A New Musical

7

 Mason offered to drive to my parents instead of me, which I didn't turn down. I'm not sure if Mason was aware of how badly people drive in Chicago, though, he is learning as he goes quickly. "What in the hell, just use your damn turn signal!" Mason yells, while we're only 10 minutes into a 40 minute drive. "Were you not gonna tell me how piss poor people can drive here?"

I start to finally lose it, and break into laughter. I mimic Mason's British accent, "I thought I'd let you figure it out on your own."

This makes Mason roll his eyes, but a smirk still appears on his face. Most of the car ride we talk about the show, and how we can't believe our first 2 nights are already sold out. I don't bring up the fact that it's because Mason's name is attached, cause I don't want to frustrate him more. But I feel like he has to know that's the reason why. Right?

"You know I had to audition like everyone else, right?" Mason says, which takes me aback. I wonder if he really is Clark Kent, and can read my mind. But it more so sounds like he's trying to make small talk, and he must know this is something that I would be interested in knowing.

"Well, no I didn't know that."

"Yep, Meg contacted my team and said they were interested in me for the title role. My agents were quick to dismiss the idea, and said it wasn't in my schedule." Mason seems to get irritated when he brings up his management.

"Then how did you even get the show?" I ask, and Mason grows a mischievous smile. "What did you do?" I laugh.

"I may have personally messaged Meg myself, and set a time to audition for the show. I did a few call backs, because they were looking at another actor I guess. Because they thought I wasn't interested. But they ended up choosing me. Once I knew I had the show, I turned down a movie project and made my team clear my schedule for this. Let's just say they were not thrilled with me." He laughs, still looking proud of himself. "First time I really put my foot down for myself."

Mason is probably proud because it was one of his only moments where he finally did something for himself. "Well I'm happy you are doing the show."

Mason looks at me for a moment, with that dazzling Oscar winning smile. "Me too."

When Mason is pulling into my parents driveway, I can see my mom peeking through the doors window. She looks like she's about to jump out of her pants, because she's so ready to see us. As I get out of the car, I see mom's already embracing Mason. I don't even know how she managed to get to him so fast.

"I'm so happy you came to join us Mason!" She says.

"Thank you for having me Mrs. Rowan."

"Oh please, call me Mary!"

"Well thank you Mary." Mason says, giving her one last squeeze in her hug.

Mom leads us into the house, letting us know that dad just ran out to grab a few more things she needed for lunch. Mom continues on about how she's just making some chicken tacos in the crockpot, one of her signature dishes. She use to say "It's so simple, you throw it in there, Let it cook, and shred it. You can't mess it up!"

We all sit at the kitchen table and mom starts asking Mason a ton of questions. The usual ones that he always gets, I'm sure. What is it like to film a movie? Is the Oscar heavy? Do you keep the one they give at the award show? I can't tell if Mason is overwhelmed, or loves how invested how my mom is wanting to know the answers to all the questions. I mean, mom is more interested in the technical side of film. So I think that helps Mason feel like someone is not just fanning over him.