Meant

Patricia bolted upright in her bed, the sadness and pain of her dream still clutching at her soul. Any other person would have shrugged off this dream but not Patricia. Because not once in 30 years had she ever had a dream. Not any that she could remember anyway. Turning toward her clock she noticed it was 5a.m. She had a good two hours left which she could sleep, but she could
not shake off that dream. She had been having terrible writers block for last few months. The more she thought about her dream she realized where she wanted to go with her latest novel. Quickly she moved to her cluttered desk, and taking up pen and paper began to write before the dream faded from her mind.

Hours later she sat there rubbing the stiffness from her fingertips. She knew she should have waited to load up her laptop. But she knew that the pain was worth it. She had spent months not being able to write a single word. Patricia stood up and arched her back. She had idea's buzzing through her head. But she knew she had to eat something and take a desperately needed shower.
Once she was fed, bathed, and dressed she went back to her work. She was surprised that she still could remember that dream. It was still fresh and vivid in her mind and the feelings that went with it still stayed with her. She continued writing through the day and into the early hours the next day, barely noticing the passage of time.

Patricia woke, her head against the keyboard of the computer, bright sunshine beating down on her head. Blinking slowly she opened her eyes against the light and lifted her head. She couldn't believe that she had fallen asleep at her desk. Running her hands through her hair and down her cheeks, she could feel the imprint of the keys against her fingertips. Mortified, she looked at the
screen and saw her reflection. her hair was standing all on end, dark circles were under her eyes and she had very distinct shapes showing on her skin. She didn't remember even turning off the computer nor falling asleep. She tried to remember what she had been writing. Suddenly the memory came back to her. Turning the machine back on, Patricia read over what she had written.
There on the screen sat her completed manuscript.


One Year Later...

Laurance Peters sat in the makeup chair in his trailer on the set of his newest picture. It had been a long day but he was used to this. Waking at two in the moring and working through till 10pm. But for some reason all through shooting of this particular movie his usual energy and Charm were wearing thin. When his manager his presented him with this screenplay at first he had no interest. But he had promised Bob that he would sleep on it. His usual films were full of action and adventure. and of coarse a happy ending. This was so different from his usual work that he was almost afraid to take it on. But when he fell asleep that night, in his dreams, he had been the main character. He could feel the sorrow, the heartbreak, and _________ as if he had lived it himself. He took about a week to tell his manager yes. the story haunted him all that week. and he felt if he needed to do this. To excersize out these feeling that wouldn't disapait.


He was not looking forward to this, his death scene loomed. He was never usually nervous before a scene but his heart was beating faster then a hummingbirds wings, and he felt physically sick. A knock sounded at the door. "Come in!', he called. The brassy red hair of his assistant was emerging through the door. "Hey rusty", he said. Rusty was a wirey man with a wild mane of bright red hair. His wide mouth broke out into a huge smile. "Heya Laurie, five minutes!" Laurance brightened a little at his friend slash assistants eagerness. They were old school chums, so the use of nickname didnt bother him much as it would if it has been anyone else. Rusty was an avid reader in college, even reading Little Women. He had teased his friend once about it and from then on Rusty insisted on naming him after Jo's guy pal Laurance. Or laurie for short. You know what they say about paybacks.

Rusty leaned over the makeup table and proceeded to put some on. Turning around his batted his eyelashes, his eyes were lined and his lashed blackened. "Darling, how do i look" he said with dramatic pose. Laurance chuckled heartily and mocked punched him in the shoulder. "Wonderful, you crazy Queen!" After giving a pout and rubbing his phantom pain, Rusty burst into a roucous laugh. "Boy I'm glad to see you cheer up a little," he said as he used a cloth to remove the makeup. Rusty loved this business and Laurance was glad that he had his friend with him all these years. "Save that for your show tonight my friend, hopefully shooting should end early today and i can make it." Rusty has his assistant in the day and a first class Drag Queen at his show at the Follies club in town. Another knock and a call off Show time sounded outside the trailer. "Break a leg my friend" rusty pronouned pushing Laurance out the door.

~*~

The last few years had been good to her. Patricia sat at a desk at her room at the beverly Wilshire hotel in L.A. composing a letter to an old friend from high school. Two years ago she had been in the worst slump in her career. Now here she was, in the a beautiful suite. Her book had actually been a hit. Who knew that a book she concieved from a dream would change her life so. First, it was a Best Seller; then it was picked up by a producer and writer who wanted to turn in into a screenplay, and at this moment filming for the movie had been going for a month. She had yet to even visit the set. She had been thrilled to learn that her favorite actor, Laurance Peter's was to star as her Liberus. She had been asked by her publisher and manager to meet him in person even. She had turned down the offer several times. Malerie Winters found it unbelievable that Patricia had no interest into meeting the actor she's been a fan of for years. Patricia tried to explain that she was fine just admiring from afar and that she didn't find it her mission in life to get his autograph. Anyway just what the man wanted. Some plain looking, chubby chick drooling over him. She felt really insecure in the town of sleek beautiful woman and gorgious to die for men. She has spent most of her time either in her rooms at the hotel, or behind the scenes on the set (from afar of coarse) watching the movie being filmed.

Later that night, Patricia got a call from malerie for a night on the time. She said she knew a great place for a little entertainment. She and malerie drove out into the Californing night. It was a hour drive to the club they pulled up to. On the bright neon sign in front in bright hot pink lettering it said, The Follies. There was a line out front waiting to enter and at the door a huge man with bald head and black t-shirt, clipboard in had. Patricia heart beat frantically. Obviously this was a very exclusive club, she say several celebrities walk straight up to the door ahead of line of people waiting to get in. "Oh great, frumpy ol' me getting into a place like this? Fat chance." Patricia exclaimed to her friend as the valet took the car to part. "Oh come on trich, stop knocking yourself. One we're on the list, curtisy of the producers. And two, fuck them! You have every right to be hear." Malerie took her hand and starting to pull her to the door. Patricia started to feel hot with embarressment, and had the urge to flee. She never was a really social kind of person. It took awhile for her to really be herself with people.

Surprisingly the club was pretty well lit. On television it seemed that all clubs were dark with flashing lights and a throbbing beat. I stage dominated the back wall of the club. Circular tables draped in red table clothes in front and also on the sides. The side area was roped off for the VIP's. The bar was at the back of the club and the servers were all male, shirtless and it tight red pants. What was this place, a strip club?" she thought to herself.

The maitre de of sorts led them to one of the robed off tables toward the front and the stage. Patricia took a seat and the server took their order. She looked around curiously wondering when this "show" was to start. At the next table was the newest American Idol winner and a bunch of friends and beyond that, "Hey malerie, is that who I think it is?" Her friend turned to look. "Yep, It's The Heiress." she said like it was and everyday occurance.

It was not long after her second whiskey sour that the lights began to dim and the audience began to hush. The stage lit up and an anouncer came out simularly dressed like the servers with exception of a red, sequined tuxedo jacket. "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the Follies! We have a great treat for you, recently back from New York Miss Jessica Candy!" Gesturing offstage the man slowing walked off on the other side. A spot light hit the stage and lights in the club went down. A very tall woman strolled on stage her face lit up and smiling into the audience. Patricia gave a gasp. Except for a slight adams apple, she wouldnt have been able to tell it was a man. She, or he was stunning. He reminded her a lot like Julie Andrews in Victor Victoria. His red hair was darkened and steeked back, and it seemed he hardly needed the makeup at all he was so pretty. Malerie tapped Patricia on the shoulder and leaned over to her. "Does he not remind you of someone?" she whispered. Patricia studied the singer more closely. but for the life of her could not think of.. Realization came to her. the man on stage was Laurance Peter's assistant. She remembered seeing his scurring about behind his boss a few times on set. Patricia blushed at the thought that she actually secretly checking out Mr. Peters.