Chapter 14 Kings and Queens of Drama
October 14, 4:36 P.M.
Fabian's P.O.V.
Nina stared intently at her lines, ignoring everything else around her. She was determined to get this audition nailed down pat as the American's would say. That determination is why I love her.
The play was divided into 'scenes', earning the fall play production the title of "Fall Scenes". There were four main plays that people could participate in, about fifteen minutes each. Then in between each play there were short scenes which lasted for about three to five minutes each. Each actor could star in a play and then a scene and Nina knew automatically which play she wanted to be in.
"For the play I want to be in the 'Glass Menagerie'." She had boasted proudly.
"The what?" I asked smiling, putting my arm around her shoulder and leaning in to look at the lines that she had to memorize.
"'The Glass Menagerie'. It's this play that I saw on Broadway with my parents." Nina stopped to think about something before continuing, "Well, I was told that I had gone with them, I don't exactly remember. But I've seen the play several times on video and my Gran read it to me also so I understand the story really well!"
I thought it was sweet and unbelievably touching of Nina to do something like that. That was, until I heard that Michael was also trying out for that play. Nina seemed cool with it, but Nina's ok with almost everything and if she was upset she would never vent about it openly.
It was that moment in time that I regretted the fact that I would not be participating in the play. I had already signed up for the debate team in the afternoon and Mr. Hamilton, the head of the Social Sciences Department and the Debate team, was thrilled to hear about it. He had already talked to me about debate topics that he had in mind and how he hoped to propel me to the top of the debate charts for the school and even the district. Nina looked at me happily, kissing me deeply in pride and happiness.
Now I sat here, supporting my girlfriend and Amber… and also showing… support… for Michael as well. 'I hope it comes off convincing,' I thought to myself as we sat in the auditorium, 'I don't think I'm that good of an actor.'
"So what do you think you're going to do Amber?" Nina asked. Amber gave out a small humming noise and looked deep in thought.
"Well your menagerah-"
"Menage-rie." Nina correct Amber calmly. It wasn't the first time she had to do that.
"Ya, whatever. That thing seems so boring and stiff. I think for my play I'm going to do the segment from 'A Midsummer's Night's Dream' and then I'm not sure what scene I want to do. What's your plan Nina?"
"Well since the 'Glass Menagerie' is a bit 'stiff' I think I'll do one of the funny scenes from SNL or the Disney montage." Nina said, clearly offended by Amber's choice of words towards her chosen play.
"The Disney montage seems fun, though a bit cheesy. And your SNL skit seems to cover that Bieber character that you American's love." I said. Nina laughed lightly before responding.
"Well, not all of us love him." She responded.
"You don't?" I asked, then in a hushed tone, "Does Michael?" At that remark Nina laughed so hard I'm pretty sure every head in the auditorium was looking at us confused.
A little bit later Mr. Winkler got up on stage and began to introduce himself to the new students and welcomed back the old ones. He then went on to address the details of the plays and how the auditions worked. He cracked a couple of corny jokes also that some people laughed at to be polite but the majority just looked at each other with some confusion.
After a few more minutes of talk- and some corny jokes later- Mr. Winkler put up the order list for the auditions. All the play auditions would happen first and then the scene auditions would begin. Nina was in the second group for the Glass Menagerie and from the look of the group I'm sure she'll get her part.
Amber however was a different story. Shakespeare was a pretty big deal to all these 'professional' actors and the fact that Amber Millington had come up and thought she could get a lead part in the segment sent many of them into an overly dramatic rage. It was actually kind of funny. Nina tried to shush me to be polite, while at the same time attempting to stop herself from laughing.
Amber took to the stage with such grace and poise I was shocked beyond words. This was a totally different Amber. Not the Amber who contemplated shoes styles all day, or looked clueless in most of her classes. This Amber was serious and looked like she was going to nail the part.
After she was done with her impersonation of some of the fairies from the play, everybody was in shock. Nina was the first one who began to clap and holler, followed by other people slowly. The Drama Kings and Queens had just been taken to school by Amber.
"That was… Amber that was… Unbelievable!" Mr. Winkler finally was able to get out, "The pitch and tone was spot on! And hand gestures were great for effect. You were amazing!"
Amber was radiating when she left the stage, singing to herself as she plopped down next to us.
"Amber!" Nina said, hugging Amber "What was that?"
"That was acting." Amber said confused. Nina just laughed along with me.
"Where was that last year when you got stuck playing stage props?" I questioned. Amber shrugged and didn't comment any further. Nina looked at me and began laughing again.
After all the other auditions finished for Shakespeare the 'Glass Menagerie' ones began. Nina got up on stage for her part. She nailed it. Mr. Winkler confidently marked something down on his paper and gave Nina a few compliments. She left the stage happily and I gave her a kiss for a job well done.
The final audition for the Glass Menagerie was Michael. Mr. Winkler smiled at him as he walked up onto the stage. "Michael, so glad that decided to come out this year for the play! For a moment I didn't think that you would do it."
"Well, I had a helpful push in the right direction." Michael said smiling. He looked out into the crowd and I swore for a second his eyes locked with Nina's.
"Sometimes that's all we need." Mr. Winkler responded, "Now, let's see what you got. The part you are going out for is Jim right?"
"That's correct Sir." Michael said, nodding as he did so.
"Please, you don't have to call me Sir." Mr. Winkler said as a couple people around us began to snicker.
"Oh of course." Michael said, obviously embarrassed. "Sorry." He added meekly. The snickering became louder but Nina's harsh glances shut down many people in their tracks before it escalated into full scale laughter. I have to admit; even I was having trouble with keeping a straight face.
"No apology necessary Michael." Mr. Winkler continued, clueless to what was happening around him. "Now in the play your character is strong, confident, and ambitious. He has been asked to dinner by the Wingfield family so the eldest son, Tom, and his mother, Amanda, can show off Laura in an attempt to get him to start a relationship with her."
That was a sucker punch to the gut. Everything stopped around me and as Mr. Winkler continued to talk, I whispered to Nina. "Isn't Laura the character you auditioned for?"
"Ya." Nina responded simply. I was stunned and in as calm of a voice as I could I whispered back to her. "Doesn't that mean that Michael is going to flirt with you?"
Nina looked at me for a little bit, biting her lower lip in contemplation. "Are you jealous Fabian?" She said incredulously.
'Yes!' I wanted to say, but instead I said "No. I was just curious." Nina looked at me a little while longer and then responded in a monotone voice.
"Well, we don't kiss or anything, so just relax. Ok?"
While that was good to hear, I didn't hear her say 'no' to the flirting part. Not wanting to cause a scene in a room ready to burst with drama I simply nodded my head and returned my attention to the stage to see Michael audition. He looked really nervous and I could see Jerome making hell for Michael if he was here right now.
The stage lights went on and Michael blinked a couple of time, clearly not ready for that. Nina said that Michael was a really good actor but so far I'm not that impressed. Usually an actor who can't deal with stage lights isn't that good.
He looked out into the darkened seats for somebody and then he found her. Nina gave him a nod of her head and he smiled. He started. He continued. And he ended.
"Very impressive Michael!" Mr. Winkler clapped and then Nina began clapping. She stood up and also began to holler as well.
"Come on Fabian!" She said to me, still clapping. Slowly I began to clap and stand. Michael looked happy, but when he saw me the smile disappeared and he just nodded his head.
It looks like Nina and Michael are going to spending a lot of time together.
Sorry for not updating sooner. I went on vacation and I was having trouble updating. I'm going on vacation again Wednesday and I will be gone until August. So I hope to update at least one more time before leaving. I'll continue writing while on vacation and I hope I can find some place to update, but I don't think they will have internet connection for me in China, Germany, and France. But you never know, right?
Anyways, while I was watching another great show, Game of Thrones on HBO, I recognized a familair face. The actor for Jerome is playing a character on the show! Now I have to warn you, if you below the age of 16 DO NOT WATCH THIS SHOW! It is violent, bloody, has a ton of bad language, and has a ton of adult themes. Don't even google his name or videos for him unless you are above that age limit. Now obviously I can't stop you, but don't say I didn't warn you if you find something bad (one scene he is in is very inappropriate.)!
Please REVIEW! They wre really down the last couple of chapters, and you guess are really my inspiration. So please do review even though this is a filler chapter!