Jade read from the script. "Now young lady this behavior of yours has gone on for too long."

"Shut up Mom!" said Tori. She spoke with a hint of a Southern accent. "You can't control me. I'm a free spirit. I've got dreams."

"Dreams?" said Jade. "Ha. You think you're the only one who has dreams? Your father had dreams. I had dreams. The postman probably had dreams. But at the end of the day everyone has to wake up. To realize that they have duties and responsibilities. To realize that dreams aren't practical. Do you think we could keep you feed, clothed, and safe with dreams?"

"Safe?" said Tori. "You think I'm safe living under father's control? Fearing what might set him off? Not knowing what he'll do next?"

"You have a wonderful imagination," said Jade. "Always coming up with these stories about how your father is a monster."

"Because he is!" said Tori. "You've turned a blind eye to his faults, but I know you fear him too."

Jade closed her script. "Well thanks Tori for auditioning."

"Thank you for letting me try out," said Tori.

"Well when you leave, tell the next person to come in," said Jade.

"There's no one else out there," said Tori.

"Oh," said Jade. "So you're the last one?"

"It appears so," said Tori.

"Okay, well have a nice day." Tori left the room.

Sikowitz turned to Jade. "How do you think she did?" Jade didn't answer. "Jade?" Jade just stared blankly in front of her. "I didn't think she was too bad."

Jade turned to Sikowitz. "She was perfect."

"Okay," said Sikowitz.

"She's our Janet Walton." Jade took a sip of water.

"Well, if we're done with auditions, I've got to get going," said Sikowitz. "Do you mind?"

"No," said Jade.

Sikowitz got out of his chair and walked out the door. Before leaving, he turned to Jade. "By the way, I think things went well. You really seem to know who you want in your play."

"Thanks," said Jade.

"Okay bye." Sikowitz left. Once he was gone, Jade stood up and stretched. She noticed a mirror in the corner of the room. She went over to it and checked herself out. She did look tired. She knew she wasn't sleeping well. She had so much work to do after all. Still, she could go for a nap. As she looked in the mirror, she noticed someone standing behind her. Had Sikowitz come back? No it was the girl.

Jade jumped. "Jesus Christ!"

"Hi." The girl smiled.

"What do you want?" said Jade. She backed up into the mirror.

"To tell you your play's boring," said the girl.

Jade frowned. "My play isn't boring."

"Yes it is," said the girl.

"No it isn't," said Jade. "Someone gets murdered. That doesn't sound boring to me."

"Yes, your play is boring," said the girl.

"What do you know you little brat!" The girl skipped out of the room. Jade ran out after her, but when she got outside, the girl was gone. Jade looked up and down the hallway. There was no way she could run this fast. Jade rubbed her temples. She needed a nap.

Tori saw Beck and Andre in the Asphalt Cafe. They were both sipping cups of coffee. Tori walked up to them. "Hey guys."

"Hey Tori," said Beck and Andre in unison.

"So Beck, how do you think your audition go?" said Tori.

Beck shrugged. "It went as well as usual. I think I did good, but you never know. How about you?"

"I don't know," said Tori. "Jade told me I would be good as Mrs. Walton, but I wanted to try out for Janet. The role is a little out of my range, but I wanted to do something new. Maybe I should've tried out for Mrs. Walton after all."

"Don't say that," said Beck. "You can't live life without taking some risks, especially if you want to be an actress. Look, what's the worst that could happen?"

"I don't get the part," said Tori.

"You don't get this part," said Beck. "That's happened before, right?"

"Yeah," said Tori.

"Okay, so that happens one more time," said Beck. "At least now you have some practice."

"I guess so," said Tori.

"And besides," said Beck. "We don't know who Jade's chosen for her play. Maybe you're wrong and you'll get the part."

"Maybe," said Tori halfheartedly. Beck's words made her feel a little better, but she still couldn't help thinking she'd blown a role that would give her the opportunity to stretch her range a bit.

Tori got the part. Jade posted the cast for her play. Tori would be Janet Walton. Robbie would be Brent Olsen. Beck would play her father. The new girl Joanna would be her mother. Tori was practically skipping down the halls. She found Beck at his locker. "Did you see the cast listing?"

"Yep," said Beck.

"Are you exciting?" said Tori.

"Yeah," said Beck.

"I am," said Tori. "I wasn't expecting to get the part, but I must've blown her away. Did Jade tell you what she thought about my performance?"

Beck sighed. "I haven't been talking to Jade much."

"What do you mean?" said Tori. "Are you guys fighting?"

"No," said Beck. "At least I don't think so. It's just focused on her play. Everyday she's either tinkering with the scripts, or looking for props, or making sure the sets are just right. She doesn't really have much time to just hang out."

"Oh," said Tori. "Well, this play is a big thing for her."

Beck nodded. "Yeah, she's really passionate about it. It's just I'm starting to worry about her. I don't think she's getting enough sleep."

"Well, maybe she'll get some rest now the auditions are over?" said Tori.

"Hopefully," said Beck.

Joanna walked by. "Hey."

"Hey," said Tori.

"I see you're my daughter," said Joanna. "In the play that is."

"I figured," said Tori.

"I mean could you imagine if you were my actual daughter?" said Joanna. "I'd be looking great for a mom."

"Sure," said Tori.

"Well, until next time." Joanna walked off.

"She seems friendly," said Beck.

"Yeah," said Tori. "I hear she's been in commercials."

"You don't say," said Beck.