“Did they even ask for your consent?”
“No.”
“Then how the hell can they put on a show without you? You’re the lead actor!”
“They found someone else.”
“Wait. So you’re out of the play?”
“Yes.”
“And you’re smiling? You’re not even angry?”
“What would getting angry change?”
“You could fight for your place! Talk to the director. At least ask him why.”
“Would that change his mind?”
“Maybe. Wait a minute. You and Cecilia were together, weren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“And she loves you?”
“Yes.”
“I knew it! This has Maurice written all over it. The director’s son, right? He likes her too. He probably got you kicked out because he couldn’t stand seeing you two together.”
“I don’t know.”
“Oh, come on! What else could it be? And what did Cecilia say?”
“Nothing. I told her I was going after my dream of acting in films.”
“Which film?”
“None.”
“You lied to her?”
“Yes.”
“Why on earth would you do that?”
“Because theatre is her dream. I didn’t want her to give it up for me.”
“Even after what they did to you?”
“Especially after what they did to me. I don’t want her to lose something she loves because of something that happened to me.”
“God, Maurice is a jealous brat! He can’t win her over, so he tries to get rid of you. But he won’t succeed. Cecilia will always be yours.”
“She’s not mine.”
“What?”
“She isn’t anyone’s possession. She’s a free soul. She should be able to choose her own path, even if that path takes her away from me.”
“Fine. So, what are you going to do now?”
“Go solo.”
“Solo? You mean monologues?”
“Yes.”
“And you think people will actually pay to watch you perform alone?”
“I was the lead actor, remember?”
“In a theatre company. With a director, a cast, a stage, and people working behind the scenes. Now you’re talking about doing everything yourself.”
“I know.”
“And you’re still going to do it?”
“Yes.”
“Then let me help you. We’ll put something together. I’ll get Cecilia on board too.”
“Not yet.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t want to put her career at risk. Not until we know we can stand on our own.”
“You really aren’t going to fight for your place, are you?”
“No. I’ll make my own.”
“Your own what?”
“My own stage.”
He looked at him for a moment, then smiled.
“All right. Let’s give it a try.”
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