Chapter 2 – Try outs
"I will live in thy heart, die in thy lap and be buried in thy eyes, and moreover I will go with thee to the uncles." The young man tried to speak the lines that had been handed to him, but he was obviously missing the intent of the words as he spoke them all in the same tone of voice.
Troy sighed. That was the twelfth jock who'd butchered Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing.
He had not been oblivious to their confused looks when several of the young men had looked at him at the beginning of auditions before looking around the room as if in search of someone else. He had smiled knowingly and simply stated, "She will not be here today. I am taking over in Ms. Darbus's absence." He'd never truly clarified who "she" was, because he knew that each person would simply fill in the individual they had assumed would be running the theater tryouts.
Troy nodded to the young man, "Thanks for reading for us today, Michael."
"You're welcome. What's your name again?"
Troy chuckled, "Mr. Bolton." He had been a basketball star when he'd attended here what felt like only a short time ago. Yet, as he looked around he realized there was no one here within ten years of him. He sighed again and listened as a very short, skinny young man tried with a squeaky voice to respond to a much taller, older looking Beatrice.
Finally a few hours later, Troy was standing alone on the stage after cleaning up. The students had long ago departed and he assumed so had most of the teaching staff. He smiled as he realized it had been some time since he'd been on this very stage learning to love the thrill of an audience and performance in general. Ms. Darbus had convinced him in his senior year that theater was a real option and he should consider pursuing it. She'd gone so far as to apply him to Julliard before he'd known what it was.
He smiled out at the seats. He turned to an imaginary Beatrice and recited the same lines he'd heard so badly read this afternoon. "I will live in thy heart, die in thy lap, be buried in thy eyes and moreover," he stated with a chuckle, "I will go with thee to the uncles." He smiled and laughed a little to himself before shaking his head.
A clap made him jump nearly a mile into the air. "Who's there?"
Gabriella stepped out of the shadows toward the back of the auditorium. "I thought I'd see if you needed some help deciding on casting since you really don't know the kids very well."
He nodded, "Yeah, actually that would be fantastic." He started down to the table where he had his notes all strewn out. He began to collect them as she walked toward him. He glanced up at her, "How about we do this over dinner? I'm starving."
She smiled, "That amazing smelling cheeseburger wasn't enough for all day then?"
He looked at her a little confused.
She smiled, "You met me over lunch today. I suppose you are probably having a hard time remembering everyone's names and faces at this point though."
He grinned, "You know there's been a lot of new people today…but do you really think I'd forget 'the Hot English teacher'?"
She bit her lower lip before saying, "Ah, but do you know my real name?"
He set his papers down and grasped her hand. He saw the look of apprehension on her face, but he smoothly spun her out and back into his arms in a waltzing posture. As he began to lead her around the small area, he smiled and softly said, "Yes, Gabriella Montez, I know your name and because I know your title I also know that you, Miss Montez, are not married."
She blushed fiercely. She started to look down, but that caused her to trip over his foot. Before she could tumble them both, he caught her and stopped them.
He held her a little longer than he really needed to, but he couldn't help himself. She was beautiful when she was embarrassed. What was he going to have to do to win her over? "So, what do you think about dinner?"
She took a deep breath and held it for a moment. "You know, I probably shouldn't. I just came to tell you that I know what kind of acting most of the students can do and I'd be happy to help you with the casting." She swallowed hard because her throat had gone dry. Inside her mind was reeling, what are you saying? No, no, I want to go to dinner with you! I would love to be in a beautiful dress and let you lead me around a dance floor!
He nodded, "Can't blame a guy for trying, right?" He was really hoping she'd laugh this attempt off. He had every intention of trying again.
She smiled, "Well, I'll see you around, Mr. Bolton."
He rubbed the back of his neck. "It's Troy. And, good night, Gabriella."
She turned to leave. As she opened the door she turned around, "And for the record, yours was by far the best."
He laughed and heard the door close.
