The Gifted Student Pt. 06

Mia nearly snorted her milk through her nose at the punchline of Toby's joke, causing renewed laughter from the rest of us. Toby, Laura, Liv, Mallory, Mia, and I were all hanging out in the solarium of the dining hall, enjoying a bit of after lunch sun. Outside it was a crisp winter day, but the cloudless sky helped alleviate the winter blues a bit.

Liv was sitting there with her elbows on the table, looking unnaturally distracted.

Toby asked, "Hey Liv, are you okay?"

"Sorry, my mind is just elsewhere. This afternoon they are going to announce the assignments for the Senior Showcase, and I am feeling all the emotions. I'm excited for the possibilities, dreading rejection, wanting a good role, and fearing I'll not be considered good enough."

"So tell us about it," I said. "Walk us through it."

Liv grinned, "Tara, you know when a performer gets personal and dramatic in front of a crowd like this, usually we charge admission."

Everyone laughed when Mia jumped in, "Usually when a crowd like this gathers, we know it is a show worth attending. Until then, just spill it."

Liv laughed as well before setting into her tale. "Okay, every spring the performing arts department have a couple of showcase shows designed to give the Senior students chances to present capstone projects to their career here at Roxbury. There is a big involved process between the Seniors and their advisors, matching the various Senior directors, technical specialists, and performers into leadership teams that will best allow their abilities to shine. Usually there is a director, a production designer, and a feature performer or two, depending on the project. Then, to fill out the cast and crew, the underclassmen go through an interview process before being drafted by each project lead."

"God, what a convoluted process," Mia said.

"It is," Liv said, "but it is a practical lesson in theatrical life. It is designed that way to teach the production leaders how to get the resources and talent you need to put on a production. The rest of us learn how to sell yourself as the talent needed to be in the productions you want to be a part of.

"Over the last week I have participated in four or five of these interviews. There was a variety of projects I put in for. The most likely scenario given I'm a freshman with musical theater skills is a group doing selections from 'You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.' Don't get me wrong, it is an okay show, and being Lucy or Pattie there would be better than being the maid in the murder drama I also put in for as a safety. At least I would be singing and dancing. But it is a community theatre repertory piece. It is small, safe, and not particularly challenging. I heard it was only getting done because the Production Designer is a huge Snoopy fan, and has developed the plans for a set piece that could be patentable if it actually works.

"But there is one production that absolutely everyone wants to join. Two of the legends of Roxbury theatre, director Cory Brockman and actor Elijah Malloch are joining forces to do a lavish production of 'Selections from The Greatest Showman.' I mean, these two are capital G Good. It will not surprise me in the least if both of them one day bear the title 'Tony award winner.' If half the rumors I am hearing are true, it is going to be an incredible production. Cory and Elijah are pulling in all the best people they have worked with over the years to do an all-out, over the top show. They're already calling the people expected to be on the crew the A-Team."

I said, "The movie was big on spectacle, making Barnum's circus so evocative and stylized. That is a huge challenge if the A-Team is attempting to keep up."

Liv nodded. "All signs point to them making an epic production. Yesterday, I got the chance to interview with them. I was so excited. I'm not expecting to actually get a part, but it is one of those networking opportunities where maybe someday in the future, it might lead to something. But I think I ruined my chance. They asked the question, 'Now as a sightless performer, what do you think of the song 'This Is Me'?' I replied, 'It is a really boss song. It fulfills its purpose in the movie perfectly. But for me personally, it is the song I relate to the least in the entire movie. Philosophically, I relate much more to 'A Million Dreams,' or 'Rewrite the Stars.' 'This is Me' only makes sense if you feel bad about the hand life has dealt you. And though I experience the world different through being blind, it is different, not something lesser. I am as good a performer as anyone here. My standing goal when I join a production is on opening night, the audience never notices my blindness.

"The interview wrapped up fairly quick from that point." Liv said. "I may have been overly honest, but I was true to myself. I had a sneaking suspicion that there was some well-meaning stunt casting in the works. You know, have the blind girl sing the 'You should accept the different people' theme song 'This is Me.' But you all know me well enough to know that ISN'T me. I don't want to be Liv the Blind Performer. I want to be Liv the Performer, who happens to be blind, blind being as unimportant or as disadvantageous as being left-handed."

Laura asked, "What is stunt casting?"

Mallory answered, "It is a practice of giving a role to someone for reasons outside of their abilities, usually to make a joke or commentary in a meta, extra-textual way. It is usually a small part, because typically they can't handle a main role. For example, let's say you are doing a Sherlock Holmes production. You could cast the local chief of police as the gentleman who hires Holmes to solve the mystery. In Liv's case, they would be hiring her because she is blind, the closest the department has to a true circus freak show performer like the bearded lady who sings 'This is Me' in the movie. It is just cheap virtue signaling for people to show how enlightened they are, and I, for one, am glad Liv isn't enabling them."

"It would be awesome if there was a way to join that cast without being the bearded lady," said Liv, "but 'This is Me' is such a breakout hit you almost have to do it. And choosing to stand against playing the only certain female role in the production, I don't have much of a chance of finding my way in."

Mia said to Liv, "Let's make a deal. I am going to offer to give you a prime role in The Greatest Showman, with all the fame and perks. There is a cost, however. You have to play the bearded lady, you have to sing 'This is Me,' and everyone is going to make a huge deal about your blindness. Otherwise, you are playing your safety part, the maid. Do you take the deal?"

Liv thought a moment, then said, "I have to say no. As much as I want to be part of that cast, that situation would be a millstone around my neck careerwise. I would be inviting people to cast me as a professional stunt-cast performer forever more. My dreams are more than a single performance, even if it is memorable."

"So even if it is the maid, will you be okay?" I challenged.

"If my career were never to launch, I would probably look back to question whether or not one moment of sold-out glory would have been better than nothing at all, but yeah, I'll be okay. As my dreams come closer to actually happening, I am optimistic I will get to experience at least some of them. Better to wait a bit to get the right opportunity."

"You know we will be there regardless, right, Liv?" Toby chimed in. "Whether it is a maid, Peppermint Patty, a bearded lady, or whatever it is that you end up doing, including if you are just taking tickets in the box office. We will be there with you."

"Thanks guys. That means a lot. Really," Liv said gratefully. "The difference between being on Broadway and being a dramatics teacher in the middle of a corn field somewhere is so miniscule. Knowing that there are people unconditionally on your side allows you to take the chances needed to fly."

Mia looked at her watch. "Speaking of flying, it's time for me to fly to my O-Chem lab. Don't worry, Liv. The right part will be there for you."

Most of my friends had classes in their majors to head off to, but Mallory, Laura, and I had a free period. We had fallen in the habit of studying together while the rest of the crew was away.

"Where do you want to study?" I asked.

"Eh, doesn't matter to me," said Mallory. "Let's use my room."

As we were settling in, Laura stepped over to look at a framed print that was new. "Wow, that is pretty picture, Mallory."

It was a color sketch of vintage flapper girl in a stereotypical roaring twenties dress. The odd thing about it was its pairing with a full-face Japanese ceramic mask. It was a completely modern, lightly painted geisha mask that you might find in a tourist giftshop. The mask was of surprisingly low quality considering its owner. Mallory's family was quite well off, and she tended to have nice things.

Mallory smiled an odd smile. "Yep, I picked it up in Paris. You want to hear the story behind it?"

"Sure," Laura replied.

"The story is rather racy, Laura. It is going to make you blush. You still want to hear it?"

This caught both Laura's and my attention. Laura was titillated at the prospect, but I was surprised. Mallory tended to be on the private side. If she was getting ready to tell a tale that was going to make Laura blush, that wasn't typical of her. This was promising to be interesting.

Laura nodded, "I can handle it."

Mallory nodded her head. "Now, if anyone else ever asks me about this tale, I will deny it outright. As far as the world is concerned, it absolutely, positively, never happened. Now you both know over Christmas my family went to visit my aunt who lives in Paris. She is with the embassy there."

Everyone in Lincoln House had been treated to Mallory's travelogue. She had been excited to be going and we were interested hearing about it. She told us of Christmas greens in the old city, fine food, and amazing lighting displays, all done with the French attention to detail. As much as I was trying not to be jealous, Paris at Christmastime had found its way onto my travel bucket list based on her experience.

"The shopping in Paris is just unreal. New York comes close with fashion, but just down the street from the best fashion boutiques in Paris are these wonderful antique shops. There are these hole in the wall shops where two hundred year objects are just starting to be interesting enough to curate. If you keep your eyes open, you can find some treasures in the gap between what is old to us Americans and what is old to the French.

"Anyways, I was prowling some shops in the Village Saint-Paul. It is great for antiquing because it isn't very touristy. I mean in some of the shops around the corner from the big hotels, they'll sell the tourists a spoon stamped "Made in France" as a Napoleonic treasure, with a price to match." Mallory shook her head. Knowing her, I knew it offended her both that the proprietors were such con men, and that the buyers were such easy marks.

She continued, "I had found just what I was looking for in a shop. Something smallish, but filled to the rafters with bric-a-brac. It was perfect. In those places, you can ignore the front of the shelves because that is usually tawdry trash. But if you look carefully you can usually find some touch of treasure that the owner forgot that they had. I was digging in the back room, when I found it.

She pointed to the print on the wall. "Tara, what do you think of that?"

I said, "It is a quality print of the fashion of about 100 years ago. I can see your attraction to it, given your love of fashion and couture. But I don't see why you are making a big deal of it. I could go down to the campus bookstore today and find a print almost as good."

Mallory shook her head. "Tara, you always surprise me. When I am sure you will see things, you just miss them." She opened her desk drawer, and pulled out a small magnifying glass. "Take a closer look at the lithography."

I had seen enough Antiques Roadshow on TV to know that magnifying a lithographic print would just show you the dots of the printing process, rather akin to looking at pixels on a TV. To appease her, I took a look through the magnifying glass. I was shocked when I did not see the expected regular pattern of dots.

I pivoted to Mallory, who was smiling at me. "That's not a print, is it. That's an actual sketch." I turned back to the print to reappraise it. "That is an actual sketch of couture, labeled Chanel and 1924. Is it authentic and vintage?"

Mallory nodded, "I believe so. One more thing; the artist is Coco Chanel herself."

I looked at Mallory in disbelief.

"You have a genuine Coco Chanel couture sketch, and you hung it in your dorm room?" I said incredulously.

Mallory replied, "What college student has valuable, original artwork in their room? As far as the world is concerned, it is just a print. As it has been said, available in the bookstore for a couple bucks. Only a couple of my friends know I occasionally stretch the truth, and if they tell that to the world, are they really my friends?"

Recognizing the compliment for what it was, I silently nodded.

Laura said with confusion, "So who was Coco Channel?"

The thought of Laura pondering fashion would normally have been a fun diversion, but I preferred to follow the tantalizing tale Mallory was spinning. "Mallory, how is this blushworthy? You have proven you know how to shop and find amazing things before, but I am not seeing the connection this time."

"Hmmm. I guess I did jump to the end of the story a bit. Let's go back to where I discovered the sketch and was falling in love with it. I pulled it off the wall, where it was tucked into a corner beside a chest of drawers. I could not believe I had found such an exquisite piece. It was the perfect piece in the perfect place. I looked for the perfect price, but that tag was missing. Still, I was utterly in love with it, and absolutely sure I was going to get it for a steal. I took the sketch up to the counter to ask what price was. And the gentleman behind the counter was perfect too. An older gnome of a man, with white puffs of hair astride his bald head. And he was perfect... for the proprietor." Mallory looked up at the ceiling in despair. "The old man knew every piece of merchandise in the shop, and exactly what its value was, down to the last bloody Euro," Mallory said deflatedly.

"Now in antique dealing there is this dance between the buyer and the seller. The buyer is all 'Can you knock a little off the price?' and the seller is all 'For you, friend, sure.' It is as ritualistic and predictable as a Viennese waltz. If everyone knows what is going on, everyone ends up where everyone expects. And this old man knew the dance exactly. The opening price he quoted me was a bit steep, but after the dance was exactly where he wanted it. The thing was I couldn't afford it."

I snorted. "I'm not sure which I find more amazing, Mal. That you have a real Coco Chanel sketch hanging on the wall, or that you said you couldn't afford it. I've never heard you say that before."

"Even my pocket money has limits. I had been Christmas shopping, vacation spending, and was far from home. The shopkeeper had set a very realistic price, and I can't blame him one bit. It was just beyond my available resources. I knew I could figure out some way to acquire the print, but I didn't have the answer right then. So before I left, I made him promise to hold the picture for a few days while I figured things out.

"That evening, I met up with my favorite cousin for dinner. Robbie is the youngest of my aunt's kids, and even though he is a few years older, we are close enough in age that we get along well. Robbie ambitious, and has a small event planning business he is trying to get off the ground. He specializes in setting up various events for the various embassies. Because his mom works for the US embassy, he can't do any work for them, but the diplomatic world is a small one where everyone knows each other. The business is still a hustle, but it is growing nicely.

"We met up at a bistro he likes near the Eiffel Tower. The plan was to eat, and then enjoy a stroll through the park around the tower while it was lit up for the evening. As we were waiting for the check, Robbie got a phone call. He stepped away from the table to take it. I couldn't hear what he was saying, but I could see while the conversation started very friendly, he was extremely agitated by the end. After hanging up, he sat back down with a frown.

"I asked, 'What happened, Robbie? You looked pissed.'

"He sighed. 'Pissing my pants is more like it. I had an event scheduled for tomorrow for the Japanese embassy, and one of my employees just called off. It is too late to get anyone else. I don't know what to do."

"Seeing opportunity, I said, 'I'm free tomorrow. Perhaps I can help out.' I was hoping to make some dough towards the sketch, and maybe trade the favor of saving Robbie's ass into a loan for the balance till I got home.

"Robbie looked at me, and laughed. 'Sorry cuz. I thank you for offering, but it isn't a steam table attendant I need. You ever hear of nyotaimori?'

"I let out a deep breath. 'Yes. I take it that was your star on the phone?'

"Robbie looked at me funny. 'Yes.'

"I took another deep breath and released it, picturing the Chanel sketch in my mind. Helping Robbie like this was a bigger lift than I had initially thought, but would certainly get me enough to buy the sketch. And it would be an interesting if unexpected opportunity. 'I'm going to help you out Robbie, and you don't get to say no. What all do I have to do to get ready?'"

~~~~

Mallory paused her story and looked at Laura and me. "So how about you two? Who has heard of nyotaimori? It's a bit of an odd corner of the sexual universe."

Laura replied, "Sounds Japanese or Chinese. With you saying it is unusual, I'm almost afraid to ask."

I just silently raised my hand.

Mallory chuckled. "So you are the kinky one, huh Tara? A tip of the hat to you for admitting it though. Ever participate?"

"No, just a voracious reader."

Mallory winked at me, "It is an interesting experience. If you get a chance, go for it. You would look absolutely fabulous."

Stepping back into storyteller mode, Mallory said, "You're right, Laura. Nyotaimori is Japanese, and on the list of things that give them a reputation for deviancy. Only the Japanese would devise using naked women as serving platters for sushi."

Laura's eyes grew comically wide with shock as she visualized the scene. Then her eyes shot towards Mallory with the realization that not only was this a real thing, but that Mallory had likely done it.

"One blushing Laura, delivered as promised," Mallory said with a chuckle, causing Laura to turn even more red.

As her roommate, I knew freaking out the unworldly Laura wasn't all that hard if you knew what buttons to press. "So Mallory, where did you learn about nyotaimori? The way you tell the tale, it wasn't a new concept to you."

"An astute observation, Tara. I'm sure it was online somewhere." Mallory looked at me for moment, as if she was deciding how much of herself to reveal. "Nyotaimori itself wasn't the point, but when you have a bit of a taste for erotic exhibitionism, you eventually come across the topic."

Mallory liked exhibitionism. That was something I never would have guessed about her. Even though she was still only a pre-law student, she was usually conservatively well-dressed, like she expected to get called into court to present at any moment.

"Talking with Robbie, he says it is considered very gauche, and, at least in diplomatic circles, taboo in Japan. But it is infamous enough that the Japanese keep it in their diplomatic toolbox for special occasions, usually overseas. I understood the French were nearing the conclusion of a trade treaty with Japan. To talk over the last few concessions, the Japanese contracted my cousin to set up a nyotaimori dinner."

"The day of the dinner, Robbie sent me over to a salon whose owner he knew. Reza's background was a bit more exotic than the typical esthetician, previously having worked makeup in the Czech porn industry. Working with her was an experience. She was very complimentary of me while she helped me primp and preen. But as a trial run for the night, I was full of mixed emotions. Almost as soon as Rob had mentioned the nyotaimori dinner, I knew it was very attractive to me as an exhibitionist. But it was also a big jump from the flashing a boyfriend or being 'caught' topless escapades I had done in the past. But being nude in front of Reza didn't do much for me. I didn't know if it was because she was female, or because of her professionalism, but I wasn't feeling the normal excitement, making me nervous. But thank god she was there, if for nothing more than having all the right scentless soaps and such at the ready. After I got scrubbed ridiculously clean, Reza did a light full body makeup job. Then she sat me in a chair to do my hair and face. God, she was good. She had my hair up in a bun, with some ribbons woven in. And the way she integrated the makeup with the mask was just-"

I interjected, "The mask hanging with the sketch?"

"Yep," replied Mallory. "For various reasons, Robbie and I agreed being masked was prudent. Reza tutted when she saw it and chewed Robbie out for not having the right mask. He tried to defend himself by saying it was last minute, but Reza said if she had the time Robbie did, she would have done better. I think Reza was probably right, but that didn't stop me from keeping the mask as a souvenir."

"While Robbie and I waited for our taxi to the Japanese embassy, Robbie inadvertently restored my confidence. The way he looked at me pulsed between lust, and how one looks at a cousin who is saving his ass. The fact that I was effortlessly inspiring both was feeding my sense of exhibitionism incredibly. It was a ride I won't ever forget. I was dressed only in a robe and a winter coat, driving through Paris with the sun going down, off on a unique sexy adventure. It was just a sense of pure exhilaration and adventure. Passing by the Arc de Triomphe seemed to be a good omen for the night."

"After arriving at the Japanese Embassy we were escorted up to a dining room. Removing my robe, I was placed face-up on a long table with seating on either side. The gentleman in charge of the sushi, a master from one of the authentic, high-end Japanese restaurants in town, studied me for a minute, adjusted the pose of my arms and legs. Then he proceeded to lay out a series of strips cut from banana leaves along the horizontal surfaces of my body to place the sushi on. He then wove these gorgeous fresh flowers among the strips, giving me some floral pasties to protect my modesty."

Laura rolled her eyes. "Or as much modesty as a naked girl in the dining room can have."

Mallory seemed to ponder that, then bobbed her head in agreement. "I'll grant that. The flip side of course though is the thrill of being around people with that little on. Especially people you don't know. But that sushi master was an artist. The way he placed the sushi and sashimi among the flowers was both delicate and extraordinary. And this wasn't cheap conveyor-belt sushi. This was absolute top quality. I easily had a couple grand worth of dinner laid out on me.

"As the dinner got started, the delegations sat on either side of me. It must have been a fairly high-level discussion because there were only five people on each side. Not surprisingly, the French delegation was all male, but the Japanese had included a woman. Robbie had assured me that no one was likely to do anything to me because of the fear of causing an international incident." Mallory looked at me slyly, "But when you are stuck laying motionless and nude among a pack of guys, it is easy to imagine possibilities. Especially when you do catch the guys glancing at you."

"I wish there was more I could tell you about the negotiations, but between my not speaking Japanese and being treated as a prop more than a person, there isn't much to tell. The diplomats each spoke, and the others would chopstick delectables off of me." Mallory shrugged. "Afterward, when I was taxiing back to the hotel, I had time to reflect. I may have rashly leaped into this adventure to secure the Chanel sketch, but I found the experience at least equally valuable. I wondered that if I would have never seen the sketch, would I have had the courage to jump to Robbie's aid? Now, having done it, I almost wonder if I would have paid for the opportunity to indulge my exhibitionism.

I was getting ready to ask Mallory more about when the door exploded open.

"Woo hoo! I got the part! Mallory, I got the part!"

Liv stood there, triumphant.

Laura clapped her hands, "Yay!!"

"That's awesome, Liv," I said.

Mallory bounced up and gave Liv a hug. "I told you, you had nothing to worry about, roomie."

The normally self-controlled Liv was almost unrecognizable with how excited she was.

She squealed, "Guys, you won't believe it. I did it! I'm in Greatest Showman! I got the female lead!"

Mallory stopped, looking a little concerned. "The bearded lady?!? But I thought you weren't excited..."

"Oh, it is so much better than that! You see, they drafted me first, and changed the casting all around so..."

Mallory shot me a look that said "What the fuck is she saying?" that made me laugh loudly.

I took Liv by her hand and sat her down on the couch. "Slow down a little! Liv, you are so excited that we can't follow. Start again."

Liv took a deep breath. Her smile was still ear to ear though. "So today is Draft Day. The actual draft is held in a meeting with just the seniors and their advisors, but afterward there is a meeting time set aside for all the casts and crews to meet up. Everyone is sent an email with just a meeting room. As I nervously sat waiting in the room waiting for the meeting to begin, my friend Noah sat down beside me. As much of a friend as he is, it was a bit depressing to see him there. He was one of the people I was expecting to be in 'You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown' with me. Even in real life, he is calm, smart, and studious. Casting Noah as Linus is practically typecasting."

"I casually said to Noah, 'They sure do make a big deal of things. Should we do a Snoopy Dance of Happiness?'

"He replied 'Liv, you can dance like Snoopy if you like, because I think happiness may be warranted. Looking around, this ain't Charlie Brown. It is the wrong crowd. I'm seeing too many A-Team types here.'

"At that, the door opened, and people started applauding.

"Noah grabbed my hand, 'Oh my god, Liv, its Cory Brockman and Elijah Malloch.' He paused a moment as it sunk in. 'Liv, we're in Showman!'

"I sat there in shock. I had been cast in the most exciting show of the season. The question I was now confronted with was would I take it? It was easy to say I would turn down the role of the bearded lady when I wasn't going to get it. Now all I had to do was claim it. I was just so stunned, thinking about what an opportunity this was. It wasn't just having a cool role in a high profile show. If I was able to live up to what this show threatened to be, it would be a signature piece for my professional portfolio. It could be a big step toward making my dreams come true. But its downside was also severe.

"Noah elbowed me in the ribs, pulling me out of my reverie. Cory, the director, had been addressing everyone, and welcoming them to the team. He was now starting cast introductions.

"For the star of our show, the spectacular senior, Elijah Malloch in the role of Philip Carlyle! As the legendary P. T. Barnum, superb sophomore Noah Samuels! For the role of Jenny Lynd, Roxbury's own nightingale, sophomore Whitney Lagon! And introducing that freshman phenom Liv Adams in the role of Anne Wheeler."

"Everyone was applauding like mad as we stood up, as much for each being part of the team as for us. But Noah and I were confused. They had completely revised the roles. Elijah was originally going to be Barnum, and the second female lead was going to be Lettie Lutz, the bearded lady so they could do 'This is Me.' Swapping her out for Anne, Carlyle's acrobat love interest, was unexpected. And then it hit me. All of the professional downside I had seen was attached to being the wretched bearded lady who sang the song so antithetical to my beliefs. Anne didn't have any of that baggage. It felt like a spotlight had turned on and was shining on me.

"As Cory finished his speech rallying the troops, he said 'Thank you all. I'm hoping together we can make a show Roxbury will be talking about for years. Each of your department heads will set up further meetings to get things going. If the primary cast could hang around for a few minutes more, I have some notes for them.'

"As the happy throng dispersed, Elijah sat down with Whitney, Noah, and me, congratulating us. Once the room cleared, Cory addressed us. 'As you know, since we last talked at the interviews, the production team has made some significant changes to the show. This does not reflect negatively on any of you. In fact, we were able to draft the exact cast we wanted. However, after weighing the production costs, and some of the feedback you all provided, we decided that 'This is Me' was too resource intensive, and too difficult to stage with a cast this size. So we swapped 'This is Me' for 'Rewrite the Stars.''

"This made the role of Carlyle more attractive to me since it will give me two big numbers along with 'The Other Side,'' said Elijah. 'So Noah, you will still have that, just swapping parts,' Elijah said.

"'No problem. If anything, I'm coming out ahead in the exchange,' said Noah.

"Cory continued, 'So, Whitney, your part is the same, 'Never Be Enough,' and the ensemble 'Greatest Show' with the rest of us.'

"'It is the best role for me in any of the showcase productions. You'd have to pry the role from my cold dead hand.' said Whitney.

"Cory turned to me. 'Liv, you are the most effected by the change. How do you feel?'

"'I like the song a lot better, and it is an upgrade from an ensemble to a duet. But I am concerned about the staging. In the movie it is a trapeze act.

"'We are not allowed to do any wire-work in these productions. All work has to be done by students, and by definition, no student has the engineering license to certify the safety of the harnessing. However, we got some tricks up our sleeves to make up for it. From the beginning we made sure we were heavy with the best technical talent. For now, consider it a song and dance number with your feet on the ground with a couple of trick props. It should be something right up your alley.'

"'Then I'm in.' I replied,

"'Sounds like the cast is complete then. I haven't worked with any of you before, so come Monday, I want a list of ideas that will help us work together better from each of you. If you need time off, or need something special from me, I want to know at the beginning. See you Monday.'

"I held back a minute while the others left. 'Cory, thanks for the opportunity. You will never regret it.'

"He said, "You know, in your interview you mentioned a goal that on opening night the audience wouldn't be able to tell you were blind. Deliver that. It is what overcame my last reservation about casting you. Your talent and reputation earned you the rest, including the first round draft pick we spent on you.

"Guys, I got the role," Liv said quietly. "Not only did they give me the role, they molded the production in part to suit me. They got rid of the bearded lady and her mega-popular song... for me. It's real. I got the role that may help pave the way to my dreams. It's all going to happen for me, guys, I know it. I've just got to reach out and grab it. I've got THE role."

Liv's voice may have started low, but by the end, she was back to being a ball of energy, practically bouncing off the walls.

"Oh my god, I've got so much to do!" said Liv. "I have got to download the music, lay out a plan to learn the choreography, and I should really call Mom and Dad..."

"Come on, Mallory. You can join us upstairs." I said chuckling.

As we climbed the stairs, Mallory said, "I think it may be a long couple of weeks if Liv is going to be that wound up."

"She'll calm down. She's just excited. Wouldn't you be if your dreams were coming true unexpectedly," I said.

~~~~

I sat at the table, looking around at the rest of the bar. The Two Foxes had a nice atmosphere, with its mix of modern bar and exposed brick walls. There wasn't much that proclaimed it as a lesbian bar. Well, the rainbow flag hung in conjunction with the national flag above the front door was a bit of a clue, but otherwise it was just a comfortable bar. It didn't look much different from other places I had been to while dating, but I still felt a little out of place. This was my first time cruising in a gay bar, which was still a new way of considering myself. It was Keily who had invited me to meet up with her here because The Two Foxes was her local, in addition to being the best LGBTQ bar in town. She was thinking she might introduce me around and be supportive. But at the last moment, she had given me a call telling me she would be running late.

I had decided to grab an appetizer to munch on as I waited for Keily. The menu had the stereotypical bar food entries like artichoke dip and mozzarella sticks, but I was surprised by some of the bolder options, like grilled cheese bites and cauliflower wings. When my lemon pepper wings came, they were breaded to look very similar to chicken wings, but were a cleverly prepared cauliflower floret. The outside was crisp, coated with a nicely peppery sauce, while the inside was soft and steamy. I was seriously impressed.

A girl at the next table caught my eye, and said, "The food here is bitchin,' am I right?"

"It certainly is better than I expected from a place with such a small kitchen," I replied.

"Fer sure. It's awesome what you can do with a couple air fryers." She held out her hand. "My name is Ondrya Wolfson."

"I'm Tara, Ondrya."

"Uh-huh, that's right, Ondrya." She seemed to appreciate my effort at precise inflection.

Ondrya was decent-looking in her minidress. She struck me as a few years older than myself; just past 25 or so.

"I love, like, going out to restaurants. My mom worked as a waitress, and, sometimes I'd, you know, go to work with her. It was so cool to be able to, like, just order what you want, you know. But I couldn't, like be a waitress. It's, like, so gross. Like, all the stuff, like sticks to the plates, and it's like, somebody else's food, y'know."

I could feel this potential relationship crashing and burning. It was just too against my personal experience. I started bussing tables when I was six or seven. It isn't the most glamorous job in a restaurant, but from the proprietor's point of view, there are few more useless people than a restaurant employee who won't clean up.

I made some further small talk with Ondrya while I finished my wings, but it was mostly me listening politely while she droned on about her pedicurist. I was feeling a bit disappointed in the 'lesbian dating experience' so far. While most guys would choose a different topic, listening to Ondrya prattle on while my eyes glazed over felt very familiar.

"Hey Tara! We made it." Keily and her girlfriend Haley walked up.

Haley looked at Ondrya with a look of disgust, "Ondrya."

The air between Haley and Ondrya chilled rapidly. "Haley."

Keily's eyes sparkled as she suppressed a laugh. "Tara, I think we should go sit over here at the bar."

I turned to Ondrya, "It was nice meeting you, Ondrya."

Ondrya nodded. "Perhaps next time then," she said with a fake smile.

Keily chuckled as we approached the bar. "Hal, you want a glass of pinot?"

Haley nodded.

"Tara, what were you drinking?"

"I just had a Coke."

"Let's introduce you to some of the house specialties then." She flagged the bartender. "Hey Joyce, two dry lemonades, and a pinot gris for Haley."

"So what was that with Ondrya? Obviously there is a story there," I asked Haley.

"A very bad date. Let's just leave it at it isn't just frat bros who get slapped for being presumptuous twits," replied Haley coolly.

"Of all the people, 'Airhead' Ondrya is one of the last people I would have expected to see you chatting up, Tara," said Keily

"Ondrya cornered her," the bartender said as she set down our drinks. "Your friend is awfully polite. Ondrya was well into the third verse of her pedicure story when you two showed up."

"Those toenails were, like, so grody!" Haley said mockingly.

"Like, barf me out," echoed Keily in a dead-on imitation. "Joyce, I'd like to introduce you to Tara Li, one of my people at Lincoln House. She's a friend of ours."

"Welcome Tara, always glad to meet friends of Keily."

As I shook Joyce's hand, Keily said, "Tara, this is Joyce Ellington, owner of The Two Foxes. If you ever need anything here, she can resolve it."

"I have to give you compliments on the wings, Joyce. Those were great."

"We get enough vegetarians through here that it is worth the effort," replied Joyce.

"I'm not a vegetarian, but I'll still be ordering them again. They're good enough to transcend that niche."

"Thanks for the compliment," said Joyce. She turned, acknowledged a customer down the bar, and said "Sorry, ladies, the drinks don't pour themselves, or I would stay and chat."

"Take care, Joyce." said Haley.

I took a sip of my lemonade. "Wow! That's good. Lemon, sparkling water, sugar, and... basil?"

Keily took a sip of hers. "That feels about right. If you order them wet, she adds vodka or gin."

"Joyce is more than a mere bartender," said Haley. "She is a full scale mixologist. Once she starts to get a feel for you, she will make drinks to your tastes. How she remembers the details for all the people is beyond me."

"My folks are good at that same thing," I said. "But it is an even better trick. My Ma runs the kitchen. In fact, she rarely leaves it. Pops manages the front of house. Pops and his team of waitresses have to pass on those details to Ma so she can prepare the food as ideally as possible."

Haley said, "I just don't have that skill. When I was in food service, I would occasionally recognize customers, but honestly, I couldn't remember their order if they came back a mere hour later." She turned to Keily. "How about you Keily? When you were a waitress, did you remember your patron's preferences?"

The smile melted off of Keily's face. "Behave."

Haley threw back her wine. "I was just trying to determine how good of a waitress you were. It's not like you ever invited me to visit you at work."

I was trying to decode Keily and Halley's conversation. The only time I knew of that Keily was a waitress was when she worked at Discretion, a sexy restaurant where I first met her. Surely Keily wasn't foolish enough try to hide that from Haley. Or if she had successfully hidden it, she wasn't foolish enough to reveal it now.

I glanced at Keily. She was furious, but arguing in public, in front of me as a witness, was not her style. She stood her ground though. "This is not the right time, or place, Haley. You know that."

Haley stood up. "Since it seems we have decided waiting months is the correct time to wait to discuss important things, do you have a place in mind? No? I'll see you in July then."

As Haley left the bar, Keily looked at me. "I'm sorry you had to see that. Obviously we are having a bit of a tiff."

"What's going on?" I asked.

Keily stood up, and pulled some cash out of her wallet. "I'd love to tell you, but I don't have the time. If I don't catch up with her, things are only going to get worse." She shrugged, and looked me direct in the face. "Let's say, she recently discovered I had far more 'Discretion' than she knew."

I thought to myself "Oh Keily..." Every relationship needs its work, but I thought Keily had her work cut out for her.

"Take care, Keily. I'll see you back at the dorm."