Play Dirty #2 Read Online Free PDF Page B

that he is willing to fight to the death, but in the event that entails too much blood, he’s willing to rock-paper-scissors for visitation rights.”
    Lynn put her hands over her heart. “He’s perfect.”
    “I know.” Dana grinned so hard it had to hurt. “Now, run! I can’t be late.”
    Lynn didn’t run, because it was her senior year, Matthew’s class, and composure was needed. She made it to the door just as the bell rang, where the cast list was printed in large letters. Lynn forced herself to read it from the bottom up, letting each minor role—because no matter how many times he said it, this was high school and of course there were minor roles—reassure her when her looping L wasn’t listed.
    Higher. Higher. Higher.
    A tight ball settled in her stomach.
    Higher.
    She gasped. Right there, black and white, was her name. Next to Juliet. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, again, and she hurriedly wiped them away. The knot loosened and all she wanted to do was laugh.
    This wasn’t just about Matthew. This was about her; this was her entire life, her final farewell to this stupid school and the incredible department that helped shape her in her darkest moments. And she came out on top.
    “Seriously, it’s just a fucking play, Lynn.” Aria sneered from across the room. “No need to get all emotional.”
    “Miss Levens, your tongue. Please watch it.” Matthew pointed to her with a ruler. “Only those who truly love the craft understand the honor of playing a role so important to them. Many congratulations, Miss Viggiani. I look forward to your performance.”
    Lynn flushed red and settled into her seat in the front row. Not only was it the first time he spoke directly to her over the course of the week, but he also shot down the hoe. She offered a full teeth grin to Aria.
    “I’m sure you’ll be amazing as the nurse, Aria. I hear fat suits have really come a long way.”
    Aria scoffed loudly. Matthew sneezed, but Lynn had the sneaking suspicion he was covering a laugh.
    “Ladies. Enough. Congratulations to everyone who came out to the auditions. It takes some serious cajones to get up on stage and lay it all out there. When you create art, it’s like hacking off part of your soul and offering it to the world. How many people trust the world to not take a crap all over them?”
    Nobody raised a hand.
    “Precisely. But that is what art is. That’s what theater is. You peel back your skin and offer yourself for the sake of beauty. There is nothing more powerful than that.”
    “You are so right.” Aria oozed. She was leaned forward on her desk, chin propped in her hands, with a stargazing haziness settled over her. Lynn hoped she never looked that pathetic. “It’s one of the bravest things we can do as a people, right?”
    Matthew walked around and sat on his desk. “There are lots of things that are brave. Running into burning buildings, facing a criminal with a loaded weapon, crossing the ocean to fight for a belief, standing up for what is right. Bravery is as multi-faceted and complex as we are as humans. Saying art is the bravest thing we can do isn’t entirely accurate, Miss Levens, but bravery also isn’t a contest. For some people, it is the bravest and most powerful thing they can do. For that, everyone should be proud.”
    She cocked her head to the side with the same lusty smile. Lynn didn’t consider herself a violent person, but she would have gladly cut it off her face with a pair of dull scissors, given the opportunity.
    “Now! The dirty ends of business.” Matthew rubbed his hands together. “Since this wasn’t a requirement, not everyone in class auditioned. I’m also looking at my assistant director and stage managers in here, so I obviously cannot dedicate class periods to rehearsals. And I believe we discussed private rehearsals at the beginning of the year, right?”
    Everyone nodded. Tiny bubbles of excitement grew within Lynn. Private rehearsals. She was