Hollywood Dream

Jen gets a chance to go to Hollywood an audition for a TV pilot.

Chapter 4

 

      Jen’s mother had driven her to the High School around six pm.   Before she’d gotten out of the car, her mother had told her to look for Jeremy.  Her uncle was back in town and wanted to see his niece perform.   But right before she went out on that stage, she put her uncle and all her worries in the back of her mind.  She drew in a deep breath and stepped out into the spotlight with her friends.

       The next two hours were chaos as everyone rushed around trying to make sure things ran as smoothly as possible.   Lights and sound guys were there and, finally, the audience was there was well.  

       For a brief moment Jen saw all the people out in the theater and thought, “Uh-Oh.”

       But then she began her lines and they faded from her consciousness. 

       It was just like dress rehearsal, except with laughter here and there at the funny parts.   Jen focused on what the other actors were saying and doing and was easily caught up in the moment.  It wasn’t hard to remember her lines with all of the others prompting her.   There was only one spot in which she messed up that night, but no one even noticed. 

       The second act was a bit more stressful, but it went off without a hitch.  Jen felt like she could perform anything, any time.  It came naturally to her.  

       Jen exited the stage and took a moment to regroup.   Cari came by and asked if she was okay.

       “Yeah, fine.  I’m just tired.”

       “It’s almost over,” she smiled watching for her cue to go back on stage.

       “Yeah, it is.”

       “You’re doing just fine!” Cari said before she slipped over to the door and opened it.  Then she went back out on stage. 

         A few minutes later, Jen re-entered the stage as well.   Soon, they came to the big moment when Jen playing Alice revealed the murderer.  Things went just as they did in rehearsal.  Jen led Ohio Brown off stage and it was all over.  The curtain closed and the crowd clapped and cheered.   They all went back out for curtain call and took their bows.  Then they went back stage again and then exited out the side hall to meet their friends and family in the front of the theater.  There, they shook hands and accepted hugs from audience members.  

        Jen loved it. She loved every minute of the performance and then the meet and greet afterward.   Her Mom, Dad, Brothers and Uncle Jeremy were there to congratulate her.   She’d almost forgotten what Jeremy looked like with his big green eyes and blond hair.   His kind smile and warm heart were a welcome sight.   

       “I’m so glad you came,” she said when she finally let go of him.

       “You were great,’ he cried happily.  “Why didn’t you tell me you were staring in the play sooner?”
        “I didn’t know I was going to be in the play until Tuesday.  I was a prompter and understudy.  So when the lead girl dropped out at the last minute, I stepped in,” she explained.

        “What a lucky break for you,” he smiled.  

        “I was so surprised when Mom said you’d be in the audience.  I had no idea you were even back in Ohio until just a couple of hours ago.”

       

       Jeremy stepped aside and revealed his tall, beautiful girlfriend.  She had long blonde hair and a shapely figure.   Jen stood wide eyed and puzzled. “This is my girlfriend  Barbara Peterson,” Jeremy said.

       “Hello,” Jen greeted.  

       Barbara extended her hand and Jen shook it.  “You did wonderful Jenny,” she said.

       “It’s Jen.  Thanks,” she smiled.

       “When did it change from Jenny to Jen?” Jeremy asked.

       “This year.  I decided High School called for a more mature name.”
       “Still the same old independent Jenny.  I mean Jen.  Anyway, I met Barbara at my new job and we hit if off immediately.  This is my surprise.  I wanted everybody to meet Barbara.”

        “Congrats,” Jen said. 

        “You ready to go celebrate?” he Dad asked. 

        “Yeah, where are we going?”

        “Pizza Hut, unless something else sounds better.”

        “No, pizza is great,” Jen replied.  “I just have to go change.  I’ll meet you all back out here shortly,” she said.

         Everyone else was leaving to go backstage, so Jen joined them.  Once she’d finished changing and everything, she went out to meet her family again.  From the lobby they exited to the parking lot and piled into the minivan.   They drove the few miles to the other side of town to the Pizza Hut.  Jen said hi to the cast and crew before taking her seat next to her family.

        Once they got seate3d, the conversation began.   Jen glanced over at the tables pushed together in the corner where all her friends were.   Jen was being in pulled in two directions.  She wanted to eat with them, but she also wanted to eat with her family.  

        “I think Jen did a fantastic job,” Jeremy said again.  He put his hand on hers in confirmation of what he’d just said.

        “I can’t believe that I actually did that.  It was surreal, but really fun!” Jen exclaimed.

        “Jen says she wants to be an actress,” Mary smiled.

        “Mom,” she said shooting her a look of embarrassment.

        “You have a lot of talent.  Have you ever thought of doing it professionally?” Barbara asked.

        “Not really.  You think I could be a professional? Seriously?”

        “Seriously,” Barbara confirmed.

        “You think so?” Mary asked, interested.

        “Yes, I do,” Barbara replied, “I wouldn’t say so other wise.”

        The waitress set their drinks down in front of them.   Jen took the wrapper off of her straw and put it in her Mountain Dew.  She looked at Barbara wondering if this was for real. 

         “I think you should apply at Baum Associates,” Barbara smiled.

         Jen’s eyes grew wide.  Dare she even hope?  No, she thought.  Things like this didn’t happen to small time high school students in Gamble’s Mill.   Things like this didn’t happen to her that was for sure.  

         “Go for Jen,” Chris said.

         “My sister a star,” Mike smiled.

         “Me? Nah,” Jen said taking another drink.

         “If your parents don’t mind, I think you should come see us out in California.  You can have head shots done and do some auditions,” Barbara said.

         “You could stay with us,” Jeremy added.

         “You two are living together?” Mary asked, arching her eyebrows.

         “Yes, but we are engaged,” Jeremy assured her.

         “That was quick,” Larry added.

         “When you’re in love why waste time?” Barbara smiled.  “But I meant what I said.  You are welcome any time.”

         “Can I go?” Jenny stuttered.

         “Well,” Mary said thoughtfully.  “It is really up to Jen, but I guess she can go if she wants.”

          “Whatever you want,” Larry added.

         “Thank you Mom and Dad! Yes, I’d love to come.  Is tomorrow too soon?”

        “Yeah, its too soon ‘cause we won’t even be there yet,” Jeremy laughed. 

        Chris and her other two brothers just stared at each other and then at Jen.  They couldn’t believe their sister was being offered this wonderful opportunity either.

         “It will be a great experience.  Maybe you can come out over Thanksgiving or Christmas,” Barbara suggested.

         The waitress returned with their pizzas.  Jen was so excited that she suddenly didn’t feel like eating.  Her dream was coming true and seemed so surreal.  What would all her classmates and cast-mates thing of it all?  She was aching to all of her friends the good news.  It was all she could do not to rush over to the cast table and yell. “I’m going to Hollywood!”

         “We’ll talk to the school and see if they can excuse your absence,” Jeremy said.  “Of course you’ll have to bring your studies with you and do sort of a home school during the time you are out in California.”

          “Of course,” Jen said.

          “I’ll show a tape of your performance to my bosses when we go back just to make sure he agrees.  If he does, I’m sure he will, we can start making all the arrangements for you to go out to California after Christmas,” Jeremy said.

          Jen blinked and nodded, unsure of what else to say.   “Thanks,” we all she managed before she nervously picked up a piece of pizza and nibbled at it.  

          The rest of the night was a blur as she listened to Jeremy and Barbara talk about California.   Her friends were laughing and talking at their table, but Jen never got a chance to talk to them.   They finished their pizza and took off for home before Jen could visit with her friends.  

         When she arrived home there was a single rose in front of their door with a card.  The card said, “You did a wonderful job.”  There was no name attached to it, so Jen had no idea who here admirer was.  Between the rose and the offer to go to Hollywood, Jen was on cloud nine before she drifted to sleep that night. 

           

          Saturday Jen slept in until noon.  When she woke up, she stretched and yawned.  Then she remembered the wonderful night she’d had then she smiled wildly.  Tonight she went back on stage.   Jeremy was going to tape her and show the tape to his boss.  It would be her audition for the Talent Company.   Jen closed her eyes and imagined being a glamour movie star.   “Watch out Hollywood, here I come,” she said rolling over and holding her pillow.  

       Later she got up and ate a breakfast of bacon and eggs.  Despite her new found opportunity, she found life continued on much the same as it always had.   After a lively discussion at the table, she helped do dishes and then went into the living room.   She watched TV, but couldn’t focus on the cartoons.  

       Jeremy and Barbara came back over and they all went out again.   They shopped, talked, ate and had lots of fun together.   Jen already felt like star.  Thoughts of school disappeared.  There was only that wonderful weekend.   The fun came to end early, as Jen had to be back the high school in time to get dressed and get her make-up on before the play started.   

       When she burst into the choir room, she called, “Guess what?”

       “What?” Cari asked. 

      “An agent from California saw me! They want me to come to California to see if I can get auditions and all of that!”

      “What is an agent from California doing in Gamble’s Mill?” Page asked.

      “She’s my Uncle Jeremy’s girlfriend.”

      “Jeremy,” Ohio Brown echoed.

      “Yeah,” Jen said setting her bag down in a chair.  She turned to all of them and said, “And get this!  I can stay with my Uncle and his girlfriend while I audition and do all of that stuff.  So I will probably be leaving after Christmas.”

       “Really?” Ohio said.  

       “Omigod!” Cari said, “That is fantastic.”

       “That is great,” Mary said.

       “It’s amazing,” Julie added.

       Mr. Douglas walked in, took something, and then walked back out.  Maria came in.

       “Wouldn’t it be great if I got my own TV series or something!” Jen said sitting down.

       “Your own TV show?” Maria cried in surprise as she sat down in front of Jen.

       “Yeah,” Jen said.

       “An agent saw Jen last night and wants her to audition for parts in Hollywood,” Cari filled her in.

        “I can say I knew you when.” Maria smiled as she put on Jen’s make-up for her.

         None of them really knew what to say.  They were jealous, but also happy for her.   All of them except Cari and Daniel had been in plays before and none of them had been discovered.  And here Jen was discovered her first performance.  They part wasn’t even hers to begin with!

        Jen came on stage again and did the part she knew so well.   The crowd didn’t bother her as much, although she was still aware of them.  She tried to get into the action on stage again�"listening and watching for her cues.   Thought of California drifted through her mind, but she did her best to focus.  The scenes flew by so swiftly, that Jen was suprirsed to find the play at its end.  

        Once again she led Ohio Brown off stage and then the curtain closed.  When it went back up they all took their bows and went out to shake everyone’s hand in the reception line.  She was tired and wired all at once as she said hi to her friends and her friend’s parents.   Jen hugged her father, mother and brothers again.  She also hugged Jeremy and Barbara before heading back stage to change out of her costume.

       After she’d changed, she caught up with the others talking in the hall.  They were discussing rides to the cast party.  

       “I need a ride,” Jen declared.

       “I have to go home first,” Mary told her.

       “I’m getting a ride from Ohio,” Julie replied.

       “So am I,” Cari smiled.

       “Thanks for telling me,” Ohio said sarcastically.

       “You’re welcome,” she smiled.

       “I can give you a ride Jen” Ohio said, “But I’m not sure what time I’ll be leaving.”

       Jen shrugged.  Her parents didn’t care.  It wasn’t like the cast party would be till midnight.  Besides, they were going to let her go to California by herself.  Why wouldn’t they let her stay at the party until 11pm or so.

        Later, Jen found herself at the cat party talking to Cari and eating pretzels.   Music drifted from the dinning room.   She was at Chris’s house. She took a sip of pop and then went to talk to a few other people.  They had seemed to all but forget about her chance at stardom.  Chris then started a game of cards.   Several other people gathered around the TV to watch a movie.   Jen laid down on the floor and watched the movie quietly.   She listened to all her friends tell jokes and stories.

        After about two hours Ohio decided to leave, so everyone he was taking home had to leave as well.  Jen, Julie, Cari, Eric and Maria followed him to his car and piled in.  They talked about the party as Ohio found his way to each of their houses.   Jen didn’t speak much for some reason.  Her cheery mood had changed.   She said goodbye to Ohio and then went into her house.

        Jen hardly said a thing to her parents.  She headed straight upstairs to her room to sleep.  She was exhausted.   They understood and left her alone.

        She turned out her light and turned on her side to sleep.  After a half and hour or so of restlessness, she turned her light back on.   She read some of her favorite book Light A Single Candle for awhile before her eyes grew heavy.  Once her mind had calmed, she finally turned out her light and fell to sleep.  It was after one am.

        Jen had felt like her friends had given her the cold shoulder and didn’t really care.  She’d felt so much apart of the play and part of the group, but now that she set herself apart from them she felt like an outcast.   Her dream of becoming a star was coming true, but it hadn’t made her completely happy.