Chapter Two
Headaches and Phone Calls
Jude woke up the next morning with a pounding headache. Stumbling out of bed she walked into her bathroom to get a Tylenol out of the medicine cabinet. Looking into the mirror she grimaced, ouch…so much for beauty sleep. After taking two pills she turned on the shower head, peeled off her clothes and stepped into the shower, turning it on massage. She finally started to wake up feeling the hot droplets of water pound against her skin.
After getting out of the shower Jude changed into her Levis with brown boots and an off-the-shoulder white top. Checking the time she saw that she had two hours before she had to appear for her audition.
Walking into the kitchen she turned on the mini TV while getting out some Cheerios and milk. Settling down on one of her barstools, she watched the morning news.
"And in other news, pop sensation turned movie star Tom Quincy was seen last night leaving Club Rouge looking quite 'friendly' with underage pop star Karma. We have yet at this time to find out about any pressing charges on Quincy's behalf…"
Jude gave another disgusted sigh and shut the TV off. Do they ever shut up about him? Any guy who becomes one of Karma's many one night stands are idiots and man whores in my book…Jude thought putting on her jacket to go on a walk. She needed to get her mind clear of all hostility before she went into the audition. How can I expect to get a part in a romance movie if I act like an angry bitch?
Before she could get to the door her phone rang. Checking the caller ID she realized it was Patsy Sewer, basically the only person she still kept in touch with from Toronto besides her family, on occasion. Many of Jude's friends were rough around the edges, but Patsy Sewer was all edges. She lives out of her car and never waits for the bars to open at night to start drinking. She was also the only person who stuck by Jude's side when the record label went commando and started ruining the music. If it wasn't for Patsy, Jude would probably still be at G-Major, dressed as a Karma look-a-like.
"Patsy? I haven't talked to you in a while," Jude spoke turning back into her kitchen.
"Yup that's me. How's Blondie doing up in the Big Apple? I've only been there once, didn't like it. Nothing useful in the dumpsters," Patsy said.
Jude gave a tiny laugh at the thought. She remembered the time she first met Patsy, which was also the first time she got arrested. "It's going pretty good; actually I have an audition today for a new movie."
"Sounds interesting, do you know what it's about?" she wanted to know, "I bet it's another one of those depressing horror ones where you always die. I especially liked that last one. The nails through your face were a nice touch."
"Actually, my agent has me auditioning for a romance movie this time," she spoke sarcastically. Patsy went belly up in laughter on the other side of the line.
"Blondie, you can't be serious. You, in a romance movie? Those are just two things that will never fit. Do you know who the lucky guy is?" she asked curiously. Jude rolled her eyes for about the tenth time in the past two days before answering.
"My agent has yet to surprise me with the answer to that question," Jude spoke, never really thinking about that aspect before. Who is this guy? He better not be anything like Tom Quincy or I'll shoot myself…that's assuming I even get the part…she thought suddenly remembering that she was still talking to Patsy on the other line.
"Blondie…Blondie! Earth to Blondie! You there or do I need to start making funeral arrangements?"
"What? Yeah I'm still here, I was just…spacing out for a moment. Hey look, I'd better get going, I only have a little less than an hour to be at my audition; I'll catch up with you later, okay?"
"Sure thing. Good luck with the audition, try not to fall flat on your face leaning in for one of those sappy romantic kisses. Hah, it's not like you've got a lot of practice before, hot stuff," Patsy replied before clicking off the receiver.
Jude just stared at her phone with a weird look pasted on her face. She loved Patsy, but sometimes her rationale was a little strange, even for Jude. Putting the phone back on the charger she grabbed her purse from the countertop, exiting her apartment.
On her way down the stairs she couldn't help but think about what Patsy had said. She's right, I am kind of rusty in that department. Hey it's not my fault all of the guys that have come into my life have been jerks… she thought, her mind suddenly wandering back to that tragic day in the mall. Jude's face glazed over emotionless. Her walking slowed to a stop as she could no longer see anything except the hideous face of her attacker. His face curled into a smile only the devil could wear.
Jude grabbed the railing for support, trying to get rid of the memories. After her heart had calmed down she kept walking, scared at the fact that she had almost gone into another panic attack. She hadn't had random flashbacks of that day in three years, and that fact scared the shit out of her.
Looking at her watch she realized she had a half hour to be at her audition and knew she better move now or she won't get there on time. Not that I want that part, but it's not like I have a better idea.
Walking through the double glass doors of the studio, she saw Mike talking to another one of his agent friends. He saw Jude walk in and hurried off to greet her. He was in his usual navy blue business suit with a cheesy smile stamped across his face.
"Jude! Just the girl I was looking for," he started guiding her through the hallway into a room on the right hand side of the building. Jude had been here many times for auditioning purposes and knew her way around pretty well.
"Well it's your lucky day then," Jude said to Mike, obviously not in the mood for small talk. Still the smile remained unaltered and his mood seemed unchanged. Jude knew better. This was his business smile, because you "never want to make a bad impression". She heard that saying from him so many times she was about ready to embroider it to a pillow and give it to him as a gift on his next birthday. Although then that creates the problem of having to learn embroidery. I'll hold on the birthday gift idea…she thought tuning back into the conversation.
Mike's stare turned stone under her gaze. He never liked a smart aleck, especially from his clients. Normally Jude tried hard to avoid these conversations about behavior, but today she just wasn't in the mood.
"Jude," his voice dropped down to a whisper, "today is very important for your career. You need this movie gig, so I suggest you cut the attitude. You need to make an impression on these people, and it better be a good one," he said stepping back a little and regaining his businessman-like state.
Guiding Jude across the long room Mike introduced her to various people who were apart of the production of the movie. Most seemed better tempered and easier to work with than some she had come across in her few years of acting. That was a major relief. There was nothing worse than having to work for directors and producers who never knew what they wanted, causing you to repeat countless scenes becoming tired and cranky. No one wants a cranky actress, especially a stubborn one.
After meeting and schmoozing with a few people, Mike handed a booklet over to Jude. It was the script audition book. It held a description of the movie with the description of her character she was auditioning for. Plus a few scenes in which she would have to act out with a stand-in reading off the other part.
"Read this over, do a good job at it," he said with a stern stare before continuing, "memorize the scenes, and then come back whenever you're ready to audition. Just remember to come back, auditions close at six, so be back here by at least five o'clock. You have," he checked his watch, "3 hours, have fun," Mike finished before turning and walking into another side room.
Jude walked out of the studio, book in hand, and found a nearby hot dog stand realizing her need for food. After paying she settled herself on a nearby bench and opened the booklet.
"Fatal Temptation," Jude repeated, reading the title of the movie. Never knew of a romance movie that was "Fatal". This might not be so bad…she thought glancing through the pages.
A/N: Okay thank you to those who have read and commented. Tommy is in the next chapter I believe, so stay tuned!
