Day 35

(William’s Perspective)

It had been a mixed blessing of some sorts around the class lately. Harold hadn’t shown up since hugged the wall outside the building. No one really knew what to think about it, but the air was cleaner when he wasn’t around. But the flip of that blessing was Verity. She seemed so lost after that day. Not lost to where, but who. Her calm confidence less than before. I tried talking to her, but clam city for the most part. Participation in class stuff, but the light was dim.

(Helen’s perspective)

I tried. I really did. The conflict inside me was so strong. I read the lines, played the scenes, but it wasn’t me anymore. How could it be me? How could anything be me? I used to be calm and in control, and now it was a shadow controlling me. Harold had missed a few days of class, but the air weighed heavy of his presence. He was still…here.

William and I were in the middle of running some lines when Raoul called us over.

“Helen, William - there is something I need to tell you about the situation.

(Raoul’s perspective)

I sat in my office yesterday reviewing video after class - making notes on suggestions for improvement. There was a rap on my door - “Come in.”

Harold strutted in.

“Class is over Harold, you can go home.”

“Not yet. We need to talk”

I looked him up and down, surprised at his swagger given the events of the last couple of days. “What do you want, Harold? I’m busy and you’re about my least favorite person.”

A sly grinned crossed his face as he claimed, “All that’s about to change.”

I gave him a theatrical pause, waiting for him to continue.

Sliding into the seat across from me, he started, “Look, Raoul - you know that Helen and I are the best singers in your class. There’s no denying it. I don’t have a partner now, so it’s really in your best interest to pair me with the second best singer in your class. We could blow through Broadway.”

Looking up with hands spanning an invisible marquee, he continued, “Imagine - your name always associated with the act that was Harold and Helen.”

He stopped, waiting for my accolades. “Sorry, kid. You’re not getting paired with Helen. Not Helen, and frankly not anyone else. There isn’t anyone else in this class that wants to be paired with you Harold. Frankly, you should be glad you aren’t in jail after what you did.”

“Well, between you and me, Teach - I’m not going to jail. And if you won’t listen to reason about Helen and me, what about green? Everyone can use a little extra money. I could make it worthwhile to you.”

“Eh - Harold. This conversation is as boring as your acting. Get up and get out. In fact, don’t even come back to class until you can find someone outside of class willing to spend enough time with you to be an acting partner. This is, after all, a paired acting class.”

“Seriously though,” Harold said as he started pulling one hundred dollar bills out of his pocket.

“Keep it,” as I stood, pulled him up by the arm, and escorted him out of the room. “And go away. See you when you find a partner.”

I closed the door, and haven’t heard from him since.