Sincerely, Yours

2. Where and When

Luan was walking to classes when he received his text from his customer Mr. Wilder.

"What an old fart," he laughed to himself when he read the formality at which the other man texted.

Luan still didn't know how he felt about adding yet another thing to his plate but he felt a pull towards it regardless.

"Perhaps this is just the thing I needed." Luan wondered. "Anything to keep me distracted."

Luan read and reread the last text from Mr. Wilder.

-Where and when?

Luan didn't want to meet this man he hardly knew alone, not because Mr. Wilder seemed dangerous or creepy. Though of course you could never be sure. But Luan felt meeting someone you hardly knew, even for a purpose such as this, was awkward. So instead he concluded he would accept the offer on a whim and deal with the consequences later.

So with newfound resolve he texted back.

-Nevermind about meeting. Let me know when casting is scheduled. :)

Without waiting for a reply Luan quickly shoved his phone into his pocket. He couldn't have his phone during class anyways.

—————

It seemed irresponsible of the boy to agree to be part of something he knew almost nothing about. But Thoma figured as long as the kid didn't flake, at least he had one person to audition. Casting was in a week and though Charlie had said he'd hung up flyers and gotten a few people interested in the play, he wasn't going to get his hopes up.

"Please just let 15, no, even 10 people show up." Thoma said a silent prayer.

—————-

*casting day one week later*

Thoma could hardly sleep the night before due to anxiety but he convinced himself it was something else. It had to be something else.

Casting wasn't until 9 but Thoma was outside the theatre at 6:30, very aware that no one else would be there but unable to stay still at his apartment.

A knock on the window startles Thoma awake and he quickly rolls down his window.

"Hey man," Charlie says with a smug smile, "uhh, what're you doing?"

"What time is it?!" Thoma asks while checking his phone.

It read 8:45 and Thoma's heart sank. He hated being late and he still wanted a coffee and a few moments to prepare before people starting coming in. But as if Charlie read his mind he handed him a large coffee.

"Don't worry. The casting call isn't until 10. I texted you the new time but I guess you were sleeping." Charlie says and Thoma breathes a sigh of relief.

He follows Charlie inside and they wait in anticipation for people to start showing up.

—————

"Thank you for your time," Charlie says and dismisses the person who has just auditioned. He turns to Thoma with an exasperated look.

"Not him either?" He asks to which Thoma gives a stern shake of his head.

"You realize you have to accept someone. We've only gotten about 12 auditions and time is running out. Do you want this thing to flop Tommy?" He asks but it appears Thoma is deep in thought.

"Is there anyone else still out there?" Thoma hears Charlie ask but he's not paying attention to his conversation.

It was already 1:30 and casting would be over at 2. Every few minutes Thoma had been checking his phone for any word from the boy. He'd shared the casting time and it showed that the boy had read it but there had been no indication that he was coming.

Thoma had disliked every half hearted person who'd come in to audition for a part in this play. Yes, Thoma had high expectations but he didn't feel like they were unrealistic for something of this caliber. But as time ticked by he realized that he had two options. To try and direct the people who seemed to have no passion for this project or simply cut the production altogether.

But why did the latter upset him so much?

Thoma was startled from his thoughts by a familiar voice. He looked up from his phone and towards the voice that he knew unmistakably belonged to the barista boy.

Thoma couldn't even hide his relieved sigh as the boy began to introduce himself.

"Hello. My name is Luan Hasake. Im 24 years old and currently a college student at X University studying Early Childhood Education. I am auditioning for the role of X in the play X." Luan said clearly and professionally.

Thoma couldn't describe why but there was something about this boy that he felt would surprise him. Even as every minute from 10 am till now passed, Thoma had had a feeling this boy wouldn't stand him up.

As the boy began to recite a scene from a mock script the whole casting table fell silent and every one of them was mesmerized by his performance. After Luan had finished the scene and gotten his dismissal, Thoma excused himself and followed him out.

"Oh, Mr. Wilder. I wanted to have a second to talk with you..." Luan started but Thoma interrupted him.

At a loss for words or perhaps the most professional ones Thoma blurted out, "that was incredible. I, I , I was so moved by your performance and just the way... I mean.. are you sure you haven't acted before because..." he was stumbling over his words and he felt flustered but it was like someone had lit a fire under him.

"Ahh so this is what I've been missing," Thoma thought, "this passion."

Luan laughed and nodded.

"I don't know if it counts for anything but my freshmen year of college I was majoring in Drama and Theater but I switched majors my sophomore year. But that's actually what I wanted to discuss with you, sir."

Thoma had no idea what he was going on about and just as Luan was about to explain himself Charlie burst through the door from the other room.

"Tommy, we need you. We have a line out the door for auditions and it's gonna take us about another couple hours to get through them all," Charlie said excitedly and disappeared again.

Thoma began to walk slowly towards the door but turned back to Luan.

"I'm sorry you were saying something when Charlie came in," Thoma prodded Luan but the latter shook his head.

"It's nothing, sir. Sorry I was late," he said with a grin and waved goodbye.

His back was already turned when Thoma smiled back at him and waved but he had no time to think about it. Refreshed from the first good audition Thoma walked back into the casting room to see if there were any more eligible people to cast for this play.