"I sure hope he's serious about finishing by sunset, I have an audition tonight,” Deon said, as he stood beside me in the wings.
"I'll bet you money we'll be done by sunset," I said, turning to him. "What's your audition for?"
"TV," he said. "It would conflict, but I'm not going to get it. One role, open call. Every actor in the area will be trying. I'm just going to practise auditioning for when we're out there in the real world and have no choice." He smiled at me. "Although apparently you needed no pro audition practice."
"There's some sort of stigma attached to winning a scholarship here," I replied. "And it could be good or bad."
"Looks like it's good in this case," Deon said, as the lights dimmed and the opening music started.
They were very different Beasts, as Liam had mentioned, but I felt like it gave me more freedom. I tried a few things, timidly at first, and then with more courage the second time as Liam nodded approvingly at me. This rehearsal felt so much better, my character flowing through me.
At the end of the last scene, Liam took my hand, turning me towards the nearly empty audience.
"The multi talented Amy, ladies and gentlemen,” he said, and they applauded. I blushed, taking a clumsy curtsy.
"Alright, that's it for today," he said, clapping his hands. "Everyone out and lock the door behind you. Amy, stay a bit longer to go over a few things?"
"Uh..." I glanced at the setting sun, raising an eyebrow. He held my gaze pleadingly, and so I shrugged. I guessed what was coming, but I was in too good of a mood to care.
I sat on the edge of the stage, dangling my legs and saying goodbye to the rest of the cast. When we were finally alone with the door locked, he spoke.
"You were spectacular today," he said softly, and I just shrugged, watching the sunset out of the window.
“Well, at least for half the day."
"Amy," he came to sit beside me. I could already see the beginning of the transformation in his face. “I wasn't there, although I'm sure I will hear it from Shannon later. But I will say this: your talent is beyond belief and everyone knows it. I have never seen anyone with such natural talent and ability. If your technical skills are a bit rusty, then that's fine. Most performers train for years before getting their first job. You know this industry is more than just talent."
"I just felt...like a fish out of water," I said, sighing. "Everything I did was wrong."
"Did she ever call you out on your acting ability? Or just your technical skills?"
"Just tech," I said, and he nodded.
"See."
A silence fell over us, and I turned to face him. I could already see his fangs starting to grow.
"Do you want to go?" I asked, and he sighed, shaking his head.
"No. If you're alright, I'd like to keep going. But only if you're alright, Amy. Because you being tired may help me, but not you."
Realizing he was talking about the quality of my blood at the moment, I took a deep breath.
"I'm tired, but...why? Can't we do this in the morning when you're not..."
"The show runs at 8pm at night, Amy," he said. "Under the Beast makeup, I'll be in full transformation. So I have to get used to feeling this way now."
"What about when you're the prince?" I asked, and he smiled.
"I'll have my own private dressing room, and Porsche the multi-talented will do my makeup."
"But with all those...humans...in the audience..." I said, and he stood up, grinning.
"I have two ways around that. The first is that yes, there will be private citizens and media in attendance. But they will be sold seats in the back row and even then, the prices will be so high, barely anyone will come. It's a media stunt, that’s all."
"And the front row?" I asked, and he grinned.
"It's being billed as a charity event. Rich snobs will purchase a ticket to donate to a child; a sick child who wants more than anything to see their favorite actor up close and personal. Win win."
I laughed out loud. It was genius, even I had to admit it. With rows and rows of excited, infected children, Liam would be fine.
"But what's the second way?" I asked, confused. He smirked, going to his bag on the stage. From it, he pulled a bottle of wine.
"Booze, my dear, is the solution to all the world's problems."
"Classy," I said, getting up. Around other people, I would have to control my sarcasm, but I felt Liam always knew when I was being funny and not being hurtful. Liam smiled, taking a mock bow.
"Do you want some? Or perhaps?" he reached into his bag, pulling out a bottle of water. I took the water, unscrewing the cap. "A toast. To the magic of theater," he said, and I grinned, clinking my bottle against his.