tinseltown • cih

Chapter 4

Hollywood ,California

1983

It's been about a year or so since we moved in.

It doesn't seem that long because really, it wasn't. It all went by so quick.

During that time, my mother and I would go around looking to see if anybody would notice me. That hasn't worked out too well so far.

I did get an audition though. An audition for some Cabbage Patch Kid commercial.

The paper for the audition says that they need one girl and one boy between the ages of 8-12.

Well this should be fun.

-

"Copeland will you please hold still. We're going to be late if you don't work with me here."

My mother grunted through her frustrated words as she tried to get me into my best looking clothes for the audition.

"Oh ,Joan you shouldn't force it on the poor girl. Let her wear something else." My father looked up from his paper after hearing me complain.

"Mommy it really hurts!"

She completely ignored him.

"Honey ,I know it hurts but I promise it's almost zipped up all the way."

My stupid little purple dress wouldn't zip up. My hair was curled to death. And my shoes matched my dress with these dumb white socks showing from under.

I hated it all so much. But hey, anything to get the job.

With a couple more tugs and pulls, the dress was finally zipped up.

My mother let out a relieved sigh once she was finished.

"Okay! Now come on, we gotta go." She ran to her room to get her purse.

I looked in the little mirror we had by the door just to make sure I looked alright.

My mother rushed back ,tripping over the carpet ,earning a laugh from me and my dad.

"Oh hush you two. Now come on honey lets go!" She tried to cover up the embarrassing thing she just did.

"Break a leg honey. I love you!" My father yelled as I ran out the door, shouting that I loved him back.

"Bye Joyce!"

We made it to the lobby. We passed by Joyce on the way out.

"Goodbye sweetheart! I know you're going to kill your audition!"

-

Oh crap. We're actually here. This is really happening. After all these years ,it's happening.

I mean if course, it's no movie but I know I'll get there soon.

As I'm sitting in the waiting room, I see other girls and boys about my age ,going over their lines that was given when they got here.

They all looked so professional and cautious. It made me want to be just like them.

"Copeland Harlow?" Oh god. Nope. I changed my mind ,I'd like to go home now.

"Go on, Cope. I'll be waiting right out here when you're done. Remember to smile, stand up straight and do your best. I love you so much. Break a leg."