The Umbrella Matter
Chapter Two:
While Penny got ready to soak her cares away, she thought of how everything changed. How one conversation with Sheldon changed everything.
"Has it really been two years since it all changed?" She mused to herself as she stepped into the steaming tub.
Two years earlier:
Penny was just starting to give up hope. Hope of being able to make it as an actress. Hope of being able to afford to live in California. Hope in her relationship with Leonard. She felt as if they world was crashing down around her. 'I just can' catch a break' she thought to herself as she searched for her purse in her chaotic apartment.
Sighing, she grabbed her apron, purse, and headed out the front door. As she was making her way down the stairs, she bumped into Sheldon.
"Sup Moonpie" Lately, she was trying to get a rise out of Sheldon for kicks now. Seeing his face tick was one of her few highlights. Penny wasn't disappointed.
"Penny. I have told you countless times, my Meemaw is the only person allowed to call me Moonpie."
"Whatever you say." Felt all the desire to pick on Sheldon leave her. After the last ten audtions that had said "She wasn't right for the part", she was starting to feel more and more like moving to California was one huge mistake.
"Penny, correct me if I am wrong, but this is the instance where you and I would share in witty repartee, is it not?"
"I'm just tired Sheldon. I'm not getting any gigs, they cut my hours at work, and I am behind on bills again."
"Well I could lend you funds again. I still have the monetary means to do so…"
"No Sheldon. I'm not going to borrow money again. It made me a little crazy last time." Shaking her head, she continued down the staircase. "Moving back to Omaha might just be easier."
What Penny did not see as she made her way downstairs was the widening of Sheldon's eyes, or his mad dash for apartment. Once there, he got on his laptop. In the Google bar, he typed in 'Movie Auditions for females.' After a few hours of diligent computer work, one trip to Penny's apartment for a headshot, and one hacking of Penny's computer, Sheldon pushed away from his desk smirking.
One week later:
As Penny was getting her mail, she noticed Sheldon coming in the front door with Leonard. Leonard saw Penny and made an immediate beeline for the stairs. Even after a few days, he was still avoiding her after the big fight they had. Sighing, she put her mail under her arm and turned to Sheldon.
"How's it going Sheldon?"
"It is going continually, Penny. I am one step closer in my project to unraveling the secrets of the universe." Hitching up his bag farther on his shoulder, he looked over at her mail. "That letter looks rather important. Maybe you should open it now."
Frowning, Penny looked down at the envelope and almost did a double take. 'Why is there a letter from DC? Ugh, it's kinda sad that I know what that is.' Checking twice to make sure that it was written for her, Penny ripped open the letter.
Greetings Penelope Smith,
Thank you for your interest for working on the set of "Gen¹³". We at the DC casting call were quite pleased with not only your headshot, but your impressive resume as well. It is not often that women will put horseback riding, roping, or the ability to shot a gun accurately as skills on their resume. However, it was the selling point for us. We would appreciate it if you would come down for a formal casting call. There will be a few action scenes we will ask you to try out, so be ready to move. Our number is listed below, and we hope to hear from you soon.
Penny's jaw continuously dropped throughout her entire reading of the letter. 'When did I put in that I could shot a gun? When did I send DC my headshot? When…' her thought process ground to a immediate halt when she noted the smug look on Sheldon's face.
"Good news I presume?" Sheldon remarked, his smile of glee barely contained.
"Sheldon, what did you do?"
"I merely put in your headshot and resume, slightly tweaked by yours truly, into an online casting call for a female lead on a Sci Fi movie. That part seemed to utilize not only your acting skills, but your practical skills as well." Sheldon made his way up the stairs leaving Penny in her wake. "As thanks, you can drive me to the comic book store later. Goodbye Penny" he tossed over his shoulder, before he was gone from sight.
Disbelief kept Penny in front of the mailboxes, before she started laughing. Penny laughed until she cried.
The next day, Penny was scheduled to meet with the DC casting people later that afternoon. As she was going through her closet, she was for once at a loss. 'I've never auditioned for a Sci-Fi movie! What am I supposed to wear?' Her thoughts were broken by the sound of three successive knocks followed by a "Penny?" Walking into her living room, she waited for Sheldon to finish his routine knocking before opening the door. Standing there was Sheldon holding Target and comic book store bags.
"What are the bags for sweetie?"
"Well Penny, as you are not accustomed to the comic that you are auditioning for I decided that, as your friend, that I should lend you my assistance. So here" he placed the bags into Penny's arms "In these bags are not only comic books from the series that have the character you will be playing, but a top that would be most appropriate to wear to the audition. As you will be performing aerobic actions, I would recommend wearing comfortable, worn jeans."
"I don't know Sheldon. Most casting calls they want you to be as pretty as possible. I bet I could run around in a skirt and just…"
"Penny. They will cast you for not only your looks for your abilities. Plus, with the top I purchased for you and a pair of jeans, you will look remarkably like the character. Except for the hair color, but they can always CG the color to fix that problem. Now, go read the comic books and familiarize yourself with the character." With that being said, Sheldon turned around and went back to his apartment.
Curious, Penny went over to the kitchen counter and upended the bag onto it. Ten comic books, along with a hunter green shirt came out. 'Well, I've got time now.' She thought as she dropped gracelessly onto the couch with the first comic in hand.
A couple hours later, Penny was still engrossed in the comics. She had to extract herself from the comic so that she could drive to the audition. Upon her arrival, she was presented with four other girls auditioning for the part. They were all tall, leggy, blondes wearing skirts, dresses, and heels. Penny bit her cheek to stop the shriek of outrage that wanted to bubble out. 'Last time I listen to Sheldon' she thought as she plopped down into a available chair and pulled out the comic she was working on.
Penny wasn't paying attention to the people around her so she was slightly startled when a voice spoke to her.
"What are you reading?" a male voice asked her.
Jumping slightly in her seat, Penny looked over to see a man wearing glasses, a hoodie, jeans, and converse sit down next to her. He was nerd, but so were her boys. 'He's probably trying out for one of the guy parts.' Smiling, she showed him the cover of the comic.
"I was trying to familiarize myself with the character I'm auditioning for. The comic is interesting and I can't put it down."
The man smiled at this admission and put out his hand. "Daniel Michaelson. And you are?"
"Penny. Very nice to meet you." Penny responded with a firm handshake. They continued to talk about the comic for the next ten minutes before a man in a suit came out of the auditioning room. Penny looked expectantly at him but was again startled when Daniel stood up and made his way over to the man in the suit. He whispered in his ear, and entered the door behind him. The suited man cleared his voice to get everyone's attention.
"Thank you ladies for coming. I regret to inform most of you that the position has been filled. Will everyone except Miss Penny Smith please leave. We appreciate your time." The girls grumbled as they left as Penny got her stuff together. The man motioned her into the back room. Walking through, she saw Daniel sitting at a table with 4 other men in various styles of dress. Being the big ol' five that she was, she couldn't help but ask.
"Why me? You haven't even seen me act."
It was Daniel that responded to her question. "Penny. You were the only girl to heed our dress code, plus you have actually made the effort to read the comics. If that weren't enough, you were nice to someone you didn't know had sway with the audition process. I tried to talk to the other girls, but they all told me that I was out of their league. We want a girl that acta like Caitlin Fairchild both on and off screen. That'd be you Penny. Now, let's have you read us a couple lines and do a couple of stunts."
The audition was a whirlwind of activities. She had to show that she could load a gun, shoot it, jump over boxes, jump through a window pane (empty of course), and that she could still act while doing this. Penny left the audition exhausted but exhilarated. They had loved her! She had the part! She sped all the way home and barreled up the stairs. Letting herself into the guys apartment, she found Sheldon pacing in the living room. He looked up, the big question in his eyes, and Penny couldn't contain herself. She hugged him. Hugged him while spouting a litany of 'Thank you's, 'I owe you', and other profuse praises.
Sheldon, blushing slightly, extracted himself from her embrace. "I'm glad that you got the part Penny. I presume that means you are not leaving."
"Nah, Moonpie. You're stuck with me for long time to come." Penny smiled and laughed merrily at Sheldon's immediate frown at the use of his nickname.
****So I've been working diligently on my other BBT fic, so this story fell to the wayside. However, I was struck with inspiration to continue it. That, and it is kind of nice to write a story where I am closer to the actually show's plot…well kind of.. I'll hopefully get another chapter out soon, but Dissociative Identity Quandary is a main project. Quick note, Gen¹³ is an actual DC comic book/tv show. I don't own anything. The lovely people of DC created the whole universe. That being said, hope y'all like this story. Much love!****