Breaking in Pieces

Rehearsal Time

"Is he okay, do I need to come up there?" Ali was panicking. "No, it's fine. We'll just let him sleep a few minutes, carry on with rehearsal, and send him home. It'll be fine, really. We've got this handled." "Thanks for letting me know. Bye, Tom." "Bye bye Ali." He hangs up the phone. "Interesting rehearsal, huh? Yet not unexpected." The crew look at him and nod. One of the other producers says: "tell me about it. I just hope he's okay. I-WE know how hard this has been on him. It'll get easier though." Tom looks at him as if to say 'I sure hope so' and walks down the hallway to check on Dec. He cracks the door just enough he can see. "Dec? Are you alright?" Dec moans and rolls over. "Yeah. Sorry; I know we need to rehearse." He starts to get up before Tom stops: "no, you're fine. You can have a few more minutes." Dec doesn't protest. He's thoroughly enjoying the nap, so much so that after all this crap is over he and Ant are going to talk about fitting it into the schedule. It's relaxing, and might make rehearsal go a little easier. At least, it might make them more focused on what they're supposed to be doing rather than going home and sleeping. Yes, they enjoy sleeping.
   Tom walks back with the rest of the team. "Why are we still standing right next to the door? You know we can move, right?" The team moves on down the hall without a word. "Let's give him 25 more minutes. He didn't want to get up. You know Dec. He loves his sleep!" Tom smiles.

"Dec, buddy. We really need to get on with rehearsal." No response. Tom walks over and gives him a gentle shake. Dec rolls over and rubs his eyes. "What?" "Rehearsal time. Come on." Dec stands up and follows Tom down the hallway sleepily, zombie-like. "Nice of you to join us, Declan." Dec gives a look as if to say, 'that's really not funny' and walks over to the stage. The crew stands and stares. "Well, come on then," Dec exclaims, "rehearsal time!" They all scurry like mice that were just let out of a cage to their spots, wondering why Dec's mood changed so quickly. The reality of it: he just wanted to go home and sleep all of this away.