Read Online Star Shine by Constance C. Greene - Free Book Online Page B

Two old men who’d brought along their own chairs were placidly playing cards. Questions flew: “When do they open the doors? How many extras will they choose? Do you have to have acting experience?” Hordes of people of all sizes and shapes and ages surged back and forth, reaching as far as the parking lot.
    â€œI haven’t got all day, you know,” said an ancient lady who’d forgotten to take off her apron. “I have to get back and watch my TV programs. I’ve better things to do than stand around here all day.”
    Two self-important teenagers, wearing short shorts in order to show off their tan legs, rushed from nowhere to join a friend standing at the head of the line.
    â€œOh, thanks for saving us a place!” the teenagers cried, showing their teeth, twitching their behinds to show how young and gorgeous they were. Giving everybody a big treat just by being there, Jenny thought. If I ever get like that, I’ll kill myself.
    A man’s rough voice called out, “Get to the back of the line, you! We been here a long time. Everybody waits their turn around here.”
    Pretending not to hear, the teenagers laughed louder at something their friend said. Several others took it up. “Get on back to where you belong,” said a lady with flat black hair that looked as if it had been painted on her head. “Wait your turn. No slipping in—that’s cheating!” The lady shook her fist at the girls.
    â€œThat’s right! Get to the back of the line, where you belong!” others shouted.
    Faces red with embarrassment, the teenagers sauntered to the end of the line, pretending they’d planned to do so all along.
    â€œWhere the heck are Sue and Tina?” Mary craned her neck to see over the crowd.
    â€œI bet they’re still sacked out,” said Jenny.
    A scruffy little man in jeans and a T-shirt with “SHOOT!” on its front opened the church hall door. Several people clapped and cheered.
    â€œAll right, folks. No pushing, no shoving. Everybody gets a turn. Single file, please. You get your picture taken and you fill out a form. Leave it with the girl at the desk, please. And remember, don’t call us, we’ll call you.”
    Susan chugged up, breathing fire. “I’ve been looking all over for you!” she cried. “Where were you?”
    â€œRight here,” they told her.
    Hand over heart, Susan leaned close. “You’ll never guess who’s right behind us, talking to us,” she hissed.
    â€œScott Borkowski,” Jenny guessed.
    â€œYou little turd!” Sue snapped. “How did you know?”
    â€œI’m psychic,” Jenny said.
    â€œHold my place, Jen.” Mary took charge. “I’m going to run back to say hello to Tina. I’ll be back in a sec.”
    â€œYeah, give Tina my best. And don’t forget Harpo.”
    If there was one thing Jenny hated, it was waiting. She began to count slowly. If nothing happened by the time she got to ten, she was leaving. She had made up her mind. Let Mary hang around. She had better things to do.
    Jenny counted so slowly that she forgot where she’d left off and counted “seven” twice in her head.
    To wake herself up, she said, “Eight,” in a piercing voice.
    Everyone stayed just as they were, gazing blankly at one another without recognition.
    â€œNine!” shouted Jenny.
    â€œBingo!” said the lady with the flat hair, joining in the fun. That surprised Jenny. She wouldn’t have thought the flat-haired lady knew what fun was.
    They grinned at each other, and just as the line began to move, Mary dashed back to regain her place.
    â€œI couldn’t hold it,” Jenny said with a long face. “You left, and they said it wasn’t fair for you to get back in the place you left.”
    Mary’s eyes snapped, and she opened her mouth to protest. The flat-haired lady gave her a big wink to