A/N Here's the next chapter. As you can see I did have problems typing, but I'm getting this out a whole one day early, wow, huh? Also, I'm in Virginia for a couple of weeks and this actually helped me. I'm on a bit of a vacation and my wife and her cousin (who were visiting) spend most of the day catching up on everything and anything since our last visit, and they leave me alone. However, as I said, I'm struggling with typing, so, at this point, it's mostly one handed. It kinda balances out, so, I'll be back to my once a week schedule for now.

Chapter 39

Apr 314, 2:00 PM Wednesday October 3rd 2012

Penny had gotten home from the studio, and knowing she had two hours before she could go up and see Jeanie, she decided to lay down and take a nap of her own. She kicked off her shoes, laid on her bed and was asleep in minutes.

At four, Penny went up to Jeanie's apartment. Jeanie let her in and made tea for both of them. As they sat at the table with their tea, Penny explained what Jim and Kelli had told her about consistency, and asked about ways to keep everything straight. Jeanie explained in a bit more detail, about maintaining consistency, how to record it, how to ask the other actors about it, and gave Penny a few tips on how she could do that.

Penny had left around six PM and when she got home, made dinner, cleaned up, and started working on her lines. She was trying different vocalizations, different pauses, along with looking for things Jim, Kelli, and Jeanie had pointed out.

While going over her lines, she had several glasses of wine, and by the time Leonard called, she was feeling the wine, along with still being tired, despite the nap, from the flight back the day before.

After their greetings, she told him about her flight, and how her day at work had gone. She briefly told him about the talk she had had with Jim and Kelli, but didn't go into detail. She then asked about his work.

By the time Leonard had finished talking about getting all the data back from Geoff, and what he planned to do with the data, it was approaching ten. Between the wine and her being tired, she wasn't really in the mood for having Skype sex, explaining and apologizing to Leonard.

While Leonard had been a bit disappointed, he had been understanding, and they ended their call saying "I love you" to each other, and Penny promising to have their Skype sex the next night. After hanging up, Penny decided going to bed was what she needed more than anything. So, she turned off the lights, went to the bathroom and started her preparations for bed.

Studio 44, 11:00 AM Thursday October 4rd 2012

Penny was doing a scene alone with Brent, the first one of the season, for her. Before the scene started, she felt uneasy, thinking she would be alone with him. Suddenly she laughed, when she realized there would be the director, the camera people, writers, producers, among others, making probably close to 40 people on the set with them.

Steve came over, and put them in their starting positions. He then had them slowly move through the scene, allowing them some time to write their blocking. Then they walked through the scene, following the directions on their scripts. After seeing how things went, Steve made a couple of minor changes for movement, and then had them go through it again. He told them he was going to move on, and he left to the next scene.

Brent came over to Penny, and asked, "You got everything written down?"

"Yes, I did," said Penny. She thought she would be polite and professional and added, "Thanks for asking, did you get it all?"

"Yeah, I did," said Brent, "see you in a couple of scenes," and he turned and left.

Penny was surprised at how Brent was acting, but didn't have time to think about it as she wanted to get her markers from her dressing room. She walked up the stairs to her dressing room, found her markers, and used the bathroom while she was there then left the dressing room and walked back down the stairs.

Penny walked over to the craft services table, to get some coffee. Brent was getting some coffee, and she noticed he wasn't adding anything. Penny asked, "You take it black also?"

"Yeah, most of the time," said Brent. "If I get a really strong…"

Tina came up and cut him off, "Sorry Brent," she said, "but I need Penny over at the women's apartment set."

"Why?" said Penny. "I don't have to be there until the scene after my next one."

"They made a couple of changes," said Tina, "they need you there now."

"Dammit, I wanted some coffee," said Penny, "let's go Tina."

Penny got through her short scene with Jeanie, then walked over to the guy's apartment. By the time she got there, everyone but Steve was there, he was talking to Jim and Kelli. Penny thought about trying to get that cup of coffee right now, while Steve was talking, when she felt someone tapping on her shoulder.

She turned and found herself looking at Brent, who was holding a cup of coffee. "Here," he said, "I just got this. You said you wanted one but were needed. Since we had the next scene, I thought I'd get one for you."

Penny was flabbergasted. He'd always been a jerk or creepy, and now here he was offering her a cup of coffee. It must have showed on her face as Brent grinned and said, "Yeah, I know, I can be, and have been, a jerk, so I get your surprise. But let me tell you, when it comes to acting, when it comes to production, I try to be completely professional."

Penny looked at him, took the offered cup, and said, "Thanks Brent. Yes, I'm surprised, sorry for being so shocked."

"It's ok," said Brent, "you aren't the first to be surprised." Just then Steve came walking up and said, "Let's get ready."

Penny and Brent put their cups down near the stands and Penny said, "OK, come on," and they walked to the guys apartment.

Caltech Laser Lab, 9:00 AM Thursday October 4nd 2012

Leonard had set up a couple of white boards in his "office." He had gotten the updated files from Geoff which were now being uploaded onto his computer. The calculations to determine the shape of each of the reflections were done by loading the individual calculations Geoff had done, into the shape calculations.

The results of Leonard's calculations had already been uploaded into the shape calculation and were already done and in his database.

Later, once the shape calculations, based on Geoff's results, were uploaded to the database, he would compare the shape of the reflection from his calculations, with the shape from the calculations based on Geoff's results.

Leonard knew he had 30 to 45 minutes before the calculation run would be finished and he could start comparing the shapes, so he decided to head to the cafeteria, to get a cup of coffee and a pastry or two.

Apr 601, 7 PM Thursday October 4th 2012

Penny left her apartment, and walked up the stairs to the sixth floor. Knocking on Jeanie's door, she waited until Jeanie answered. Looking surprised, Jeanie said, "What's up Penny? I didn't expect to see you tonight."

"I have to talk to you," said Penny. "Something happened today, that is kind of throwing me."

"Well, come in," said Jeanie, "You want some wine?"

"Sure," said Penny.

Jeanie walked into her kitchen, grabbed two glasses out of the cupboard, a bottle of wine out of the fridge, filled the glasses halfway, and brought them to the table. Putting one glass in front of Penny, she sat down and said, "So what's up?"

Penny wasn't sure how to start, but decided to plunge in, "You know how I think Brent is a jerk?"

"Yeah," said Jeanie, "you're not the only one"

"Well," said Penny, "today I wanted to go get a cup of coffee, and I was called to do a scene. When we got to the next scene, he was waiting for me, with a cup of coffee."

"What?"

"Yeah," said Penny, "he was waiting for me in the guys apartment, with a cup of coffee. He was really nice about it. It really threw me."

"Did he say anything?"

"Told me he knew people thought he was a jerk," said Penny. "But, he did tell me that when it came to production, he was a professional."

"Has he been?"

"I don't know," said Penny, "That's what I wanted to ask you. This is the first time I've worked with him alone this year. You've had several scenes with just him, did you have any problems, with him?"

Jeanie thought back, "No," she said, "as far as I can remember, he has been professional about it. I mean, outside of doing the show, yeah, he's been creepy at times, even to me. Like putting his arm around you at Jake's."

"I know," said Penny. "But he hasn't bothered me in the last few weeks, and I can't fault him here on set, at least since we started rehearsals and shooting."

Jeanie looked thoughtful, "I don't know what to tell you. If he hasn't caused any trouble for you, I guess you just have to go with your feelings."

"That's just it," said Penny, "I don't know what to feel right now. I've been wary, but this new Brent doesn't give me any reason to be wary. I just don't know what to do."

"Are you thinking he's boyfriend material?" Said Jeanie teasingly.

"No, of course not," said Penny. "I have Leonard, and besides, just because he starts being nice, is no reason to like him, or forget his other behavior."

"Well, OK, then all I can tell you, is watch what he's doing, pay attention to his actions, and go with your feelings."

"I guess," said Penny, "Thanks Jeanie."

"I'm happy to help," said Jeanie. "You want some more wine?"

"No, I'm good," said Penny, "besides, I know I shouldn't, but I want to watch the show. Later, Leonard is going to call."

Jeanie leered at Penny, "Going to Skype tonight?"

Penny lightly blushed, grinned, and nodded.

"OK, go ahead," said Jeanie, "I'll see you in the morning."

Penny rose, gave Jeanie a hug and headed back to her apartment.

Apt 314, 12:15 AM Friday October 5th 2012

Well, she thought smiling, we just finished "Skyping", which was a bit more intense than just talking. And it was certainly worth the wait from the previous night. She had just said her goodbyes to Leonard and was now laying on her bed, her heavy breathing having returned to normal.

Leonard had called at 11:30 PM, right after her show had finished on the west coast. Penny didn't want to talk about the show, as she ended up not watching it. He and Penny had talked quickly about each other's work for about twenty minutes, then Penny mentioned her interactions with Brent. Leonard seemed dismissive of Brent, but Penny smiled knowing he didn't want to waste any time. She told him to take his computer to his bedroom, while she did the same, so they could begin the physical part of their Skype.

Studio 44, 12:00 Noon Friday October 5th 2012

Penny was coming off the guy's set, her scene with Brent was finished. Tina walked up to her, "Great scene Penelope."

"Thanks."

"Jim and Kelli want to see you," said Tina, "so when you get a chance, go on over to their office."

"Ok," said Penny. Tina walked away and Penny went to her dressing room. They had a run through scheduled for 2 PM, so she thought she would go to Jim and Kelli's office now. I might as well go now, as I have some time. I wonder what the hell they want me to do now.

Penny locked her dressing room and walked down to the first floor. Arriving at their office, she knocked and was greeted with Kelli's voice yelling "Come on in."

Penny entered and Kelli continued on the phone, just pointed at chair. Penny sat down, and waited for Kelli to finish her call. After Kelli hung up, Penny spoke up, "Hi Kelli, you wanted to see me?"

"Yeah," said Kelli, "I want to ask you something and tell you something."

"Before you do," said Penny, "I didn't hear how the ratings were last night."

"About the same," said Kelli, "they were down a bit, not really enough to mention. The demo was the same, viewers were down."

"Are we doing well enough?"

"Yes and no," said Kelli. "It would be much better if we had more viewers and a higher demo. But, we are above the network average, so we should be good for this year, unless we drop like a rock."

"OK, good to know," said Penny. "I didn't hear anything this morning when I came in, I thought maybe you didn't want to talk about it and I just wanted to know."

"Sooooo," said Kelli, "if you didn't hear about the ratings, you didn't see or hear about any reviews, right?"

"No, I didn't," said Penny. "Did the show get some more? Good I hope."

"Actually, we've gotten some average reviews," said Kelli. "None of the reviews are really terrible, but none of them are really great, well, except for one of the things associated with the show."

"What is it?"

"You."

"What?" said Penny sounding puzzled. "What do you mean me?"

"Some more reviews came out, one talked about what a treasure the show has in you," said Kelli. "How well you use sarcasm, how…"

"Wait a minute," said Penny, "the sarcasm is from the writers, I'm just saying the lines."

Kelli smiled, "Yes, that is how it usually works, the writers write the lines, but it's you, the actor that brings those lines alive. Although I'll tell you if you mention the writers on the show next week, they will love you."

"On what show, next week."

"That's what I want to ask you," said Kelli.

"What?"

"We've been asked to have someone appear on David Letterman," said Kelli. "He's on CBS, we're on CBS, so they want to do some cross promotion."

Penny inhaled sharply, "On Letterman? Why me? Why not Jeanie or Dave? They are the stars, I'm just a co-star."

"Well," said Kelli, "your appearance on Ferguson's show, was so great, everyone was talking about it. The honchos at CBS thought it would be a good idea to have you go on the show. Jim and I talked about it and we thought you would be great on there."

"But I'm not the star, it doesn't make sense?"

"Letterman can be difficult to keep up with," said Kelli. "He can throw questions at you pretty quickly, and get you confused. But, you did very well on Ferguson, and he can be worse than Letterman. Craig can throw questions at you, but sometimes those questions are off the wall. You handled it all really well, so we thought of you."

Penny was stunned, and didn't quite know what to say.

"Penny?"

"Sorry," said Penny, "I don't know. Craig was really nice to me, and he helped me with his questions. What happens if Letterman doesn't help me. I'll look like an idiot."

"Penny, Dave is a better interviewer than Craig. He won't make you look like an idiot. He may fire questions at you, but if he notices you are having trouble, he will help you out."

Penny was thinking about it. It took her a few minutes and then Kelli looked at her quizzically. She nodded, "Yes, of course I'll do it. I'm just kind of in shock you want me, what should I say?"

Kelli smiled, "We do expect you to talk about the show. We'll go over what you shouldn't say, and we'll be sending a clip of you and Jeanie over to them, the day of the show. You introduce it by explained the situation, then you show it."

"Ok, I think I can do that," said Penny.

"We know you can," said Kelli. "Then just try to keep up with Dave as he asks you questions, and remember to talk about the writers. Just to let you know, they tape it around 6, and since it's just a table read day, you should have plenty of time. We'll get more specifics Monday or Tuesday. Any questions?"

"Just one," said Penny timidly, "do you have copies of those reviews? Jeanie said I shouldn't look, but I'm curious."

Kelli smiled, "I'll send over a couple of them to your apartment later today and the link to the other one. Now, any questions on Letterman's show next week?"

"No,"

"Ok, that's all I had," said Kelli.

Penny asked, as she got up to leave, "Will you be there for the run this afternoon?"

"Yes, and Jim will be there also."

"Then I'll see you this afternoon, bye."

"Bye Penny," said Kelli, "see you this afternoon."

Penny got up from her chair, and left the office. She thought about going to her dressing room, but decided to stop by Jeanie's dressing room first, to tell her the news.