(Rachel)
I could consider myself a New Yorker because I was comfortable with the dark clothes, the boots, the streets, the very tall buildings, the customs, the slang, the terrible cold in winter and the infernal heat in summer. Yes, I was comfortable with my life in New York. Maybe that's why I found Los Angeles so strange. The cast of AtU was invited to do two sessions of the play in a 3,000-seat theater and a promotional event announcing our national tour. Yes, by the end of the year we would be on the road staging AtU in several major cities for various audiences. The producers risked the week off because two sessions in Los Angeles would make up for the week away from the Public.
Right at the airport, the cast was greeted by a local producer who promised to show us the best parties in town. My cast mates loved it, especially Nick, who was a natural party-goer. For my part, enthusiasm for this post-theater nightlife was practically non-existent, unless I had the opportunity to meet great actors or producers. That was also the case with the events I used to go to on the recommendation of my agent.
I fulfilled my professional commitments, but I didn't go to celebrity parties just for the sake of it. There had to be a special reason. Otherwise, I preferred to stay at home with my girlfriend and my sister. Even better if I had the company of my dearest friends. I liked going to music festivals in Central Park or on the NYU campus, going to restaurants, sometimes going to bars. But what I loved most, especially after I moved to Astoria, was lying on my clean, comfortable sofa and watching a movie or series in Quinn's arms. Even when Santana was there muttering something, it was perfect. That was my perfect day. Not having to go to strange parties with strange people was a luxury I didn't have on these business trips.
Our first day in Los Angeles, as soon as we arrived at the airport, cast and crew left in vans. Part went to the hotel, and part went straight to the Mark Taper Forum, one of the three theaters that made up the Center Theatre Group in Downtown Los Angeles. I did my research on the internet, and I was thrilled to see that it was one of the main and most modern theaters in Los Angeles. I was even more impressed when I saw the entire structure with my own eyes. Although the Public was a historic and important theater, the Mark Taper Forum, which would be a Broadway in size, would hold the largest audience I've ever faced for two sessions.
I skipped the party on Thursday, but on Friday, there would be a reception with the cast after the first session and then an outing to a Japanese restaurant.
"There will be some celebrities coming, maybe the cast of Les Mis from the local production will go too. More importantly, two of LA's most respected theater critics have been invited. It's important that you interact and even give short spontaneous interviews to both of them. I'll let you know who they are." Said Molly, the press assistant who was accompanying us on the mini-tour when we gathered in the hotel lobby for brunch.
"Anyway, free afternoon?" Lucas asked.
"No more, free afternoon!" Molly confirmed. "Except for Steve and Heather, who have interviews starting at three o'clock."
I was happy with the news. I planned to call Brittany and ask if she was free as well. I missed her and I also had a lot to talk to her about, starting with the plans she had made with my sister to maybe move to New York after the Beyonce tour ended. I had to get this right, not least because I needed to arrange some care for Santana. My sixth sense, or spidey sense, as Johnny would say, warned me that Brittany was no longer so enthusiastic about staying with my sister. This story needed to be cleared up.
"Hello?" She answered. I was glad we were in Los Angeles at the same time.
"Britt? It's Rachel."
"Rachel! How are you?"
"I'm in LA and have a free schedule in the afternoon. Would you be available to show me around?" There was hesitation on the other end of the line. "Britt?"
"Of course, Rach. Where are you?"
"At the Marriott in downtown. Do you know where that is?"
"I think so. What's the name of the hotel again?"
"Marriott." I had the impression that Brittany had written the name down somewhere. "Shall we have lunch together?"
"Of course! It'll be great! I'll see you in a bit."
Brittany didn't seem very enthusiastic about our meeting. I apologized to my colleagues and left the brunch. I didn't eat much at all. I wanted to get ready for Brittany. I put on a summer dress, sandals and fixed my hair. I wore light makeup, as usual, and waited. Then my cell phone rang. It was my friend. I asked her to wait in the lobby, then took the elevator to meet her. Brittany was waiting, holding a helmet while looking around with the old eyes of a curious little girl.
"Britt!" I shouted and she looked in my direction. She cracked a smile. I ran over to her and we hugged.
"I can't believe you're here! Did Santana come?" Of course she had to ask about my sister.
"I'm on a promotional tour this week in Los Angeles. Didn't my sister say?" The answer was a negative nod and I rolled my eyes. "Typical... but tell me all the good things that have happened in your life over the last few months. I need to know everything!"
"Here or in a restaurant? My stomach is rumbling!"
"It could be in a restaurant." I smiled at her usual sincerity.
Brittany took me on her motorcycle to Cocina Rustica, an Italian restaurant right there in downtown. She seemed well acquainted with the city. It was unbelievable for someone who could get lost in a department store in Lima to know how to ride a motorcycle so well in a city like that. I remembered that while Santy and I took driving lessons with our parents, Brittany opted to learn how to drive a motorcycle. A scooter, in fact. Santana went out with her once on a scooter, to never again. But I didn't think my experience riding on Brittany's back through the streets of Los Angeles was a bad one. She drove the vehicle with care and prudence. She didn't speed and interpreted all the traffic signs correctly. It was fun. We went into the restaurant and got a table. I ordered a risotto primavera with a starter salad and Brittany enjoyed a baked ziti.
"... and that's why we changed apartments." I finished updating her on the most important events in New York that Santana had apparently left out of her conversations with her on the phone. "Mike now lives alone in a one-bedroom apartment in the East Village. He's happy to have a corner of his own, but whenever he has a space in his schedule and isn't with some girl, he goes to Astoria to spend some time with us. There are days when he goes there just to watch TV and eat popcorn with us."
"Santana must not have been happy... at least she didn't seem to be when we spoke last time." It was true that my sister wasn't thrilled with the almost forced move, and only Brittany could pick up on that feeling from miles and miles away.
"She wasn't happy. She grumbled for a week, finding fault with everything. But then she got used to it, and now I think she likes it there. I mean, Santy has her own room and more privacy. Not to mention space. We all have more space. The coexistence between her and Quinn has even improved a lot. It used to be hell when they picked on each other. Not now... it seems that having more space has given those two more peace of mind."
"You know San doesn't like it when you call her by her nickname in front of other people..."
"You're not just anyone, Britt." She cracked a smile. "By the way, when are you going to visit us again?" Suddenly, Brittany went silent. I don't know what I did wrong. Was it such a banal and simple question that made her uncomfortable? I frowned. Yes, there was something wrong. My sixth sense never failed me. But I preferred to change the subject. "Have you been talking to Kurt? I practically only talk to him once a year now, when I go to my parents' house for Thanksgiving..."
"It may seem unbelievable, but I've only spoken to Kurt once since I found out he lives in LA. How can you live in the same city and still never see each other?" She finished her plate. "Or maybe it's because I've never been friends with Kurt, and I don't miss him at all. Although you were never friends with Mike and yet you still keep in touch."
"It helps that we lived together for almost two years. We became a family. Mike became a kind of big brother to Santana, Quinn and me. But if that hadn't happened, maybe Mike wouldn't be so close anymore."
"Why do you think that is? Why don't our friendships last as long as the ones we had in Lima?"
"I think it's a big city thing. And also what we do, who we relate to, the environment. Kurt isn't a dancer and I bet you have a lot of friends who dance." Brittany nodded, agreeing with me. "Lima has a different dynamic. It's smaller and also because we all belonged to the same group at school. I think we made a good temporary family, though."
"Maybe you're right."
"Do you want to come and see me on Saturday? I think I can still book a ticket for a friend."
"I think I will! I like to hear you sing!"
After lunch, Brittany claimed that she had an appointment and left me back at the hotel. I asked Molly to book a guest ticket for me, since I was entitled to a quota and hadn't used it once on the tour. I tried to contact Kurt, but had no success. In the afternoon, just before I went to the theater to get ready for the first day of the show, I quickly called Quinn to say "hi, I miss you."
That's when I realized how much I really missed my girlfriend. I looked at my ring and called the airline to advance my tickets.
...
(Quinn)
Rachel and the cast of "Across The Universe" left New York to spend a week in California to announce the tour of the play that was to take place at the end of the year. I couldn't go because I was caught up with college stuff and the details of the independent film that Roger Benz was going to produce with Aaron Smith, a well-known director who had received union nominations. It was a project that had been in the works for about four years and, after securing money, a studio and distribution, it could be shot. Of course it would be an honor to take part in my first project as a production assistant on a film. But I'd have a huge job because I'd be part of the team coordinating the extras. What I'd really like to do is be a photography assistant, but the photography and art direction team was all locked in with director Aaron Smith. The most I could get on the photography team would be as a camera assistant. Not that I'd find it bad.
What had been discussed so far was that filming would take place near Toronto, because of the tax incentives and also because Mr. Smith (and saying this always made me laugh) had a ranch in that area, which would save a few thousand dollars on accommodation for the technical crew.
Meanwhile, at NYU, in his Cinematography class, Professor Richard McFeller was telling delightful stories about Gordon Willis's techniques for the revolutionary lighting in "The Godfather", how important it was to tame Marlon Brandon so that he wouldn't go off the mark, which should be perfect for that kind of technique, as well as his fights with Francis Ford Copolla. I had read something about it in "Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How The Sex-Drug-And-Rock'n'Roll Generation Saved Hollywood", by Peter Biskind. But once the techniques were up close, they were much better than just reading the book. Not to mention the effort Professor McFeller made to invite people from the production team or who had worked with Mr. Willis to give us a talk. Something I would have greatly appreciated.
With Rachel in California, my day was lonely, despite the heavy workload. Mike, the only person I have in New York who I can talk to about things I wouldn't talk to Rachel about, wasn't exactly available. Johnny and I were friends because of the others, not because we had any emotional connection. I don't think I'd talk serious things to Santiago: he wasn't a guy who knew how to be discreet. Santana and I talked very little at home. She was always busy with her studies or her college friends. Apparently, Santana started dating Andrew, a guy I remember seeing once, but we were never introduced. Santana never took her friends home. Not when we lived in Brooklyn, and not now that we live in Queens. I didn't have that many people worth bringing into my social life either. Santiago was the only college classmate with whom I had solid friendships. It was easier to socialize with people from work, not least because Rachel and I had several acquaintances in common. My boss Roger came to our apartment once, as did part of the cast of AtU: Lucas and Nick Brown.
"Lopez!" I greeted Santana as soon as I saw her arriving in the middle of the night.
"Fabray! Rachel called?"
"Yes. She met Brittany in Los Angeles, told her about the interviews she did and that she's looking forward to the play today."
Interviews in which she couldn't mention her sexual orientation or the fact that she lived with her girlfriend. According to the immense experience and wisdom of Josh Ripley, her agent, Rachel should hide our relationship from the press if she wanted to consider a career in film or television. He said harshly that young gay actors had no chance of developing a strong career in film. This was because the public carried rainbow flags, but the truth was that they really idolized heterosexual actors with liberal speeches, playing gay roles. The scriptwriter could be gay, as could the director, or any technical professional, but not the actor. The most that could safely come out was to declare oneself bisexual, or fluid or queer. Or simply not declare anything. They can because they were already powerful celebrities with solid careers. It was 2014 and how many openly 100% gay actors were making it big in the industry in leading roles, or other than in a niche movie? Very few. Most gay actors end up getting queer roles, while those who claim to be bisexual or fluid have a much wider range of opportunities. That's what Rachel wants: opportunities.
Rachel said she wouldn't lie because she declared herself bisexual anyway, and she won't have the slightest problem telling the press if asked. But her agent recommended that she not reveal the status of her relationship with me for now. I didn't accept this immediately and neither did Rachel, but faced with the arguments, we talked it over and agreed that our relationship would be omitted. She even bought a necklace with a crown-shaped pendant: Queen = Quinn. I didn't like the situation, but I also didn't want to be accused of hindering Rachel's career.
"Brittany?" Santana was only interested in that piece of information.
"Interviews and the play." I reinforced it even though I knew that this was the part that no longer interested her.
"Fuck the rest. What did she say about Britt?" It was the first time all week that Santana had shown the slightest interest in anything I had to say. I remained silent with a half-smile on my face. She'd lose her temper in five seconds. "Quinn! Speak up!"
"No big deal."
"What do you mean, no big deal? Of course she said something! Spit it out!"
"You're a curious person, Lopez. You hook up with a lot of guys, but you'd leave them all for Britt. And you say I'm the gay one in the house."
"Fuck you, Fabray! It's none of your business who I sleep with."
Santana left, babbling in Spanish to her room. She'd been doing that a lot lately. I went back to studying the tasks I had for the production of the film: helping to call in extras. There were "professionals" registered in a system who were perfect for those one-speaker characters or for executing a specific movement in a scene. These were twice as expensive as the amateurs: those who the production would pick up on the spot to do simple movements. Many of these amateurs would even work for free just for the pleasure of being part of a production or in the hope of getting close to an actor to take photos or sign autographs. My copy of the script, very well written by Brian Sanders, included some notes on how many "professionals" I would have to look up in the system (I had to give preference to Toronto residents, even better if I had some who lived near the location) and book in an e-mail call for a "casting test".
I looked at my watch. Considering the time zone, Rachel must have been getting ready to go on stage at that moment. I mentalized my lady and wished her "break her leg" in prayer. I saw Santana crossing the small corridor with clean clothes in hand. In less than half an hour, she appeared tidy and perfumed. She ran to her room. After another half an hour, she came out with her hair brushed, wearing make-up and high heels.
"I'm sleeping out tonight."
"Are you carrying a condom in your bag?" I teased.
"Always."
"Good. Have fun and try not to drink or get too high." Santana stopped just outside the door and turned around ready to fight me, but I think she thought better of it and went back on her way.
"Go to hell, bitch. I'll see you tomorrow."
Rachel was very tolerant of her sister's habits. Marijuana? Rachel swore with all her heart that Santana was a casual user, that she had enough responsibility and sense to control herself. But I was of the opinion that a drug was a drug: you were either on it or you were clean. I know that Rachel had never tried that kind of thing, which was a relief. Honestly, I wouldn't have known what to do if she got involved with that kind of crap. I loved her too much to turn a blind eye to disgusting habits. As far as I was concerned, Santana would have had an intervention by now.
I looked at the clock again. There was still no time for the play to finish and I'd hate to go to sleep without hearing my lady's voice. I tried to concentrate on my work. The further I got, the more free my weekend would be and I was dying to go to the book fair in New York. There were a few titles I'd really like to read and it was possible to find brand new copies at bargain prices. It was just a matter of looking. Then I could also look at some children's books to give to my Beth as a birthday present. One of those with lots of pictures where she could browse, play and imagine. Just like I did when I was little.
Thinking about Beth always calmed me down. I often wondered what it would be like if I hadn't put her up for adoption or if, instead of Shelby, someone else I'd never seen in my life had raised her. No! Things turned out the way they were supposed to: I could see my daughter's development and I still had the chance to fight and grow, to be someone. When Beth grew up and understood things, I could show her that my decision gave her the chance to enjoy a wonderful childhood with Shelby and Juan, where she would lack nothing: neither resources nor love. And that it also gave me the opportunity to become someone my daughter would be proud of.
My cell phone rang and snapped me out of my dream world.
"Quinn?" It was Rachel talking in an excited way.
"Hi love. How was it?"
"We kicked ass. I'm so happy we managed to put on a good show. This time I didn't falter in that 'Helter Skelter' bit."
"I'm glad." I laughed at my girlfriend's excitement.
"Quinn, there's been a change of plans. Could you pick me up at the airport on Monday morning? I've managed to move up my flight."
"Of course! What time?"
"I think I'll be arriving in New York at seven o'clock... I'll check with you tomorrow."
"Perfect!" Actually, not so much, because I'd have to miss classes at NYU. "What are you doing now?"
"The production here has offered a reception for the cast at a restaurant. I'm going there with the guys. Then I'm going to the hotel. I feel like I'm going to catch a cold in this California climate."
"Get as much rest as you can. I know you've been working hard these last few days."
"I am!" I heard the sound of people shouting for Rachel in the background. "I have to go. I just wanted to tell you that everything's fine and to say good night."
"And nothing else?" I teased.
"And to say that I love you, Quinn Fabray!"
"I love you too, Rachel Berry-Lopez. Have fun and then get some rest."
"I'll call you back tomorrow. Love you."
My heart was a little calmer after talking to Rachel, but not that much. At least I could sleep while the Berry-Lopez sisters were out partying: each at one end of the country.
...
May 10, 2014
(Quinn)
I spent most of the day away from home. When I came back with a heavy bag of books, I found Santana wearing a tacky blue Columbia T-shirt with the lion symbol on the back. I had to have some spite for that, since the students at her university loved to make fun of NYU students.
"You're not going?" I got a questioning look on my face. "Today my choir is performing with the cheerleaders before and during halftime of the Lions' basketball game."
"That's right..." Santana had mentioned this blessed performance a few days ago, but I'd forgotten about it. "I'm just going to put this bag away."
I so wanted to take a long shower and put my feet up afterwards, but I only had time to pee and brush my teeth. If it hadn't been for the game and Santana's performance, I storm would fall only in my head afterwards. I didn't fancy the subway, so I paid for a cab for us. Santana was the star of the choir. She just didn't have the same hunger as Rachel to be the star of the stage. They were different situations. Whereas Santana only took part for the pleasure of singing, Rachel was thinking of a whole career that would eventually come to fruition.
We found Mike and Johnny waiting for us at the entrance to the gym. Santana hugged them before handing out the tickets and running backstage. I hugged my friends and we settled into the bleachers. The Lions were terrible at basketball that season, much to the Violets' delight. They were better at football and baseball, however. I, an NYU student, was forced to root for the Lions because of Santana. The boys had already chosen Columbia. The game started and, as usual, the Lions were doing everything they could to lose at home.
At half-time from the second to the third quarter of the game, the lights went out and there were shouts and whistles. A well-known American football player turned rapper began to vocalize the first verses of Rihanna's latest hit with Usher. Soon after, Santana came on to do the singer's part while the cheerleaders performed a choreography that wasn't quite up to scratch. Sue Sylvester was planning much more interesting things with us. The arrangement the DJ made for the song was heavier than the original. It wasn't my favorite kind of music, but I enjoyed the performance. Santana loved this kind of music, even though it wasn't the kind of music she listened to at home. It was at times like this that I missed the old Lima choir. Although, let's face it, the pleasure of singing for the sake of singing was much more interesting to me than the performances. Rachel was made for the stage, Santana didn't deny that she had the "Corcoran's gene". Singing in the shower satisfied me at the time.
The cheerleaders changed the choreography and the rest of the choir joined in to sing a good New York classic. A blond guy with tousled hair started singing at the top of his lungs. "Last night she Said/ oh, baby, i feel so down/ oh, and turned me off/ so i, i turned around/ oh, baby, i don't care no more/ i know this for sure/ i'm walking out that door". The whole choir then came in, harmonizing with the blonde's solo. "Well, i've been in town/ for about fifteen whole minutes now/ oh, baby, i feel so down/ and i don't know why/ i keep walking for Miles". I enjoyed the show. I particularly liked that Strokes song.
The Lions won by a ridiculous point, but it was enough to keep them alive in the championship. As people left the gym excited about the victory, we waited for Santana. She showed up hand in hand with a nerdy-looking guy, but a good-looking one.
"Hi guys, you've already met Andrew, haven't you?" Her boyfriend finally showed up.
We said hello and went out to eat something. Tom's Restaurant was always a good choice, but it's usually packed on Lions match days. Nevertheless, we took a chance and managed to eat one of perhaps the most famous hamburgers in the world. The day was very tiring, but enjoyable. The only thing missing was Rachel. As for Andrew, I didn't think much of him. At first glance, he seemed like a good influence on Santana.
When we got home in the early hours of the morning, I went to take a shower, clean my body, put on my pajamas and go to sleep. I don't know in what order I did these things, all I know is that I fell asleep. I woke up on Sunday morning to Santana hitting me with her kippah.
"What?" I said angrily.
"Aren't you going to your mass today?"
Even in this, Rachel was missing: she was my most efficient alarm clock and woke me up in a much gentler way than her sister. Not that I wanted that kind of kindness from Santana. I jumped up, barely brushed my teeth and went to my Mass with nothing in my stomach. I saw that the answering machine had six messages. Some of them I was sure were from Rachel, but I wouldn't be able to hear them until I got back. Even in Astoria, I continued to attend church in the NYU campus area. Rachel and Santana also continued to go to the synagogue on the same street. I could barely concentrate on the pastor's sermon. All I could think about was the silver ring on my right hand and the messages on my answering machine.
...
(Rachel)
It was a very busy night in Los Angeles. Of the cast, only Sarah and I didn't get drunk. The party at the restaurant, which also doubled as a bar, was full of sake. And also powder and other chemicals. I was the only one in the cast who had never tried anything other than alcohol and I stayed that way. I know it was the kind of socializing that Quinn disapproved of, but there was nothing I could do about it: I had to live with those people, work with them. She herself knew that Nick was the most addicted and she frowned every time she looked at him. She didn't trust him. On the other hand, none of my castmates went on stage stoned or drunk. They might have had a life of addictions, but at least they were all professional enough to know that work was work.
In the morning there was an interview scheduled for a major local newspaper, but no one other than Sarah and me was in a position to show up. The only reason I wasn't closer friends with her was because Quinn was very jealous, but the truth was that of the ATU cast, she was the quietest and most homely person apart from me.
"Morning Rachel." Sarah greeted me as we met in the hallway. "What a party yesterday!"
"Tell me about it. I had one glass of sake and that was enough."
"You always drink so little."
"I'm worried about the boys. They drank a lot and Nick did coke with Heather. Will they be all right for today?"
"Well..." She mused. "They're certainly not available right now." And she forced a smile. "It's annoying that we won't have any real time off until the end of the year, isn't it?"
"Yes."
It was part of the contract we signed. We'd have to work until the end of the year with a few weeks' vacation scheduled, and there was a tour planned for November and December. The dates and venues weren't yet known. The restaurant was on the first floor of the hotel, next to a conference center that used to be rented out for business meetings. Molly was there accompanied by two journalists: a woman who appeared to be in her 30s and a younger man. They had an iPhone and a camera.
"Good morning, ladies." Molly approached with her usual professionalism. "This is Linda Carson, from the L.A Theater, and this is Gavin Booth, from the L.A Dialy News."
We greeted them and sat down to coffee. That kind of interview wasn't common, but I think it happened because the Dialy News was a big newspaper and the reporter from the L.A Theater was a respected journalist in the city.
"When do you plan to do a national tour with the play?" Linda Carson began.
"We're going on tour from November, but the dates have yet to be announced. I want to tour the play all over the country. New York is our home, but we can't be confined to our safety net. Going around the country is essential so that we can show a bit of our art and, at the same time, cool down our ideas and conceptions in different cities and audiences." I replied confidently.
"In fact, the dates haven't been set yet, but we should be in at least eight major cities. Across The Universe has the advantage of not being a play with a very large cast. We're a team of seven actors, with 15 more in the crew. There's a fixed set at the Public, but the production team managed to produce this one with projections that looks really nice and can be used on the road." Sarah added.
"What did you think of the Los Angeles crowd?"
"Very friendly and enthusiastic. It was the biggest I've come across so far in my career. ATU is an off-Broadway play, our room at the Public is a third of the size of this theater."
"I thought the audience was incredible, very warm." Sarah followed soon after. "I definitely want to come back here."
"Is it difficult to play the Beatles?" It was Gavin Booth's turn and the reporters seemed to have agreed to take turns with the questions.
"It's very complicated. We're dealing with classic songs that many people think should remain untouched. But we've had no complaints from the most radical Beatles fans. Most of them appreciate the idea of the show and recognize the seriousness and commitment to quality that we put into it. While preparing the play, I read some biographies and acquired the band's complete discography. I would have liked to talk to Paul McCartney, but it wasn't possible." The journalists laughed. "I did what I could do to research and prepare myself to better understand that work and ensure that the interpretations of the songs were as respectful as possible of their spirit."
"I was also very afraid of messing with something that I myself considered impeccable." Sarah said. "But the quality of the cast is very good and I believe we've done it justice."
"Why has this play become such a hit with young theater fans?"
"Perhaps because of the cast, which is very young. Because the play talks about issues that are universal, and good music always appeals." I tried to explain.
"Oh, and because the people involved in the play love to ship the charcaters. There are people who ship my character with Rachel's and there are people who prefer Rachel's character with Lucas's. It's incredible."
"Have you received any messages of support from the cast of the movie?"
"T. V. Carpio, who played my character in the movie, came to see us and said she liked it a lot. Joe Anderson, Jim Sturgess and Dana Funchs also came and liked it."
"Dana said that my Sadie couldn't be more different from hers and that's why she loved it." Sarah laughed.
"Is there a song that gives you the most trouble?"
"Helter Skelter, definitely." I said. "I need to put a drive in my voice, which is a singing technique I don't like very much. But it's all for art."
"I Want To Hold Your Hand, because I still have trouble singing the slow version. I always want to speed it up so it's like the original." We laughed.
"Rachel, you sounded really good last night with that song..."
"It's just that you were lucky enough to witness my best rendition of it." I laughed again. "Otherwise you'd be criticizing me instead of praising me."
"What's it like doing the lesbian kissing scene you two play in the play?"
"Rachel's a great kisser!" Sarah laughed and I turned red. "I know that, because I kiss her six times a week."
"Sarah is an excellent professional and put me at ease. Sarah's character is in love with mine, so it was interesting that we had good chemistry. We'd kissed so much in rehearsals that it became commonplace."
"Rachel, you and Lucas Hibbs do a really hot scene on stage. Do you feel comfortable doing that kind of scene, especially as you're the youngest member of the cast?"
"That applies in the same case as the kiss with Sarah. At first I was embarrassed because the cast didn't know each other, so I was just professional. It was strange to kiss and let an actor I'd only known a short time run his hand over my body. It's like drama 101, where you run your hand over your classmate's body and have to control your own awkwardness. Then you get into it and relax. That's part of theater and we're talking about a scene that has meaning and context. Then, we get used to each other and we became friends. Now, Lucas and I, even Sarah and I, are so comfortable on stage, and our partnership is so good that we do what has to be done naturally."
"Does your relationship with the cast go beyond the stage? Are you really friends?"
"Of course! We're friends." Sarah replied. "Often, after the last session, the whole cast goes to a restaurant to have fun and spend time together. It's a very harmonious group who really like each other." It was a white lie that we actors were instructed to pass on.
"There are no deeper relationships than friendships in the cast then?"
"It would be strange if there were relationships between us, because we're all friends. We prefer to look at each other as if we were siblings." I replied. It's not integrally true. Nick and Heather have already slept with each other. Steve is sleeping with an understudy. Of course, none of this could reach the press.
"Are you two dating?" We looked at Molly and she signaled to the pair of journalists that this kind of personal questions would stop there.
"Is it true that you share the apartment with two other women?" The journalist asked me with a mischievous tone. Since we didn't have to answer about our romantic relationships, he tried to find an alternative to fish something out.
"One of the women you're referring to is my twin sister." I laughed and the reporter was embarrassed by the insinuation. "The other is a childhood friend of ours who went to college in New York and she lives with us."
"Are you identical twins?"
"We're not. I come from a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural family. My sister and I don't look like each other, but we are twins anyway."
The reporters thanked us for our time and we continued to drink our coffee, talking about trivial things. I still tried to talk to Kurt, but it was all radio silence. Maybe he was out of town. The cast didn't meet until late afternoon for another session of the play. Thankfully, everyone was able to perform.
…
May 11, 2014
(Rachel)
I had a free schedule in the morning, no promotional parties and no reporters to deal with. Sarah, Lucas and I took advantage of the free time to do some capitalist sightseeing. We walked around Hollywood, Beverly Hills and then bought gifts. Lucas was in great spirits and spent the day sober, on orange juice and mineral water. He had certain excesses, but he knew how to take care of himself. Sarah bought a lot of gifts for her family and boyfriend. She was looking forward to our summer break to go back to her hometown to be with her family. She confessed to being homesick, which I understood very well. I myself spent practically the entire semester without seeing my parents and the rest of the family in Ohio. My mom was having Beth's third birthday party this weekend, but neither Quinn nor I would be there. It was boring and sad. I missed my papi's hug and abuela's cookies.
We went back to the hotel and got ready for the last night of the play. It was our best day because the cast seemed more focused for some reason. At one point, I saw Brittany in the audience and almost lost it for a moment. I was pleased with her there. But something was wrong. When we finished our work day, the cast went out. I had intended to have dinner with Brittany in a restaurant, but she asked to accompany me back to the hotel. It didn't feel right, but I didn't object. Maybe she needed to talk.
Brittany looked around my hotel room. There was nothing special there: just a place with a bed and a bathroom. All the main cast had their own, the others occupied shared apartments to make the tour cheaper.
"That's a nice room." It was the first thing she said after meeting me in the theater. "I only get a single room when I go on tour if I pay for it out of my own pocket. Otherwise, I have to share with other friends."
"Britt, don't think I'm not happy to be here with you, but you don't look so good. Has something happened?"
Brittany lay down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. I sat down on the other side, already worried.
"Britt..."
"Remember when Santana was grounded and I went to sleep at your house and we spent hours and hours playing anywhere but here?"
"Yes, I do!" I settled down next to her. Playing was merely an exercise in imagination in which we invented situations that we wanted to experience anywhere else on the globe, except in that room.
"Santana always had the best stories."
"I told some great ones!"
"You always talked about Broadway..." Brittany sneered and I closed my eyes. I let my imagination flourish.
"I'm near a beach in Barcelona, sitting at the tables of a small but charming restaurant. I look at my watch and get angry because Quinn was supposed to meet me there and she was already late. And the glass of orange juice was already finished. It would be pathetic to order another just to curl up. I thought about my cell phone. It was just time to get my hand into my bag for it and Quinn was there. She was a little reddish from the summer sun. But that wonderful Mediterranean climate soon cured any stress. She gave me a kiss before sitting down and apologized for being late. She said she'd lost track of time taking photographs around the city. Suddenly someone sits down at the table behind me and Quinn starts to shake with excitement. She discreetly takes a photo with her cell phone and shows me the reason. It was Catherine Zeta-Jones. We try to eat our snacks without disturbing her. And just when I thought I couldn't stand it any longer, here she comes to our table. She had recognized me from the stage and decided to say hello. She sat down at our table and chatted with us for five minutes. We took the opportunity to take some photos right there in the restaurant, I asked for her autograph and we even exchanged information about the best tourist attractions in the city!"
"That's a good one, Rach. Really good!" Brittany applauded and turned to me. Then she got serious again. She put the tip of her finger on my nose. "You're so different from Santana, and yet so similar..." She stared into my eyes. I started to get uncomfortable. "You both have a great imagination, you both have a feline tongue and you both get angry easily..."
"Britt... I..."
"I have a message for your sister. Will you promise me that you'll deliver it the way I do?" Brittany seemed anxious for an answer and I nodded. Whatever it was, I imagined it was serious.
Brittany smiled and got on the bed to get a better position. She ran her fingers along the back of my neck and pressed her lips to mine. I was surprised and my heart raced. I almost panicked and tried to break it off gently, but the next thing I knew Brittany was almost on top of me in a bed. She broke away and I thought the madness had passed, but it only took time for her to get ready again and force her lips against mine once more. It seemed she really needed it and I stopped resisting the kiss. Higher limits wouldn't be pushed, right? As soon as I began to respond to her caresses, Brittany moved in again, this time to soften her touch. For heaven's sake, Quinn and Santana would forgive me, but Brittany was one hell of a kisser, not to mention the body she fit against mine. No wonder Santana was crazy about her. I opened my mouth and allowed her tongue to invade the space. I could feel that Brittany was putting her truest feelings into that kiss. Then it was broken, but I was still out of breath for a while, dizzy from the sensation.
"You have the same trait as San. Have you ever been told that? I like it!" Brittany smiled and I was confused. "Don't think that's bad... some measurements are wrong, but I could tell you were like San..." She smiled as she wiped the tear in the corner of her eye.
"Brittany, I don't understand..."
"I can't stay with San... at least not for a long time... and I came here because I needed to feel it once more, even if it was through you... so I thought... well, Rach is her twin sister and it must be similar..." She stood up, straightened her clothes and looked at me seriously. "Give her this message, okay?"
Brittany left the room, leaving me confused, perplexed and anxious for explanations. By the time I realized that I had to run after my friend, she had already left the hotel. I tried to talk to her on my cell phone, but she wouldn't answer. I thought of Santana. Perhaps she was the only person who knew the reason for all this. If there was one. I spent the rest of the night thinking about Brittany's sudden attack.
/
WHAT!? Dear Spawn, know that tuna pizza is a traditional pizza flavor in Brazil. Tuna pizza is on the menu in the most expensive and sophisticated pizzerias, as well as the simplest ones. And I tell you, these pizzerias offer more than one type of tuna pizza! And know that here in Brazil we can put anything on a pizza. Dry meat, shrimp, chicken, calabrese, corn, leeks, pumpkin, eggplant, shimeji, filet mignon, goat's cheese, buffalo cheese, pepper jelly… Even dulce de leche. We can eat banana pizza with chocolate and a catupiry (kind of cheese) border. And strawberries! We Brazilians even eat pizza with a knife and fork! And there's more: we invented the most diabolical restaurant concept: rodízio!
I'm not joking with you. That's all true! Ask another Brazilian. :-)
Eu desejo que você e as pessoas ao seu redor estejam seguras por aí na Califórnia. Aliás, desejo segurança a todos os leitores que estejam passando pelas intempéries humanas e naturais. Isso também vai passar.