The story of Catherine Lawrence is in 15 parts and I apologise for such a long story but it got out of hand. All 15 parts are completed and for those who like to print the story so you can read it in bed, I will have all 15 parts posted soon.
Carmenica

  

Catherine Lawrence

by Carmenica Diaz

  

Part 7

Belinda showed me the wardrobe designs and told me they would be ready for a fitting in a few days.

'Who will do the fitting?' I asked in a small voice, hoping it would be Belinda but knew it probably wouldn't.

'Beth, of course.'

'Oh.' I was worried as it meant I would be getting changed before Beth May.

Belinda read my mind. 'Don't worry, Cate, she won't be able to tell, you'll be in underwear and will get changed behind the screen. She's very good and I think she'll probably only adjust the hem and maybe the waist. I gave her all your sizes.'

'Ok.'

Belinda smiled. 'I'll be there, of course.'

 

Rehearsals were going well and we were using the sets now, remembering when and where to sit, doors to open, what props were where. It was time consuming and painstaking stuff.

I had brought a simple black dress that was sleeveless but buttoned to the neck to wear for the photograph shoot.

The boys were done reasonably quickly but Bel took a while to make sure my face and hair was perfect. Apparently, Felix didn't mind the wait as he stared and smiled when I walked into the small theatre manager's office he had set up with black background cloth and lights.

'Wow,' he said, 'very nice. Now stand there and look sexy.'

'What?' I laughed.

'Come on give me a look.'

'Like this?' I looked down my nose at him, frowned and waggled my finger.

He laughed and took a few shots. 'Come on, a smile.' I did and the camera flashed. It seemed to take hours and my cheek muscles were becoming sore from the constant smiling.

'One more.'

'Thank God!'

'It's not that bad. Now, something sultry, come on,' he pleaded.

I lowered my eyes, turned slightly to one side, looked at him through my lashes and pouted. 'Jesus,' he breathed and the camera flashed like a machine gun. 'What a way to finish.'

I laughed. 'Thanks, Felix. What happens now?'

'That's it. Lucy will get the final say on which ones we use.'

'Good, she'll get rid of the ugly ones.'

'There won't be any of those, Cate. The camera loves you, you're a natural.'

Am I? If only you knew, I thought. 'Thanks.'

 

Henri showed me my dressing room and I wondered how Bel and I was going to last three months in that tiny room. 'Cheer up,' Bel whispered, 'the play may fold in two days.'

'Don't say that!' I slapped her playfully on the arm.

The closed dress rehearsal was scheduled for Thursday, a full dress rehearsal on Tuesday that would be open to some invited media and celebrities and the opening night was Thursday. It was all happening rather quickly.

Monica asked me how many people I wished to invite to the opening night. Belinda and Lucy were already invited so I said, 'Three.'

She looked at me strangely. 'Just three? Sure you don't want more?' I shook my head.

I rang Mark and told him he had to come. 'I wouldn't miss it for the world, darling.'

'It's black tie,' I reminded him.

'Oh good, I can wear my tiara.'

I laughed. 'You can be my date.'

'I'd like that,' he said quietly and I was touched.

'Thanks, Mark.'

'Don't worry, Cate, I won't embarrass you.'

'I don't think you could.'

 

Lucy, Belinda and I went shopping for our dresses for the opening night party. Lucy would wear hers to the show while she sat in the audience and Belinda and I would change after the show for the party. I was envious of the low cut dark blue sheath Lucy selected. We all agreed it looked stunning on her and I wished I could wear something similar.

Belinda's was a little more demure but she did display some cleavage. They could both tell I was disappointed until Belinda showed me a black dress that was semi-low cut but the arms and shoulder to the bust line was covered in tight fitting black lace. 'Try it on, Cate,' Lucy urged.

'But…'

'We won't know if you can see anything until you try.' So I did.

In the dressing room, Belinda and Lucy inspected me critically. 'It looks fantastic,' Lucy said.

I cupped my breasts. 'Can you see the join?'

Belinda shook her head. 'No but I'll use a light foundation powder to blend the skin tones, you won't be able to tell through the lace.' She smiled at me. 'Happy?'

I was happy but I wanted more and I was determined to be able to wear what I wanted to the end of season party in three months time.

 

Helen could tell there was something wrong when I dropped the invitation to her office. 'Thanks Cate,' she said with a big smile, 'you didn't have to but I'm not giving them back, I've always wanted to go to an opening night in the West End.'

I laughed. 'I expect you to be there. Don't forget it's formal and there's the party afterwards.'

'Have you got your dress?'

That's when I told her.

She listened sympathetically. 'It's too early for surgery, Cate.'

'I know, Helen,' I murmured. 'I'm just having a moan.'

'Are the breast forms becoming uncomfortable?'

'A little, sometimes there's a itchiness or rubbing feeling under them.'

'That's a good sign, a sign your own breasts are continuing to grow and will become quite uncomfortable under the breast forms. They had grown a little at the last examination and you are progressing quickly. I'd say that we may be able to arrange something in six weeks?'

I told her about the mid-season break that was about eight weeks away and asked her if five days would be enough. 'It's day surgery, Cate but you'll be bruised and sore for a while.'

'I don't care.'

Helen laughed. 'Ok, but I want you to think long and hard about it, it's a big step. Not irreversible but would take another operation to go back.'

'Helen, I've thought about nothing but. I'll think further if you wish but I'm not going to change my mind.'

'If that's the case, I'll talk to a friend of mine, he's the best there is. Don't worry, it will be discrete but will cost a lot.'

'I don't care how much it costs.'

'Leave it to me and good luck for next week.

 

We plodded on, rehearsing and working out the use of the props and some tempers were becoming frayed. Monica was hopeful that the Managing Director of United Textiles was coming that afternoon to watch the rehearsal.

'They make corporate uniforms and they make them in a huge factory outside of London, towards Oxford. It's a good match but he's hard to close.'

Henri addressed us and asked that we all talk to John Stamford, the United Textiles Chairman when he arrived. 'I know actors don't like to get involved in this side of the business but it's important we get a major sponsor. Monica has done a stellar job in convincing him to come so let's not leave it all up to Cate to charm him,' he said with a smile and I flushed.

We had just finished the final scene when I noticed a man seated with Monica in the stalls. She led him to the stage and I smiled as I met them. 'John, this is Catherine Lawrence.'

He was a young man to be a chairman, I thought and his eyes twinkled when he smiled. 'Miss Lawrence, I was very impressed, very impressed indeed.'

'Thank you, Mr Stamford,' I said as I took his arm. 'Please let me introduce you to the others.' Monica winked as I led him away and introduced him to the other members.

Before long, we were calling him by first name and we were all very relaxed.

'Have you given any thought to sponsoring the first season, John?' Monica finally asked.

'I have, Monica and it could be a good partnership but...'

'But?' I prodded gently.

'I have two thousand employees at the plant and they would probably prefer the company to sponsor football or some other sport.'

'They would receive free tickets to shows,' Henri said, 'as part of the sponsorship package.'

'Yes, I know but I don't think they would travel into the city for those. I'm sorry but our people are important and they must get something out of it. I know supporting British theatre is important also but I must focus on my people, they're the difference between us and those sweatshops the others use.'

Every one was disappointed, including, I sensed, John Stamford. Henri, Monica and Sarah looked particularly dejected, as this was the last chance to keep the company on an even financial keel before the ticket sales really kicked in.

'What if we came to you, John?' I asked quietly and the theatre company looked at me like I was mad but interest flickered in John's eyes.

'What do you mean?'

'What if we put on a full performance for your people, right in the plant?'

'Cate!' Richard hissed but Henri placed a warning hand on his arm.

'Would you do that?' John asked. 'When?'

'Why not Friday? We have a dress rehearsal on Thursday and then we could test it front of real people. It would be marvellous!'

'We have to close the machinery for three hours for maintenance on Friday afternoon, we could do it then.'

'What about sets?' Rodney asked.

'We make it up when we get there, we'll use whatever we can,' I said enthusiastically and they all looked strangely at me. 'Humpy,' I said, 'this is taking theatre to the people; real people who don't normally get to experience it. It's giving something back!' He stared at me, then smiled and nodded. 'And Wade, think how this will look on your resume, innovative actor unafraid to face the people.' Wade liked that, I could tell. 'And Richard, the innovative guerrilla director.'

Monica, Sarah and Henri were smiling as they watched me. 'What do you say?' I pleaded. 'It would be fun.'

'I say yes,' Humpy said with a smile and he slapped Wade on the back. 'What do you say, Wade, Richard, have a bit of fun?'

Wade and Richard nodded slowly and John laughed. 'All right, Cate,' he said, 'it's a deal. This Friday and we'll sponsor the first season.'

I solemnly shook his hand and then kissed his cheek, causing him to flush and laugh.

We waved goodbye to him and then Henri rushed and hugged me, picking me up and swinging me around. 'You'll be doing my job next,' Monica said with a laugh.

 

Immediately after we had the first fitting I knew Bel was right, it was easy and Mrs May didn't suspect a thing. It was a relief but I was determined to have the surgery at mid-season if the play lasted that long.

Bel also began removing the hair extensions, saying she would do it gradually over the next few weeks as my hair was now long. I had always had thick hair but it had never felt as thick as now after the combination of Bel's instructions of how to care for it, her deft work and the hormones.

After she had finished with my hair, I looked in the mirror and felt rather happy that the majority of the hair was mine, that I wasn't using a prop anymore. If only, I thought, I could remove the 'prop's on my chest. I didn't want to think any further than that.

Bel suggested a relaxing girls night in, take away and some rented movies. I knew she was worried the stress of everything was getting to me and, perhaps it was as I suddenly looked forward to a night like that.

'Bel,' I said hesitantly when she suggested it, 'do you mind if I ask Lucy?'

'Will she come?'

'I don't know but I suspect she hasn't any real friends, people she can just be herself with.'

Bel smiled. 'Cate, don't worry, I like Lucy, I think she's funny and also pretty bloody marvellous to get the identification for you. Call her.'

I rang her mobile. 'Lucy, it's Cate.'

'Cate? I'm just leaving the office but I heard you helped get a sponsor and you're performing in a factory?'

'Yes, I think it's a good thing to do. Exciting, isn't it?'

'Yes and a bloody good media opportunity.'

'Lucy, I don't know if…'

'You have to face them sooner or later, Cate. Don't worry, I'll come, I'll keep them at bay.' She laughed and I grinned, I could imagine her doing exactly that.

'Lucy, Bel and I are having a girls night in, take away, chocolate and movies. Would you like to come? You can bunk down here if you wish?'

There was a long pause and I guessed she was thinking how to get out of it, how to say no gracefully when she suddenly said, 'Cate, I'd love to.' Her voice was low and I sensed emotion.

'Lucy,' I asked softly, 'is there a problem?'

'No, no, no problem, I just never expected… I'll pick up some movies if you like, what kind?'

'What kind of movies?' I asked Belinda who took the phone.

'Hi Lucy, something romantic, a comedy? You know.' She listened for a minute and then laughed. 'Ok, see you soon.' Belinda smiled and said, 'Lucy said she has a preview copy of Wade's movie, she'll bring that as well.'

Lucy arrived with the movies and a bottle of white wine. We changed into comfortable clothes, sipped the wine and watched Wade's movie. Well, it wasn't really his movie, he was a supporting actor and the lead was the famous black American star, Will Johnson.

After the seventh car had exploded, ten minutes into the movie, Belinda yawned and said, 'I've seen enough.'

'Me too,' I agreed, sipping the wine.

Lucy switched it off. 'It's ghastly I know but it'll get him famous in America and that means he'll be rich.'

'And so will you,' Bel laughed.

'Ten percent, you mean,' Lucy said with a laugh. 'Let's order a curry and noodles.'

We munched on noodles and enjoyed the curry while we watched My Best Friend's Wedding. We loved it, even though we had seen it before but I felt I was seeing it through different eyes.

When Rupert starting singing Say a Little Prayer, Belinda giggled, tossed the chocolate to me and said, 'That's Mark, my god, it's something he'd do!'

'He would,' agreed Lucy.

I watched Julia Roberts, the look, the eyes and the lips. 'She's beautiful,' I murmured, eating a piece of chocolate.

'She is,' Belinda said, 'but you are a million times better.' I looked at her in complete shock, and both Lucy and Belinda laughed. 'You are, you tart!' Belinda screamed, laughing as she threw a cushion. 'You know it!'

'She doesn't believe it,' Lucy said to Belinda, 'but she'll wake up one day and become a complete bitch, really up herself.'

'Lucy!'

'Miss Hoity Toity, spoilt rotten, thinking she's oh so glamorous!'

'Yes, I can see it now,' Belinda said calmly. 'Complete and utter bitch.'

I dived onto them with cushions and tried to smother them and we fell about laughing.

When the movie ended we talked and it was then I told them of my decision to have breast enhancement surgery at the mid-season break. I hadn't planned to tell them but it seemed the right moment.

'I'll come with you,' Belinda immediately said.

'You don't have to,' I murmured but I was glad.

'I know I don't have to but I want to.'

'Are you sure about this, Cate?' Lucy asked seriously. 'It's a big step.'

'I've thought about it a lot, I've been thinking about everything every day. My life has changed and it's like I was pretending to be someone before when I was, you know,' I faltered. 'But now, I feel at last like me! This is who I am and yes, to answer your question, yes I am sure.'

'Then, I'm glad for you.'

'Lucy,' I said hesitantly, 'I think this will be expensive…'

'Don't worry about it,' she said airily.

'Are you sure? I mean…'

'Cate,' Lucy said with a smile, 'you'll be a big star by then and the money will be available.'

'Star? I don't know…'

'There she goes,' Belinda grinned, 'pretending she doesn't know but by then she'll be Miss Hoity Toity…'

'She'll think she's far too good for us.'

'Stop it you two,' I said with a laugh and hugged them both. 'And thank you.'

I was cleaning my teeth in the bathroom when Lucy came in with her toothbrush. We stood side by side as we brushed. 'Cate,' she said after we had rinsed, 'thanks for asking me. I had great fun.'

'That's ok, Belinda asked you too,' I said with a smile.

'I know,' she smiled. 'I already thanked her.'

Lucy slept on the sofa, Bel and I crawled into our respective beds after midnight and, Lucy was right, it was one of the best nights I had ever had.

 

The company approached the first dress rehearsal with a new vigour, knowing we were performing before a real audience the next day. At the end of it, Richard shook his head and muttered, 'That's it, I don't think we can get any better.'

'Let's see how we go with an audience, dear boy,' Humpy said and we all glanced at each other.

We were silent as Lucy, Bel, Wade and I drove down to the factory in Lucy's car. Richard had gone ahead with Rodney and some of the backstage people to find the best place to perform, although John had said the empty warehouse was probably the best place. Humpy was driving down with Sarah, Monica and Henri while the others were in other cars.

'I'm sure everyone's envious,' Wade said, 'just me with three beautiful women.'

'Probably think you're gay,' Belinda muttered and Wade went white.

'Don't even say that! I can't have rumours about…'

'Don't worry,' Lucy said consolingly. 'Bel was joking, weren't you, Bel?'

Belinda rolled her eyes. 'Just joking, Wade.

'We saw your movie, Wade,' I jumped in before Bel started to niggle poor Wade some more. 'It was, well, interesting.' Bel and I were in the back seat so Wade didn't see Bel poke her tongue out at me.

'Do you think so?' Wade said. 'I thought it was a frightful piece of rubbish.' We all burst into laughter.

 

There was no curtain; the stage was at the end of the warehouse and with two doors on either side we used as entrances to the stage. Richard and the others had moved furniture in as a makeshift set and we quickly discussed how we would improvise.

We sat in a small room, strangely silent as the workers filed in and sat on the chairs or the scaffolding at the rear of the warehouse. 'I thought I had played in every type of theatre,' Humpy murmured.

'There's always something new, Humpy, I said softly and he smiled.

John Stamford walked onto the stage and people called out to him and he bantered with them. They know him by first name, I thought, they like him. He explained what the company was sponsoring and I could tell the audience was interested but a little puzzled.

John sensed the feeling and suddenly said, 'I'd like to ask the leading lady in the play to come forward and tell us a little of the play. Please give a great welcome to Miss Catherine Lawrence.'

The applause was polite and I smiled as I took the microphone. There were a few wolf whistles and I said, 'I bet you do that for all the actors who come up here.' Laughter sprinkled through the audience.

'This play was written by a wonderful writer, a Bradford lass,' I said and there were a few yells at that, 'Sarah Wright who has written a very moving story. It's a story of a woman who has a tough life. I want you to try to imagine a tough life as I know you all have it pretty cushy here.' I winked and the audience erupted in catcalls and laughter.

'I can imagine you, darlin',' a voice called out.

'That's good, love, cause the only place you and me will happen,' I said in a broad Liverpool accent, 'is in your dreams.'

The women in the audience shrieked in laughter and I heard them call out to the man, apparently called Tom that he had just been told and told good!

I told them the story was sad, that the woman had to fight against everything and the audience grew quiet. 'But I'm not going to spoil the ending. I hope you enjoy it and I hope I get to talk to you after the performance but I would just like to thank you all for supporting British theatre. You've done a decent and good thing. Thank you.'

The applause was loud as I walked into the side room. 'Bloody marvellous, Cate,' Humpy said fiercely. 'God, I'm looking forward to this!'

We were all on fire, deep into the play and far better than we had been the previous day. The feeling was electric and the audience was silent but I sensed all eyes on me as I made my entrance.

Time flew until the final scene was suddenly there.

 

Tom: I don't think you understand my difficulties, Simone.

Simone (sharply): Don't you Tom? I think I've had enough difficulties of my own, I think I've had experience! Don't you? Don't you Tom?

Tom: Simone, don't…

Simone (anguished): Don't what Tom? Don't embarrass you, or is it you don't want to remind you? Remind you of what you've done, done to me?

Tom: Simone, can't we try again. Can't we…

Simone (harshly): Try again, after what you and your friends and family have done to me? You're pathetic.

Tom: Simone…

Simone: I've changed, Tom! You changed me and I'm stronger and I'm happy being me! This is who I am, me!

Tom turns and walks away, a beaten man.

House lights down, single spot on Simone.

Simone: This is who I am, this is me!

Fade to black, curtain down.

 

There was a clear period of silence, so sharp I thought they hated it until the silence was broken by tumultuous cheering, whistles and clapping. I bowed low and I could see many of the women in the audience had tears on their cheeks, eyes wide and wet as they clapped. The men who had been seated on the scaffolding were on their feet, clapping, whistling and shouting.

John Stamford rushed onto the stage and embraced me and that brought further cheers. The other actors came onstage and I introduced them. There were hisses and boos when I introduced Wade but I said he was a great actor and rather dishy. The women laughed and I did the same with Humpy who I could see was in heaven over the whole experience. Bel and Lucy were standing at the open door applauding wildly, smiling and Bel gave me thumbs up.

I had used one of the rooms to change and Bel had packed everything up. Dressed in blue jeans, new boots and a black top, my hair brushed out, I joined the men in the other room. They were laughing and happy. Sarah entered the room at the same time and she hugged me. 'You were brilliant, Cate,' she said and everyone nodded, 'you all were,' she added.

I looked through the door and saw the audience were milling around three or four tea urns for a cup of tea so I walked out and the workers suddenly stopped talking, looking at me. 'What,' I grinned, 'can't I get a cuppa?'

There was a rush to get a cup. 'How do you have it, miss?' I told the young man and he brought I over.

'Thank you.'

'I'm sorry about before,' he said with a red face and a few of the others who were crowding around laughed.

'You must be Tom,' I smiled and he nodded. 'Cheeky young bugger,' I said and everyone laughed.

'That he is Miss,' one of the women said.

'Please,' I said, 'call me Cate.' Soon I was laughing and joking with them. From the corner of my eye, I saw Humpy and Wade were also mixing. John Stamford was beaming and was very happy when we said goodbye.

Henri walked with me to the car park. 'I can't thank you enough, Cate,' he said quietly. 'If I can ever do anything for you, just ask.'

Lucy told us as she drove that a journalist had been there but had to leave but asked if he could arrange an interview later. Wade was happy; telling us how he had to sign autographs and was mobbed. Bel and I were in the back and she rolled her eyes at that.

I snuggled into the corner and closed my eyes, dozing as we drove. I heard Wade say something and Bel said, 'Shush, she's asleep. She must be exhausted, poor thing.'

'She's bloody fantastic,' Wade said. 'What a performance, the audience loved her and she made us look great.' I slept all the way back to London.

 

End of Catherine Lawrence Part 7 by Carmenica Diaz

  

  

  

*********************************************
© 2004 by Carmenica Diaz. All Rights Reserved. These documents (including, without limitation, all articles, text, images, logos, and compilation design) may be printed for personal use only. No portion of these documents may be stored electronically, distributed electronically, or otherwise made available without the express written consent of StorySite and the copyright holder.