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Date Posted: 18:13:30 12/08/07 Sat
Author: Mary
Author Host/IP: cpe-72-224-142-55.maine.res.rr.com / 72.224.142.55
Subject: Characters & Shadows - Chapter 17 (Note inside)
In reply to: Mary 's message, "Characters & Shadows - Cont." on 18:11:16 12/08/07 Sat

If you missed Chapter 16 below, please take a moment to read (if you can). Pretty important setup chapter for what is to come)

Thanks!!!



Chapter 17

Walter found Michael exactly where he thought he would be, the small coffee shop just down the block from the theater. Michael had spent a lot of time in this spot after the Elana situation. This is where Michael came to think.

Michael knew Walter was there right away, he never sat with his back to the door. Michael didn’t know where this came from, but ever since he could remember he had always had a heightened sense of his surroundings at all time. He could tell you how many people were in the shop at all points in time, where the exit points were, how many cars were parked out front and their make and model, what the people were wearing that were sitting in the shop and what they were drinking. He knew if they were right or left handed.

And at the moment Michael knew that Walter wanted to talk, “Afternoon Walter.”

“Thought I might find you here.”

“You knew exactly where I was.”

“Yeah, yeah I did. What are you doing here? Madeline is looking for you.” Walter’s face showed a small smile at this as he sat down with his old friend.

“I’m sure she is.”

“This about Nikita?”

“Isn’t everything?”

“Phew. Got it that bad already huh?”

Michael just nodded.

“Does she know?”

“I don’t know. She’s….”

“Frustrating?”

“I don’t know if I would use that word. But she is a puzzle. She doesn’t know me from anyone else on the street, she’s at the theater but doesn’t want to be, she’s an amazing actress that doesn’t want to act, she has a past that she refuses to even speak of and something scares her to death.”

“Yeah she’s a complicated one. But she’s also gorgeous. You’re good at gorgeous.”

“But I’m bad at complicated. Nikita is complicated. But I can’t stop thinking about her. That smile, how gentle she is, the way she carries herself in her walk, particularly when she is a little nervous and she chews on her bottom lip. That is so adorable.”

Walter just shook his head, “Oh you are in trouble. You’re in love my boy. All consuming soul-stopping love.”

“No I can’t be. I’ve barely known her a week!”

“You think that matters to love? Real love, not that flighty hormone induced stuff you’ve been playing at with the ladies, but real love has rules all of it’s own. You can’t control it.”

“I don’t think so Walter. She doesn’t really want me near her.”

He grinned with a knowing look in his eye, “Have you and her….you know?”

“No, Walter! No.” Walter sat waiting knowing the younger man wanted to tell him something else, “But something happened when I kissed her that I’ve never felt before. It was like the word just stopped around us. I mean really it was like it was only her and me and we were… this sounds so stupid. What is wrong with me?”

“You’re in love. Plain and simple. It turns us into gushy saps. Trust me I’ve been there. Sit back and enjoy it my friend. Nothing better in the world.”

“If you’re right, then I have a very big problem.”

“Ah. You don’t know how she feels about you.”

“It’s always been so easy with other women. They fall all over themselves to tell me how much they like my work, or my acting, or other….things. You know…”

“Yeah, I know.” Walter chuckled. “There’s enough articles written about your ass to paper a very, very large room. I personally never saw the appeal.”

That got a smile from Michael, “Trust me I’m glad about that.”

The friends fell quiet for a few moments. “You know that Madeline had already made a deal with Lisa for the lead role.” Walter stated.

“I had heard some rumors. But didn’t know if they were true.”

“Oh they are true alright. And I don’t see it as a good sign that Lisa has ‘decided’ to play the other role.”

“Do you think she might cause trouble?”

“When has Lisa not caused trouble?”

“Good point.”

Walter chose his next words carefully, “You are going to need to keep a close eye on Nikita. She isn’t used to the ways that things can be during a production. Particularly one were the stakes are so high. If you know what I mean.”

“Yeah I know. I know. Paul and Madeline remind me all the time that Section One must be a hit at all costs.”

“You think Nikita will be ok through the pressure? She’s a newbie.”

Michael thought a while, “I think there is something very well hidden about Nikita. But she is a strong person, I can see it in her eyes.”

“She’s gonna’ need to be.”

“And I’ll be there for her. I’ll make sure she is ok.”

“That may be harder than you think.”

“Why?”

“They already wrote a contract for Nikita and there’s a clause for her to lose 20 lbs. Madeline was <i>nice</i> enough to purchase a gym membership and morning workouts at 5:00 for our new leading lady.”

“That’s ridiculous. Nikita is fine as she is. I’m going to talk to Madeline….”

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Things are happening here with Paul and Maddie that are being kept pretty hush-hush. They are up to something, let me keep an eye on it for a little bit.”

“I’m not going to let them place absurd restrictions in her contract.”

“Then you should go and talk to her about it before she signs, if she hasn’t already. You worry about Nikita, let me focus on the other two.”

“I want to know what is going on when you find out. I won’t let anything happen to Nikita.”

*****

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