Just a tweak
It wasn't a dream, it was a nightmare! Rowan was useless. He sung well, and when she managed to drive some confidence into him, very well. Nice voice. But his movements were clumsy and uncertain. Apologetic even.
Rowan was really tall and had great, bright red hair (redheads are just the greatest, right?), and pretty with his freckles (there were lots!) and make-up. But he was tripping over his own legs, and even more in his dress. He looked really awkward with the padding and stuck his arms out in a completely unnatural way. When she tried to tell him to relax and be natural, he blushed and stammered and told her he needed to get used to the dress. But it had been weeks already!
He hadn't been to acting school, but neither had the divas. And the agency had assured her he was some sort of a natural miracle child. And yes, the voice was good. But that wasn't enough. Even the chemistry she'd seen between him and Owen failed to materialize.
She and Lucky were sitting in high seats, watching Rowan and Owen sing together. Rowan was fiddling with the padding, and Owen was visibly straining to not explode at him. "Stop that! Stop being so, so annoying! And don't apologize! Not one more apology, you hear me?" Owen was seething on the stage.
"It's terrible. He's dead weight. We can't keep him in the role, and we can't afford to feed him, if he doesn’t contribute."
"But we have the contract for the entire season! We have to keep him on until spring." Lucky countered.
"Yes, but we were hard pushed for money to begin with. If we can't make this work, I don't think we can survive the season!"
"Make this work… hmmmm… I think I have an idea! Don't give up!" Lucky jumped up and ran off, yelling for Emile.
Emile was found in the front row, staring starry-eyed at Lawrence, who was sulking at the side of the set waiting for his turn. "Emile, Rowan, come with me. I need you to do something!" Lucky was off with the two boys.
After a considerable while they re-emerged. Rowan was dressed differently. He had a knee-length blue tunic, and a long golden orange vest open in the front. He wore these with a sash and boots. His makeup was mostly gone, and his hair was partially braided so that it still flowed but wasn't billowing anymore. Most particularly he was not wearing the dress, nor the padding.
Lucky gestured her over to the stage. "May I present to you, our co-star!"
"Hmm, I like it. He looks good. And definitely more relaxed. What do you think, Rowan?"
"Oh thank you, I like this more. I am sure I can now…"
"But. But! He's playing the leading lady."
"That's just it" Lucky's eyes were tinkling. "He's the co-star, and the love interest. But there is no particular reason that would have to be a lady. I tweaked the script just a little bit. And I must say Emile did very well with the costume with zero warning."
"Hmmm, you are right, he looks… great. And more relaxed. Ok, we can try."
It worked like a charm. While Rowan still wasn't exactly smooth in all his movements, he now appeared young and innocent instead of awkward and clumsy.
"Well, I hope this helps you be less annoying" was all Owen said, but he almost smiled. Owen!
Soon they were singing again, and yes, the chemistry was there. The dream was right around the corner now. It was just a tweak, but it had worked wonders. Lucky was her little miracle worker, and Emile wasn't half bad as a stylist and costumer. What a most best company!
