Acting Up (Center Stage Book 1)

by Adele Buck

  “That. Is. It.” James's voice boomed out from the stage. Cath’s eyes widened and her heart thudded. Peering out of the wings, she saw him climb down the scaffold, stride across the stage and loom over Susan, muscled arms folded across his equally broad chest.

  “What?” Susan snapped. “I’m just supposed to wait around for you because you arrive late after banging some little—”

  “Don’t. Say. Another. Fucking. Word.” James bit out, his index finger raised in her face.

  Cath flicked a glance down at Freddie, but the younger woman’s face was a frozen mask of shock. Looking back at the stage, Susan was turning away from James, waving a dismissive hand.

  “If you’re going to use language like that, I can’t talk to you.”

  “I don’t care if you talk,” he said. “In fact, if I never heard your voice again, I would be ecstatic. But you will treat Frederica Alves with common courtesy.” James pointed to the wings and Cath’s eyes swiveled to Freddie whose cheeks had gone bright pink.

  “Or what?” Susan’s voice was confident, challenging.

  “Or we’ll replace you.” Paul’s voice rang out from the house.

  Cath’s gut froze. She could only see Susan’s profile from where she stood, but the actress’ face radiated pure rage. “Is this how you handle things now, Paul? Humiliating me in public?”

  Cath heard Paul moving through the house and now could see him standing in front of the stage. “Susan, I don’t need to do anything to humiliate you when you’ve been making a complete ass of yourself in front of everyone for weeks now. I’ve had it, clearly James has had it. If you want to be a part of this production, you’re going to have to stop the petty sniping, the innuendo, all of it.”

  “You wouldn’t dare replace me now,” Susan spat. She was right. Paul couldn’t do this now. Replacing Susan now would be a disaster. Cath had only seen it done this late once—the actor in question had become gravely ill. But his replacement had done the role before.

  Nobody had ever played Molly before. Susan was it.

  “Cath? Do you have Alicia Johnson’s number?”

  Cath was about to croak that she did, in fact, have the second-choice actress’ contact details when Susan blurted, “She’s at the Folger in DC. She’s doing Shakespeare. She’d never give that up.” Despite the sick roll of her stomach, Cath’s eyebrows raised. Susan, for once, sounded panicked.

  “Oh really? How interesting that you know that. Cath, could you please find out what the Folger is currently mounting?” Freddie had already dug her phone out of her pocket and was typing rapidly with her thumbs. She turned the screen to Cath.

  “Romeo and Juliet.” Cath read aloud, her voice rasping in her own ears.

  Paul held Susan with a steely gaze. “Ah. So, tell me, Susan: what plum role is an actress in her 30’s doing in that teen tragedy? Lady Capulet? Lady Montague?”

  Susan’s jaw clenched. “The Nurse.”

  “Ah. Yes, it would be terribly difficult to pry her away from that part, I’m sure. I’m sure a leading role in a hot new play would be no competition for…a character who doesn’t even merit a name.” Paul rubbed his jaw with a meditative finger. “While it would be a lot of work to bring her up to speed, she’s sharp and hardworking and, more to the point, professional. I’m pretty sure she’s up for the challenge. So. It’s your choice, Susan. I’ve had enough of the sniping and the taking the crew for granted. Are you going to start behaving like a professional, or do I get Cath to make a call?”

  Paul appeared to hold his breath as he looked up at Susan’s rigid face, her eyes snapping with fury. Cath was sure he was not at all excited about starting over this late in the rehearsal process with a new actress but he had to be sure Susan would capitulate.

  Anything for a little peace around here.

  “Well, Susan? Are you going to behave like an adult, or am I going to have to buy a plane ticket for Alicia?”

  Susan exhaled noisily. “Fine,” she said through gritted teeth, her shoulders stiff, hands clenched at her side.

  Paul clapped his hands together once, the sound sharp in the empty theater. “Great. So. Since we’re all keyed up, how about we not take it from the top, and instead use some of that energy and start with the argument in Act Three, scene one?”

  James, taking his cue from Paul, moved offstage right without another word, meeting Freddie’s eyes for a fleeting instant with a serious, inquiring gaze that made Cath’s heart squeeze. Paul retreated to the production table in the middle of the house, joined shortly by Cath who opened her script and picked up her pencil. Susan stood for a moment, still and quiet, face flushed and breathing rapid. Finally, she moved to the sofa where her character would be positioned to start the scene right after intermission.

  “And lights up,” Paul called. James entered, rage still boiling off of him in almost visible waves. He confronted Susan with his first line, wound up and passionate with anger. For a tense moment, Cath wondered if Susan was going to reply or stalk off the stage.

  She spoke her line in response. The rehearsal was underway.

  When the day wound down without further incident, Paul realized that he had been holding himself tense and ready for another explosion all day. He also hadn’t missed Cath’s reaction to his reckless handling of the Susan situation at the beginning of rehersal. Rolling his head and shrugging his shoulders, he stood as Susan stalked up the center aisle and out of the theater without a word.

  Next to him, Cath, who’d been tense ever since the incident with Susan, let out an explosive breath. “Well, that’s…”

  “Hopefully the last word on that situation,” Paul finished, exhaustion rolling through him.

  “…Yes,” she said after a long pause, gathering up her things. “Ready to go home?”

  With relief that Cath’s tension seemed to have ebbed, Paul nodded, noticing Andrea had entered the theater. “Andrea, do you need us for anything?”

  Andrea pointed at Freddie. “Nope. I need to chat with Ms. Alves for a little minute.”

  Paul glanced over at Freddie who was talking to James. The young woman pointed a finger at her own chest. “You need me?”

  Andrea grinned broadly and brandished a white envelope. “Yup. Congratulations, winner. But there’s a condition now. You have to use the proceeds to take everybody out to drinks. And Paul and Cath have to come too. They insist.”

  “Freddie won the pool?” Paul gaped for a moment, then looked at Cath. He felt his face crumple into helpless laughter at the same time as hers did.

  To: Susan Vernon

  From: Alicia Johnson

  Subject: Good weekend?

  Hey hon—how was the rest of your weekend? Rehearsals going well? I saw a darling profile of James in an online magazine. God, he’s gorgeous. Any word there?

  I’ve heard some interesting gossip about your rehearsals…everything okay? Also, it looks like I’ll have your opening weekend free. I’m thinking of coming up and seeing your triumph. What do you say?

  xoxo - Alicia

  Chapter 19

  Cath sipped her wine and looked around the crowded room. It seemed that everyone had shown up to deprive Freddie of her winnings. Carpenters chatted with electricians, sipping beer and keeping half an eye on the Red Sox broadcast on the television mounted behind the bar. Andrea was holding court, telling an animated story to Jiang and Freddie, who had been joined by James. He was not the only member of the cast present: a couple of the actors who had minor roles were playing what looked to be a cutthroat game of pool on a table in the corner.

  Susan, of course, was nowhere in evidence.

  “Darling, it is absolutely not like you two to upstage our engagement like this,” Laurie said in a teasing voice, sipping a colorful cocktail and leaning in to the circle of Karl’s arm.

  “So sorry, Laurie. We will be sure to get you an extra special wedding gift.” Cath said as Laurie winked and pointed a finger at her.

  “That makes it all right, th
en. Anyway, I understand that your timing may have something to do with this great lump here,” he said, looking up and smiling into Karl’s fond expression.

  “Not hardly. But you maybe should have a word with the prop shop about that. I understand they are up in arms, convinced that Freddie had some sort of inside information that gave her the edge since she works so closely with Cath,” Paul said, his blue eyes sparkling with humor.

  “It would be a sound theory but for the fact that we placed our bets before rehearsal even started,” Karl rumbled. “Besides, even though Freddie works closely with both of you, we’ve known you longer. Much longer. It was pretty much a crapshoot in terms of who might have an edge.”

  “What would have happened if we had just gone on as friends?” Cath asked.

  “Ugh, darling, that doesn’t bear thinking about. We’ve been watching and waiting long enough,” Laurie said.

  “It’s unnerving thinking that we’ve been that much of a spectator sport and we never knew,” Paul said, sliding a sideways glance at Cath. “Has there been a pool for every single production?”

  “Actually, no,” Karl replied. “Not all of them.”

  “Just most of them,” Laurie said.

  Cath felt her cheeks grow hot. “Oh, good grief,” she muttered.

  “For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?” Paul quoted wryly.

  “Pride and Prejudice,” Cath said after a moment of thought.

  “This is exactly why we’ve always waited for this to happen,” Laurie said, arching an eyebrow. “You two with your crazy little quoting games and inside jokes. If I didn’t love you so much I would be made ill. It’s so sickeningly dear.”

  Paul chuckled and slid his hand around Cath’s waist. “Well, you two are partially to blame, I admit. The fact that you have a functional relationship and work together enabled me to convince Cath that it was possible to have both.”

  “Did you hear that, honey? We’re role models.” Karl squeezed Laurie’s shoulder and sipped his beer.

  “Of course we are, poppet,” Laurie replied. “We’re excellent.”

  “And ever so modest,” Cath said, widening her eyes and placing a hand on her cheek in feigned shock, her mouth an astonished O.

  “Oh, but of course. It would never do to brag. Most vulgar.” Laurie primmed up his mouth and shook his head, tsk-ing.

  “Well, you know what this means,” Cath said.

  Karl tilted his head inquiringly at her.

  “You have to model perfection. Anything less and there may be collateral damage,” Cath said.

  “Anything for you, sweeting.” Laurie plucked the skewer of fruit from his drink, drained the alcohol from his glass, and cocked his head at Karl. “Time for my beauty sleep, dearest. I can’t keep up with the children anymore. And I need to be well rested for tech rehearsals. Ugh. Just three days away.”

  “I’m ready,” Karl said, putting his glass down. Paul released Cath so they could hug their friends goodbye. Turning to go, Karl’s hand hovered protectively behind Laurie’s back as they left the bar.

  “Those two really do give me hope you know,” Cath said, her expression thoughtful.

  “How do you mean?”

  “Their personalities are so different, and there’s so much love and acceptance between them. Laurie has his prickly little jokes, but he’s so obviously affectionate, none of them are hurtful. And Karl’s such a steady rock.”

  “Well, they do say opposites attract.” Paul winced at the inanity of the cliché even as he said it.

  “They also say that like attracts like,” Cath observed, poking him in the chest.

  “Well, now we have explanations for both Karl and Laurie and for you and me.”

  “What’s our explanation for these two?” Cath asked softly as Freddie and James walked across the floor towards them.

  Paul shrugged. “Explanation pending, I think.”

  “You mean aside from she’s adorable and he’s gorgeous?”

  “Hey.” An echo of his former jealousy sounded within him.

  “You’ve got nothing to be worried about.” Cath lifted her glass as Freddie and James approached them. “Thanks for sharing the spoils of victory, Freddie.”

  “Thanks for holding out for so long,” Freddie said, then covered her mouth with her hand, grinning irrepressibly. “Sorry. That was…uncalled for.” A deep blush spread across the young woman’s cheeks and James's eyes creased with mirth.

  Cath waved a hand. “Don’t apologize. You’re just proving you’re going to be a great stage manager yourself someday. You can plan ahead and predict with the best of them, it seems. It’s a big part of the skill set.”

  “Anyway,” Freddie said, seeming eager to paper over her gaffe, “I wanted to thank you, Paul.”

  “Me?” Paul was baffled. “Why me?”

  “Well, I know you were doing it for the good of the production as a whole, but the way you stood up to Susan this morning…”

  “Freddie’s been a constant target,” James said. “It’s been making me kind of crazy. I have to say I was a bit surprised when you backed me up. But I’m not sorry I blew up at her.”

  Paul blinked, thinking over his promise to Cath over the weekend to never hire another toxic personality. “Well, I’m sorry that she’s been so unpleasant.”

  Freddie shrugged. “Even I can tell she’s amazing in the role.”

  “And she’s not horrible when she’s actually working,” James added. “But I don’t understand why she’s got to constantly undermine everyone else. And why Freddie has had to put up with so much from her.”

  Sighing, Cath raised a finger. “I think I do.”

  All eyes turned to her and she shrugged. “It’s not rocket science. In Susan’s mind, not only has Freddie humiliated her by getting close to James after Susan was trying way too hard to flirt with him, but she’s also my proxy.”

  “What do you mean?” Freddie asked, wide-eyed.

  “I mean Susan’s always been like this to me. In college, it seemed like a week wouldn’t go by without a volley of jabs or cutting comments. And frankly, I think she’s always been jealous of my friendship with Paul. For that, I almost feel sorry for her. And now that we’re older, she gets under my skin less. Finally.” Turning to James, she added, “But Freddie’s my right hand and therefore Susan probably sees her as an extension of me. So, I guess you were in for it, Freddie. Sorry.”

  James turned to Paul, whose mouth was in a grim line as if his thinking had mirrored her own. “You cast Susan knowing that she was this awful?”

  Cath reached out a hand to get James's attention. “He didn’t have any reason to know she was going to be this awful. To be fair, I think we were both hoping that she’d matured at least a little bit since college.”

  Not entirely true, at least in my case, but Paul can’t lose James's trust now.

  James’s gaze shifted from Cath to Paul, but he seemed mollified. Paul’s fingers interlaced with Cath’s and he squeezed her hand.

  “Anyway,” Paul said, “the entire experience has caused me to rethink the way I work. Suffice it to say that life is too short to hire people who might make everyone’s lives miserable, regardless of how talented they may be.”

  “I’ll drink to that,” James said, raising his beer bottle in salute. “Now. Let’s talk about anything other than Susan Vernon. I’m sick to death of her.”

  “Hear, hear,” Cath chorused with the rest, raising her glass.

  The conversation ranged to general gossip and a New York theater that was dealing with the fallout of a financial scandal. James was surprisingly knowledgeable about the business end of things.

  “I won’t necessarily be an actor forever,” James said, when Paul expressed surprise at the extent of his knowledge. “I’ve tried to learn what I can about producing in case I need to transition off the stage or behind the camera.”

  “Have you thought about directing?” Paul
asked. “Not that I need the competition.”

  “A little,” James said. “I wonder, though, if I’d miss acting too much if I continued to work that closely with the production side of things.”

  Cath glanced down at Freddie, who was looking at James with an expression of unabashed admiration.

  Adorable.

  When Freddie and James went to get refills on their drinks, Paul turned to murmur in Cath’s ear. “Ready to get out of here?”

  “Yeah,” she said, putting her glass down and picking up her satchel from a nearby chair. Waving their goodbyes to the rest of the group, they stepped out into the cooling night air.

  “Thank goodness the heat seems to be breaking,” she said.

  Paul looked over at her and rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand. “You’re really okay with this, aren’t you?”

  “Okay with what?”

  Waving his free hand back towards the restaurant. “The…scrutiny? No, that’s the wrong word. The attention, I guess. I wouldn’t have thought it of you. That you would be comfortable with it. You’ve said it yourself. You’re a behind-the-scenes person.”

  Cath shrugged. “I told you before. These are our friends. It’s not like we’ve been thrown to the wild beasts in the Roman Colosseum, with everyone rooting for us to crash and burn. Well, everyone but Susan, I expect.”

  “A moratorium on that woman as a topic of conversation,” Paul muttered.

  “Sure. But in a way, I think we have her to thank for this,” she said with a calm that surprised him.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, I had pretty well tamped down my feelings for you years ago. And then you and I had reached a level of comfort with each other, and…with Susan being back around it all felt like college again. And a lot of the feelings I sort of had for you from back then resurfaced.”