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Sharon�s Voice: That boot in the rear to Marco � heaven knows he had one coming. From me, from Boyd, from Steve, Will.... For that matter, Marco had been known to enjoy an occasional boot in the rear... I had it! Why not? Why, I asked myself, not? That was a long weekend at Fire Island. Will didn�t come out at all. Boyd and I barely saw Marco all weekend except when he came home to change between brunch and tea. It was so simple to hire that bondage muscle top to water-taxi in from the city, arrange an "accidental" meeting in the Meat Rack, tie up Marco and leave him there until after curtain time on Tuesday night. And no reason why Marco himself shouldn't be told about this little joke. Someday. [Metropolitan Opera - Dressing Room] Dr. Rep: (voice over) Steve, of course, was superb. Those of us who stayed cheered loudly and long for Steve....how thoughtful of him to call and invite me � that afternoon. And what a happy coincidence that Opera News, parterre box and Torso were there too. [He knocks on the dressing room door] Steve: Come in, Dr. Repertoire..... Dr. Rep: I expected to find this little room jammed with standees on their knees... Could I have arrived too late? Steve: Your timing is always impeccable, Dr. Repertoire. But why would this room be full of fans? After all, it was only one pretty good performance by an understudy. It will be forgotten tomorrow. Dr. Rep: It needn�t be. Steve: Even if I wanted to blow my own horn, how would I do it?. Dr. Rep: Suppose you let me blow your horn. Steve: There's no news here. Not enough for a single column inch. Dr. Rep: I�d say you�re enough for about 8 1/2 inches. I�ve heard your story in bits and pieces. That memorable night when Marco first dazzled you from the stage of the dear old War Memorial � that was Dame Janet's San Francisco farewell, wasn't it? Steve: Yes, Dame Janet. Great, great artist. Dr. Rep: Would you care to join me for a drink? Steve (dropping his towel): I have nothing suitable to wear. Dr. Rep: Where we're going, they'll check your things at the door. [Marco�s Living Room � Day] Marco: (reading Dr. Repertoire's column) "...Mr. Carrington had much to tell about the understandable reluctance of entrenched divos to encourage, shall we say � fresher � talent; about Mr. Carrington�s unusually long and hard. ... continued on page 27 ... struggle for opportunity." That bitch must have sent out bicycle messengers to snatch opera critics out of antique shops, tearooms, Academy Records, or wherever they hole up...Well, I won�t stand for it. I�ll personally stuff that pathetic little lost lamb down Dr. Repertoire�s ugly throat..... Will: Will�s here, baby. Everything�s all right now. (Sharon's cellphone rings) I�m going to propose a toast. "To Marco, my husband-to-be." Sharon: Hello, what? When are you going to do it? Will: We leave for Vermont tomorrow..... Sharon (to Marco): What are you going to wear? Marco: Something simple. A mink coat over a cockring. Sharon (hanging up): Well, this beats all. A voicemail from Steve: "Please forgive me for butting into what seems such a happy occasion � but it�s most important that I speak with you. Please meet me in the classical section at Tower." Will: I understand he's the understudy there as well. [Cutout bin at Tower Records] Steve: I was wondering if you�d come at all. I�ve got a lot to say and none of it�s easy. Sharon: Pish-posh, I hear everything about you is easy, Steve. Steve: You know, I�ve always considered myself a very clever boy. Smart. Good head....um, on my shoulders. But then I�d never met Dr. Repertoire. You find yourself trying to say what you mean, but somehow the words change � and they become his words � and suddenly you're not saying what you mean, but what he means... Sharon: Steve. I � I don�t think you meant to cause unhappiness. But you did. More to yourself than to anyone else. But, you�re very young and very talented. If they�re anything I can do � Steve: There is something, something most important you can do. Sharon: You want to play the Prince in Boyd�s next exhumation. You want me to tell Boyd that you should play it!! Steve: If you told him so, he�d give me the part. Sharon: Don�t you know that part was unearthed expressly for Marco? Steve: Maybe if it were performed at A = 415. It�s my part now. Sharon: I don�t think anything in the world could make me do that. Steve: Dr. Repertoire knows how Marco happened to get stuck out on Fire Island and miss the performance. It's quite a story, just the thing for "Page Six" � and probably Bound and Gagged as well. But if I play the Prince, Dr. Repertoire will never tell what happened. A simple exchange of favors. Sharon: A part in an opera. You�d do all that � just for a part in an opera. Steve: I�d do much more � for a part that good. You'd better sit down. You look as wobbly as Marco sounds. |