CHAPTER 10

Helga sees her parents and Olga setting the table in the dining room. Olga sees Helga and goes and gives her a hug.

"Hi, Helga. Long time, no see."

"Hi, Sis."

They go to the dining room and sit. While eating, Olga strikes up a conservation.

"Congratulations, Helga, on getting the part of Elphaba in your school play."

"Thanks." Helga says half-heartedly.

"Do you know how jealous of you I am right now? I can't remember how many times I auditioned for it on Broadway, and never got a call back."

"REALLY?" Helga says, very surprised.

"What's that, Olga? Did you say you got a role on Broadway?" Bob asks happily.

"No, dad. Helga got the lead role in her school play. It's a production of a Broadway musical."

"Oh." Bob says indifferently as he goes back to eating.

Helga gives a dejected look on her face.

"So, what's this play about anyway?" Bob asks.

"It's called 'Wicked'. It's a musical that tells the story of Glinda and the Wicked Witch of the West, dad." Olga says.

Bob looks at Helga and smiles. "You're playing Glinda? That's my girl!"

Helga is irritated.

"No, Bob! I'm playing the other one!" Helga snaps.

Bob is horrified.

"THE WITCH?! That's just great. This is going to make the Pataki name a laughing stock in this town."

"Dad, you're being melodramatic." Olga says.

"What do you mean by that?"

"In this musical, the witch, who goes by the name of Elphaba, is the main heroine of the play."

"WHAT?! THAT'S THE CRAZIEST THING I'VE EVER HEARD!"

"Anyway, we're having a dress rehearsal tomorrow after school, and all the parents can come if they want." Helga says.

Miriam, who has been quiet all this time sipping away at another one of her smoothies, speaks up.

"Don't worry dear, we'll be there." She says as her speech begins to slur.

"You can come too if you want to, Olga." Helga says.

"I'd wouldn't miss it for the world, Helga." Olga says as she hugs Helga again.

After a couple of hours, Olga leaves for her apartment.

Helga then heads up to bed, happy for this day to be over with, and hoping that they show up for her rehearsal the next day.