The Writer

Introduction

Catherine sat, nervously fidgeting with the script on her lap. She had done as she had been asked. Different coloured tabs stuck out from between the pages, which themselves were covered with notes neatly written in the margin.

She still wasn't exactly sure why they wanted her here. She'd heard of writer's liaising with studio's, but that was Stephen King level, not newcomers like her.

"Miss. Thompson?"

A young girl, wearing ripped jeans and a Spider-Man t-shirt, stood in front of Catherine peering down at her through her long brown fringe.

"Yes"

"I'm sorry but you're in the wrong seat."

No-one else was in the room when, ten minutes earlier, she'd been shown in by a tall blonde women who wore heels so high she was sure a gust of wind would knock her off balance. She'd gestured towards the room, mumbled "Take a seat, they'll be with you soon" and left. The room had been set up almost as if a conference was taking place. A large black glass table with at least a dozen chairs around it, was placed in front of the window. Dozens of similar chairs had been laid out into rows with an aisle down the middle.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" Catherine glanced around the room. She'd sat herself in the far left corner of the back row, hoping she could somehow merge with her surroundings. "Erm, I hope you don't mind me asking, but where am I meant to sit?"

The girl gave her a look of surprise before pointing to the front of the room. "You're at the table Miss, I think your on the right near the director but just check the place card's."

Catherine felt her heartbeat quicken as she picked up her bag and slowly walked towards the table. She moved towards the right side and began to glance at the name's. Sure enough there it was "Miss. C. Thompson - Writer", one place along from the director between a producer and script writer.

Gingerly placing the script and her pen on the table she sat down, popping her bag under her chair and pouring herself some water from one of the glass jugs that had been dotted around.

"Breathe Cat" she whispered to herself and then realised that her right leg was bopping up and down, almost of it's own free will but a familiar stimming behaviour that she'd developed when she felt anxious.

Soon the room began to fill and she felt more and more out of her league.

The chairs in front of her were filled first. Being new to this Catherine was surprised to see a number of people on the front row with press I.D. and a couple with paparazzi style cameras but quickly came to the conclusion that the studio had decided to build the press hype early.

Soon the seats at the table were also filled with two exceptions, the director and one simply labelled 'Lead Actor'.

Suddenly the lights dimmed over the rows of chairs and a hush fell over the gathered group of people.
Quietly the director walked into the room to a round of applause. Felix, as he preferred to be called, was himself a Brit, having made his name in the 90's staring in several teenage shows and a major soap opera or two.

Reaching the front of the room he turned, applauded the onlookers before signalling for quiet.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" he began his London accent still strong despite moving to the USA a decade before. "And of course, people of the press!" He continued to a sputtering of laughter.

"It's not often in the life that we can say we have the opportunity to make something great, but today is one of those day's. Not only am I privileged to be working with an up and coming writer, who just so happens to also be a londoner..." he turned and gestures towards Catherine giving her a smile and a wink "...Miss Thompson, but I am delighted to introduce you to our leading man. Whilst he's no stranger to the spotlight, this is a major move into the unknown for him and I'm delighted that he chose to begin his new journey with us."

People started looking around expectantly whilst Felix let the tension build.

"Please welcome our leading man - Steve Rogers!"

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Author's Note

A brief intro to this story.