Free The Perfect Audition by Kate Forster Page B

finding out he has had an affair. Her parents were originally from Italy but she has never been there herself. She’s fluent in the Italian language and immerses herself in Italian life, staying at Isabel’s villa and pretending she is someone else. Eventually her husband comes looking for her, trying to win her back. They work through their issues in the marriage and come to a better place than they have ever been before. She and her husband stay in Italy and slowly and surely their marriage is mended by the beauty and romance of the country.”
    Rose nodded as TG spoke. She understood the role more than TG realised and her thoughts wandered to Paul but she pushed them away and remained focussed.
    “Shall we do the sides?” Asked TG referring to the pages of the script that he wanted to use for the audition.
    Rose smiled and nodded. The assistant turned on the camera and TG watched as Rose went through the lines, perfectly.
    God she was a talent, thought TG as he watched her work with the lines. They did the scene a few times and then TG stopped her.
    “Rose, I just want to say how much I appreciate you auditioning for this, I know an actress of your talent is often above auditions.” He said honestly.
    “Not at all. We are all just working actors at the end of the day. I’m just happy to have a chance at this, the script is one of the best I’ve read in ages.” She said laughing away his concerns.
    “I’m glad you said that.” Said TG sitting forward. “I love it also.”
    Diana moved her papers signalling the audition was over and Rose stood, knowing when to make an exit.
    “Good luck with whatever happens TG, thanks for seeing me.” She said and smiled at them both and swept from the room.
    TG turned to Diana, “She’s amazing.” He said.
    Diana nodded, she only brought the best talent to TG and was confident in her choices.
    ‘Rose is amazing but she needs this role. She’s critically acclaimed but needs a hit to ensure bankability,’ said Diana leaning back in her chair. ‘I think we could knock her price down if you want her.’
    ‘You’re the Svengali of casting you know that?’ TG exclaimed half admiringly to Diana who just shrugged at him.
    “Jessica’s here,” said the assistant putting her head through the door just before Jessica McClure walked into the room. It was obvious before she spoke that she felt that auditioning was beneath her and that she should be just offered the part. She sighed and placed her Jimmy Choo bag on the table in front of Diana, who moved it to the floor with a steely look on her face.
    “Hi,” she smiled at TG and Diana but there was no warmth behind her eyes. She flicked her tawny hair over her shoulders and TG could see a small weave on her neck were the hair extensions were sewn in. She picked up a bottle of Fiji Water and opened it and drank from it, smearing her lipstick.
    “So before we start, I want to know how you feel about improv on the set?” ‘I’m feeling this script is a little dry, it needs some fun, you know, it’s just so soppy.’ Inside TG groaned, there was no need for improv with a script this good.
    Jessica was talented but she was unpredictable. Sometimes she would bring gold and other times she was shamefully bad.
    He tried not to glare at Diana who seemed to be deeply involved with a blank piece of paper in front of her.
    “So you understand the character?” TG asked, ignoring the question about improvisation.
    “Yeah, although I thought I might be better suited for the role of Isabel.” Jessica remarked, looking down at the pages of the script in her hand.
    “OK,” Said TG, silence then hanging in the air as Diana and TG looked at each other horrified. The role of Isabel was ten years younger than the role Jessica was reading for. Oblivious to the awkwardness in the room Jessica then went on reading the lines of Isabel.
    TG let her read the lines, afraid of what might happen if he interrupted her. She seemed wired and