Chapter Four:
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It was the end of opening week for both Dracula and Sensational Splash—the Mermaid Children's show. Sophie eagerly read the online reviews — some were good and some were very bad.
Her phone chimed and her heart skipped a beat as the image of Yuri Killian filled her screen. Sophie closed her eyes and took a deep breath before picking up the phone and answering.
"Yuri! I was just reading the reviews and—," Sophie started.
"You need to make the Van Helsing costume," Yuri interrupted. "Dracula is too dark — the addition of Van Helsing in a bright, flashy costume and with a heroic attitude is imperative to saving the show."
"The Romani- version," Sophie agreed. She flipped through her sketches to find her favorite version of the character's costume. "Male or female?"
"Both," Yuri answered. "And I need them by tomorrow night's performance."
Sophie glanced at the clock's bright display screen. It was eleven p.m.. "You want two costumes in less than eighteen hours?"
"Less than fourteen hours. I will send a seamstress first thing in the morning. Text me the material you need and she'll bring it and I figure between the two of you — you can get it done."
"I appreciate your confidence, but that would be impossible," Sophie explained. She was glad she didn't choose the FaceTime option on her phone or she'd have to hide her disappointment. Yuri wanted her costume skills. He wasn't thinking of her like she'd been thinking of him. She could already feel tears springing to her eyes and struggled to keep her voice steady. "However, if you can pick between the male or female costume, I can prioritize it and between the seamstress and I, we can have it ready early afternoon."
"Okay, I will text you after morning rehearsal."
"Or, if you want my opinion — I think you should don the role of Van Helsing." Sophie waited a beat, but Yuri didn't argue. "The reviews for Sensational Splash are really amazing. I don't think you should distract Sora from that success."
Yuri sighed. "You're right of course. I was already trying to figure out how to incorporate a third show of Sora's mermaid show, plus she is the understudy for Mina. If anything happens to May, I'll need her to step in. It wouldn't be fair to ask her to perform as Van Helsing too. Of course, I'm Leon's understudy, but he won't ever miss a performance just to spite me. So, do you think you could switch to FaceTime? I'd like to see you."
"Yuri! It's practically midnight! I might be wearing a mud mask or could have curlers in my hair!"
"I doubt that," Yuri said with a chuckle. "Besides, you wear your hair straight these days. What's the point of curlers? Anyways, thanks Sophie. You're a real lifesaver. Goodnight, I'll send the seamstress in the morning."
"It would be good if you come by too for a final measurement so we can fit the costume for you," Sophie added.
"Good idea. I'll see you mid-morning, after rehearsal!" Yuri hung up.
Sophie stared at her phone for a moment before setting it aside on her desk. "Good night?" she echoed. She wouldn't be sleeping now — she had a pattern to perfect and cut out. She'd go ahead and cut out both patterns. She'd need to send information on what kind of material she'd need exactly. Her hands were shaking from excitement.
No point in working while her hands weren't steady. She looked back at her computer screen to read the next set of reviews. It was by a particularly brutal and notoriously hard to please critic — Elijah Cruz.
Mr. Cruz raved about the children's show — 'It was enjoyable for this cankerous old critic,' said the article, 'and more so, this children's show was found to be enjoyable for the whole family — toddlers, teenagers, parents, and even cankerous ill-tempered elderly critics.'
Unfortunately, in the same article he did not have much to say in favor of Dracula. 'The dark, romantic performance lacked romance, first and foremost, and it was so dark as to be depressing. The technical skills were astounding, but a good portion of my neighboring audience grew bored of the performance and become lost in the tedium of playing with their smart phones, scrolling through mindless entertainment rather than enjoying the show they paid good money for when joblessness was at a high in the country.'
Sophie cringed upon finishing the article and was hesitant to forward the link to her brother. It echoed the sentiments of various critics from the past several days. Already, the ticket sales had started to dip for Dracula and yet Yuri was trying to schedule a third performance of the Mermaid show each day, because the two current ones had quickly become standing room only.
Sophie's phone chimed again, this time with a text message. It seems she wasn't the only one Yuri was calling in the middle of the night. The seamstress, Debra, wrote to Sophie to confirm her address and to have her send the list of materials directly to her so she could raid her supply closet and if need be, go by the fabric store first thing in the morning.
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Sora stared down at her planner and felt overwhelmed. She looked at her cell phone and was reluctant to text her supervisor at the physical therapy clinic. With three performances of the mermaid show she would have to start cutting back her volunteering even more. She wondered if her parents would be disappointed in her not using her education. She didn't want to bring dishonor to her parents — never that.
There was a knock on her door and Anna entered before Sora said anything. "Shouldn't you have waited until I gave permission to enter? I could have been dressing or shaving my legs or something."
Anna arched an eyebrow. "Your door was already open, if you wanted privacy you should check to make sure you shut your door. Anyway, I came up with some jokes for your aquatic show."
Sora closed her schedule and smiled at her friend. "I've got one too. What do you get when you cross a shark and snowman?" She paused for a moment. "Frostbite!"
Anna smirked. "That's pretty clever. Did you come up with it yourself?"
"Google did," Sora answered sheepishly.
"What do you call a fish with a tie? So-FISH-ticated! What part of a fish weighs the most? The scales! Where do mermaids see moves? At the dive-in! Where does a mermaid sleep? A waterbed!" Anna grinned broadly.
Sora chuckled at the silly jokes, thinking even a few sour parents would crack a grin at the innocent fun. "I think if you are still interested in portraying a comedic fisherwoman in the Sensational Splash I have a home for all those silly jokes!" She tapped the front cover of her planner. "Mr. Killian and Mr. Kalos just informed me earlier they want to start having three performances a day of the children's show. If I can add in even a few minutes of non-acrobatics it would be a huge help."
Anna sat on the edge of Sora's neatly made up bed and smoothed her hand over the comforter "Did you even sleep? There's no way your bed is this nice so early in the morning."
"My parents taught me the importance of a clean room," Sora mumbled absently. She stared at the photo of her family on her desk.
"Did you ask Mia for help with the script? I'm sure she can find some non-acrobatic moments," Anna suggested.
"I have a meeting with her during lunch. Can you come?" Sora looked over her shoulder at the tall brunette.
"Food with my two best friends? And you'll listen to my jokes? I'm there!" Anna rose from the bed. "You want to grab some breakfast?"
Sora gestured towards the protein shake sitting on her coaster half-consumed. "I'm good. Thanks! I'll see you at eleven thirty at the cafe on the corner."
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May blew on her hot chamomile tea. She wore her fuzzy socks and favorite UCLA sweatshirt. She stared at the thermometer across the room as if it were her enemy. Surely, the device was defective. According to it, she had a low-grade fever. Though, she was almost certain she was suffering from allergies from the recent wildfires in the state. Her chest was congested, her eyes burned, and her nose was runny. She had scheduled a telemedicine visit with her doctor just in case, but the first available appointment was that afternoon. She needed to get to practice and she would, just after a quick nap.
There was a brisk knock on May's door a few minutes after morning practice was scheduled.
May blinked her eyes tiredly and stared at her clock with confusion. Her little nap had turned into two hours! She rose from her bed and itfelt like her feet were weighed down with cement.
Kalos stood outside her door, his irritated expression dissolved into one of concern. "You look terrible. Are you sick or drunk?"
"It's allergies," May rasped, surprised her voice was so hoarse. "I have a telemedicine appointment this afternoon."
"Go back to bed. I'll have some soup delivered to you for lunch. You're taking today and tomorrow off," Kalos ordered.
"But there's a show tonight!" May protested.
"And there's a reason we have understudies. Back to bed May Wong," Kalos ordered, his eyes dark with worry. "And I'll need a doctor's release before you can return to work."
May wanted to argue, but she wanted to climb back into her warm, comfortable bed more. Her muscles ached. Her joints were stiff. A nice nap sounded perfect. She smiled to herself and glanced at her private bathroom. Though, a nice warm bath with scented candles and epson salt sounded even better.
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Leon was in a foul mood as he did some basic warm up stretches. The critic's words echoed in the back of his mind. The performance was technically flawless and emotionally soulless.
And May was late!
"I'm sure you all read the reviews," Yuri announced, holding a stack of scripts in the crook of his arm. "We will be revising the performance and adding a character — Van Helsing. Either I or Sora will play the part. Today's practice is especially important as I want tonight's performance to be the revised script." He smiled disarmingly at the crew and performers. "Not to worry. It mostly just affects Dracula and Mina's performance. We'll keep the character more mysterious rather than spending a lot of time explaining him or her."
Kalos strode to Yuri's side with a confused looking Sora trailing behind him. "May Wong is ill. Sora you're up as Mina. You won't be doing the children's show today or tomorrow. This is your priority."
Yuri ruffled his blond hair. "I'll be Van Helsing— Dracula's mortal enemy. Mia, if you'll elaborate."
The screenwriter stepped up. "The Van Helsing family has sworn through the generations to protect people from the immortal Dracula, They have vowed to discover a method to put an end to his dark reign — which is why it doesn't matter if the character is male or female." She smiled brightly. "Frankly, I was excited to develop this gender fluid character — thanks, Sora."
"I just thought they would bring some color to the story," Sora said.
"They certainly do!" Yuri agreed.
Leon took his place, grateful that he read the alternative script and had even practiced it once with Sora. He caught her gaze and was a bit surprised to see trepidation. May always looked at him like a puppy eager to earn even the slightest of praises.
"You must be pleased. You were right. Even the critics think my version is too dark," Leon admitted quietly when Sora joined him. She kept her peace while Kalos shouted orders.
Sora took Leon's hand for the start of the scene, and squeezed it gently, the calluses of her grip belying the impression that she was some dainty princess. "Lets show the audience you have a soul — though dark and twisted, it's heavy with emotions."
Leon wasn't sure if she meant him or his character Dracula. His lip twitched in amusement. Either would be accurate. Surprisingly, he was actually looking forward to the new script and working with Sora and Yuri. The antagonism between Leon and Yuri didn't need to be acted, it was real. And there was some sort of passion between Leon and Sora, even though it rested primarily in mutual annoyance and irritation.
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