Falling Stars (Shooting Stars 5)

"When your performances have concluded this evening, you will all report promptly to the ballroom," she began. "The guests will already be there. The reception will begin with champagne and some hors d'oeuvres. I don't want to see any of you gorging yourself on food or gulping champagne. One glass should last each of you the whole evening. Too many young people drink their champagne too quickly and begin to babble ridiculously," she warned, "And I certainly don't want to see anyone with a mouthful of food when he or she is being introduced.

"Gather near me. and I will properly introduce each of you to my guests. No one introduces him or herself, and none of you." she added. eyeing Howard the most. I thought. "assert yourself to anyone.

"Power in the arts comes from being in demand... in every sense... everywhere. When you go to someone instead of him or her coming to you, you weaken your image. Even you, neophytes at the very beginning of your careers, must not give up too much. When you let them know how much you want what they can give, they have the power over you and not vice versa."

"It sounds more like a war than a career." Ice muttered.

Madame Senetsky smiled coldly, her lips lifting slightly at the corners of her mouth.

"Precisely. Competition is a battle in and of itself. And remember this forever, my precious novices: you will always be in competition, whether you are simply taking a publicity photo, participating. in an interview, or at a party or reception such as the one you will be at tonight.

"The people who will be observing you will be comparing you to other potential actors and actresses, dancers and musicians. In their minds you are always competing, so be sure it is in your mind as well Does everyone understand?"

"Sure," Howard said, looking like a race horse chafing at the bit.

"Good," she said. "Relax for the remainder of the day. Entertain your friends at luncheon and then be sure you all have a good hour or so of rest, quiet, and meditation. Ms. Fairchild will have the program and schedule of performances for you just after lunch."

She paused and looked at us all very hard again.

"I do not wish people in the theater luck. This is not a matter of luck anymore. There might have been some luck involved in getting you here, but once you're on the stage, luck takes a seat at the rear of the theater and your skills, talents, and dedication determine whether you are successful or whether you fail.

"The curtain goes up. It is then entirely in your own hands, each and every one of you. However, I will say, do not disappoint me."

She smiled, almost a genuinely warm smile.

"It's almost as bad as disappointing yourselves," she added and tapped her cane. No one spoke as she walked out.

"If I wasn't nervous before." Cinnamon quipped. "I am now."

It brought some smiles and laughter, even to Howard's normally overconfident face.

An hour later Evan arrived, and Rose showed him about the house. Barry came a little after that, and the three of them visited in the parlor. I was getting nervous about Chandler because it was almost lunch time and he had still not appeared. Finally, twenty minutes before we were all to enjoy the buffet that had been prepared. Chandler arrived, and I introduced him to everyone.

"He is a very handsome boy," Ice whispered in my ear.

We all sat in the parlor and talked. The boys told of their college experiences and we described the work we were doing. Steven and Chandler seemed to get along really well. After lunch, he and Chandler went into the studio and played for each other and we all followed. Cinnamon and Ice taking turns pushing Evan in his wheelchair. When Steven and Chandler began, it was like watching two tap dancers showing each other new steps. Howard didn't like the fact that he was not the center of attention. I could see he quickly became bored and drifted away,

"Steven's amazing," Chandler told me immediately after their impromptu concert ended. "Pie's going places I haven't even dreamed of yet."

"Everyone's impressed with you. too." I assured him.

Since it was a very nice day, we decided to walk the grounds. On the way out. Barry and Rose caught up with Chandler and me and Barry blurted another apology for the other day. I tried to cut him short, but he kept explaining how he didn't know Tony that well and should never have brought him along. He ended it by saving they were no longer friends and he didn't miss him a bit.

Chandler heard it all, but didn't say anything until we were alone.

"What was that all about?" he asked with a small but disturbed smile.

"We joined Rose when she met Barry on our first free afternoon. We were going to the zoo in Central Park and Barry brought some friends," I explained.

"Uh-huh," Chandler said. "And?"

"I let one of them talk me into listening to his stereo at what was supposed to be his uncle's apartment, and it turned out badly," I said, hoping somehow to leave it at that.

"Badly? How badly?"

"Very badly. He tried to take advantage of me by getting me drunk," I said.

Chandler was very quiet.