“We’ve known this for a while.”
“Bigger trouble than we thought.”
Her throat closed up. “Are our jobs on the line?”
“If we can’t pull off this show, they’re closing us down.”
The blood dropped from her head to her feet. Shock made her brain lethargic. For a few seconds, she could only stare at him, needing a cup of tea herself.
“Say something, Alice!”
She jumped. “They can’t.”
“Not that! Say something that’ll make me feel better. Tell me we’re going to sell out.”
“We’re almost sold out.”
“They’re adding two more shows.”
“Ivan’s agent agreed?”
“I can’t wait for that woman to get here. She should’ve been here long ago. I can’t negotiate over the phone.”
“She wants more money?”
“Yes, but the profit will still push us out of the red.”
Alice chewed her nail. Johnny could never know what Henry had shared with her yesterday. If he knew they had a scandal on their hands with her screwing their star’s brains out, not to mention how she’d gotten into the London Art Academy, he’d have a heart attack.
“You’re a good publicity officer, Alice, the best we’ve ever had, but the board wants more exposure.”
“I got him a headline in The Times, and we’re on BBC next week. Don’t forget that the pony papers all ran free articles. What more do they want?”
“A special early premiere. I want you to fill each and every seat. I want every media representative who can write a review to be there. If we can get our reviews in the Showcase magazine, we can enter this year’s theater awards.”
She checked the press schedule on her notice board. “The deadline is next week.”
“That’s why there’s no time to waste.”
“When?”
“In two days.”
“Ivan agreed to this?”
“Yes.”
She removed her glasses and rubbed her eyes. “What about the orchestra? Are they ready? What if it’s too soon and we get bad reviews?”
“Verlene thinks they can pull it off. If not, we’re fucked. We’re fucked, anyway, if we don’t try.”
“I didn’t think it was this bad. It’s going to be tight to get everyone here with two days’ notice. I’m going to have to lick everyone’s asses to write their reviews before the mag goes to print.”
“Call a meeting. We’ll put the whole team to work.”
The theater was her home. She couldn’t imagine working anywhere else.
Johnny turned his head and raised a brow when he noticed the flowers. “Who are those from?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“You have a secret admirer.”
Mandy’s shrill voice rose from the office down the hall.
Johnny gave Alice a wry look. “I take it she’s just heard that she has two days to deliver the posters.”
“Can they print them that fast?”
“We don’t have a choice. The printer will have to put us in the front of the queue.”
Loud clacks sounded on the floor.
“Here she comes.” Johnny turned his eyes to the ceiling.
Mandy stormed through the door, her hands on her hips. “Tell me this is an April fool’s joke.”
“It’s July,” Johnny said drily.
“I can’t. I can’t. I can’t. I can’t.”
Johnny placed a hand on his forehead. “Change your tune.”
“I’ve already asked the printer too many favors, Johnny.”
“This is the most important one you’ll ever ask, unless you want to be retrenched.”
Mandy shrieked, “What?”
Tilly ran into the office, her eyes big. “What’s going on?”
“Johnny wants to fire me if I don’t shag the printer,” Mandy screamed.
Johnny grabbed his head between his hands. “For the love of God!”
Tilly rounded the desk. “Mandy,” she took the art director’s hand and led her to a chair, “you said he’s handsome, and you like sleeping with him, so it’s not a big deal.”
“W–wait.” Johnny wagged his finger in the air. “You slept with the printer?”
“You told me to!”
“I said get the job done, not screw the idiot!”
Alice jumped up. “Let’s all calm down. How about we have a cup of tea and compile an action plan? Nobody has to sleep with anybody to get the job done.”
Verlene’s voice lifted the roof. “Joooohny!”
“No, no, no, no.” He shook his head. “I can’t deal with more.”
Verlene stalked into the room with Ivan on her heels. “I’m not doing it.”
Alice felt sorry for Johnny. He actually looked like bursting into tears. She avoided meeting Ivan’s gaze even as his traveled over her, ignoring everyone else in the room.
“You agreed,” Johnny said, throwing his hands up in the air.
“Not the premiere,” Verlene said. “Her singing with him.”
“Who?” Johnny looked between Verlene and Ivan.
Ivan crossed his arms over his chest. “Alice.”
Alice’s mouth went dry. “I said I don’t want to do it.”
Ivan narrowed his eyes. “Yesterday during our discussion I think you…” his gaze drifted to her lower body, “…submitted.”
Blackmailing, slutting douchebag.
“Anyway,” Ivan continued, “I’ve already issued a statement.”
“You did what?” Alice and Johnny exclaimed simultaneously.
“It’ll be a hit,” Ivan said. “You’ll see.”
Alice shook her head. “Ivan, how could you?”
“You agreed last night. I’ve always wanted to sing that piece with a soprano.”