AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I’m Charlotte Gates.
I’m a young widower in the early 20th century.
I’m intelligent and strong, but I’m overwhelmed with a consuming loneliness.
And I loathe the pigheaded, handsome aristocrat who owns my farm. Well, right up until I don’t loathe him anymore…
I pace the waiting room, reminding myself who I am, over and over, until my name is called.
It’s my turn.
I’m ready.
Still, my heart starts racing. When doubt starts to creep up on me, I remind myself of Nolan’s words. “Any time you’re doubting yourself, just think of me. Just think of me and how much I believe in you, and how much I love you. Can you promise me that?”
And suddenly, I’m not so afraid anymore.
I shake out my arms and hands, and then I walk down the hall and into the audition room. It’s just a large space with a camera, a casting director, a casting associate and a reader who will play opposite me in a scene of their choosing.
This is my time to shine.
After introducing myself, I take a deep breath and dive into the scene the director picked, embodying Charlotte’s character and delivering her lines with the emotion and conviction of a woman who’s fighting for her home. A woman who’s overcome with despair at yet another setback.
The moment I utter Charlotte’s first line, my nerves melt away. I’m in my element. This is what I came here to do, this is what I sacrificed everything for.
In this moment, Inez Machado fades away. I am Charlotte Gates.
The reader is nothing like Nolan—who worked tirelessly with me on this exact scene a dozen times—but I still manage to meld into my role, and work with what I’m given, feeling it out as I go. It’s downright exhilarating to bring Charlotte to life.
When I’m done, they thank me and let me know the schedule for possible call backs.They’re all kind and smiling, but they manage to give nothing away.
I’m pretty sure I did well, but I can’t tell for certain. Acting is an art that can be subjective, at best.
When I walk out of the audition room, my adrenaline is still pumping. I feel energized, really.Relief pours through me, only for a second.
Because now the waiting game begins.
Other cast members who have already locked in a part on the show, as well as fellow auditioners crowd around me when I get back to the waiting room to gather my things.
“Oh my gosh!”
“You’re Inez, right? You so freaking nailed that.”
“You were watching?” I ask them, confused.
“Hell yeah, we’re watching.” The girl points to one of the film crew members. “He has the live feed access.”
I chuckle nervously. “Okay, I’m glad I did not know that earlier.”
“You were the best Charlotte we’ve seen all day.”
“Seriously, there is no way you didn’t get the part.”
My heart swells with excitement. I was most definitely not expecting that. I thank them all for their kind feedback.
I’m scared to get my hopes up, but the way they all keep talking, it sure sounds like I’m going to get this part in the upcoming season of A Maiden Fond of Mischief.
“Oh! Can I show you the dress the costume designer has already started? I swear, you’re going to be perfect for this look.” One of the crew members pulls out her tablet and shows me a folder of images. “Seriously, girl. Your boobs. Your waistline. Your hair. It’s like this wardrobe was entirely designed around you and you alone.”
