She sat in a waiting area with about twenty other actresses, some she recognised and others looked like newbies to it all. She was called in, in a group of six and they were asked to read together in various parts. They were asked to stand and sit in various poses and then asked to sit back in the waiting area. About an hour later a production assistant came out and called out the names of five actresses, one of them being Tasha. They were taken to another, smaller waiting area and then called into a room one at a time to meet the producers and the casting director again.
Tasha was third in and smiled as she shook hands with each of the panel.
She sat opposite them and the main producer Niall, addressed her, “I believe you are here courtesy of my wife.”
Tasha frowned. “Not that I’m aware of.”
“Angie’s your agent? She spotted you at an art exhibition and sent you to audition for Sheena Taylor, my wife,” he explained.
“Oh, I see. I was confused for a moment,” she said, smiling.
“I think it was after one of Sheena and Angie’s legendary girl’s nights in when your name came up for this.”
“Oh, I see,” she repeated. “I wasn’t aware of that. I implore you to employ me, or not, based on my audition, not on Angie or Sheena’s night in,” she said seriously, suspicious that this man had already taken a dislike to her on the misunderstanding she was here as a favour that involved her agent and his wife.
“I intend to,” he said grimly, confirming his suspicion of Tasha.
She read for several parts and as she thought they were about to finish Niall explained a little more about the production. “The plan is to film this in and around London for the location scenes, but as we are now being partly funded by one of the big American studios the studio stuff will be in Los Angeles. Is that a problem for you?”
“No, not at all.” She resisted the temptation to point out that it suited her better because her crazy boyfriend would like her in L.A.
“I hadn’t realised this was a U.S. and U.K. combined venture.” She aimed for casual indifference.
“It was originally an independent U.K. company production, but due to some funding issues and jittery TV execs and the offer of some American money it was changed. Plus, the American studios have every facility known to man and I think some agreement has been reached for them to syndicate the first series, so…”
“A deal too good to say no to?”
“Exactly.”
Could she ask which studio? If she asked and they said Jim’s would she take a part if she was offered it? And what if it was a rival studio, she might have to say no thank you. What a stupid situation. She decided ignorance might be better so said nothing.
“So, Tasha, are you available from mid-August for about six weeks for read throughs and location shoots, then October til mid-December for the studio stuff. Studio time has been extended due to Thanksgiving, whatever that’s all about,” he said with a dismissive wave of his hand.
With a short smile at his words and distaste for delays due to Thanksgiving, Tasha thought Niall might need to curb his dismissive attitude to American festivities if he was hoping to find work and popularity in The States. She had already heard several stories of Independence Day, Labour Day, Memorial Day and Thanksgiving celebrations from the Maybury clan. They all sounded like big affairs, unless the Mayburys just liked an excuse to get together and celebrate.
“Yes, I am,” she confirmed, knowing she was free throughout the summer and autumn.
“We have a few others to see, but I would imagine there will be a role for you, so we will contact Angie, probably tomorrow, when we have made our final decision.”
She left feeling quite positive and having agreed to meet Lucy at their favourite restaurant Tasha headed straight there. She had chosen to wear black trousers and a see through black blouse, but had taken Jim’s advice and put a black camisole on underneath the blouse and begrudgingly admitted it looked far more appropriate. She was waiting for Lucy when she received a text from her.
Knowing her friend wouldn’t be too long she went with the option of bread and a soft drink at the table and text Jim.
She reread the message and thought it sounded supportive rather that accusatory. There was a delay of about ten minutes before he replied.
Tasha smiled at his curiosity about her conversation with Amanda, but if Amanda hadn’t told him maybe she shouldn’t either.
