Free Starstruck In Seattle by Juliet Madison

1
    From: anna.h86@smail. com
    To: [email protected]
    Subject: I need your help
    Dear Lulu,
    I can’t believe I’m actually writing this letter, but your advice would be greatly appreciated. I’ve heard you’re the go-to person to help bring soulmates together and I hope you’ll be able to help me connect with mine.
    A psychic once told me my soulmate’s name begins with K, and I think I’ve found him. We’ve been working together as actors for six months, but his role’s more important and we hardly get a chance to speak together privately. Every time we pass each other at work, every time he smiles at me, every time we chat about the upcoming twists in the script, I feel so alive. I’ve never felt this strongly about anyone before, it’s like there’s an invisible cord connecting us. Should I wait for him to make the first move or take a risk and ask him out?
    The thing is; I don’t have much time. My contract will be up in a few weeks. I’ll have to find another job and I don’t want to waste the time I have left. How can I show my interest without looking desperate and blending in with the other women falling at his feet? And do you agree with the psychic – does my soulmate’s name begin with a K?
    Many thanks,
    Star Struck in Seattle
    â€œAnd. . .action!” The director’s voice shot through the air like a missile and Anna exploded into character, straightening her spine and swiftly picking up the telephone.
    â€œSeattle General Hospital Maternity Ward, how can I help you?”
    As soon as the words left her mouth, Karl Drake – aka Dr. Jack Harper – slammed his fist on the nurses’ station countertop, the muscles in his arms bulging beneath his white coat. “I will not give up on her, damn it!” His outburst met with crossed arms from his colleague, Dr. Freeman, and the phone slipped from Anna’s grasp, landing with a loud clunk on the desk.
    â€œCut!” The director jabbed a finger toward Anna. “Don’t drop the phone this time. Look shocked, yes, but don’t drop the phone.”
    Anna shifted on the spot. “But, wouldn’t it make the scene more realistic? I think it would show my. . . shocked-ness better if I dropped it, don’t you agree?” She turned with raised eyebrows to Charlie and Vera, fellow extras and nurses on New Lives , the hit television show shooting its fifth and final season. They nodded.
    â€œI agree,” Charlie said. “And maybe I could drop this chart.” He held up a clipboard with paper attached.
    The director held his palms up toward them. “No. It’ll distract the viewer from Karl’s moment. You,” he pointed at Anna, “just look shocked, and you,” he pointed at Charlie, “glance up from the chart and whisper into the other nurse’s ear, as if you’re asking what Dr. Harper’s talking about. That’s all. Got it? Now. . .action!”
    Anna repeated her phone script and Karl’s fist assaulted the countertop again, causing a pen to roll off to the floor. “I will not give up on her, damn it!”
    â€œCut! Someone stick that pen to the countertop, and,” the director pointed to Anna, “you looked over -shocked. Subtlety is an art, girl, learn it. From the top. . .action!”
    After seventeen takes and about as many eye-rolls from tired members of the camera crew, the scene was finally wrapped up, and Jake the Jerk Director turned away to instruct an actress on how to realistically collapse without hurting herself. Charlie strode toward Anna with a pointed finger and fierce glare, mocking the director’s earlier actions. Laughter burst from her lungs and she covered her mouth as the director turned back.
    â€œWhy are you still hanging about? Get ready for the next scene, shoo!” He flicked his bony hands toward them and they left the bright