Chapter 1

The Audition

Faint words can be heard through slim, white headphones.

I want to run, I want to hide

I want to tear down the walls that hold me inside

"Kate.."

I want to reach out and touch the flame

"Kate?!"

Where the streets have no-

"Dammit KATE?!" a woman yells as she rips out the girl's headphones.

"Ow," Kate says as she glares at the woman, "Was that necessary Rachel?"

"Were you even listening to me?" she asks. Kate smiles and says sarcastically, "Of course I was."

"Oh really. Well smartass, what did I say?" Rachel raises her eyebrows and smiles back. They stare at each other for a brief moment. Kate with her light blue eyes and Rachel with her green ones. Both of these women opposites in looks and personality. Kate who is reserved with her rich auburn hair and pale skin contrasts Rachel's sleek black hair, olive skin, and headstrong personality.

Kate looks away and sighs.

"It's not hard to guess what it was. Was it about how I have this extremely important audition and how I have to be 110% prepared?" She says as she looks out the side window of the car watching people and cars alike go by.

"This IS an extremely important audition. Don't you realize that if you get this role it could be your Hollywood debut?" Rachel elbows her, "Now show me some confidence."

"Oh don't worry Rachel you have enough confidence for the both of us," she says still not looking at her. Rachel crosses her arms and shakes her head, "I'm your agent. I kind of need it. That's not the point though. Your audition is in 45 minutes and you look like you can careless." Kate's head turns towards Rachel, her gaze serious, "I know how important this is. I haven't been able to sleep well for weeks. Yet I also know what my chances are. I've had minor roles in small films and I've only acted on stage a few times. If they actually pick me for this role it'd be a miracle. So excuse me for my lack of enthusiasm."

"Kate I've watched you time and time again. I've seen your potential. Don't you tell anyone this but on more than one occasion you've actually made me cry," she says sincerely. Kate chuckles and shakes her head.

"It's not funny! I'm being serious," Rachel says a smile forming on her lips against her will. Kate says jokingly, "Well this is the first time I'm hearing of your apparent soft side. It's nice to know you have one." Rachel eyes her, annoyance written all over her face. Kate smiles watching her reaction, "I appreciate it though. Without you pushing me so hard I guess, well, I wouldn't be here right now. So, I thank you; not only for being your pushy, irritating self, but also grabbing me this opportunity. I doubt it was easy."

Rachel smiles and sits back a smug expression forming, "I'm just one hell of an agent. I mean, come on, you should be worshipping me for this."

"Well now look who's full of herself," Kate says. The car shifts to the right, slows down and stops next to the curb. Kate looks out the window next to Rachel and sees a large beige building, two stories, with windows spread evenly apart. Two glass doors hold the entrance inside. The door to the right of Rachel opens an older gentlemen stands on the outside.

"I only speak the truth," Rachel says as she steps out of the car. Kate shakes her head and slides over to get out of the car. She steps out and sees Rachel waiting for her by the doors.

"You ready for this?" she asks as Kate walks up to her.

"Ready as I'll ever be I suppose," she says looking inside. Rachel holds open the door for Kate as she heads inside.

"It should be through the lobby and the last door on the right," Rachel says as she walks past Kate and leads her through the lobby. Kate follows her into the hallway. As they make their way down they start to see some people waiting in the hallway.

"Is there supposed to be a lot of people auditioning today?" Kate asks. Rachel steps towards the wall and stops, saying, "Of course, what did you think you were special or something?" She elbows Kate lightly and grins.

"The never ending smartass huh?" Kate asks and they both start laughing. The door at the end of the hall opens and a woman walks out who looks about 25 years old and heads down the hallway a young man appears trailing behind her.

"Hurry up, Peter," she yells as she continues walking. Kate watches as they walk down disappearing through the lobby.

"Promise me, you'll never change Kate," Rachel says looking at her seriously. She takes Rachel's hand and squeezes it, "Don't worry, I won't let the glamour of high-society life corrupt me into some pompous, Hollywood snob."

"Was that sarcasm?" Rachel asks, shaking her head, "Because sometimes I can't tell."

"Kate Pierce, come right in," a man calls out. Kate takes a deep breath and walks forward.

"Wait," Rachel says as she steps forward to grab her arm, "Tell me." Kate turns to her and smiles a genuine smile, and somehow Rachel understands her unsaid words, "I promise."

As Kate steps through the door into a small room she notices a rectangular table in the center where three people are sitting talking amongst themselves. She walks up to them to the opposite side facing them.

"Kate Pierce, seems you have an interesting resume," says a woman on the right her blonde hair up in a bun, "Not very long though." Kate opens her mouth to say-

"Now Jamie we all know there's more to a person aside from their resume, says the man in the middle, interrupting Kate, "Besides Sarah and Randi both said she did wonderfully at the first audition." Kate remembers how a few weeks prior she went to an audition for the casting directors. She felt that it wasn't her best, but the words from the man in the middle gave her confidence and put her at ease.

"I personally would like to see what she is capable of," he says as he looks at her with a smile, "Let me introduce myself first. My name is Kenneth Branagh and I am going to be the director of Thor." With these words Kate begins to feel uneasy again, but she notices his eyes and the genuine sincerity within them. He looks to be in his late forties, early fifties with light, dirty blonde hair and a scruffy beard. She smiles at this looking at him with confident eyes.

"I am Kevin Zeige and the very stern looking woman to Ken's right is Jamie Smith and we are both the producers," he smiles as he says this and Jamie just looks away pursing her lips.

"It's very nice to meet you all, and even though my resume is small I always put full effort into every role I play," she says to them smiling.

"Well that is a quality we are most certaintly looking for," Ken says, "Shall we begin?" He hands her the script and the lines she needs to read are highlighted. She nods and takes a few steps back so she has the room she needs. She then begins to speak.