Cherry Mountains

(VIII) Keys

August 11, 1984

"Why are you here?"

The woman with the pale green eyes, bright red hair, and smokers voice box devoured me with her scowl. It was tough for me to swallow the dry air in my mouth. "I-"

"That homeless man you passed on your way in is stronger than you! You wreak of weakness!"

I scowled back.

"What makes you so special? Because you have a pretty face and big hair? Because Howie Jones brought you here?" The egomaniac that was supposed to be my acting coach stretched her finger towards me. "Let me tell you something, Ms. Nyla. It takes more than a cute face. If you're not going to take this class seriously, then get the hell out." Now, she was aiming at the door. "You can go."

I couldn't believe a small giggle towards my own insecurity brought me to this corner. "I'm not going to leave," I spoke back, smartly.

"No?"

"No. Because I already paid you. So, I'm going to pretend as if I like you and continue this damn class."

I heard a few chuckles around the room but she didn't tear any of them up about it.

"And my name is Nah-la." For the fifth time. I knew she was mispronouncing it on purpose.

"Where are your car keys?" she asked.

They were in my hand. And she was looking right at them. "Why?" I held them up to the side of me.

"Go over there and hide them."

I looked to the center of the stage where a kitchen and living room were set. Without questioning her, I walked to the fridge and threw my keys on top of it, then turned and looked at her for further instructions.

"Now, find them."

I glanced up at them.

"Convince us that you really lost your keys and you're desperate to find them because you're heading out to work." Hilda took a seat in front of her Coca-Cola cans and pack of cigarettes. "And have it set in your mind, that the day before, your boss has informed you that if you were late one more time, you would be fired."

I gave my back to the fridge and looked around the set.

"In your mind, you know where the keys are. But I want you to throw yourself in the moment. Don't anticipate eventually finding them where you put them."

After taking a deep breath, I grabbed the jacket on the back of the wooden chair and began patting the pockets. "Shit," I said to myself. I jogged over to the coffee table and rummaged through the papers. Then to the china cabinet and opened every door. I ransacked the entire set for maybe sixty seconds. Then screeched in relief when I found the keys on top of the fridge.

"Nyla?"

I rolled my eyes and looked at her.

She set her burning cigarette in the ash tray. "How do you feel about that?"

"It felt a little rushed. And ingenuine."

"First things first," she said, swiveling her attention to all the students. "When you're in a panic, you're going to talk to yourself."

I nodded in agreement. Because I was babbling in my head.

"Try it again."

"Okay." I removed the jacket and draped it back on the chair.