Rachel's smile couldn't have been wider as she bowed with the rest of the Funny Girl cast on stage on opening night of the musical. She was ecstatic. The house was packed and now, everyone was on their feet, clapping and cheering for them all.
Letting out a sigh of relief, Rachel flopped onto her chair in her dressing room. She'd had so much fun and the show had gone off without a hitch. She was so happy, but she was also really, really exhausted.
She'd barely had a moment to herself however, when there was a knock at the door.
"Who is it?" She called, her voice bird-like.
"Miss Berry," came a male voice, one of the Funny Girl security guards, "you have a visitor. She said she's a big fan!"
"Come on in then!" Rachel said, getting up, "I'd hate to disappoint." Rachel's mouth dropped open when the door opened. She blinked several times, staring in amazement. This couldn't be right. But she was standing right there…
"B-Bar-Barbra?" She asked disbelievingly.
"That's me Dear," the older woman answered, spinning around as she entered the room, "thank you Bernie," she turned to the security guard briefly as he left and she turned back to Rachel.
"Oh my god! It's you! It's really you! You're my idol! I've loved you my whole life! I can't believe this! Oh my God!" Rachel blabbered. "My Dads! They love you! They absolutely love you! I'm named after you. Oh my… Could I.. Could I have your autograph for them?"
"I'm the one who should be asking for an autograph, I think Miss Berry."
Rachel stopped in her tracks, simply staring at Barbra.
"Well, you're the star, aren't you? And you did a fantastic job out there."
"th-thank you," Rachel stammered, still to shocked to form complete sentences let alone words without stumbling, "I can't believe it's you. Wow! I.. I never thought this would happen."
"I'm glad I could put a smile on your face Miss Berry."
"It's Rachel. Especially to you Ms. Streissand. It's Rachel, please, and you've done way more than put a smile on my face. You've made a dream come true. I've wanted to follow in your footsteps my whole life, sort of. I've always dreamt of meeting you.. Only, I never thought it would come true."
"Glad to oblige, Rachel." Barbra smiled, "and you're doing a good job. Only, don't try and be me ok?"
Rachel's face fell and there was a long silence. "Huh?"
"Don't be me. Sure, you can do roles I've done. But it's important for you to be your own person too. Originate your own roles. Be a star in your own right. Promise me that, at least, alright?"
Too choked up to speak, Rachel simply nodded. "Anything for you. Ms. Streissand."
"Barbra," she said, waving a hand in the air, "Ms Streissand makes me feel just a tad old."
"You are not old!" Rachel said, outraged, "timeless. You're timeless."
"Why thank you Rachel," Barbra said, "I like that. Mind if I use it again?"
"Of course."
Late that night, Shelby Corcoran's phone shrilled loudly, waking her from her sleep. Seeing who was calling, Shelby sighed and answered.
"Rachel, it's the middle of the night. What's going on?"
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You'll never guess who came to see me after the show."
"Barbra Streissand?" Shelby guessed, a smile on her lips.
"Yes!" Rachel squealed. "I can't believe it. I still can't. Thank you. I know it was you. How did you…"
"I have my ways Rachel." Shelby said. "Do you think I could go back to sleep now?"
"Oh yes. Sorry. I just got so excited and I had to call. She signed the gold star on my door and we got a picture and she even sang with me!" Rachel babbled, still buzzing.
"That's great Rachel," Shelby said, stifling a yawn, "I'm really happy for you. Dreams do come true after all, see? Good night."
"Thanks again. I owe you big time."
"No problem. Anything for you Rachel."
"Goodnight Shelby," Rachel said, starting to feel tired herself, "sorry I woke you."