And he didn't seem to recognize her as the person he might've attacked on the pier. Still, his profession was creating the illusion of the theater....
"What do you want?" he said curtly.
Rune said, "Can I have your autograph?"
Schmidt blinked. "How the fuck did you get past security?"
"Just walked in. Please, I've always wanted your autograph."
He sighed.
"Please."
He glanced at the others, who were still staring at the script and whispering darkly. He stood. Schmidt was limping and winced once as he climbed a stained set of plywood stairs onto the stage.
She stuck her hand out. He glanced at her without a bit of expression on his face and walked past. Went to the coffee machine and poured himself a large cup. He returned, glanced again at the arguing writers, or whoever they were, and said, "Okay."
"This is so neat. Thanks." She handed him a piece of paper and a Crayola.
"To who?"
"Mom."
He scrawled some illegible words. Handed it back. Rune took it, then gazed up at him. He sniffled, blew his nose with a linen handkerchief and asked, "Anything else I can do for you, Miss Rune?" He stood with a cocked hip, looking at her, waiting.
"Okay." She put the autograph away. "I lied."
"I figured that."
"Well, I did want your autograph. But I wanted to ask you a couple questions too."
"I don't do casting. Give your resume to the--"
"I don't want to be an actress either."
He blinked, then laughed. "Well, in that case you're the only woman under twenty-five in the whole city who doesn't."
"I'm doing a film about an actress who auditioned for you. Shelly Lowe?"
Did his eyes flutter like a startled squirrel's? So maybe had he recognized her now?
He said, "I don't recall a Shelly Lowe."
"You must. I heard you almost offered her a part in this play."
He laughed, startled. "I must? Well, young lady, I don't."
"She was going to be the lead."
"There were hundreds of actresses who hoped to be the lead in this play. We finally selected one. It wasn't a Ms. Lowe. Now, if you'll--"
"She was killed."
His attention wavered. He studied some of the construction. "I'm sorry to hear that."
Which he wasn't, Rune could see. She remained silent, staring up at him.
Schmidt finally said, "And you're doing her life story?"