The couple’s footsteps were muffled by the dark, velvet curtains draped from the ceiling and walls, but still distinguishable. One set was short and quick and accentuated with the click-click of a heel, but it was occasionally punctuated with a soft scrape along the floor as if the owner’s feet were tired or hard to lift. The other set had a longer pause between its heavier sounding thuds and it was clear the owner had come from somewhere wet from the squeak from one shoe.

When the couple reached the door at the end of the corridor the woman turned to the young man next to her and began straightening his dark hair, “Now don’t forget to speak clearly and tell them the truth about your previous jobs because they’ll find out about them later and then all of this will have been a waste.” The man pulled away and ran his fingers through his hair again, “This is hardly my first audition Mom,” he chuckled. “I know,” she smiled embarrassedly, “It’s my job to worry about my baby.” She straightened herself up, “Now, I’ll be waiting in the car when you get out. Don’t dawdle in the rain, those clothes aren’t nearly warm enough. Wouldn’t want you to get sick on your birthday,” and with that she turned and walked back down the corridor with quick, muffled footsteps.

The man walked through the door and was greeted with the stark, fluorescent lighting of a waiting room. Everyone, the man noted, seemed older than he was, but they all wore the same simple black clothing as he did. He chose a seat next to a man with soft, white hair and piercing blue eyes, “How long have you been waiting?” The elderly man focused his blue eyes on the young man and said, “Oh, I suspect I’ll be next son,” he gave the man a crooked grin, “I’ve been keeping the seat warm for that lovely lady who’s been keeping her eye on you.” He gave the young man a quick wink and slowly walked towards the stage door.

The woman was quite lovely. She had long, blonde hair that curled slightly towards the ends, dark green, intelligent eyes and a sexy, knowing smile that she gave the man as she walked and sat down where the old man had just sat. “You must be going for the main-role,” she said seductively crossing her legs. “Yes and what are you going for?” he asked, “His lovely girlfriend?” “Maybe,” she smiled teasingly, “if he plays his cards right.” The woman then leaned in quite close to the man, licked her lips and whispered, “Would you watch my bag while I go to the bathroom?” the man gave the woman a similar crooked grin to that of the old man and said, “I’ll keep your seat warm too.”

The man sat alone and thought about this strange woman who he had only spoken to very briefly, yet somehow he felt he had known her for years. “Is this Mom’s bag?” a small voice interrupted the man’s thoughts. “Oh, hello. Are you auditioning too?” he asked surprised by the small girl. “Yup,” she said and curtsied. She may have been the woman’s daughter with her curly, blonde hair but her eyes were wrong. Her eyes were a striking blue. “Do you mind if I wait here?” the girl asked, “The other kids were mean to me.” The man looked around the room to see it filled with people far younger than himself, “Well that’s their loss,” he said and grinned. “I need to go soon, but that boy in the corner looks like he wouldn’t mind playing with you and he can have my seat,” the man said gesturing to the other side of the room. “Would you mind watching this bag for me while I go for the audition?” he said getting to his feet. “Yup,” the girl smiled and motioned for the boy to come over.

The man turned and walked towards the stage door. He noticed the coolness of the metal door handle on his now sweaty hands and not for the first time he wondered if he was ready for the Director.

The lights on the stage were bright and he could not see the director’s face. “I am only going to ask you one question,” the voice boomed from the speakers, “Why should you be in this production?” The man gave a crooked grin and said, “Because with me in your cast I guarantee that no seat in this theatre will be cold during a performance.”