long ago was that?”
“Two or so years ago.”
“How has it worked out so far?”
“It was pretty steady at first. No big breaks. Several low-budget commercials, stage plays. Enough to stay afloat, but over the last few months things have almost come to a halt.”
“What field did you work in when you—”
“Accounting.” I raised my eyebrows and he added, “I’m much better at acting, I mean, auditioning than I am at accounting. I’m an audition expert.”
I laughed. He shook his head. “I’m good at what I do.”
I laughed harder. “I believe you.”
“Nah, you think I’m joking. I can audition my butt off, but the decision is subjective.”
“I feel you.” I reverted to the script. “You know that good money management is a requirement. You can’t make sound investments if you can’t handle money. Right?”
He whipped out his Palm Pilot and turned it around for me to see. “I believe the exact wording was to be continuously learning about investing and money management.”
“Well, you get the point, right?”
His humble smile collided with mine. We chuckled.
“What did you hate so much about work?”
“The lack of creativity. See, creative people can’t thrive in corporate America. It robs us of our soul and for me, it wasn’t worth it.”
“I do understand.”
“I believe in following your heart and that’s what I’m doing.”
“What will you do if it doesn’t work out?”
“Have you ever heard that what you believe is your destiny? I’m a positive man.”
“Yes, but you also have to be a realist. You should always have a backup plan.”
“A backup plan is a submission to defeat. Your heart will give you the okay when it’s time to give up, but not until then should you consider a backup plan. Backups distract focus and unconsciously make you conform. Conformity seems too close to comfort for me. Comfort steals your drive and settles your hunger. I have to put it all on the line. Blood, sweat, and tears.”
He smiled and his philosophy made me smile. Though I could have interpreted his speech to say that he planned to be a starving actor for the rest of his life, I decided to assume that this was a man with strong faith. I shrugged my shoulders. “It makes sense. So, did you live in New York prior to pursuing acting?”
“Born and raised. What about you?”
“Alabama.”
He blushed. “I love Southern women.”
“Why? Do you think they can cook?”
He laughed. “I used to, but I noticed that the script says the only thing that you can make are reservations.”
I smiled. He said, “It’s okay. I love to cook.”
I should have just told him that he was hired on the spot. Instead, I decided to be fair and finish the auditions. Thirty minutes didn’t seem long enough. If I didn’t account for his tardiness, twenty minutes was too soon, though it was long enough for me to decide that he would likely be my leading man.
Smiling, I said, “That’s good to know. I’m quite impressed. I’ll give you a call to let you know my decision.”
He gazed into my eyes. “And you didn’t even allow me to get into character.”
“Yeah, I understand, but I have more auditions.”
“Really? I thought for sure you’d found your guy.”
We both chuckled. He smirked and noted, “Confidence was in bold print.”
“I know. You clearly have that mastered.”
“Do you promise to call?”
My heart fluttered and I paused before I spoke: “Yes, I promise.”
“And I promise you that I’m the man for this job.”
When he stood, he delicately gripped my fingertips. As he kissed my hand, his eyes pierced through me and summoned me to stand. Just hire him Fatima!
“Thanks so much. We’ll talk soon.”
He smiled. “I’m holding my breath, so don’t take too long.”
His chest inflated with air and mine deflated. He was clever, funny, handsome, and the guy for the job. I pulled out my cell phone to get Mya’s input on my selection. When I looked up, Number Five strutted in, and I slowly closed my phone. A platinum chain hung from his neck. His plaid Polo shirt was unbuttoned all the way, exposing the seven-inch crucifix dangling on his white T-shirt. Aside from the flamboyant jewelry, I couldn’t have created him better from scratch. He made me hold my breath. While I disregarded his attire, I absorbed him. He was at least six feet four. Caramel brown. Dark features and a fabulous smile. His pec muscles reached out to me as he approached. I squirmed in my chair. Hmmm. My mouth watered when, unlike the rest of the actors, he reached for a hug. Awkwardly, I stood. My, my, my! I felt protected.
My interview questions escaped me. As I cleared my throat, he smiled at me. “Would you like some water?”
“No, actually, I’m okay.” His concern flattered me as I confirmed, “I’m good.”
He grabbed the pitcher on the table and began to pour water into my half-full glass. A triple-tier platinum bracelet dangled from his wrist. Though his looks and appeal had me floating, those jewels were sinking the odds. Finally, I sipped the water and smiled.
“See, I knew you needed water.”
“So, how long have you been an actor?”
He shrugged his broad shoulders. “Acting actually came to me. I started out as a model.”
His defined bone structure was definitely what I wanted to see on the cover of a magazine. I took a deep breath. Unconsciously, my head nodded.
He smiled back. “Yeah, so I got a few acting gigs and found this to be more lucrative.”
As I critically examined the bling he flossed, I teased, “I can tell.”
He didn’t catch the joke. If he is hired, I’ll stress the dress code then. For now, I decided to get acquainted with his personality. Sike. Not really, it was one of those instances when attraction defeats intellect, because I heard nothing this man said.
He was funny. I think. He was clever. I guess. Just as I was about to say cut, he said, “I bought tickets to the Alvin Ailey performance tomorrow, would you like to go?”
I had to decline because Mya and I had tickets for tonight. “Did you already have the tickets or did you purchase them because the script said that I never miss the company when they’re performing?”
“The latter.”
“How’d you get tickets so late?”
“eBay.”
I asked, “eBay dot com?”
“Yes.”
Hmmm. He’s fine and computer-literate. Every thug needs a lady. Okay, okay. I interrupted whatever he was saying, “I should be making a decision soon, so I’ll give you a call.”
“We’re done?”
“Yeah, I’ve had a long day, but thanks so much for coming out.”
His head bowed. “Thank you.”
I sat there alone and sipped more of the wine that Number Four had