Read Online The Extra by Kenneth Rosenberg - Free Book Online

Marjorie.
    “Yeah.  Nobody will even notice,” said Bridget.  She threw her cards down on the table and stood up.  “You coming?” she asked.
    “No thanks.  I value this meager paycheck,” said Charles in a huff.
    “I’ll come,” said Justin, hopefully.
    “Hmm,” said Bridget.  “You know, maybe Charles is right.  Perhaps I better go alone.”
    “But…!” said Justin.
    “Keep your seat, Romeo.  She’ll just end up getting you in trouble,” said Charles.
    “I won’t be long,” said Bridget, leaving her change on the table behind her.
     
    Kevin came back into the makeup trailer with a policeman’s uniform, shoes, belt and a hat.  He found Warren sitting in a barber chair having a shave.  When the stylist was finished, she took a towel to wipe his face.  Warren’s hair was trimmed and slicked back in a golden wave.  Without the beard, his striking features were obvious.  Even the blonde makeup artist looked at him with a newfound respect.  Where moments before had sat a dirty bum, now sat markedly handsome man, albeit in filthy clothing.
    “Phenomenal,” said Kevin, handing him the uniform.  “Put this on.”
     
    When she crept through the doorway and into the soundstage Bridget worried that she might be spotted, but with the crew on break the place was nearly deserted.  To her right was a jumble of equipment, including light stands, booms and cameras.  She moved behind them and made her way toward the set.  She heard voices talking to one another as she crawled into a small space between two false walls.  On her right was a painted backdrop of a city scene.  Just above her and to the left was a window looking through to the set.  Bridget slowly lifted herself up to peer through the window.  Across the stage she saw Kaplan and Craddock sitting at a table with their casting director.  All three looked ill when Jessica Turnbull stormed into the room like a tempest.  Bridget ducked low again to keep from being seen.
    “What is this I hear about some extra playing my love interest?!” Jessica screamed.
    “What makes you say that?” answered Craddock.
    “That dirty, filthy man from yesterday!?  How can you do this to me?!  You’re not getting away with this!  I’ll walk, I swear I will!  This is a breach of contract!”
    “Jessica, we’ve made no decisions on that role yet.  We’re just looking at our options,” said Kaplan.
    “He’s never acted a day in his life!  Forget it, Roger!  No way!” Jessica continued her tirade. 
    “Um, excuse us,” came Kevin’s voice as he entered the stage.  “Are we interrupting?”
    “No, heavens no!” said Kaplan.  “Come on in.  We were just, um, talking about this role.  Come on in.”
    Bridget peeked through from her hiding place and audibly gasped before clasping a hand to her mouth, hoping she hadn’t been heard.  She ducked her head back low, but when nobody seemed to have noticed, she took another look, watching with her eyes just above the windowsill.  Standing behind Kevin she saw Warren in a police officer’s uniform.  The transformation was remarkable.  His hair was washed and combed, his face clean-shaven.  Just as she suspected, he was remarkably handsome. 
    “This is the man we talked about?” said Kaplan.  He sounded a bit confused.
    “Yes, sir,” answered Kevin. “This is Warren.  Warren, you remember Stewart Kaplan, our director.”
    “Yes, of course,” said Warren.
    “You say he can act?” said Craddock in disbelief.
    “Why don’t we find out?” said Kaplan anxiously.  “Unless you have some objection, Jessica?”  Kaplan looked to his starlet who stood in silence.  “Thank you for coming, Warren,” Kaplan continued.  “I apologize for the short notice.”
    “That’s all right, I don’t mind,” said Warren.  “I wasn’t doing anything.”
    “Good,” said Kaplan.  “You see, we’re having a bit of a problem here.  It seems that one of our performers injured