Take Two
Originally posted on August 17, 2007
Donovan: Listen you guys, you think I could get a second take? I want to apologize for my attitude. It’s been a pretty tiring couple of days. I suppose it’s no real excuse, but I’ve been awake for more than 72 hours and sitting around in airports for the last twenty.
Pete: Well, that explains some of it. What do you need Asher for, anyway?
Donovan: I signed on for your next production. I’m directing.
Kaida: What? Oh great.
Donovan: Yeah, and I’m usually a hell of a lot better with first impressions….
Donovan: …..Donovan Parkes.
Pete: Pete Tomaszewski. Kaida said I was in charge, but I’m sure you figured out that’s just temporary. Usually it’s just the sound I’m in charge of.
Donovan: And what do you do here, Kaida?
Kaida: A little of everything. Right now I’m training with Pete, but really I’m just a glorified go-fer.
Donovan: Yeah, but in my experience, things sure run smoother when the gofers are good at what they do. Sorry again about my rotten mood.
Kaida: It’s okay. Hey - why does your name sound familiar?
Pete: Parkes, Parkes….. oh yeah - I remember. I think. But the Donovan Parkes I’ve heard of is a Broadway stage actor, not a director.
Donovan: Yeah, that would be me.
Pete: Saw you in New York, a year ago last spring. Drama Club trip. You were pretty decent.
Donovan: (wryly) Glad I made such an impression.
Pete: No, I mean it. I think some of the girls on the trip with us developed major crushes.
Donovan: At least until the next show they saw, eh?
Pete: Yeah, probably. But really, I liked your performance a lot. Didn’t look like an easy role.
Donovan: It sure wasn’t. But I’d do one like that again anytime. It was a huge challenge, but most of that was putting up with the leading lady’s temper tantrums – onstage and offstage. And the director was an idiot, so the fact that you enjoyed the show was a minor miracle.
Kaida: So now you are going to be directing for us. You’re not an idiot too, are you?
Pete: Kaida!
Kaida: He can’t fire me – I don’t get paid, remember?
Donovan: (laughs) An idiot? No, Kaida, I don’t think so. I guess I just act like one when I’m tapped out. Speaking of which, I need to locate my accommodations so I can get some rest. What time did you say Asher would be in tomorrow?
Kaida: Sometime in the mid-afternoon. Their plane is supposed to get in around one, but the airport’s a couple hours away..
Donovan: OK, let me have the number here, and this time I’ll call before I show up. (he leaves)
Pete: Not such a bad guy after all.
Kaida: You think? Jury’s still out on whether the charming guy or the jerk is the real Donovan Parkes. He makes his living acting, after all. But…. I didn’t recognize his name as an actor - I’ve heard it somewhere else. If I could only remember what it was about…
Pete: Well, back to work.
Kaida: Back to playing your game, you mean!
Pete: Yeah, what about it? Gotta fill the time somehow until I’m old enough to vote.