My Greatest Production

by

Mamie and IvanaBgood
(Mbobb58895@aol.com) and (IvanaBgood@aol.com)

Leaning back in her lounge chair, she enjoys the soft summer breezes and the warm sunshine. The tall majestic palm trees offering her some shade, as they cast their silhouettes on the sparkling blueness of the swimming pool.

Suddenly the sun is obliterated.

“Ma, you better go in. You’ve been out here too long.”

“I wanna get a tan. My Sammy will be here tomorrow and I wanna look good for my Chocolate Love Bunny.”

“Which reminds me,” pointing her finger at her, “you better remember to close your door. Now that we live with Fran, I don’t want the kids getting a free peep show.”

“Who said it would be free? I’m charging $5 a peep.”

“Ma!” She smacks her lightly on her arm.

“Don’t hit Yetta, Ma!” Fran smacks Sylvia on her shoulder, balancing a tray of drinks with the other hand.

“Don’t hit your mother!” Yetta smacks Fran’s tuchus as she bends over to set the tray down.

“Ow! Yetta!…you know if you were Max I would be really turned on right now.” Picking up a glass of lemonade, she turns to hand it to her grandmother. “Yetta, you don’t look so good. I think you better go inside now.”

Her hands on her bikini covered hips, “That’s what I told her.”

Fran looks at her mother, and makes a face. “You better go in too.”

“Why, I feel fine.”

“But you don’t look fine Ma! Uch…I’m happy you’re losing weight, but you’re not ready to wear my bikinis.”

“Why not? It fits.” Sylvia pushes the back of her hair up, smiling.

“That’s because you cut the sides and are using a safety pin chain to hold it up! Meanwhile I wish you would have told me you were going to do that.”

“I’m sorry sweetheart. Was this one of your favorite bathing suits?”

“No. I would have invested in that safety pin company. Looking at the hundreds you’re using, their stock must have gone up triple-fold.” She looks back down at her grandma. “Come on Yetta, let me help you.” Gently taking her by the hand and elbow she supports her up and escorts her inside.

“Oh Frannie,” patting her granddaughter’s hand lovingly, “thank you for bringing me here to live with you in California.”

“Yetta, you don’t have to thank me. We have lots of room.” She leads her to her bedroom and fluffs up the pillow. “You don’t miss all your friends at the Home do you?”

“Bah!” She settles herself down on her king-size bed, “those bubke stealing meshugines.” She leans over and gets something out of her nightstand.

“Not even Ethel? I thought you two were best friends?”

“Her?! Uch…it’s like living with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’s ashtray. All that coughing and wheezing, it’s not natural.” She lights up a cigarette.

“Oy, give me that!” Fran grabs it out of her hand and stubs it out. “You already started four small fires in the one month we’ve been here. We have Smokey the Bear on speed dial.”

“Those weren’t my fault. Leno hasn’t been funny lately. His monologues have been snooze city.”

“Whateva. All I know is, you’re wearing out our smoke alarms. I just bought a big box of batteries the other day and we’re almost out.”

“Oh, I don’t think it’s Yetta using up all the batteries,” Niles enters, smirking at his wife, as they walk in hand in hand.

“Hi Neal!” Yetta winks.

CC laughs as Niles rolls his eyes. “Well, I’m late. Maxwell is waiting for me in the limo. Plant one on me real quick and wish us luck!”

Niles gives her a swift kiss on the lips, “Good luck!”

Fran walks over and kisses her right cheek. “Luck!”

“Nanny Fine! I meant Niles.” CC scrunches her face.

“Hey, I didn’t hear a name.”

Maxwell nervously clears his throat as he begins to explain the story concept to the network executives sitting before him. They look up at him expectantly. “What CC and I had in mind is a show about three struggling actors. One of which will be the main character that the show revolves around. A multi-talented individual that we can place in everything from Hamlet to My Fair Lady to Chicago.” He pauses as he watches their reactions.

All four executives were nodding and one actually lifts up a corner of his mouth for a second.

CC joins in, “What makes this show so new and exciting will be the fact that it will allow audiences who wouldn’t normally have a chance to see live theatre, to see highlights of popular and classic theatrical productions.  It’ll also give us a chance to bring in established guest stars for occasional guest appearances in some of these shows.” She pauses and glances over at Maxwell.

Andrew Markel, the director of comedy development for the studio, turns to look at his colleagues and remarks, “I have some problems with it.  I really don’t see this as a broad comedy.  I think a story like this would support a dramatic series.” He turns to the other two men and one woman as they nod at him in unison. Markel continues, “If you could come up with the writers you need and the talent you need – we wouldn’t necessarily have to be producing this from the comedy department.  And that brings up another major issue – the talent.  It sounds like the whole concept will be resting on the shoulders of a young, completely unknown actor who has the talent of Laurence Olivier, Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra rolled into one.  This one factor alone would make or break your project.”

C.C. spoke up.  “We realize that, Andy.  We’re planning on holding open auditions on both coasts to try and find our guy.  We’ll be posting notices in every reputable acting school and repertory company in the country.  Word of mouth will carry it from there. We’re confident that the talent is there – we just need to find it!”

“As for the writers, we haven’t begun looking yet because we really didn’t know what direction you saw this moving in.”  Max looks at the programming executive for his reaction.

Markel gazes at a spot on the floor for what seemed to Max and CC an eternity.  Finally he looks up.  “I like it.  Find me the actors – we’ll work on a list of writers and directors that might be able to do the job. Bring them and your actors back here and if we agree that they have ‘the right stuff’, we’ll commission a script and give you financing for a full hour pilot.”

With that he stood and headed for the door. “Maxwell…CC, it’s been a pleasure.  I think I’d like to see this work as much as you do. Get back to me when you have your actors.” With that, Andrew Markel followed by the others, leaves the room.

Max and CC look at each other with stunned expressions.  Finally CC jumps up and screams, “WE DID IT!”

Maxwell smiles and slaps her a high five. Calming down finally, he realizes that it’s not a done deal quite yet.

“Whoa – slow down CC, we’re just cresting the hill.  Finding our golden needle in that haystack out there is not going to be easy.  And Markel isn’t going to give us forever to do it.  You take care of getting the notices out and arranging the auditions.  We’ll decide later who goes to NY and who stays here.”

The limousine turns into an expansive circular driveway, the entrance to the Sheffield family’s new home in Beverly Hills, California.

The house the Sheffield’s purchased on the West Coast was over twice the size of the New York mansion and located on 5 ½ acres of broad green lawns and beautifully landscaped gardens.  Max knew that in order to succeed in this business, he was going to have to step up his official entertaining and ‘shmoozing’ of entertainment executives and personalities significantly.  This house, with its pool, tennis courts, party rooms and screening room was made to order.  It even had room enough to locate the Sheffield/Babcock offices on the first floor of one wing.  In addition to the main house, a beautiful carriage house was located a few dozen yards from the front door. The home of the newlyweds, CC and Niles.

In his new position as domestic manager, Niles was in charge of hiring, training and supervising the staff of employees it took to keep the house and gardens functioning.

He was also in charge of planning, arranging and executing all the parties hosted by the Sheffields.  He still did a great deal of the cooking for these special events himself and his culinary talents were already becoming as famous on the West Coast as they were on the East.

As the chauffeur opens the door, Max and CC spot Fran pushing a baby carriage towards them.

“Hi sweetie! How did it go?” Fran smiles adoringly at her husband.

“Fantastic! They took to your idea like a Jerry Springer guest does to a chair.” Giving her a big kiss on the lips, he asks “And how are my little bundles of joy?”

“Not so good. My breasts are so full of milk, I’m afraid to drive by Black Angus.” At Max’s look, “Oh you mean Jonah and Eve.”

CC’s shakes her head in annoyance at their conversation. “What do you mean her idea? Maxwell I was the one that brought up the struggling actors theory.”

“Oh really CC?” Maxwell furrows his forehead for a moment as he reaches down to pick up his son. “Well then, Fran they really went for your concept of having the central actor do Broadway plays.”

“I was the one who thought that up too!”

“Oh…” Maxwell coos at his baby daughter and places a kiss on his pudgy son’s rosy cheek.

“But I was the one who said not to mention CATS,” Fran points out.

“Sheer inspiration darling! How do you do it?” he gives her another kiss.

“Oh you know, when you got it you got it.”

CC groans in frustration.

“What’s wrong lover, starting without me again?” Niles wraps his arms from behind his wife.

Her brows unknit and she leans back, enjoying the embrace. “Do you blame me? I’m too much woman for you.”

Niles chuckles, “You’re too much period. I hope you didn’t stop at McDonalds because Doctor Miller said you’re gaining too much weight.”

“I have not and she can just…”

“Ah ah ah, our little fetus has formed ears now,” he grins as he turns her carefully around and parts his lips a fractionally ahead of hers as he moves his mouth nearer, devouring its softness. Her dress creeps up higher on her thighs as she moves closer to him as the stroking of his fingers send pleasant jolts throughout her body.

“Good thing that fetus doesn’t have X-Ray vision or you’re going to be paying some hefty therapy bills in the future,” Fran replies as she watches the spectacle.

“So Brighton, you never told me why you’re back already. Weren’t you going to be gone for another month?” Gracie smiles mischievously just before she bites into her cob of corn.

“Listen Pee Wee, I’m the master of my own destiny. And I decided I’d had enough of Europe.”

“Plus the fact that those French people really freaked him out,” Maggie grins as she twirls a forkful of fettuccine.

“Hey do you blame me?” Brighton looks around for support. “Cheek kissing, bottom pinching - it was a nightmare.”

“First of all that was Great Aunt Mimi who kissed you and second of all you were the one doing the pinching,” Maggie points out.

“She was showing me how to know which fruits were ripe for picking at their orchards,” he replies defensively. And I still have facial burns from her mustached smooches.” He shudders at the remembrance.

Maxwell looks around happily at his family. Everyone in their customary seats and Niles at the other end of the table with CC to his right.

“Honey, you said you had some big news to tell us?” Fran then looks over her shoulder at Lawrence, who had serving duty. “Could I have another helping of pasta? Thank you…um…a little more…a little more…you know what, why don’t you just tip it over and give me the rest of it.” She smacks her lips in anticipation.

Gracie giggles at Lawrence’s look of amazement as he watches her mother devour the noodles.

Maxwell nods for a refill of wine. “A toast.”

Everyone looks up in surprise and they quickly pick up and raise their glasses.

“CC and I were given the go-ahead on our story idea.” He smiles at his family as he imparts the cheery news. Raising his glass higher, “May the joys of today. Be those of tomorrow. The goblets of life hold no dregs of sorrow.”

His family cheers as the clinking of glasses go around the table.

Niles stands up, “May I sir?”

The crinkles in the corners of his eyes deepen as Maxwell looks fondly at his old friend. “Of course.”

“Let's drink to California, way out by the sea,
And a woman fair with a huge derriere,
Who took my bachelorhood away from me.”

Niles’ grin towards his wife quickly disappears as he sits down rather quickly, rubbing his shin.

“One more toast like that and you’re sleeping with Chester tonight,” CC threatens.

“At least Chester doesn’t snore.” He retorts, still rubbing his sore shin.

CC purses her lips and throws him a quick air kiss. Niles reaches over and gently wipes a bit of cream sauce off the top of her lip, tasting it.

“Now don’t you two start. I’m not finished with my news,” Maxwell warns. “We still need to find that all important main actor for our show. So one of us has to go to New York and hold auditions for young hopefuls.”

“Oh me, me!” Fran yells excitedly. “I want to show off my babies to everyone. Unless you want to fly them all over here so they can see our new home?” she asks hopefully.

“Wrong answer sweetheart.” Max felt strongly that the twins were entirely too young to travel.  Getting them here in the first place nearly drove him mad with worry.  He just couldn’t handle it again.  Not this soon. “I have some loose ends to tie up here still so what I was basically hinting at is that CC will be going.”

“Ehhh!” Niles buzzes. “Wrong again. CC is pregnant and therefore it is not safe for her to fly across the country,” he states strongly.

“Since when do you make decisions for me Brillo head?”

She knew what Maxwell had planned all along and she was one hundred percent for it. CC thought about it long and hard on the way home. Since their sudden marriage she and Niles had been almost inseparable.  They seemed to find an overwhelming need to make up for the past years in as short a time as possible.   They discovered that whenever they were apart they could only think of each other and when they were together, well when they were together…!  Fran and Maxwell had a very passionate relationship with each other.  But even they were sometimes embarrassed when they were around Niles and CC.

“You’re not actually thinking of going are you?” Niles accuses, “And put our baby’s life in jeopardy?”

“Don’t even try to guilt me. I called Dr. Miller from the limo, she said we would both be perfectly safe.”

Niles mumbles, “Well, what does she know…Dr. Joy Miller is a quack.”

CC smiles and pats his hand reassuringly. For CC, this relationship was both enormously satisfying and very, very scary.  She had always been an independent woman who was proud of the fact that she had gotten where she was without the help of another human being.  Now she found she couldn’t go 4 hours without her ‘Niles fix.’  And that’s exactly how it felt – like an addiction!  She had to know if it was possible to get along without him 24 hours a day.  She figured that the only way she could find out was to go as far away from him as possible and get herself involved in a job that would keep her fully occupied doing something she loved to do.  The New York auditions were made to order.

….at a law office in Little Rock, AK

The handsome young man sat in his cubicle, staring straight ahead and dreaming of a life far more exciting than the one he was living.  The contract he was supposed to be reviewing was on his desk where it had sat untouched for most of the morning.

“McKAY!!!”  the screaming voice pulls Joe out of his reverie.

“Yes sir – can I help you sir?”

“Yes, if you’re sure I’m not inconveniencing you.”

Joe stands and looks at the man leaning on the doorway.  As a law student he was grateful for the fantastic opportunity the partners in this firm were giving him by hiring him as a clerk.  But recognizing the opportunity and being satisfied with the work were two different things.  He didn’t know how he was going to be able to do this kind of work for the rest of his life.  But somehow he was going to have to try.  He was just going to have to try.

“What can I do for you, Mr. Alloway?”

“We have contracts that need to be signed in New York.  I want you to go there, get the signatures and then get the contracts back here.  It shouldn’t take you more than a couple of days if you don’t waste too much time.”

“Yes sir.  I’ll take care of it for you.”

As Alloway turns back to his own office, Joe sits down and smiles to himself.  He knew why Alloway was sending him.  Dawson Alloway was an old friend of Joe’s mother.  It was Dawson who got Joe the job here in the first place.  He knew about Joe’s love for the theatre and his desire to get to see a Broadway show whenever possible.  Actually, if Joe could have anything he wanted, that’s where his career would be.  Joe was sure that Mr. Alloway’s offer wasn’t necessarily made to please Joe, but was just one more back-handed way of courting Joe’s mother.

Joe’s father had died shortly after his birth and his mother had raised him on her own.  Although his mother was highly valued by her employers, the fact was that she was a domestic and had never earned that much money.  Despite this, her years of labor and going without niceties for herself allowed her to give her son the things he needed to give him a happy childhood and a good education.  His mother was an excellent baker and for years Joe remembers her coming home from work and then going into the kitchen to begin mixing the batter for the muffins and quick breads she made and sold each day.  This extra money was all invested for the day her son would go to college.  Joe felt strongly that now was the time to start paying her back.   If he were on his own, he wouldn’t mind the insecurity of an acting profession.  But he wasn’t on his own.  It was time for him to start taking care of her and the way to do that was with a steady, secure job.  The law provided that and he did seem to have a flair for it.  So here he was.  Clerking in this office and daydreaming of the career that would never be.

Joe sits back down in front of his desk and reminisces. He can almost feel the wood floor beneath his shoes and the sounds of applause as he sang and danced in a neighborhood children’s talent show at the ripe old age of three.

From that moment on, every opportunity he had to get on a stage, he took.  He worked part time jobs in high school just so he could pay for lessons with acting, dancing and singing coaches in his town.  College brought more formal training and exposure to the classics.  He joined a local repertory company and when he didn’t have classes he could usually be found in rehearsals or on the stage.  He was hooked – good and proper.  The notices he received in these productions were outstanding and his teachers gushed over their young star and their luck in having ‘found him’.  He seemed to have it all.  He was movie-star handsome, with the ruggedness and appeal of a young Marlon Brando or Paul Newman.  He had one more gift that those actors didn’t have – a voice that was so full and rich it would carry the emotions of a scene to the last row of seats in the theater.  When you add thick wavy dark hair and brilliant blue eyes to all of that he seemed to be perfect.  Thus it came as a complete shock to everyone when he told them that he was going to pursue a law degree rather than a career on the stage.

His mother never dreamed that he had these thoughts.  She didn’t care what Joe did, as long as he was happy doing it.  She idolized her handsome son.  Every time she looked at him, heard his voice, witnessed his kindness, wisdom and humor, it was as if his father were there in the room, and she loved him even more. It would have hurt her terribly if she had known that Joe was somehow sacrificing himself for her.

When Joe arrived home that night he told his mother about the New York trip.

“Mom guess what? Mr. Alloway is sending me to New York to get some contracts signed! Why don’t you go with me and we can catch a play while we’re there?” He asks excitedly.

Smiling fondly at her son, “Oh Joey, that is so sweet of you to ask, but I’m sorry I just can’t get away right now.” She knew that the firm was paying for Joe’s fare and hotel, but hers would come out of his pay. Maybe he could use the extra money to see more than one show.

“Joey, phone for you,” his mother calls.

“Hello?”

“Joe, this is Richelle. You won’t believe what I saw posted at the theater today!” she gushes.

“Richelle, wow, it’s great to hear from you!” He recalls quickly his acting friend from college.

“Listen to this! There are open auditions being held for this certain role and you are perfect for it! You know how rare open auditions are.”

Before the evening was over, he had received 5 more phone calls from other friends about the ad. They were looking for the lead for a new television series and the character sounded like it had been modeled on Joe! It was starting to sound more than coincidental.  An open audition and taking place at the same time that Joe was going to be in New York. Perfect!

Well, why not?  With my limited experience I’ll never be offered the part and the audition will give me a chance to get up on a stage again.  Even if it does just last 5 minutes – that’s 5 minutes more than I have now!

Feeling a slight twinge of guilt about using their time when he had no intention of taking the job.  Still. . .

…a few days later, in a New York rehearsal hall

“I need a break.  Let’s take 10.”  CC stands up from her folding chair in the rehearsal hall.  She stretches her arms over her head and bends down to touch her toes.  Stiff from sitting in the uncomfortable chair all morning and listening to the hundreds of auditions from hopeful young actors.

Not that she was complaining.  She didn’t dare complain about ANY of it.  Not after that scene with Niles!  She had to use every argument in the book to convince him that the New York trip was a good idea for her – for both of them.  He tried threats. (They never worked.)  He tried insults.  (Always a turn-on for her, but she resisted.)  He tried seduction.  (THAT ONE just about broke her down!)  But with both her and Maxwell arguing for the trip, Niles finally backed off.  He wasn't happy about it.  She had been in New York for 4 days now, hearing auditions for the last 3, and Niles had called approximately once every 2 hours.  She started thinking that if she or Maxwell didn’t find someone real soon, she just might go crazy.  And not from the telephone calls.  She was missing him just as much as he was missing her.

“Ms. Babcock, if you’re ready, the next actor is here”.  The stage manager looks over at the tall blond to see if he had angered her in any way.  He had felt the wrath of CC Babcock in the old days and he would never forget it!  He had no idea that he was now dealing with the ‘newer, softer’ version.

“I’m ready, Jimmy.  Bring him on.”

“NEXT!”

CC stares as the young man approaches the mark on the floor for his reading.  She knew she was staring – but she couldn’t help herself.  That face!  She was sure she had seen it before – but she didn’t know where.  “Your name and a little of your background please.”

“Good afternoon.  My name is Joe McKay.  I’m a graduate of the University of Arkansas.   I’ve studied acting with Fred Conway, dialects with Dennis Barner, dance with Jack Bright, voice with Joan Von Stahl.  I worked seasonally for the last 4 years with the Playmakers Repertory Company in North Carolina and I’ve done work at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival.  My important roles have included Hamlet, Peer Gynt, MacHeath in Three Penny Opera, El Gallo in The Fantastics and Curly in Oklahoma.  I play piano and guitar.”

Each actor had been asked to prepare two readings – one classical and one contemporary.  They should all be prepared to sing something if asked.  The choice of song would be theirs.  Joe had prepared the opening monologue from Richard III for his classic piece, and a scene from ‘Barefoot in the Park’, where Paul (the young husband) wearily argues for the need for some common sense in their marriage with his new wife at 2:15 in the morning.

He aces both readings and waits for a reaction from Ms. Babcock.  Usually this was the point where you hear a clipped ‘thank you’ and you knew you were out the door.  This time there was only silence.  He didn’t know if he was supposed to stay or go.  Sing or be quiet.

All eyes in the room were on CC.  She had barely heard any of Joe’s readings.  Something about the young man’s face, his bearing and voice fascinated her.  She didn’t know what it was, she only felt sure that she had found her lead.  If only he could sing!

“Have you prepared a song?”

“Yes, ma’am.  I was going to do ‘Try to Remember’ from The Fantasticks.”

“That’s fine.  Go ahead.”

The pianist hits the opening chords and Joe starts singing the song he knew so well.  This was no effort for him because he had sung the beautiful song twice a night for the full run of ‘The Fantasticks.”  When he sang the song, he became ‘El Gallo’ again and added all the color and emotion of the part to his singing.

CC was enchanted.  She knew that she had found her lead.  There was no doubt at all in her mind, she only needed Maxwell’s confirmation and she knew that once he saw Joe, he would be equally sure.

“That was terrific.  I want you to fly back to LA with me and meet Maxwell Sheffield.  If he’s as sure of you as I am, we’ll schedule you for an audition with either Andrew Markel or another senior officer at the studios.  I really believe we’ve found our lead!  I can’t seem to find your resume or photos here.  Did you bring something?”

“Ms. Babcock, I’ve got to be honest with you.  I’m not really an actor.  I’m a law student.  I’m only here in New York to deliver some papers for the firm I’m working for.  Some friends of mine from acting class told me about this audition and talked me into coming today.  I didn’t bring anything with me because I never expected it to go anywhere.  I’m heading back to Arkansas this afternoon.  I’m really very sorry.”

CC couldn’t believe her ears.  This young man was so perfect for the part it was almost magical.  Here he was being offered the chance of a lifetime AND HE DIDN’T WANT IT!  CC saw that Joe was moving towards the door and was almost out of the room.

“WAIT! YOU. . . (rats – what was his name?). . .  JOE!”  She saw that he heard her and had turned around.  “Come back here for a minute, I need to talk to you.”

CC thinks frantically. What can I say to this young man to get him to change his mind?

“Joe, sit down here – please?   Just for a minute.”  Pausing for a moment to gather her thoughts, “Joe, I hear your words, but I don’t believe them.  The only way you could have gotten to be as good as you are is with training and experience.  You only get that when you are dedicated to your craft.  And that dedication comes from a love of the work.  You wouldn’t have bothered to show up here today if you didn’t truly want to act.  Now what’s really going on?”

Sometimes it’s easier to open up to a stranger.  And CC’s words had hit him close to the heart.  He found himself telling her everything about his past, his family, schooling, hopes and desires.  Things he’d never told another human being.

CC had expected to hear him say that a girl friend was holding him back here.  But his mother?  Good lord, most of the actors out in that hall would have gladly traded their mothers for a chance at this part.

“Listen Joe.  I hear you and I understand.  But this opportunity is too good for you to miss!  It could bring you untold wealth and you wouldn’t ever have to worry about either you or your mother ever being secure again.”

Joe couldn’t look her in the face.  He stared down at the floor as he answered.   “It could – and it could leave me back in Arkansas without anything.  Including a job.”

This was eating CC up.  She could see how he was anguishing over this missed opportunity.  She had to do something to get him out to the coast.

“Joe – suppose we bring you and your mother out to LA for a full week, all expenses paid.  While you’re doing the auditions, we’ll give her a VIP tour of LA, including the studios.  We’ll make sure she’s treated like ‘Queen for a Day’.  It’s only one week.  Surely your bosses will give you that much time off?”

This lady really knows how to hit me where it hurts!  I can’t remember Mom ever having a vacation of any kind.  This would be wonderful for her.  I’m sure that once Mr. Alloway hears about the offer and the opportunity for her, he’ll give me the time off.  Whether or not Mom can take the time off is another matter.

“OK – I’ll talk to my mom about it.  If she wants to take the week off, we’ll go.  We’re going to have to clear it first with both her boss as well as mine.”

CC feels a weight lift off of her.  “That’s great!  But we aren’t going to have a whole lot of time.  Suppose we say. . .the week after next.  That gives you a week and a half to get your trip cleared and planned and gives me time to set up the auditions.  I’ll need your full name, address and telephone number.  And I’ll be sure to send the airline tickets to you.  I want you to fax me your resume, photos and any notices you’ve received.”

CC grins broadly.  “Joe – I have a feeling that this is going to be the start of a beautiful friendship!”  She reaches out her hand and grasps his shaking it vigorously.

Joe wasn’t real sure what had just happened - all he knew was, he was going to Hollywood and for at least a few moments more, he was going to get to act.  The world was suddenly a much more beautiful place!

That evening, in Arkansas…

Joe arrives back at the office with his head more in the clouds than ever.  It didn’t take Dawson Alloway long to spot the changes in him.  But since he was treating Joe and Katherine to dinner that night, he knew he would hear about the NY trip then.

At the restaurant…

It didn’t take Joe long to spill his news to the older couple. Katherine’s eyes danced in merriment at the sight of her son’s excitement.  She hadn’t realized how long it had been since she’d seen Joe this excited about anything!

“I’m telling you, I never dreamed in a million years that they would want me!  I swear Mr. Alloway, I would never have considered going there if you hadn’t sent me with the contracts. . .  I wouldn’t do that to you. . .  Mom did I tell you they want you to come with me! . . .they want you to meet everyone so you won’t have to worry about it. . . not that I stand a chance that they’ll still want me after the auditions. . .so you don’t have to worry about whether I’m coming back or not, Mr. Alloway. . .but isn’t it a great deal for Mom?”

By this time both Dawson and Katherine were laughing out loud at Joe.  He realized what he must have sounded like, but he just couldn’t help himself!

“So – do you think I could get a week off to take Mom to California?”  He knew that was a cheap shot, but he was willing to try anything to get this trip!

“No problem, Joe.  I think it would be a great trip for both of you.  Katherine could always use the break.  And you. . . you’ll either end up getting this out of your system and coming back and being a terrific lawyer for the firm.  OR – you’ll end up a big star, make millions of dollars and remember all the little people who helped you get ahead ‘way back when’ by giving you time off to go to California!”

They all laugh at Dawson’s quip.  Although for him, it was a rather forced laugh.  If Joe became successful, Katherine might decide to stay in California with him and Dawson would never see her again.  On the other hand, knowing Joe was taken care of, she might come back ready to start living her own life – with him!

“I’m sure I can get the time off Joey,” Katherine said proudly, looking at her son with such joyous affection.

They toast to his good fortune.

“So tell me, sweetie, did they ask you to sing anything?”

“Yes – I sang your favorite, ‘Try to Remember’.  Ms. Babcock said she’d never heard it done so well!”

Katherine’s smile freezes on her face.  “Ms. Babcock?”

“Yes.  CC Babcock.  She’s half of the Sheffield/Babcock Production Company.  She was the one conducting the auditions in New York.  The first person I’m going to be meeting in California is her partner, Maxwell Sheffield.”

Both Dawson and Joe stare in shock as every bit of color drains from Katherine’s face.

“Mom?  Are you all right?”

“Katherine, do you need some water?  Is there anything I can get you?”

Katherine heard their voices, but so many thoughts and images start to flood her brain, that she wasn’t able to answer for a moment.   “No. . . no.  I’m fine.  I’m just a little tired.  I think it’s time to go home.”

Joe and Dawson looked at each other, “Of course, we’ll take you home right away.”

Katherine was unusually quiet on the trip back.  Especially when compared with the spirit and enthusiasm she had shown at the beginning of the evening.

As soon as they arrive at the door, “Excuse me, but I’m very tired.” And without a backward glance she was gone.

Knocking softly on her bedroom door, “Mom?”

“Come in.”

Joe looks around the room.  “Mom – mind if I come in for a minute?”

“Of course not, honey.”  Katherine was sitting on her bed, still wearing the clothes she had worn to dinner.

Joe sits on the edge of the bed.  “What’s wrong Mom?  And don’t say ‘nothing’ – I know better.”

Looking up at the ceiling and taking a deep breath, “I guess I just saw you traveling out to California for this great job and dragging your mother along with you.  Not a pretty picture!”  She smiles.  “I shouldn’t go with you.  You need to do this on your own.  How in the world are they ever going to believe that you can support a whole television series, when you can’t (or won’t) even go away for a week without your mother?”

“Mom – you know that’s not why I’m taking you.  You’ve spent every minute of your life – at least the life that I’ve seen – working for me.  Finally, at long last, I can give you something back!  You have no idea how important this is to me.  If they hadn’t offered the trip to you, I would never have considered going.  In fact, if you don’t go – neither will I.”

Katherine looks sharply at him.  “Joey – you can’t even consider that!  You have to go.  It’s too important!”

“OK, fine.  All you have to do to guarantee it is to come with me.  You’re not going to be in my way at all.  I’m going to be going off and doing auditions all over the place while they have you set up in the fanciest hotel in town.  They’re arranging for a limo and driver and personal tours of studios.  I may not even see you for a week!”

Katherine knew when she’d been beaten.  “OK – you win.”  She leans forward and puts her arms around Joe and kisses him on the temple.  “I love you, son.”

Although he had been receiving signs of affection from his mother his whole life, they never failed to make him blush.  He kisses her back.  “I love you too, Mom.  Now, get to sleep.  You have a lot of planning to do!”

Katherine smiles as he leaves the room, but as soon as the door closes so does her face.

CC Babcock.  That‘s a name I had hoped never to hear again.

Her mind goes back.  Back to a time before Joe had been born.  Before she had moved to Arkansas.  Before she was married.

20 years old with stardust in my eyes. Searching for work that would allow me to live in New York as I pursue my dreams of acting on the stage.  Learning housekeeping duties from my mother and grandmother, a maid position at the Sheffield home would be perfect.  Although Mrs. Sheffield had conducted the interview, it was the butler, Niles, who had a major role in the decision to hire me or not. Mrs. Sheffield was the nicest lady.  And the feeling was mutual.  I could tell Sara Sheffield felt sorry for me, the young country girl, and wanted very much to give me a chance.  Niles was something else.  At 31, with his proper British manner, he seemed suave and urbane next to my country bumpkin ways.  I could tell that he was highly educated and trained in the domestic arts and all of this scared me to death!  As sure as Sara was that they should hire me, Niles was sure that they should not.

Katherine remembers how Sara had forced his hand and Niles took over her training very grudgingly.

As she was cleaning in the kitchen, she notices some dust bunnies in a dark corner. “Niles do I really need to clean behind this refrigerator? Who looks behind here anyway?”

Smiles as he shrugs his shoulders, “It’s up to you. As for me,” his voice drops down to a conspiratorial whisper, “I never clean under anything.”

His eyes crinkle in surprised glee at her appealing giggle. Hmm…,maybe she’ll work out after all. She seems too innocent to be in this city, I’m going to need to keep an eye out for her lest someone takes advantage of her naiveté.

It didn’t take him long to get to know Katherine and for her to get to know him.  He found her openness simple and refreshing. She was willing to learn all she could from him and he enjoyed the training.  She discovered that he had a wonderful sense of humor.  Although he took his job very seriously, he never seemed to take himself seriously at all.

The attraction that the two felt for each other was obvious to the whole household.  Niles thought of her as a sweet innocent young woman who needed a guide and protector in the big city.  Katherine thought of Niles as the model of ideal manhood.  He was everything – handsome, smart, funny – and he liked her!  The other members of the staff and family knew that they could tease Niles about Katherine and he would usually throw a zinger back at them to put them in their place.  However, they knew better than to say anything to Katherine that sounded the least bit disparaging about Niles.  That was why that woman, CC Babcock, angered her so much.

Mr. Sheffield’s business associate made no qualms about letting everyone know exactly how she felt about Niles.  She considered him so far below her station in life that she would actually sneer at him when she came into the kitchen and saw him at work.  Her insults to him were endless, and Katherine seethed in anger every time she heard it.  It never seemed to bother Niles, though.  He just threw the insults back in her face.

Niles knew that it upset Katherine whenever CC insulted him, so he would come over, put his arms around her and tell her not to worry about it.  That it just didn’t mean anything.  One time he kissed her lightly after holding her.

“Katherine, you’re too good and beautiful to allow a witch like Babcock to upset you.”

Wishing time would just stop right then and there, she closes her eyes, trying to lock this moment in her memory forever. His soft lips as they gently touched hers. His strong arms and how her body tingled from the sensation. She didn’t want to ever know what it was like to not be in his arms.

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