the understudy*

"Well, okay, but just so you know..

IF YOU WERE GAY THAT'D BE OKAY.
I MEAN 'CAUSE, HEY, I'D LIKE YOU ANYWAY.
BECAUSE YOU SEE, IF IT WERE ME,
I WOULD FEEL FREE TO SAY THAT I WAS GAY
BUT I'M NOT..."

"Okay, Kingston, stop..it's been 4 hours, and you haven't gotten the character. yes you have the voice, the looks and the body. But let's face it..."

"boss, just 5 more minutes...i'll make sure i can live up to nicky's character..just five more minutes..stephen, music..."

"no, Kingston. let me explain to you. in this play, your character is straight and you feel your long time friend, and housemate is gay. the contrast between the two characters should be very evident on the stage..a musical play is also a visual delight...Kingston, you can't be Rod, because you're too, hmmm, masculine, for that character. but you're too soft to be Nicky..."

"boss, allow me five more minutes..please?"

"Kingston, if you can't get Nicky's character by tomorrow, we have no option but to find another Nicky. guys, clean up. this voice session is now wrapping up..."

Kingston stood frozen as he saw the director walk towards the door. He knows this guy. When he says now, it really means now, not a second later than now. Kingston was able to work with this guy in the past 5 years he had been in theater. and he surely knows this director wouldnt be called 'the boss' if he's really not good..

He's demoralized, yes. he really wanted to have the part. Avenue Q is Avenue Q. it's a sure crowd getter. and not only theater enthusiasts would surely watch the show. Agents and other actors would definitely troop in. If he'll be able to get it, he might have a shot for that 10 seconds of fame. but if lady luck wouldn't be on his side , he would surely have problems. he only has 200 dollars left on his wallet, and no new set of audition has been posted in other theaters. he's not even sure until when will his 200 dollars would last. He got bills to pay, and a hungry stomach to fill in.

Kingston picked up his stuff and started to look for his jacket. the weather outside is still cold..the cold breeze brought by the snowstorm 3 days ago still hasn't left their area. after putting on his jacket, he got his refurbished android phone and twitted--another day has passed. challenges, challenges. but it was fun!

even before he was able to leave the rehearsal studio, he already received a twit from his special someone.

"@King'sMyName, im still at work. way past dinnertime, but haven't even eaten lunch. :( miss you!"

it's Joshua...the king in Kingston's life. They met over through a common friend, but since Kingston really wanted to pursue his dreams of making it big in Broadway, he tried his luck and left Joshua in their hometown, Hillsboro, Oregon. But unlike him who really grew up in that place, Joshua is a Latino whom he had helped migrate to the United States.

"@JoshIsPosh, hey, dont forget your dinner. just finished our rehearsal..i'll call you up in a few minutes.."

Kingston couldn't control his extreme happiness after reading the twit. it was their most convenient means of communication. Joshua has just started working in a local coffee shop, while he, on the other hand is still a struggling theater performer. struggling in the sense he hasnt starred in a major musical...the biggest role he was able to acquire was an understudy for the role of the King in the production of  Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I. Unfortunately, until the end of the season, he only appeared once as the King because the main actor was really dedicated to his work and just allowed him to perform because he was able to see the enthusiasm in Kingston's eyes.

"hey Joshua, how are you my dearest love?"

"very tired. we had so many customers. and by the way, i just received a call from my mom, telling me to send money over. but where in the world would i get the 3 thousand dollars she was asking to pay for our debts..."

"hush now, dear..hush...everything will be fine. i know the reason why you're starting to be grumpy again...take a bite and i'll let you bite mine..."

"you naughty dirty little devil! c'mon, you're on broadway. im in oregon...how can we do that???"

"at least i was able to put a smile on your face, my dearest love...joshua, stop worrying okay? i just want you to enjoy your work. and im sure, in due time, we'll be able to save up for those debts...we will get through this together. just hold on and don't lose faith..."

"Kingston..."

"Yes, Josh?"

"I'm just glad i made the right decision in coming over to your country. i just hope broadway is here in Oregon so you wouldnt be far from me..."

"Joshua, i just need your trust and love. believe me, I'm all yours. Until the end..."

Kinsgton was about to put back his phone in his backpack when he felt his stomach growling. he remembered he skipped lunch to save up some on his money. he saw a hotdog stand just outside their rehearsal studio and was about to buy one sandwich when he saw the price. he just turned his back and walk towards his place which is 5 blocks away from their studio.

YM CONVERSATION
Kingston: i sorely miss how you snore whenever you sleep beside me...even the hot air that comes out of your mouth whenever you try to breathe...i miss those moments whenever you crumple my hair everytime you get mad at my jokes... I miss you so much, Joshua.

Joshua: sometimes i can't help but ask why do we have to go through all these sufferings. im tired, kingston. I feel like im about to give up

Kingston: ...

Kingston: ...

Joshua: Why can't my family understand what's going on? havent they thought that i am but an ordinary worker in a local coffee shop? it's not even Starbucks!

Kingston: I just said, i miss you so much, Joshua.

Joshua: You know i really miss you. i really do. that's why im getting all frustrated. i need you here now.

Kingston: ...

Joshua: why?

Kingston: i just wish i could be there right now..so that i can hug you tightly...you're my only source of strength. you're the reason why i'm pursuing my dream.

Joshua: then why can't you come home just for a week?

(after 5 minutes of being idle)

Joshua: are you still there?

Kingston: yes.

Joshua: why can't you come home?

Kingston: because practices have been more demanding these days. i can't let this opportunity pass. I was chosen to play the role of Nicky in that famous musical, Avenue Q! it's a step closer to reaching my dream...

Joshua: okay.

Kingston: aren't you happy for me?

Joshua: I am, but..

Kingston: but?

Joshua: nah, forget about it. i just miss your warm hugs and kisses.
joshua is now logged out

Kingston stared blankly at the computer monitor. If only Joshua knows what's really going on, he might have understood why. I can't let him know what's happening to me now, especially about the only money left on my wallet. I dont want him to worry. I need to be strong for us.

Kingston was about to turn off hs computer when the wind blew a strong hush in his room. a photo frame that contains his picture with his dad when he was only 2 years old fell on the floor. The glass covering broke down and Kingston picked up the picture.

"I hope when i become a big star in Broadway just like you, i'd get to see you on the audience clapping your hands after my performance. I will no longer ask for you to remember that i was the kid you once loved in Oregon. It's enough that i will see you watching my performance..."

Kingston picked up the photo and placed it in his drawer, together with the musical arrangements he is studying for his role in Avenue Q.

"Im sorry, Kingston. but here's the payment for the time you spent during rehearsals. as much as i would like to retain you, but you weren't able to imbibe what we're looking for in Nicky's character. Hope to still see you around..."

"but boss..."

"dont worry, Kingston, i asked for some additional payment for you. i heard about your situation. And I personally saw how you tried to study the character. you come here 3 hours before the start of the rehearsal. and even stays up late. But im really sorry Kingston..."

"i understand, boss..until then..."

Kingston walked away from the rehearsal studio crest fallen. yes, he may have enough money now, but he wouldn't allow this failure to keep him away from reaching his dreams. he again saw the hotdog stand. though he wasn't hungry at all, he picked up a few dollars and nickels from his pocket and purchased a sandwich. he sat on the pavement and started eating the hotdog that he once wanted to buy but wasn't able to because he needed to save up.

"so this is the taste of success..."

"nope, that is not yet the success for you young man..."

Kingston was shocked upon hearing the unknown voice answering him. he looked at the direction where the unknown voice came from. he saw a man, probably in his mid-50's, seating beside the hotdog stand. his hand gestured him to sit beside him. As Kingston slowly approached the man, he noticed the man looked familiar. It was his long, lost father.

"young man, ive seen you practice everyday from where im sitting right now. i've been in the industry for so long, i know what you're doing inside that studio though i dont hear your voice."

"i know sir what you mean. everyone knows who you are. you are a legend in the industry..." at the back of Kingston's mind, was his dillema, should he inform this man that the young man in front of him is his son?

"you know, young man, i can see myself in you when i was still starting. you're struggles, they were nothing compared to what i went through. would you believe i was actually tone deaf before?"

"but you were best remembered as The Engineer in Miss Saigon!"

"i went through it all. i was even asked to clean up the rehearsal studio before, so that they could justify to the producers why they were paying me. they know i really wanted this, but i dont know how to sing..every night, when all had left, i would sit on the stage, and play the recorded music these actors were using. i would slowly study how these actors sing, and would imitate what they're doing..it was a painful process...but look at me now, all the sufferings came up with all the blessings..."

Kingston was dumbfounded with what he heard. he never knew his father went through a lot just to be the superstar that he is right now.

"young man, can you promise me one thing?"

"yes sir, what would it be?"

"that you'll never give up on you dreams?"

Kingston was teary eyed. The old man in front of him handed a small card. It said, "casting calls for Evita, the musical today"

The old man has already started walking away when he suddenly went back to Kingston. He gave the young man a very tight hug that even Kingston was surprised.

"You take care of yourself, young man, I'll be watching over your progress..."

The old man once again hugged Kingston and afterwards gave him a very warm smile before going away.

Kingston hurriedly went to the audition. though he was scared as hell, the team that was handling the audition was just looking at his face and his body frame. he was asked to sing anything. and informed him they'll talk to him after a few minutes. all the while Kingston thought he failed because he didn't sing any song from the musical. but the biggest surprise came when they informed him he got the role of Che for Evita: The Musical.

The production was so ecstatic of Kingston's presence, they decided right there and then to provide him with all the materials he will need to study. of the huge paperworks he was given, a piece struck him...the song 'you must love me...' his most favorite song from the musical

right after the orientation of the rehearsal schedules and all the things he needs to know, Kingston hurriedly called up Joshua to inform his beloved the good news...

"hey there, joshua my sweetie..i've got something for you..."

"Kingston! oh my god, i wasn't expecting a call, i was about to sleep right now..."

"well, that's what i am...the man full of surprises..."

"Oh Kingston..."

"Joshua, i got a lead role...Che for Evita! Im no longer an understudy!"

"congratulations..."

"and here's my surprise...i'll be asking you to put your handset on speaker phone so you can clearly hear me...i'll be singing to you my favorite song, you must love me..."

joshua put his handset on speakerphone as he was told and started listening to Kingston as he sang that haunting tune. joshua continued listening as he slouched on the bed. a hand slowly unbuttons joshua's fly and started pulling down his undies. Joshua could only close his eyes as a handsome guy slowly played his tongue on his nipples...

credits:
all the photos used are owned by the writer/owner of this blog
the author takes no credit on the broadway songs/musicals mentioned in this post. copyright remains on the owners of the said musicals and/or composers of the songs