Project 17 Read Online Free PDF

same people we're trying to connect with. Even if the film's a flop, just think of that exposure. I mean, look at what happened to Elisabeth Hasselbeck."
    "Who?"
    "That chick from Survivor." Tony rolls his eyes. "The Australian Outback. I mean, maybe she didn't win, but she's now got a sweet spot on The View."
    "Big whoop."
    "It's a start," Tony says. "I mean, just think about it-- maybe those industry people won't want Derik's film, but maybe they'll want us."
    I pause a moment and look at his deep brown eyes, at his irresistibly crooked mouth, and the three o'clock scruff on his chin. "Do you want me?"
    Tony smiles, taking my hand and pulling me onto his lap. "Do you even have to ask?"
    "Have I ever told you how sexy you are when you're trying to convince me?" I purr into his ear and then kiss him full on the mouth. He tastes like mint. "So what does one wear to a mental hospital?"
    "What else but a naughty nurse's outfit."
    "Oh, really." I laugh. "Wouldn't you just love that?"
    39
    "I'm ready for my sponge bath."
    "Well, don't forget your rubber ducky." I cup my hand around Tony's neck and kiss along the nape.
    "We'll be walking red carpets before you can say Oscar," Tony whispers.
    The clincher. I spit the gum from my mouth and go at him full force. We topple back in the director's chair, landing smack against the stage floor.
    But soon we're interrupted.
    "Excuse me?" a female voice says from just behind us.
    Tony and I pause from smooching to look up at her-- Liza Miller, Salem High's next valedictorian. She looks more perfect than usual. I mean, it's bad enough that she has supermodel strawberry blond hair without a trace of dark roots, that her boobs are Victoria's-Secret-catalogue worthy, and that she stands five feet ten with the tiniest waist I've ever seen. But today there's a beautiful desperation about her, a vulnerability in her eyes--the kind I try to capture whenever I'm doing a poignant scene.
    "Sorry," she says. "I was just looking for Mr. Duncan."
    "He's in class," I say, climbing free of Tony.
    "Oh." More disappointment; she purses her lips and looks downward into her hands, making me want to file the gesture away in my improv box.
    "Are you an actress?" I ask her. "I mean, I know you've never acted here, but--"
    "No." Liza shakes her head. "But I was hoping to get involved in some way."
    40
    "It's March," Tony says, getting up. "Drama's over for the year."
    "Isn't there anything I can do?" she pushes. "How about for next year? Isn't there any design stuff I could get a head start on? Isn't there some crew that does that sort of thing?"
    "Mr. Duncan hasn't even decided what the production is for next year," Tony says.
    Liza picks at her fingernails, refusing to budge. It completely weirds me out. I mean, I don't even think I've heard the girl speak during my four full years here. She's too busy studying.
    "Hey, you know, if you're interested in acting," Tony continues, "Derik LaPointe is looking for people to star in his film."
    My mouth drops open. I shoot Tony a menacing look--the one I reserve for my most villainous scenes. I mean, what is he thinking? I won't be upstaged by some blondie bookworm actress wannabe.
    "Derik LaPointe?" she asks, piqued by the idea. Her eyebrows arch in curiosity.
    "He might not need anybody else." I sigh.
    "I don't know," Tony says, oblivious to my evil eye. "You should definitely ask."
    "Will there be a lot of rehearsals?" Liza asks. "I'm pretty busy as it is with my studies and all, and I hear you guys practice a lot."
    I open my mouth to tell her about all the hours
    41
    required for just one measly production--all the weekends eaten up by memorizing lines, and all the weeknights we slave here getting each scene just right--when I hear Tony say that this gig requires no rehearsals whatsoever, that it'll only take up one night of her life--this Friday--and that it's a great opportunity for all involved.
    "Tony!" I snap. "She said she wanted to do stage crew. Maybe this