Thread: Two Belles of the Ball on a Stage Too Small - ( Erebus & Crescent )

What do you mean you're splitting the role!? Short strands of auburn slipped free of their confining elastic hair band as the young woman's palms smacked squarely down on the wooden surface separating her from focus of her attention. They hung loosely down past the scrunched lines in her forehead, swaying in front of her glaring, hazel-colored eyes. Across the circular oaken table, an older man clad in an old, beige corduroy suit jacket over a white button-up and faded jeans withered slightly from the aggressive reaction. He raised a hand to scratch lightly at his brown-gray stubble and looked away to the other young woman standing with them. Finding little more sympathy there, he lowered his chin and cleared his throat. Jean lifted her hands from the table and similarly crossed arms over her chest. She hunched forward slightly, not halting her annoyed glower. Yes well, as you both know, we have our first preview showing in three days, and umm, Erin and I have been talking... A few beads of sweat dotted his forehead just beneath his graying hairline, clearly defined as it was with his hair pulled back into a pony tail. Standing on the raised stage, a kitchen backdrop behind them, the spotlights shone down on the three of them. He met Jean's gaze again, and she raised both eyebrows as if to impatiently say 'go on'. Erin and I have been talking, and well.....we just think...you both bring something truly special to the part! As he turned to look offstage, seeking some support from Erin, Jean's expression turned to a mix of incredulity and just a hint of disgust. She directed this look to her side, clearly intending some of her displeasure for her counterpart. The annoyance came through in her voice as well, You're kidding ...right? We open in a week. We can't just learn new parts. Her right hand tugged at the short sleeve of her violet shirt, as she had a habit of doing in frustration. A puff of air was sent from her lips, aimed at the loose bangs that she just realized were bothering her. It's not a joke, Jean, and don't you worry about your lines! His confidence returned, along with a gleam of self satisfaction in his eyes. The man's pride seemed to swell as he continued, That's the brilliant part. You both know all of your lines already! Looking between them, he sought for some shared enthusiasm. Again finding little, he cleared his throat. Because each of you play the part so well, so differently, we just...., he glanced offstage to Erin to seek support a second time, want both of you to play it together!. It's really quite a bold move for Broadway, if I say so myself. Again that prideful expression spread across his face as he looked up into the lights. It was this look of the director's that Jean found particularly annoying whenever he wore it. As such, she scoffed audibly and rolled her eyes, now using her hand to tuck the loose hair behind her ear. So we're what, like splitting our lines? She asked, feeling the heat rise in her face. Exactly! Trust me, the crowds will eat it up. She couldn't look at him, at least not with the contempt that she wanted to just then. Instead, Jean glared daggers at the woman next to her. Unbelievable, to think that she , overacting hag that she was, was to share what was to be Jean's breakout part, the part that she had devoted herself to fully. She'd chopped her hair short, passed up on two other plays, even flirted with Dave, this asshole old fart of a director for a chance to play the part. Granted, Dave was generally pleasant and encouraging towards her, if a bit full of himself, but he certainly had achieved asshole status in her book with this move. When she spoke again, it came out quiet, almost pleading. No. Excuse me? He inquired. Her voice gradually raised as she went on, the last word shouted. No, you can't do this. You have to decide. You swore you would pick one of us. So PICK! Unfolding her arms, Jean slammed her palms down on the table again much harder, like a child throwing a tantrum. The angry gesture drew looks from Erin and a male member of the crew, standing off behind the side curtain. The outburst jolted her bangs loose again, draping them down again before her now pink flushed face and looking down at the table. Dave raised his hands in front of himself defensively. It's....umm....well, we can't. Jean's head popped up to glare at him again. You see, we've already announced it. A preview piece will be out in the Times tomorrow morning talking about it. He opened his mouth to say more, but no words came out. This....this is your fault! Her head whipped to face the other woman. Y-you're fucking fault! I can't believe you! She spat out the words, an angry tear welling in her eye. Without elaborating further, Jean balled her fists and jerked them to her sides. She abruptly turned face and stomped off the stage, purposefully giving Erin the stink eye in passing. Looking away and needlessly adjusting his ponytail, Dave nervously spoke, trying to add some levity to the situation, Well...I guess we can give you two an some time before we start today's rehearsal, heheh.....heh.