Who: Marguerite and Caroline with NPC!Ethan What: Attending Marguerite's show and meeting Caroline's douchey boyfriend When: Thursday, March 8 Where: Catalina Bar and Grill Jazz Club Warnings: Low Status: Log | Complete
Of course Caroline was going to see Marguerite’s show opening night. There was no way she would miss it. She decided to bring Ethan along because he was pretty cultured. He was a writer by trade but he enjoyed any form of creativity. Theatre being one of his favorites. Taking him to see her friend sing a compilation of songs from different shows made perfect sense.
As usual Marguerite sounded amazing. Caroline clapped a little bit extra loud when she finished ‘Burn’ proud of herself the Marguerite had gone with one of the songs Caroline suggested. She sang the hell out of it too.
When the show was over Caroline waited for her friend to come back out waving her over to the table when she did. “You were amazing!” Caroline exclaimed getting up from her seat to give Marguerite a hug and hand over the bouquet of flowers she had brought. She was so caught up in the moment - excited and proud of her friend that she temporarily forgot she had brought a date. That was until he cleared his throat. “Oh! Right! This is Ethan,” she told Marguerite. “Ethan, Marguerite.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” Ethan said extending his hand to shake.
Doing a performance like this was definitely different from doing a show. In a show she was one character. Here, she had needed to be the different characters while being able to convey the emotions without context. Oh she may have given brief information on some of the songs before starting but there was a difference. Even so, it had been enjoyable and she did have two more of these shows still to come.
There were also a lot of people who seemed to want to talk to her once she had finished. Okay that made sense. It was like the stage door only different given the venue. Sure, she could have not come out but that wasn’t really her style. Especially as she knew that Percy was somewhere, Armand undoubtedly as well. But the first person to wave her over was Caroline and so with a smile, the actress went to her friend and returned the hug and took the flowers.
And then the introduction. Smiling, Marguerite took the hand with her free one to shake.
“Likewise.”
Caroline knew Marguerite probably had like a million people to talk to right now. Okay maybe not a million but still she was sure she wasn’t the only person close to Marguerite that had shown up opening night. So it meant a lot that she was taking the time to talk to her. “Do you have a second to sit?” she asked her friend.
The look on Ethan’s face, however brief, was clearly not pleased. While he had enjoyed the show he would rather not spend his evening talking to Caroline’s friend.
It was hard to know who all had come to the performance that night besides her brother and boyfriend, and now Caroline, but that was the joy of this sort of venue. She could make her way from person to person as her attention was called to it. Still, while Caroline might not have noticed the brief look of Ethan’s? Marguerite did.
“If it’s not an intrusion, then sure.”
Percy and Armand could wait as they’d be the last one there anyway. Still, she was giving an opening that she wouldn’t take offense to them leaving. Just in case.
“Of course not!” Caroline immediately replied. “You’re the star of the night. We’d be honored to have you join us,” she teased. Of course Marguerite was indeed the star of the evening. There was no teasing about that. But she had also become one of Caroline’s closest friends. It wasn’t that surprising she would take some time for Caroline.
“So,” Ethan said once Marguerite sat down. “How long have you been singing,” he paused to take a sip of his drink. “Professionally I mean?” It looked like he was going to be here for a bit longer. He might as well try and impress Caroline by getting in good with her friend.
Well, if Caroline insisted then who was Marguerite to deny her friend? Besides, she was always happy to talk to the younger woman. So instead she just smiled and nodded.
“Well if you insist.”
Laughing some, Marguerite took the open seat and then turned her attention to Ethan. Well that was the question, wasn’t it?
“I suppose that depends on what you mean by professionally. I was doing community theatre both here and in Cincinnati while I was at university, the local shows I got paid for. I graduated coming up on six years ago and have been involved in shows in some shape since.”
“Fascinating,” Ethan commented with another sip of his drink. “Not everyone can make it in your industry.” Ethan commented clearly stating the obvious. “Looks like you caught a lucky break.”
While Caroline may not have picked up on Ethan’s behavior earlier in the evening she definitely noticed that comment and immediately came to her friends defense. “It wasn’t luck. Marguerite is super talented,” a brief pause. “Well you already know that you saw tonight.”
It was hardly the first time that Marguerite had dealt with such comments. Hell, she’d just dreamt of dealing with such comments from the British upper class and their snide comments on her marrying up and Percy being a fool not to see it. It was always the same. So, Ethan either was doing a backhanded compliment or was just an idiot not knowing how his comment would be taken. But given his previous looks and attitude, Marguerite was leaning towards the former.
No matter. She knew just how to handle these sorts of situations.
“Yes, acting can be quite fickle and requires a bit of luck and being able to handle rejection. But also dedication and hard work and never taking anything for granted.”
And then a glint in her eyes that only those who knew her well would recognize as she tilted her head to the side some.
“And you? Caroline mentioned you write and hope to be published? Another career which requires a good bit of luck. After all, just because you know all the technical aspects you still need to find a publisher who is willing to believe in you and promote you. Not to mention the ever changing winds of what people are looking for to read. The rejection rate must be quite on par with those who act.”
Ethan took a sip of his drink buying time before responding.
While Ethan may not have been sure how to respond. Caroline was. She didn’t like the vibe that was going on between Marguerite and Ethan. Granted her date had started it, but still. A change of subject seemed to be the best way to go. “How long did it take you to figure out your set list?” Caroline asked a bit abruptly.
Stalling. How typical. Quirking a brow, Marguerite waited as if she were intrigued to know his answer. And in a way she was, mostly to prove a point. But she probably should have anticipated that Caroline would intervene. New boyfriend and all, though one who clearly thought quite highly of himself and less of others.
Still, she did turn her attention back to the blonde.
“Well I’m pretty sure I started with a list of about fifty songs. But once I was able to get the boys back together to reprise the Donny Nova Band, well that helped narrow things down in regards to a general theme and what songs could be played with a swing band. So probably a week, week and a half? Then setting up a practice schedule that worked with everyone.”
Ethan remained sipping his drink. Letting Caroline talk to his friend for now. Perhaps if he stayed silent for long enough Caroline would get the hint and they could leave. He was already over trying to make a good impression on her friend. With the way Marguerite talked about writing she hadn’t exactly made a good impression on him.
“I can’t imagine having to narrow it all down from that many,” Caroline commented. “I never realized just how much work went into creating a cabaret show.”
Let Ethan sulk, it was fine by Marguerite. Even if he didn’t like how she had talked about writing, it didn’t make it any less true. People could have all the skill in the world but if there was nothing that could be done if it wasn’t something people were interested in reading or publishers didn’t want to promote it.
For now, she would simply focus on Caroline, smiling some with a nod.
“It really does take a lot of work. Time constraints, getting musicians together - especially if it's more than just a piano player, figuring out the set list and theme. Still, it all came together quite well.”
“It really did!” Caroline agreed. “All your hard work totally paid off.” Of course Caroline already knew how talented her friend was, but she was still proud of her. Putting this show on was quite an accomplishment. Caroline was just glad she had moved back in time to be able to see it.
Ethan finally chimed back in. “Yes, it was impressive,” he commented even if he didn’t really think much of it. “You should probably get to the rest of your friends. We have hogged enough of your time.”
Caroline frowned at that. She wanted to talk to Marguerite more. But Ethan was probably right, she had her family there, her own boyfriend. Caroline could always catch up with her later. Besides it was beginning to be blatantly obvious even to Caroline that Ethan was wanted to go. But if thought he was going to get laid after the way he had treated one of her best friends, he was in for a rude awakening.
Smiling at the compliment from Caroline, Marguerite nodded. Then turned her attention to Ethan, quirking a brow. He really wasn’t at all subtle in his attitude. Then again, his type rarely ever was. It was only for Caroline that she was even pretending to be nice at this point. Yes, she had decided to toy with him before the topic had been changed. But it was restrained for Marguerite.
For now.
Turning her attention back to Caroline, the actress hugged the younger woman.
“We’ll catch up later when there aren’t so many distractions, yes?” Smiling she pulled back before looking to Ethan, “I do hope Lady Luck decides to smile in your direction in regards to your writing.”
Because of course she would get a last word in. With that, Marguerite got up and went to join Armand and Percy.
Caroline returned Marguerite’s hug a smile on her face. “Definitely!” She couldn’t wait to really catch up with Marguerite. Without Ethan being such a downer. What was up with that anyway?
Once Marguerite walked off Ethan signaled the bartender to close the tab placing an arm around Caroline. “Let’s get out of here.”