Ivy Lynn dashed off the stage of the Lili Hayes theatre after another curtain call for the Marilyn Monroe bio-musical Bombshell. Reaching her dressing room, she quickly kicked off her shoes and grabbed her street clothes for the 'stage door' process where she could greet fans and sign autographs. Ivy slid into her designer jeans as the door to the room opened.

"I'll be out in a minute Autumn," Ivy said quickly, addressing the young junior assistant hired on the staff.

"Actually, I have your family on the line for you," Autumn said quickly. "Apparently there's an emergency."

Ivy took the work phone and sat down, leaving the New Yorkers and tourists to wait.


Julia Houston slid seats of the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, notebook in hand. After the death of young aspiring writer Kyle Bishop, she found herself playing double duty on Bombshell and Kyle's project Hit List. It had started as a very simple, very small favor to former boyfriend Scott Nichols; she would look at Kyle's book and make notes, make the off-Broadway show ready for audiences. But Kyle's untimely death led to the show gaining momentum and transferring to Broadway much sooner than ever anticipated. To honor Kyle's memory, she promised his creative partner Jimmy Collins that she wouldn't abandon the project just yet. And with Bombshell's leading lady out for the weekend taking care of family business, it was easy to slip down to the other theatre. Her partner Tom Levitt was spending the day rehearsing Jessica, the Marilyn understudy, which left her with plenty of free time.

"Surprised to see you still here," director Derek Wills noted, keeping his eyes on the stage.

"Would you rather I leave?" Julia asked with a shrug. She had worked with Derek on and off for years, spending the better part of last year with him on Bombshell before he quit to direct Hit List downtown.

"I only meant that I thought you'd be back with Tom," he objected, sinking into a chair.

"Tom's working with the understudy all day."

"No Ivy?" Derek asked with a raised eyebrow.

Julia shook her head. "She and Leigh were both called away last night for a family emergency in Connecticut. Apparently something happened to Leigh's mother – Ivy's grandmother."

Derek winced in his seat. "How is she?"

"The grandmother, I haven't heard."

"I wasn't talking about her," Derek said in a low voice, standing up. "Tell Scott that I'm taking off."

Julia tucked her hair behind her ear, now knowing exactly who the 'her' he was referring to.