Showstopper by Lisa Fiedler Page A

draping an arm around her shoulders. “You were born for it!”
    Susan laughed. “I guess you’re right. Okay, I’m in.”
    As the other actors congratulated Susan, I snuck a look at Sophia.
    Just as I’d expected, she was fuming over being cast as the Cyclops, as opposed to the female love interest, Penelope.
    â€œThis is a joke,” she said, leveling a look at me. “You can’t possibly be serious about me playing a monster! ”
    â€œWhy not?” said Susan. “It’s not like it’s a stretch.”
    â€œSusan,” I said sharply. “That was uncalled for.”
    Then I drummed up my resolve and turned to Sophia, forcing what I hoped was a calm and reasonable expression. “As the director,” I began, “I don’t owe anyone any explanations. But I want you to understand that Austin and I chose to give you this role because we’re confident you’ll do a wonderful job with it.”
    â€œI don’t want to do a wonderful job as a monster,” Sophia spat. “I want to do a wonderful job as a Siren, or as the lovely and loyal wife of the hero.”
    â€œDid you notice you’ve also been given the role of Circe?”Elle pointed out hastily. “According to the script, she’s a real femme fatale. I’m not sure what that means exactly, but it sure sounds like you.”
    â€œIt means Circe’s a beautiful goddess who is irresistible to men,” Maxie piped up. “I bet I can make you a stunning toga with marabou-feather trim.”
    I knew they were trying to be helpful. But I refused to beg Sophia to play Cyclops. She should be happy to have such a terrific role. She should recognize that a real actor would welcome the opportunity to show she could play any kind of character. Even a one-eyed one.
    â€œLook, Sophia,” I said before anyone else could start offering bribes. “I would like to see you step outside your comfort zone and play Cyclops, but if you aren’t willing to do it, I won’t force you. I can give the role to”—I hesitated only a second—“to Austin.”
    â€œMe?” said Austin.
    I gave him a wink, indicating he should just play along.
    â€œOh, right,” he blurted. “Me! I’ll play Cyclops.”
    â€œBut if you refuse to play Cyclops, I’m going to have to rethink your playing Circe.” I shrugged, then repeated something I’d heard my mother say to Susan more than once. “I’m not going to reward bad behavior.”
    Sophia was staring at me with such a heated look on herface, I half expected fire to start shooting out of her ears. After a long, excruciating moment, she opened her mouth to speak.
    I braced myself.
    â€œAnya?”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œDo you think I should play the Cyclops more as a big nasty bully, or kind of as a bumbling dolt? I can do either, you know. I’m that good.”
    I smiled, trying not to look as relieved as I felt. “That’s up to you,” I said easily.
    â€œI think either choice works,” she went on confidently. “In fact, I bet I could figure out a way to combine them. I mean, he’s a monster, so he’ll have to be all gruff and growly. But he’s also sort of a dimwit, which will give me a chance to show off my comedic talents.”
    â€œYes,” I said. “That’s exactly what Austin and I were thinking when we cast you in that role.”
    â€œNow . . .,” she said, her smile widening. “About Circe . . . well, that should be simple for me. After all, the first two words in her character description are beautiful and powerful . Talk about a role not being a stretch.”
    I forced a smile but didn’t comment. This superior, self-satisfied attitude of hers was obnoxious, but since it waseasier to deal with than a full-on conniption, I decided to quit while I was ahead.
    â€œAll right, people,” I said, clapping