The photographers were already there, going up and down the line getting people to pose. Miss Gigi even came in drag tonight, which was unusual, because she normally showed up in boy clothes since she was mostly backstage all night long. I guess she wanted to be in the pictures as much as the rest of us, as we all posed with groups to get our pictures taken. There was even a little jostling among cast members to squeeze into as many shots as possible. It was all good-natured fun as we all tried to relax and get ready.
The doors finally opened and the crowd herded in as everyone shuffled for the close-up tables and chairs. Kit and Biff even hired two people who were positioned just inside the theatre doors to pass out the new programs that they had printed up, or should I say, Germaine had printed up. Yours truly was the featured performer with the largest picture and largest bio followed next by Miss Gigi. It was my crowning moment in life so far. Now if I could only win the crown at the end, that would be the capper. A photographer even got a shot of me holding up my picture in the program.
It didn't take long for the room to become full. The cocktail waiters were already making bank as the crowd was in a tipping mood. It was time to get away from the adoring crowd and slip backstage to change into my first costume. I did enjoy the quiet moments backstage as we all started slipping into character. I had never experienced acting growing up, so it was amazing to discover this new creative outlet for my life. I looked into the mirror and the happiness was beaming from my face.
Next thing I knew, there was a knock on the dressing room door. "Sweetie, I think there is something you should see," said Marni as he handed me a copy of Buzz Atl, which had just hit the news-stands at the club moments before show time. On the cover was Miss Gigi in high whore drag with the caption, "Meet The Creative Mind Behind Bombshell," so I quickly flipped though the pages to the article. I didn't realize that they had even interviewed her about the show, as she had never mentioned any of it to me.
I started reading the interview, and the further I got into it, the more I felt the anger build up in the pit of my stomach.
"Miss Gigi, how did you come up with the idea of turning a TV show into a stage musical?" the reporter asked.
"I just love the show and have completely worn out my DVD’s watching it over and over. Then one night I had a clear vision as I was lip-synching along to Marilyn doing the songs from the show. I felt energized as if I were Marilyn and I could feel the power of the music compelling me to write down the vibrations as they left my body," she said. "One song led to another and the words just flowed. I felt like I was having a transcendental moment, and before I knew it, I had written almost the entire show down on paper. I had to stop and read it over because it poured out so quickly I wasn't sure if I had even written what was on the paper before me."
Of course she had to read it over because she never wrote any of it down. What a load of shit. If it hadn’t been for me, she would have still been heading down that dark cavern to the trailer park where she belonged. Fucking trash, taking credit for my work. How could she stab me in the back like this?
I didn't realize Marni had stayed behind me to see what I would do. I'm sure he must have read the article before he gave it to me. As I started to rise from my chair I felt a hand on my shoulder keeping me down.
"I suggest you wait till after the show to have that discussion," he said. "There is a room full of people waiting to be entertained and that is exactly what you are going to do. You are a professional in every sense of the word, and I mean that with all my heart. You have come a long way, baby, since you first stumbled in here to sign up for the contest."
He never removed his hand, so I sat there. I felt the rage ebb as I stared at myself in the mirror. I could see the redness around the edges start to fade and my blood pressure started retreating. "You're right," I said. "These people came out for a good time and there is no sense in letting this ruin their fun. I will deal with this after the show."
"Good girl," Marni said.
The moment was broken as Scotty came over the PA in the dressing room, "Showtime in ten minutes. Places everyone."
"I'm fine. I will give the people what they came for. A great performance with the only drama being on the stage," I said. Marni left and I had a moment to contemplate everything. Why would Miss Gigi say those things? I needed to find out.
I took one more look at the make-up and hair and I was ready to go. I headed out the dressing room door onto the right wing of the stage. My other cast mates were already in position. We had a couple of minutes left before the overture started. Everyone was idly chatting. I had regained my composer and was even nice to Miss Gigi, who was backstage. I winked at the bitch.
To everyone's surprise, the curtains parted and Mr. Winston came through followed by a very tall gentleman in a suite and tie. We weren't expecting Mr. Winston tonight, so this couldn't be good.
"Desiree and Miss Gigi, I need to speak with you both. Marni I need you in on this conversation also," Mr. Winston said. "Everyone else, please give us some privacy." And with that, the rest of the cast slunk back out to the dressing room.
"I want all of you to meet Mr. Larson. He is the attorney for The Mindful Company on Broadway. Your little show was brought to his attention and he has something he needs to say to you," Mr. Winston finished.
"It recently came to our attention that your show ‘Bombshell’ is infringing on our copyright of the TV show ‘Smash’ and their show ‘Bombshell,’” he said.
"When you say came to your attention, what do you mean?" Miss Gigi asked.
"We were sent a video from a Miss Athena Parthenos," Mr. Larson said.
"I'll kill that bitch," Miss Gigi said.
"That is not all of it," Mr. Winston interrupted. "Let him finish."
"Since your show is using characters that are copyright protected, I am giving you this injunction to stop your show from ever being performed again," he said as he presented the injunction to Mr. Winston. "That includes tonight’s performance as well."
"Mr. Winston, this can't be happening," I said. "These shows are for charity. We aren't making any money off of them."
"We worked our asses off for this. The parts we created aren't even in the TV show," Miss Gigi said.
"You mean the parts I created aren't in the TV show," I said correcting her.
"What do you mean you created?" Miss Gigi said.
"You think you created this masterpiece? If it weren't for me you would be in the gutter probably choking on your own vomit or sucking a dick for $25 bucks so that you could get your next fix," I said.
"You stuck up cunt!" Miss Gigi said.
"Ladies, not in front of our guest," Marni said.
"Look I had the club lawyer look at it, and it is legit," Mr. Winston said. "If the club violates the injunction, then we are the ones who will get sued and not you, so the show is cancelled. I suggest you tell the audience and refund their money."
"I'm glad you see it our way," Mr. Larson said. "Thank you for your cooperation. I will let my employers know that this will not be a problem to them anymore." He shook Mr. Winston's hand and then exited.
"Mr. Winston, you can't do this to us," I said.
"Desiree, there is nothing I can do. The fine if you violate the injunction is $100,000 for every time the show is performed. I don't think you have that kind of cash lying around and neither do I. Insurance doesn't cover it either. So as of now, there is no more ‘Bombshell.’”
"Mr. Winston," Miss Gigi pleaded. "We've worked so hard on this and the room is packed. Can't we just do the show tonight?"
"No means no. That's final. Marni, please let the audience know that the show has been cancelled," he finished.
"Sorry ladies. I have to break the news to the crowd," Marni said. He parted the curtains and began his announcement. "Due to some unforeseen circumstances, tonight's performance of ‘Bombshell’ has been cancelled and will not be rescheduled. You can get your ticket refund at the box office window. We are s
orry for any inconvenience this has caused." And with that announcement, a round of boos echoed throughout the crowd. "Now, now," Marni said. "Please head out to the front bar and the club will provide you with a free cocktail."
As soon as Marni made that announcement, the room vacated as fast as they could to get some free alcohol.
I was left there on the stage in shell shock. Germaine had taken Miss Gigi back to the dressing room to comfort her and Kit and Biff gave me an "if looks could kill" stare as they exited the doors. Marni left with Mr. Winston, I’m sure to discuss what their next move was.
I was alone and this time I really felt it. I had no one here to comfort me. Everyone I had started this journey with was nowhere to be seen. The only sound in the room was the bar staff putting away everything and Scotty shutting down the DJ booth. I felt like I could cry because everything I had worked for was taken away from me with a simple piece of paper. It's funny because the show started as a piece of paper and was now brought down by a single piece of paper. Oh, the irony.
I turned to slink behind the curtain. As I turned my back I heard a single clap. It was followed by another clap and then another clap.
"Brava, darling. That was a fantastic show tonight."
I recognized that cackle of a voice. Shell shock turned to anger as I turned and faced the rat amongst us. “Why you bitch."
"I told you I was going to win," Athena said. "Sorry I had to bring your little three-ring circus down."
"This was for charity. Why do you even care what we did?" I asked.
"Because I am the most popular entertainer here, and it is going to stay this way. There is no way that crown is going to rest on your nappy head. It will rest gracefully on my wig, where it was meant to be," Athena said.
"Do you even care what damage you caused?"
"No, I don't. Do you think we all do this for the charity? And again, the answer is no. We all do it so that we can feel pretty and get attention from people. This is high school, and I am the head mean girl. Get used to it," she said.
"It is so sad that you have to be like this. I've never done anything to you and neither have any of the hard-working cast members done anything to you," I said.
"Sweetie, I am only looking out for myself. I don't care what happens to your cast, or to you, for that matter. Your life is meaningless to me and you are of no consequence," she said.
"I'm sorry you feel that way. You must be one really damaged individual to be like this," I said and started to walk behind the curtain.
"Come back here! There is nothing wrong with me," she yelled. I tuned her out as I slipped back into the dressing room. All the other cast members had already departed, so I sat there by myself. The only sound I could hear was the dull thud of the dance floor or was it the throbbing in my head? How did everything go so wrong?
CHAPTER 62
I woke up and rubbed my eyes. The world had not ended. I was alive to face another day. I pulled off the covers and my feet hit the floor as I stretched out my arms as far as I could. I needed to check the fallout from last night, so I decided to grab my computer and check out the message boards for "Bombshell" and check out the on-line columns for Buzz Atl.
It didn't take long to see all the shit that people were saying about the show and me. It was some pretty harsh criticism starting with "Desiree is a liar" to "Get that hillbilly back up to the mountains where she belongs.” I guess everyone felt free to say what they wanted since the internet has made people invisible so that they can spout out any bit of trash they want to.
The comments kept coming onto the "Bombshell" Facebook page. It was just more hate after hate. I understand people were disappointed about not being able to see the show, but I was bearing the brunt of the comments, especially after Miss Gigi lied her way through the interview. It really hurt that people were accusing me of taking credit for something they thought I didn't do. It was really bad to see the comments where everyone felt sorry for Miss Gigi. "Miss Gigi we love you!" and "Your show is beautiful. Don't let that crazy Desiree try to take credit for your fabulous words." It got to a point that I couldn't look at Facebook anymore.
In Buzz Atl online, they do a picture display in the "Seen At" section. The headline was "Bombshell Lays Bomb" and it was a picture of me with several of the cast members in a very candid shot. Not very flattering. To make it even worse, they didn't get me from my good side.
I felt bad for all the people who had put in all that hard work on the show that had now been turned into a punch line. The good thing for most of the cast was that they could fall back into their community theater. I didn't have another outlet. My only real outlet now was to do some more drag shows and make a push for the finish. I'd made a valiant effort so far, so there was no sense stopping that now. I'd got the Georgia A&M games yet to bring in some more money, so things could still go ahead.
I hadn't even thought about my phone until now. I had turned it off last night when I went to bed because I didn't want to be disturbed. I reached over and hit the power button. As it slowly opened up, it was time to take a leak. As I entered the hallway, I heard some noise coming from the kitchen. I figured it must have been Germaine making his coffee with the TV on. I turned the corner and there was Germaine in his bathrobe snuggling with one of his little twink boys who was only wearing his Andrew Christian underwear. At that moment, I finally realized I was only in my underwear, so I was a little self-conscious even though I had a much better body than the little twink.
"I thought you had to be at work this morning?" I asked.
"I got my shift covered so that I could visit with this nice young man," Germaine said. "Timmy, this is Tyler."
"Hey," Timmy said.
"Hey. I need to go put some clothes on," I said as I exited the kitchen and went back down the hall.
By this time, my phone had come to life and the text bell had been ringing and ringing. I quickly scanned to see whom the texts were from before I opened any of them. To my surprise, most of them were from the other contestants.
The first one I opened was from Precious. "Girl you were screwed by that bitch! Luvd your show and luv u!" She really was a class act and proved that you could be competitive, but still respect everybody.
The next one I opened was from Mary Jane. "Sweetie you put something special together. Don't listen to the haters. Those of us who really know you know it was you who did all the work. You are the heart of that show." Wow again more support from my competition. I guess I really had become friends with some of the girls whom I got to know better.
Miranda was very kind in her text. "Thanks for being the doll you are. You make me smile and probably don't even know it. It's hard to crack this exterior." Once you got to know her, she really was a softy at heart.
Marni even sent a text. "Baby girl you have blossomed so much that this is only going to be a stepping stone in your career. I can see you doing great things in the future." That was probably the nicest thing anyone had ever said to me. I knew compliments are few and far between, so I needed to do the correct thing and respond back.
"Thank you for all your mentoring. Without your support I wouldn't even still be in the competition. Love Desiree," I texted. I really did appreciate all the support and attention Marni had given me to make me become a better performer. And the nice thing was he didn't want to get into my pants. He was helping me because he was a generous and kind person. Why couldn’t there be more people like him out there?
So I was feeling more positive, and even though the show wasn't going to continue at least I could still go on. At that moment, I felt like Celine Dion belting out the theme from "Titanic.”
All that positivity was cut short when I saw the text from Biff. All it read was, "We are coming over.” I hated it when he was cryptic because that meant all he was going to do was yell at me and go on a tirade about something I hadn't done or something that I shouldn't have done. I could never win with him. Sucked.
The time waiting for those tw
o to come over always seemed like an eternity, so with Germaine entertaining, I thought I would just take my shower and get dressed. I had the day off from work, so I was in no real hurry to get anything done. I slipped into my bathroom, turned on the bath faucets, and pulled the diverter so that the water flowed out of the shower-head. I loved the feel of the steam as it descended from over the shower curtain. I slipped off my underwear, slid the curtain open a bit, and hopped into the shower. I just stood there with the water from the shower head soaking my entire body. The heat felt great as I felt my muscles begin to loosen up and release the stress from last night. I didn't move, as I let the water and steam do their work. I felt it in every crack of my body as my mind went to that total relaxation place. My mood elevated as I realized it was not the end of the world. So what? The show got shut down. I created something based off of someone else's work, so imagine what I could do if I put my mind to it. This wasn't the end, but just the beginning.
I opened my eyes with a new sense of positivity and was ready to face the day. I quickly washed my hair, grabbed the soap, and lathered up my dirty body. It was always a pain getting the make-up off, especially the eye-liner. I was sure I looked like a raccoon at times. I rinsed off and turned off the water. It was quiet again. I slid the curtain back, grabbed my fluffy towel, and started to rub my body dry. I finally realized that there was a little chill in the air. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised since it was fall.
I dressed, I was surprised that the boys weren't here yet. I checked my phone and there was the new command. Biff texted, "Meet us at my place.” I was in trouble for sure.
The Crown Is Mine Page 29