*************************************************************

“I already told you, Eric, I want to try and get this part so that I can have some stability in my life.”

‘Well, that’s mainly the truth,’ Tina said to herself.

“But, babe, if you get this won’t you have to stay on set longer?”

“That’s the point, Eric.”

‘Geez, you might be handsome and sweet but sometimes you can lack in the brain department.’ she said to herself again. 

She felt herself becoming irritated with Eric so she wanted to get off the phone before she snapped at him, causing yet another fight.

“Look, sweetie, I have to go.  I’m late for my audition because my stupid agent over lapped my schedule and now I have to call and make sure he smoothed things out so I don’t start off on the wrong foot.  I’ll call you soon.

“Okay, fine.  I love…”

She flipped her phone shut before he could finish.  It tugged on her heart every time he said that because she only loved him, she really did; she just wasn’t in love with him.  She dialed her agent’s number ready to chew him out because if he messed this up for her, he was definitely fired.

“Matt, why the hell did you overlap my schedule?  Now, I’m late for my audition—the one you know means so much to me.”

“Well, hello to you too, Tina.”

“Listen, normally I wouldn’t be mad and I think you know that, but this role just means so much to me and I really want it.”

“I understand and I’m really sorry.  I honestly didn’t mean to overlap those two meetings.  I screwed up but I’ve already called Bette Porter’s assistant and explained the situation and totally took the blame for it.”

Now Tina felt bad for yelling at him.

“Well, thank you for that—I appreciate it.  And I’m sorry about snapping at you, it’s just that…”

“This role means so much to you,” he said finishing her sentence, “I know Tina and I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you get this part.  And why wouldn’t they want you?  You’re Tina Kennard.”

“Haha.  Thanks for the pep talk.  Talk to you later.”

*************************************************************

James, Bette’s personal assistant, had just received a phone call and was walking over to Bette to relay the message.

“Bette?”

“Yes, James,” she said, swiveling around to him.

“Matt Baker, Tina Kennard’s agent, just called and apologized for Tina being late to the audition.”

“Ha!  She can’t even do it herself!”

“Well, he said he wanted to call and explain the reason she was late was his fault because he overlapped her schedule, practically making her try to be in two places at once.  He apologized repeatedly and wanted to make sure we knew it was his fault and not Tina’s and that Tina is thrilled about having this opportunity.”

“Yeah, sure.  He’s probably just making an excuse for her.  Well, thank you James and immediately show her in when she gets here.  I don’t want to waste anymore time.”

“Come on, Bette.  Loosen up a bit.  I’m sure what her agent said is the truth.  I met Tina once and she seemed to be a really genuine, honest person, so give her the benefit of doubt,” Alice said, trying to reason with Bette.

“But Alice, you know how I am about time.”

“Yeah, I get that Bette, but you have to realize that things unexpectedly come up.”   

“Okay, okay.  I’m going to the restroom,” Bette said relenting.

*************************************************************

“Hi,” Tina said approaching James, “I’m…”

“Tina Kennard.”

“Yes, I have an audition with…”

“Bette Porter.”

“Right again.  Are you going to keep finishing my…?”

“Sentences?”

“Haha!  Yeah.”

“Sorry, it’s just a nervous habit.”

“It’s okay—it’s a cute, nervous habit.”

James instantly relaxed around the beautiful movie star, and he silently hoped she would get the part.

“Thanks.  Come on; let’s get your audition started.”

As James was leading Tina down the hall to meet Bette, he had no clue he was assisting fate by bringing these two women face to face for the first time. 

TBC?