The Actor's One & Only

Chapter 17

"Hullo, mate." Mr. Clark greeted, slumping down next to Jack. He received no response from him.  "Can sense you're still angry at me for that nasty comment earlier, eh? Bout the toilet paper an' everythin?" Mr. Clark muttered, chuckling nervously.  "Ya ere just to remind me bout it, then? Poke some more fun at my expense?" a sarcastic Jack grumbled. "Listen, mate.....I'm sorry. I didn't realize you was such a great talent or I'd never have said it." the other man apologized. "Damage's done." his apology was received with a frown from Jack whose acting skills had been insulted by the couple. "Oi, how bout a fag, eh? A peace offerin of sorts?" Mr. Clark insisted on making amends, pulling out a carton of cigarettes, offering him one before lighting one up himself. "I wouldn't mind one. Thanks, mate." Jack accepted, unable to resist something to calm his nerves which were all over the place after the strenuous rehearsal that evening. However, their bonding over ciggies was short-lived, as Mia approached them.
"Ya know yer not s'possed to smoke in ere. This is a school. Honestly, I expected such behavior from im... not from ya, Noah!" the spoil-sport reprimanded, noticing as he haphazardly stuffed the rest of the cigarette into Jack's shirt pocket. "Sorry, love. It was his idea. Entirely his! " he put the blame squarely on poor Jack! "This is lit, ya know?" Jack reminded, feeling the lit cigarette burn a hole in the fabric. "I know, totally lit, innit! I love me a smoke! Catch ya later, yeah?" a dimwitted Mr. Clark exclaimed, misconstruing him.  "No...I meant...the cigarette...it's still lit! Oh, bollocks! It's burnt a bloody hole in my pocket! I'm done for! Kamal's gonna light my arse on fire for this, he is!" Jack gasped, putting out the mini campfire on his shirt, leaving it all burnt and smoky! Mia couldn't suppress her laughter as she helped him extinguish it.
"Not very bright, is he?" the annoyed actor mocked. "Nope! It's a good thing he's got the looks to make up for it!" Mia didn't disagree with his opinion on her boyfriend. "His loss is my gain, eh?" he heard her exclaim cunningly, before inhaling from the remainder of her boyfriend's cigarette. "It's still my loss though!" Jack sulked, mourning the demise of his shirt!
"Well, well...what's this, then? Fell outta the hole in yer scorched pocket. Were ya gonna propose?" she continued, surprised as she picked up the ring that lay at his feet. It was a heirloom and he heaved a sigh of relief since it'd escaped being melted in the makeshift kiln AKA his pocket a couple of minutes ago! "Don't tell er, please. I want it to be a surprise..." he made her promise, snatching the ring back. "Obviously! But, I don't see what she'll benefit from marryin ya. Too soon, dontcha think? Besides, I think she can do better!" Mia promised, simultaneously insulting him. "I only care what she thinks. Hers is the only opinion that matters to me. Now, buzz off! She's comin o'er!" he was quick with a comeback, shooing her away on seeing a forever smiling Ruth arrive with their coffee.
"Ooh, coffee! Is it Irish?" Mr. Clark enquired, once Mia (who kept a check on all his vices) had gone. "Ya do realize this is a school, dontcha, Mr. Clark? An' love, put out that cigarette, please. I don't want the kids gettin any ideas." Ruth requested, rolling her eyes at Mr. Clark's enquiry. What shocked her and Jack even further was when he pulled out a metal flask containing alcohol. "Well, she's gone. Thank God I carry this fancy thing around. Might as well, eh? D'you want some? Just a smidge, perhaps?" he offered Jack, pouring some in his coffee before taking a swig from the flask as well. "No, thanks." Jack declined politely, silently sipping from his own cup. "Well, cheers, mate!" he watched as Mr. Clark partook of his alcoholic, caffeinated beverage.
"If it's not too much trouble, d'you think I could talk to ya in private, Ruthy?" Jack asked, as she sat down beside him and blew on her piping hot coffee to cool it.  "Sure. Oi, Drinky Mcdrinkenson? D'you mind?" she replied, ordering their drunk companion to give them some privacy. "Nah, not at all! I'll just get pissed as a newt under the bleachers...away from the kiddies, yeah?" Mr. Clark slurred, almost taking a tumble as he left with his coffee in hand. "He's a weird one, isn't he? Well, what'd ya wanna talk bout,love?" she turned her attention to her boyfriend, once Mr. Clark had departed. "If I rented out an apartment in London, would ya consider movin in with me?" came his proposal.
  "Ya know, if yer having trouble payin yer rent, just ask me for the money, mate. I'd gladly let ya borrow a quid or so. Ya don't have to spout gibberish like that, ya know?" she took it as a joke, laughing it off.  "It's not gibberish. I'm serious, love. I love ya an' I want ya to move in with me. None o' this long-distance shite." he clarified. It took her some time to stop laughing, as she realized he'd really meant it!  "Oh! So...yer askin me to quit my job an' come with ya to London? Leave my students behind..." she was hesitant to accept his proposal. "Ya could get a new job in London. Besides, we won't be stayin there too long. We'll soon be in the States, livin it large in Hollywood, yeah?" he painted her a grand picture, grinning since he had high hopes for his upcoming movie. "I wasn't done. Leave my sick dad ere? I don't want to move. How d'you even know this Hollywood thing's a sure thing, eh? The last time, they hoodwinked ya, didn't they?" she whispered in an unsure, distrustful tone. "Ya didn't seem put off by any o' it the last time ya came away with me." he reminded her. "The last time was a vacation. This...this is a huge step, movin in together?! It's lovely...but, I can't leave my family behind, ya know...? I just...I've to go, kay? Dad needs his meds an' mum's workin late, so gotta go! Sorry, Jack. Just wrap up with the rehearsal on yer own, kay?" she excused herself, finding it hard to continue this conversion with him. She stormed out, leaving him with the ring still in his jacket pocket and her coffee still leftover and cold in its cup.