Big bright accent, catty smile, Oscar Wilde confrontation

[plaguedrat]

"Can I think about it and call you back?" Rat looked at the script in front of him as well as the drafted contract. The casting agency's offer was far more than he'd expected, especially for an 'out-of-towner' and Rat needed the money more than he was actually willing to admit. The city stipend paid his bills bu. Marius but Rat had a little more pride than that.

"Okay, Mr. Nezumi," the casting agent said, looking a little less than pleased with it. Rat felt strange being addressed as a Mister anything, much less a stage name he'd made up because he didn't have a real last name.

Besides all that he liked working. Television was a new prospect and it wasn't the stage, but there were plenty of actresses here. They didn't need to put a dainty man in a dress and hope the audience was forgiving the way they had in the West District. There was only so much call for Shakespeare too. Rat had to either diversify or embrace his niche.

But playing an effete gay secondary character, a drag queen? Rat wasn't sure about the script. On paper, it wasn't much of a part or even much of a show. It was a miniseries, apparently, with hope for renewal as a full time show. Dark stuff, they promised. Very edgy. Rat wasn't impressed, but he was hungry and he needed work.

"I'll call you first thing in the morning with my decision," Rat said, letting himself out through the lobby.

Comments

[plaguedrat]

Rat shrugs, because his morals are twisted things whose existence is questionable at best. "No, I object to a shallowly written part that relies on cheap humor." Beggars can't be choosers, but Rat's made a career of Shakespeare and the great playwrights. This is a step down.

[artoflove]

"Ah, then the writer is the problem," Lito says knowingly, though there is a part of him that still fusses mightily at the thought of being anyone's woman in a play for sake of dressing up as a joke. It is too close to the things he has been running from, for so very long.

[plaguedrat]

"If I take the role, it's an opportunity to subvert the writing with my acting. And to get paid." But he'll still be trapped in those parameters and with that insipid writer and there's no fixing stupid.

[artoflove]

"Then it is up to you," Lito says, because he knows he would not take the role, but he has long, deep fears that he cannot shake. They are issues that he has and must deal with. They are not the issues he must project on others. "And perhaps if you ever have a role for a man like me, you will give me a call."

[plaguedrat]

Rat snorts and smiles crookedly. This guy seems to take it well enough in stride that Rat thinks it would be interesting to work with him.

"Well, I think they said they're still looking for someone to play the police officer. You should try out and help me give them hell."

[artoflove]

"I would be very good at being a police officer. Many of my past parts have involved firearms and being the sort of vigilante who goes against the police, but it has shown me what the role needs," he's quick to say. "Then again, I am not sure I am ready to act just yet. Not this soon."

[plaguedrat]

"I've been auditioning for months. You should take advantage while they need someone," Rat says, nodding toward the building. "If you don't get the part, then it's not really a problem, is it?"

[artoflove]

Lito has never even considered not getting the part. Between his good looks, his talent, and his body, he has never had trouble getting parts, even in his younger years. So there is confusion on his face in reply to such remarks. "I am sure there will still be parts for when I want them, later."

[plaguedrat]

"Would that we were all so lucky," Rat says dryly. Being an actor, he puts on a cheerful smile and nods. "Well, when you do start auditions, I'll look for you on TV."