Behind The Scene

CHAPTER 4

The corridor was full when I arrived and the hopeful and anxious expressions of each applicant were looking back at me from every direction. I took a seat among them, watching as they dwindled before my eyes, called in one by one by the tall, blonde assistant, her high stiletto heels announcing her arrival far before she appeared around the corner each time. She had the best poker face that I'd ever seen, never giving away anything as she briefly interacted with each of us, her face remaining set in a professionally distant mask of indifference. There were less than half of us left when she returned once again, calling my name and making my heart leap into my throat.
Nodding my head once, I followed her along the hallway, and through a set of double doors, into a large, cavernous room. It reminded me of a theatre, yet there was no stage, no level difference between me and the other occupants in the room. Three smartly dressed people were a mere few steps in front of me, seated behind a long table, laptops set up in front of them as they conversed in hushed tones. A few other people were scattered about in a series of chairs laid out in rows, all facing in my direction. I maintained a polite smile as I caught the eye of some of the audience, my gaze wandering to the table, where I instantly recognised the middle-aged man in the middle, Harrison De'monte, a well-known casting director, who looked up at my approach.
"Miss McCall, correct?" He asked gruffly, consulting his list briefly.
"Yes, Sir, that's correct," I nodded, stopping a short distance from his position.
"Do we have your headshot?" He mumbled more to himself than anyone else as he ran a hand over the sea of papers on his desk.
"No, I have copies here," I replied confidently, raising my hand which was clutching a plastic file, and moving closer, pulling three copies from the file and handing the sheets to each of them in turn before returning back to my position.
"Very well," He added, glancing briefly at the page, then laying it back on the table, consulting his list again, "You're reading for the part of Rhianna, I believe you're familiar with the scene?"
"Yes, I was sent a copy yesterday."
The woman beside him began typing, pressing her square spectacles higher up her nose, whilst the younger man on his other side made some quick ticks on a piece of paper.
"Perfect. You may begin when you're ready."
I managed a smile and retreated a few steps further to allow myself room to move. I was glad that I'd memorised the script the night before, as being able to read lines without it was a reassuring tick by my name for sure. All eyes were upon me as I launched into my first line:
"There's nothing you can say, Marco," I said, twisting my expression into one of pain and sorrow, "I can't go back to how it was, I can't betray all that I know, all that I believe there is... just to be with a man who can't be sure about what we have."
I paused to acknowledge the line that Marco was meant to say, giving the audience a second to allow my line to sink in, before continuing:
"You love the idea of us, the reality never lives up to our dreams,"
"Okay, stop there for a moment," Harrison called, his voice cutting across my line and making my heart pound against my chest as I worried about what I'd done wrong. "I'm going to have us skip to the end of the scene, and this time I'd like someone else to read with you," He turned to the gathered people behind him, "Mitch, could you read for Marco please?"
A man rose from the second row, his face getting clearer as he approached, stepping into the light. He was handsome, mid-thirties at most, with short and tidily styled chestnut hair and piercing blue eyes. He smiled warmly as he stopped before me.
"Go from Marco's line, 'You're wrong if you think that', please."
There was pure silence in the room, everyone's attention now on the pair of us as we prepared to act our scene. Suddenly Mitch's hands took hold of mine, drawing me closer until his face was inches away from mine, his pained expression perfectly on point for the line:
"You're wrong if you think that. If you think for one second that my love for you isn't strong enough to overcome anything in this world."
Tears swam in his eyes, and I mirrored his saddened attitude with my own, holding back enough that it didn't overstep my character's emotions. Mitch's hand released my own, now coming to rest against my cheek.
"You're the very reason that my heart beats at all, and I'd give up everything I have, just to hear you tell me you love me one more time," He continued.
Following his physical show of emotion, I leant into his touch, my eyes closing as I forced a single tear to fall, my fingers brushing against his wrist.
"I do love you," I said tearfully, "I will always love you, but sometimes that just isn't enough."
"Then allow me to convince you otherwise," He replied breathlessly.
Suddenly his lips were against my own, and as his arms wrapped around me, a tear fell against my cheek.
"And cut!"
The director's voice rang out again, and we broke apart.
"Nicely done," Mitch whispered happily.
"You too," I replied, wiping the side of my cheek with the back of my hand and turning to face our audience.
"That was fantastic, I could really feel the emotion between you both, great job,"
"Thank you," I replied as Mitch nodded in acknowledgement and then retreated back to his seat, his part in my audition now over.
"I'd like to see just a hint more desperation in a couple of your lines," He explained, "Your character is torn right now, seeking a final decision on whether to give in to love or to abandon it, she can't just be sad about this, she needs something more."
"I understand," I said, happily taking on the advice.
"Okay, if you can give the last three lines a go again, more of that desperation this time," He instructed.
I spent at least another fifteen minutes in there, repeating my lines and receiving feedback and helpful critique throughout. The more that I received though, the happier I was, because to get any feedback at all, meant that they were considering me, and that alone was reason to celebrate. By the time that they were finally done with my audition, I was in high spirits, and Harrison himself had even given me a reassuring smile and emphasised his satisfaction with my audition.
I practically skipped back out onto the street, fishing my phone out of my bag as I went and dialling Ross's number.
"I just had the best audition ever!" I exclaimed excitedly as soon as he answered.
"That's great, baby. I'm so proud of you," He replied happily.
Proud of me.
Hearing those words made my heart soar. It was such a small thing, but I'd longed to hear it for as long as I could remember. Waited to hear my parents saying it as I made the move to follow my dreams, to hear my friends say it when I set my sights on Hollywood, but those words never came, not from any of them.
"Thanks," I said brightly, making my way back to my car. "It was incredible, I think I definitely have the part."
"Good, you deserve it. I know how hard you've been working, it's about time that it begins to pay off. This time next week you'll be weighed down with offers."
I chuckled at the thought, feeling lighter and happy like things were finally going my way. I continued to chat to him until I got back in the car, where we said goodbye and I began the journey back to my apartment, my spirits so high that not even the agonising amount of traffic could drag me down.
Stuck in a huge backlog, I cranked up my stereo to keep myself occupied as cars moved at a glacial pace up ahead. I was unfamiliar with this area of town, not having been to this neighbourhood before, and as I gazed around me, a huge billboard caught my eye. It stood out sharply against all of the more muted, neutral-toned signs and buildings around it. The strong black canvas depicted a floral lace patterned border and huge, silver words emblazoned over the top reading: 'Platinum Rose, LA's hottest club! Now hiring!' As the traffic began moving, I turned back to the road, putting my foot down and following the steady trickle of cars as I got closer to home.
I took the next few days off, still looking out for new opportunities, but not attending any auditions. I waited patiently to hear back about my last one, not wanting to double book anything that could potentially collide with my call-back.
I was going rather stir crazy being stuck in my apartment all day and night, and so I decided to take a break and go for a stroll. It was time that I got to know my new home a bit better anyway. I spent the entire afternoon wandering around, learning the routes to my newly marked favourite spots, noting the nearest coffee shops and restaurants, and the quickest way to the beach. When I returned home later that evening, I was ready to step into the shower and have an early night, but when I saw my answer machine flashing with a new message, that idea went out the window. My heart rose into my mouth and I bounded across my room, holding my breath as I hit play.
"Miss McCall, this is Harrison De'monte, I'm calling to thank you for auditioning with us the other day, we were most impressed with your performance."
I grinned broadly, biting my lip in excited anticipation.
"You showed brilliant potential, however, this time we've decided to go with someone else for the part. I'm sorry that you missed out this time, but I truly hope you will audition for me again in the future."
The line went dead, the message reaching the end. My smile faltered, my limbs suddenly feeling heavy. I was sure that I had it in the bag. He'd all but confirmed it that day. His words rang through my head on repeat, and I felt myself sinking to the floor, tears now falling as the best chance I'd had so far slipped away.