The Sackler Trap

Evening Primrose

Eight weeks later...

Tracy went down a list on her clipboard. "You have an interview with Sol Akerman at nine and you're doing that morning talk show with Cathy Tilson at ten tomorrow. They want you to do one of your songs from the play, preferable "I Remember" since the other two are duets...that leaves you free from eleven to...one. Tomorrow." She glanced up at me. "Julie are you listening?"

We were backstage and I was being fitted into my costume for a dress rehearsal. I had a small TV in my dressing room, and I was mindlessly watching a local morning talk show when suddenly my heart flew into my throat. I grabbed the remote to turn the volume up much to the dismay and irritation of my agent and dresser.

I stared, transfixed. He looked amazing...sitting in a chair opposite the interviewer wearing a gray tee shirt and black jacket, his legs crossed casually. His hair was a bit shorter and he was clean shaven...for his new role? I wondered. I watched, barely listening to the questions and his answers, taking in his every gesture and smile. His laugh made an involuntary smile spread over my own face, until by the end of the interview which came all too soon, I was a grinning fool. Adam stood and shook the bedazzled female interviewer's hand. I swallowed hard.

"Julie!"

I started and looked over at the music director who was leaning into my dressing room. I turned the TV off and dropped the remote.

"We're ready for the duet between Ella and Charles." His eyes swept my gown. "Ready?"

"Born ready," I replied cheekily, sweeping out to join him and the company.

My co-star and love interest in the play was none other than Hadley Fraser and he made an amazing Charles. I was so intimidated our first day of readings. He had Broadway experience and I worried he and the music director would both find me less than competent. However, I'd had nothing to worry about and the entire company was warm and receptive and very complimentary. My confidence was through the roof, therefore, as I made my way from stage left to where Hadley was standing. He turned and gave me a dazzling smile. Despite my age difference with the forty year old Broadway veteran, we had an immediate chemistry and I found his attention and admiration flattering.

The music director stood on a short stool and gave us instructions. We hardly needed them...this was not our first time performing "Take Me to the World". The story is about a group of people who live in a department store. They're like a big family and Ella has been with them since she was six. Now, at nineteen, she is longing to see the "outside world". A poet named Charles stumbles upon their secret society one night and falls in love with Ella. In this duet, Ella pleads with Charles to take her away and show her the world, but he is jaded and disillusioned and at first refuses, telling her the world is a terrible place and she's better off where she is. Ella pleads with him and eventually, Charles agrees to take her away.

Ella: What kind of life is this? I'll become just like the people here...

Charles: Do you want the world? Well then you shall have the world...

Ella: I won't be afraid if I'm with you; we shall have the world.

Both: You'll hold my hand and know you're not alone

We shall have the world to keep,

Such a lovely world, you'll weep

We shall have the world forever for our own.

As the music died away, I felt the now familiar adrenaline flooding my veins and I looked at my partner, ecstatic. Hadley and I were hand clasped and deeply immersed in the roles and he smiled admiringly at me. It was only when we heard the music director clapping his hands that the spell broke and we took five. The stage area which had been quiet as a church for our duet, burst into noise and excited talking. I reached for my water bottle, greedily sipping from it and still recovering my breath from the duet. A few hours and several songs later, Hadley approached me with his usual breathtaking smile