Behind the Scenes

Daniel was anxious.
Of course anxious might have been putting it mildly.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> He glanced at his watch.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> It is
five minutes before eight. Where is that
girl? He had left Chloe over an hour
ago in front of her apartment. Despite
his pleas to let him give the petite girl a ride to rehearsal she had adamantly
refused. She’ll be fine, my ass. Dressed
like that she is a prime target for all kinds of psychos.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> And I helped her along!style='mso-spacerun:yes'>

With this last thought he paled and glanced over his
gathered cast. Everyone had made it to
the second rehearsal and they all seemed fairly relaxed.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> He cleared his throat, “If I may have your
attention. We are going to get started
in a minute and I would like every cast member up here on stage.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Eva, since you really are the only backstager
here, you might as well join us unless you have other plans.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'>

“Actually, I am…” Eva stopped mid-sentence when the door in
the back of the auditorium opened.

“Sorry I’m late everyone.
Public transportation isn’t quite what it used to be.”style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Chloe explained nonchalantly as she made her
way towards the stage.

Daniel had to keep himself form laughing at the expression
on some of the others’ faces. Grant had
his mouth hanging open in silent exclamation, Tyler was ogling Chloe as if she
were a foreign life form, and Eva looked like she was either ready to pounce on
the girl or run in the other direction.

He had to admit the brunette looked good.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Her hair had been styled into soft layers
with subtle claret highlights running throughout.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> It was then curled and cascaded down her back
in beautiful ringlets. Her sleeveless,
emerald dress clung to every curve with just a hint of cleavage peeking over
the top. A black, silk wrap and four
inch stilettos completed the rather risqué look.style='mso-spacerun:yes'>

“Well, now that everyone is here why don’t we all have a
seat and get started? Eva, you were
staying or was there something else?” Daniel prompted.

“Actually, Daniel, if you don’t mind, I think I would like
to stay,” she replied in a daze.

“Wonderful! Everyone
open your scripts to Act One, Scene Two.
We will begin where we left off with Tyler.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> If we get through the rest of Act One I may
consider ending rehearsal early.” This
statement was met with a cheer from the assembled cast.style='mso-spacerun:yes'> Little
do they know that that is part of the plan little Miss Doe Eyed over there
suckered me into.