Defying Gravity by Wallen Jack

Author:Wallen, Jack [Wallen, Jack]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: DevilDog Press
Published: 2020-10-06T00:00:00+00:00

12

DINNER, SEX, AND DREAMS COME TRUE

After rehearsal came to a close, Jo and I immediately approached Miguel and asked him to join us for a quick repast. There wasn’t a single overtone of anything afoot. For all intents and purposes, we were just a couple wanting to break bread with a friend.

Miguel agreed and we made our way out of the theater and toward my favorite Indian restaurant, which happened to be—like most everything in Manhattan—within walking distance.

Inside, the smell was glorious—exotic spices and incense mingling together to form a perfect miasma of culture and mystery.

A host in a beautiful purple sari seated us.

“How did you know this was my favorite?” Miguel asked.

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Did I miss something?” Miguel followed up with another question.

I unfolded my napkin and placed it in my lap. “I’m sorry, no. This is my favorite as well.”

Miguel held up his water. “To like-minded artists.”

We all clinked glasses and drank.

“This is nice.” Miguel looked to me and then to Jo. “But I have a sneaking suspicion there’s more to it than fellowship.”

I sucked in a deep breath. Jo grabbed my hand under the table and gave it a tight squeeze. The gesture did wonders to give me the confidence I needed to open the conversation.

“I don’t know how to tell you this, Miguel.”

“That Ashley Tate is the one who let the union in on our little secret? Please, my dears, nothing goes on in my shows without my knowing.”

Another squeeze to my hand.

“You’re right about Ashley, but I’m not sure you know the depth and breadth of her plan.”

Miguel put his arms on the table and leaned in toward me. “What are you saying, Wil Jackson?”

“Jo and I overheard a conversation she had with Madeline Harper during our break today. She wants the rep to find a way to have me fired from the show.”

Miguel’s eyebrows shot up. “Why on earth would she want to do that?”

Jo took over. “She’s pissed because she believes, because of your direction, Wil is stealing the show from her.”

Miguel adjusted his glasses as he clenched his jaw. “Is that right?”

I nodded.

“And you heard her speak those words?”

“I believe what she said was, ‘I want him out. This is my show, and I won’t have some hack, straight from the cornfields of Indiana, stealing my glory.’”

Miguel sat in silence. The waitress arrived to take our order. We all rose to the occasion, all smiles and manners. When the woman left our table, Miguel’s scowl returned.

“I was warned about her, but I figured the rumors were nothing more than pettiness and jealousy, and that her fierce talent would lead the way.” Miguel lapsed into yet another bout of silence. When he once again spoke, his gleaming smile had returned. “Well then, you’ve given me quite a bit to ponder this evening. Looks like I have some choices to make.” Miguel raised his water glass. “No one ever said a life in the arts was paved with ease and simplicity. Even so, I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.