BAD ACTING

CINDERELLA

        Karen hooked Leah up with a part-time job driving a director to and from shooting his latest movie.

        "Karen thinks getting to know this guy will land me a role in one of his future projects."

        The director, Sean, just received another DUI. Early each morning Leah drove to pick Sean up at his house in Beverly Hills and dropped him off at the studio. At night Leah drove back to the studio to chauffeur him home. The studio hired Sean a driver when Leah didn't want to make the trek, but Leah basically became his go-to ride.

        Sean became interested in Leah's life and started asking her questions about her interest and hobbies. Leah told me about their in-depth conversations about Buffy the Vampire Slayer and different comics they both enjoyed. Sean hosted a weekly movie night at his Beverly Hills mansion and he invited Leah to attend.

        "His parties are notorious and populated with Hollywood's elite."

        "You should go."

        Leah did not seem interested, and I thought that made her a badass.

        I joined Leah to pick up Sean one morning and I found him to be pleasantly charismatic. Not what I expected. I imagined Sean as this douche bag and did not want to meet him. He even invited me to his weekly movie nights giving me an open invitation to come whenever I wanted. I did not see myself showing up to his parties, but I enjoyed being included while Sean tried to impress Leah.

        After we dropped Sean off at the studio Leah turned to me grinning.

        "We should go."

        "Where?"

        "Sean's."

        "You're joking."

        "No, I'm serious. I mean, yes it will be a total joke, but with you, by my side, we can laugh together."

        The thought of attending an A-list event seemed cool on the surface, but facing the reality of socializing with Sean's crowd did not appeal to me.

        "I'm not a good plus one to bring to something like that."

        "Shut up, you're the perfect plus one. You are totally insane!"

        "How is that a good thing?"

        "Your energy is contagious. I transform into a different person when I see you."

        "I knew you were a robot."

        "Shhh don't tell."

*

        A week later I stood waiting in my apartment for Leah to pick me up. I deeply regretted saying yes to attend Sean's movie night.

        "I don't know what to wear."

        "Don't worry, I've got it covered."

        Leah showed up at my door in a translucent gold dress, looking incredible. Glasses gone her big green eyes sparkled. Gold eyeliner circled Leah's eyes fading to gold dust that shimmered in her hair.

        Leah dropped a brown Louis Vuitton duffle at her feet.

        "I'm your fairy godmother, bitch."

        I bowed to her respectively.

        "Wet that crazy hair, go get those shredded American Apparel jeans, and put on your sexiest undies."