The New Class

"The New Class" is the first episode of *Daniel Kravitz, Chosen One (Volume 3)*, and the twenty-seventh installment of the series overall. It was performed on February 9, 2019 at MadLab theatre in Columbus, OH as the second segment of Show XLIV. It was released as podcast episode 217.

Written by Jerome Wetzel

Directed by Samantha Stark

Previous episode: "Pit of Despair"

Next episode: "Mind If I Smoke?"

## **The Story**

Roughly a year later, the episode begins in a classroom on a ranch in Kalispell, Montana. There are about fifteen students, and they are being instructed by Daniel Kravitz, who is wearing a cowboy hat. He talks in a bombastic voice, almost cartoonishly so, about himself, and the students seem to be impressed. Daniel begins to tell of his life in song.

But he is suddenly interrupted by a large, green, familiar-sounding (to the audience) monster who declares that Daniel killed his daddy and should prepare to die. The two trade theatres and insults, Daniel reassuring the class that he has this. Daniel does slip once and seems familiar with the monster, with a couple of students pick up on. The battle ends as Daniel beheads the monster and the class cheers.

A short time later, the U.L.P. Ruling Council is holding its weekly meeting. Alexis Augustus Armentrout is arguing heatedly with Rufus Reginald Rochester over whether this new group should make itself known to the various entities already aware of the supernatural. Alexis is for it, but Rufus thinks they should wait until they are better built up. Josh Wallace, on video conference remotely, wishes they would just stop arguing. Abby Reynolds tries to stop the fight, saying she sees both sides but isn't ready to make a decision yet. Alexis agrees to table the conversation for another week.

Josh moves on with the agenda, asking to come home. Abby asserts she needs someone in the field, and because of the various skill sets of the team, Josh is it. New member Alfredo asks Josh to get him more magic supplies, beyond the books Josh already sent back. Rufus worries their budget is tapped out unless they sell off assets, but Alexis is sure there are stores they haven't found yet and is going to go find them. Abby is upset Alexis didn't run his leaving by her first. Rufus has also bypassed Abby, reassigning his combat class to be taught by Daniel, which Abby also isn't happy about.

Daniel and Grezit the Green, carrying his head under his arm, join the rest, sniping at one another. Alfredo reassures Grezit the head can be reattached, more quickly this time, and Daniel berates Grezit for screwing up his assigned entrance quote. Grezit protests.

Daniel quickly takes over the meeting, wanting to rename the group, but this topic is clearly not at the top of anyone else's agenda. Daniel lets them know that his introduction went well and he passed the trainees off to Khoo to complete their paperwork. Rufus tries to get Daniel to take his side in the argument with Alexis.

Abby moves on by declaring she intends to digitize the old U.L.P. texts, which excites Alexis, but Rufus is hesitant about it. Before the two can get into it again, Daniel declares the meeting over and tells them to all go home. When Abby reminds him that it's only 10AM and they have lots of work to do, Daniel instructs them to go buy cowboy hats like his instead. They aren't enthusiastic, but the meeting does break up, with Alfredo and Grezit heading for ice-cream and purposely leaving Alexis out.

Daniel tells Rufus he'll meet him in a few minutes and Josh signs off the computer leaving Daniel and Abby alone. Abby wonders aloud if she made a mistake accepting leadership of the group, since no one is listening to her. Daniel isn't sure what to tell her, but is supportive. Abby marvels at Daniel's natural leadership, which he says was merely people united for a mission, not him. She says he's wrong.

With a sigh, Daniel decides he'd better go rescue the students from Khoo. He mentions that groundskeeper Voldare was looking for Abby, and they discuss Voldare's changeling status. Abby mentions that she thinks Daniel is finally happy in his current role, and he agrees that he is.

## **Guest Starring**

Keith Jackson as Alfredo

Samantha Stark and Virgil Von Hartzel as students

the entire troupe as the class

## **Trivia**

* The opening is purposely meant to envoke Daniel's first encounter with Grezit and the early days of the segment.
* This episode ditches the regular character intros and only gets through part of the theme song before it is interrupted by the story beginning.
* The Ruling Council scene was originally written with Josh present, but the character was pre-recorded due to cast availability. Though it served to illustrate how the group was keeping him at arm's length.