The Audition Room Pt 05

Noor and I had a wonderful dinner but unfortunately he wasn't able to stay the night tonight. So I took advantage of the alone time and called Carson. He didn't answer. Fuck. I guess I didn't think about how much the laughter would've hurt him. I'm pissed at myself for not pulling him aside after rehearsal. I'm pissed at the guys too, most of them were apprehensive stripping down at their own auditions but they didn't even hesitate when it came to making Carson feel bad. I texted him the best thing I could come up with:

"Hey Carson! I wanted to talk with you about what happened today at rehearsal. I didn't take a moment to piece together how much the guys laughing at you would've hurt your feelings, for that I am deeply sorry. I went straight to being your director instead of stopping to be your friend, which is what you needed. Someone let me know they had overheard you saying you were considering quitting the play, and I want to urge you as much as I can to reconsider. This is the most talent scout exposure you've had the opportunity to get since you've joined the company. On top of that our company has a policy that you are ineligible for shows for a year if you quit a production. I don't want you to give up a big opportunity for yourself, and I definitely don't want you to put yourself in a position where your chances in future shows are jeopardized. It's rare that someone gets the year ban and ever gets cast again. I want what's best for you, so I will respect what you decide. Don't let some guys being insensitive get in the way of something that could change your life. Let me know soon."

I barely got any sleep, anxious over all the events that had transpired the last day. I woke up with 5 morning texts. One from Jackson saying thank you for giving him a second chance and he'll definitely make me glad I did, one from Abby saying that the rehearsal with Logan went very well, one from Logan thanking me again for setting him up with Abby, a good morning text from Noor, and a voice message from Carson. I sent a text back to Noor with a kissing emoji and a sexy pic, told Abby I saw her car at Logan's and sent a wink, told Logan you're welcome and that I'm glad he's happy, and gave Jackson a thumbs up. Then I nervously played Carson's message

"Thank you for caring about me, I don't want to give up this opportunity and I definitely don't want to let you down. Just please let me keep my pants on at rehearsals from now on."

I was so fucking relieved. I promised him no nudity for him from now on.

The next couple months or so of rehearsals were relatively normal. Logan and I continued our private rehearsals but sometimes they also included Abby and Noor. Logan and Abby had gotten very close and Noor and I had begun living together. Jackson hadn't missed any more rehearsals, and Carson had gotten over his embarrassing moment and seemed to be doing much better at bonding with the cast. Everything seemed like it was going as smoothly as possible. Until the night of the show.

Joseph quit.

He sent a letter to Abby about an hour before call time claiming that he had planned since the beginning to leave on the night of so that my production would fail. God he's such a petty dickhead. I didn't know what to do. My original backup for this happening was Carson and after the last time he stripped down I knew there was no way in hell he'd do it. I thought Greg, I remembered from his audition he was extremely nervous stripping but maybe I could talk him into it if he knew how desperate I was.

I called Greg and asked him to come to my office for a 1-on-1 meeting. I explained to him my dilemma and he seemed nervous, but I told him that it was an opportunity to be seen by agents in a much bigger role. He thought about it and said that he wanted to try it with just me and make his decision instead of stripping in front of everyone like Carson did. I said that seemed fine. He removed his shirt, then his pants, then started panicking. I put my head in my hands. Obviously Greg would never strip on stage in front of an audience. I told him to put his clothes back on and he nodded in defeat. As he was rushing to put his clothes back on my head was spinning. What the fuck was I going to do. None of the other actors in the show would be willing to play the part, and none of the actors I cut would be able to step in this late into the show. I had no idea what to do.

Then Logan stopped by.

"Why don't you do it?"

"What?"

"You should step in for Joseph. You know all the lines, you know the dance, all of us are already comfortable around you. Plus you're the most talented person in this company, if anyone can step in the night of it'd be you."

I thought about it. I suppose it did make sense. I was also utterly moved by Logan's faith in me.

"Alright I'll do it, but this better not just be an excuse for you to see me naked

I teasingly punch his arm after that as he smirks, and gives me a hug. After that I called in the rest of the cast for an emergency last minute rehearsal and we run through the show quickly with me in it. We have to stop right before the dance due to it being time for the doors to open to the crowd.

Then the show begins. There are a few hiccups but nothing too bad for an opening night. I surprise myself with how well I fell into the role on such short notice. Before I know it there's only one thing left to do- the full monty dance. Before the dance Noor pulls me aside.

"You know you're doing amazing right. It's crazy that you were able to pull off a perfect performance on like an hours notice."

"Thank you babe. I didn't want to do this to be completely honest, but I felt like it's what I had to do for the show. I really didn't want to let you down."

He blushes and smiles at my comment. He looks down at his feet and I can tell there's something on his mind.

"Whatcha thinking?"

"I love you"

I go to respond but am interrupted by the curtain opening. We go and do the final dance and the entire time I'm concentrated on the fact that Noor had just told me he loved me. The six of us end the dance by throwing off our hats into the crowd standing naked onstage together, and the crowd roars in applause and goes to their feet. The curtain closes and I run to Noor and give him a passionate kiss

"I love you too"

For a split second we stare into each other's eyes blissfully forgetting what's going on around us. Once reality settles back in the two of us and the rest of the strippers put on our robes and prepare for curtain call.

After curtain call each of the cast come to visit me back at my office. First the girls who bring me flowers, followed by Jamie and Otis and Damian who thank me for everything, then Greg who apologizes for not stepping in but tells me I did a phenomenal job, then Carson who thanks for me for being nice to him after his embarrassing moment, then Brandon who brings me a Full Monty pin (I collect pins for each show I'm a part of), then Lawrence who thanks me for being the one to give him his first role at the company, then Joseph who tells me he's so glad he didn't give up on this show, then Logan and Abby who thank me for helping bring them together, and finally Noor.

I give Noor another passionate kiss. When I took on the role of directing of this show I knew there would be potential of it leading to great things, but I never dared to imagine that I'd find someone like Noor. I'm so damn lucky.

"Ever had sex in your office?"

I smiled cheekily before taking off his robe.

1 Year Later

After the amazing success of The Full Monty it ended up changing the lives of those involved in it, more than they ever thought possible.

Lawrence and Brandon are currently rehearsing for our studio's performance of "Gutenberg", while Carson and Greg are in the production of "Dear Evan Hansen". Their performances in "The Full Monty" made them some of our studios newest stars and they will get to play leads for years to come. Joseph on the other hand was never cast again (karmas a bitch)

Logan and Abby are a picturesque couple. They're now living together with their dog Coco. They also have continued doing shows together, with Logan going out of his way to only audition for shows that Abby is either stage managing or directing.

Jackson was approached by one of the talent scouts at the performance, and now he's currently working on his first ever Broadway show starring as Fiyero in "Wicked". He's also dating his new costar Justin, and in a much happier place.

Jackson wasn't the only one approached by talent scouts afterwards though. I was also approached by a scout who was impressed when informed that I not only directed the show but performed with only an hours notice. She wanted me to portray Prince Henry in a stage adaptation of "Red, White, and Royal Blue". The opportunity was incredible, but I didn't want to take it without talking to Noor first. To my delight, Noor had been approached by the same scout to portray Prince Henry's love interest Alex. The scout loved the idea of a real life couple portraying the roles.

Now I'm starring on Broadway alongside the love of my life, living out my biggest dream to a scale I never believed possible.

That's not my only exciting project at the moment. I also am getting a book published inspired by the love story of Noor and I. The story of a man who was starting to give up on love, finding it when he least expected it during a production of "The Full Monty". It's called "The Audition Room".