(tip: in
the poetry excerpts you will notice a / within lines. This only
signifies a hard page break within the poem itself. If you can, ignore them
and pay attention only to the punctuation. That will help with the smoothness
of the reading. Speaking from experience, you might also try rereading the
poem. It will help, too. I promise.
^_^)
*
The phone on the end table to Amys right
chirped. She absently reached
over to pick it up, nestling it into her shoulder with a distracted
Hello as she turned the page of her
novel.
Good day. Might I speak
with Miss Amy
Burke?
Speaking, Amy confessed with
disinterest.
Ah, Miss Burke. Harrison
here.
Amy blinked, the words on the page lost to her as she smiled into the
phone. Well hello, Mr.
Harrison. How are
you? Amy closed the novel
and set it beside her as she tucked her feet up under
her.
Quite well, thank you.
Yourself?
Just relaxing with good ol Charles
Dickens.
Indeed?
Amys eyes crinkled at the corners.
What? You expected
Sweet Valley High or something? she asked with a
chuckle.
To be quite
truthful
Amy laughed. I suppose
I deserved that. I have a tendency
of being a little too perky for people to believe I prefer literature to
contemporary works. Amy
thought she detected a slight chuckle, and her eyes
twinkled. She changed her position on the couch, stretching her
legs out as she leaned her back against the couch
arm. So to what do I owe
the honor of this call, Mr.
Harrison?
Ive spoken to Max regarding the
scene.
Amys smile faded to an expression of
astonishment.
It seems that he has already planned a meeting with one of the top
stunt companies, Mr. Harrison
continued. Max intends to gather different options and opinions
on how to best handle the situation before making a decision regarding
it.
Wow. Thank you, Mr.
Harrison. I appreciate
it. Amy started picking
at a loose string on the couch.
I didnt tell you to manipulate you into doing something
about
it.
Of course not, Miss Burke. I had already intended to speak with Max regarding the
scene, simply at a later date.
Your attention to detail and preparedness - which is much appreciated
- simply brought it to the forefront of the conversation earlier than
intended.
Amys smile returned.
Thank you again, Mr.
Harrison. If only all villains
and execs could be as helpful
it would definitely be a lot easier to
be persuaded to stay in the movie
business.
You dont intend to continue on
screen?
Amy wrinkled her nose as she rested her forehead in her left hand, her elbow
pressed into the back of the couch.
Nope. I went to
the audition because my friend asked me
to. I never actually thought
I would get a role, especially not a leading one
although I would call
Aeris a supporting role more than a
lead. Anyway, my love is the
stage, not the screen. Always
has
been.
Indeed?
Indeed, Mr. Harrison." Amy chuckled.
"I continue to shock you, dont
I? I think thats four
times now. Twice just in this
conversation."
Mr. Harrison cleared his throat. "I do apologize.
I seem to have placed you in an inappropriate category since the
first."
Amy waved it away. "Don't beat
yourself up about it, Mr. Harrison.
I did sound pathetically similar to a 'yes-man' that first
day at the studio. As I told
Mark and the director, I brown-nose without meaning
to." Mr. Harrison actually
laughed. Amy admitted that it
had to be the sexiest sound ever heard from a
man. "Anyway, thanks
again. You didn't need to bother
about it, but I'm glad you
did."
"Again, you are quite welcome.
Also, If you are so inclined, I could meet with you to choreograph
different
possibilities."
Amy's smile vanished as the statement 'he'll have you in his sheets in
less than a week' hit her upside the
head. True, it had been more
than a week, but not if she counted the actual days they had met with each
other. She cleared her
throat. "Mr. Harrison, you're
so busy
I hate to have
you bother with something like
that."
"It is no bother, Miss Burke, due to the fact we will be working together
on that particular scene at a later
date. With that in mind, I would
have likely recommended we meet before actual shooting
commenced. It reduces the need for retakes of the
scene."
Amy rubbed at her forehead with a single
finger. Suspicion battled with
her eagerness to work with a legend in his own
time. Dang it,
Renee... "Well... when did
you have in mind? Your
schedule looks pretty wild."
Geez. Just give him
the benefit of the doubt, girl.
"Saturday was my last day at the coffee shop, so I'm free all
week."
"Perhaps we could meet today to discuss possibilities of a rehearsal
schedule?"
Amy swallowed hard. "If you're
sure it won't completely mess up what youve already got planned, that's
fine with
me."
"What time should I expect
you?"
Amy cleared her throat as she turned in the couch to sit with feet flat on
the floor, adjusting the phone to her other
shoulder. "Um... well, that
depends on the bus schedule.
Probably a couple of
hours."
"I see."
Silence. "Would you be
available in forty-five
minutes?"
Amy blinked.
"Pardon?"
"I should be able to arrive at your apartment complex by that
time."
"Mr. Harrison, you don't have to do
that."
"Nonsense. What is your apartment
number?"
"412, but--"
"Right. Forty-five minutes,
then."
"Mr. Harrison," Amy pressed in her most firm tone available, "this is going
a little bit beyond the Executive Producer's call of
duty."
"Yes, it is," he agreed, "and such is the reason I am not currently wearing
my Executive Producer
shoes."
Amy reluctantly smiled. "No
Italian loafers
today?"
"Nike."
Amy laughed. "Alright,
alright. No more complaints
and whining. I'll be ready in
thirty
minutes."
"Excellent. Barring any
quote-unquote emergencies, I shall be there
shortly."
"I thought you weren't wearing those shoes?" she
ribbed.
Mr. Harrison's smile could almost be heard through the
phone. "Unfortunately, I must
always carry them with
me."
Amy laughed again. "Point taken
and admitted. How about I say
I'll see you when I see
you?"
"Good enough, although for the record I do prefer punctuality or early
arrivals."
"I already suspected that," Amy said with a slight sound of a
laugh.
"Ah. Then the warning wasn't
necessary."
"Nope."
"Very well, then. I shall see you... when I see
you."
Amy smiled wider with a shake of her
head. "Sounds like a
plan.
Bye."
Mr. Harrison clicked off without a returned statement, and Amy wondered if
he had grown so accustomed to hanging up on people that he didn't even
think about saying 'good-bye' or
'toodles'. Amy
laughed. She couldn't hear him saying 'toodles' or 'ta-ta' or anything
else. A simple click as all
she could picture. I'm sure
he doesn't mean to. And
Amy wasn't going to ask,
either.
"Okee dokee," she sighed as she pushed herself to her
feet. "A meeting with Sir Garret
Harrison.
Wow. Don't look now,
Amy girl, you're on your way to... well... to
something."
Amy shook her head with a chuckle as she made her way to her room to change
from her flannel loungers and midriff T-shirt to something a little less...
provocative? Amy laughed
aloud when she thought of wearing her baggiest and least flattering jeans
with her dowdiest sweatshirt.
The guy would pass-out from
horror! Instead, she dressed
in her favorite pair of medium blue Levis and the dark blue sweatshirt that
said 'Oliver' across the front; one of the many dramas involved with while
studying drama at
NYU.
Amy washed her face and brushed her teeth, then reapplied her make-up and
ran a brush through her waves of
brunette. She put the side and
front portions up in a barrette to keep it out of her face, and then she
gave it a couple spritzes of Aussie hairspray to keep it from flying every
which way and tickling her nose into a sneezing
fit. That would not
be very attractive. Then
she left the bathroom while pulling off her socks, leaping on first one foot
and then the other on her way to her
bedroom.
Amy grabbed a fresh pair of socks from her dresser, scooped up her outlet-store
Addidas from the corner by her bedroom door, and then padded to the
couch. She looked at her
watch.
Cool. Fifteen
minutes. Gives me thirty before he shows
up. She slipped into her socks and shoes as she chuckled over
their phone conversation. So
he is human after all. I'll
have to tell Renee 'I told you so', which caused another flow of sniggers
and shakes of the
head.
Deciding to make sure there was juice, freshly filtered water, or soda pop
in the fridge ready and waiting for their guest, Amy made her way into the
kitchenette and opened the fridge. Sure enough, there was a half gallon of juice from
concentrate, a half pitcher full of filtered water, and a half case of diet
cola. Amy wrinkled her
nose. Mr. Harrison probably
doesn't like cola, and definitely not
diet. So, wanting to be
the appropriately prepared hostess that her mother had trained, Amy set some
water to heating on the stove for tea - herbal and not black - and then brought
her grinder down from the cupboard to make
coffee.
Amy had just set the coffee to percolating in her trusty Mr. Coffee coffee-maker
when there was a firm knock on the door.
Amy glanced down at her watch.
She smiled. Fifteen
minutes early. Good for
you. Amy tucked the grinder
up and away with a shout over her shoulder of "Just a second!" before hurrying
to the door. She unlocked the
deadbolt and chain and opened
it.
Mr. Harrison was dressed in his same slacks and cable-knit sweater, with
a schedule book the size of a notebook in one hand while wearing a somewhat
serious expression on his face.
Amy smiled and stepped back as she opened the door
wider. "Come on
in."
He did so, taking in a minute scrutiny of the small apartment and the
furnishings/decorations
therein.
"I didn't know how soon you wanted to scoot out of here, what with traffic
and everything," Amy continued, "so I'm making coffee or
tea. Your
choice. If you'd rather a cold
drink, I have freshly filtered water, diet cola, and
juice. No
alcohol. Don't
drink." Amy closed the door,
refastened the locks, and then made her way back to the kitchen when she
heard the teapot begin to sing.
"Go ahead and have a seat," she offered as she
passed.
Amy heard the schedule book go onto the couch, but heard his steps on the
hardwood floor cross the room toward her collection of
books. Amy smiled as she placed
the teapot onto the available hot pad before opening the cupboard above the
stove in search of the box of teabags.
She had never been ashamed of her reading preferences, and now she
was even a little proud of her
selection. Especially with
Sir Garret Harrison looking over
it.
Mr. Harrison's loafers click-clicked back over toward the bar and the stools
of the kitchenette. Amy found
the wanted box of Earl Gray and Chamomile teas and set them onto the counter
without turning around. "So
what's the verdict: tea or coffee?" she asked as she stepped to the left
cupboard near the sink for the
mugs.
"Coffee. Thank
you."
Amy heard him sit at the counter as she set the tea boxes aside and carried
the mugs over to the coffee-maker. "Honey or
sugar?"
"Honey."
"Cream or
not?"
"Is it
non-dairy?"
"Yep," Amy said as she made her way to the
fridge. "I'm lactose
intolerant. A bummer when I
crave ice cream, but what can a person
do." Amy retrieved the creamer
from the fridge and turned to show it, vaguely noticing how well Mr. Harrison
fit with her decor. "It's French Vanilla.
I hope you don't
mind."
Mr. Harrison's smile was slight and
continual. "It doesn't
matter."
Amy made her way back to the
coffee-maker. "I usually put
a teaspoon or two of chocolate powder in mine, making it a mocha you
know. Did you want to try
it?"
"No. Thank
you."
"Sure." Amy finished the concoction
and turned to place it on the counter with a napkin and a saucer and
spoon. "There ya
go."
"Thank you."
"Uh-huh." And then she went
to work with her own
coffee.
There was the slight tinkle of spoon on china as he stirred his
coffee. "Quite an impressive
library, Miss
Burke."
"Thanks. It was a bit of a chore
to get them on a student's limited income, but I shopped garage sales, estate
sales, eBay, and who knows where else."
Amy put her mug into the microwave and hit '30
seconds'. She turned back to
Mr. Harrison and gestured to his coffee.
"Is it hot enough? I
could reheat
it."
Mr. Harrison set the spoon onto the saucer and took a testing
sip. "It's
fine. Thank
you."
The microwave beeped, and Amy retrieved her coffee
mug. Then she gave it a stir
with her own spoon before sipping it as she leaned a hip against the bar
counter across from Mr. Harrison.
"I love books as much as I love
reading. A person can't have
those types of adventures nowadays.
Well, not unless you're on stage or
screen. That's probably why I went into
Drama. I loved the
adventure." Amy smirked.
"The applause is nice
too."
"Yes. I have found the applause
to be worth the agony of the
performance."
Amy nodded. "Applause is like
a drug. Maybe that's why actors
stay in the biz so long. They're
really addicts," she finished with twinkling eyes as she sipped her
coffee.
Mr. Harrison chuckled. "Yes,
I suppose we
are."
Amy regarded Mr. Harrison over her coffee
cup. There was something different
about him.
Yeah. He's actually
relaxed. "What made
you go on stage?" Mr. Harrison's relaxed expression tightened, and the smile
became forced. Amy pounced on
the obvious warning of dangerous territory with a genuine "I'm sorry, Mr.
Harrison. Forget I said
anything. Just enjoy your
coffee."
Mr. Harrison stared into his coffee cup on the bar counter a moment before
raising his gaze to meet hers.
"Call me
Garret."
Amy smiled to hide the relieved sigh.
"Okay, but you have to stop calling me Miss
Burke. Makes me feel like I
should be wearing my hair in a bun with army-issue glasses and a dowdy
blazer/skirt
combination."
Mr. Harrison-- Garret's expression relaxed into a smile as he
chuckled. "I do
apologize."
Amy straightened and headed around the bar to the living room, coffee and
saucer in hand. "Don't worry
about it. Habits die
hard." She set her cup and saucer
onto a coaster on the coffee table and sat in the
couch.
"Alright. I guess we
should-- Oh
wait." Amy looked over at
Garret. "Were we going somewhere
else?"
Garret stood - Amy hadn't realized he was so tall - and made his way to sit
beside her. Hugo Boss clung
to each article of clothing he wore. He set his cup and saucer on a coaster beside
hers. "It isn't
necessary. We should be able
to compare schedules as easily here as
elsewhere."
"Okay. Just wanted to make
sure." Amy leaned back in the
couch with a fast breath as she crossed her
arms. "Like I said, I'm free
all day and all afternoon. Except
for Sunday mornings. Church,
you know." Garret unzipped his
schedule book and opened it to the appropriate
week. Curiosity got the best
of Amy, so she leaned slightly over to take a gander at his... life... "Oh
my gosh! How do you stay sane
with all that going
on?"
Garret looked over at her with an expression of
surprise. "This?" he asked as
he motioned to the week. It
was nearly black and blue with all the notes and meetings and places-to-be
at certain times. "This is a
mild week, due to the fact I have shooting
schedules."
"B-But... You barely have 15 minutes to yourself!" Amy pressed,
wide-eyed. She met his
gaze. "No wonder you escaped
to the park last week. If you
hadn't, you probably would have killed
someone!"
One side of Garret's lips tilted upward.
"Yes, well, last week was a touch harsher than what is
normal. There were certain critical
miscommunications."
Amy scooted closer and tapped on the weekly schedule, motioning to each day
and bringing to his attention the fact that there was no free
space. "But
look. Meeting, meeting, scene
shooting, luncheon date..." She
looked up to meet his mildly amused
expression. "This isn't
healthy. Do you want to have
a stroke?"
"While the doctor has warned my blood pressure is a trifle higher
than what he would like, I've grown accustomed to the constant demand for
my
attention."
Amy shook her head and scooted a little
back. "I'm sorry, but there
is no way I'm going to add to that
mess. If you free your schedule
at all, you should take the time for yourself and not for
me."
"Nonsense. I enjoy my
work."
"Oh, is that what you call snapping people's heads
off--" Amy's eyes widened as
she slapped both hands over her mouth.
Garret simply raised an eyebrow as he met her
gaze. "Oh my gosh," she said,
muffled by her hands. She shook
her head and lowered her hands.
"I'm sorry. I can't believe
I said
that."
His lips twitched with a smile. Its quite all
right. I believe I deserved
the reprimand. To have it vocalized
by a lovely lady such as yourself rather than Max is an added
bonus.
Amy let the line slide. I
still shouldnt have said it.
Mom brought me up with more tact than
that.
Yes, well, tact has its place. I have a tendency of ignoring anything but
bluntness.
Amy smiled. Ive
met a few people like that, she
confessed.
Garret motioned to his schedule. All right then.
This meeting can be rescheduled to next week
no, I believe I
will cancel until after shooting is
completed. I havent the
time for another project, as youve so adeptly pointed
out. And this luncheon
Hmm. No, I suppose I should
keep that appointment. Charity
and
whatnot.
Garret continued on for nearly half an hour as Amy watched in horror and
amazement as he completely and totally rearranged his schedule to free 3
hours each day of that week just for rehearsals with her on one
scene. She could hardly
believe it possible. Not that
she would be rehearsing with Sir Garret Harrison, but that his schedule would
move like that. But he made
phone call after phone call on his tiny cell phone and canceled, rearranged,
rescheduled, and shortened meetings and appointments until Amys name
was penned in every day that
week.
When Garret ended the last phone call, Amy leaned back into the couch with
an exhalation of breath and a shake of her
head. Im
exhausted.
Garret smirked as he tucked the cell phone into the appropriate corner of
his schedule book. Come,
come. Rearranging my schedule
didnt deserve that
quip.
Amy reluctantly smiled. Not
from your point of view, but definitely from
mine. Im of the philosophy
that we should have at least an hour or two each day just to
ourselves.
And what would you do with this treasure trove of availability?
Garret asked as he turned a little more toward
her. One arm draped around the
back of the couch as the other rested comfortably on the
arm.
Are you kidding? Amy asked,
wide-eyed. She brought up a
hand to count off the activities on each
finger. Read, write on
that script Ive been tinkering with, go to the movies, hang out at
the coffee shop and just watch people, go watch a play in the park, just
take a walk in the park...
She lowered her hand and met his gaze
again. There are a
million things I could
do.
Garret watched her expression with a continual
smile. You certainly give
it an air of
excitement.
Amys lips twitched.
Life should be
exciting. But its important
for me to have some down time to relax and rediscover who I am, what Im
doing, and where Im headed. If I dont, I might forget why I want to be on the
stage in the first
place.
And why does Miss Amy Burke want to be on
stage?
He is the smoothest
flirter
When
I was a kid, I loved the idea of performing and making people laugh or cry
or whatever. Something about
providing this alternate reality just appealed to
me. It was fun, to put it
simply. As I grew up, it became
more of a
Amy pushed
her lips to one side of her mouth as her eyes focused on the bar counter
behind him. Then her eyes focused
back on his as they intensely scrutinized her expression with that same,
continual, and very attractive smile.
Im not really sure what to call
it. I just couldnt think
of doing anything else but live these roles and perform these people that
had such fascinating stories to tell.
Each time I do, its like I discover a new part of
myself. She smiled, and
her eyes twinkled.
Isnt that odd? That we discover parts of ourselves through fictional
characters because were not afraid to be true to their
character?
Indeed, he acknowledged
softly. Garret regarded her
a moment. What have you
discovered of yourself through Aeris
Gainsborough?
Amy began to feel the affect of his gentle gaze and tender tone and cologne
and intoxicating
Amy cleared her throat and changed her gaze to her
fingernails. Actually,
shes a little annoying, but probably only because I would handle situations
a little differently than what the writer
has. Who knows, maybe shes
annoying because her personality is very similar to
mine? Amy chuckled and
risked changing her gaze back to Garret.
Does that mean Im annoying
too? He has
gorgeous blue
eyes.
Definitely not the word I would have chosen, Garret intoned in
the perfect tone of voice to be a type
of
Amy moved her gaze away, leaning forward to take a sip from her previously
forgotten coffee. But
it does give one cause to wonder, you must
admit.
I wonder only how you have remained so fresh and cheerful among the
usual skepticism of New York
City.
Amy blinked before taking up the spoon and stirring the caramel colored
liquid. Renee wasnt
kidding about the charm.
My dad says Im a continual optimist with a humor streak
the size of the
Mississippi.
Garret chuckled and crossed his right ankle onto his left knee, which of
course caused the sole of his foot to brush Amys
leg. Amy couldnt help
but smile. None of the men in
her entire experience of high school and college and every day working at
the coffee shop had ever been this
smooth. She rather enjoyed
it.
Amy took up her cup and saucer and leaned back into the
couch. Sometimes I have
problems with inappropriate sarcasm, but Im always quick to
apologize. She took a
sip of coffee and then gave a slight
shrug. Well, most of the
time. There are those times
when they either deserved it, or I was too clueless to realize I was out
of
line.
I find that hard to
believe.
Amy smiled as she kept her eyes from his face, attractive and inviting as
it was. I guess that means
Im a good
actor.
Garret chuckled as he very smoothly adjusted his seating to move slightly
closer to Amy. The excuse in
doing so was, of course, to gain a better position to retrieve his cup and
saucer from the coffee table.
I wonder if hell try to kiss
me? It wasnt an unpleasant
prospect to say the least, but Amy wasnt that type of
girl.
A bedpost mark?
I dont think so.
Amy was a prude, and she wasnt ashamed of it,
either.
I propose a challenge,
then.
Amy blinked and looked over at him.
Garret met her gaze with the same attractive expression of flirtation
that wasnt as painfully obvious as the men in her life
before. Excuse
me?
Garret leaned forward to place his cup and saucer back onto the coffee
table. I shall begin a
scene with what I believe is the appropriate amount of dialogue lead-in,
and you are to continue with the appropriate
response.
Amy arched an eyebrow as she very slowly set her cup and saucer beside
his.
Hmm. I think Im
in for a humiliating
experience.
Garret chuckled as he stood to move opposite the coffee
table.
Nonsense. He
gestured her forward. Come,
come,
Amy.
Amy released a deep breath as she stood.
Alright, but you better promise not to ridicule
me.
Dont be ridiculous. Of
course I
shant.
Garrets blue eyes twinkled as she came to stand opposite
him. Then his expression and
entire persona changed. Amy
could see a touch of distress and intensity within the expression and
stance. It rose to a type of
fervor as he stepped slightly toward her, lost within the
role.
Madam, is there here any armor within your chamber that I might
cover my body withal? And if
there be any, give it me, and I shall soon stop their malice, by the grace
of
God!
As he delivered the lines with such complete and total immersion into the
character, Amy instantly knew where he quoted
from. In fact, she had chosen
this scene as a Final her second year at
NYU. It was a scene from Morte
Darthur, from the section known as The Conspiracy against Lancelot
and Guinevere. Garret,
of course, played Sir Lancelot. In
the scene, Sir Lancelot had been caught within Queen Guineveres chambers
in a less than moral position. It
had all been used as a conspiracy by certain other knights to prove Sir Lancelot
traitor.
Amy had always loved the scene because of its passion and intensely emotional
dialogue.
Amy, in full character and anguish that her love was in danger, took hold
of Garret/Sir Lancelots arm. Now, truly I have none armor
neither helm, shield, sword, neither spear, wherefore I dread me sore our
long love is come to a mischievous
end. Amy/Guinevere
gestured behind her to the imaginary hall which held the men thirsting for
her loves blood and calling him
traitor. For I hear
by their noise there be many noble knights, and well I woot they be securely
armed, and against them ye may make no
resistance. Her
expression became pained as she held his arm with both
hands. Wherefore ye are likely to be slain, and then
shall I be burned! For if ye
might escape them I would not doubt but that ye would rescue me in what danger
that ever I stood
in.
Alas! In all my
life thus was I never beset that I should be thus shamefully slain for lack
of mine armor. And
Sir Lancelots aggravation at his apparent helplessness at defending
his love as well as his person was masterfully portrayed by Garrets
expression. Ah, Jesu
mercy! Garret/Sir Lancelot
continued. This
shameful cry and noise I may not suffer, for better were death at once than
thus to endure this pain.
Then Garret/Sir Lancelot took Amy/Guinevere into his arms and kissed
her.
Amy had been kissed several times throughout her life, but nothing had ever
come even remotely close to the complete and total mergence of passion,
intensity, and tenderness. It
moved her as nothing else had ever
done.
Then Garret/Sir Lancelot raised his head and said, Most noblest
Christian queen, I beseech you, as ye have been ever my special good lady,
and I at all times your poor knight and true to the utmost of my power, and
as I never failed you in right nor in wrong sithen the first day King Arthur
made me knight, that ye will pray for my soul if that I be
slain. For well I am assured
that Sir Bors, my nephew, and all the remnant of my kin, with Sir Lavain
and Sir Urry, that they will not fail you to rescue you from the
fire. Garret/Sir Lancelot caressed Amy/Guineveres face
with a tender touch that brought tears to her eyes as her gaze was held so
completely by his. And
therefore, mine own lady, recomfort yourself, whatsoever come of me, that
ye go with Sir Bors, my nephew, and Sir Urry and they all will do you all
the pleasure that they may, and ye shall live like a queen upon my
lands.
Amy/Guinevere shook her head. Nay, Sir Lancelot, she said in
a cracked and broken voice amazed all the while that she still remembered
the lines, wit thou well that I will not live long after thy
days. But if ye be slain I will
take my death as meekly as ever did martyr take his death for Jesu Christs
sake.
Garret/Sir Lancelots expression became resigned and
tender. Well, Madam,
sith it is so that the day is come that our love must come to an end, wit
you well I shall sell my life as dear as I
may. His expression
held clear anguish.
And a thousandfold I am more grieved for you than for
myself! And now I had rather
than to be lord of all Christendom that I had sure armor upon me, that men
might speak of my deeds ere ever I were
slain.
Amy/Guinevere reached up with both hands to caress Garret/Sir Lancelots
face. Truly, if
it might please God, I would that they would take me and slay me and allow
you to escape, she said softly,
tenderly.
Garret/Sir Lancelot shook his head.
That shall never
be. He stepped away
from her with a clear expression of purpose and
determination. God
defend me from such a shame! But,
Jesu Christ, be Thou my shield and mine
armor!
Then Sir Lancelot disappeared to that realm of fiction and imagination that
existed in all actors. Amy,
though, was still in such a daze from the kiss and the scene and the complete
joy to act in such a work of literary wonder, that she barely noticed the
transition.
Well done, Garret said with a smile in eyes and on
lips. Your portrayal of
Queen Guinevere was
superb.
Thank you, Amy said in a tone that seemed a little lost, but
she did have presence of mind enough to offer Ive always loved
that
scene.
Garret stepped a little closer, but Amy was so intense on the duty of gathering
her wits from the edges of her sanity that she didnt
notice. Such a statement
doesnt shock in the least, he said, stepping closer
still. Especially with
your convincing performance of love and
tenderness.
Magnificent.
Breathtaking. Garret surrounded her with his arms and drew her
closer. Enchanting,
he
whispered.
Amy blinked up at him, her green eyes lost in the depths of his blue
ones. Some part of her mind
desperately tried to remind her of something very important, but then he
was kissing her and the warning was lost amidst the scene and the characters
and the wondrous emotion of
attraction.
Reality dropped like a lead weight when the intensity of his kiss heightened,
bringing with it a remembered comment of hell have you in
his sheets in less than a
week.
Amy pulled back, stepping away from Garrets kiss and cologne and warmth
with a slight gasp.
No, she said with a shake of her head, eyes
wide.
Garret followed with an easy smile, his hands catching hold of hers as he
said Oh mistress mine, where are you roaming? / O, stay and hear;
your true loves coming, / that can sing both high and
low.
Amy shook her head again.
Shakespeare
Oh my gosh.
Sir Garret Harrison is quoting
Shakespeare
M-Mr.
Harrison
And she took another step
back.
Garret followed still.
Trip no further, pretty sweeting; / Journeys end in lovers
meeting, / Every wise mans son doth
know. He drew her
closer, his gaze holding hers as his smile made Amy unable to say a
word. What is love?
tis not hereafter; / Present mirth hath present laughter; / Whats
to come is still unsure: / In delay there lies no
plenty; Garret very
slowly lowered his head, drawing his lips ever closer to
hers. Amy watched in shock and
horror as her mind lost control of her
body. Then come
kiss me, sweet and twenty, / Youths a stuff will not endure,
he
whispered.
Amy closed her eyes as his lips gently met
hers. Oh my gosh
this
cant be happening
And her mind felt as if she were drowning on a wave of so many things
and thoughts and emotions that she was lost among them. hell
have you in his sheets--
Amy pulled back with a scowl, shoving Garret away a little more forcefully
than she probably should
have.
No, she said firmly, I am not going to be another
mark on your bedpost! Amy
scowled up into Garrets surprised
expression.
The easy, attractive, flirtatious smile returned as he enfolded her hands
in his.
Amy--
No, she said again, pulling her hands
free. She put fists on
hips. Mr. Harrison, this
is exactly what Renee warned me about.
You want to know what I told her?
I told her that she shouldnt believe those gossip columns because
they never know the full story.
Hurt and tears began to glitter in her eyes as Garrets smile
slowly faded. I was doing
my best, my best, to give you a chance to be
yourself. In fact, these meetings
with you have been a lot of
fun.
A tear escaped, but Amy ignored it.
You had no right to trample all over that in my home
and take advantage of a passionate
situation. And I would rather
not think you planned it that way.
If you want to start a relationship, Mr. Harrison, then you could
at least have the decency to talk to me about
it. I wouldnt have said
no. Youre a very attractive
man, brilliant on stage, and a pleasant human being when given the
chance. In fact, I had begun
to like you as a person, and not as what some people would call a meal ticket
to the bright lights of New York Citys
inner-circle.
Garret said nothing. He only
straightened, holding her angry, hurt, and tear-filled
gaze.
Amy sniffed, and her tone and expression softened as she wiped the tears
from her cheeks. Im
a person, Mr. Harrison, with feelings and views and thoughts on life and
living. I am not someone
or something to be conquered. It
hurts me to think you believed I
was.
This time Garret lowered his gaze.
Then he turned and moved toward the couch, taking up his schedule
book before making his way to the door.
He unlocked the deadbolt and slid back the
chain. Once he had opened the
door, he turned back and said very softly I apologize, Miss Burke,
while not meeting her
gaze.
Then he closed the door after him.
Amy sniffed and slowly made her way to the couch, where she sat on
the very edge and covered her face with her
hands.
*