"Evil?" I think about how she's treated Paisley—like her own child. "Evil, no. But scary. Intimidating. And I didn't want to upset you by pursuing a career."
"Tabitha, you're a fool if you don't pursue a career, if that's what you want to do. If you're content staying at home, then stay at home. But don't let fear hold you back. Even fear of me. I'd love to see this show, but I don't see me traveling any time soon. But maybe I can video chat with Paisley, when you get a chance."
After we sign off, my mind is totally abuzz.Don't let fear hold you back.
Those six words should lift a tremendous weight off my shoulders, but somehow, I'm just as paralyzed as ever. So I have Anastasia Jerome's blessing. What does that mean? What do I do with that?
Good God, I'm just as lost as ever. Too bad there's no Google Maps to help me figure out my life.
Chapter 32: Henderson
Last season we nearly hit a catastrophic roadblock when our star walked out the week ofChicagoopening. She was a big name for Broadway, and we were expecting to lose everything when we lost her.
Thanks to Gloria and Carson Reuben, The Edison was saved.
But those once in a lifetime, buzzer-beater passes wouldn't be so phenomenal if they occurred all the time. There's no way we might be so lucky as to escape this massive mess.
Grayson and I have been at this for an hour already when Tabitha walks in. We look at her morosely and go back to not having any answers.
"I guess we could fudge the tricks. Like have whoever we cast just hold onto the silks and hoops, but not actually do anything?"
Grayson's provided the only real solution, but I feel as if we're copping out. We had a vision for this show, which included an aerial act. That would have sold it to Broadway. I mentally cross my fingers as I shift through the stack of applications, looking for the one other person besides Jasmine who'd checked aerial experience.
Terrence Masters.
"Well, that's not going to help."
"What's not going to help?" Tabitha's voice rings in bright and chipper.
"The only other bloke who auditioned and listed aerial experience is, well, a bloke. He's not right for the part of Anne."
"Not unless you make it Andrew." Tabitha quips.
You know, thatcouldwork. It certainly fits the taboo love story for the time period. "It's a thought."
She shrugs. "I know, a stupid one. Let's face it, no one ever accused me of being the brains of the operation here, and if you're listening to me for ideas, you're probably pretty screwed."
Grayson laughs. "We're pretty screwed, so what else you got?"
Tabitha starts shuffling through the resumes and headshots. "Anne is Black, right? You need that, I'm guessing."
I nod, watching her as she tucks a lock of blonde hair behind her ear. "Okay, I'll sort these. Then you guys go from there."
I look at Grayson who nods in agreement. Normally we'd never make casting decisions on something so superficial. In a minute, Tabitha hands me a pile. A very small pile. The pickings are slim.
"I put this one on top because she's a ballerina, so would probably look the part of a trapeze artist at least. She could like, do bendy stuff."
I glance down. "Ugh, no. It's number seventy-two." I look up to see both Grayson and Tabitha staring at me. "She couldn't even figure out what name to put on her application. We don't need someone who brings that kind of baggage here."
Tabitha shrugs. "I'm pretty sure we all come with our own baggage, Henderson. I have lots of it. But since it's mostly Louis Vuitton, no one seems to mind. Give this woman a chance. You never know what she'll do."
I want to believe in her words. I want to take her advice. "I need whoever steps up to be able to do this without thinking. This one," I wave her headshot, "couldn't make up her mind between her stage name and her real name."
"Could she dance?" Grayson asks.
I think back. I was distracted by Tabitha texting me, but she did all the steps properly. Quite well, actually. "Yes, Morgan liked her. She's the alternate for Lise. I would have considered her strongly in the running for the actual part if she'd been more together personally."
"I'm not together personally, and you casted me," Tabitha offers.
