“Hate that one too.”
“I mean, when you have a Broadway performer in town – you use them. Use what you got.”
“That would be me using myself, Buffy. But I don’t think I have much choice. Can you call Twyla and see if she has time to come and clean that wig? Jack is a very sweaty Scrooge.”
“Sweaty and snotty – what a combo. On it, boss.” She twirled in front of my desk. “Have you got Jim a Christmas present yet?”
“Did your brother put you up to this?” I laughed. Buffy and Jim were the closest of siblings, and I loved being a part of their family. One day… maybe… I would be. I mean, when things were perfect, you thought about what the future would hold, right?
“No. He’s a shitty gift giver, by the way. Last year, he got me a drill. Do I look like the kind of girl who uses a drill?”
I laughed. “I’m not the best gift-giver myself. I try.”
“Trust me!” She screamed with glee. “You are much better than Jim, just because you’re not Jim. He has the best heart and would do anything for anybody. But he does not know how to… choose a gift. Wait for it and call me afterwards.”
“I guess I have to start looking over these songs.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“What?”
“Did you get Jim a gift yet?”
“I think that I’ll keep that to myself. You have a big mouth.”
“I do not… Ok, I do like to gossip, but I can keep a secret when I need to.”
“You’ll find out eventually. I keep my secrets close.”
“Learn your lines,” she smirked and walked out of my office.
I pulled up the original Broadway cast recording on my computer and plugged in my headphones. The worst gift I could give the people of Foggy Basin was a Scrooge who forgot the lyrics during a sold-out performance.
2
JIM
Istared at him like he was insane. “You’re what? I mean, I know you’re a professional, but can you do this with no rehearsal?”
“I can. I’ve been a swing in enough shows that I’ll be fine. I’ve seen this show in enough rehearsals that I could step in for almost anyone. I choreographed all the numbers, and have been listening to this show for quite some time, so… I should be good. If not, I’ll have to quit in shame,” he teased. “Would you run away with me? Could you leave Foggy Basin with me in shame, or would you be the first to cast me out as you threw rotted fruit and vegetables?”
“I do like to throw a good tomato every now and then,” I chuckled and walked over and stood behind him. I placed my hands gently on his shoulders and squeezed them. “You’re tight.”
“No shit. I’m stepping into Scrooge tomorrow night and… It’ll be the first time I’ve ever performed here. What if people hate me?”
“God, why did I fall in love with an actor?” I groaned and really got into his muscles with my fingers. I kneaded hismuscles, and he moaned and hissed as I found every knot. “You know you have to pay me back for this.”
“What… Oh, God… That is so good. Pay you back for what?”
“This massage.”
“Oh, really? What payment methods do you accept? Do you take Venmo?”
“No… I don’t take cash.”
“Ah… Is this a ploy to stop me from looking over this script so I don’t embarrass myself and give you some ass?”
“I was thinking blowjob, but… yeah.”
