The Idiot Box: Audition Day
Summary: The show needs a Prince Charming, but Mr. Gold causes problems when Belle auditions actors.
"Ms. French if you have a moment," Mr. Gold asked from the doorframe of the office she shared with Jefferson. She nearly jumped out of her seat, for a man with a cane, he was pretty good at catching her off guard.
"Yes, what can I do for you Mr. Gold?" she said a little haughtily. Regina had started a fight with the director/writer of the show Victor and Belle had to spend an hour meditating the childish argument between the two. And at that moment she just couldn't forget whose idea it was to bring Regina back full time.
"I see you are auditioning the part of Prince Charming tomorrow," he said.
"Yes, he is going to be introduced before the winter hiatus," she replied, not liking where this was going.
"I would like to sit in on the auditions, we need to make sure you get the right person for the job."
"With all do respect Mr. Gold, Jefferson and I know how to audition people," she said standing up, feeling a fight coming up.
"And with all do respect, I don't believe you have looked at the market research the network spent thousands of dollars on," he smirked. "Now I have, and I know what your audience wants."
"Just like you knew that fathers liked Regina," she remarked, she had become suspicious after finding out he was a fan of the show.
"Yes, well there is no accounting for taste of the general public," he said and she could tell there was truth to his statement. She originally thought he and Regina were friends, or possibly lovers, that's why he pushed for her on the show. However, now she thought about it, he had actively avoided the actress at all times and rolled his eyes whenever she was mentioned.
"Well then I'll see you tomorrow," she said.
"I don't like the idea of someone from corporate getting to decide on casting on our show… again!" Belle said as she rode the elevator with Jefferson the next day. She was gripping an old copy of Grimm fairy tales her mother gave her when she was a child. Belle always felt safer with a book in her hand.
"Don't worry, we are using the Madden system. We have four people. The first guy, Gold's settling in. The second, he hates. The third is David. The fourth proves how good David is. It's a foolproof," Jefferson told her with a crazy gleam in his eyes.
She wasn't sure if she should be more scared of that gleam or that he probably jinxed the whole endeavor with the words "foolproof." While she didn't like the idea of bringing in three (not so talented) actors in, just to waste their time, Victor had (surprisingly) wisely told her that every audition was a learning experience for actors and they were really doing them a favor.
However, before Gold came into her office, she and Jefferson had already planned on giving David Nolan the job. Belle had been a production assistant on the show called "The Shepherds," about a family of brothers who were all priests. David, who had a supporting role along with his twin brother James, was always on time, knew his lines and had an all around good attitude.
She specifically remembered a late night, where the guest director was having a hard time making the episode "his own." David had finally nailed the scene, however when reviewing the take they noticed the boom mic was in the shot. Instead of getting upset like other actors would do (namely his brother), David went to craft services and poured two cups of coffee for the audio operator and himself, and said they both needed the caffeine jolt.
The stars of the show set the moral for the rest of the cast and crew, and David Nolan was just what they needed. They exited the elevator and spotted David chatting with Mary Margaret. He gave his movie star grin and kissed Belle's cheek, saying hello.
"It's good to see you again David," she said with a smile.
"You too Belle, I was just telling Mary Margaret how you were a P.A. for a show I did, and I just knew you were going to go far."
Belle beamed at the praise, coming from anyone else she would have rolled her eyes, knowing they were just sucking up to get the part, but David like Mary Margaret like professionals, were very genuine people. While catching up a little with David, she barely registered the the tap of a cane behind them.
Belle took a deep breath and turned around ready to face her "foe."
"Hello Mr. Gold," she said, wishing she could smile on cue.
"Ms. French," he muttered, his eyes narrowed on her and David.
Jefferson sensing the tension, became a saint and said: "Well let show begin!"
"Could she take off her heels?" the actor said, looking up at Mary Margaret.
"I'm not wearing heels," the actress replied in her ballet flats.
"Well lady you are a giant."
Jefferson turned the side and winked at Belle.
"You know this Prince guy seems a bit like a pussy. I mean the girl saves him? That's not how it works. Who writes this crap?"
Belle half raised her hand, while putting her elbow on the table, trying to resist the urge to smack Jefferson, who was just grinning like a madman. Mr. Gold just scribbled away in his notebook.
"I told you I'd find you. No matter what you do, I will always find you."
"Is this the only way you can catch a woman? By entrapping her?"
"It's the only way to catch thieving scum."
"Aren't you a real 'prince charming'."
Belle was practically giddy in her seat. They had chemistry! Just like she knew instantly Mary Margaret was Snow White, she knew David was Prince Charming. She just hoped that look on Mr. Gold's face was his normal one.
"I have a name… LINE."
"You have the script in your hand."
"Oh yeah… You know."
Jefferson, Belle and Mr. Gold congregated in his large office upstairs.
"Well, there was one clear choice," Belle said.
"Yes, dearie there was, the first actor."
Jefferson's mouth just hung opened, but Belle wasn't one to stay quiet, even to scary executives.
"Are you out of your mind? David and Mary Margaret have the chemistry that all networks wish they could have on every show!" she said standing up, glaring at him from across his desk.
"That is all well and good, but I'm going to pay for you to have your boyfriend on set!" he nearly yelled, standing up and walking to over to face her.
"He is not my boyfriend!" she replied. "Why would you even think that?"
"Well the two of you seem very cozy."
"Because we worked together on a show a few years ago, which is why I want to hire him, he is a good guy," she said almost calmy. Looking around the office, she noticed Jefferson was no longer there, the coward.
"Well then, maybe I'll reconsider."
"Maybe you should." She paused, before adding: "And I don't date actors or anyone in the 'business' not since I got this job, I never know when people want to date me for me, or for a gig."
"That is the reason I don't date anyone," he said softly, though the second it was out of his mouth he looked like wanted to take it back.
"Well you have Bae, you must have dated some."
His face soften at the thought of his six-year-old son, "I met my ex-wife before all this happened." He motioned around the huge office as if to say 'his success.'
She waited a little, before looking into his eyes. "Will you please reconsider David?"
He stared at her, "Hire him."
dancinwithabottle: A prompt for the Idiot Box verse. Belle sits in on an audition, as does Gold, and Gold can't help but think that the actor seems to be hitting on Belle.
NicoleMuenchSeidel: Now that you've established that Gold is one of the fathers watching, what if Belle now goes fishing about his comment in chapter 1 about Regina, "fathers loved her."….asking if he is one of he fathers that loves Regina, trying to figure out if Gold is just the kind of guy that is attracted to superficial beauty. It would be interesting to see his reaction, and whether he voices what qualities he is attracted to.
(Still accepting prompts)