CHAPTER 3
REID
These auditions are killing me. They did screen tests on I don’t even know how many girls, and narrowed it down to twenty. Richter wants her to be attractive, but not exceptionally hot, which blows, but he’s right. Lizbeth Bennet is someone Will Darcy falls for against his normal inclinations.
I’d like to think I’m capable of having onscreen chemistry with anyone, but sadly, that isn’t the case. Before each girl comes in, we go over her headshots, clips of past film work, and her screen test. I’ve done auditions with eleven of them so far, and I’m thinking these are the ones we narrowed down to? We’ve spent varying amounts of time on each one, and I’m trying to figure out how Richter operates, because we’re spending longer with the ones I want to cut. Not that I’m complaining to Adam Richter about whatever method he uses or who he chooses.
“Daria,” Richter calls to his assistant, his finger on the clipboard of information in his hand. “We’re ready for the next girl. Belinda, is it?”
“Yes, sir,” Daria says. “I’ll bring her right in.”
“I’m going to kiss this one, aren’t I?” I say.
Richter barks a laugh and his bright blue eyes regard me over his glasses. “What makes you say that?”
Oops. “Um. It just seems the less jazzed I am about one, the more likely we are to do the kiss.”
His eyebrows—equal parts black and silver—rise slightly. “Good observation. I don’t want to miss out on possible physical chemistry, so the ones who aren’t passing the test on script audition get one final chance before we reject them.”
“That makes sense.”
“Thanks, I appreciate your support.” His mouth twists, and he laughs again when I color slightly, which I never do.
“Adam, this is Belinda Jarvis.” Daria leaves the girl standing in the center of the camera equipment.
I can tell right away that Belinda isn’t the one. Her face is too sensual, her expression too calculating. She could, perhaps, be Caroline Bingley. Reciting lines I know so well that I could deliver them while juggling, I read her body language and the way her half-lidded eyes gaze at me and decide that Belinda would be fun to have on set. We get to the kiss, and not two seconds into it, her tongue is in my mouth. Entertaining, yeah. Lizbeth Bennet, no. When she’s dismissed, I mention what I think to Richter, about using her for Caroline.
“We’ve already chosen Caroline and Charlie,” he says. “We ran their auditions concurrently, since their sibling chemistry and appearances must be convincing.”
“Can you tell me who?”
“I hope to be able to let you know Charlie by tomorrow. I’m calling him tonight. As for Caroline, she’ll be played by Brooke Cameron.”
Brooke Cameron. I try not to react, but Richter’s eyes miss nothing and I’m too knocked off center to hide my reaction. “You two worked on something together before, I think?”
“Yeah.” I do not want to go into detail. “A few years ago.” Almost four years ago, in fact.
He looks as though he has a follow-up question, but Daria pushes the door open and leans in. “Emma Pierce is here, Adam.”
*** *** ***
Emma
I’m as intimidated auditioning for Adam Richter as I am auditioning with Reid Alexander. Dan warned me that Richter wouldn’t waste time on small talk, so I have to swallow my anxiety and convince him that I’m his ideal Lizbeth Bennet. (I called Emily for moral support but wasn’t helped by, “Oh. My. God. The thought of being that close to him. I can’t breathe.”)
“All right Reid, Emma, begin with ‘There you are,’” Richter says. “And… action.”
INT. School hallway – Day
WILL walks up to LIZBETH at her locker, touches her shoulder.
WILL
There you are.
LIZBETH pushes books into locker, turns to WILL, scowling.
LIZBETH
Yes?
(Scowling at Reid Alexander for any reason seems all wrong, but it’s in the script.)
WILL
I can’t take this. Obviously we’re on different levels socially and you’re a complete one-eighty from my usual type, but I can’t get you out of my head. Go to Charlie’s party with me on Saturday. I’ll pick you up at eight.
LIZBETH looks up at him, tilting head as if confused:
LIZBETH
Usually if I’m not interested in going out with someone, I try to be nice about it. But I’m sort of in shock right now.
WILL
(incredulous)
Are you saying no?
LIZBETH
I’m saying you couldn’t pay me.
(Again, this feels dead wrong, but it’s in the script.)
WILL glares at LIZBETH, steps closer to her:
WILL
What the hell? You’re actually saying no?
LIZBETH, squaring shoulders:
LIZBETH
So you think you can ask me out and I’ll trot after you like every other idiotic girl in this school? I won’t. Even if you weren’t so rude every time I’m around you, do you think I want anything to do with you after what you did to Jane? And to George?
WILL
What happened between George Wickham and me is none of your business. This is ridiculous. I only wanted to take you to a party, even if you aren’t exactly in my league. Would you rather I just lied about that, to save your precious ego?
LIZBETH
I couldn’t care less how you asked.
(We’re inches apart. Reid waits for my one-word line—his cue to kiss me. Up close, Reid Alexander is the most beautiful guy I’ve ever seen, though it’s hardly the best time to appreciate this fact, as Lizbeth is currently livid.)
What?
WILL grabs LIZBETH’S shoulders.
“Cut!” Richter calls. “Good, good. Thank you, Emma. We’ll be in touch.” He dismisses me with a smile.
Good smile or bad smile? The audition felt good, but he stopped us right before the kiss, which seems not good. “Reid, let’s take a look at the next to last line…” he says, and Reid jogs over to consult with him after giving me a mesmerizing smile of his own.
“Ms. Pierce?” The scene attendant breaks my trance, her expression telling me that she witnesses the stupefied look on my face all too often. “Right this way,” she says, showing me to the exit.