Avery's Game Of Revenge
Chapter 34: Extra Role.

Chapter 34: Extra Role.

’’What role would you be auditioning for?’’ Avery questioned absentmindedly, her eyes sweeping the busy lobby area of The Litters Agency, where the audition would take place. She was resting her back against the receptionist’s desk and waiting for Jodi who was busy filling their name in the visitor’s log book under the watchful eyes of the woman behind the desk.

’’Supporting role. It’s the movie adaptation of a book I read sometimes ago so I’m 70 percent sure I will get the role.’’

’’Why not apply for the lead role then?’’ Avery asked again, this time with more interest than before.

’’Ava, this is the exact reason why I said you are the luckiest being on earth cause you have your husband. Making it big in the acting industry is fifty percent skills and the remaining fifty percent? Connection and power. Not trying to blow my own trumpet but I have the skills...regrettably not the connection,’’ Jodi replied. By this time, she was done filling the visitor’s log and was now leading the way to the audition hall.

Avery sighed, rolling her eyes in a manner that would attract Jodi’s attention.

’’I won’t mention Neil as your powerful partner and connection, Jodi, because I also won’t use Archie’s influence to land a role. Now, tell me what connection and power has to do with you not auditioning for the lead role,’’ she requested.

’’Simple; there are more worthy applicants than I. In fact, I know the exact actress that would be chosen for this lead role. Her cousin sister was murdered a month ago so with the public’s sympathy backing her up, she was quick to rise to stardom and replace the cousin.’’

’’The public...well, they do have a lot of power,’’ Avery commented. They had to put their conversation on hold since they were now in the hall, silently finding their way to the assigned seat numbers on their visitor’s ID card.

’’I guess not many people will be auditioning for this role. I have number 5 on my card,’’ Jodi whispered.

’’Number 24 here,’’ Avery replied. With a muffled laugh, she added, ’’So many people for an extra role.’’

’’Landing even an extra role like this will help them gain respect if they attend an elite university like ours,’’ Jodi explained. ’’Plus it affords them the opportunity to get exposed to the public. The only question here is why Ava Donovan is auditioning for an extra role.’’

’’Maybe it’s because I want to rise to stardom as quickly as I can. Don’t ask me why.’’ She stood up and walked away, but not before informing her, ’’I will pick up the script and be back.’’ She was back in a few minutes, a stack of papers in hand and a frown on her face.

"What’s wrong?" Jodi asked as soon as she was near enough to hear her low whisper.

"Everything," Avery replied. "I thought the extra role I applied for would just be me appearing in one scene or two. But apparently, I am to appear at least 20 times. I can’t get that much scenes in my head within a few minutes."

Jodi chuckled. "You are not acting all 20 scenes out right now so don’t fret, Ava. Just pick a scene and get your emotions right!" she tried to motivate her. "For me, the only obstacle that I think you might face is you’re too pretty for an extra role. You’d probably contend with the lead role."

"I hope so."

Avery began reading through the pages until she settled on a particular scene. Her character was to accompany the female lead of the script to her mother-in-law’s place and offer her emotional comfort when the latter depleted her morale. In short, she was just one of those characters who would encourage the female lead not to give up on the male lead.

While she practiced the script, the audition for those who applied for supporting and lead roles had begun, with Avery paying little to no attention to them. She only looked up when Jodi’s name was called, her eyes sparkling in amusement.

The role Jodi was auditioning for was that of the male lead’s best friend (female) who secretly loved the male lead but would not jeopardize his love life for her own selfish reasons. She was currently acting the part where she encouraged the male lead to confess his love to the female lead, while trying to hold herself back from confessing.

Avery’s dedicated all her attention to watching Jodi act out her part and when the latter was done, she silently cheered for her until she returned to sit beside her.

"You did great up there."

"Did I really?" Jodi echoed, "Getting this role would mean so much to me. It would give me a chance to request leave from school. Now don’t let me bother you with my shit, you done practicing?"

"Yeah, I think I can manage a scene now," Avery replied.

Jodi was about to speak when the hall suddenly went up in an uproar, murmurs and yells arising from every corner. Taken aback, she and Avery had to stand up to see what was the cause of the frenzy. And when they did, Jodi’s face lighted up in delight while Avery’s went the direct opposite.

"What the fuck is she doing here?" she muttered beneath her breath.

However, Jodi heard her and replied immediately, "She’s the actress I was talking about earlier. The one who is now basking in the glory and spotlight of her dead cousin sister. Remember? I said she will be the lead female actress of this movie."

Avery’s head spun with a dizzying sickness. Even though Jodi’s story had been familiar earlier, she hadn’t thought of this witch since she never knew she was an actress. Was this perhaps, part of the reason why they had killed Emma too?

"She...what...that person—" Avery stuttered, unable to find an appropriate reaction to Jodi’s information.

The latter, however, didn’t notice Avery’s anxiousness and went on to supply more information about the actress in the room.

"Her name is Valentina McCallum. Lucky, isn’t she?"