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CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
DANNY ROSE FROM his place and joined the standing ovation, not least because if he hadn't, he would have been one of the few people in the theater who was still sitting. He had enjoyed the play even more a second time, but that was possibly because he'd now had a chance to read the script.
Sitting in the third row among the family and friends of the cast had only added to his enjoyment. The set designer sat on one side of him, and the wife of the producer on the other. They invited him to join them for a drink in the extended interval. He listened to theater talk, rarely feeling confident enough to offer an opinion. It didn't seem to matter, as they all had unshakable views on everything from Davenport 's performance to why the West End was full of musicals. Da
After Davenport had taken countless curtain calls, the audience slowly made their way out of the theater. As it was a clear night, Da
He began to stroll toward Piccadilly Circus, when a voice behind him said, "Sir Nicholas?" He looked around to see the box office manager hailing him with one hand, while holding a taxi door open with the other. "If you're going to the party, why don't you join us?"
"Thank you," said Da
"This is Sir Nicholas Moncrieff," said the box office manager as he unfolded one of the seats and sat down to face them.
"Nick," insisted Da
"Nick, this is my girlfriend Charlotte. She works in props. And this is Katie, who's an understudy. I'm Paul."
"Which part do you understudy?" Nick asked.
"I stand in for Eve Best, who's been playing Gwendolen."
"But not tonight," said Da
"No," admitted Katie, as she crossed her legs. "In fact, I've only done one performance during the entire run. A matinee when Eve had to fulfill a commitment for the BBC."
"Isn't that a little frustrating?" asked Da
"It sure is, but it beats being out of work."
"Every understudy lives in hope that they'll be discovered while the lead is indisposed," said Paul. "Albert Fi
"Well, it didn't happen the one afternoon I was on stage," said Katie with feeling. "What about you, Nick, what do you do?"
Da
"My brother's a soldier," said Charlotte. "I'm worried that he might be sent to Iraq. Have you ever served there?"
Da
Katie smiled at Da
Da
"Thanks, Nick," said Paul, as he and Charlotte strolled into the hotel. Da
Katie hung back and waited for Nick to join her. "Paul tells me this is the second time you've seen the show," she said as they made their way into the hotel.
"I came on the off-chance you'd be playing Gwendolen," said Da
She smiled and kissed his cheek. Something else Da
"So what are you hoping to do next?" asked Da
"Three months of rep with the English Touring Company."
"Understudying again?"
"No, they can't afford understudies on tour. If anyone falls out, the program seller takes your place. So this is going to be my chance to be on stage, and your chance to come and see me."
"Where will you be performing?" asked Da
"Take your choice- Newcastle, Sheffield, Birmingham, Cambridge or Bromley."
"I think it will have to be Bromley," said Da
He looked around the overcrowded room. Everyone seemed to be talking at once. Those that weren't were drinking champagne, while others continually moved from person to person, hoping to impress directors, producers and casting agents in an endless quest to land their next job.
Da
"Bored with me already?" asked Katie, grabbing another glass of champagne from a passing waiter.
"No," said Da
"Hi, Katie," he said, kissing her on the cheek. "Have you got another job lined up or are you resting?"
Da
Da
Da
Da
"Very true," said Da
"How are you getting on, Nick?" Da
"Very well, thank you," said Da