Chapter 2
Chapter Two
With the contract pending, Benson had little time to find and court Luka. Joyce said that she’d find out what she could, but she couldn’t find more than the lead in the play told them that night.
Luka didn’t interact with the rest of the cast past the work on stage.
He was a recluse as far as the rest of the cast was concerned. Joyce said he wasn’t, however. The other thing she found out from the director was that he was on the lookout for a better part, a bigger part, and with his skill he’d get it.
His personality was another thing altogether, however. Few liked him. He didn’t go out for drinks, didn’t flirt, or even make friends. He was single-mindedly an actor, looking for the perfect part for him.
But with his business, he was too busy to search for him. At least at first.
Once the contract was in place and the money set to roll in, he had a little time, and he told Joyce to handle things for a couple of weeks.
“Where the hell are you going?”
“Walking down the street of dreams.”
As she smirked hard at him, Benson kissed her cheek and said, “See you soon, I’m sure.”
“Don’t do anything that will reflect poorly on the company but have some fun.”
“Yes, Mom.”
“Don’t call me that,” she gritted and then laughed.
First, he had lunch with an old friend from college. He was the head of the drama department at NYU. “Ben, what the hell? I heard you’re like a gazillionaire now.”
They sat at a quiet table in one of the newer, chic restaurants, and after the waiter took their drink order, he confessed, “Not that much, but we’re getting there. And you? Head of the department?”
“Yes, finally.”
“Finally? Monty, we only graduated ten years ago. You move pretty fast.”
The blush was acting, Benson was sure, as Monty was a conceited bastard, but a good egg, nonetheless. “Well…”
He was a handsome man, gay, and yes, they’d had their trysts but left it off as friends. Sandy hair, sky-blue eyes and a smile that had gotten his acting career started and stopped with toothpaste commercials.
“What do you really want to talk about? I see it in your face, Ben.”
It was Benson’s turn to blush. “Well, Monty, I went to a play the other evening and found someone who intrigued me.”
“In other words, your big dick stood up.”
“Shut up,” he said, laughing as he looked around to make sure Monty wasn’t overheard.
He wasn’t.
“Who’s the guy?”
“The director spoke to my assistant, and he graduated recently from your little program. His name is Luka Mann.”
Monty sat back hard as he laughed. “Luke. Well, you still have good taste. That kid is beautiful, I must say.”
“You didn’t…?”
“No. I didn’t. I am with Ethan, and we’re planning a wedding in two years.”
“Two years?”
“He’s a…planner. Anyway, Luka. He’s…different. As far as I know, he didn’t date. I’m pretty sure he’s gay, but it is hard to tell, being he didn’t date.”
“How do you know?”
Monty leaned in and said, “Drama queens got their names from drama students. They love drama, gossip, and there is no one safe from it.”
He could see that. “Okay, well, is he shy?”
Monty laughed heartily and said, “No. Not at all. He’s aggressive, but that is all directed in every single way to his profession.
He’s an actor. Through and through an actor, and that is all he thinks about, all he works toward, and all he wants.
He’s determined to make a place for himself among the greats. And he is his own biggest critic.”
Lowering his head, Benson thought about his own past. “I can relate.”
“No, you at least got laid, and I have the stretched ass to prove it.”
Benson’s head rose, and on his mouth was a full grin. “Keep talking like that and I’ll take you into the bathroom.”
“Engaged, remember, but don’t tempt me. I get it, Benson, but this guy isn’t for you. He’s… not looking for a relationship. He’s looking for…”
“Fame?”
“Not exactly. It goes deeper, I think. I have dozens of students who dream of hitting it big on the stage or screen, but he’s not exactly like that.
He wants immortality. He wants his name on the lips of people that know what really great acting is, not who acts in some blockbuster of the week trends on TikTok. ”
Benson knew that feeling too. He wanted to do something great, seen as great in his field. “How do I get to him then?”
Monty raised his glass and said, “I forgot. You’re determined when you want something too.”
Their glasses clinked, and they both drank before Monty started, “Okay, well, be warned. This isn’t a Flash Dance scenario where you get him the part of a lifetime, and he eventually forgives you and sees it as a good thing. He’d hate you.”
“Okay, well, I can’t say as I’d blame him. So, what then?”
“Go to his shows. Get him to meet you. Be where he can’t ignore you. And get him the part of a lifetime.”
“You just said…!”
“I know, but there are ways he’d never find out. You have a ton of money now. Buy a theater, buy a play, pack it full of the best of the best, and just move the people in charge to hire him.”
Benson’s head spun with the possibilities. “He’d hate me, and he’d find out.”
“Because you don’t lie well, but maybe you place it in a friend’s hands and…”
Benson nodded and said, “You.”
“Hey, I get lots of time off, being a professor. I could put something together in a month. In fact, there is this beautiful Christmas play I’ve had my eye on for a couple years, but shopping it around hasn’t been fruitful. I need the backing of a gazillionaire.”
“Said gazillionaire will…think about it. Anything that would make him hate me later, it hurts my heart, and that is insane, but…”
“You like him, like him. Like…more than a lay.”
“I’ve never even spoken to the man.”
“Whatever, just know that I’d grab him for this play, regardless. He’s truly an excellent actor. And he’d be at the top of my list whether or not you wanted him.”
“Let’s eat, and you can tell me about this play.”