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"So, did you make it?" asks Mary in Rebecca's ear.
Rebecca laughs. "Not sure yet. I'm not even in the building yet! Geez, you're making me more than nervous. Shh!" Rebecca was using her headset that goes with her cell phone so her best friend could find out instantly whether Rebecca made it or not. Rebecca scans the list and screams. "Mary! I made it!" She receives dirty looks from those people crowded around that didn't and decides to lower her voice.
"That's great Becca! I told you that you would do great! What role did you get?"
"I'm hoping for Sophie but I'm not sure. It's a general list. It says that if we were cast that we must go to a general meeting and continuation of try outs for individual parts. I guess it isn't over yet."
"Don't you worry! I'm sure that you will do great! When is the meeting?"
"In like twenty minutes! Wow, good thing I checked when I did. They must be in a hurry to get this show together."
"Probably. I am so happy for you though! You've worked so hard to get to where you are. Imagine, you'll be on that stage with bright lights and a full crowd watching you. How are you going to handle that?"
Rebecca laughs. "Slow down! I am not even sure I have a major role. I could just be ensemble you know."
"Hmm… My best friend as just an ensemble member after all the work that she has just put into her audition? I don't think so!"
"You are too much. I wish I had your confidence in me. Hey, I'm going to go and call my family and some of the crew. I'll talk to you later?"
"You better! I want a full report on this meeting!"
"Yes ma'am! Talk to you soon!" Rebecca says, hanging up and smiling. After making a few other calls and getting congratulations from every single person, Rebecca notices that the meeting is going to start in another three minutes and decides to enter the auditorium, taking an aisle seat in the second row.
A man she recognizes as the director from her audition stands up on the stage and clears his throat. "May I have your attention? Good. As many of you know, I am the director of this production of Mamma Mia. You were chosen out of hundreds of people because of your gifts and talents. Don't disappoint me. I expect a lot out of my actors and will push you to your limits. Expect long hours and grueling schedules, especially if you are one of those aspiring actors who want a lead. I will have the final cast of characters matched up with actors tomorrow morning for you when you come in for 8 AM rehearsal but first I need to see what you can each do in different roles. We should be done before dinner time though."
There is a slamming of a door and everyone looks towards the back of the auditorium. Rebecca instantly recognizes the guy as the creep from the accident. 'He is in this show? Great, this should be an experience!'
"I'm glad to see you could join us Mr. Timberlake. Just so you know, I do not tolerate tardiness at all, even for hot shots like you." The guy turns a bright red color and slips into a seat. "Well, now that everyone is here, I'd like to start the auditions for specific roles. First up, Alex and Tiffany."
The two actors get up and climb on stage. Each is given a book to read from and begin acting it out. This continues for a while until Rebecca hears her name being called. She climbs the stairs and is relieved to find that her partner this time around is not the curly haired guy that came in late.
"Nice to meet you Rebecca. I'm David," the black haired guy says, giving her a warm smile.
"Nice to meet you too David," Rebecca responds as she takes the offered book from the director.
"Now, I want you two to play out a scene as Sophie and Sky. Just speak from the heart," the director says, taking his seat once again.
The two look at each other, wait a few seconds, and act out the scene. Rebecca feels a little nervous at first but loosens up as she and David continue with the scene. Out of the corner of her eye, Rebecca sees the director nod with a small smile a few times which she takes as a good sign. After another few minutes of dialogue, the director stops them and says, "Thank you David and Rebecca. Please take your seats."
They hand over the books and return to the seats but David follows Rebecca and sits down next to her. "Was it me or was that worse than the original audition?" he asks in a whisper as to not interrupt the next two actors.
"What do you mean?" asks Rebecca.
David chuckles. "Don't take it the wrong way. I think you and I did great together but it seems like we are under more scrutiny than before."
"Oh, yeah, I have to agree with you. I was relieved to see that he smiled a few times though."
"Same here. I don't think I've seen you at auditions before. Are you new?"
"No, I've been stuck in ensemble all my life as an actress so I wouldn't be surprised if you never saw me."
"Well Rebecca, I think your luck may have changed. This director would be crazy if he didn't case you as Sophie."
Rebecca smiles. "Thank you but I think I have ensemble tattooed on my forehead."
David laughs. "I can tell that I am going to have a great time getting to know you better. Something tells me you and I will end up being great friends by the end of this show."
"I think so too."
The two quiet down as Rebecca notices the late guy get up on stage with a blonde female to act out a scene between one of the mother's friends and one of Sky's buddies. "Why does that guy look familiar?" she asks out loud.
David smirks. "Not a teeny bopper huh?"
She turns her attention back to him. "What do you mean?"
"I mean you don't instantly recognize him? The story has it around the group that he used to be a member of, a big boy band called 'NSync or something like that, disbanded and here he is, trying for the musical."
"Wow, that's a big change for him then."
"It is but I suspect that he's had it rather easy all his life. Seems to have an attitude about being better than the rest of us if you ask me."
"Thank God you said that. I thought I was imagining it."
"So you met him before?"
"Let's just say I had a little run in with him in the parking lot and he basically told me I was the worst woman driver he has ever met."
David laughs. "Yup, that's a bad attitude if you ask me. Was everything okay?"
"Yes, the car and him were both fine but that sparked an attitude I will never forget. I dreaded this show the moment I saw him come in late to be honest."
"I wouldn't blame you after that encounter. Poor girl. Don't worry though because David is here to protect you!" he says in a deep voice. "No one messes around with my friends!"
Rebecca smiles. "Thank you."
The two are interrupted as David is called back on stage, letting Rebecca watch him in action. 'Wow, David really is a great actor. His presence is so hypnotizing. There is no way he won't be cast as a principle.'
Justin stares at the black haired girl sitting a few rows in front of him and curses his bad fortune. 'Why was I cast in the same show as that girl? She is so witchy! Too bad she doesn't suck acting or singing wise though. I guess she earned it,' Justin thinks as he recalls her singing from her audition and the acting she has done on stage today with different partners. 'It's funny what hand fate sometimes deals people.'
The director stands up and claps his hand together as the last pair of actors leaves the stage. "Thank you everyone for a great run through of different roles. I will have the final casting list ready for you all tomorrow morning at the rehearsal. Please be there and be on time."
Justin feels himself turn red at that comment and gets his stuff together. He heads out the doors and breathes in a deep breath of cold, fresh air. 'Thank God I am out of that place. Tomorrow I am going to be here thirty minutes early just to ensure no more fuss is made over my timeliness. I better call the guys.'
Justin dials a number and gets a voicemail. "Hi Joey. It's Justin! Good news. You aren't the only one in a musical on stage this year! I've been cast in Mamma Mia but the roles haven't been decided yet. I'll call ya back. See ya!"
Justin hangs up and dials another number. "JC? Hey, it's Justin."
"Oh hey Justin! How'd the audition go?" JC asks.
"It went well. I'm in this show for sure but I don't know what role yet."
"Well congrats on getting this far. What role are you dying for?"
"I don't know about dying for but I'd like to land Sky. He's the lead for my age group. I think it would be a challenge."
"I'm sure one that you are ready to face. Well good luck to you. I have to get going though. I promised a friend I'd pick him up at the airport and we all know how messy the airport is these days. Break a leg tomorrow!"
"Thanks man. Catch you later!"
Justin hangs up the phone and calls Chris.
"Chris! You aren't going to believe this! I'm the joke of the cast!"
Chris tries to wake himself up from the nap and says, "But you were always the joke of our group."
"Not funny. Like I told JC, they hate me. They posted my name as Justine and the director made an example of me for being late. Someone tell me this isn't happening to me?"
"Fine, it's not happening to you. Feel better?"
"Dude, are you okay?"
"Justin, I know you don't need sleep but I do. I was actually napping when you called."
"Oh yea, forgot what a grouch you can be."
"Hey! Take that back! I'm glad you got onto the show though! It sounds like an interesting plot."
"Thanks man. You know I am only teasing anyway. I had to take my frustration out on someone."
"Gee, lucky me. Hey, I gotta go. The dogs need to be let out. Talk to you later?"
"Yeah, later. See ya man."
Justin hangs up the phone and starts walking to where his car is parked. He walks around the corner, paying attention to turning off his cell phone since it was on low battery and didn't see it coming. SLAM! Justin falls to the ground and hears another body slam onto the ground as well. As soon as he catches his breath, he slowly raises himself off the ground and feels rage build up inside of him as he sees the other person still lying on the ground. "You again! Are you trying to kill me?"
The girl slowly opens her eyes and groans. "I could ask you the same thing. Why don't you leave me alone Justin?"
"Only if you promise to stop running into me!"
"Justin, this time, it was your fault," the girl says, sitting up and holding her head.
Suddenly, the guy she was talking to during rehearsal comes up and drops to the ground. "Rebecca, are you okay? You're bleeding!"
Rebecca moves her hand to her temple and feels the warm, sticky liquid. "I'm fine David. Help me up?"
David extends his hand and pulls her up, wrapping an arm around her waist as he feels her wobble. "What happened?"
"She ran into me!" Justin exclaims, sickened at the site of the couple.
"No, he ran into me. He was too busy with his cell phone to watch where he was going," Rebecca replies, feeling a massive headache come on. "David, can you help me get my purse? I don't feel so well."
"Sure. Let's go," David says, helping her walk back into the building but not before glaring at Justin. "You should care more about walking into other people more than your phone."
Justin watches the two vanish before letting out a curse. "Why me? Why always her? Ugh! Okay Justin, you need to calm down. She's not totally at fault here but her attitude after it didn't help much either. Hang in there and you'll get through this!" With that, Justin walks off towards his car, laughing at himself later for peeking around every corner before rounding it.