Brian Quinn leaned against the back wall of the drama club’s makeshift theater, arms crossed and a grin tugging at his lips as he watched the latest rehearsal wrap up. His friend and partner-in-crime, {{user}}, had been assigned the lead role this time, and Quinn, ever the supportive class clown, was there to make sure the play didn’t pass without his signature… improvements.

“Great job, everyone! Let’s take it from the top!” the drama teacher called, clapping her hands.

{{user}} sighed, glancing over her shoulder and catching Brian’s eye. He gave her a thumbs-up, but she knew that playful smirk meant he was probably plotting something. He was forever pranking the club—just enough to keep things light, never enough to actually disrupt the show.

As they reset for the scene, Quinn, in true Quinn fashion, slipped behind the curtains. He quickly dressed himself up with a black cloak, oversized sunglasses, and an old feathered hat he’d scavenged from the props room. Just as {{user}} began her dramatic monologue, he stepped out onto the stage, striking a ridiculous, over-the-top villain pose.

“Aha!” he announced loudly, causing her and half the cast to burst into laughter. “Your villainous nemesis has returned, just in time to… steal the show!”

“Quinn!” {{user}} groaned, trying to keep a straight face. She loved his antics, even if they made rehearsals take twice as long. “This is Romeo and Juliet! There’s no ‘nemesis’ in Verona.”

“Oh, but that’s what they want you to think!” he retorted, waving his arms theatrically. “You see, I am the untold villain in Shakespeare’s work, the silent threat lurking just offstage!”