Chapter 4: More Rehearsals

Elizabeth and Betsy came home around one o'clock that morning drunk as skunks. They didn't even go to their own beds, but literally went to the couch barely and passed out right there. Elizabeth had too much martinis and Betsy too much scotch. Each was going to regret it in the morning.

They woke up in the most horrible hangovers at ten in the morning. Betsy got up and wobbled to the kitchen for some ice to cool herself down. Elizabeth sat up straighter and was dazed. Her head were spinning in circles and pounding with pain. She held her stomach feeling as if she was going to throw up right there and then, followed by a big moan.

"Betsy? Betsy? This is your entire fault. Why do I even listen to you?" Elizabeth managed to say. She lay back down on the couch still holding her stomach.

"I don't know! Do you really have to shout? You were having a bad day and wanted you to have enjoyment afterwards." Betsy clutched her forehead and came back to the room with her ice pack and tried finding a spot on the couch. She finally did her ears were still sensitive to the loud noises.

"What am I supposed to do now? I can't go to rehearsals like this. But what choice do I have?" At this moment, Elizabeth sat up and looked at Betsy.

"You can still go; maybe the hangover will pass by then. What time's rehearsal?"

"Noon."

"That's two hours from now. It will definitely pass by then." Betsy said reassuringly as she repositioned her ice pack in a different spot.

"You're right, but I'll still feel the aftereffects. And if the director finds out, he'll start in with the lectures and all. And he may fire me. He probably doesn't like drunks on the set." Elizabeth leaned her head against the couch and took a sigh.

"So, what are you going to do now?" Betsy sat and asked.

"Well, I'm probably going to get something to eat, shower get into clean clothes and go to rehearsal. Only two weeks till opening night. I guess I'll get up now." At first, Elizabeth struggled to get up, but finally managed to and walked against the wall the bathroom.

2 hours later

"Ok Betsy, I'm on my way. I'll be home around four or something depending on how long it is this time." Elizabeth said in a cheery mood. She was refreshed and wearing a bright pink dress, with the same cut as the white. Also some more beads around her wrists and neck as well as her ankles. She grabbed her purse, said one more goodbye to Betsy who was still sprawled out on the couch and went on her way.

She walked to the theater and was surprised for two reasons. One, she came in one piece and didn't pass out on the sidewalk. She still had the effects of alcohol in her veins. The second was she was actually early getting there. She was usually the middle person to arrive, but today, she was one of the first. It didn't matter to Elizabeth, just as long as she was there.

She went into the dressing room and changed into her costume. There were two other girls in there as well. Elizabeth never really communicated with the rest of the cast, she was just too shy. Occasionally, she would wave or join into a conversation, but it usually lasted five minutes or so. That didn't matter to Elizabeth, just as long as she didn't have any trouble, she was fine. The two girls didn't acknowledge her but were busy talking about the gossip around the city. They were the snooty kind of girls Elizabeth could tell.

Elizabeth came out on the stage and found other people walking in. They were talking, laughing and all. Elizabeth stood out on the stage. No one was paying any attention to her and the director was busy arguing with the backstage crew. Elizabeth stared on in the audience. She pictured a full house on opening night. She heard the music playing and imagined herself doing her lines with grace and beauty. The light was going to be on her. She was going to be in the spotlight. The audience would look on her with admiration, and envy. They would be mesmerized by the performance she was going to do. They were all going to be shocked that this was her first performance on the stage and give her a standing ovation in the end. Elizabeth Marie Quressimo was going to be a star. That'll show her family she was good enough. That'll show them. The thought made her forget that she was in a hangover.

Elizabeth's thoughts were interrupted with the director telling people where to go and what to do. Luckily for Elizabeth, she was suppose to stay on the stage and did change in the right outfit. Once the director was settled and called for quiet, the rehearsals began.

5:00 that afternoon

"Ok everyone that's a wrap. I want everyone here the same time all week. Good job today people! I am very pleased." The director shouted to the crew. Everyone was relieved that they could go home. It has been a tiring day.

Elizabeth squeezed through the dressing room and got changed quickly and ran out the door. She didn't want to be stuck with the same old conversations in the dressing room. She managed to get out of there and went home. She didn't come home till quarter to six, but that was alright. It was better than seven or eight when it was really dark and Elizabeth would have to worry about pickpockets or homeless people begging for spare change or food. She herself sometimes made ends meet with the apartment and couldn't afford to give away with what money she had.

Waiting for her was Betsy, asleep on the couch. Not wanting to bother her, Elizabeth went into the kitchen to get something to eat. She got her food; a leftover pastrami sandwich with Swiss cheese and salt and pepper to top it off. She said grace for her food and dug in.

It didn't take long to finish a sandwich. With nothing to do, Elizabeth decided to call it a night and went to bed. She still had the hangover and there was no sense in waking Betsy. She changed into her pajamas; hummed a few tunes and went to bed. She had the most unusually dream.

A young woman in a lace wedding gown holds a dozen of roses in her hands and walking down a long aisle. People were standing around her in long pews. People she hardly recognized. They were staring at her. The woman was Elizabeth and this was her wedding day.

She continued to walk and up ahead was a man with midnight black hair in a black tuxedo was waiting for her. Next to him was a priest with a bible in his hands. She approaches closer and closer until she comes to the front. She hands her flowers off to someone, more likely a bridesmaid.

The man takes her hands and holds them tight. The priest smiles and then begins. His mouths moves and says some vows. The man's mouth moves slowly as he says his. Elizabeth does the same thing. The next thing they knew, the kissed each other and escaped the church.

They went on a hill and watched the sun go down. The sky turned into different colors and shades of red, orange, gold and purple. There was a little breeze. It blew and messed their hair up slightly. Elizabeth points to the sky and tells the man that the man of what the colors remind her of.

Suddenly the sky turns dark. Like a black shadow has occurred. There are new additions to the sky, which was the bright moon and millions of tiny stars. They show off their wonder and magnificent beauty. The moon was full which made the night more perfect. Elizabeth started shoving the man around in a foolish way. They tackle and roll around in the grass under the stars. They keep on rolling until they come to a stop.

Elizabeth was on top of the man. He touched her mouth slightly with a gentle touch. Elizabeth put her hands on the man's midnight black hair. They giggled to each other and they kissed again promising never to let go. The two of them had each other forever and they promised never to go away.

Elizabeth scooted next to her man and rested her head on his chest. His arm was around hers and gently tickling it. It was soft and had a tingling feeling. Elizabeth enjoyed that.

The next thing Elizabeth knew was she was suddenly cold. She sat up and held herself for warmth. She brought her knees up and wrapped her arms around them. The man looked concerned and held her, trying to keep her warm. Nothing helps. It got worst. Elizabeth finally stood up and paced back and forth. They say that moving around warms up the body. She still was cold. She started to walk straight. There was a big light away larger than the moon's light. The man did not follow her. He just stood. She walked to it and disappeared. The man just stood there alone. In the distance was a wolf's lonely cry which echoed through the hills.

Elizabeth woke up startled about her dream. It was about nine o'clock in the morning. She sat on the edge of her bed and tried to figure things out. She didn't think that dream pertained to her. She could never be sure. Not worried about it, she went to the main room to see Betsy.

A/N: This may not be as good as the last chapter, but it was the spur of the moment. I hope you tell me what you think and thanks for reading.