Letters From The Understudy

  Michael Merriweather and I had never had the best relationship. In facy, it never was a good relationship. But with Michael's eg. "o, who could ?Everyday Michael would strut in the door practising his Jude Law smile. Mr.Robero had cast Michael as the lead actor in a play, and me as his understudy. I was not hurt by this decision he made, I did not feel like I had to get vindication. I never really wanted to be in the play in the first place, i just tried out to see if I could do it, and obviously I guess I could not. But just to see Michael walking in preparing his voice and taking lozenges to clear his throat was enough to make anybody nauseated. His piercing British accent was already anoying, but to top that with his haughty attitude was murderous. Everyone in the studio dreaded the time he would come in, knowing that all we would get was outrageous demands and diva-like behavior. He came in everyday at exactly 4:35. "Get me cold Aquafina water, not plain tap water, disgusting !" is what he would say. If someone dare say or do anything wrong Michael would have one of his infamous temoer tantrums. Don't get me wrong Michael was a fine actor, but that still does not give him the right to be a jerk to everyone. Even with hi childish behavior, we still had to keep him as the lead actor because he was truly a good actor. Echoes of Michael's last lnes were what I heard as I left the studio. I was part of the school newspaper, which meant I had to interview Michael , which also meant I had to be around Michael when I didn't have to. As Michael and I walked to the garden at school we carried a decent conversation."So how is it, you know, being the lead character in a play?" I said as I was forced to smile. And Michael relied with a mysterious grin, "It feels exquisite, did I ever tell you that I want to have a career as an actor, I think I will be an absolutely amazing actor ?" As much as Michael tried to make his life seem exciting, it was extremely tedious, and I did not feel like listening to Michael go on and on about his life, so I decided to leave. "I'm sorry, Michael, I have to go, I don't feel well." "Wh-, Where are you going, I thought you were going to interview me ." pleaded Michael just for some attention."I'm sorry, I really have to go, Michael." I said as I grabbed my backpack and left. I was feeling okay, nut I did not want to listento his ego for 45 minutes. I guess it was kind of mean but his attitude made me ick. When I walked home I thought about how I dealt with Michael. Was what I did really the right thing to do ? When I got home I fell asleep fast. When I woke up that next day I just had a feeling it was going to be a dreadful day. But I still got up and wa son my way to school. " I'm all great , Michael Merriweather, the finest actor in the world !" I said as my friends and I mocked Michael as I stood on the table with my hand in the air. "He's so stuck up, what's his problem ?" my friend asked. "I have no idea." We all laughed and joked about Michael. That day Michael didn't show up, we all wondeed why because Michael never missed one day. "Donovan, where's Michael ?" Mr.Robero asked me as he walked into the room. "I don't know, I haven't seen him all day." I responded. "Well, since you're the understudy you will have to play his part for the day, do you know the lines?" "Yes,"
I answered. " Okay people, Donovan is playing Michael's part today !" shouted Mr.Robero to the whole cast. "Okay scene 1 !" he exclaimed. After the scenes were done with, Mr.Robero asked me to play the part of Michael's role. " Donovan, can I speak to you ?" asked Mr.Robero. "Would you like to play Michael's role for the play ?" A look of shock came over my face.I was stunned that Mr. Robero asked me to play Michael's role. I was hesitant because I just didn't want to intrude on his role." H-, how can you just switch up roles like that ?" I asked obviously shocked. " I'm the director and I can o whatever I want, Michael is the understudy an you are the star now." I was absolutely speechless. I felt guilty and elated at the same time. " We can't deal with Michael's atitude anymore," said Mr.Robero with a dazed look on his face. As left the studio I thought about who was going to break the story to Michael and how he was going to take it. That next day I was apprehensive about going back to the studio."what if he throws a big fit in front of everyone?" is what I asked myself. Still, I had to face reality and tell him that Mr.Robero had chosen me to take his place. As I walked to school I noticed that everything seemed eery. The sky was dark and gloomy, the trees were withered , and I did not see any happy whistling birds. This foreshadowed the rest of the day. As I walked through the doors of the studio my heart began to pound rapidly. " Donovan !" Mr. Robero shouted to me as he was running. "I need you to confront Michael about the switch." I was caught off guard but was not surprised at all. Michael had entere he studio with a smile on his face. " Hey, Michael I gotta tell you somethin'!" I shouted. "What is it , I'm surprised you want to talk to me after you all of a sudden left me yesterday." said Michael. "Oh, well, I gotta tell you something about the play , Mr.Robero wante me to play your part and you be the understudy." I said quickly and nervously. "What ?! , you must be kidding me ? " said Michael hysterically. "Mr. Robero, I must speak to you !" "Yes, what is it ?" "Donovan told me we switched parts." asked Michael. " Yes, we did, I can't take your attitude anymore." said Mr. Robero. Michael stood still for seconds and then began to throw things violently and started yelling and swearing at Mr. Robero. " You goddamned amateur director !" referring to Mr. Robero's directing skills. Michael had stormed out of the studio furious. I was shocked at how badly Michael was hurt ny this situation. I was also walked out of the door not saying a word. While I walked home I thought long and hard about whether I should be in the play. Why should Michael get what he want all the time ? I nede something for myself. So I decided to do the play. That following week was time for the play to be shown to the city . As momentum and buzz grew for the show and everybody was busy. That week everyone was working to the wire. That night it was showtime. As I looked out of the curtains , I saw tons of people and my stomach began to drop. One person I didn't see was Michael. "Okay, showtime, people !" Mr. Robero shouted through the halls. " 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, showtime , " shouted the man as he pulled the curtains back. The first scene was flawless. "Okay, everybody , next scene, " The second scene was beautiful with minor problems. Finally , the last scene had happened as Sophie said her last lines and it was absolutely perfect as the curtains behind us closed and the cast took their big bow. I felt a sene of accomplishment as the crowd applauded vigorously. "Beautiful show!" said Mr.Robero as we went backstage . I saw Michael loooking on backstage , but this time he didn't look vengeful , thi time he looked sad. "Hey, Michael , I'm sorry, man." I said to him as I walked up to him. "It's okay, I can take it, you did a good job out there." said Michael. I was shocked and at that point Michael ad 'acted like a real human being, not all the other stuff hepretended to be. Burie beneath the lies was a human , a real person.