The Filming of The Prisioner of Cell 25

Chapter 2: The Studio

I wake up the morning of the audition with a stomach full of butterflies and absolutely no appetite. My mom tries to coax a little toast into me with no success. I'm afraid that if I eat anything I'll just throw it up again at the audition. To try and ease my anxiety, I rehearse my one-minute snippet of dialogue over and over again, making sure that I know it. But when I've repeated it at least fifty times, I get annoyed and stop. Finally, my mom finished getting ready and we hop in the car to drive to the studio.

**Four hours later**

After a really long ride, we finally make it to the studio. I climb out of the car and stretch my cramped legs. After I take a look around, I notice a group of of teenagers standing in a cluster around a middle-aged man. After several pointed looks at from my mom, I reluctantly walk over to the teens. There are about ten of them, so I know there must be some more coming. I smile shyly and stand behind an Asian girl, who will probably end up playing McKenna, because she's the only one described as Asian. She turns around when she hears my footsteps and smiles. "Hi! You must be Abby. I'm Amber."

Now that I have someone to talk to I try to relax.

"Yeah, I am. Is this the first time you've been in a big movie like this?" I ask, taking an instant liking to this girl named Amber and hoping we have some in common.

"Yep. I've been in a lot of school plays and I used to do drama club, but I really never expected to be in a film like this."

I shake my head ruefully. "I never saw the point in drama club. Seems to me like there's enough drama in the world without teaching people how to go about it efficiently."

McKenna laughs, and already I feel more comfortable.

Then the man who was talking to the other kids clears his throat and makes an announcement.

"If I could have everyone's attention please. Thank you. My name is Jack Baer. I'm the director of this film. In a few minutes you will go into the auditioning room. Say your name, age, and the character you would like to be considered for. Tell the judges what page your dialogue is on, and someone will say the other characters' lines for you."

He starts to turn away, but stops and adds one last thing.

"A word of advice from the old, jaded producer: try to act like you're really that character. Make me believe that you are Michael. Or whoever you're trying out for. Good luck."

He gives us one last wink and then walks away. I can feel my blood vessels begin to constrict, feel the pain as my head begins to feel like its in a vice.

Shoot! I forgot to bring my headache medecine. But I guess my off-brand ibuprofin wouldn't even put a dent in what I have now...

We all file into the small hallway where a dozen or so chairs are lined up against the wall. A tall woman, probably the director's assistant or something, announces a list of names from a clipboard. Amber's name is called first. Pale and rigid, she slowly walks into the auditioning room. The woman shuts the door behind her.

By now my headache is on the edge of turning into a migraine. I rub my temples right above my ears, which is where I always get headaches, in an attempt to lessen the pain. I sit like this for a good ten to fifteen minutes, but its not as effective as it usually is. I'm so focused on the pain that I don't hear him sit down next to me.

He has cute blonde hair and eyes that are staggeringly blue. His perfectly straight teeth are pearly white and I can smell a trace of cologne on him.

"Hi, what's up? You look like youre in a lot of pain."

"Yeah I am. Migraines hurt. You wouldnt happen to have any Excedrine, would you?"

"As a matter of fact I think I do. My mom gets those a lot, so I just kind of always haves ome on me."

"Would you mind if I took one?"

"No, not at all. It's not gonna do her much good if I'm here and she's in Colorado, is it?"

I laugh. "I guess not."

I get up and find a cooler with a couple bottles of water in it. Popping the tab in my mouth, I wash it down with a swig of water. About five minutes later I feel the caffeine hitting my system. Sighing with relief from the absence of pressure, I go sit back down next to the blonde-haired guy.

"So I don't think I got your name."

"Oh sorry. I'm Steven."

"Hi Steven. I'm Abby." I hold out my hand and he shakes it. His hands are strong and comforting.

But before I can say anything the lady is back. I guess several people mut gave gone in while I still had my headache, which is almost completely gone thanks to Steven. The woman beckons to me and I get up."

"See you later." says Steven. "Oh, by the way, I'm in trailer twelve."

I nod and close the door behind me, trying to calm myself or the audition every child actor dreams of.

*****Author's Note*****

I"m so sorry this chapter is really short, I'll try to get another one up on Monday-ish.