Power Play Read Online Free PDF Page A

smiled and said “Hello” to the petite, buxom blonde who had just been introduced to them on set by the executive producer. From the little bit of info the writers had provided, Monica knew that Chessy’s character, Paige, was Roxie’s half sister through their late father. Paige’s mother was their father’s secret plural wife, taken after his previously unknown conversion to a fundamentalist Mormon sect. Now Paige had come to Garrett City to take over Roxie’s publishing empire, claiming their father had written a subsequent will to the one that left everything to Roxie. More cat-fights and lots of bitchy lines, thought Monica. Could be fun.
    Much to her horror, she had dreamed of Eric Mitchell last night. In the dream, she had put masking tape over his mouth and told him to just “Shut up and fuck me.” Which he did—quite skillfully. She woke up moaning with pleasure, her sheets twisted around her. As consciousness dawned, sexual satisfaction turned to horror. How could she have dreamed of him , New York’s most obnoxious man? Easy: he was the finest-looking specimen she’d set eyes on in a long time. The dream haunted her all day, shameful and somewhat embarrassing. Her libido had never ambushed her with a dolt before.
    Gloria stood next to Monica, imperious as ever as she watched Chessy make her way toward them, introducing herself to the cast one by one. “Her name should be Chesty, not Chessy,” Gloria whispered out of the side of her bright red mouth. “I hope her boobs can act.”
    â€œDon’t be mean.” Monica believed in giving everyone new a fair chance, always remembering back to when she was the newest cast member. She could still conjure the terror of it, the fears of not fitting in and screwing up. Thank God Gloria took Monica under her wing. Maybe Monica would do the same for newbie Chessy, though her perpetual smile did grate a bit. Monica hoped she hadn’t been that—toothy—on her first day.
    Chessy finally made her way to Monica, standing breathlessly before her. “Oh my God. I have soooo wanted to meet you for soooo long. I have been, like, your biggest fan since I was a little girl! It’s been soooo great to watch Roxie mature over the years. I can’t wait for us to work together. I just know I can learn a lot from a veteran like you.”
    Monica’s mouth froze into a rictus. “Yes, I get the feeling there is a lot you need to learn.” Like how not to assault someone with backhanded compliments the first time you meet them. Chessy smiled at her again before moving on to Royce.
    â€œLittle bitch,” Gloria hissed as soon as Chesty was out of earshot.
    â€œNow, now.”
    â€œWatch that one,” Gloria warned.
    Monica waved her hand dismissively. She’d been on the show ten years, and she’d seen a parade of ingénues come and go, many of them intent on unseating her. What they didn’t know was that if their story line tanked and the writers couldn’t come up with another, they’d be collecting unemployment faster than you could say evil twin. Monica patted Gloria’s bony shoulder before heading for her dressing room. “I’m not worried.”
    A minute later, it was painfully clear she should be. Every Friday each member of the cast had a copy of the latest issue of Soap World delivered to their dressing room. This week’s issue had a giant picture of Chessy on the cover, the headline blaring, “Is This the Next Monica Geary?”
    Monica stared at the cover a few seconds before forcing herself to sit down on the couch. She knew she was letting herself in for a world of misery, but she opened the magazine anyway and flipped right to the article. It was a two-page color spread in the center. Her guts plummeted to her feet faster than a jet losing altitude.
    Shit, the pictures. Chessy smiling, radiating girl-next-door appeal. Chessy looking