Chapter 4. Hayden's lessons begins

Hayden was seething with jealousy. He was watching her like a hawk, every time she and Kevin did the bed scene he cringed. Now that sets were being added for them to work with it galled him to see the girl wrap her arms welcoming about Kevin's shoulders. Every time he came near her she'd go cold and ridged. He didn't take rejection well, never had. But then he had been rejected so few times it hardly mattered. This time it did, no virgin was going to get away with treating him like a second banana, he was the romantic lead, and he intended prove it. He was going to put an end to the little friendship developing between Kevin and the girl if it was the last thing he did.

Papa shook his head, "No, no, no Kevin!" he snapped. "You're in love with this creature, try to act like it."

Sarah looked up at him, "I won't bite." She teased.

"Yes she will." Hayden came over to sit on the giant flower like bed that was part of the set now. "They all say they don't and they all do, so watch out Kevin."

"Bugger off." Kevin growled at his rival in a mocking mimic of Robin Hayden's accent.

Hayden ignored him. "Sarah, it's time for our scene." He pointed out, snapping fingers to alert the boy playing Puck to join them.

Kevin groaned and lay still on top of Sarah. "Just get a gun and shoot me."

Papa pulled Hayden off the flowerbed, "Kevin, sit up, you're smothering Sarah." He took the seat vacated by his Oberon. "I'm not trying to be harsh here, but I'd like you to do some work with a coach. The understudy for your part has a magnificent delivery, and I think working with him will help you see this part in a better light."

"Fine," groaned the young man as he pulled himself off the girl. "I'm willing to take classes from Hayden there if it will help."

Hayden snickered. "Alas lad, my talent is God given, can't be bottled or borrowed."

Sarah rolled her eyes. "Oh don't be so modest," she quipped.

It was Papa's turn to snicker, as he stood to give some new instructions to Hayden. Kevin relaxed a bit, "I just don't understand why it is you're so comfortable with all this. You make it all seem so, natural and second nature."

Sarah sat up and looked at him, "I think it's because to me they are real."

Kevin looked at her, "I don't understand, what do you mean, real?"

Sarah waved a hand at the set, "I think of this as just a glimpse into the Fae world, that secret place we mortals are afraid to look once we reach a certain age." He raised his brow and she continued. "To me, they are real; I spent so much time in fairytale books that to me they are second nature. I've never given up that childlike wonder, and I hope I never will." She giggled. "I happen to be something of an authority on the Fae," she wiggled her toes at him and then he giggled.

Hayden looked over at the pair and frowned.

Another watched the pair as well with a wistful soft smile. Knowing it would not be long, restitution would be made and the girl would be held accountable for her deeds. He had heard her proclaim herself an authority on his ilk. It had nearly made him scoff and disclose that he was there. That would not have suited his purpose. For now it was best for him to hide, and watch and wait.

"Tell me about the Fae," Kevin leaned over her as she'd laid back down into the petals of the huge flowery bed. He noticed that she seemed to be changing; she was less and less self-conscious by situations that were slightly intimate. She was more trusting of him at least.

"They are a proud race," Sarah began sounding old and wise. "They are very beautiful even when they are not acting so beautiful. They are tricky, and think of deceit as merely a game. We mortals are but hostages to fortune in that game. They lull you into a tender trap, and then once you are hopelessly lost, flit away. They are completely at ease within themselves and at one with nature."

"You sound as if you admire them." Kevin observed lightly.

"Some," she agreed. "And some I fear, deeply."

"Whom do you fear, my Queen?" Hayden mocked; "Surly not I." He had moved closer to the pair again.

"No, I don't fear Oberon," she said looking up at the actor. "I fear one who Oberon must have created. You know that he's considered the Father of the Fae?" She whispered now, as if saying the words aloud would bring the feared creature to her side. "I fear the Goblin King."

"The Goblin King," Hayden scoffed. "That old tale, oh come on Sarah! You're too old be believing in such silly rot."

Kevin saw something in Sarah and changed the subject abruptly. "Did you invite your father to opening night, Sarah? I know you had some concerns there."

The girl was grateful to him for his gallantry. "Actually yes, and I warned him about the costumes. I was amazed at how receptive and amenable he was. He told me that it was only a play and even if I had to do a nude scene he'd trusted me." She smiled over at Hayden; "You however he does not."

"Wise man," Hayden quipped reaching for the girl.

"Hayden, watch your hands." A voice off stage called out.

The actor paused and groaned, "I swear, Eden has eyes in the back of his head." He looked around to see where Jeremy was that he could call out and halt him so quickly.

Papa clapped his hands and called for lunch break, looked over at Hayden and Sarah, "I want to work on that scene with you two after lunch."

Hayden helped Sarah out of the flower; "Sit with me; I want to talk to you, I've some thoughts about our scene." He pleaded. The girl reluctantly nodded consent.

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Kevin moved off stage, heading toward the line of actors awaiting the soup that the director had ordered for lunch. He didn't wait for Sarah and Hayden. A man moved toward him. "Kevin Turner?" a hand was offered. "I'm J.G. King, your understudy."

Kevin blinked. "With a voice like that, I should be your understudy!"

Accepting the compliment the man inclined his head; "Very kind of you."

The younger actor gasped, "I'd love to be able to pull off that kind of charm."

King smiled again. "Perhaps I can help you cultivate some." He said in a gentle manner, with no animosity. Side by side they moved to the soup line and then off to a corner to talk.

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Sarah looked around for Kevin when she and Hayden reached the end of the line. "Where did Kev go?" she asked absently.

"Who cares," sighed Hayden rudely.

Sarah gave him a cold look. "I happen to like Kevin."

"I've noticed." Hayden took the soup offered him in one hand and Sarah's elbow in another guiding her off to a corner where he could have her all to himself. "You have a tendency to overlook his flaws and mistakes."

"He's trying Hayden; it doesn't come as easy to him as it does to some of us." She admonished taking a seat. "He works hard, and takes all of Papa's suggestions and comments to heart, unlike you who scoffs."

Hayden also sat, and sighed. "He's engaged," the actor announced. "And she's too good a catch for him to dump even for a honey-drop like you."

Sarah looked surprised. "Hayden, Kev and I are just friends, nothing more."

"Are you sure?" He asked pointedly; "Because it looks like more. The way you cuddle up to him in that flower bed."

"Jealous?" She challenged.

Hayden put his soup down. "Yes, in fact, I am."

Sarah was amused. "Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you swing little to the left?"

"I told you the day we met I swing both ways, right now I'm swinging your way, baby." He informed her. "And being seen with my leading lady right now would do me well. It wouldn't hurt your career to be seen with me."

Sarah snickered as she ate her soup unperturbed and all too tranquil. "Between boyfriends are you?" She continued to skate on thin ice.

The actor glared at her contemptuously, "I had no idea how bitchy you could be."

"I'm not an easy mark, Hayden," she warned him thinking of another man with some of the same overconfidence; "I'm young, yes, and I'm green yes, but I'm not stupid. Bigger and better than you have tried to take me down and failed."

Hayden leaned dangerously close. "Is that a challenge?"

Sarah stood up brushing against him and moving on with no reaction; "Take it any way you like it." She walked away from the man and dropped her soup container in the trash.

"Oh I will," vowed the annoyed man. "And I'll be taking you too, little girl. Count on it. We'll see how innocent you are at the end of this run."

Sarah was making her way out to the lobby where she could use the Ladies room and not have to wait in line like back stage. As she passed a dark corner she halted and gasped as the scent hit her full force. "Oh my, "she growled aroused. "That's lovely." She looked around to find no one near her and the scent fading. "I have got to know who that is." She promised herself.

He watched, having moved to escape detection. "So we play a bit of cat and mouse, again," He whispered in a tone of amusement. He saw Kevin awaiting him and moved toward his new student.

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Papa paced the floor of the stage, having listened to the words. "No, Hayden, no;" He stopped the actor in mid speech. "Tone it down, be more sincere."

Hayden sighed, having said this portion of the speech for the last hour.

Welcome, good Robin.
See'st thou this sweet sight?
Her dotage now I do begin to pity:

Hayden looked at the director who nodded more agreeably. Hayden took a deep breath. "You still don't look happy."

Papa did in fact look weary, he took a seat. "Perhaps I'm asking too much from you," he sighed wearily. "You're young, and have not expirecanced enough rejection."

"Rejection?" Robin Hayden looked disturbed, "This speech is about triumph not rejection."

Papa sighed, "I see it as a capitulation. Oberon seeing Tatiana in a different more soothing light, and breaking the spell because he knows it's the right thing to do." He looked at the young man. "Have you ever done something for someone because it was right, not because it would get you something?"

Robin Hayden frowned; "Never."

"Such a pity," sighed Sarah her eyes still mocking sleep.

Papa, motioned Hayden off the nest, he placed his hands on either side of Sarah. "Watch, listen and learn." He leaned closer and in a voice as deep as the depths of an ocean began.

Welcome, good Robin.
See'st thou this sweet sight?
Her dotage now I do begin to pity:
For, meeting her of late behind the wood,
Seeking sweet favours from this hateful fool,
I did upbraid her and fall out with her;
For she his hairy temples then had rounded
With a coronet of fresh and fragrant flowers;
And that same dew, which sometime on the buds
Was wont to swell like round and orient pearls,
Stood now within the pretty flowerets' eyes
Like tears that did their own disgrace bewail.
When I had at my pleasure taunted her
And she in mild terms begg'd my patience,
I then did ask of her her changeling child;
Which straight she gave me, and her fairy sent
To bear him to my bower in fairy land.
And now I have the boy, I will undo
This hateful imperfection of her eyes:
And, gentle Puck, take this transformed scalp
From off the head of this Athenian swain;
That, he awaking when the other do,
May all to Athens back again repair
And think no more of this night's accidents
But as the fierce vexation of a dream.
But first I will release the fairy queen.
Be as thou wast wont to be;
See as thou wast wont to see:
Dian's bud o'er Cupid's flower
Hath such force and blessed power.
Now, my Titania; wake you, my sweet queen.

Papa bent, kissed the girl's eye lids as soft as the feathers of a bird, and then sat back. The entire company applauded as Sarah opened her eyes. Even Hayden saw the difference in the delivery. Papa nodded, accepting the applause. "Now, you try."

Hayden took the seat vacated by the director. He leaned down, in his hand a replica of the very flower used by Oberon to free the Fairy Queen. He moved it gently over Sarah's face, as he spoke the words with new feeling and meaning. Feathery, grayish green leaves danced lightly over the eyes and lips of the girl mimicking sleep in the nest. He spoke with a different tone than the one he'd been using, and when he kissed Sarah's eyes, it was much gentler than before. Sarah opened her eyes, before she could deliver her lines the director called, 'Cut.' Hayden, looking satisfied, moved away from the oversized flower and walked off stage.

The young man playing Puck snorted. "Great, he'll be pleased with himself for a day or two. At least it will make him more pleasant to work with." He mugged a funny face as he looked down at Sarah, still lying upon the bed.

Sarah looked at the young man, enjoying his jests. "You don't like Hayden, do you?"

"Not particularly, no." He admitted freely. "I think he's a snob."

Sarah nodded as the young man gave her a hand up; "But a talented snob."

Puck shook his head in disagreement. "Not nearly as talented as he thinks he is." He held Sarah's hands a moment longer than necessary. "You had best watch out for him, he eats children for breakfast. And you're still a child, are you not?"

Feeling bolder than she should, Sarah boasted. "I've beaten Goblins; I've even beaten their King, I can beat one fairy boy." Her voice was disparaging in the making of the remark.

"Don't get cocky," warned Puck playfully making a slightly obscene gesture.

"I don't intend to," Sarah blinked innocently, drawing a giggle from Puck who pulled Sarah into a little dance as they left the stage.

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Kevin was nearly mesmerized by the sound of the other's voice. It had gone from cultured to heartfelt common man in a heart beat. "How do you do that?"

"You need to find your way into the part." The understudy explained. "Remember above all Bottom is a common man, not a royal, not a noble, not a gentry. He is honest and good through and through. Play him from there." He pointed to the first speech when Bottom sees the Queen. "He is wounded by his fellow's treatments, and is beguiled by the beauty and gentle nature of the Queen. He sees her with his heart, and only his heart. Speak his words from your heart, but not as a nobleman, as but a man."

Kevin spoke gently and tenderly, thinking of Sarah as Tatiana.

Me thinks, mistress, you should have little reason
for that: and yet, to say the truth, reason and
love keep little company together now-a-days; the
more the pity that some honest neighbours will not
make them friends. Nay, I can gleek upon occasion.

A voice behind them broke the reverie. "You can tutor him all you like; he'll still be second rate." He smirked as he entered the space they were practicing in. "And the best man will win."

Both versions of Bottom glared at the cocky actor behind them. It was Kevin that called him out. "Neither you nor I are worthy of her attention, Hayden. Besides, you know I'm not interested in Sarah that way. I'm engaged. Why don't you just leave her alone, she's a nice kid."

Hayden scoffed, laughing in Kevin's face.

"What makes you the better man?" the understudy asked not falling prey to the bait, rather turning it about. He knew men like Hayden didn't like to be challenged by any who could be a rival.

Arrogantly and savagely Hayden answered. "Just look at us, compare us. I am far superior to this… lump of coal."

The understudy held Kevin back, "I see a diamond in the rough."

"Don't build him up," warned the lead. "He's nothing more than a two bit second rate fraud. He's just passing time until his next adventure. He's not serious about the boards, and he knows it. When this play is over he'll be seeking a new excitement far from the floodlights."

Kevin sighed, "I'm not an actor, that's true, but I am a gentleman and that is something you'll never be, Hayden. You're chasing Sarah because she's untouched and you want first dibs at dipping your wick in her well. You don't care about her, or her feelings all you care about is your damned reputation as a cock-smith."

The understudy let the young man have his say. His words were a bit coarse, but accurate.

Hayden smiled sarcastically. "All too true, and come opening night, this play will not be the only thing opening, I promise you." He laughed as he exited the room. "You should let your understudy take your place on stage opening night, then at least the audience would see a performance!"

Kevin made a fist, as he did the understudy whispered in his ear placing one hand to the actor's neck. "Sleep, dream, and release your anger…my good friend." Kevin's head lulled to one side and his eyes closed.

The understudy began to pace, so Hayden planned on opening Sarah, did he? He mused that he had not come this far to allow one cocky actor to mess up his plans. He looked at Kevin and sighed, he would use the unknowing man. He had intended to use the man from the start; he had not counted on liking Kevin Turner. Still, he had a two fold game being played and could not take time to worry if Kevin had hurt feelings. He had a score to even, and a lesson to administer.

"What fools these mortals be," said a voice entering the room.

Turning to the sound, the understudy smiled, "Indeed Puck, indeed."

Puck skipped into the room and gazed with wonder at the sleeping Kevin. "This will not harm him, will it?" He appeared concerned for the mortal.

"No, he shall awaken refreshed. " The understudy touched the face of the sleeping mortal with kindness. "I would not hurt this gentle soul for the world." He pointed toward the door; "That other one…" His hand turned to an outstretched fist.

Puck rolled his eyes, "I know, however a word of caution. If we don't want you know who, to find out you know what, until the trap is sprung… we'd best allow Robin Hayden to think he's top dog. He keeps the attention off us and our strategy and devices."

"Not getting cold feet are you?" asked the understudy sitting lightly on a chair, his chin resting on its back. He was relaxed and comfortable, even among the mortals.

The Hobgoblin playing a mortal playing a Hobgoblin frowned, "I don't think so," he motioned to the corridor where actors were milling about. "This is an interesting web you've woven, and I enjoy playing games with Mortals. This is much merrier than the mission the High King gave unto me. They trip over themselves and make me feel much gaiety, Sire." He moved closer to the understudy, "I am after all your servant, Goblin King."

"Yes," Jareth smiled coolly reaching out a hand to caress the face of the minion. "So you are. Away now Puck, I've much work to do. This one is susceptible, but needs the right trigger." He looked at the laughing Puck. "Have you done your chore?"

Puck produced a vial. "Love-in-idleness as requested, my King." He handed the vial over gently. "But do be careful, just a drop is enough to cast its spell. And once cast, Oberon will know. He has a knowing nose!"

"Once cast it will be too late for our good High King to do anything about it." Jareth murmured softly looking at the pretty liquid. "Away now good Puck, away until our time has come." He watched as the creature parading in mortal glamour sped out the room. Tucking the vial of precious liquid into his vest, he looked at Kevin. "Wake and read." The Goblin King commanded in a kind tone. As Kevin shook himself awake, the understudy said quietly. "Read the speech again. Remember, you love this woman. Think of your own woman, not the one in the costume."