Stars

"If I gave my everything, would it still be enough?"

Chapter 1- Marley- Still a Swing

The steps are simple and I have been doing them for over 6 months. Being a swing in Chicago really isn't very fulfilling. I do that same high kick, ball change, back bend 8 times a week and I still can't find a way to make it more appealing. I swear if I see one more jazz hand, I'm going to puke.

I watch Charlotte sing All That Jazz every night while I stand behind her in the dark. It's officially gotten depressing. Whoever casted a blonde to play Velma Kelley sure didn't understand what Bob Fosse was in visioning.

The worst thing is, my parents are coming into town from Seattle this weekend and I still haven't told them I'm still a swing. I dropped out of college 2 years ago just so I could make the time commitment of being a swing for Spring Awakening and 3 shows later I still can't even get a cameo without being an understudy.

What happened to talent? In this business you're either talented and get nowhere or you're rich and have connections. That's everything you want in this business. Connections. They get you everything. The highest booking agents suddenly love you and you get every part imaginable without even auditioning.

I seriously don't know how Charlotte got Velma. It doesn't make any sense. Obviously she's screwing the director because she has two left feet and has the worst sense of pitch I've heard since Brooke Shields in Addams Family. She can't even sing higher than a G and she's playing frik'n Velma Kelley on Broadway.

After the court room scene I'm done for the night and personally I'm glad. I don't know if I can flex my feet in these jazz flats anymore. It might be time to jump ship and land my next swing role. I heard that Leanne got fired from Memphis so maybe I can play the chick who gets slapped. Lord knows it would better than this dead horse of a show.

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Henry and Loretta Taylor. My parents of course, walk through the door like they know this place so well. My father already his hands through my drawers. Probably looking for condoms. Don't you just love how your parents always want to see the best in you?

My mother and I haven't always been on the best terms with each other. She's an actress of course. The great Loretta Taylor and her swing daughter. This is why I don't want to tell her. All she'll do is pester me about how I'm not good enough and how stupid I was for dropping out of NYU. I can't stand disappointing her.

"Darling! Oh my look at that forehead dear. Marley have you heard of base?!" she says. I haven't heard a compliment in years.

"It's good to see you mother" I hug her but I can feel her barely touching me. She doesn't like germs a whole lot. She takes a class about it once and she thinks she knows all about it.

"I thought you would've moved out of this neighborhood by now" she murmured.

"No I didn't" I reply to her completely inappropriate comment.

"Marley, I have something for you," says my father trying to break up the growing feud about to break out.

Suddenly my father hands me a laminated card. I'm completely shocked and confused.

"Dad what is this?" I didn't know how to react. "I don't even own a gun."

"The license is for the gun I'm giving you honey. Don't worry it's only a safety gun." He sounds like I'm going to get mugged.

"Why are you giving me a gun?" He doesn't respond. "Mom, was this your idea?"

The next thing she says is priceless.

"We're just worried about you sweetheart and in the neighborhood you're apartment is in-"

I cut her off with a raise of my hand. I looked at my father and then to my mother with a glare, "There is nothing wrong with my apartment or where it is located. I do not need this," referring to the gun. Why are parents so overprotective? I mean isn't it the point to move away so that they don't try to help you all the time?

"Do you guys own a gun?" I ask.

I was asking my father but my mother answered. "Of course not we live in Boston not New York City. Besides, when we were living in New York, we weren't living in THIS area!" My mother always had a subtle way of putting things.

"Well I'm not moving any time soon mother because I am still a swing!" The anger in my voice was even shocking to me.

But not as shocked as my mother storming out the door.