Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73010 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73010 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
His soft breaths fanning across my neck make me feel warm and shivery all at once, and I never want us to leave this room. In my dream life, I’d have a much larger bed, plus an apartment I actually own.
But today is a big day, a weighty one, and I need to get moving, so I gingerly untangle our limbs.
“Good morning,” he murmurs.
I kiss his cheek. “Gonna jump in the shower.”
He mumbles something unintelligible as I climb out of bed and leave the room.
When I return, showered and changed, he’s fallen back asleep, and I feel guilty waking him again. He might be peeved if I don’t, though, even if he’s changed his mind about coming to my audition.
My mouth finds his ear. “I gotta leave in thirty minutes. You can sleep in or tag along.”
He lifts his head as if determined to hold true to his idea. “Get some coffee in me, and I’ll take a quick shower.”
I pad to the kitchen to get the coffee started, only to realize Dennis already did on his way out the door to work. I pour us both a cup and leave his sitting on the dresser. When he enters the room and spots the mug, his eyes soften. It’s what I used to do for him every morning at his parents’ house because of his late nights working at the bar.
In the car, I’m grateful for John’s silence as I recite my lines in a low rumble, trying to get my nerves under control. His hand on my knee steadies me further. Despite doing this a hundred times, this particular audition seems to weigh more, as if people are counting on me and I don’t want to let them down.
It’s likely just me and my skewed views of success. A job is a job, and I’ve been grateful for all of them. There’s a very good chance I won’t even get the role.
But still, I keep the faith as we traverse traffic into downtown LA and have to park blocks away from the building. We walk up to the fourth floor and into the cramped room filled to the brim with other actors waiting to audition. I check in while John finds us an empty space along the wall. My leg jiggles nervously until John pulls me to a newly vacated seat. He urges me to sit, and I’m grateful, so I can focus my thoughts and my breathing. John chats with the person beside him about the LA traffic, and it reminds me how personable he is. No doubt he can always hold his own.
I recognize a few other actors in the room, having been in this same predicament too many times to count over the years. They seem just as anxious about this one and, like me, aren’t too keen on small talk. Most get called in before me and either smile or frown as they walk out, likely in judgment of their performance.
John studies each person leaving the director’s office as if attempting to determine how well they’ll measure up to me. We switch places, him sitting while I pace next to him. The room slowly clears, and nearly ninety minutes later, they call my name, and by then, I only want it over with. All I can muster is a sobering look in response to John’s encouraging smile. I head toward the woman holding a clipboard and feel John following behind me.
“What are you—”
“I’m his husband,” he tells her. “Is it okay if I wait outside the room to offer him support?”
She smiles sweetly at him, no doubt charmed. I expect him to be told to wait outside, but she allows us both to pass.
Once I get to the casting director’s office, I turn to say something, but John shushes me. “Break a leg. I’ll be right here.”
I walk inside and greet the three very important people in the room, which only sets me on edge. After making small talk and being asked questions about my history in the biz, the room grows quiet. “Whenever you’re ready.”
I nod and straighten, my gaze flicking toward the door, which hasn’t shut completely. I want to mention it because the idea of anyone in the hall hearing me recite my lines is legit terrifying. But it would sound ridiculous.
And then I remember how supportive John has been and genuinely proud, and somehow that bolsters me. I realize how alone I’ve felt in this career, even if it couldn’t be helped. Having John waiting for me behind that door warms my stomach.
Taking a moment to get into character, I recite the lines. I notice them exchange glances but keep their expressions neutral, which is always the case. They never want to sway an actor in one direction or another.
When I’m finished, the casting director smiles. “Good job. You’ll hear from us soon.”