Marissa woke early to the sound of her alarm
clock yelling “GGGood Morning”. ‘Good morning ya
right’ Marissa thought to herself as she climbed out of
bed. Her headached and her stomach was turning fast.
She was able to make it to the bathroom before
everything in her stomach came up. ‘Why do I have to
be sick today of all days?’ Marisa thought. Today was
the day she was to go act in a play at the community
theatre, She played a key character.
Marissa left the bathroom after brushing her teeth and climbed the stairs “Mom, Dad you here?” she said.
“Yes, Sweetheart Are you feeling okay? you don’t sound well.” her mother said.
“No I don’t feel well at all. I just threw up.” Marissa said entering the kitchen.
“Oh sweetie you look terrible. I don’t think you should go to school today or to the play tonight.” Her mother placed her hand on Marissa’s forehead. “My goodness you are burning up.” her mom said with concern.
“I have to go to the play maybe I will be feeling better later today” Marissa said.
“Well I don’t think you should go but if you have to go then you have to go. I want you to stay home from school though okay?” her mother said.
Marissa nodded and went back downstairs to her room. She climbed into bed and fell back to sleep.
She woke later that day at about 10:00 am. She felt a little better but still had a headache. Marissa walked into the bathroom, opened the medicine cabinet and took a Tylenol. She climbed the stairs and entered the kitchen. There on the table was a note from her mother Marissa, Take a Tylenol and get better I called the theatre and asked if they could get someone to fill in for you. They told me they couldn’t so please get better. I will pick up Alex and your father tonight and bring them to the play. Take your car and I will meet you there. Love always Mom.
Marissa opened the refrigerator and took out the water jug she poured herself a glass, sat down at the table and drank her water slowly. She picked up the phone and dialled her friend Lisa’s number.
“Hello Ulich residence. Lisa speaking.” Lisa answered the phone.
“Hi Lisa How are you?” Marissa asked.
“Rissa what on earth are you doing at home? Have your parents decided to homeschool you?” Lisa asked.
“I wish I am sick” Marissa said with a sigh.
“Oh well maybe someday they will. What is wrong?” Lisa asked.
“I have a headache and I have a sore stomach”
After she hung up the phone Marissa went downstairs to the music room. She sat down at the piano and opened the Les Miserables music book. She found her song ‘On My Own’ She began to play the music that she had mostly memorised since she had been playing it non stop for about three weeks. She sang the first two lines with a bit of difficulty. She eventually got better and her throat stopped giving her problems. She felt as if she were Eponine the young woman who has fallen madly in love with Marius. The problem is Marius has fallen in love with Cosette and doesn’t really even notice that Eponine has fallen in love with him. She got so into the song that she didn’t even realise the phone was ringing. She snapped out of it as the phone rung again. “Hello” She said as she answered it.
“Hey sweetie, How are you?” her father said with concern.
“I am doing a bit better I was just practising for the play tonight” Marissa said.
“Good listen sweetheart I am working late. Your mom said she would pick me and bring me to the theatre so don’t worry about picking me up tonight Okay?”
“Okay dad bye now”
“Bye sweetheart” He said before he hung up. Marissa quietly set the receiver down on the cradle and went back to the piano. She began to play, no song in particular just loose notes that came together to form a beautiful song. A sweet happy song. The melody flooded the room, where there had been silence there was the glorious happiness of the song. Slowly, she brought the song to an end and stood up. She smiled to herself as if please and left the room.
Once upstairs, Marissa took an orange out of the refrigerator and sat down at the table. She began to peel the orange as she contemplated what to do about the play that night. I want to go but what if my throat gives way? I have to go. I just have to go, I made a commitment and I am going to follow through with it if it is the last thing I do. She thought as she made her decision to go to the play and perform like she had never performed before.
After a refreshing shower, getting dressed, fixing her hair and putting on her shoes, Marissa slipped into the front seat of her little red Honda. She put the key into the ignition and turned it. The car came to life as she revved the engine. Marissa adjusted the radio to her favourite station and pulled out of the driveway. She drove slowly through the streets towards the community theatre.
Marissa found a parking space infront of the theatre for once there was one close to the building. She got out and locked the doors for you can never be too careful in Kelowna. It was odd but a feeling of regret washed over her. She stood on the sidewalk for a moment and then shook her head attempting to shake away the feeling but it stayed with her. Assuming it was just butterflies she walked into the theatre. “André!” a female voice called to the director. Oh Lord here we go again. Marissa thought as the all to picky Lorina Robinson pushed past her as she called the directors name once again. Marissa watched in amusement as the frustrated Lorina, who was to play Cosette, complained about the bottled water. “Now what Lorina??” André Walsh turned to face her. It was obvious that he didn’t need her running around acting like she was the high and might lead of the production, he had enough to worry about with the play being that night and the actor James Lernson, playing Valjean, did not know some of his lines. Lorina of course was fed up with it as she exploded. “I cannot work like this André the water is awful and warm at that. How do you expect me to sing? You know full well what my voice requires.” Marissa laughed at this, she just couldn’t help it. Lorina turned on her heel and walked up to her. Marissa looked down at the girl with a smile on her face. Even though they were the same age Marissa stood 6 inches taller then her co-star. “And What is so funny about that Miss. Perfect.” Lorina said rudely.
“Nothing just that you act as if we all are responsible to keep you happy when we are not. You have no idea how rude you have just been do you? André is working his hardest to make this production perfect and all you are doing is complaining. I am surprised you haven’t lost the roll yet.” Marissa spoke the truth. She was just as flustered with her as the rest of the cast members. It took a lot to make Marissa get angry with one of the cast members but this girl, who called herself a professional, was not even worth the time of day. André noticed Marissa’s reaction to Lorina and wondered why he had kept her on. He wondered if he could get the understudy to fill in for her for the performance and knock her back to one of the peasants. André walked to the dressing room where the actors clothes were hanging. Quickly he switched Lorina’s costumes with the ones of Arianna Pearson, who was to play a peasant but now was going to play Cosette. André had no problems switching the girls roles for he did like the sound of Arianna’s voice more then the sound of Lorina’s. He left the costume room in search of Arianna.
Marissa walked down the hall toward André. “André, I hate to complain with you being so busy but about Lorina. Can’t you do something with her?” She asked.
André just smiled and said “You mean you don’t want her to play a peasant?” Marissa smiled and together they walked down the hall.
“Is there anything you need help with?” Marissa asked. He looked at her thoughtfully.
“I need you to get ready for tonight, grab Arianna Pearson and help her with her new role. While I break the news to Lorina. Okay?” André replied. Marissa nodded, turned and walked back to the dressing room. She entered and found the confused Arianna looking at her costume rack. “Oh Marissa can you help me out I think the costume designer got me and Lorina mixed up.” Ariannas’ soft voice called to her.
“Oh no she didn’t. You are Cosette now because of Lorina always complaining. Come on put on this and I will help you with your role.” Marissa replied handing her a black and white long dress.
“B-but I barely know what to do.” Arianna hesitated. Marissa grabbed her hand and reassured her. Finally Arianna slipped into one of the curtained rooms and put on her costume. As Marissa went over to her costume set and quietly took the hanging clothing off the rack. She changed quickly and waited for Arianna. Arianna looked shocked when she stepped out from the tiny curtained change room. She spun infront of Marissa asking “How does it look? Does it fit right?”
“It looks wonderful. I guess it is a good thing you and Lorina are the same size. Come, now we go to the make-up room.” Marissa said taking Ariannas’ hand. They walked through the doors at the other end of the dressing room and into the large make-up room. Liz Evans, the main make-up person, stood at the other end of the room concentrating on pictures of other productions of the play. “Liz” Marissa called to her. Liz turned around shocked.
“Oh Marissa, I wasn’t expecting you for a few more hours. Who’s this? What happened to Lorina?” She asked taking Marissa by the arm and leading her to the chair infront of the mirror.
“Well, put it this way André got a little fed up with her.” Marissa informed Liz. “So Arianna here is going to play Cosette.” She waved her hand towards Arianna.
“Oh then I should do her make-up now then?” Liz’s assistant Muriel said coming over. She gestured to Arianna to come sit down in a chair. Muriel began to apply some natural toned liquid cover up to Ariannas’’ face. “You will do just great I know you will. I heard you sing in the auditions and wow that voice of yours is amazing.” Muriel said giving Arianna a confidence boost. Arianna shyly smiled and blushed.
After their make-up was finished, Marissa and Arianna made their way to the stage. Even though it was empty, they pulled a chair up for the one scene where Arianna was to sing “In My Life” and “A Heart Full Of Love” Nervously Arianna took her spot on the stage and began to sing. “In my life..there are so many questions that somehow seem wrong...” Her sweet harmonic voice filled the room. She sang softly at first but as the song progressed she got more confidence and sang louder. Marissa looked out at the seats and found André, who was talking to Lorina, Lorina at this point was not listening to him but giving Arianna the most deadly look she possibly could. Arianna acted professional and kept her head held high, singing like an angel. Marissa watched Ariannas’ movements as she acted out her song so beautifully as if she were Cosette and was going through this in real life.
As Arianna finished her part in the song, she looked at Marissa. She stood and clapped saying “Arianna there is nothing you could improve on that was beautiful” Lorina came up the stairs onto the stage. She looked furious.
“You little witch, Stealing my role. You will not work in any play in this town again after tonight!” Lorina threated. Marissa snorted and went up to her.
“No, I think you have it backwards my dear friend Lorina. It is you who will not work on any play in this whole country ever again. No director in his right mind would cast you as the lead.” Marissa said smugly. Lorinas’ face turned bright red as she turned and stormed off the stage. Arianna laughed.
“She looked like a tomato.” Arianna said giggling.
“Yah but she acts like a pepper.” Marissa replied.
Time went by and soon it was time for sound check. Arianna gave Marissa a dreadfully nervous look. “Oh Honey you have nothing to worry about come on lets get our makeup checked.” Marissa said. They walked down the hall and got ready.
“You won’t be able to see passed the first five rows of people so relax.” Muriel reassured Arianna. It was obvious that Arianna had never performed infront of many people before.
“What if I screw up? Then what do I do?” She asked with a shaky voice.
“Just act like nothing happened and keep on going. Don’t worry you will be fine. Nothing can be as bad as the time I burped in the middle of a song. That won’t happen to you though you aren’t drinking pop.” Marissa said sweetly, sharing with Arianna her most embarrassing moment.
“What if it does though?” Arianna looked close to tears. Poor girl she is scared to death. Marissa thought.
“It won’t believe me. It won’t.” Marissa said putting her hand on Ariannas’ Soon they got their curtain call and began to act. Marissa searched the first row for her parents she saw their seats but found that no one was seated there. She sang on and didn’t let her wondering get to her. As she sang her last note of A Little Fall Of Rain, the emotional duet between Eponine and Marius, in which Eponine dies, She let out a breath almost relieved that her major roles were over. Once back stage she ran to André, who was pleasantly watching Arianna perform alongside Cameron who played the part of Marius. They sang together so beautifully, but surely Cameron must have been wondering why Arianna was playing Cosette and Lorina a peasant. “André, you must help me I can not find my parents they were supposed to be here and their seats are empty.” Marissa tugged at Aundres sleeve like a young lost child.
“They’re not here? oh lord where could they be? It is almost over and they didn’t attend to see their only daughter perform her deput performance in a musical. Did you try contacting them on their cell?” He asked as her eyes lit up with hope. She shook her head and took off towards the payphones. She quickly dialled 0 and waited. “Hello Operator. How may I help you?” A young lady answered the call.
“Yes I would like to make a collect call.” Marissa said into the receiver. She gave the lady the phone number in which she wanted to call and then it began to ring. A man picked up, a man who was not her father.
“Yes would you accept a collect call from Marissa?” the lady on the other end asked. Marissa held her breath and heard the man say yes. She sighed.
“Hello Marissa.” the man said.
“Hello Who am I speaking to?” She asked curiously but the moment she found out who was on the other line she regretted asking.
“I am Doctor Richards.” he said.
“Hello Doctor Richards, May I please speak with my mother or father?” She asked.
“I am sorry Marissa but there is no way you can do that.”
