LOOSE - a Bill Hader Novel

VII

Emerald spent the majority of her Thursday at the SNL studio, being fitted for outfits and a Kylie Jenner wig, and ironing out details of her performance with the head music coordinator, including lighting and stage setup. The art department was working on creating a set for her performance, inspired by emerald crystals. She was so excited to see it.

She'd chosen to play her electric guitar for this song, since last time she performed without an instrument. She strummed it on her lap in the makeup room as one of the hairdressers fiddled with the Kylie wig on her head. It was brunette, long and sleek.

Chloe Fineman entered the makeup room, a hair stylist following her. She sat down in the chair next to Emerald, sipping a green smoothie. She was petite, with short blonde hair and a contagious smile.

"Hey! We didn't get a chance to meet. I'm Chloe."

Emerald put down her guitar pick and shook Chloe's hand. "I'm Emerald! Good to meet you. You're hilarious on the show."

"Thank you!" Chloe beamed, "My boyfriend and I love your music."

"Aw, that's sweet."

"Um, so, your Kylie is hilarious."

"Thanks!"

The hairdresser started pulling Chloe's hair back into a braid. "I didn't know you did comedy!"

Emerald chuckled. "I've actually heard that a lot these past couple days. I don't do comedy, Colin just asked me to be in the sketch to fill in for Jenna."

"Don't tell anyone I said this, but your Kylie is better than Jenna's."

Now that made Emerald laugh.

"Ha, ha," Emerald said dryly. "I'm a lifelong fan of the show, though, so it's been so amazing to see how you guys operate behind-the-scenes. It's crazy stressful, I can't believe you people live like this every week!"

"Tell me about it," Chloe groaned. "But I wouldn't want to be doing anything else." She sipped her green smoothie and continued, "I'm glad you're having a good time. I know Bill was really glad you agreed to be musical guest."

Emerald froze. He was glad she was the musical guest? And he told other people that?

"Oh?" was all Emerald could manage to get out. Nicely done, she thought.

She thought she was doing a good job at hiding her emotions, and she was with the men, but Chloe could see right through her.

Chloe raised her eyebrows. "Have you been spending time with Bill?"

Emerald cleared her throat, suddenly finding fiddling with her guitar strings extremely interesting.

"I helped him and Colin write last night, that's really the only time we've talked."

Chloe smirked and bit her straw. "I had a huge crush on him growing up, too. Can we talk about Vinny Vedecci?"

Emerald turned beet red, and there was no disguising it. "Are you a comedian and mind reader?"

Chloe nodded. "That's exactly what my resume says.

"Can we not mention this to anyone?" Emerald laughed wholeheartedly.

"You got it, girl," Chloe sung, a long blonde wig being placed on her head. (Britney Spears for the golf sketch.) "But I think he likes you. I see something there."

"I highly doubt that," Emerald smirked, catching a glimpse of her bright-red face in the mirror.

"Trust me, I can see it." Chloe promised.