears as other skits continue, the producers help set them up for their performance. They're closing the show. Luna collects her guitar and art supplies for Casie. They Boys set up their instruments as Ashley changes. Dom watching from SideStage with Ashleigh and Slim.
Just before they get into position, Casie pulls on Luna. She has a secret. Telling Luna what she wants to draw, the little girl asks her opinion. Luna excitedly responds that she thinks it's one of the smartest ideas she's ever heard. Making Casie very proud of herself.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ashley and Luna are stripping down Nightmare also. Luna stands with her guitar and a mic stand. Ashley on a stool next to her with her own mic. Casie on the floor between them with a large white poster board and fresh markers. The Boys are set up a bit farther behind them.
With just the front of The Stage lit, only Luna, Ashley and Casie can be seen. Wearing a black T, plaid skirt, fishnests and Docs, Luna begins plucking a simple, light melody of five chords. The three females taking a deep breath and glancing at each other as Luna continues to open them up.
She's playing the pace of the song slower from it's original. Cutting the initial openings. Luna coming in deep over her electric guitar, she begins.
🎼I'm out for blood
And it won't be sweet🎶
Her voice is delicate but strong, taking her time as the lyrics drip out of her mouth. Her guitar floats behind her until she drops it out. Just above a husky whisper, she starts singing the lyrics.
🎶Cut our parts off
With some scissors🎶
She picks the soft melody back up as Ashley joins her. Strumming the chords as they harmonize together. Smirking at each other while singing; rolling over each lyric, emphasizing certain ones.
🎶They say
Come on Little Ladies
Give us a smile
No we ain't got nothing
To smile about
We've got no one to smile for
We've waited a while for
This moment to say
We don't owe you🎶
Ashley and the guitar drop out. Luna's voice strongly belts. Alone.
🎶A GOD DAMN THING🎶
Casie is intently drawing as the women sing on each side of her. The dreamy melody picks back up as Ashley comes in strong with the main chorus. Her voice powerful as she lingers over certain words.
🎶I!
Keep a record
Of their wreckage
And their lies
We're starten' to weaponize
Our powerful minds
They talk shit
But we won't take it this time
And they'll realize🎶
She softens her voice for the next part. Wrapping around the lyrics like a sly cat. Waiting for her prey.
🎶That I'm no sweet dream
But, I'm a hell of a night
No, I'm no sweet dream
But, I'm a hell of a night🎶
Luna comes back in a bit firmer now. Same soft chords. Same sweetly dangerous tone.
🎶No, I won't smile
But I'll show you my teeth
And I might let you breath
If you just let Us be🎶
Luna's precise and direct. Her voice curling around the political lyrics. She drops the sound of the guitar again. Showcasing her voice, still soft with a tinge of anger, drawing out their point for the specific lyrics.
🎶So scared
Is what you should be🎶
Ashley comes back in with her. Just as strong. Just as fierce.
🎶They say
Come on Little Ladies
Give us a smile🎶
Playing it the same way, their voices gliding over the lyrics together. Shaking their heads slightly as they sing. Luna strongly belting the last line alone again.
🎶A GOD DAMN THING🎶
Ashley comes in with the main chorus. Her voice being the primary focus. It commands the entire room.
🎶I!
Keep a record
Of their wreckage
And their lies
We're starten' to weaponize
Our powerful minds
They talk shit
But we won't take it this time
And they'll realize🎶
She repeats it once more. The levels of her voice riding Luna's guitar as she draws out the last line. Luna plays the simple chords as she joins Ashley. Harmonizing their tender voices together.
🎶Women like me
Can be real nightmares
Completely aware
But I'd rather be
A real nightmare
Than die unaware
Yeah
Women like me
Can be real nightmares
Completely aware
But I'm glad to be
A real nightmare
So save us your prayers🎶
With that, all hell breaks loose. The Stage erupts as Rook slams hard into his kit. The lights come up, showing the full band. Colson and Baze rip ito the original, punk rock driven melody with their guitars.
Ashley stands up and kicks the stool out from under her to the side of The Stage. She punches loudly into the chorus with Luna. The whole energy of the room changes as the women sing together fiercely. It's the original track now. Live. Pounding HARD.
🎶I!
Keep a record
Of their wreckage
And their lies
We're starten' to weaponize
Our powerful minds
They talk shit
But we won't take it this time
And they'll realize🎶
Ashley and Luna are knocking their heads to the rowdy beat. Luna ripping her guitar along with Colson and Baze as The Girls sing together. Letting go of her guitar and flipping it onto her back, she quickly grabs her mic and tosses it to Ashley as she catches hers. They tear into the chorus together again. Singing and moving with each other to the beat. Careful of Casie, who's still in between them. The Boys play as The Girls sing; both of Ashely's sets tonight being raw and unforgiving.
🎶I!
Keep a record
Of their wreckage
And their lies
We're starten' to weaponize
Our powerful minds
They talk shit
But we won't take it this time
And they'll realize🎶
Everyone drops away again. Pulling her guitar back around, Luna plays the sweet melody once more as Casie stands up. Sign above her head. It's a drawing of the human brain. Surrounded by big, black, block letters stating USE YOUR WEAPON. Luna strums as Ashley sings.
🎶That I'm no sweet dream
But I'm a hell of a night🎶
Luna cuts in. Joining Ashley. Leading them out.
🎶No, I'm no sweet dream
But, I'm a hell of a night🎶
The audience goes insane. Luna throws her guitar over her shoulder again as she scoops up Casie and grabs Ashley, kissing both of their cheeks. Dom runs OnStage stealing Ashley away. Colson comes up behind Luna, grabbing her and Casie. Kissing them on their heads. Pete, Slim, Benny, Ashleigh, The Boys and the rest of the cast gather with them as the closing song plays, credits roll and Pete calls out GoodNight.
Viewers at home watch as the group laughs and hugs each other. Seeing Rook jump onto Colson's back and Casie climb on Pete as Ashley and Luna squeeze each other laughing. Now it's time for the After Party...