Under the Spotlight

Chapter Nine

First reads are one of Cassie's favorite parts of acting. The mistakes that she and her co-stars all share, as well as their clunky speech, creates a bonding experience that they all get to share. She loves finding different ways to interpret scenes for her character and being able to try new things.

First reads also one of the few times the writers of Tomorrow's Never Coming like to take suggestions from the actors about the direction of the scripts and the show.

Lynnette— one of Cassie's writer friends— has been talking about the new script all week. She cannot stop talking about how great the script is and how everyone is going to love the direction that the show is going in the next few seasons.

However, Lynnette claimed the same thing about last season and it had been no different than the previous seasons that they had filmed. Cassie is certain that this season won't be any different, no matter what Lynnette says about Cassie loving the potential change.

"This better be worth the fifteen NDA's I had to sign," Jeremiah mutters. Walking only a pace behind her, he sticks out like a sore thumb. While everyone else on set is wearing shorts and t-shirts that are appropriate for summer weather, Jeremiah is in a suit. Thankfully, he left the jacket in the car and he has his sleeves rolled up to save himself from some of the atrociously hot weather. "I'm going to be disappointed if the script is boring."

Cassie rolls her eyes. This arrangement has definitely lasted longer than the two of them would have liked. What had originally seemed like a week-long ordeal has stretched into two. She feels slightly bad for the agent since she knows that he would much rather be working to solve the case than be stuck babysitting her.

She meant to talk to Bradley about rotating FBI agents earlier in the week. Every time she tried to text him about it, however, Cassie would cower away from the decision. Something about Jeremiah feels comfortable— almost familiar. Though the pair have kept their exchanges formal and professional, Cassie feels that if circumstances had been different they could have been good friends.

"Don't get your hopes up," Cassie states while they approach the room. "First reads are almost always terrible. You should have seen the original script for last season."

The cool air from the writer's room feels almost like a winter wind. The actress immediately regrets not bringing a sweatshirt with her. She is constantly getting cold in the air conditioned parts of the set.

"Cassie!" Trenton exclaims immediately. "We were just talking about you." He scrunches his brows. "Well, more like your character, but—"

"We're coming up with theories about the script," Penelope VanRyker interjects. The lead actress grins at Cassie before her eyes move to the FBI agent standing directly behind her. Immediately, the woman begins to scrutinize the agent. "And who is this?"

Cassie does not like the tone that Penelope is using. It reminds her of when the pair had first met and she immediately snubbed Cassie. She remembers the blonde looking down her nose at Cassie, despite being several inches shorter. Though most of Penelope's snide remarks never made it back to Cassie, she knows how hostile the actress can be to those that she doesn't deem as worthy.

That's one of the many reasons that Cassie does not like her. In addition to the way that her hostility towards others changes when they become highly regarded by Hollywood and fans.

Now that Cassie is a bigger actress, Penelope will stop at nothing to try and become friends with Cassie. She'll invite her to outings, try to force pictures upon her, and even try to have the two of them stand beside each other for photos.

"This is Agent Winchester with the FBI," Cassie responds.

The woman's face blanches. "That's right. I totally forgot that some deranged psycho sent a severed hand to your door!" Hand gently running down Cassie's arm, Penelope offers a fake sympathetic smile. "How are you holding up?"