A Room With A View

Chapter Forty-Five - Madeline

November 18, Saturday

"Oh I hope we're not late. God I hate the subway sometimes," Madeline said fiercely. She threw a crumpled five dollar bill onto the counter.

"Please tell me the doors are still open?" she asked the girl working the register.

"Yup." She didn't look up from the till.

"See," said Brian, placing his hands on Madeline's shoulders, "you needn't worry. We made it just in time."

Madeline smiled and leaned back into his chest. She loved the way she fit just below his chin. Like two puzzle pieces that had found their mates.

"You were right. Now come on let's go." Madeline took hold of Brian's hand and pulled him toward the doors.

He grumbled along behind her. "I don't understand why we're going anyway. We're not exactly friends with him."

"Shush," Madeline said. A tall, blonde woman was already speaking onstage. Madeline hurried into the back row and crept along the seats until she found the one in the middle. Brian sat down next to her, decidedly more smoothly. Madeline had managed to sit on top of her purse, and was yanking it unladylike from beneath her.

"We creatives have to support each other. If Phineas Watley is performing in an improv show, then we have to be there." The purse was still digging into Madeline's right hip, but she was making too much noise trying to pull it out, so she just left it.

And besides, Madeline mentally added, if I can get into Phineas's good graces, perhaps he'll extend my rent ultimatum.

Madeline shifted uncomfortably, and not just because of her bag. It was mid-November, and Phineas had told her she had through December to get her stuff together. Well, her affairs together. And the unfortunate truth was that she didn't think she could. The musical was a paid role, and she had just landed a small commercial, but it wasn't enough to cover the new voice lessons she needed, updated head shots, acting classes, food, medical bills (which she had to pay out of pocket), and the ever-present rent. As it stood now, Madeline had to pray that she wouldn't get sick between today and next month just to have enough money scraped together to pay rent for November.

"It's starting," Brian whispered in her ear. Madeline liked the way his breath felt against her skin.

He reached over and took her hand.

Madeline liked the way his hand felt against her skin.

He turned and smiled at her.

Madeline liked the way his smile...wait, that one didn't work with her mantra.

A girl started speaking to the audience. Madeline pulled her eyes away from Brian's cute little chin and focused on the stage. The girl turned out to be a woman. She was older than Madeline with thick, black eyeshadow and straight, black hair. She was incredibly skinny and was dressed in something shabby yet chic. It was an outfit Len would appreciate. Opposite her a rather attractive man was spouting legalese and talking about his baboon opponent.

It was clear neither of them had acted before, but Madeline was still enjoying the show.

Her eyes strayed to Brian's profile, but he squeezed her hand, making Madeline look back at the improvisers.

Phineas was onstage. Phineas Watley. He was standing onstage. No, he was jumping onstage. He was jumping and bouncing and scratching like a baboon. Madeline laughed out loud. She wasn't laughing at him at all. She was laughing because he was being genuinely funny. Out of every person up there, he was the only one who looked like he was enjoying himself. He looked like how Madeline felt when acting, carefree and completely herself.