Dress Rehearsal (I know most people think that in theater there�s only one dress rehearsal. Untrue! In my school we always have at least three. So think of this as the first of three.)
Picture it: Forty people are gathered in a high school auditorium. They are spread out, but people are constantly running from one group to another. The scene is chaotic. Belle is finishing costume fittings on one end, with Carrie�s help.
Kay is running this way and that, checking dates, props, and �details.� The actors are in groups of two, running lines, getting their hair and makeup done, talking, chatting, and bitching. The crew is the busiest of all. They are running all over the stage, hanging microphones, lights, and practicing scene changes. Tempers are running short. Everyone is nervous about the show. Mr. Serensits is the most nervous of all.
Mickey stood on the cherry picker/lift moving the hanging lights and microphones. Other crew people (nameless extras) stand at the base, keeping the basket steady. Lily stood across from them. �Are you busy?� She asked.
�Yeah, a little.� He said sarcastically, hanging lights.
�I don�t suppose you could run lines with me?� The crew people snickered as a light crashed to the floor.
Mickey looked down. �You know your lines Lily. What�s up with you today?�
She looked down at the ground, blushing fiercely. �Nothing. I just want to practice the scene where I come back from the �dead.��
�Jimmy�s your opposite. Where�s he?�
�Running lines with Erica.� Lily answered in a delighted tone.
�Ask your mom.� He advised succinctly. �I hear she has a lot of practice coming back from the dead.� The second he said it he wished he could take it back.
Lily�s face crumbled. �Why are you being so mean today?� She demanded, as she turned around and fled.
Mickey�s shoulders drooped, and for once no one made any �smart� comments. �Pick that up.� He barked to one of the people standing at the base of the machine.
Belle noticed Lily�s abrupt departure. �Here.� She shoved the scissors into Lyssa�s hand. Lyssa stared at them for a second, then began to cut fabric with patience.
Eli stalked up to her. In a loud tone he began, �Put those down. It�s time for us to go.�
Lyssa kept her eyes on the fabric. �Not yet.� She said softly.
�What did you say?� He demanded in a quieter tone.
�NOT YET.� Lyssa said in a firm tone. �I�m not finished. Go home if you think you have to.�
Riley, drawn like a moth to flame to their argument heard the last statement with delight. �It�s about time they split up. They�re absolutely sickening together.�
Eli stared at her for a moment without comprehension. �Are you telling me no?� He finally asked.
Lyssa stared into his eyes. �Eli, all I�m saying is I�m not finished. If you are, no one�s asking you to stay.�
He looked deep into her blue eyes. �Fine, you know what, I have better things to do.� He stomped off, resembling nothing in the world so much as a sulky three year old.
�Eli,� Lyssa sighed, dropping the scissors and cloth and trotting after him. �Wait.�
Riley made a sour face as Mr. Serensits called her attention sharply. �Just when things were getting good too! I�ll have to keep an eye on the lovebirds.� She smirked.
They rushed past Brady Black on their way out the door. He watched them go. �Why is she wasting herself on him?� He wondered. �She could have any guy in the world.�
�Including you?� A mocking voice called shrilly.
Whirling Brady found himself staring at his aunt, Vivian Alamain. Shuddering, Brady stared at her. �Aunt Viv!� He exclaimed. �You startled me.�
�What are you doing standing outside a school staring off at some little blond girl who probably never gave her pretty little head two shakes about anything, let alone you?� Vivian demanded.
Brady flushed. �She�s very bright.� He defended Lyssa. �She�s just a little younger than I am is all.�
�That doesn�t matter!� Vivian asserted. �You want love, you fight for it. If you ever want any advice on that subject�� She trailed off suggestively.
�What? I ask you?� He said humorlessly.
�Well you don�t have to go all huffy about it!� Vivian exclaimed.
�Sorry Aunt Viv,� He said in the patient tone he reserved for elderly, eccentric relatives. �What�s your advice?�
�Come closer.� She whispered.
He took a deep breath and did so.
When his ear was right against her lips he whispered again, �What is it?�
�DON�T ASK ME!� Vivian cackled, enjoying watching Brady jump.
�What?� Brady was extremely confused.
�Do you want to wind up like me? All alone in your old age, no husband, or in your case wife, no children except your darling nieces and nephews, no lover, knowing everyone around you thinks you�re crazy and knowing that they�re probably right?� Vivian asked.
Brady felt a sudden pang of sympathy. �I don�t think you�re entirely crazy. And you�re far from loveless. After all, you do have Ivan and Celeste.�
�Stuff and Nonsense! You stop feeling sorry for me right this instant young man. Or I will be forced to put this cane to good use whacking your behind!� Vivian ordered, with her inimitable spirit, pounding the aforementioned cane against the ground once for emphasis.
Brady stared at her. �All right.� He said. �I actually believe that you would.�
Vivian smirked.
�Do you want to come inside and watch Lily�s play practice or do you have other things to do?�
�I�ll come in.� Vivian said grandly. �Lead on.�
Brady offered his arm and led her inside the auditorium. She settled herself in the back watching the hustle and bustle.
Lyssa came back in moments later. Her cheeks were flushed, but if it was from cold or crying no one could quite tell. One thing was for certain: she was alone. Brady watched sympathetically, but didn�t dare to approach. She began cutting the fabric with unmatched zeal, working recklessly with dulled scissors and blurry eyes.
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