Page 36 of You Spin Me

“I’ve never had the same feeling with you. When I was on the phone with the lead singer, my brain was… like I’d recorded over my favorite shows with static.”

“Hm. Were you nervous?”

“I didn’t think I was, but I guess—I did feel rushed because I didn’t have much time to prepare. But also, when the guy got on the phone with me, he sounded irritated, like he didn’t want to be there.”

“And that shut you down?”

“Maybe.”

“Most people like to talk about themselves, especially the kind of people who get up on stage. You might have to give them a starting point, though.”

“The questions I came up with were all so lame.”

“Maybe you were thrown off by his tone. Hey, I know—I’ll pretend to be a diva for you so you can practice talking to rock star jerks.” She clears her throat. “Hang on a sec; I’m getting into character,” she whispers.

Noticing that the last song’s winding down, and remembering that I’ve got to do some ad spots, I say, “While you do that, I’m going to catch up on a few things.”

By the time I get back, I have a couple questions ready for her, but when I let her know I’m back on the line, I can practically hear her eyes roll as she says, “Listen, I don’t have all day here.”

Her voice is pitched higher, and she’s added a squeak to it. I clear my own throat to cover my amusement. “My apologies. So, your play is a comedy, right?”

“Yes. I believe that was in the materials you received. Did you not read them?”

“Uh, I did. I wonder, how do you know if it’s funny?”

“By people laughing, my dear. Of course, before we get to that point, we have to go through the rehearsalprocess.” She lengthens the last word dramatically, so I jump on it.

“Can you share a bit of that process,princess?” It’s the perfect name for the self-involved character she’s come up with.

She clears her throat primly. “One find’s oneself so deep into the character’s journey—what she wants and is trying to do—that thinking about comedy is inappropriate.Shedoesn’t think she’s funny. Additionally, the only audience reacting to the work at this point in theprocessare the director and the stage manager and the other actors. They’ve heard the words so many times that it’s not funny anymore.”

“That must be frustrating.”

“Itis.But when you get a new audience and the people laugh, it is such a relief. For instance, last night we had a handful in to watch a run-through.”

“And did they laugh?”

“They did. Especially at me.” My sides are splitting trying not to laugh at this character she’s created on the fly. “Then one has to simply keep the faith until there’s a paying audience and pray that they laugh, too.”

“When do you get the paying audience?”

“Well, we have technical rehearsals this weekend, which Ihatebecause none of the focus is onme. Hang on.” She breaks character suddenly, jarring me out of our little improvisation. “Sorry, but I don’t want to forget. I won’t be able to call Friday. Rehearsals go for twelve hours a day, so I’m staying overnight up there.”

“But you could call anyway.”

“But it’s long distance. And you don’t have to worry. I won’t be driving home.”

“I’ll miss talking to you.”

“You will?”

“I will. Even if I have to talk to the princess.”

“Well, I do have a calling card. I guess I could make a quick call.”

“I’d like that.”

“Okay. I will.”

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