diva

8C5DCAD1-0027-4114-92B6-48B61B67F21F “No!” Zachary said. “I’m the director and I’ve made up my mind.”

“Well I’m the producer, and it’s my call, dammit,” Gene said. “And I say Hermione is in.”

“Jesus, Gene,” Zachary objected. “She’s past her prime and she’s a diva. She does not take direction well and she has a tendency these days to ham it up. I simply will not have it.”

“Zachary,” Gene said, “you’re the one who’s acting like a diva. My interest is making money on this production of ‘Swan Lake,’ and Hermione is a world renowned ballerina. She’s going to be a huge draw at the box office.”

“You’re being shortsighted, Gene,” Zachary said. “What this production needs is new blood, young, exciting, up-and-coming talent. Hermione is yesterday’s news.”

“We’re going with Hermione and that’s final,” Gene said. “And if you don’t like it, I’ll find another director who appreciates her talents.”

“You’re sleeping with her, aren’t you, Gene?” Zachary said.

“That’s besides the point,” Gene said. “Hermione is in and you’re out.”

Written for Paula Light’s Three Things Challenge, where the three things are “ham,” “ballerina,” and “interest.”

86A2BB65-75CA-4B6A-BFF5-E4D65D6779F4 “Cut!” the director called out. “Janice, come here, my dear,” he said, motioning to the young actress to join him under the stone arch.

“Yes, Hal,” she said in an irritated tone. “What is it now?”

“This is supposed to be a somber moment,” he said. “You’re standing in front of a war memorial to those who died in battle for their country. You lost your fiancé during the war and you’re desolate with grief. This scene, and the soliloquy you deliver in it, is your chance to shine. If you can’t manage that, maybe you don’t belong in this movie, or at least not in the lead role.”

“You’re joking, right?” Janice shot back at Hal. “Isn’t this your first directing job? I’ve been acting since I was a child. I know what I’m doing. You’re job is to orchestrate, to conduct, not to tell the musicians how to play their instruments.”

“Janice,” Hal said, “your ‘instrument’ is seriously out of tune. If you want to keep this role, you need to stop being such a diva and step it up a notch or two. Now get out there in front of the memorial and give it your all or get off the goddam set.”

Janice stomped away and positioned herself in front of the memorial. “Action!” Hal said.

Written for Sue Vincent’s Thursday Photo Prompt and for the following one-word prompts: Word of the Day Challenge (soliloquy), Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (belong), Ragtag Daily Prompt (orchestrate), and Scotts Daily Prompt (need).