He saw me staring and smiled wide. I looked away quickly and when Stacie called for us to hurry up, I turned and joined her. Inside the members of this particular theatre were more than happy to help.
“Sorry we couldn’t meet you any closer. We were the only people available at the last minute to come open up the place,” a little old lady said, motioning to an even older man.
“It’s okay,” Stacie threw her arm over Thomas’ shoulder. “I brought a strapping young buck to carry everything for us.” The old woman giggled and I watched her eyes start from his head and slowly move down Thomas’ body. I could hardly contain a giggle of my own when I saw that his face was turning red. He nudged me to stop but that only made me laugh harder.
“Okay enough chit chat,” Thomas cut us off. “Where is all this stuff we came for?”
The old couple took him to the back and Stacie and I went back to her truck to grab the boxes of stuff for them.
When we returned Thomas was carrying a wooden bed frame to the truck. It looked heavy. I was glad he came. Me and Stacie would have struggled to get that together. We traded boxes of puffy musketeer costumes for boxes with old money clothes.
“They even included the Jackie-O costume. I’m sure you could tailor it to fit whoever needs it,” the old woman told us. Stacie took it out of the box and lifted it up.
She eyed me and then the costume, then me again. She folded it back up and put it back.
“I think it will be perfect. Thanks again Mr. and Mrs. Horowitz. We appreciate the help on such sudden notice.”
When we were back in the truck and on the road, I scolded her.
“You can’t cast before auditions Stacie. That’s not fair.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Fine, but promise me if you don’t get the part that you’ll be the stage manager or my assistant. Something. I don’t want you to leave us again. We just got you back,” she pouted.
“I promise. Scout’s honor.”
By the time we got back and put everything in the back of the theatre we had time to grab a bite to eat before people would start showing for auditions. I called Mark to see if he wanted to meet up, but they had ordered pizza and were eating in the studio.
“I’m sorry baby, Saturday I’ll make sure it’s just me and you. We’ll kick Derek out for the weekend.”
I heard Derek swear at him in the background.
“I think we should buy a small trailer to put in the backyard for him. Maybe build a small outhouse. He would never have to come in ever again,” he said loudly, baiting Derek. I sighed and got back in Stacie’s truck.
“Okay, Saturday sounds great. Auditions are in a few hours,” I reminded him.
“Oh, damn it. I totally forgot. Sorry babe, break a leg okay? I know you’re gonna get the part. I gotta go. Pizza just got here. We’re only taking a small break. Sam came over with a list of green lighted music to sample. It’s been crazy today. I love you,” he said.
“I love you too,” I said before he hung up. I sighed deeply. I understood, but it was still crappy sometimes.
“Well we are excited to be eating dinner with you too,” Thomas said, bringing me back to my surroundings. I forced a smile and apologized.
“Sorry, I just haven’t seen him much this last week or so.”
We stopped at a little sub shop and ordered to go so we could eat at the theater. Stacie and Thomas ordered first and before I could tell the person behind the counter what I wanted Thomas interrupted me.
“Let me see if I can still remember what you’ll order.” I smirked and crossed my arms over my chest.
“You really think you know me that well?”
“I used to. Let’s see,” he looked at the menu and the ingredients behind the glass. “She’s going to take the classic club on plain white bread. Toasted, with tomatoes, lettuce, mayo, tons of provolone and black pepper. Oh, and onions. White, not red,” he told the cook proudly. I scowled.
“That’s not fair. My order is easy,” I whined and nodded to the cook to make that exact sub. Thomas and Stacie laughed at me when I took my sandwich and paid grudgingly.
By the time we got to the theater we had just enough time to scarf down our food before people started arriving. Erin had made it a little early so she could help Stacie stay organized. Surprisingly, by the time Stacie stood up to do her introduction there were about twenty people here.
“Hello everyone. Lots of old faces, a few new. Glad to have everyone here. My name is Stacie and I am the director. We are hosting auditions for the black comedy “The House of Yes”. There are five speaking parts. Two male, three female. Obviously, we won’t be able to cast everyone here. However, after I announce the cast, I encourage anyone who still wants to be a part of this production to come see me or my assistant. We will need help with all sorts of things. There are plenty of behind the scenes roles to go around.” She walked back to her seat and produced the box of scripts.
