Chapter 2
Chapter Two
CLOVER
“Are you serious?” My hands shake as I try to hold the phone against my ear.
“Surprisingly, yes,” Anita, my agent, answers.
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Anita.
“They reviewed your self-taped audition and have requested you come in for a chemistry read with Roman Everett on Tuesday.”
Pulling the phone away from my ear, I can’t help but give an excited little jump.
When Anita had told me that the role of Ariadne McCoy—aka Moonbeam—was up for grabs in the upcoming Darkness Rising movie, I never thought she’d score me an audition.
Being her newest client, I thought she’d prioritize other people on her roster, and that I’d be an afterthought, similar to how I was at my previous agency.
But it turns out Anita is like a god damn bloodhound when it comes to getting auditions, and I silently thank my lucky stars for the fact that I get to be one of her clients.
“I’ll send you the details,” she says around a mouthful of something, “Clover?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t screw it up. This isn’t only your reputation. It’s also mine,” she says, before hanging up abruptly.
Blowing out a breath, I look around my room incredulously. What just happened?
The urge to let out shriek is nearly all-consuming, but I hold back. The last thing I need to do is give my roommate, Maren, a heart attack. Then again, I’m not entirely sure she’d be bothered enough to come looking if I did scream.
It’s times like this when I wished my roommate and I were closer.
It’d be nice to share in this news with someone, but Maren’s always been a bit aloof, perhaps even cool toward me.
At times she’s even been rude. And while I have no problem calling men on their bullshit – because where do they get the audacity?
I’ve always had a tougher time when it comes to navigating relationships with women, and have had the unfortunate tendency to turn more into a doormat with them.
When Maren first moved in I wasn’t anticipating slumber parties and baking together, but it would be nice to feel like my roommate doesn’t actively dislike me. That’s the problem with being in this industry. At least, it’s one of many problems, I’m coming to learn.
Actresses are constantly being pitted against one another, all fighting for the same roles and vying for the attention of the same casting directors and agents. There’s always a battle to be the thinnest, prettiest, and most talented girl on the roster – and in that order no less.
While I’d initially made a few friends when I moved out to LA a couple years ago, the relationships fizzled out pretty quickly when we inevitably would go up against each other for the same few roles.
One of the last friendships I lost was due to me scoring the lead in an eczema commercial for crying out loud.
It’s things like that that make me question my decision to move out here to try acting.
A few years in Los Angeles and I still have no friends, and no savings to show for it.
After leaving my parents behind in Boulder to pursue acting, all I’ve gotten so far are a few commercials, and more recently two roles in indie films. While it was incredible to be in those movies, they paid next to nothing.
Luckily the commercials compensate well, and whenever the rent has been too steep, my parents have helped me out.
I’m desperate to make this work out though.
I’ve wanted to act for as long as I can remember, and I know that I’m an incredible actress. I just need my big break.
As far as breaks go, this would be astronomical. Landing this role would catapult me into a level of success that I could only ever dream of until this phone call.
I search my small bedroom for a scrunchie, tossing aside various old scripts from auditions until I finally find one hiding under a stack of papers. With a determined tug, I pull my long copper waves into a high bun and grab my laptop.
Opening up Anita’s email with the details, I begin to meticulously memorize the lines. I scrawl notes on a notepad as well, trying to delve into some character ideas I have for Moonbeam.
Even if my agent seems skeptical, I refuse to let this opportunity slide. I will be beyond prepared for this read. My lines will be perfect, and my character choices are going to be stellar. The one thing I can’t control is my chemistry with the other lead.
Sending up a silent prayer to the acting gods, I hope that Roman gives me everything I need for a successful chemistry read. Because if there’s one thing I know, it’s that you can’t fake that.