Towards the end, he would come on, pushing through the darknesses and into the dazzling lights blinking: and so she left, he had to say, or words to that effect - they evaded him temporarily. The rehearsals were long; he would sit on a chair backstage, movement a tornado about him. The smile, perhaps too briskly flittered over in Leonard’s desperately meandering mind, was not unique to the lead actress - but he could not know that then. She had seen it first on her mother’s face and practised it and perfected it, and started to notice it all about her, like the trembling ghost of a reflection. It said: Hello, dearest! Just for this moment, and this moment only, I am gifting you my attention. In this instance, captured rarely by the quick slap of a camera’s shutter, you have my interest. You are a person of substance. I am waiting for you to say something and, when you do, I know - I just know - that it will be simply fascinating. Also, quietly, it breathed: This is your audition. I’m seeking someone for the starring role in my fantastic fiction of beautiful people and temporary ecstasies. This is your chance - all I see, all I hear, all I care for is you — And (no goodbye) it is dead. Lost in that hurricane of facial flux, in the hurrying merriment of a party or the quickening politeness of neighbours. Maybe the face turns slightly and brings to life a new smile for someone else. From rehearsals he had rushed to catch up with her - Oh hello! Hello, Leonard - and her smile had finished her sentence silently. I really am delighted to see you - how wonderful - how absolutely marvellous - welcome to my world, I do hope we can talk, because Leonard we truly are the best of friends.He’d blushed, averted his
63 17
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker