Tartosan Sun: Journeys

Chapter Four:

The beat was infectious, unmistakable. The doors of the club had been propped open to allow the pleasant night air, in, and the beats, out. The ladies started singing as they made their way through the park, the rhythm like a magnet drawing them in…

Earlier….

Londyn slowly drifted towards the waking world. She could vaguely recall something important to do this morning. Something her consciousness was screaming at her to remember. The girls had been up late watching movies in spite of having an early start to all their mornings. 

Early by their standards. Which was usually anytime before noon. Vennesa and Mimi’s laughter finally woke her up. Now she remembered, the interview! A quick, panicked glance at the clock revealed she had plenty of time before the interview.  Relief washed over her. “Girl, chill” she told herself. 

She padded barefoot into the living room. “You’re both up early.”

“Morning” Mimi replied. “I have a day gig. Singing telegrams or something. I didn’t know those were still a thing. But whatever” Mimi shrugged. “It pays good for no more than I have to do.” Londyn’s eyes betrayed her curiousity. Mimi picked up on her friend’s thoughts. “I figured, girl if you’re going to make a complete fool of yourself in broad daylight, do it as Johnny. Not like any of this is going in my portfolio or anything anyway.”

“You’ve got your big interview for acting school today.” Venessa chimed from her perch on the sofa. “Ooh girl you gotta tell me everything afterwards.”

Londyn stretched and yawned. “Why couldn’t they schedule you first? You could tell me what to expect” she said.

“Guess the bribe worked” Venessa smiled.

It was Londyn’s turn to cook breakfast. The girls had worked out a rotation for all the little tasks around the house. The menu was simple, eggs or…eggs. She could at least offer a choice of styles. As Venessa joined them her phone chimed. She wasn’t surprised to see her gig as an extra on the Llamaman epic had been cancelled. They’d all watched the entertainment news last night before they sat down to binge their favorite telenovelas. The star playing Llamaman had yet another meltdown on set and walked off the production. Everything had ground to a halt until the studio could soothe his ego.

Londyn’s omelettes, made with her mom’s secret technique for perfect fluffiness, had made a delicious distraction. The conversation slowed to a halt. It was becoming clear Londyn should be the full time cook. “Bummer” Mimi asked after finishing her last bite. “What are you going to do with your day off now?” 

“I’m going to grab the double fudge brownie ice cream, a spoon” Venessa said. Then she gave it her best melodramatic Scarlett O’Hara impression, “and contemplate how the movie biz cast me aside, and made me a jaded, washed up, has been at twenty-two” 

“Drama queen” Londyn said with a smile and a look in Venessa’s direction.

With the dishes cleared, Mimi set out for her day while Londyn got ready for her interview. The morning was beautiful so Venessa grabbed her yoga mat and headed for the patio. It was at the heart of her daily routine. Days like this doing her workout on the patio made her feel even better. She really needed to clear her mind and not get lost in worry about her interview on Monday. For all her joking earlier, she really envied Londyn having her interview today. She wouldn’t have the weekend to let her nerves get the better of her. 

For a building that was the center of Judith Ward’s business empire, it was fairly nondescript. Londyn’s mental picture of it had been much different. She was almost certain she was in the wrong place. She checked in at the front desk and took a seat, surprised at how calm she felt. She expected more butterflies, not that she was completely relaxed. This was an important step in realizing her dreams, and she wanted to nail it. A neatly dressed man stepped out and summoned her into the room. She noticed his very light French accent.

The nervousness she had been expecting hit her like a tidal wave. At first she couldn’t believe her eyes. Seated at the middle of the table was none other than Judith herself. Londyn fought to regain her internal balance. Her mouth had suddenly gone dry and she felt a tremor in her hands. Her breath caught in her throat. She remembered the breathing exercises she’d learned from Venessa. Seated next to Judith was her famous wife Brytani. This was all too much to take in. She had no idea when she got out of bed this morning she’d be meeting two of her favorite actors. A million doubts began to swirl in her mind.

“Good morning Miss Huntley and welcome to my little passion project, The Ward School of Acting” Judith said warmly. “Please have a seat. You’ve already met Laurent, and you know who we are. Now we’d love to get to know you.”

Londyn’s first attempt at hello had been a croak. She took a sip of water and found her voice. Judith and Brytani were putting the lie to “never meet your heroes.” As they talked, her nerves slowly melted away. They spent the next half-hour talking about her hopes, dreams, and aspirations, as they reviewed her portfolio. Judith, Brytani, and Laurent made note of what Londyn felt her strengths and weaknesses were. 

Time for Londyn to shine. She felt drama was one of her strengths so Brytani asked for a Sci-fi scene.

Action wasn’t something she felt comfortable with. That was where Laurent decided to test her. 

Finally Judith challenged her to do what she felt she did best, romance. The day was getting more surreal. Here she was with Judith Ward in her arms, planting a kiss on her idol. There was no romance in the kiss, but still it was an indescribable thrill. It's not everyday you plant a kiss on an icon.

“Well I think we’ve seen enough my dear.” Judith looked at Brytani, then Laurent. Each responded with a nod. “Welcome to The Ward School of Acting. Congratulations.” 

That night...

The last rays of daylight were disappearing behind the high-rises and palm trees. The workweek and the cares it carried went with it. It was Friday night and the party was all that mattered now. The ladies were coming here anyway, but now they had extra reason to celebrate after Londyn’s news. 

Mimi’s day had been more good than bad, but not particularly memorable. Or fulfilling. At least she was performing. Delivering singing telegrams allowed her to put on a show. But it wasn’t the same as being on stage. There wasn't that same exhilarating feeling. The energy wasn't there. She fed off the energy from a crowd. The best part though was she had some money for tonight. 

She knew money wasn’t really an issue. Her dad would give her money, but she was determined to make it on her own. She owed it to Londyn and Venessa to tell them more about her family. They were forming a close friendship and she didn’t want to keep secrets. That could wait a little longer though.

Tonight there were no cares or worries.

“When the night's here, I don't do tears
Baby, no chance
I could dance, I could dance, I could dance”

“Watch me dance, dance the night away
My heart could be burnin', but you won't see it on my face
Watch me dance, dance the night away
I'll still keep the party runnin', not one hair out of place”

(Song lyrics in the final scene are from Dua Lipa's Dance The Night. A song that fits these ladies perfectly.)