Dark Receiver

[DeathsKnight]

He shook his head and leaned on the counter close to her,

"That is the problem most young actors and actresses make, they get involved with the producer, the only time it does work out is when they have talent and is willing to work."

He smiled and rested a re-assuring hand on her shoulder,

"Don't worry, you have loads of talent and you are a hard worker."

He opened his arms as if aiming to hug her,

"Besides, in my world there is no way that you can't make it."

He leaned close, his face almost touching her own, his voice a soft murmur,

"Alas my nightingale, I fear sweet reprise if ever an arrow shall be nocked..."

He trailed off, he could feel her breath on his face, her eyes fixed on his, he was spellbound he knew...he broke the spell with a bright smile,

"Avast! Harken fair maiden, the town bells call!"

He playfully tapped her on the side of the head and shifted away,

"Remember Claire, be all that you can be and fear nothing...not ever."

He winked at her and turned to his table

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"That is the problem most young actors and actresses make, they get involved with the producer, the only time it does work out is when they have talent and is willing to work."

She didn't think she had gotten involved with him; it was just a question of loyalty.

"Don't worry, you have loads of talent and you are a hard worker.
Besides, in my world there is no way that you can't make it."

She laughed. She was learning quickly that sometimes Glen's world and reality did not quite coincide.

"Alas my nightingale, I fear sweet reprise if ever an arrow shall be nocked..."

One of his many quotations or misquotations, but there was an intensity in the way he looked at her ... and then it was gone ...

"Avast! Harken fair maiden, the town bells call!
Remember Claire, be all that you can be and fear nothing...not ever."

Given her 'situation' that was difficult advice, but she had no other choice but to go with it. It seemed her fate was sealed, at least as far as anyone knew.

She shook her head in silence, a smile playing across her face as she sipped her drink and ate her toast.

"So ... we're heading to the theatre?"

The question was almost rhetorical.

"What are you intending us to work on today?"

It felt like she'd been out of the loop for ages rather than just one day.

 

[DeathsKnight]

He turned to face her and smiled enigmatically,

"Today we shall have a special surprise...one that will test abilities and knowledge to the extreme..."

He paused,

"Bah! I have forgotten! Claire you are a lifesaver."

With that he hauled out his phone and dialed a number, the conversation was rather cryptical, but it was clear that he was speaking to a woman and that they have had numerous dealings in the past. He hung up and gave her a smile,

"All in all it promises to be an entertaining day."

With a small grin he turned back to his desk to finish his packing and then slung the bag over his shoulder,

"How do you find the contract so far?"

He had moved back to stand with her, leaning relaxed against the counter, his eyes fixed on her own.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Today we shall have a special surprise...one that will test abilities and knowledge to the extreme..."

Claire watched him warily. She did not quite know what to think when Glen became so cryptic.

"Bah! I have forgotten! Claire you are a lifesaver."

She stepped away to finish her breakfast as he made his phone call. She was obviously curious, but tried not to listen; not that the snatches of conversation she caught made any sense to her anyhow!

"All in all it promises to be an entertaining day."

Glen announced as he finished his call.

"I know better than to ask."

Claire responded.

"You do like your secrets, don't you?"

She teased, smiling as she watched him busy himself packing his bag.

"How do you find the contract so far?"

Claire was taken aback at the change of subject.

"The contract ... fine ... assuming you're still willing to take me on with everything you know about me, I can sign it for you now if you want?"

She responded, but still making it clear that Glen could withdraw should he wish to.

"If not ... consider yourself officially stuck with me ... "

She told him, her gaze meeting his as she realised that being 'stuck with' Glen was a very attractive prospect; and that was without even thinking of the acting opportunities!

 

[DeathsKnight]

Glen smiled,

"Mysteries makes the world go round my dear."

He reached out and rested a hand on her arm, feeling the smooth skin, cool and silky under his touch.

"I am sure that I want you to sign it if you wish to."

He gave her a smile,

"And I kind of like the idea of being stuck with you."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Mysteries makes the world go round my dear."

At times Glen was straightforward, other times positively ... enigmatic ... and she liked that about him.

"I am sure that I want you to sign it if you wish to."

He told her , as if she would ever refuse the contract from him.

"And I kind of like the idea of being stuck with you."

The combination of his words and the touch of her hand upon her arm made her blush.

"I like the idea too, Glen..."

She told him softly, reluctant to break the connection between them to go and get the contract, or to head out if time to get to the theatre was pressing ...

 

[DeathsKnight]

He smiled gently at her, his gaze meeting her own,

"Then we should make the most of it."

He didn't want to break contact with her, her cool skin sent small electric signals rushing up his arm. But they had to get going and that was the sad fact about it all. He reluctantly slid his fingers from her arm and gave her another smile,

"You can sign it when you feel ready to do so. I'm not going anywhere."

He had this huge impulse to hug her to him, to kiss her, to feel her soft body against his own and to feel her warm breath on his face as he explored her lips with his own.

"Lock up when you come out, I'll get the car."

He turned, picked up his bag and headed outside

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Then we should make the most of it."

His smile was easy, but there was an intensity in the look they exchanged, in the light touch of his hand upon her arm that inexplicably made her catch her breath and her paces race.

And then the moment was gone.

"You can sign it when you feel ready to do so. I'm not going anywhere."

He told her as he slowly stepped away from her.
Claire immediately regretted the distance between them, which was stupid, as they had to get to the theatre.

"Lock up when you come out, I'll get the car."

Bag in hand he went outside leaving her still rooted to the spot and somewhat stunned by what had, or rather hadn't happened between them.
Shaking herself she headed to her room and opened her drawer to take out the contract and went through the papers, signing where necessary. She picked up her own bag, then checking all was switched off in the kitchen she headed for the door, securing it before she headed down to the car.

"There ya go ... "

She told him handing over the signed contract as she slid into the passenger seat.

"I'm ready and I've never felt surer."

She confirmed.

 

[DeathsKnight]

He took the contract and gave her a smile,

"Well then, I will get a copy to you today and then my dearest Claire you will be stuck with me."

He gave her a wink and started the car, pulling out of the driveway and on their way to the theater. The radio was on and it seemed that what seemed to have been a normal thunder shower actually was the outskirts of a heavy storm which had passed by a few miles North. He listened intently, but it sounded like there wasn't any casualties. By the time the report drew to a close he pulled up to the theater.

"Well they are here already."

He motioned to a mini-van parked ahead,

"Well come along, let's surprise you all."

He got out, got his bag and even made it in time to open Claire's door for her. They entered the theater and he didn't even bother with the lights or urns, he motioned for Claire to take a seat close to the door. As the other cast members started to enter shortly after them he stopped them and kept them all close to the door. When everybody was there Glen got to his feet,

"Right everybody, outside there's a blue van, pile in there, I have space for two in my car. I leave that up to you, we're going to Mid Park today."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Well then, I will get a copy to you today and then my dearest Claire you will be stuck with me."

The prospect more than pleased her. She settled down only half listening to the radio as they made their way towards the theatre.

"Well they are here already."

She wanted to ask him who 'they' were, but he was already encouraging her to head towards the theatre.

"Well come along, let's surprise you all."

She shook her head laughing and let him help her out of the car.
She grew still more curious as he didn't put on the lights or set up the urns.
She took a seat near the door as he indicated and watched with increasing curiosity as the others arrived and were instructed to sit beside the door also.
All were curious and exchanged glances, knowing better than to fully question Glen when he chose not to reveal his plans to them until he was ready.

As one they watched as he finally got to his feet.

"Right everybody, outside there's a blue van, pile in there, I have space for two in my car. I leave that up to you, we're going to Mid Park today."

As one they all questioned, ' .. the park ...?'
They could only guess what he was up to.

"Another of your master plans?"

Claire asked Glen as they began to mill around.

"Whose van is that ... or is that part of your surprise?"

She asked as the cast made ready with surprising speed to head out to the van and Glen's car ...

 

[DeathsKnight]

"Oh just a good friend of mine, she offers her services to transport my talent if I decide on a field trip."

He gave her an enigmatic smile,

"Of course the fact that she is a talented movie producer has nothing to do with it all."

He grinned as Elron and "The Nurse" joined the two of them,

"And now off we go."

The chatter in the car seemed to center around the storm and not much around what would happen at the park. Once they stopped there it became obvious why Glen had been so secretavie, an outdoor stage have been set up as well as several lights and cameras, personel milled around and Glen smiled at his confused cast.

"Today you rehearse without papers, without props and with the loving attention of the camera! If by now you do not know your lines...well apart from our new member of course, then I have bad news for you....and PLEASE!!! Make me believe! Now go go go, get your make-up done and get ready."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Oh just a good friend of mine, she offers her services to transport my talent if I decide on a field trip."

His answer didn't tell Claire much more and he knew it!

"Of course the fact that she is a talented movie producer has nothing to do with it all."

Claire was more than intrigued.

" ... movie producer...?"

Her query went without reply as the two joined them and they set off for the park.
The car was filled with amicable chatter, Claire herself getting drawn into the conversation as she confessed her fear of storms and they discussed their 'meaning' in Shakespearean plays ... And then they arrived at the park to find a stage set up and surrounded by lights and cameras and various individuals who seemed to be their crew milling around.

"Today you rehearse without papers, without props and with the loving attention of the camera!"

Finally the secret was revealed! Claire looked around somewhat daunted. She was sure that having a camera pointed at her would make her self conscious and unless they had special permission, surely this was a public part of the park? Would there be people around who might be an additional distraction?

"If by now you do not know your lines...well apart from our new member of course, then I have bad news for you....and PLEASE!!! Make me believe!
Now go go go, get your make-up done and get ready."

They were to be with full make up and costume and props. It was the fullest 'rehearsal' they had had to date. She wasn't sure, but from what she could see Glen was almost treating it like a dress rehearsal and being set up for Act 1, Scene 1 was almost certainly intending to run through the play from beginning to end. It was a pressure Claire felt she could do without, especially after an enforced break.

"Did you know he was doing this?"

She asked Elron worriedly.

"No, why didn't you?"

She shook her head.

"Of course not. Why should Glen tell me what he has planned?"

Claire responded.

"If I still have to tell you that, then perhaps I'm giving Glen more credit than he deserves?"

Elron responded cryptically as he headed off to get ready as Glen had instructed.

 

[DeathsKnight]

When all was ready a small crowd had already gathered, gawking at the scene. Glen stepped onto the stage, made sure that everybody could see and hear him and grinned,

"This is very unexpected yes? This is the kind of pressure you get the first evening. I had some productions flop due to people not being able to handle this pressure. This is one production I will not have failing."

He held up four fingers,

"Forget the crowd, forget the camera, concentrate on the play and live your character."

He smiled,

"Now make me proud."

He stepped off of the stage and moved to stand just out of shot. A raven haired woman joined him, she had a dubious look on her face, but at her command the lights came on to cast away all shadows and the camera started rolling...the narration started and the play was under way

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"This is very unexpected yes? This is the kind of pressure you get the first evening. I had some productions flop due to people not being able to handle this pressure. This is one production I will not have failing."

Claire looked at the gathering of people who had just stumbled upon their project and at the assembled cameras and glanced across at Elron who was grinning, seemingly unconcerned; but of course he had done this many times before. She glanced around and could see that she was not the only member of the cast to be taken aback by Glen's 'surprise'.

"Forget the crowd, forget the camera, concentrate on the play and live your character."

Glen instructed.

"Now make me proud."

It was that more than anything that motivated the assembled group. Glen drove them hard and expected great things of them. He was the kind of producer who made you willing to walk over glass for him ... and this was to be the dramatic equivalent. The group broke up and set about final preparations and went to take their positions. Glen looked very pleased with himself. In costume and make up Claire finally passed him by halting as she did so.

"Just wait 'til I get you home... "

She threatened good naturedly.

" ... ohh ... playing house now?"

She turned and saw Elron watching them both.

"Don't get sassy,"

Claire admonished him.

"I'm supposed to fall in love with you ... don't make it harder than it already is... "

Elron threw back his head and laughed at her comment.

"When the time comes, you'll adore me ... "

He told Claire picking up her hand and kissing the palm in true Act V, Scene 1 manner before heading off to take his position on the opposite side of the stage 'wings' than her.

And so the play started, the first scene looking surprisingly accomplished as if spurred on by the presence of an audience of sorts and especially the cameras.
Claire watched as Elron entered as Romeo and could not help but admire his commitment to the role. She was lucky to be playing opposite someone so skilled.
Claire turned her focus to her own role for the short second scene and then it was her cue to enact a blissfully short first scene with just the nurse and Lady Capulet.

Abigail had been nervous, but the two had become such friends that the two played off the other. The actress playing Lady Capulet was suitably measured and superior, which always made the interplay between their Juliet and nurse characters seem all the more 'natural'. Almost before she was aware of it, Claire was giving her final couplet:

I'll look to like, if looking liking move:
But no more deep will I endart mine eye
Than your consent gives strength to make it fly.

And she was finished and behind the scenes again until Scene V, the meeting of her character and Elron's...

 

[DeathsKnight]

To say that it was unexpected was an understatement, Elron knew that Glen at times really pulled the rug from under people and this was clearly one of those times. Of course the only thing that saved him was the fact that he had experience in the theater behind him. The cameras was new and he just followed Glen's advice. He forgot about them, he played for the crowd as much as he would in the theater.

Then came the scene where he would be meeting Claire's Juliete and he felt a slight anticipation, last time she looked breath taking in the dress and today she showed up in a skirt and top which clearly had taken his friend by surprise. The scene started and he entered on his cue.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

After her exit from that first shorter scene, Claire did not watch the stage or concern herself with the growing number of onlookers who were obviously thrilled to have stumbled upon an impromptu production. Clad in her Juliet party dress she entered upstage stood with 'Paris' and Lady Capulet whilst Elron made his entrance upstage. They had rehearsed this many times, she would converse and upon the cue of Capulet's line; "What, man! 'tis not so much, 'tis not so much:" she would move forward with Paris to allow Elron sight of her. Following a cue without seeming to be aware of the other actors had always been difficult and fortunately Claire was concentrating on that so much that she actually forgot about the camera and the gathered 'audience' who were of course eager to see this and equally the balcony scene which was to follow shortly as they were of course the two that almost everyone would recognise.

The Tybalt/Capulet argument was Paris's cue to move away and then as she heard his voice, Claire turned to face Elron and in doing so caught sight of camera, crowd and the whole context in which she was acting.

"Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,
Which mannerly devotion shows in this;"

The line came automatically, delivered somewhat nervously.
Elron, as ever came to her aid. Stepping closer, as if the eager lover, her blocked part of her view of the surroundings and most importantly drew her focus fully upon him.

"For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch,
And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss."

She was grateful that he had saved her from her first stumble, but even so, she could see that Elron had not broken out of character and with his line;

"Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?"

Had her instantly back in character as she blushed and gave her response;

"Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer."

The dialogue followed smoothly from then on. Juliet had arrived late, but as he had confidently asserted, it was all too easy to fall in love with her Romeo.
The first kiss seemed to stun her, the second more prolonged than they had ever rehearsed.

"You kiss by the book...."

Delivered somewhat dazedly as the two separate again until their realisation at the end of the scene.

My only love sprung from my only hate!
Too early seen unknown, and known too late!
Prodigious birth of love it is to me,
That I must love a loathed enemy.

With Elron's help Claire had overcome her temporary 'stage fright' and headed back stage to pull of the party gown which had an undergarment which would act as her 'night dress' for the balcony scene to follow ...

 

[DeathsKnight]

"Who is your Juliet?"

Glen looked away from the stage for the first time since it started,

"Pardon?"

Louise smiled at him,

"What is your Juliet's real name?"

"Oh... Claire, Claire Westall."

Louise nodded,

"I always knew you had an eye for talent, she really makes her character live."

Glen nodded,

"You should see her in full flight without the tension, she does Juliet so effortlessly it seems like the role was written for her."

He grimaced,

"Of course there were a few problems to iron out first."

He looked back at the stage,

"They are doing good."

Louise nodded,

"This will make for fabulous material, for both of us."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

Once she had 'become' Juliet, Claire refused to let her own personality have any influence, even back stage. The balcony scene went well and was well received, though Claire and Elron it seemed only had eyes for the other and Claire certainly was oblivious as to the audience reaction.

Sending Romeo on his way, she headed for a costume change. Going non-stop through the play in full make up and costume was something they had not done before, but she had plenty of time for this change so that once she was finished, rather than watch from the wings, Claire went to sit quietly to the side and focus upon her next scene with Abigail as the nurse. She was given the signal to prepare and then once again stepped out;

The clock struck nine when I did send the nurse;

Offering the perfect frustration as a foil to Abigail's comedic portrayal.
A quick transition to the wedding scene and it had been decided to take a short break, an interval. Claire knew from then onwards it would be a rapid decline to tragedy for the lovers, but of course she had to suspend that knowledge so that she could play her part authentically.

Despite her intentions, she could not help but wonder what Glen was thinking about their performances so far ...

 

[DeathsKnight]

During the short break Glen went over to the group, he spoke quietly to a few of the characters and finally ended up with Elron, he playfully patted Elron's middle,

"The camera does add ten pounds, you're looking chubby El."

Elron wove his hand away and scoffed,

"I am doing just fine thank you, I have lost weight since you stopped feeding me all those salads."

Glen clapped his friend amiably on the shoulder and then he stood in front of Claire,

"Ah Claire..."

For a brief moment little devils danced in his eyes and he leaned in kissing her lightly on the lips,

"Pilgrims kiss by the book hey?"

He grinned and like that he headed back to his place, the break drawing to an end.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Ah Claire..."

Glen's voice too her by surprise. She knew of course that he had been talking to various cast members, but her mind was upon her next big scene, which in the earlier days she had found problematic. Her eyes were drawn upwards to find him standing in front of her, his expression so difficult to read. His kiss took her totally by surprise.

"Pilgrims kiss by the book hey?"

He asked her with one of his enigmatic grins and made no further comment before turning on his heel and heading off leaving Claire merely to stare after him.
Had he meant that he had noticed how she and Elron had played that line?
And if so had he approved or disapproved?
Or was the meaning something totally different?

She glanced across to were Elron was watching with an almost equally infuriating grin on his face.

"What was that about?"

Claire asked of him. If anyone could read Glen, then it was Elron.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Elron shook his head,

"My dear if you do not know by now I fear that romance is lost on you."

His grin broadened and he shoved his glasses back in place,

"OK let me light a candle for you. You see that guy over there in the black clothing? The one who had just kissed you? He is infatuated with you. He sprouts impromto lines, showed you how he would woo a lady?"

He spread his hands in a there-you-have-it gesture, then he softly started to sing, doing a silly little jig,

"He's in love with you, that's all he wants to do. He'll never let you down, he'll never fool around, 'cuz he's in love with you."

Elron gave her another huge grin and then he headed off as the break came to an end.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"My dear if you do not know by now I fear that romance is lost on you."

She shook her head. It seemed the two had been too much together and as such were both equally cryptic.

"OK let me light a candle for you."

Elron it seemed at least was willing to explain.

"You see that guy over there in the black clothing?
The one who had just kissed you?"

Claire nodded, her eyes following Glen as he made his way to the front of stage.

"He is infatuated with you."

A denial sprung easily to her lips, but Elron continued.

"He sprouts impromto lines, showed you how he would woo a lady?"

Any reasonable response was interrupted by Elron's crazy little dance and song.

"Elron! Shhhh!"

Claire blushed as she tried to get him to stop.
Fortunately the break had come to an end so Elron merely headed off, his grin still wider if that were possible.

What he said could not be right of course!
Glen didn't act as if he was in love with her.
Of course he was kind and looked out for her, but surely that was just protecting his interest and part of being a friend, especially given her strange 'condition'?

With a sigh, Claire took herself to the back of the stage again and focused upon getting into the appropriate frame of mind for her "Gallop apace, you fiery-footed steeds" scene ...

 

[DeathsKnight]

It was a long haul this time and with the final scene's end brought an end to the play. It was lunch time by then, Glen went behind the curtains and gathered the group,

"You have to thank the people for watching. Now enter stage, line up and wait for the curtains, when they are open, take a bow and then exit stage."

He smiled,

"You have a good audience."

He watched the group do as instructed and as they took their bow, many of the onlookers clapped hands and even a few cheered. As the group came back out he gathered them around him,

"OK we didn't have breakfast, but we will have dinner. That diner over there?"

He motioned to a diner just across the park's main entrance,

"My treat. Now go get dressed and cleaned up."

He walked back to Louise, took her hand in both of his, thanked her and she thanked him in return, then he started off to the diner.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

The Acts followed in quick succession and Claire found herself totally caught up with the tragic events as they unfurled. Finally she was at the end of her enactment;
"O happy dagger!
This is thy sheath;
there rust, and let me die."

Laying with Elron the two remained immobile as the rest of the cast concluded the play around them and finally the curtain closed. Once certain they were hidden from sight, Claire sat up and turned to her 'husband' and saw the broad grin on Elron's face; he for one was pleased with the performance they had put together.

"You have to thank the people for watching. Now enter stage, line up and wait for the curtains, when they are open, take a bow and then exit stage."

It was Glen gathering them up.

"You have a good audience."

Elron helped Claire to her feet and they lined up and did as instructed. Claire was amazed by how many people were out there as she had been totally unaware of how many had actually watched their performance.

The curtain closed a final time and the cast gathered around Glen, pleased that they had managed to carry it off at least and eager to hear his verdict.

"OK we didn't have breakfast, but we will have dinner. That diner over there?
My treat. Now go get dressed and cleaned up."

His invitation was met with grateful cheers and as one they headed off to change, Claire waiting for Abigail, her nurse as the two women made quick work of getting ready and headed across to the diner to find Glen already there.

 

[DeathsKnight]

As the last of his cast took a seat and everybody had their drinks, he stood up and rose his glass of water,

"To be honest...you guys still have some work to do."

He smiled,

"Good news of course is that all of you know your lines and your cues, even our new Paris. So great work out there today, if you have to order lifts then I'd suggest you do so, when dinner is finished we are done for today. Call it a bonus for a job well done."

He started to sit and paused,

"Oh and some of you will receive invitations to an audition. I suggest you go."

He gave a grin and sat down