Star Attraction Read Online Free PDF

dressed in a black polo neck
jumper and fawn coloured trousers, which emphasized his muscular build.
    “Can you tell me where Zoe
Dominick is?   I’m supposed to meet
her at one, but I’m a bit early.”
    Zaira was astonished that Brad
didn’t recognize her, but then remembered the long black wig and costume she
was wearing, no glasses, and the fact that he knew her as Zaira, not Zoe.
    “I’m Zoe,” she said with an
affected Southern drawl, intending just to tease him until he realized who she
was, but he only frowned more deeply.   She wondered why he looked as though he didn’t believe her, or as if he
was in some way disturbed—perhaps he had recognized her after all?
    Then her attention shot back to
the stage.   Peter had begun to
flail his arms around wildly, looking not so much like a Danish prince as a
Dutch windmill.
    “I would love to talk to you in a
short while, but for now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’d better try to fix
this mess.   Perhaps if I'm an
absolutely unbearable leading lady, we can get someone who can really act,”
Zaira said with a laugh.
    “Come now, let’s do our scene
again, Peter,” Zaira chirped sweetly.
    The rest of the company saw from
the glint in her eye that she was really going to put him through the
ringer.   Sure enough, he missed
every cue, muttered some lines, stumbled over others.   
    Zaira went on ruthlessly, word
perfect, playing the scene for all it was worth.   She went on remorselessly, making him repeat the lines over
and over again, until finally Peter’s patience snapped.
    “This isn’t fair, I haven’t had
much of a chance to rehearse!” he whined.
    “As if any of us have!”   Zaira shot back.   “You should have thought of that before
you decided to massage your male ego trying to play a part which is obviously
beyond you.”
    “Now look, I know you’re the
director, but there is no need to be like that!   After all, it isn’t as if you’re a professional, at either
acting or directing,” Peter said with a smirk.
      Zaira took a sharp breath, but was saved any further
arguments by Brad Clarke, who came out of the shadows and onto the stage.   
    Several of the company recognized
him instantly, and their eyes nearly came out of their sockets.    Zaira heard a few nervous
whispers, and even a chuckle.
    Brad said softly, “She is as
professional as they come in both fields. Any film or play is based on teamwork
as well as individual performances.   So for everyone’s sake, why don’t you either make the effort to do as
you are told, and do it properly, or let someone else have a chance to play the
part.”
    “I don’t know who you think you
are, giving me orders like that," said the obtuse Peter, "but even if
what you’re saying is true, there’s no one in this room fit to do it!”
    The entire company bristled, and
of course Brad couldn’t resist rising to the challenge.
    “We’ll see about that!   Zoe, get into place!”
      Zaira jumped to attention, and with a thrill of excitement
realized that he was going to rehearse the part of Hamlet with her.   She had been pretty embarrassed about
his remarks concerning her professionalism. Now she was going to have to act
with him, face to face.   It was too
embarrassing.
    But she knew this was her one
chance of getting rid of Peter once and for all, so she accepted the inevitable,
and began the scene again.
    The entire theatre was silently
transfixed by the performance they witnessed.   Brad’s awesome presence filled the stage.   Even having to read from the book, he
was far better than Peter could ever hope to me.
    Encouraged by his forceful
rendition of the part, Zaira was better than ever.
    At the end of the scene, the whole
company broke out into rapturous applause, and she could see Peter scowl as one
or two of the men in the cast ventured to come up and pat Brad on the
back.  
    He tried one last tactic, which
sent everyone into a fit of hysterical laughter.