Chapter 1: Introduction
Sarah swirled the dredges of the day's reheated coffee around her mug. The auditions had gone well, but the roles she was vying for seemed to be drying up. She had been on pins and needles ever since Steve got fired from his job, and the tension between them was building up like a clamp on her chest. The mortgage payment was due soon, and they were down to their last few hundred dollars.
Somebody answered on the third ring. "Hello, hello. Who's this?"
She cleared her throat.
"This is Sarah Mills. I got a call for an audition this morning. It's a bit, well, different than what I usually do." Sarah sat up straighter in her chair, staring out into the garden as she deliberated whether or not to reveal the nature of the role to Steve. His concern was palpable and she didn't want to upset him anymore than he already was.
Steve's voice crackled through the receiver, a concerned note in his tone.
"What kind of role is it, Sarah?"
She hesitated, clutching the phone tightly in her hand. "It's a, umm, it's for a film. A – a, well-known director is making it." Her stomach lurched as she recalled the letterhead of the director's production company, its sleek black lettering stark against the creamy white of the paper.
"I see," Steve said cautiously. "What's the role?"
"It's a leading part," she said, choosing her words carefully.
"I'd be playing the main character. It's a lot more explicit than anything I've ever done, though." Sarah tried to keep her voice steady.
She heard Steve take a shaky breath, his anxiety mirroring her own. "You know I'm supportive of your acting career, Sarah, but this sounds like a risky move.
And, to be honest," Steve said, his voice low and earnest, "you've never done anything like that before."
A knot tightened in Sarah's chest. She had to tread carefully; their financial situation didn't allow her the luxury of turning down an opportunity based on her personal morals or values. "I know, Steve. But it's a chance to break through into the industry and get some real recognition for my talent. Plus, they're offering a good salary."
"Money isn't everything, Sweetheart," Steve said softly.
"I just don't want to see you getting hurt or worse, taken advantage of."
Sarah sighed deeply. "I know you mean well, Steve. And I appreciate your concern. But I have to do what's best for us, and right now, that means taking this role. Besides, it's not like I'm going to be alone in this."
Steve's tone was laced with a hint of suspicion. "What do you mean?"
"My mother wants to be in the film too." Sarah twisted the phone wire between her fingers.