‘Ok, Mr TV,’ he glanced down at the script in his lap, ‘we’ll go from the top of the scene. And if we have to stay late, we will, and wheneveryone misses their trains home they can direct their anger at you.’
‘Lovely.’ Oscar nodded, turning his back on the auditorium.Mr TV?he mouthed at Olive and she mouthedThank youback to him and when he winked at her, her heart lifted a few inches from where it had fallen.
Eliza
You were never supposed to find out this way.
Melvin
You didn’t do well to hide it.
Lars
Leave her be, goddammit!
Eliza
Larson, please. Go back inside. Go home. Anywhere but here.
Melvin
Yes, Larson. Do as she says.
Eliza
Please, Lars. Not here.
Lars
She’s not yours.
Eliza
Actually, Lars… I am.
Oscar watchedOlive lift her hand where a large engagement ring glittered in the blue stage lights. His heart squeezed gently in his chest as the briefest of thoughts flickered into his head:What if Olive got engaged to someone who isn’t me?His throat closed around his next line.
Lars
Eliza… no.
[Lars holds up the gun and points it at Melvin]
Eliza
NO!
Olive placed a hand on Oscar’s chest and could feel his pulsing heartbeat beneath his crisp shirt. She hoped he couldn’t feel the warmth radiating off her and hoped the blue lights were drowning out her red cheeks.
Melvin
Oh, Larson. When you will learn? It doesn’t matter how well you scrub up or how many lavish parties you sneakyourself into. It doesn’t matter how many of London’s finest you rub shoulders with or even how many wealthy women’s beds you wheedle your way into. You will never be good enough.
Eliza
Please don’t listen to him, Lars. Just go back inside.
Lars
