Chapter Four
I wake up the on my first day prepared to go work at a theatre for the next few months, but not prepared to go meet actual Broadway actors and technicians. It feels surreal, and I'm incredibly grateful for Logan and his kindness. A couple days after I met him at the coffee shop, he texts me to ask for my email address, and within the next few minutes, I had the rehearsal schedule open in front of me.
Adrenaline rushes through my veins as I wait for my stop on the subway. The people around me have no idea that I'm about to go work on a Broadway show, and they probably wouldn't care if they did.
Once I arrive at the theatre, Logan greets me and runs me through a couple brief introductions to the most notable technicians I should look to for work. He explains that today's rehearsal is more focused on the actors, so I could use it to get comfortable with the sets and other technical components of the show.
I focus as I go through them all, double checking the list of props, running over the cues for sound, and finally, checking the ropes controlling the curtains. Logan comes to stand next to me, reading over his stage manager notes and as well as dramaturge notes. As I work, voices catch my attention, causing me to look up. My breath catches in my throat at the sight. The director was speaking to someone I'd never seen before. He was, for lack of a less cliche word, breathtakingly gorgeous. My eyes widen as I stare.
"Who is that?"
Logan looks up, blinking upon hearing me speak suddenly after having not spoken all day. He follows my eyes, tilting his head as he realizes who it was I was staring at. "That, is Roman Prince," he says, giving me a confused look. "Do you not know him? He's the lead, and a prestigious actor in the Broadway community."
"I've heard that name before I think, but I've never known who he was, let alone seen him," I reply, my eyes not leaving the gorgeous man.
My new intellectual friend raises an eyebrow at my starstruck expression, smirking a little knowingly. "I feel you should know that it says in my notes that you're his stage hand and quick changer during the actual runs of the show."
I nearly choke on my own saliva as I look at him sharply. "W-What?" I manage with a gasp. He was already looking back to his notes, smirking to himself. "Why wasn't I aware of this?!"
"Maybe because I've yet to assign stage hands and quick changers so I've decided your assignment just now?" Logan says as he straightens his glasses. He watches in his peripherals as Roman Prince waves a farewell to the director and starts to walk our way without me realizing it. "You'll have to introduce yourself."
Timing it perfectly, Logan pushes me, causing me to stumble forward with a yelp. I expect to hit the ground so I close my eyes, but I'm caught by something; it felt strong and reassuring, yet gentle and warm. I look up with wide eyes, seeing a gorgeous pair staring back at me. I could feel my jaw fall open as my face flushed.
"Are you alright?" Roman Prince asks in concern. I could only nod as I swallow nervously.
Logan clears his throat, pretending to just notice him. "Oh, Mr. Prince, this is your stage hand and quick changer, Virgil Black," he says, gesturing to me, the young man the actor was currently holding up by the arms. "During shows he'll be there to assist you in any way he can."
"Oh! Well, it is a pleasure to meet you," Roman says with a smile before looking to Logan. "And Roman will do just fine please."
Logan nods in acknowledgement of the request as I keep my gaze lowered and I fidget nervously. "Why don't you help him get situated in his dressing room, Virgil?"
I give him an incredulous look that was somewhat a death glare; I'd only met this man a few days ago and he was already getting me into situations with gorgeous men that made me remember just how gay I was. The lead actor in front of me smiles. "Sure, it'd give us some time to get to know each other," he say, gesturing for me to follow him as he heads for his dressing room. I give Logan an anxious look that said 'What the fuck?' before Roman calls my name. "You comin' Virgil?"
"Uh, yes, sorry," I reply, hurrying after him, but not before flicking off my new friend out of spite. Logan just smirks to himself, feeling proud of his actions.
Roman and I enter his dressing room and I immediately started trying to help in any way I can. I take his bags from him, offer to get him water or anything he needed. The actor chuckles a little, sitting down on the couch with a smile. "Seriously, what can I do for you-"
"You can sit down and keep me company for a little while before I have to go rehearse," he suggests, raising an eyebrow at me. I feel my breath catch in my throat at his words. He wanted me to stay with him, alone, in this dressing room. It was foolish to be nervous, considering the man was most likely straight or uninterested in a complete stranger, but I couldn't help my heart rate increasing. "If you have other technical responsibilities you have to take care of, I understand."
I bite my lip as I shake my head. I'd already checked with everyone before the rehearsal; there wasn't anything I could help with until they started running the show. I awkwardly sit down, not sure what to say as I fidget with my fingers.
"You seem so nervous, am I that scary?" Roman asks with a chuckle.
I shake my head quickly, looking up with worry. "No, no, no! I'm just really anxious all the time, and... uh..." my voice trails off as I keep myself from speaking my mind. The actor looks at me expectantly to continue.
"And?"
I exhale and speak softly. "You're really good looking and famous and that makes me really nervous," I say, not looking up as my cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Roman laughs a little, smiling at me in a way that makes my heart flutter in my chest.
"You've nothing to be nervous about," he says, giving me a reassuring look. "Do you want to help me read through my lines?"
I nod, thankful to be able to help with something. "How can I help you, sir?" I read in a dull voice as I channeled the character. Ever since reading the script, this has been one of my favorite shows I've ever worked with, and while I was just a techie, I could admit that I'd fantasized about playing the other lead.
"How long are you going to stay mad at me?" Roman says with a sigh. There was a pause where something would happen on stage and the actor sighed again. "Look, I'm sorry, okay? It was stupid of me to yell at you like that."
I narrow my eyes at him. "You assume I'm hurt because you yelled at me? How oblivious could you be?" I snap, growling a little. Roman's eyes widened in shock or surprise; I couldn't really tell if it was part of the character or if he was surprised by my commitment to such a meaningless performance.
"I-I- you're not mad about that?" he questions, sounding lost. "What are you mad about then?? I haven't done anything to you!"
"No, you certainly didn't," I mutter, looking away.
Realization dawns on Roman as his mouth falls open. "Oh... you're not upset about that, are you?"
"Whoa! The self absorbed asshole figured it out!" I snap in character, feeling a little guilt for calling this actor I'd never met before a self absorbed asshole, even though it was just a part of the script. "Why wouldn't I be upset about that?! You've never even given a second thought about me, and that just proved it."
"Oh, call me self absorbed? Take a look in the mirror, pal! You don't even know what happened!" he responds, glaring at me, his scene partner in this instance.
I let out a frustrated growl as I look at him. "If you weren't my higher up, I'd love to sock you in the jaw," I snarl. Roman straightens his back to appear taller as he lures me on with angered eyes and a set jaw.
"Oh, really? Give it your best shot! I'd love to see that-"
I, being so into the character, forgot who I was and who I was with. I follow through with the blocking of the scene; I grab my scene partner by the shirt and press a firm kiss to his lips. Roman gasps but doesn't resist. In fact, he kisses back. I forget that this man isn't my opposite lead, that he isn't the character my character is madly in love with. I kiss him passionately and forcefully, and he responds the same way. After a few seconds, both of us seem to realize what was happening as I reel back. I gasp at my own actions, jumping away from the actor as fast as I could.
"O-O-Oh my god! I'm so sorry!" I yelp, face bright red. I'm appalled at myself. "I don't know what came over me! Oh my god!"
I cover my mouth as I pace the dressing room. Roman just watches me with a curious look on his face, surprisingly not looking bothered. "Virgil, may I ask why you're a techie and not sharing the stage with me?"
I freeze, looking at him as I swallow. "W-What?"
"You were literally incredible," he says, completely genuine as he blushed a little with a smile. "So incredible that I forgot I wasn't actually my character."
"You're asking me why I'm not an actor when I literally just kissed you and I'm a stranger?" I question incredulously. "How are you so calm?! I just kissed Roman Prince! Oh my god... I just kissed Roman Prince..."
I cover my mouth again, clearly freaking out. There was an abrupt knock at the door, making me jump. "Roman Prince to the stage for a run through!"
The actor stands up and moves for the door, but not before stopping in front of me. "I hope you realize what talent you have," he says with a smile, putting a hand underneath my chin. His touch sends tingles along my skin. "And you're definitely not a bad kisser either."
He winks and leaves the room, leaving me red in the face and trying to figure out what just happened.
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