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Date Posted: 15:56:27 11/25/07 Sun
Author: Mary
Author Host/IP: cpe-72-224-142-55.maine.res.rr.com / 72.224.142.55
Subject: Characters & Shadows - Chapter 11
In reply to: Mary 's message, "Characters & Shadows - Cont." on 15:54:28 11/25/07 Sun

Chapter 11

Lisa walked into the theater with the confidence borne of a woman that knew her Daddy could get her anything she wanted whenever she wanted it. She knew that most of girls traveling with her only did so for her money and prestige, but that was fine with her. She could tell any of them what to do and they would always do it. That was just how the world was for Lisa.

So the moment that she heard voices and opened the theater door and saw what looked like a private audition taking place she did what she always did, she threw a fit. “What the hell is going on here!” she shouted in her best indignant voice.

Nikita looked up to see the petite dark haired woman coming toward the stage and she was yelling, “Just what is happening? Who is this tramp and why is she here?”

Michael saw Lisa immediately and after a seconds pause of surprise moved immediately to intercept her before she got to Nikita. But Walter had been closer than Michael, “Whoa there Lisa. Now just wait a minute.”

“Walter, get your hands off me and get out of my way!”

Madeline also moved quickly to defuse the situation as best she could, “Lisa, so good of you to come this evening. I know I was supposed to call but the time just got away from me. You know how these things go and…”

“Madeline, don’t try that with me. You and I both know that I was supposed to be on that stage tonight. Not some blonde amazon playing my part!”

Michael had moved to Nikita and was holding her elbow as she looked quite pale and he felt her slightly shaking. Nikita quietly asked, “Who is she?”

He wanted to reassure her but first he had to know what was happening, “Lisa why are you here? Madeline, what is she talking about?”

“I’m here to audition for Katernya, the Lead, of course. And instead I walk in on this….this…display….”

Madeline in damage control mode just smiled, “Michael, I did arrange for a private audition for Lisa and I should have let you know. I’m very sorry, these things can be difficult in keeping schedules correct. However now that Lisa is here…”

Paul who had been silent and in his seat, rose and used a tone that brokered no interruption, “Enough. Right now. This evening is over. Madeline, Lisa my office with no <i>entourage</i>, thank you. Michael see that ‘she’ gets hone. Now.”

*****

“This was to be my part. And Michael was to be mine also. You do remember the conversation in Milan don’t you Madeline? Or have you conveniently forgotten that discussion too? And Paul you know that you owe me fore attempting to float that last disastrous production that you tried to do. And you both know that I am perfect for this.” Lisa had been ranting on for the last few moments and Paul was at the end of his patience and Madeline knew it.

“Lisa, sweetie, I have carefully studied this script over the last couple of days and I have discovered a very surprising aspect of the play that I had not expected.”

Paul gave Madeline a look. He hated it when she would go down a line of thought that she hadn’t talked to him abut yet. She seemed to be doing it more and more lately and he needed to keep a very close eye on her. She was ambitious and she knew the hit that this show was destined to be. If she could somehow outwit him and try to take over the overall direction of the show than she wouldn’t hesitate. Her killer instinct was something that he both loved and hated about the beautiful woman.

She had been by his side for many years and he loved her there. As an assistant, a confidant and an occasional voracious lover. Keeping their relationship secret had been difficult over the years, but except for the occasional rumor there was never any evidence that could prove anything between them.

Paul knew the importance that their relationship remain discreet. Paul’s wife Corrine was a very wealthy and unstable woman. She was the only heir to a retail empire and her family worth was estimated in the $100s of millions. Paul would not give up that money no matter what. Madeline may have delusions of a future commitment, but for Paul he had too much invested in Corrine to take any chances at all. He wanted that money and he would have it, no matter what.

Lisa’s whine brought him back to the conversation, “Another part? What do you mean another part?”

“The other male lead in this show is Operations. He runs Section One. But the real power lies with his Second-In-Command, Maxine. She really runs the Section.”

Lisa was hesitant but listening, “Runs it how?”

“She is Chief Strategist. She knows everyone in Section, better than they know themselves, including Operations. She is the one that tracks the terrorists and really decides who goes on the missions. She is the real control in the Section and the real leading lady in this production.”

Paul had to hand it to Madeline, she was spinning this well and Lisa was thinking about it in that spoiled little brain of hers.

“So you are going to give the part to the overweight blonde?”

Paul knew how to field this one, “Her presence on the stage will just make yours look so much better. She will be out of control, and you will be calm and respected. She will not understand the ways of the Section, you will be the master. You will lead her, guide her, you will control her and the show.”

“Hm? So, Paul do I still get the same deal I talked with Maddie here about?”

“With a few concessions on both our parts, I’m sure it can be worked out.”

Lisa continued to think, she didn’t want to give in too easily. “And what about Michael?”

Madeline sat beside Lisa, very closely in a conspirator manner, “I have plans for that. I assure you that Michael will be yours, wrapped around your little finger, long before we ever head into opening night.”

Lisa wasn’t going to buy into that too quickly, not after this night, “And just how do you plan to make that happen Maddie?”

Madeline bristled at the shortened name that she hated, “Michael currently is attracted to Nikita. I won’t deny that. But he is used to working with strong professionals. I watched her tonight, she is not a strong person, she does not have what it takes to make it in this business. And we both know what it really takes to make it in theater. Don’t we Lisa?”

She gave a wry grin, “Of course, doesn’t everyone?”

“No actually. Not the simpleton Nikita. She will crush under the pressure of having this role. Trust me. Then Michael will see not only that she can’t handle the role but how different you and Nikita are. Your professionalism, grooming, grace and poise will naturally bring Michael to your side. The contrasts are striking and obvious.”

“If the are so obvious then it shouldn’t take too long for Michael to see this. Fine, I’ll do this. But my way, you know what I want. And I want Michael and the lead role of Katernya two weeks before opening night. If they aren’t mine I will walk and I’ll make sure that no other actress get near this production.”

With a huff she rose and as she opened the door she turned back, “Call my agent about the other details to be arranged. And if wither of you are betraying me, you will never work in theater again and you both know it.”

*****

The drive to Nikita’s apartment had been quiet, too quiet for Michael. When she went to get out of the car when he pulled up in front of her building he placed a hand on her arm, “Nikita. May I come up? We need to talk.”

She hesitated and let out a sigh, “I don’t think so. It’s late and I have to work iun the morning.”

“It’s important I think. And I’ll only stay for a few moments.” At her silence he added a last, “Please?”

She looked at him and nodded yes. She wondered how anyone ever denied him something with those eyes.

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