**The first time I uploaded this the whole chapter didn't make it so here's the rest. 3rd chapter is on the way!!**

"Well, Cosmo, this is quite the opportunity for you!" said Don as they walked across the Monumental lot.

"You're telling' me! It's a huge break. But there's a lot riding on it! 'The Lockwoods' first musical!' 'R.F.'s new talkie!' What if it's 'Cosmo's last job?' First and last…wouldn't that be swell."

"Look here Cos, you're a great musician! You always wanted to compose, here's your chance! Don't let the fact that its Cathy's and my first picture together make you nervous, or the fact that it'll be huge for Monumental, or that-"

"Gee, Don, you sure know how to make a guy feel sure of himself!"

Don laughed. "It's just that I have a lot of confidence in you."

Just then they noticed a beautiful redhead in a sparkling green dress hurry towards them.

"She probably wants my autograph. Cos, do you have a pen? I usually carry one but-"

"Hello, are you Cosmo Brown?" she bubbled.

Cos gave a sly smile to Don, who looked bewildered that she hadn't even acknowledged him. "Why, yes, last time I checked."

The woman laughed loudly and a little too long. "Pleasure!" she said extending her hand. "I'm Gloria Gillespie!"

"Hello, Gloria Gillespie!" he said as he shook her hand. "Mind if I call you Gill?"

She laughed again and placed her hand on Cosmo's wrist as if to steady herself. "You are so funny!"

Cosmo smiled at the compliment.

"I hear you are the new music director for The Big Apple? It's a huge production! R.F. is so excited about it. And that Cathy Lockwood sure knows what she's doing! It'll be so much fun, Cosmo!" she said excitedly as her hand moved further up his arm.

"Oh, are you in the picture?"

"Not yet," she whispered as she squeezed his shoulder. "Wonderful to meet you," she called back as she sauntered away.

Don laughed.

"What was that all about?" asked Cosmo.

"I guess you're just a lovable guy!"

Cos gave him a questioning look.

"Don't you get it? You're one of the casting directors! Girls will be flying at you trying to get a part," he chuckled. "Let the games begin!"

*~*

Over the next few weeks, Cosmo auditioned what felt like thousands of Hollywood hopefuls. He got everyone from 70 year-old women to 10 year-old boys. The Big Apple was the movie everyone was trying to get into, and Cosmo figured he had seen just about everyone in the state. After 3 weeks he and the other casting directors had found someone for every role and every spot in the chorus, except for one. They had not come across anyone to play the role of Eva Heart, the best friend of Maggie Parker, Cathy Lockwood's character.

"I just don't know where we're gonna find her, Bob," said Cosmo to a fellow casting director. "It feels like we've seen every actress in California. The ones that can act, can't sing. The one's that can sing, can't act! And dancing? Forget about it."

"I know Cosmo. It takes awhile to find that perfect actress who'll just take the part to town."

"Who's next, Debbie?" Cosmo asked.

"A Velma Kelly, Mr. Brown. Shall I send her in?"

"Send her in, send her out. Whatever you want. Let's say it's your call, Deb," said Cosmo rubbing his temples.

"Alright Mr. Brown."

Cosmo heard the door open. He could hear the loud click of high heels. He looked up. In front of him was a tall and gorgeous woman with short dark hair.

"Good afternoon," she said in a sultry voice.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Kelly," replied Bob. "Whenever you're ready."

After a few moments she started singing a song called "All that Jazz." She was amazing! And she could dance exceptionally well. High kicks, turns, you name it she did it! They were all captivated by her stage presence.

"Cos, she's fabulous!" said Bob. "Just what we've been looking for."

"Uh, Bob…" said Cosmo. "You might want to look at this." He handed over Velma's resumè.

Bob scanned through her personal information and experience and stopped suddenly at the bottom of the page.

"She's done time?!" Bob hissed to Cosmo.

"And not for just anything!" Cos answered gesturing to the bottom of the page.

Bob looked back at the paper.

"You murdered your sister and your husband?!" Bob yelled over Velma's song.

Velma Kelly stopped mid-kick. "Excuse me?"

"You were in jail for murdering half your family!"

"Bob-" said Cos.

"Hey, we all make mistakes! But I got cleared, didn't I? I can work again! I'm a great actress. You'll never find a dancer like me, either! The only person who could keep up with me was my sister." She laughed. "And she's not really able to keep up with anybody these days."

"Thank you, Ms. Kelly," said Bob.

"You'll regret this!" Velma shouted as Debbie escorted her to the door. "You'll never find anyone as good as me! Never! No one can play that part like I can! NOBODY!"

Finally the door shut and her screaming was drowned out.

Silence overtook the room.

"I like her, she's got spunk," said Cosmo.

Just then the door opened.

"R.F.!" said Bob standing up.

"Hello, boys! How's it coming?"

"I don't think it could be going any better," said Cosmo. "Just ask Velma Kelly!"

"Is that that woman the security guards are taking outside?"

"That's her."

"She seems nice," said R.F. "But I'm guessing she didn't get the part?" Their silence confirmed his suspicion. "Gentlemen, we begin rehearsals on Monday. Today is Friday."

"Mr. Simpson! Eva is a big role!" Bob said. "If we don't find just the right girl-"

"You're fired," finished R.F. "And if you don't find her by Monday you're fired. Get the picture, Bob? Cosmo, how's the music coming?"

"Almost all done, Mr. Simpson. All that's left is the overture, and that's practically writing itself!"

"Glad to hear it's so easy."

"Not easy, sir, its at home right now finishing up. I left a pen and everything!"

Debbie approached the trio. "Sorry to interrupt, sir," she said to R.F. "Cosmo, there's a woman outside who wants to know when you'll clear your busy schedule long enough to audition some of the girls who've been waiting outside all day."

R.F. laughed. "Sorry to hold up the process, Cos. I'll leave you to what sounds like a very nice girl. Send her in Debbie. Goodbye, Cosmo. Goodbye, Bob."

"Gee, this day just keeps getting better and better," said Cosmo.

As R.F. Simpson walked out the door, a young woman walked in, and Cosmo couldn't believe his eyes.