Mel’s face grew crimson and he reached for the security buzzer on his desk. Felix’s hand quickly slammed over his to stop him.
‘Don’t even think about it,’ he warned in a low, threatening voice. He stared at Mel for an answer.
‘Well… I… I… might have mentioned one or two things…’ stammered Mel, getting hotter and hotter under the collar.
‘You told her where I lived, knowing full well she’d tell Anika,’ said Felix, still in the same menacing tone.
‘She… could have asked.’
‘Yes, and you bloody told her!’ shouted Felix, making Mel jump. ‘You told Selina McKennaeverythingshe wanted to know, didn’t you?’
‘I’m not sure,’ replied Mel lamely.
‘Oh, I’m sure,’ spat Felix. ‘I’m absolutely sure you were wined, dined and flattered by a young actress who was paying you plenty of attention. And you,’ he pointed at him in disgust, ‘are a pathetic, sad, old man, who lapped it all up. Didn’t you realise you were being used?’
Mel’s mouth opened in protest, then shut. Felix continued the rant.
‘I mean, come on, Mel, why else would Selina McKenna be showing you any interest?’
‘For a role?’ answered Mel icily.
There was a slight pause.
‘Yes, and she nearly got one, didn’t she?’ replied Felix with slit eyes. ‘Is that how you operate, Mel? Dish the parts out to those who show the most willing?’
The suggestion wasn’t lost on Mel. Whilst Selina had indeed sweet-talked and cajoled him, and however much he enjoyed being the centre of her attention (silly, vain man that he was) he hadn’t actually given her a part. However, the rumours surrounding him casting several other leading men’s roles did lead to much speculation.
The simple truth was, Mel Nichols abused his position as casting director. Another truth was he liked men, young men, many who were desperate to become stars. And Mel had the power to make them stars. End of. It wasn’t nice and it wasn’t professional, but so far he’d got away with it, until now. Was Felix Paschal about to blow his career into smithereens?
A charged silence hung in the air. Both men stared each other out. Mel blinked first.
‘I apologise, Felix. I ought to have known better.’
‘You will be sorry, Mel,’ Felix answered and turned on his heel, slamming the door behind him.
Jennifer sat, eyes wide with interest as Felix recounted the whole incident.
‘The complete and utter snake,’ she said when he’d finished. Then, after a moment’s consideration, added, ‘And to think, if I hadn’t lied about Selina McKenna being ill, she could have got the role of Lady Scarlett.’
‘I know, thank God you thought on your feet,’ replied Felix.
Jennifer frowned. ‘I’m surprised he didn’t know she wasn’t really ill.’
‘I’m not. She’ll have dropped him when he’d served his purpose and never seen him again.’
‘I expect so,’ Jennifer agreed, then shuddered.
‘What is it, Jennifer?’ Felix asked concerned.
‘Just what you said about Mel, using his power like that, with vulnerable, young actors.’
‘I know.’ Felix grimaced in repulsion.
‘Do something about it, Felix.’ She stared at him, eyes pleading.
‘You mean report him?’
‘Yes.’
