It was such a strange title, she thought. It told you absolutely nothing about the play itself.
Red instructed the driver to be back and waiting for them in an hour and a half. And then they were heading into the theatre, which was already bustling with people. The Lyceum seemed like an older, more intimate setting than what Nicole remembered when she’d attended Wicked and Legally Blonde. The stage seemed small, and the seats were tinier and closer together.
They were escorted to the front row of the balcony.
Erica seemed to think it was a wonderful view, reminding her of the opera, she said.
They had the playbills now, which was the first time Nicole or Red had a chance to find out what this show was even about. When she read the description, Nicole had to stifle a gasp. The first thing she saw was that it was called one of the “sexiest” shows in history. And the last thing she wanted to do was go to a sexy show with Red Jameson’s mother.
Then she saw that the play was loosely based on an “erotic novel.”
Her eyes widened. Next to her, she could feel Red stiffening with frustration as he also read the playbill. He turned to his mother, sitting to his right. “What kind of show did you bring us to?” he hissed.
“It’s gotten rave reviews.”
“You said that already.”
“Have you turned into a prude, my dear boy? With all of your wild parties and the stories in the tabloids about you and your young lady friends, I never imagined you’d blush like a schoolgirl over a racy stage play.”
“It’s rude to bring people to a thing like this without at least asking them,” Red told her.
Nicole heard Erica’s tittering laugh. “Don’t act so innocent, Red,” his mother said. “You could probably have written this yourself, using your own memoirs.”
“What are you trying to insinuate?” he said, his voice rising ever so slightly.
“Nothing. I’m just poking fun. Please don’t make a scene.”
“Fine.” He turned away from Erica, crossed his legs and grabbed Nicole’s hand in his own, leaning in and whispering. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be, it’s fine,” she replied, smiling and kissing his cheek.
And then the play began. Someone came out on stage and asked everyone to turn off their cell phones, because cell phones would actually be used on stage during the performance.
A moment later the curtain came up and it started.
Nicole was surprised to find that the play was actually enjoyable. At first, she wasn’t sure what to think of it. The entire performance consisted of just two characters and very little in the way of props or scenery to transport you into the world they inhabited. And yet, through their amazing chemistry and dialog, the two actors managed to do just that.
Although she was truly enjoying the play, Nicole was all too aware that just a seat away, her future mother-in-law was watching this very same piece.
Venus in Fur was spicy, it was erotic and it got psychologically dark near the end.
The fact that the play centered around sadomasochism, and the desires of a man to be either victimized by a woman, or to enslave a woman—did not go over Nicole’s head. She knew that Red’s mother had intentionally chosen this play to send a message, to push her son’s buttons. Perhaps she’d meant to let them know that she was all too aware of Red’s extra curricular activities in the bedroom.
Whatever the case, Nicole decided not to let the woman get to her. Nicole actually liked this damn play, whether she was supposed to or not.
On the other hand, Red was positively fuming. Nicole could feel the heat and anger radiating off of him throughout the show. He was sitting in his seat, unmoving, unsmiling, simply waiting for it to end.
And when it ended, he got up and started for the exit without comment. When they got outside to where the limousine waited, Erica asked him if he’d enjoyed the play.
“I was blown away,” he said with obvious sarcasm. “How did you know I’d love it so much?”
She shrugged. “A mother’s intuition.”
“I thought they called it manic depression these days,” he snapped.
Erica ignored his cutting remark. “Did Venus in Fur give you and Nicole any interesting new ideas?” she asked, with a raised eyebrow. “It must be difficult to keep things fresh after years of playing Don Juan with every available woman from here to Los Angeles.”
Red was about to retort, but Nicole cut him off. “I’m so glad you brought us to see Venus in Fur, Erica. It was a wonderfully acted play. I was riveted.”
Erica sniffed. “Such a nice young girl. Red should count himself lucky to have snagged you.”