BAD ACTING

METHOD

        Sitting alone in my apartment my phone started buzzing.

        "Hey, it's Carrie."

        "Hi, what's up?"

        "Not much, I just ate brunch at that place Toast...have you heard of it?"

        "No"

        "Oh, you will love! We have to go some time. I live for their Chi Tea Latte."

        "Cool. "

        "Anyways, Julia told me you're like a legit fortune teller."

        I tried not to laugh.

        "I read Tarot cards, but I'm not a psychic or anything."

        "Oh my god, that is so interesting!"

        "I guess."

        "You need to read my cards, I insist! I've always wanted to go to a psychic, I'll like pay you whatever you charge, please please please please please!"

        "Uhhh sure. You don't have to pay me though. It's no big deal."

        "You are amazing! How about tomorrow? Noon?"

        "Yeah OK."

        "I am so excited! Thanks doll, I'll see you tomorrow, bye!"

        Jesus Christ. I wanted to kill Julia. Confused as to Julia's intentions I found myself stuck in a play date with this girl I did not like.

        Carries resume popped into my head, and I realized I should take whatever the universe threw my direction. If Carrie wanted me to play this part, I should accept.

*

        The next day I decided to go full method. High stakes. Win big or go home. The whole situation made me laugh, and Carrie seemed like a pretentious spoiled brat. Avoiding Carrie and everyone like her left me with nothing. I decided to play the game, and I wanted to do it my way.

        I placed the Tarot cards in the center of my empty living room. I lit candles. I scattered books in a circle all around the cards leaving just enough room for the two of us to sit. Thirty minutes before Carrie's arrival I smoked so much weed I almost forgot my name. I threw on the rattiest t-shirt I owned and climbed into a pair of my oldest American Apparel jeans. Black, ripped to shreds, with bleach splattered all over the crotch. I rubbed black eyeliner under my eyes and wet my shaggy dark blonde hair. The closed blinds left the room in darkness, the glow from the candles the only light.

        Game on bitch.

        Carrie texted me.

        On my way!

        I texted back.

        Door is unlocked.

        I waited offstage in my bedroom. I heard Carrie open the door.

        "Hello?"

        Action.

        I entered my set ready to practice everything I learned from my classes.

        I slowly stumbled into the room yawning and looking at Carrie as if trying to remember her name.

       "Hey....it's me, Carrie"

        I squinted my eyes, attempting to remember why this person appeared in my home.

        "Is this a bad time?" Carrie looked both scared and excited.