Ivy is almost at the entrance of the building when she hears the click of a studio door. Instinctively she turns thinking it might be Tom. Instead, she is face to face with the man her heart so desperately wants to forget. Their eyes meet and she is suddenly at a loss for words. "Hello Ivy" he calmly says "Derek" she acknowledges him, her voice fading. "Thank you for coming in on a Saturday" he continues. "Weekends are easier for everyone because of the children." "It's no problem and really I should be the one thanking you for this opportunity." Ivy responds. Derek gives her a half smile. "The studios are amazing" She says. He nods. "And your son and daughter are beautiful" At that compliment Derek gives a full smile and beams with pride. "Thank you. Fortunately for them, they get their looks from Karen" He laughs as if it were the only natural and logical conclusion to reach. Hearing him talk this open about his family infuriates Ivy and she tries to mask her resentment with a smirk.
"Do you live in the building too?" Ivy questions. Distracted as he tries to keep watch of the children Derek pauses before answering. Upset at what she perceives as an unwillingness to tell her where he lives, Ivy's reaction is fierce "Jesus Derek, I'm not going to stalk you; if that's what you're worried about" she exclaims. "Excuse me?" Derek says in confusion " He is about to say something more but raises his hand motioning for Ivy to give him a minute. He opens the door he just exited. Without entering he bellows out to his son "Dustin Christopher Wills do not even think about dragging your sister across that floor." "But Dad I can't lift her and I want to practice" Ivy hears the young boy's response. Realizing the mistake she's just made she can only hope Derek will forget what they were discussing. "I'm not playing son, the three of you pick up your things and head upstairs-now" He finishes lecturing.
Turning to Ivy he says "I'm sorry about that." "Oh it's alright" She attempts to play off her earlier response. "I see" Derek states "So you are no longer concerned I think you might stalk us" He raises an eyebrow "I'm sorry" Ivy says embarrassed at her prior comments. "The answer to your question is yes." he tells her. "We live on the upper three floors." "It makes it convenient when shows I work have rehearsals here" "So, should you get the role this is where you can expect to spend your time." He tells her. Not sure what to say now, Ivy is grateful Derek decides to break the silence. "Well," he starts "Linda and the others are waiting for me. It's been good to see you Ivy" "Did they say when you would know?" He asks. "Tonight" she responds. "Good luck then" He offers as he walks across the hall and enters the studio she auditioned in.
"Hey what took you so long" Julia asked as Derek entered the room "I ran into Ivy in the hall" Derek told her. The three give him a questioning look. "She's still alive if that's what your wondering" He said sarcastically. "Although just barely" he grins "What happened?" Linda asks recognizing there is at least some truth to Derek's last comment. "Let's just say patience is still not one of Ivy's virtues" They laugh and Julia then states "lets get down to business." "Alright so how did she do?" Derek questioned looking directly at Linda. "For me, I've never questioned Ivy's talent but I do question the sincerity with which she delivers a song." Linda critiqued "I know she was giving everything she has but I didn't feel it." she finished. Turning to Julia, Derek nodded for her to start "I have to say I agree with Linda" "I love Ivy but I'm not sure. After all this time she is still trying to hard when all she has to be is herself" Finally it was Tom's turn "I understand what Julia and Linda are saying" Tom says "But in this play her insecurity can work, after all the play itself is about starting one way and ending another "Derek can't help but smile at Tom's comments because he knows deep down no matter how much time passes Tom's faith in Ivy will always be there.
"Well, I wasn't in the audition and I won't always be hands on in the directing so; this is your call" He said looking at the three. "Linda- yes or no" "Yes" Linda answered "Julia?" For me it's a "Maybe" and "Tom?" "I don't think I really need your answer but humor me" "Yes" He says. "Alright then I guess we have our lead." "I have to ask, after your comments Linda; why yes?" Linda answered him "Because I think the supporting cast this time around is much stronger and way more accomplished than Ivy. I believe that once she see the way they accept critique and project themselves she will be more humble and humility will come the sincerity." Interesting theory I trust your judgment" He replied "At least my wife will be happy" Derek grinned " So who gets the honors of calling our leading lady." "Tom?" "Linda?" "I'll call" Tom answered
Ivy hadn't even made it home yet when her phone started ringing. The caller ID showed it was Tom and she was nervous. After the way she had acted with Derek, she thought for sure she'd blown it. She had spent the walk home beating herself up. "Hello" she answered. "Ivy," "Hi, it's Tom" "I'm calling to extend an invitation to an impromptu dinner Karen and Derek are hosting for the cast tonight" stretching the words out so she would have time to understanding the meaning of his invitation. "A dinner for the case?" her question lingered "Does that mean" her voice an octave higher "Yes, if you accept the role is yours" "Oh my God, I can't believe it, you're not joking are you?" "No" Tom laughed "Dinner is set for 7 pm, are you free to join us?" "Of course" "Great, it's at Derek and Karen's home the same address you went to this morning." "The entrance is an elevator at the end of the hall – just dial when you get there and someone will give you the code."
Ivy hung up and screamed with excitement. This was her break and she wasn't going to screw it up. The question she needed to ask herself was how she would tell her heart that. It was going to be an interesting night.