Star Attraction Read Online Free PDF Page B

“Just who do you think you
are, interfering?!”
    “Brad Clarke, who else?   I’m sure you’ve seen every one of my
films, whether you’re a fan or not.”
    Peter’s jaw dropped open, and he
fled the stage.
    Zaira laughed so hard she could
barely speak. “Well done. You got rid of him once and for all.   Now all we have to worry about is his
replacement.   I suppose I can ask
some of the lads to have a go next time.”
    “If the part is still open, I’ll
do it,” Brad offered.
    She gasped. “Oh no, I mean, you
were marvelous, but we couldn’t possibly expect you to…"
    "I'm offering."
    "But it would be so
embarrassing. You directing this humble production—"
    "I'm not offering to direct.
I'm offering to be your Hamlet." He gave a flourishing bow that would have
been worthy of any Renaissance courtier.
      She was stunned.   "Oh, no, we couldn't.   I mean, I’m supposed to be the director, and with you here, I’d look
like an idiot,” Zaira protested, trying to keep her distance from those
incredible emerald eyes.
    “Not at all.   It would be a golden opportunity for
you to learn a few things, but I really do want to act.   I' m not offering because I want to
take over, I swear.   I'm not
finding fault. If I were, I would just come out and tell you.   But I think you’ve been doing really
well on your own.   I really do want
to act. I did it when I was younger, but then the directing took over, and
well…" He shrugged.  
    "Besides, the part of Hamlet
is something I've always wanted to take a stab at. If Mel Gibson can do it, and
even Big Arnie wanted to try, why not me? Besides, it would a be wonderful way
to meet people here in New York, and spend my spare time.”
    “I'm
sure a man like you has no spare time—"
    He put his hand on her
shoulder.   "the lady doth
protest too much, methinks. I really do want to do it. That is, if you'll let
me, Ms. Director.
    She looked up at him for a time,
and at length she nodded. "All right, but you need to know we are having a
festival in two weeks, so it's all hands to the pumps.   If you really want this part, you need
to be reliable."
    "I promise, you tell me when,
I'll be there and give it my all." He put his hand on his heart.
    "All right, then, if you’re
sure, then I have no objection.   Anyone else want to try?” Zaira asked the company.  
    They all shook their heads,
stunned at the kind offer, and the immense talent they would have the privilege
of working with.
    “Right then, I’ll see you all the
day after tomorrow,” Zaira said, and they all went backstage to change out of
their costumes.
    When the room had cleared, she
said, "We’ll have to get you a costume, of course.   The one Peter ordered would barely
cover you,”   Zaira joked.
    Then she blushed as she realized
her remark might seem flirtatious. She disguised her embarrassment by fishing
for her cell phone and ringing the costume company. He gave her his
measurements, which set her heart aflutter all over again, and she relayed them
to the woman taking her order.   Perhaps it was the heavy wig, but Zaira had never been more flustered in
her life.  
    When she ended the call, she
headed over to the small pair of tables they had set up as their work stations.
    "Do you want a coffee?"
    "Sure, thanks. Black."
    She poured two cups from the pot
on the smaller of the two tables, and indicated he should sit in one of the
chairs at the larger one. She felt his eyes on her the whole time she moved
around the area.  
    She pushed his cup across the
table and sat herself.
    “Right, then, Mr. Clarke, I’ve
got....” she glanced at her watch, “one hour, so let’s get down to it.   My publisher Matt Wolf tells me you
wish to buy my book’s rights, for a Hollywood film.   Quite frankly, I can’t imagine it as a film given the kinds
of actors who generate box office hits in this country.   Even if there were some able to capture
the characters fully, isn’t it a terribly radical