SCENE TWENTY TWO
Fran was pretty much a home at the Grey Dragon.The actors seemed pleased to see her. Roxxie was really delighted to have got rid of ED although it was a possibility that he might return. They had to be aware of this.
They started work at ten. Fran was blocking the whole show so that they could get on with learning what she had come up with. It was still not a wonderful show, the more she knew of i, the more she knew it was hardly a number one. Buit
it and she would do her best to make is as funny as possible.
It suprirsed her a litt when she notice that Maisie had attracte Roxie to her side and was shipering in her ear.
“Am I interrfupting you” asked Fran
“Er yes” said Roxie “ Maisie has just reminded me that we should be having a coffee break”
“Oh who says?”
“Its an Equite rulin”said Maisiew” Its half past eleven. We ae supposed to have a coffee break at eleven”
“Oh then. OK” said Fran
“Thats stupid” protested Jay.2 We never take notice of those silly rules”
“Might I suggest” said Roxie”that I make coffww up hww. But if y ou are not needed in the current scene you can go and get yourself oe downstairs. We dont kneed the two ladies, so you tow can go and chat among yourselves”
“Not exactly a break” said Maisie
The two ladies went down the stairs, Jay following them, turned to Fran as he began to go.
“You’ll have to watch that one/2 he said “t ypical Equity freak” He turned to Saul and Leowho were waiting to get on with the scene.
“I take it you are both members of Equity.Not that it matters on the fringe. Anoyone can join Equity thats why we are awash with amateurs – no offence intended to you guys. You re both great people and I am sure you will be brilliant Queens” and he went off down the stairs, laughing at his humour.
2I have to say” said Saul” that actors are pretty weird.”
“Lets get on with it” said his wife.
It seermed that no sooner had everyone got back again and the rehearsal was restarted, that it was nearly time for lunch. They all went downto the pub for Corttage of Shepheards pie. Fran switched on heer phone and was amazed to find she had a message.
“I’;; be with you in a minute. I have to make a phone dall”
“Who is it The Old Vic or tha National?”
Fran laughed “ Neither, Its the pig man”
“Are the pigs missing hyo?” asked Leo
“They will be what I expect. I’ve told them I’ll be another week or so”
“Is it Shepherds or Cottage? I;; order it for you.”
“Well fish something if they have it. Fingers or Pie, whatevewr.”
She was glad when they had gone. The phone call was something she had never expected and she was apprehensive.
“Hello Edmond. I am surprised to hear from you.I thought you had given up on the olay”
“WEll I have really. We’ve never met properly, have we?”
“Actually not at all”
2Id like to see you, but please dont tell the others. I want hyo to meet somebody/2
“I am staying with Leo and Saul. Ill havew t
“Well OKo make an excuse. Are you sure this is important, Who is it that I want me to meet?”
“Can we make an appointment tomorrow? Say Supper? I like to go out on a Wednesday “
Fran was intrigued, she had to say yet to this strange invitation.
“ “well Ok” she said
“Don’t tell anyone, please”
“I don’t like to lie”
£It is hyper important. I’ll pick you up after rehearsal tomorrow. I’ll callyou first so I dont bump inot anyone there”
Fran put down the phone. She had no idea what she was getting into. She went down to the pub and saw that fish and chips with tartar sauce had been ordered for her. Saul brought it to her table and refused ot==to let her pay.
“You are doing us a big favour. I love the way you work.”
“We haven’t done anything yet” she protested but was happy to receive a compliment from hil.
They had all settled themselves down at the pub tales and at the one remaining table she sait with a strange young girl
“Hello” she said, “You are Fran arent you?”
She explained that she was a waitress from the coffee bar. She was a pretty girl, didnt look more than sixteen years of age.
Jay called Fran from the next table.
“This is Freda, he said,” Queen of the coffee bar.
/2why are eating here, instead if at the cafe?”
“Its my lunch break and I fancied fish and chips” she said.
Freda was a nice girl. Fran warmed to her. She was the kind of girl who had no problems about talking about herself.Fan found her interesting and encouraged her to talk about her family. Freda found Fran wa warm and good listening post. Onew question about her family and Fran learned all about her long suffering mother and her violent father. She had managed to get the police to him abd he was ;now in prison. She was worried about what he might do when he came out.
Fran thought she should like to know more about heer. Having told her so much during one meal of fish and chips.
Freda finished her lunch and left, saying “See you later”. It seemed specifically to Frean who she obviously considered her a friend.
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