A/N There's going to be some differences in the release scheduled for the next two weeks. I will be on the road next weekend and Monday, so I won't be able to do the normal schedule next Monday (9/3). So, here's how it will go. You get this about 12 hours early. You'll get one on Thursday morning 8/30, another one in the morning of either Tuesday 9/4 or Wednesday 9/5, and finally back to Monday on 9/10. On the bright side, at least I hope it's the bright side for all of you, you get four chapters, instead of three in that span.

Chapter 5

Apt 4B, 6 PM, Feb 6th, 2012

Penny had been anxiously waiting all day, even though she knew it wouldn't be there until six. When she heard the knock, she almost ran to the door and practically ripped it open. There stood a messenger holding an envelope. The messenger wanted her signature before he would give it to her, and she just scribbled her name, before grabbing it away from the messenger. She then closed the door, turned and went to her couch. After she sat down, she ripped open the envelope, and began reading the pilot script for "Tales of the City".

Leonard came up the stairs, heading toward 4B. Just as he got to the door, he heard Penny laughing loudly. Puzzled, he opened the door and saw her sitting on the couch reading something. Then he remembered, the script was coming today. He heard her laugh again.

"It must be pretty funny," said Leonard.

Penny's head swung around, "I didn't even hear you come in."

"You must really be involved in that thing," said Leonard. "I heard you laughing before I came in. Is it that funny?"

"Yeah," said Penny, "I didn't expect it to be. Oh, there has to be jokes, after all it is a comedy. But they have to introduce everyone, so that takes some time. It's also why pilots are usually longer than regular episodes, but they usually cut enough of it to get it under 30 minutes, when it's time to broadcast."

"So, you seem to like it," said Leonard.

"Yeah, I do," said Penny. She paused for a minute, "You know, I'm still kind of in shock over this. People just don't walk in and get major parts in weekly television series. But I have the script, I've talked to the producers, I kind of feel lucky."

"No, you're not lucky," said Leonard. "You worked at this. You kept going to auditions, when you weren't getting parts, you kept taking acting classes, even when you really didn't have the money. I'd say you earned it."

Penny looked at Leonard like she was going to cry, but said softly, "Thank you Leonard, I need to hear things like that, once in a while I can't tell you how many times I almost gave up. But, here I am."

Leonard smiled, "I'll let you get back to reading the script. But, can I read it when you're done?"

"Sure," said Penny. "I hope you like it. But let me finish it now. I'll have to start trying different readings, so you can't have it for all that long."

Leonard smiled, walking toward the kitchen.

Apt 4B, 11 PM, Saturday, Feb 11th, 2012

Leonard and Penny came through the door giggling. They had been out for dinner, and Leonard had even suggested that they go out for some dancing. They would have to go get Leonard's car in the morning as they were both more than slightly drunk. They got to the couch both fell onto the it, still giggling.

"Thank you for taking me out tonight, Leonard," said Penny.

"I wanted to give you a congratulatory dinner," said Leonard, "and I didn't want to do it tomorrow, since you have to go in on Monday. And, I hope you noticed, I went out dancing with you."

"Yeah," said Penny with a smile, "thank you for that too. Come here."

She pulled him toward her, giving him a kiss. The kiss lasted and suddenly Penny groaned. Their mouths opened, their tongues met, eliciting a groan from Leonard. Their arms went around each other, and they both leaned over until they were laying on the couch. After several minutes, she had undone his belt and zipper and now had her hand down his pants stroking him, He had his hand under her bra and was cupping her left breast. Suddenly she pulled back, stood up and pulled him up. "Come on," she said, "Let's move to the bedroom."

"Good idea," he said, as they both headed to the bedroom, shedding clothes as they went.

Apt 4B, Monday, 6 PM, Feb 13th, 2012

Penny was in the kitchen, when Leonard came home. He was surprised at seeing her actually cooking, and said, "I'm guessing that you must have had a good day today, did you?"

"Yeah, it was a lot of fun today," said Penny. "As you know, I didn't have to be there until 10, but I got there at 9:30. I was so excited, I got to the gate, gave my name. I almost messed up, but caught myself and said Penelope Jensen."

"He looked at his sheet and asked what I was there for. I told him to shoot 'Tales of the City, with Jim and Kelly and he gave me directions on how to get to Stage 25. Then he said 'Have a nice day, Ms Jensen'. Even though I just gave him that name, I had to think for a minute to realize he meant me, with my stage name."

"Heheheheh," said Leonard, "it looks like you're going to have to get used to giving and being called that name."

"Yeah, I will," said Penny. "When I got there, the costume person, Janet, was at the coffee table when I was getting coffee, and said 'Hi Penelope.' and again it didn't register at first, when I finally realized, I said hi to her. She told me she would like to see me after the table read, so she could look at me wearing some costumes and so she could get some measurements, as that would give her time to make any alterations before we shoot."

"I talked to Kelli and Jim, and around 9:45, Jeanie and Dave came in, then Dana right after them. They had tables set up, in the area where the cameras usually go. Each table had places with our names and at 10, we all sat down. We all introduced ourselves. Everyone was there, the set people, make-up, hair, props. Even the camera, sound and lighting people, but they really aren't needed until we do blocking tomorrow."

Penny continued cooking, she was making spaghetti, making sure the noodles were cooked, as she continued, "After all the introductions, Kelli and Jim welcomed everyone, then gave a little talk, and after that, we started reading."

"The director," said Penny, "is just doing the pilot and if we get to series, someone else will come in, but he was telling us some ideas he has concerning blocking and what he wants us to do. He'll get more involved when we move to the set."

"Jeanie is really funny," said Penny. "Her voice can change a line from regular to really funny. I flew by several lines without laughing when I was reading it here, but when she said it at the read, I couldn't keep a straight face. Dave hit every inflection perfectly, and Dana was amazing. I was wondering what I was doing there."

"Penny," said Leonard, "If they didn't think you…"

"Hold on Leonard," said Penny. "We took a break about half way through and while I was getting some more coffee, Jeanie came up to me and was just so nice to tell me how my delivery of the sarcastic lines was just so good, and she was looking forward to working with me. Dave told me I was doing very well, told me I was funny. And, Dana said me he loved my read on the character."

"See," said Leonard, "you didn't have anything to worry about."

"Yeah," said Penny, "I felt better after that and we continued the read. I started noticing the other people were laughing when I did my lines, as much as the other three, so it wasn't just the actors that were laughing at my reading, and as a result, I relaxed. We finally finished reading and everyone applauded, and several cheered. Kelli said a few more words, telling everybody when they had to be back the next morning. She also told us we could arrive earlier if we felt we needed extra time to have everything ready, or just wanted to eat as there would be food starting at eight."

"The four of us actors hung around a bit and talked about the script, about certain places we felt we struggled, and talked about places where we interacted, and about those interactions. Then Dave and Dana had to leave, and Jeanie and I talked for a bit, getting to know each other, and then Janet came by and asked both of us back to the costume shop."

"I'll bet you were looking at the shoes," said Leonard with a grin, "weren't you?"

"Of course I did," said Penny with a laugh as she put the bread in the oven and set the timer, "you wouldn't expect anything else, would you? Anyway, we walked with her and after we got there, Janet asked if she could do Jeanie's measurements first, as she had most of her sizes and wouldn't have to do as much measuring, so it wouldn't take as long."

"I said it was fine with me, so Jeanie went first and we talked while Janet did the measurements. She had Jeanie try on various outfits and Janet pinned several of them, then told Jeanie she was done. Janet did all my measurements while Jeanie was changing. Then Janet gave me several outfits to try on. As I was changing, Jeanie finished, but waited until I came out. She wanted to say goodbye to me, so when I came out, she gave me a hug, said goodbye, and told me she would see me tomorrow."

"To be honest," said Penny draining the noodles, "Janet was really good when picking out the outfits. She only had to pin one of them and the other five fit just fine, so she hung them on a portable clothes hanger. She kept the one she pinned, then got the ones she was going to sew for Jeanie, and told me I was done. I left the costume shop and walked around on the sets for a while, to get familiar with my apartment on the show.

"You would not believe everything they put on the set. I don't think anyone could see it, but there were some pictures of Jeanie, and there was even one there of the both of us. All I can think of is they used Photoshop to get us together. But, the magazines are all current and we have actual pots and pans in the kitchen, as well as an actual working coffee maker. And you should see my bedroom, there are a bunch of care bears and my little pony animals, a lot like our bedroom. It also has a bunch of movie and theatre posters. It was pretty amazing for to see the detail they put into it. Can you set the table for me?"

"Sure, I can get that," said Leonard getting up. He smiled as he turned away at her causal use of "our bedroom".

"After that, I headed home," said Penny, "but I stopped at the store to buy a few things to make for dinner. Then I got home around two, read through the script again, read my lines again. Then went over my lines several time, trying to think of where I might walk or move, and maybe what action I might do. Can you put the sauce on the table and get us some wine, while I get the salad and bread?"

Leonard nodded, went to the stove, and grabbed the sauce, taking it over to the table. He then got two glasses, and a bottle of wine, took them to the table and poured the wine. Penny grabbed two bowls, filled with salad, out of the fridge and took them to the table. Then she headed back to the oven, and took the bread out, put the four slices on another plate and took that to the table.

They sat down to eat and Leonard said, "Like I said, it does sound like you had a really good day."

"I did," said Penny, "especially after I got the encouragement, that really made my day."

"So, what do you have to do tomorrow?"

"Well, we'll do blocking, that's where the director tells us where to stand, when to move, where to move, all of that. Then, they'll set up where the cameras have to go. At some point, they'll aim the lights, so were in light when we do the show. I'm sure sound will be in there somewhere also."

"Is that going to be all day?" asked Leonard.

"Well, according to Jeanie, we'll spend the first few hours doing all of that. Then we'll get lunch, and then do what Jeanie called a stumble through. I didn't understand that, so Jeanie explained once we get everything down, we do what's called a run through. Since tomorrow afternoon will be the first time we do the blocking and lines, and we're still learning our lines, we aren't really running, it's more like stumbling, which is where the name comes from, I guess. Once we're moving, the director can make changes to our movement, or where we'll stand. Which may change where the cameras are or change the lighting."

"Wow," said Leonard, "I wouldn't have ever thought of all that going on. I mean when I see a show, it looks like they just run right through it."

Penny chuckled, "No, there is a lot going on. After the stumble through, we'll be working on individual scenes, at least those that need work. I expect a lot of those will be mine, and Jeanie said there may be more changes in the scripts after that. She said not to memorize the script right away. She says to use the scripts up to and even to have it handy during the taping, to be ready for changes, so I can reference it between takes."

"Anyway, that's what I get to look forward to tomorrow. But, enough about me, how are things going with you? How was your day?"

"Pretty good, in some ways," said Leonard. "I asked Sheldon to come to my lab tomorrow, I'm struggling with a problem."

"What," said Penny, "are you nuts? Sheldon? You know what a condescending ass he can be."

"Yes, Sheldon," said Leonard with a smile. "You forget, in addition to being a condescending ass, he is also a rather brilliant theoretical physicist. I need the brilliant theoretical physicist part of him, so I have to put up with the condescending ass part first." Leonard decided to yank Penny's chain, "I guess I could go talk to Leslie, she's shown an interest in helping me with my problems."

Penny did not look amused. "Are you sure you want to go over this with Leslie? I'm sure I can come up with some reason not to go see her, like me going all Nebraska on you."

Leonard was grinning, "Why? You don't think I'd be hitting on her, do you?"

"It's not so much that I'd be worried about you hitting on her," said Penny. "I'm more worried about her hitting on you, and you not realizing it. Maybe, I'll have to go with you to watch her."

"You don't have to do that, you have your show to rehearse," said Leonard. He decided to pull on the chain a bit harder. "I suppose instead of talking about my idea, we could find someone and have a kissing contest."

Penny stared daggers at him and simply said, "Nebraska."

He started to grin, "You won't be there, and I can't think of anyone she is seeing right now, so a contest isn't really in the cards. Don't worry, I'll think I'll just stick with Sheldon for now."

Penny still didn't look modified. "Fine."

Leonard was still grinning, "Hey, you're the one that brought up talking to Sheldon was crazy, I just brought up someone else I could talk to."

"Just don't talk for now," said Penny. "You just go see Sheldon tomorrow."

Leonard was by now openly laughing "I will, you don't have to worry about me seeing Leslie, I wasn't serious about that anyway."

Penny started chuckling, "Ok, you got me. How about we finish dinner clean up and watch some TV. I'm looking at shows a bit different now."

"Sounds good," said Leonard. "Do you have to get to bed early?"

"No," said Penny, " I don't have to be in until 10, so I can sleep in a bit."

"It looks like you found your ideal job," said Leonard smiling. "Sleep in and still get to work on time."

Penny rolled her eyes and shook her head.