overture | newsies imagines

ben fankhauser || contest entry

WRITTEN BY: SAMANTHAV16

PROMPT: "It must be hard with your sense of direction, never being able to find your way to a decent pick up line."

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"Enjoy the rest of your evening guys!" I thanked the applauding audience as I walked off the stage at Feinstein's 54 Below after having just finished my performance.
I stopped by the booth where all of my Chicago castmates were hanging out, informing them that I was gonna get a drink from the bar as the next performer began their song of choice.

"Hey Joe", I smiled at the bartender, "Can I get a martini and a sweet tea please?" I placed mine and my friends' order.

"Sure thing sweetheart." He winked before turning around to fix my drinks.

I glanced over at the man standing next to me, having noticed him come up while I was greeting Joe. I caught his eye, as he had been staring at me and not even trying to hide the fact.

"Hey, you were really good up there." He nodded towards the stage.

"Thanks" I replied, keeping my voice monotone. I of course knew who Ben Fankhauser was, we did share mutual friends despite never actually meeting. But, I had to play it off as if he was just another guy at a bar. Playing hard to get is a part of who I am.

"Mama Who Bore Me was an interesting choice. You know, I used to be in Spring Awakening." He rambled on awkwardly as I tried my hardest to hold in my giggle. "And you were in Spring Awakening too, right? The Deaf West revival?".

I nodded, keeping a straight face as I examined my painted nails. Ben cleared his throat, realizing that he needed to step up his game. He quickly glanced over at where his friends were sitting and watching him. Some of them gave him encouraging thumbs up while others tried to contain their laughter.

"So that means that you know sign language. Maybe you could give me a sign that we're meant to be together?" He smiled at me, clearly proud at his attempt at asking me out on a date.

I turned my body to face him, raising in eyebrow in response. "It must be hard with your sense of direction, never being able to find your way to a decent pick up line." I replied with a straight face, turning back to Joe who had just placed my drinks down. I thanked him and turned back to Ben who had a dumbfounded look on his face.

"Enjoy the rest of your night" I smiled and grabbed my drinks, heading back to my table. With a smirk on my face I glanced over at the booth that the Newsies were occupying, winking at Jeremy who had clearly put Ben up to the whole thing. He winked back as he chuckled.

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A few performances and many laughs later, a waitress set down a new glass of tea in front of me.

"I didn't order this" I told her, confusion evident in my voice.

She smiled at me and nodded towards the Newsies booth. "It's from a gentleman over there" She replied, taking my old glass away.

"Ohh, someone's got an admirer." Michael teased. I rolled my eyes at my fellow ensemble member and turned my attention back to the show.

___

"Goodnight Babe!" Robyn kissed my cheek as I bid my friends a goodnight after the show had concluded.

"See you bright and early for the matinee tomorrow Kiddo" Brian was the last of the group to hug me.

I smiled and waved my last farewell of the evening before turning around and slowly making my way over to the booth were the Newsies cast were saying their goodbyes to each other. I walked up next to Jeremy, who smiled down at me.

"Long time no see girl" He chuckled, greeting his former Smash co-star. "Same goes to you Jordan" I smiled.

"Don't you think it's a little mean trying to set up your friend like that?" I smirked. "Nah, not at all. I'm just trying to give him a little encouragement. He needs all he can get to go after someone like you." He winked. I rolled my eyes and chuckled.

"Whatever you say Jerk. Now if you'll excuse me, there's something that I need to go do." I smiled, returning the hug that Jeremy gave me.

"Hey, we should catch up sometime. Ashley would love to see you again" He smiled. "Of course! Just text me whenever. I have a feeling I'll be over at the Nederlander soon anyway." I replied, staring over his shoulder. Jeremy chuckled and shook his head, giving me a gentle push in the direction I had my sights set on.

I walked up behind Ben, reaching up to tap him on the shoulder. He turned around, his eyes widening slightly at the sight of me. "H- Hey" He stuttered slightly, trying to play it cool.

"The sweet tea. How did you know that I don't drink alcohol?" I asked, referring to the drink he sent me earlier in the evening.

"I've been watching you for the past few months. And I've never seen you order a cocktail for yourself, only for your friends. So I just figured that it wasn't your thing." He shrugged slightly.

I nodded, a smile filling my lips. "Here" I handed him a folded up piece of paper. He stared at it in his palm for a few seconds before looking back at me.

"What is it?" He asked.

"My phone number" I shrugged.

"Really? You're giving me your phone number after that horrible strike out at the bar earlier?" He raised an eyebrow.

"I've been watching you steal glances at me for the last few months. And tonight, you finally had the guts to say something to me. I've been patiently waiting; hoping that one day you would take a shot. And even after I blew you off, you still sent me a drink. So someone who's willing to not give up and who pays attention to detail deserves my number." I smiled, giving him a wink.

He grinned like a schoolboy at what I had said. "Wow, okay. Thanks."

I laughed and motioned with my hands in sign language.

"What does that mean?" He chuckled.

"It means 'Goodnight, and call me sometime' in ASL." I smiled.

"Oh in that case, goodnight to you too" He smiled back.

I gave him a little wave as I turned around to leave and head home for the night with a smile on my face the entire trip home because Ben Fankhauser had finally made a move.