The Premiere

When the curtain opened Beck felt the familiar rush of the live stage. The eyes of the spectators, that filled so many others with dread, filled him with indescribable feeling of exhilaration. The feeling was even stronger tonight than usual because the author of the play was in the public, right there on the first row. Although Beck was pretty self-assured guy, he had passed the Bird Scene on the first go; it did not mean that he didn't crave the approval of the audience; especially when a real live Broadway author was attending. The first scene went well, without a hitch. Then came the first scene with Penny. Tori was still with the zombie make-up. He could see her nervousness and hesitation in the beginning. He directed his line right at her, catching her eye and smiling encouragingly. Soon, just like in her performance in the Big Showcase, she immersed herself in the play. She seemingly just became Penny - the beautiful sweet girl in search of the true everlasting love. With time it seemed like even the mask didn't matter, to the characters or to the public. And here came the scene in which his character had to profess his love for her. And here he was, the bellboy, pouring his heart out to this girl. A girl already proposed by a billionaire. A girl, to whom, he could not offer anything but his heart and pure love. A girl who couldn't say 'I love you' back yet. Beck felt he wasn't just immersing himself in a role, but like there was something from him in the character. Like at least part of that longing the bellhop was supposed to feel was coming from him.

"I don't know." Tori's voice was filled with wistful regret.

"It's okay that you don't know." And it really was okay, she was worth the wait because a girl like her appeared only once in a lifetime.

"But you deserve an answer." The warm chocolate eyes behind the zombie mask looked filled with such regret and longing. He blinked and they were again just the pretty eyes of his friend Tori.

"I can wait." The bellhop began softly. "For you I would wait a thousand years!" He declared with unshakable conviction. Was that the bellhop or was it him. Beck couldn't remember ever feeling so lost in a character.

"But that's so many!" Penny took a step back from him. She was attracted but at the same time scared by the passion in the bellhop's words and the promise in his eyes.

"I know I'm poor. I know I don't have much to offer, but I do love you." Beck had never felt it so right and wrong to say these words to a stage partner before. Not since long before, with Jade.

"Because I'm beautiful." It came as a question and a bitter statement. Penny's had love and passion confused too many times before to just trust the words of men. She moved away, she was too afraid to risk her heart again.

"I don't love you because you're beautiful." The bellhop stopped her, not willing to let his only chance go so easily. "You are beautiful because I love you." The bellhop's words echoed in Beck's ears. This was precisely how he felt about Jade when he met her all this time ago, and it still was. But God help him, part of him, small or large, he didn't know or wanted to know, was beginning to maybe feel like that for Tori too and it scared him.

The play continued perfectly. Everybody was giving everything they've got. He could see the audience was completely captivated by what was going on the stage. It was time for the big finale. The first notes filled the hushed theater. Tori stood on the stage bathed in light.

Suddenly
My choice is clear
I knew when only you and I
Were standing here

Her voice was clear and melancholic captured everyone's attention. She made a step and took his hand in hers'. It was time for the scariest part of the play - his singing.

And beautiful, is all I see
It's only you, I know it's true,
It has to be

He made it! He sung and it want terrible. It actually sounded kind of nice when his voice mixed with that of Tori. The music picked up and both of them began dancing. At first they were by themselves, later joined by the rest of the cast.

That money isn't worth a thing
If you didn't earn it,
You don't deserve it.
True love doesn't cost a thing;
if you try to buy it,
You can't return it
Your friends are doing all the same things
And my friends say look at what you're wasting
Well, it doesn't matter if we change their minds

Just as the dance number was picking up speed he noticed Cat and Trina franticly waiving from behind the curtain, trying to get Tori's attention. Beck pointed them out to her. After a quick silent coordination with André the whole cast covered for Tori while she was getting the make-up off. The boys, him included distinguished themselves with their acrobatic dance moves. When she was ready the boys organized her spectacular entrance back on stage.

Suddenly, I can see what I didn't before
And I don't care what they say anymore
'Cause I'm falling, falling
Finally falling, falling

Now that was the Tori who had won the audition. She was radiating. Her smile was like an extra stage light. Beck was dancing opposite of her unable to take his eyes off her. It was true that it was required by his role, but even without it he wasn't sure he could do it. In the end came the part where he had to lift her up and then gently ease her down close to his body. The sensation of her fit lean body moving almost sensually in his hands he had to admit to himself provoked entirely unprofessional feelings in him. When the song ended and Tori's happy smiling gorgeous face, was standing mere inches from his, he felt an irresistible desire to kiss her threaten to take over him. Only the site of Jade standing nearby managed to bring Beck back to his senses.