Chapter three: In The Lap of the Gods.

Mark and his roommate Benny had finished moving all their furniture when Benny's fiancée Alison entered their loft.

"Hello, boys."

"Alison, baby!" Benny said kissing his fiancée on the cheek.

Mark rolled his eyes. He was a lonely guy. He wanted love but at the moment his only love was film. Mark wasn't a big fan of Alison. She was a daddy's girl and a rich brat. Her dad owned of all the apartments and lofts in alphabet city. Sadly, he had let those go to shit and was opening up new houses and lofts for more yuppie customers. The filmmaker hated yuppies. He refused to work for Cooperate American. Life wasn't meant to be wasted on working 9 to 5 in a box. Benny saw things different. He saw life as being organized and getting paid. So what if you have to work 9 to 5 in a box? In the end it pays good and gets you everything you want in life. that's the way Benny saw it.

"I have good news for both of you." Alison said, excitingly. "My dad is hiring and wants you two to come work for him."

"That's great! We need to bring some extra money since we have this place now." Benny said.

"Doesn't your dad work at a some big Cooperate America company?" Mark asked.

"Yeah, its good money. It might interfere with school, but if you do a good job you wont need college." Alison explained.

"Come on, Mark, everyone knows that camera isn't going to get you anywhere in life."

"You don't know that, Benny."

"Listen, I'm your friend. I'm trying to help you. A real man lets go of his toys and gets a real job."

"You sound like my father."

Benny

It's so easy

Mark

but I can't do it

Benny

So risky but-

Mark

I gotta chance it

Benny (laughs)

It's so funny-

Mark

there's nothing to laugh about

Benny

My money

Mark

that's all you want to talk about

I can see what you want me to be, but I'm no fool
It's in the lap of the gods, Wo wo la la la
I can see what you want me to be, but I'm no fool

Benny

No beginning there's no ending

Mark

there's no meaning in my pretending

Benny

Believe me life goes on and on and on

Mark

Forgive me when I ask you where do I belong
You say I (you can do it) can't (you can do it)
(You can go and) set you free from me, but that's not true
It's in the lap of the gods Wo wo la la la
I can see what you want me to be, but I'm no fool
It's in the lap of the gods Wo wo la la la wo
Wo wo la la wo wo woooh, but that's not true
It's in the lap of the gods
Wo wo la la la wo, Wo wo la la wo wo woooh
But I'm no fool, It's in the lap of the gods
Wo wo la la la wo, Wo wo la la wo wo woooh

"You are making a big mistake Mark." Allison said, putting her hand on his shoulder.

"Thank you all for trying to help, but I know what I'm doing." Mark said kindly.

Maureen Johnson sat waiting to audition for a new musical. She looked at the lyrics over and over. She felt like that audition was going to be her golden ticket.

"Maureen Johnson." A woman called.

She walked through the doors of the room. Two women and a man sat at a table across from her.

"Hi, I'm Maureen Johnson and I'm auditioning for the role of Claudia, the secret loner." Maureen said happily.

"Start anytime." One of the women said.

Maureen cleared her throat and closed her eyes and opened them.

Maureen

Oh yes I'm the great pretender (ooh ooh)
Pretending I'm doing well (ooh ooh)
My need is such I pretend too much
I'm lonely but no one can tell

Oh yes I'm the great pretender (ooh ooh)
Adrift in a world of my own (ooh ooh)
I play the game but to my real shame
You've left me to dream all alone

Too real is this feeling of make believe
Too real when I feel what my heart can't conceal

Ooh ooh yes I'm the great pretender (ooh ooh)
Just laughing and gay like a clown (ooh ooh)
I seem to be what I'm not (you see)
I'm wearing my heart like a crown
Pretending that you're still around

Yeah ooh hoo
Too real when I feel what my heart can't conceal

Oh yes I'm the great pretender
Just laughing and gay like a clown (ooh ooh)
I seem to be what I'm not you see
I'm wearing my heart like a crown
Pretending that you're
Pretending that you're still around

The producers wrote on their pads with blank faces. Maureen began to feel nervous.

"We will give you a call if get the part." The man said.

At The Life Café, Collins leaned against the bar, reading a book. The bar wasn't a very busy place on a Friday at three in the afternoon. Maureen walked in putting her apron on.

"Hey, girl, how did the audition go ?" Collins asked.

"I think I did really good, but I haven't gotten a call yet." Maureen said sadly.

"Don't let it get you down. If you didn't get the part then that means they don't know what talent is."

"Maureen! Chica! Telephone!" Angel called running back to the bar.

"Is that a rainbow tie, angel?"

"Girl, they wouldn't let me wear my lady clothes so I decided to make my uniform Angelicious."

Maureen laughed and took the phone. "Hello….yes this is she….really? Thank you so much…..ok…."

"Who was that?" Angel asked.

"It looks like they do know what talent is…BECAUSE I GOT THE PART!" Maureen asked.

A/N: This is where the story begins to branch out more. I want to thank Ms. Liana for the lovely reviews! I wrote this story a few months ago and was afraid to post it. you've encouraged me to continue!