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As they walked, Tracy hustled to match their pace. “You know,” Tracy said, “I’m sure you hear this all the time, but I’m a huge fan. I’ve seen all your movies. I’m not going to be weird about it, I just want to state, for the record, that I actually enjoy what you do. Maye is the one who doesn’t.”
“Hey! That’s not true!” Maye defended herself. “Well, it’s not entirely true…” she added. “I’ve come to understand that these movies serve a purpose, and, for the record, you’re my favorite TV movie actor.”
“Name one other TV movie actor,” Tracy challenged.
“I don’t want to right now,” Maye said in a snooty voice.
Chris laughed, “Okay, enough work talk, let’s see what we have here,” he said as they stepped up to the catering tables.
He proceeded to walk them through all of the food options, giving his recommendations, favorite combinations, and even explained the special requests he made to Chef when he was missing his favorite meals from home.
“Maye, Tracy,” Chris said as they all squeezed into the miniature seats at the kids table, “this is Ashley, Alec, and Marcus. They’re also in this production.”
“Hi ladies,” Ashley said.
Oh!” Tracy leaned forward excitedly. “Let me guess…Ashley, you’re the school district superintendent and you need to work closely with Chris’s character, the school principal, to institute massive budget cuts. Marcus, you’re the custodian who has a crush on her, and Alec, you’re the new teacher who has all the flashy, creative ideas on how the school can save the arts program. Was I close?” Tracy sat in anticipation and looked around the table.
“Well,” Ashley said, “you got the bones of it right. We are working in a school. My character is directing the school holiday play and is Chris’s character’s love interest,” she extended her hand for a kiss and dramatically fluttered her eyelashes.
Marcus waved a few fingers in the air. “And I am the gym teacher ex-boyfriend who’s not quite over her. Nice to meet you, ladies.”
Alec playfully bumped Marcus’s arm out of the way to shake hands with Maye and Tracy. “And I am the science teacher who has had a crush on Ashley’s character and has been patiently waiting for his opportunity because he knows he would be the far superior relationship companion.”
“Why do you do that?” Marcus looked at Alec with skepticism.
“Why do I do what?” Alec said.
“Why do you talk like that? Superior relationship companion? Who says that?”
Chris leaned over and whispered in Maye’s ear. “They do this a lot where they improv lines in character to develop their rapport quickly. It’s funny when you know they’re not being serious.”
Alec straightened his posture and folded his hands in front of him. “Well, maybe if you occasionally used your brain for reading instead of constantly absorbing dodgeballs then you could also have the vocabulary of a fully developed adult.”
“Why don’t you recommend a book then? Give me something to put my brain to work? What do you like to read, anyway?”
“Well,” Alec’s posture softened, “I read a variety of books. I, of course, am a lover of great literary works, I also enjoy high-concept thrillers and mysteries, and I have great admiration for the horror genre.”
“Like Stephen King?” Marcus leaned in a bit.
“Yes, definitely Stephen King. He’s one of the great storytellers of our generation.”
“That’s cool,” Marcus crossed his arms across his chest and leaned back.
“I may be a little out of my depth here, but do you mind if I make an observation?” Maye looked around the table for confirmation before putting her foot in her mouth.
“She’s a professional psychologist,” Chris added, “so we probably want to hear what she has to say.”
“Okay…” Maye turned to face Marcus. “What you just did there, Marcus, with your arms. As soon as your character connected with Alec’s character over Stephen King, you closed yourself off. Did you notice that?”
Marcus shook himself loose. “I…uh…I don’t think so? I was just doing it instinctually, I suppose. I hadn’t planned it out.”
“Well it’s a really interesting character choice,” Maye said. “You’re saying, without saying, that you aren’t comfortable with this personal connection that’s occurring. You are creating physical distance and protecting yourself. You know, in my world, there’s been quite a lot of research into this idea of, well, what’s largely understood as ‘bromance,’ but there’s really a lot more to it. Am I safe to assume that Chris’s character ends up with Ashley’s character? And you two,” she pointed at Alec and Marcus, “are left in the dust?”
Ashley plopped her chin onto her folded hands, “Yup! Everyone’s favorite music teacher and theater teacher are getting married!”
“Congrats you two, we’re all very happy for you,” Alec said. “As for us,” he continued, “are you saying that my character and Marcus’s character should develop a bromance?”
Maye suddenly worried that she might be stepping on the toes of their creative process, or even worse, insulting the work they’ve done. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I know it’s not my place to interfere with the creative process and I’m sure you’ve worked really hard and already have the script memorized and—”
