Derek was having the most irritating two weeks imaginable. In the last two days he managed to get a full thirty minutes of sleep. Not to mention that he attempted to choreograph three numbers; only two had full lyrics. His mind seemed to be rushing in a million directions. Unfortunately, 999,999 of those directions all ended with Karen Cartwright. When he choreographed a number he had to think about the way her body moved. He was forced to envision her hips and thighs, her long legs and graceful arms. When he looked of the book he was forced to her sweet voice and blocking her across the rehearsal room. What really drove him to the brink was going over the lyrics of songs and her amazing singing talent. Once he got passed the stage of being driven to insanity he became furious. He kept thinking about some young puck that she was wrapped up with. The worst part was he didn't even know about this guy, he could be the perfect man for Karen. Lord knows that he wasn't. It was probably what held him back the last couple of weeks. In reality he knew that Karen was too good for him, and that his choices surrounding this production had ensured that.
He was on his way to the rehearsal room with an adult coffee in one hand, scotch vermouth and kahlua with a splash a Columbia beans, and aspirin in the other. He immediately got rid of the old clothes when he returned to New York. He walked in sporting a new pair of black swears by Armani and a gray v-neck shirt. He felt looked good, smelled good, but he felt horrible. The agonizing work of a director was never easy, but he enjoyed it. Today he had a strange feeling that his joy would be diminished by the drama train heading his way. Somehow Ivy had convinced Tom she should be back in the show. And the only way to shut Tom up was to give him what he wanted. So Derek caved in. Plus it wasn't easy to say no to Ivy. She was very persuasive with her tongue. Derek walked into the rehearsal room and was alone for all of five minutes before Karen entered the room.
"Mrs. Cartwright, you are either early or late, never on time. You should invest in a watch." He said teasing.
"You can't help but point out my flaws. Maybe I should stop showing up all together." She mumbled in a feisty tone spreading out on the floor to stretch.
She clearly was upset about something. Derek immediately felt concerned.
"And what good would that do?" He asked standing up to cross the room.
"I don't know…..Maybe it would make someone happy. I can't seem to make anyone happy." She replied reaching out to her legs and laying her chest on the ground in an intermediate stretch.
"Don't worry about making other people happy. What makes you happy?" Derek inquired.
"This production and crew makes me happy, the music and dancing, Broadway dreams, food and well, you as of lately." She said meekly starring at the ground.
Derek was caught off guard by that response. It was like something he dreamed that she would say, and here she was laying on the studio floor near tears speaking the words into life. For some reason he felt sad; like it burdened her to say that.
"Why does it sound like such a bad thing?" Derek said kneeling next to her.
"Because you have Ivy and the show….and I have Jimmy and the show." Karen said releasing from her stretch. Derek was silent for a moment as he starred into her big brown eyes. Karen didn't wait for him to respond.
"It doesn't matter I…..Just…I felt like we connected in Boston." She said standing cheerfully making her way to the barre. As she placed her long leg on the barre and pointed her toe Derek was exhilarated. She continued the conversation," I guess that I was so wrapped up in drama and heartbreak that I clung to you hard. I made up feelings in my head, and made myself believe that you had those same feelings. You don't and that is fine." She said switching to the other leg,
"That's not true Karen" Derek said rather loudly.
"What is not true?" Tom said gliding through the door. With Julia and a young man Derek assumed was his new intern.
"Karen and I were discussing the myths of Broadway." Derek said noting the red running across her face.
"Yes indeed, so many myths, so little time. You will be fine. You were phenomenal in Boston, you'll be even better here!" Tom said flamboyantly as he flung his bag across the chair,
"Yes, and if nothing else, you will Jimmy to get you through it." Julia responded winking at the young starlet.
Derek looked over at the young man as watched with disgust as he kissed her on the cheek. The pit of his stomach dropped. This was the man that Karen was so upset over. She didn't have to tell him, he could smell the trouble a mile away. This guy was definitely no good for Karen. He was a player, cocky and disrespectful. Derek could spot this information with just one glance. He sat down at his table where Linda had provided a synopsis of the day's schedule.
"Derek this is my new intern, Jimmy." Tom said as the boy made his way to the table.
"Jimmy", Derek nodded at the young man.
"Huge fan Mr. Wills. I am thankful to be here." The young man said standing shorter than Derek, which made him feel superior.
"Yeah. Derek will do fine." He said heading out of the room. His aspirin wouldn't fight against his headache fast enough.
Derek rushed in to the restroom to splash his face with water. When he looked at himself in the mirror he saw his old and tired heart, finally be rejuvenated by the wonder of Karen. Unfortunately Karen was doing a little more that rejuvenating Jimmy. And it disgusted him. Just as he began to feel the mixture of coffee and aspirin, along with the alcohol in the coffee he began to feel calm. Derek head to the door of the bathroom only to be greeted Ivy, who looked incredibly flustered. She ushered him into a stall, as if it would provide additional privacy.
"Ivy, love, what in the bloody world is going on?" He said grabbing her by the shoulders trying to calm her down.
"You hired Danny? Why in the world would you hire Danny?" She said as tears started to form in her eyes.
"Who in the bloody hell is Danny? I haven't hired anyone love." Derek said folding his arms across his chest.
"The short guy sitting with Tom" She replied with a panicked and shaky tone.
"His name is Jimmy, and he is Tom's assistant." Derek responded now believing that she was completely off of her rocker.
"No. His name is Danny. We dated for three years….I should know his name, he ruined my life. I don't want to be in the same world as him, not to mention working on the same production." Ivy said raising her tone. Derek raised his eyebrows in amusement.
"Ivy dear, his name is Jimmy he is Karen's boyfriend and Tom's assistant. I think he will be around for quite a while. Now if you want to stay around I suggest we get out of this john and into the rehearsal room." Derek said opening the door to the stall in front of her.
Derek tried to conduct rehearsal as normal as possible. But ultimately the forces working against him made the day quite unorthodox. He was running the new JFK and Marilyn number, but of course the man cast as JFK would not be available for rehearsal until next week. No one cared to mention that to Derek before he made the schedule and sent it to Linda. Ivy was noticeably shaken by the presence of Jimmy/ Danny or whoever he was and it irritated him. Not to mention Karen was working triple time to make up for all the mistakes around her. She was definitely on her game. Derek couldn't tell if she was doing this for him, or for her new boyfriend. Whatever the cause, she was utterly fantastic.
Derek finally decided after three hours of grueling torture he would call rehearsal over. He knew that would give the cast a boost of joy.
"I will see you guys tomorrow; don't forget to make sure you stretching out every night and enforcing a healthy diet, this is Broadway people. I can't have anyone getting hurt." Derek said mottling through his notes and finishing his coffee.
His mind was lingering through the chaos when suddenly his eyes met Karen's for the first time since the beginning of rehearsal. She looked angry, sad and unsure and confident at the same time. She had almost the same exact look that she had on her face when she witnessed Ivy on stage in full Marilyn wardrobe.
"You did really well today love." Derek said standing up and grabbing his coat.
"Thanks seemed so awkward today. I guess everyone is getting used to being back here again." Karen replied as she grabbed her things from the corner.
"You don't have to thank me for telling the truth." He smiled as they walked towards the door.
"I like the new jacket; looks like it cost a pretty piece of change." Karen said as she eye him up and down. "It looks like everything is new." She nudged him in the arm.
"Well a beautiful, once timid, birdie I know told me I dress like an old poor man." He laughed looking at her.
They reached the elevator and were surprisingly the only two left on the entire floor. The door to the elevator opened in sink with Derek's thoughts. The noise seemed to signal an idea in his head.
"About the conversation we were having earlier." Derek said looking on the ground.
"What about it" Karen replied batting her eyelashes.
"How would you like to continue it over dinner?" Derek asked as pushed L for lobby in the elevator shaft.
"I don't really think that is a good idea" Karen said sympathy crossing her features.
"I understand why you may say that. But it seems like some of the worst ideas I have, in other peoples eyes, turn out to be brilliant. Look at this production for instance, you are Marilyn. Everybody doubted it, but you are brilliant. " He witnessed the wheels begin to turn in her head and realized he had to act know if he wanted to accomplish anything.
"Besides, we don't have to do anything, just talk." He chuckled as he mocked her Marilyn accent.
She giggle along with him.
"Okay, fine Derek! As long as dinner is not at your place." She glared at him. He knew exactly why.
"I will pick you up at seven." He said exiting the elevator. "And tell Ana to have some clothes on this time." Derek quipped.
"Will do." Karen smiled as she exited the door and head the opposite direction down the street.
Derek for a moment as she walked down the street thinking about the choice that he just made.