Merely Players Read Online Free PDF Page B

she had been enjoying her work in the one episode undertaken so far.
    It was good to be treated like a lady, in a profession where most people were careless of such things, Michelle told herself. Yet she found Walton’s politeness inhibiting; she would have preferred a quick and informal confirmation of the offer she hoped desperately was coming to her. She said carefully, ‘Everyone’s been very friendly to me – they’ve made me feel as if I’d been one of the team from the start.’
    â€˜That’s good. Sometimes it’s not easy coming into a team where everyone seems to know each other and know the form for the production. You don’t need me to tell you that acting is a very insecure profession; most people in it seem to have their fears and their hang-ups, so they can be suspicious of newcomers.’
    â€˜There’s been nothing like that. They’ve made me feel one of the team from the start.’ It was broadly true, but she would have delivered the thought even if it hadn’t been. Producers didn’t want new people coming in who would rock the boat. She didn’t want anything raised against her at this stage; there were dozens of women with attributes similar to hers who would bite this man’s hand off for the offer he was going to make. Once she became a regular on the series, with a well-known television face, she would be much more difficult to dispense with. Until then, she must play her cards with care.
    â€˜I’m glad you feel like that. We like to think we have a happy ensemble on the Call Alec Dawson series.’ Walton turned a sheet over on the desk in front of him, though she had the feeling that he knew exactly what he was going to say and was using the paper as a prop to add weight to his words. ‘Well, as you know, Ms Davies, it is my job to plan ahead and make sure that everything is ready to go when we begin the filming of the next series.’ He smiled a broad, genuine smile at her; things were always easier when you had good news to offer.
    â€˜I understand that. And it’s Michelle, by the way.’ She answered his smile, feeling strangely coquettish, in a Jane Austen sort of way. She was sure this man had never employed the casting couch which she had been warned about all these years ago at RADA.
    â€˜Well, Michelle, I have what I hope will be good news for you. Our director is eminently satisfied with your work in the episode currently being shot in the studio and on location. The rest of the cast are also happy, but you know as well as I do that it is the opinion of the director which counts most. Now: the details of storylines are not yet finalized, but we have already decided that Alec Dawson should have a permanent girlfriend in the next series, and, if that goes well, for the series which follows that. I cannot make you a formal offer this morning, but I wish to know whether you would be interested in undertaking this role.’
    What a splendid, old-fashioned, roundabout way of putting it, Michelle Davies thought. She wanted to fling herself across the executive desk and embrace the man. She did nothing of the sort, of course. She found it a test of her acting talents to keep the excitement out of her voice as she said, ‘I should certainly be interested. I’d be a fool not to be, wouldn’t I?’
    He smiled at her. For once he was at a loss for the polite phrase, now that she had stepped out of her part and become spontaneous. ‘It will mean a considerable rise in your remuneration, of course. Perhaps you would prefer that I discuss this in due course with your agent.’
    â€˜Yes, I would. Make him earn his fees, eh?’ she gave a strangely brittle laugh, which told her how nervous she had been.
    â€˜Is there anything you would like to ask me at this stage, Michelle?’
    She thought for a moment, feeling a vague wish to prolong this moment of triumph. ‘Am I allowed to let