Carol walked into the building and right back out. What am I doing? She wondered. Standing on the sidewalk she looked down at the newspaper in her hand. She had been sitting in the local diner having some lunch, a luxury she really couldn't afford, but allowed herself anyway as she exercised her new freedom, when she came across an ad in the paper. It was an open casting call for a new television show, but there was something a little different - they were looking for ordinary people, not professional actors.
At first she dismissed it, assuming it was one of those stupid reality shows. But something drew her back to the ad and she read more, choking on a french fry when she read the minimum starting salary for the 6 episode first season. 6 episodes. How long could that take? It was a lot of money. An astronomical amount of money to someone like her. She could afford a house, a car - freedom and true independence.
And it wasn't a reality show. There weren't a lot of details, they must have been hoping to draw more people with curiosity and that massive starting salary. But it did explain that the characters would be based of the real backgrounds and personalities of the people who were cast. It said they would have to give full disclosure in the auditions and agree to comprehensive background checks to confirm. Was she ready to spill her secrets? Was she really comfortable telling strangers about her life of abuse with her ex-husband? Carol was very proud of herself for finally getting away from him. She decided if she needed to talk about it to get the role she could do so with her head held high - she was strong, she always had been.
Carol looked at her watch, she needed to decide soon. The cut off time was in less than 15 minutes away. With a deep breath she turned, just as two men opened the door and started into the building. "Come on Merle, this is stupid. I don't wanna be on no TV show and they ain't gonna cast either one of us anyway." Carol slipped in behind them and listened to the conversation.
"Just get your ass in here you big pussy," the older of the two said, holding open another door. He noticed Carol. "Oh 'scuse my language, after you," he waved her ahead. Carol had a feeling he was only apologizing for show, but it's the thought that counts she decided. "If they're looking for a broody, scowling man-baby you're a shoe in," he added with a laugh.
The man named Merle seemed to be a real talker. "Besides, I heard rumors the show's about a zombie apocalypse. They're gonna need a couple good ol backwoods Georgia boys." Carol glanced backwards briefly to see Merle grab the other man's face. "Aww, Bro, your face was made for TV, you pretty boy." Carol turned away to hide her smile at the huge scowl on his handsome face. Merle was right about one thing, his 'Bro' was one good looking guy. She felt color creep into her cheeks but her smile widened. It was nice to be able to check out handsome men without risking a beating.
A man with a clipboard greeted them. Carol could see the hallway lined with people and she felt her chances slipping away. "Sorry, but we aren't taking any more," the man said. Her heart sank.
"Aw nah," Merle drawled, wrapping an arm around the man's shoulder like they were old friends. "There's just the two, uh, three of us here." He poked at the clipboard. "How's about ya just add us to your little list here and it'll be our secret."
"I'm sorry," the man started, clearly feeling uncomfortable with Merle draped on him.
Merle quickly interrupted. "Your ad says 3pm. It ain't 3pm yet." His voice went from charming to something more threatening.
Carol watched Mr. Sexy reach for Merle's shoulder. "Come on Merle, let's just go."
"Daryl," he growled, giving him a death stare. Daryl quickly backed off. Carol wondered if she should just slip out before things got too crazy, but she was actually fascinated by the brothers. She was pretty confident at that point that the two men were brothers, given their interactions and the 'Bro' earlier.
"Sir, please," the clipboard man tried again. "I was told we aren't accepting any more -"
"Harv, hey," a man called, poking his head out into the hall. He'd likely heard the commotion. "Sign em in and go lock the front."
Merle was grinning like he just won the lottery as the man sighed, "Names?"
"Merle Dixon, M - E -R -"
"Got it," he snapped, scribbling with his pen, as Carol bit her lip to keep from smiling. This Merle guy was funny, even if he did seem like a macho asshole.
Merle finally let go and clapped Daryl on the shoulder. "And this is my handsome little brother, Daryl." Knew it, Carol thought, proud of her perceptive skills.
The man scribbled something down and looked at her. "Oh, Carol - Peletier," she said, wondering if he would spell her last name right but still not bothering to help.
"Take a seat if you can find one, gonna be a long wait." The man left, likely to go lock that door. Of course there were no seats and he wasn't kidding when he said it would be a long wait. As people filed out slowly Carol was finally able to get a chair. Daryl had sunk to the floor and was quiet, but Merle paced - the entire time, clearly impatient.
She looked around at the mish mash of people in the room. There were entire families, people of all ages, and even two cops in uniform, one seemed to be with his wife and son, though it appeared they all knew each other. One by one people were called into the room and one by one they left. It was almost 6pm by the time it was down to the three of them. Carol noticed the women seemed to be called into one room and the men into another. So even though she was last on the list she was called in before the guys. "Ms. Peletier," a man called out.
Carol had a huge nervous knot in her stomach as she stood and walked into the room. "Welcome, please have a seat." Carol sat in a chair and fought off the urge to barf as she stared at 5 people across the table. "My name is Jeff, I'm one of the producers. These 4 are members of the writing team. They're here to listen to your story and see if you might fit into their plan." Carol nodded. "Let me explain how this is going to work. I have a series of questions to ask and as we go through them the writers may jump in to ask for clarification from time to time. These questions are about your life and many are very personal in nature. We have requested full disclosure - we need complete honesty. If you happen to make the next round you will sign papers to allow our investigators to confirm your story." He stopped for a moment and Carol took a deep breath. "Don't be nervous, just be you. We're not looking for actors here, we want real people. We have great acting coaches who will help on that end, but the most important thing is that we want this to be realistic - with genuine people. This show is about a group of survivors who band together - people from all walks of life. We want it to feel real and we wanted to do it in a groundbreaking way." Carol had to admit what they were planning was extremely ambitious and if it worked it would be revolutionary in the entertainment industry.
"Ready?" Jeff asked. Carol nodded again and it began. Once they got going Carol started to relax. It wasn't like a scary job interview, they were just asking all about her life and her personality. Everything from her childhood and her parents to her current situation.
"I recently got out of an abusive marriage," Carol said. She noticed the entire group perk up. It was a bit creepy but understandable. They were looking for a good backstory. "I should have left him years ago, before countless arm slings and black eyes, broken ribs and concussions."
"Your husband, what's his name?" One of the writers asked.
"Ex husband," Carol corrected him. "My divorce was finalized about a month ago." 27 days ago to be exact. "Ted. Ted Peletier," she answered.
"Kids?" Carol shook her head. She wanted children, but not with Ted. She decided that after the first miscarriage when he pushed her down a flight of stairs.
They asked several more questions about where she worked, her religious affiliation, even her political views. Carol answered honestly but the more she talked the more she worried she was boring them. "I know my life isn't very exciting, and I know this probably doesn't matter to you but I really need the money. I'm a hard worker and I promise I will do everything you ask of me," Carol spoke passionately. "I haven't been given a chance to do much in my adult life. I worked and fought hard to get away from my ex husband. I need something - something exciting. I want to live." They all appeared to be listening but Carol decided it was time to shut up. "I'm sorry about that," she added, hoping they wouldn't see her as unprofessional.
"Ms. Peletier, you realize if you get a role on this show it's going to change your life.
Not just the money, but you'll become a television star, recognized all over the world. This is a big deal. This show could change the entertainment business. Are you really ready to become a celebrity?" Jeff asked, looking at her, waiting for an answer.
Carol stared back at him and she nodded her head, "Yes sir, I am." She spoke with confidence even if she was completely freaking out on the inside. Was she really ready? Hell no. But they didn't need to know that.
"Okay then, if you'll just fill out this paper," he passed over a sheet of paper and a pen and Carol quickly added her personal information, phone number, address etc. "If we want you to come for a second audition we will have contacted you within a week." He stood and stretched out a hand. "Thank you for your time." Carol shook his hand and headed out of the room, feeling a bit dizzy and stunned.
"I want her," she heard one of the writers say in a hushed whisper as the door closed behind her. Carol felt her heart start to pound and she realized it was going to be the longest week ever.
She saw Daryl was still sitting in the hallway. She stopped in front of him and looked down. "Good luck," she said with a smile. "I bet they're gonna love you." Jesus, am I flirting? Carol wondered.
He snorted and looked up at her. Damn, he really was gorgeous. His eyes were squinty but she could see they were a really pretty blue. He had a rugged sex appeal, made even sexier by the fact that he clearly didn't see his own beauty. They would be crazy not to cast him - female viewers would go nuts. "Doubt it," he said.
Before Carol could reply a voice called out, it was Merle. "Hey, Princess, get in here, you're up." They had interviewed some family members together Carol had noticed.
She extended a hand and helped him to his feet. "Break a leg," she said.
Finally he smiled. Just a tiny, shy smile, barely making eye contact. "Thanks." With that he disappeared into the room and she headed outside.
27 days completely free. And Day 27 felt like a damn good one.