Alex's POV
A few days had passed since that dreaded audition. I didn't think much of it, since I had other more important things to do.
The time for the real play was drawing closer day by day. Clocks began to tick quicker by the minute and time started drifting away like a restless river. In short, it was panic time.
Just like any other, that day too I was sitting in my makeshift literature studio, situated in the corner of the stage. It was a small space with a tan wooden table and a small chair of the same color. Books of various sizes and manuscripts were spread across its surface as I tried to overcome my writer's block and get the process going.
'Ughhh... How do I even organise all this?'
I thought to myself, while pulling my hair hard.
Suddenly, my phone lit up. It was a message from Margie.
'Don't forget to submit the third manuscript by today 5pm sharp.'
'I also wanted to talk to you about something, I'll be there by two.'
I shot a glance at the time. It was 1:55 pm.
The messages were no less that death bells to me. Margie is very particular about submissions and she doesn't joke around with this one thing. If she tells she needs a submission later, she'll check in two hours before.
I frantically began shuffling papers, trying to number them correctly.
Amidst all that, I felt a pulse rise higher in my chest, a feeling that told me today wouldn't be that ordinary.
"1... 2... 5... 6... 7... Wait, what? Where is 3 and 4?".
I couldn't process my thoughts as I scurried to line up the papers in order. I found everything else. 3 and 4 were no where to be seen. Beads of sweat began to form on my forehead as I freaked out. I began to look around in panic. On the chair, under the books, behind the table, they were no where to be seen. They had simply vanished.
I was shifting gazes randomly, hoping my peripherals catch something. At that moment, I saw white squares beside the table. I looked closely. It was definitely the missing 3 and 4.
Is it just me or things that get lost suddenly also appear suddenly out of nowhere in plain sight?
I got up my chair and walked beside the table a few feet away and sat down to gather the papers. While gathering 3 and 4, I noticed some garbage on the ground. A crumpled chips packet and an empty soda can lay at my mercy, probably discarded by the actors thinking it's just an empty corner of the hall.
I picked the papers and the garbage and stood up, with an unusual jolt of uneasy feelings sweeping over me.
"Alex, can we talk now?"
It was Margie.
I turned back to look at her as my gaze shifted to the person next to her. I froze.
The shock that rose within my body would have been a 100 volts at least. It could power an entire street. I froze in my place, as I felt the blood rush to my head, leaving me pale and cold to touch.
"Y-you?" I stuttered as I fell hard on my chair.
It was difficult to forget that face. Those expressive brown eyes, the sculpted face, the round nose, there was no way it was any other. It was him, the one from the auditions. The one who almost attacked me.
"Oh you remember!" Margie exclaimed as she chuckled.
"Of course I remember. Who wouldn't? But what is he doing here?" I questioned back.
"I would tell you in detail but I have to bounce now. Any guesses where I am going?"
She was dressed quite fancy today. A black cocktail dress with gold accents, her very auburn curly hair tied into a messy bun and her dark skin was glowing.
She had deep set dark brown eyes decorated with bronze eyeshadow and deep mauve lips which curled downwards when she laughed. Her face was round but her jawline was sharper than average.
Her build was petite which is why she was fine with me sitting and talking to her.
"Another party tonight?" I gave a sure shot answer.
"Correct! Due to that, I don't have much time and have to leave now. Please help Ben get familiarised with the rest, he'll be working with us."
After saying which, she immediately rushed out of the hall, leaving him in my care, again. For the first five minutes, I was in denial. Like it can't be true.
" So... Uh... My name is Alex." I mindlessly presented my hand forward for a handshake," I'll introduce you to everyo-"
"Did you write the audition script?" He interrupted me with a blunt response, rejecting my handshake. He walked closer to me.
Small bouts of fury began to manifest in my eyes. He rejected my handshake? As if I'm dying to shake his hands? My thoughts were a mess so I couldn't comprehend what happened so I began to give him the benefit of doubt.
Maybe he's just a little nervous?
I thought to myself.
"The character was so flawed." He seemed to be having no intentions to stop. "How is the character so respectful to his family yet not to others? It doesn't make sense."
I had no words to say. Did he throw his manners before coming to me? Is he an expert in this? Did he study character complexity? If not, nothing he said made sense.
While curiosity took charge of my mind at that time, my anger soon followed suit, making me fume with rage.
I could only smirk at his words.
"This attitude won't take you that far." He stated. "Heed to my advice and you'll do better."
Does he really not plan to stop or something? Am I going to have to deal with this on the daily? There's no way this is happening with me.
Life can't be this unfair.
I scoffed at him hard as I picked up my papers, with a consistent smile on my face, as the last hanging thread of my sanity.
"I'll come back to you, till then familiarise yourself with the hall, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact Margie. I have a lot to do, so I'll be leaving now."
I ran out of the hall as fast as I could.
Maybe he isn't that bad? Or maybe he won't be there for long.
Wrong.
He stayed for three months.
And he was that bad.