I Am Your Rose (A Kate & Leo story)

I let out a shaky breath before I picked the phone up. I had let the amount of time recommended by my agent pass before I had called again; Robert had said that pestering directors too much would result in them abandoning any hope they had of casting me. I, on the other hand, viewed it as a sign of integrity. And god, did I want this role.

It had been weeks since I originally stepped in front of casting director Mali Finn and gave what I hoped to be the best performance I could. I delivered the lines with the emotion I felt the character needed mixed with my own desperation for the role. I wanted so badly to embody her and the suffocation she felt with the mundaneness of her everyday life. I felt connected to the character – anchored to her. There was no way in hell I wasn’t going to get what I wanted this time.

Two weeks ago, Robert had informed me that both Clare Danes and Gwyneth Paltrow had turned down the role. I couldn’t imagine why, but I knew it was my time to act.

I put the ringing phone to my ear. And, on the third ring…

“Hello?”

“Hi, is Mr. Cameron available? I believe my agent from the William Morris agency called earlier a—”

“Ah, yes. He’s been awaiting your call. I’ll have him on the phone in a minute.”

I bit my lip in nervousness, my stomach in knots. I had always felt confident towards this and worked so hard, but if he rejected me again, I didn’t know how I’d take it…

“Hello,” I heard from the other side of the line, the word cool and collected coming from him. Oh god, I thought, my own voice shaky and not at all professional.

“Hi, Mr. Cameron, it’s—” I began.

“Oh, I know who it is. I received your twelfth letter from England earlier today.”

“Oh, yes of course, I’ve been sending them daily. You see, Mr. Cameron, I’m madly in love with this character. I feel her in my limbs when I move and I see her in my eyes when I wake and I can’t shake her. You said it yourself, my screen test was impressive. And I believe showing you my integrity and determination for this character will sway you.” The confidence returned to my voice, fueled by my passion for this role.

I heard a sigh from the other end.

“Listen, I have absolutely no doubt in your acting abilities. Mali even was recommending you to me, and I have seen a few of your previous works. But you have to understand that it’s up to my discretion, and I just don’t know if you’re the right fit for this vintage, graceful character.” His words made my cheeks burn.

“Look, I know Clare and Gwyneth both backed down! No one is as passionate about this as I am, and I can channel that into this script! I can be Audrey Hepburn, I can do vintage. You just have to give me a chance.” The pleading crept up on me slowly, bubbling over and out through my lips. I sounded desperate and I didn’t care.

There was a pause.

“Yes, Gwyneth and Clare both declined. But there are a few other choices I have in mi—”

“You don’t understand! I am Rose! I don’t even know why you’re seeing anyone else!”

More silence.

“You’ll have to dye your hair red.”

“I can do that.”

“You’ll have to be out here in Hollywood by Wednesday morning.”

“Oh my God! I can definitely do that. James, thank you from the bottom of my heart. This will be the only chance you’ll need.” I heard a slight chuckle