Audition time. Nancy breathed in and out to reassure herself, then stepped into the room.
"Hello, Ms..." the man checked his roster- "Drew?"
"That's right."
"Oh, Ms. Drew! Brady told me about you! You're the one who wants to play Kayla, right?"
"Um... right. About that-"
"Don't say a word. Chloellen! Brady's friend is here!"
"Oh! Ms. Drew!" A young lady with bleach-blonde hair came racing into the room, holding a clipboard and listening to her Bluetooth. "Yes, Charles, Tuesday. I don't have time today. You know what? Cancel it. Just cancel it. We'll hook Hathaway later. I've got to go. I'll call you back. Yes. Okay. Bye, Charles."
Chloellen sat down quickly in a hard wooden chair. "Ms. Drew! I'm Chloellen Stroud. Call me Chloe. Okay. So, Brady tells me you can sing, and that you're a good actress?"
"I don't know, I've never-"
"Good. Well, we'll just have to try you out quickly, make sure you're everything Brady says you are. Now, can you read this script excerpt for me? Quickly, now. I've got ten other people outside who're waiting for this part."
"Okay." Nancy stared down at the script for a second to gather herself. Suddenly, she straightened and looked at Chloe. She would work for Penelope.
"Penelope, DAHLING!" Nancy drew out the word. "How wonderful to see you. I'm afraid Danny isn't here yet, dear, everyone knows you're desperately in love with him. And, oh, you'd make such a wonderful couple. Harry, wouldn't they be a cute couple? See, dear, Harry agrees! And Danny's single!" Nancy winked at Chloe, who was beaming in delight. "Oh, I know, he's in love with me- you know, who isn't, these days, ah?- but I'm sure we could shift his attention onto you, hon. It'd just be a matter of lighting! Oh, Vernon, chop-chop, get those spotlights focused. Hot Chelle Rae should be here any minute, and then we can start the party! Penelope, why don't you say something, dahling? You know Danny goes for the popular, outgoing girls! Be a doll and fetch me a refreshment, Albert! Penny, dear, come, say something, anything!" Nancy patted Chloe on the shoulder, and she jumped.
"Oh. Kayla, you know I'm not good with guys! I can't make Danny like me! He's untouchable!"
"For you, maybe, dear, but not for me. Henry, come, paint my nails for me! The manicurist forgot the pink overcoat. Penny, you're way overthinking this. I can steer Danny right into your alley! Just leave it to me." Nancy finished, and looked at the man for his criticisms.
"Ms. Drew... when can you start?" the man asked.
"As soon as you need me, actually. Brady had my things shipped over as soon as I agreed to try out."
"Wonderful! We'll get a trailer set up for you. We're just waiting for the last few actors to start shooting, actually. Brady's in New York for the weekend, and we're still waiting for the go-ahead with Anne Hathaway as Penny."
"Anne Hathaway?" Nancy gasped.
"Yeah. She's finishing up a shoot for a kid's movie, then she'll probably be with us. She already agreed. I hope she makes it." Chloe looked worried.
"Ah, she'll make it. I mean, she gets to work with BRADY ARMSTRONG. Who could pass that up?" Nancy said sarcastically.
"Selena Gomez." Chloe rolled her eyes.
"Selena Gomez? Really?"
"Yeah, she had to go get married, so she turned down Kayla. Said it wasn't fair to Justin." Chloe's voice dripped sarcasm. "Bet the real reason was that she hates Anne Hathaway."
"She's married?"
"No. Give her a year, so that Justin's legally an adult, then they'll be in a chapel, if they haven't already broken up. Silly teenagers. Oh, not you, of course, but your boyfriend will be one lucky chap once you hit the silverscreen."
"My boyfriend? Oh, I'm single at the moment. He just dumped me."
"Honey, how could someone dump YOU? You're at your prime! Gonna be in a movie with Anne Hathaway and Brady Armstrong! How could he leave you?"
"He liked my best friend better."
"Oh, honey." Chloe's blonde hair tumbled down her shoulders as she shook her head. "I get it. But that guy is going to regret the day he lost you."
"I just have to find someone else."
"Remember, honey, Brady only dates the best." Chloe winked at Nancy, and Nancy was reminded of Kayla.
"I don't want BRADY! I want Ned back."
"Ned, huh? Well, he's not worth your time. Go shoot for a real star this time, not just a cloud." Chloe jumped out of her hair and walked out of the room, her high heels clicking on the linoleum.
