Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 88218 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88218 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“You need to work hard and try to get your best performance on film.”
She squeezes onto the seat next to me, her shoulder bumping mine. “Are you sure that’s all I can do?” Her voice takes on a sultry tone.
I turn my head and blink at her. Did she just …
The sliding door to outside opens, and I flinch at Mason’s voice.
“Hey, I thought I’d come check in to see how it’s all going in here.”
Thank fuck he came in when he did. Although, he looks really unhappy about it, and I can understand. Isla’s sitting a bit too close and suggesting things that will no way ever be appropriate.
I’m not naïve. Hell, I’ve dated actresses who have been dealing with casting couch situations for years. It’s disgusting and the biggest problem Hollywood has. I will never, ever contribute to that culture. No exceptions.
“We’re struggling,” I say to Mason. “I could really use some help. You were always so good at helping me back in the day. Why don’t you stay and see what Isla has to offer?” Oh no, did that sound as sleazy as her innuendo? “Musically. Of course. Duh. I mean, what else would there be?” Dig a deeper hole, Denny.
I’m either doing a great job of covering what actually just happened or a terrible one. Either way, Mason eyes me suspiciously as he agrees to stay.
I turn to Isla with a forced smile. “Go on. Back to the microphone.”
Mason folds his arms and stands at the other end of my piano, and hell, even I’m intimidated. Isla has no hope.
Surprising me, though, she sings it the best she’s done the whole session. Maybe she likes being under pressure. Even though it’s an improvement, it’s still not good enough.
“You have her singing in the wrong key,” Mason says.
“We’ve tried different keys, different arrangements, different … everything,” I say.
“Okay, so you’ve probably confused the poor girl. Let’s strip it back and start from the beginning.” He walks over to her, and the soft, encouraging Mason I’ve always known comes out. “Sing from your heart, not from your head. Sing it however you feel it. And most importantly, sing from here.” He takes her hand and rests it on her diaphragm and then steps back.
I start in on the piano, but he stops me.
“Have her sing a cappella first so she’s not trying to compete with your rendition of the song.”
She looks scared now but clears her throat. When she begins to sing, her voice wobbles.
“Diaphragm,” Mason says.
She belts out a note that she hasn’t hit all day, and I want to scream hallelujah.
“Better.” Mason smiles politely. “Now, do it again. With music.”
I knew Mason would be better at this than me. He should be in my position. He should be on this show.
The rest of her session goes smoother than the first half ever did, but as she leaves the room, I turn to Mason to thank him when he cuts me off and says, “Dude, what the hell was that?”
I don’t know if he means how he found us or her serious lack of understanding the basics of singing and how she’s gotten so far in this competition.
“She was all up in your business.”
I laugh, but it’s awkward because yeah, I didn’t like that at all. “All up in my business? Is that what the kids call it these days?”
“You know you can’t go there, right?”
“Of course I do. I was about to tell her to back off when you came in.”
Mason’s gaze narrows in that way it does when he’s trying to call bullshit.
“Honestly. She’d sat down and said something totally inappropriate. At least, I think it was inappropriate, but I can’t be sure, because you know, it’s in that gray area.”
“What were her actual words?”
“She asked what she has to do to get through the next round.” And now that I’ve repeated it, yeah, it sounds even worse. “Okay, I see it now. It’s not gray at all.”
“Why doesn’t the production team have someone out here to make sure this kind of thing didn’t happen?”
I lower my voice. “They offered, but I already have too many people in my personal space. I see where that might have been a poor choice.”
“Do you mind if I stay for the rest of your acts?”
“Could you?” I’m way too excited about that. He can actually help these people. Maybe if they perform their asses off, some of them will still get record deals.
“Who have you got next?”
“Reggie. You’ll actually like him. I think he’s my number one pick to take this thing out.”
Mason’s brow furrows. “You’ve already made your decision?”
“What?”
“On who you’re taking to the final round?”
I scoff. “You say that as if I have a choice. I haven’t picked any of my team. The producers threw the groups together and told us who to reject and who to put forward based on their personalities. They want big personas who will do well with the reality aspect. They don’t care about talent.”