"You'll excuse me for a moment wont you Tilda? I just have to make a quick call."
"Certainly Mr Wills" was the ice cool reply. Karen stood watching, she couldn't believe, in many ways this…person looked remarkably like Ivy.
"Eileen! Who is this new PA of yours? Why is she here? And why in Gods name does she look like Ivy!"
"Ah, you've met Tilda. And yes I had noticed the resemblance. But that's not the reason she is there. She is there to be my eyes and ears. For all the times I cant be there watching you re-work your show. So behave."
"Behave! Hold on here, I have no idea what you're thinking. I am trying to work out if we have enough cast, costumes and time to reopen, and you are worrying about me what? Getting fixcited on Karen? Pity sake Eileen, I have my son to think about. I can't even think of anything else at the minute and I resent your guard dog watching me! So unless she can act, dance and sing, call her off! Barked Derek.
"I'm sorry Derek. But I am afraid she stays. Just play by the rules and all will be well. Goodbye Derek, I have budgets to look over." With that the line went dead.
Karen having watched the heated exchange excused herself and followed Derek backstage. She found him in the green room, looking white with rage. She wasn't as green as everyone thought. She had worked it out why Tilda was there. And it was only confirmed by Derek's face.
"Care to share?" She asked as she slowly made her way to where Derek was standing.
As if waking from a trance Derek looked at Karen as if she had appeared out of thin air. "Oh that woman infuriates me! I have to Behave!" He mocked by using Eileen's voice.
"Because of me? Eileen thinks now you're back at Bombshell then the old rules come in to play. Surely with all that happened yesterday, Eileen would know that, that won't happen. You have to think of Ben. Here sit down." Karen guided Derek to a seat and knelt beside the chair.
"I'm I really such an orge? All I ever wanted along with my theatre life was a family. Now even that is being taken away from me. What have I to do to prove that I am human and I do have feelings? I cant be the Dark Lord forever."
"As your…friend, I know you're feeling stompted on at the minute. But the mask has to stay on, at least until opening. Then you can be an old softie. Tilda and Eileen wont know what has hit them when Bombshell reopens and there are crowds around the block waiting for tickets. Do this. Do it for Ben. I will shine as bright as I can to bring each house to its feet. You do it for Ben. I'll do this for you." With that Karen stepped out of the room, hoping her Dark Lord would return.