The Man You'll Marry
Ok, time for good news and bad news…. Good news is that due to popular demand 'Trouty Mouth' has been released on Itunes…. And the Bad news is that while I have the source material to work with as an outline for this I have no clue just what direction I want to go with this…. Ok so not that bad of news… anyway hope you enjoy the update….also Sìltsan syayvi = good luck, thanks Katy for helping with that translation-also the monologue that Rachel uses is called "I'm a Bagel' and it's from Funny Girl which just screams Rachel….
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Just hearing that voice sent a chill down Rachel's spine; though she supposed this could also be do to the fact that the AC was being pumped insanely high. Sucking in a deep breath she swiveled around on her heels to look at the man in question… no it was definitely him that was causing her chills.
Not in shock like she was the other day when they met, Rachel took a good look at Sam and let out a sigh.
"Excuse me?" she asked recalling those foreign words that this person spoke to her moments earlier.
His large lips curled into a grin that gave her a flash of his perfectly white teeth.
"I said pleasure to see you again," he said, "It was Navi…"
Rachel flashed him a blank stare.
"…Navi you know like Avatar."
"I know what Navi is; I just thought only tweens and fan boys actually spoke it in public."
"Who says I'm not a fan boy?" Sam spoke in a challenging tone while Rachel's eyes sized him over.
No, she thought to herself, this boy….man….was way too attractive to be a nerd.
"So, what are you doing here anyway….Rachel was it…."
Rachel nodded however instead of answering the young mans questions she instead opted to turn the table on him.
"I should be asking you the same question, I mean are you stalking me, trying to get me paranoid before the biggest meeting of my life?"
"Stalking you? I don't even know you….well I know your name is Rachel but that's about all I know about you."
"Right, then what are you doing here if I may be so bold as to ask?"
"Its fine," he said as he ran a hand through his hair, "I work here actually."
"But I thought you said you were a graphic designer…."
Nodding he smiled.
"I can't believe you remembered that, anyway I am a graphic designer, in fact I'm working with one of the directors now on visual effects for his next film."
"That director wouldn't happen to be Artie Abrams now would it?"
"That information is classified…. Why do you ask?"
"Nothing, it's just I am here for a meeting with Mr. Abrams and if he was your colleague I thought maybe you could put in a good word for me….silly really."
"Not silly at all, nothing's harmful about a bit of networking even if it's with a person you barely know."
The tone of his voice and the smirk on his lips as he'd said his last few words caused Rachel to shirk away once more letting her mind fall back on the dress.
'not now,' she scolded her straying mind while at the same time she was also letting her inner monologue contemplate as to weather this comment was an invite for her to ask him if he was trying to ask her out. Thankfully however she never got a chance to ask him her inquiry as in the moment a young receptionist called out….
"Rachel Berry."
"That's me," she spoke to Sam sucking in a deep breath and giving herself one final pep talk as she turned to walk into Artie's office.
"Sìltsan syayvi," he spoke under his breath as he watched her walk away.
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As she entered the office she was trying to settle her thoughts and get her head into the proverbial game as she looked over to the young man sitting behind the desk before her. He looked to be about her age, perhaps a year older with dark hair and the most piercing blue eyes she'd ever laid her own on.
"So you must be Rachel, "Artie said with a smile as he wheeled around the table and stuck out his hand for her to shake.
"Yes, I'm Rachel Berry, "she said putting her hand in his while allowing her eyes to be trained on him.
"Are you staring at my chair? "
"No, of coarse not, I have no reason to discriminate your integrity as a director because you are handy capable no, I was merely observing that you look much younger then I suspected you'd be. "
Artie simply nodded about to open his mouth however Rachel continued to talk.
"I mean I know that you are married to Tina and she went to High School with me but I figured if you were an established director that you'd be…"
"Older. "
"Yea….anyway how old are you. "
"Twenty six," he spoke humoring her.
"and have you directed anything before, I mean if you haven't done so it's all well and good but if you have I'm curious to know what so that I can study your work and mold myself into the kind of ingénue that you are looking for."
"I've directed a few indie films that have toured the film festival circuit however I'm in the process of shopping around for a script so that I can branch out and go mainstream."
"So then if you don't have a script what is this? Clearly not an audition? Did Tina put you up to this just to humor me? Anyway just my luck right…. I mean it's always 'you're too short' or 'too ethnic looking' or too loud' or…."
"I never said I didn't have A script, I just said I was shopping around for a script for my mainstream debut….anyway I was wondering if you had a monologue you could read for me or something."
In this moment Rachel's face lit up as she knew the perfect monologue to perform.
"Ok, so this is a monologue from the character Fanny Brice from 'Funny Girl,' "
Artie just nodded as Rachel began to do a barrage of vocal exercises before she began:
…Suppose all ya ever had for breakfast was onion rolls. Then one day, in walks (gasp) a bagel! You'd say, 'Ugh, what's that?' Until you tried it! That's my problem - I'm a bagel on a plate full of onion rolls. Nobody recognizes me! Listen, I got 36 expressions. Sweet as pie and tough as leather. And that's six expressions more than all those...Barrymores put together. Instead of just kicking me, why don't they give me a lift? Well, it must be a plot, 'cause they're scared that I got...such a gift! 'Cause I'm the greatest star, I am by far, but no one knows it. Wait - they're gonna hear a voice, a silver flute. They'll cheer each toot, hey, she's terrific!, when I expose it. Now can't you see to look at me that I'm a natural Camille, and as Camille, I just feel, I've so much to offer. Kid, I know I'd be divine because I'm a natural cougher (coughs) - some ain't got it, not a lump. I'm a great big clump of talent! Laugh, they'll bend in half. Did you ever hear the story about the traveling salesman? A thousand jokes, stick around for the jokes. A thousand faces. I reiterate. When you're gifted, then you're gifted. These are facts, I've got no axe to grind. Ay! What are ya, blind? In all of the world so far, I'm the greatest star! No autographs, please. What? You think beautiful girls are gonna stay in style forever? I should say not! Any minute now they're gonna be out! FINISHED! Then it'll be my turn…
"And scene," she said with a smile as she looked over at Artie who seemed to be scribbling down something or other in his notebook before smiling.
"I can sing too," Rachel said, "want to hear it?"
"I'm good," Artie said with a smile however this smile caused Rachel's heart to break.
Was this it? Did she blow it? Damn Sam Evans and her aunt Chloe for keeping her off her A game.
"Anyway thanks for coming in Rachel, I'll let you know if something comes up…"
Beginning to turn around full of defeat she paused when she heard Artie continue.
"Also perhaps we can go out to dinner sometime soon."
A lump formed in her stomach.
Maybe she misinterpreted the letter and it was the first man she met AFTER trying on the dress that she was to marry however she shook that notion out of her head. No, it had to be Sam if it was anyone at all didn't it? After all Artie was married….and god she needed to get some fresh air to wash away this paranoia.
"Dinner? " Rachel managed to squeak out.
"I'm sure you and Tina have a lot of catching up to do, and don't worry it would be strictly off the record. "
"Tina…. Right…"
There was a few moments of awkward silence before Rachel exited the office heading back into the lobby glad that Sam was no longer there because there was no telling what she'd say to the blond had he been in her presence in that moment.
Inhaling in a lingering breath of fresh air as she headed outside a sense of accomplishment washed over Rachel as she thought that perhaps this time was the charm. Seconds later her phone vibrated, it was Quinn calling to ask about how things went. Smiling Rachel proceeded to tell the blonde about the day in explicit detail…. Well most of it…. She wasn't about to tell her friend about her run in with Sam as it was nothing more then pure coincidence and not fate like her friend would surely say it was.
TBC
Hope you liked this. Personally I was kind of iffy on the Rachel/Artie stuff and think they could be better. Anyway I've got next chapter and a few other plot points from the story in mind so expect an update within the week barring any computer drama…..and once again thanks for all the alerts, favorites, and reviews…. Hopefully this fic as well as my General Hospital/Glee piece 'Love Will Find a Way' can help with this hiatus (though I don't get all this angst over a 4 WEEK hiatus when we'll be having a 4 MONTH one come the end of May….)
