Big Apple Dreams Read online

  The sun set as we soared down the streets and lights began to sparkle everywhere, a true New York spectacle. As we neared the Square, traffic slowed considerably, stopping us dead in the street. After a few minutes, I told the man I’d get out here and paid him, thanking him for his time.

  With all of my things in tow, I headed forward with purpose, seeing the lights flashing ahead. Famous billboards winked down at me, my excitement propelling me forward. Finally, I stood in front of the red steps, turning in a circle as I looked at everything. Broadway ran right next to me, paved with gold in my mind.

  “I’m here, New York,” I said softly. “I made it.”

  Chapter Two

  Sweat dripped off my forehead and into my eyes as I ran on the treadmill, pushing through the last three minutes.

  I watched the people on the street below, rock music blaring into my ears. Everything was so perfect, I couldn’t get over it. I hadn’t even felt this much at home at home. The city was in me and I was in it, finally. The last week had been one of the happiest in my life. When I walked down the street my heart practically sang out to everyone, wishing them a good day as my fellow New York dwellers.

  I’d started work at Olive Garden® two days after I arrived. My savings had only been partially used up in getting here, but I wasn’t so stupid as to think I’d land the first show I auditioned for. I mean, I dreamed about that happening of course, but the logical side of me had insisted on a job. It would make getting to casting calls a little harder, but I’d deal. Nothing was going to stop me now that I was here.

  I turned the machine off and stepped away, grabbing a towel to wipe up with. A quick look at my phone sent me hurrying on my way, only two hours left for me to get ready and catch the subway before my shift started.

  I grabbed my bag and left the room, taking the stairs down one floor and exiting the building. I kind of loved how everything was built on top of itself. It left a lot to the imagination. On one floor there could be a fancy restaurant and on the next there could be a small studio theatre. Everything was interchangeable, always moving forward to bigger and better things.

  I traveled the two blocks to my apartment easily, the path already familiar from my daily trips to the gym. As I came up to the steps, I stopped and grabbed my mail, squealing with excitement when I saw the list of weekly auditions I’d signed up for.

  I took even more stairs inside, going up four floors before stumbling down the hall, my nose stuck in the list. Finally, I turned the key in my door and was home, dropping my bag on the ground. Checking the time again, I groaned and put the magazine down on the desk, heading for the bathroom on the left.

  Even though it was small, I loved where I lived. It was even more of the real New York experience. The bathroom was big enough to turn around in, the tub shoved up along one wall with the toilet so close I could almost shower and use it at the same time. On the opposite wall was a sink with a mirror. Small and simple.

  The rest of the studio was mostly the same, a murphy bed along the wall opposite the bathroom and a desk next to the front door. A white couch sat in front of a window with a view of the building three feet away. I usually kept the curtains closed, because the man across the way was always sitting in his room naked. The kitchen was nestled into the corner opposite the door, a small counter separating it from the rest. Everything had wood floors and there was a nice shag carpet in the middle of the room, but that was it. In my eyes, it was perfect.

  I took a quick shower, washing away all the grime I’d accumulated during my work out. After that, I slapped some makeup on, tied my hair back in a bun, slipped into my work clothes, and was out the door on the way to the subway.

  My commute to work was always interesting. I liked to people watch, wondering where everyone was going. Sometimes it was really easy to tell because of uniforms. Others were a complete mystery to me, though. I liked to wonder what had brought them here as well. What were their hopes and dreams they wished would come true here?

  In no time at all, I was off the train and in my favorite place on Earth—Times Square. I’d joked I was already working on Broadway, the restaurant being right on the corner.

  I smiled at all of the sights and sounds around me, feeling in heaven before I walked through the doors and into the lunch rush.

  “Hey, Mara,” the girl at the hostess stand said with a smile. “You’re with me, again, today.”

  “All right, sounds great, Lizzy” I said with a smile. “Let me go clock in.”

  A few minutes later, my things safely tucked away in a locker, I joined her at the front, ready to help.

  “Okay. We aren’t backed up too bad, yet,” she said, pointing out the medium sized group of people waiting next to the stairs to the upper level. “It’s only about a twenty minute wait.”

  “Sounds good,” I said, straightening the stack of buzzers waiting to be handed out.

  Someone spoke to her through the headset she wore and Lizzy activated one that was already handed out. An older couple came to the stand and turned it in, smiles on their faces.

  “Follow this hallway down to the elevator and got up to floor three,” I said. “Your server is waiting for you at another stand up there.”

  “Thank you,” the woman said, taking her husband’s arm.

  The rest of my day went pretty much the same, getting frantic around dinner and after all the shows let out. Finally, we were closed down and I could breathe again, ready to go home.

  “So, what are you going to do with your weekend off?” Lizzy asked as I pulled my stuff out of the locker next to hers.

  “I haven’t gotten to see the city, yet,” I laughed. “I’d like to see a show as well.”

  “Do you have one picked out, already?”

  “All of them,” I laughed.

  “Good luck with that,” she laughed. “I’d see Wicked or The Phantom of the Opera first if it were me, though.”

  “I saw Wicked when the tour came through my state,” I said. “It was fantastic! I’ve never seen Phantom, except for the movie, but I love the music.”

  “Well, there’s nothing like seeing the Broadway version, no matter what show it is.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” I laughed. “Thank you.”

  “You should hit up all the tourist spots, too. They have lots of visitors because they’re awesome.”

  “I will,” I said with a nod. “There’s a few things you have to see if you’re going to be in New York.”

  “Exactly!” She laughed. “Well, I’m out. I’ll see you on Monday.”

  “Sounds great,” I said with a smile. “Thanks for your help, today.”

  “No problem,” she said with a wave.

  A few moments later, I was back out on the streets I loved. There were still lots of people out and about, milling around after their evening activities. Darting between cars, I crossed the street and walked over to the red steps, taking a seat on the first one.

  I would have been more than happy to spend my entire weekend right here, in the midst of all the great actors, actresses, and music in every building. My bones ached to join them, to share what I had to offer.

  Soon, I thought.

  I basked in the lights for a while longer before finally going back to the subway and heading home. I planned to see everything I felt like over the next two days and knew I needed to be rested.

  I awoke in the morning, excitement humming through me. I’d decided to see The Phantom of the Opera, as Lizzy suggested. It couldn’t be the longest running show in Broadway history without being good. I was also looking forward to seeing the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, the World Trade Center Memorial, Rockefeller Center, Macy’s—pretty much everything there was to see.

  After getting ready for the day, my blue jeans and I hit the subway, heading for the theatre district. I got off at Carnegie Hall and spent a few minutes examining the outside of the building, smiling as I thought of all the performances the building had seen. Ne
xt, I stopped at Rockefeller Plaza and took their tour, eating up every minute.

  Everywhere I went was flooded with people visiting during their summer break. I snapped picture after picture on my phone, intending to send them to my parents.

  As lunch time rolled around, I decided to stop at a deli just outside the Square. The food was so good I took a photo of it as well, dying over my first slice of real New York cheesecake. I was so full before I got to the end of it that I had to throw two bites away. It felt like a sin to do such a thing.

  I spent the rest of the afternoon wandering through the stores, making my way to Macy’s. Hours passed as I browsed through item after item, reveling in the things I was finding. As it came closer to time for the show, I went home and freshened up, changing into something a little nicer.

  Thirty minutes before the doors opened, I found myself standing outside the Majestic Theatre, about to begin my first Broadway show experience. My heart hammered in my chest, not knowing what to expect.

  People started to accumulate, waiting in the tiny lobby and outside the doors. Everything I could see was decorated fancily. Chandeliers hung from the ceilings, sparkling down on the red carpet.

  Finally, the doors opened and we were ushered inside, being lead to a staircase. There was a bar on the other side of the room and vendors selling show memorabilia. I took the regular program and headed up the stairs, my orchestra seat ticket in hand. Within moments, I was seated before the glorious stage, waiting as patiently as I could for the lights to dim.

  There were a few things set out already. In the middle of the stage sat the famous chandelier, covered up as it had been at the beginning of the movie. The framing of the stage had been covered as well. It didn’t leave me a whole lot to look at, so I turned instead to the theatre itself, admiring the gold trimming and ornate setting I’d come into.

  Finally, a voice came over the speakers and gave the opening announcements, including the request to shut off phones. The lights dimmed and the actors took the stage, ready for the night.

  My heart leapt in my chest as they began to speak, the show taking off smoothly. As the opening number crashed to a start, the chandelier shaking to life and rising above my head, I felt tears in my eyes. I wanted to do this so badly. I wanted to be backstage, waiting for my cue.

  I became lost in the performance, swept away in its enchanting melodies. By the time intermission rolled around I found myself wishing it would never end. I forgot everything as it all started up, again, pulling me back into the show’s warm embrace.

  As the last note rang out, the lights dimming and narrowing until they rested only on the Phantom’s mask, I found myself rising with the others in the crowd, clapping and cheering for a job well done.

  The actors hurried on stage to bow, the main leads receiving the loudest of cheers as they swept low before us. They motioned to the pit and the light booth before waving as they exited.

  And then it was over. I felt an emptiness inside, like I’d lost something I loved more than anything in the world. Sadly, I left the theatre, wishing I could stay forever.

  As I walked down the street, I smiled, looking at all the happy faces exiting the theatres around me.

  Soon, I thought again.

  I continued down the street, wanting to sit on the red steps for a while. I made it there without incident, settling down to watch the people around me.

  “Hey, it’s First Time In New York Girl!”

  I turned to see who was talking to me and recognized the guy from the plane. He was wearing jeans and a loose, blue shirt, his brown hair spiked up all over. I was surprised to find that he looked a lot more handsome than I’d thought on the plane.

  “Hey,” I said with a smile. “What are you doing here?”

  “I came to see a show,” he laughed. “Isn’t that what everyone is here for?”

  “I guess,” I laughed.

  “I’m Chris, by the way,” he said, holding his hand out. “I forgot to introduce myself on the flight.”

  “Mara,” I said, shaking it.

  He looked at me for a second, seeming to think about something.

  “Do you want to go get something to eat? You can tell me what you think of the city.”

  “Sure,” I said with a smile.

  “Have you tried any New York pizza yet?” he asked with a laugh.

  “I haven’t,” I said. “I’ve been a little busy.”

  “Well, there’s a place right here,” he said, pointing behind me.

  I turned to look, not knowing exactly where he was talking about.

  “Of course, there’s almost a pizza place on every corner here,” he laughed. “At least every other block.”

  “I’ll go wherever you’d like,” I laughed. “I’m actually pretty hungry.”

  “Let’s get to it then,” he said, standing.

  We walked across the street to the little parlor he’d pointed out and ordered a slice each.

  “I’ve got hers, too,” Chris said when we reached the register.

  “You don’t have to,” I said quickly.

  “It’s no big deal,” he laughed. “I asked you to come, so I’ll take care of it.”

  “Okay,” I said, blushing a little.

  We grabbed our food and squished into a table in the back.

  “So, Mara,” he said, pulling a few napkins out of the holder. “How do you like it here?”

  “It’s fantastic,” I laughed, picking my soda up. “I never want to go anywhere else.”

  “That’s a pretty strong reaction,” he laughed after swallowing his bite of pizza.

  “I belong here,” I said with conviction. “I only regret not making it here sooner.”

  “Wow,” he said with a smile. “You really feel that good about it after only what, a week?”

  “Have you ever known you belong somewhere, even if you’ve never set foot there?”

  “No,” he laughed, picking his slice up.

  “Well, that’s how I feel about here,” I said, smiling. “I spent what feels like my whole life knowing that someday I would be here, and look at me now.”

  “So, you’re an actress,” he laughed.

  “Yes.”

  “I thought so.”

  He took a sip of his drink and wiped his mouth with the napkin.

  “What do you do?” I asked, raising my slice to my mouth.

  “I’m a real estate broker,” he said.

  “What does that mean,” I laughed.

  “It means,” he said, leaning forward. “All the rich snooty people contact me to show their houses to other snobs, or to find them a new place to live. I put up with all their crap and get them more money than their place is worth, and then I get a really nice paycheck.”

  “Sounds fun,” I said sarcastically.

  “It actually isn’t that bad,” he said with a laugh. “I get to spend time in some really nice places and work with some really great brokers. It’s stressful sometimes, but I can handle it.”

  “And you moonlight at Broadway shows on the side,” I laughed.

  “Yes. I do enjoy a good show here and there,” he laughed back.

  We finished up our food and left the restaurant, heading back to the steps.

  “That was fun,” Chris said.

  “Yeah, we should do it again,” I said, surprised by my own boldness.

  “Here, put your number in,” he said, handing me his phone.

  I held mine out for him and did as he asked as he did the same.

  “All right, Mara,” he said with a smile. “Till next time.”

  “Right,” I said, smiling.

  Chapter Three

  “Are you a member of the union?”

  “No,” I said nervously, trying to act like this was as normal as breathing.

  “Okay, print your name at the bottom of this list then. If there’s time, they’ll see you after everyone else. Keep in mind that everyone on this list has to wait, as well. You’ll all be seen in the
order you signed up. If I call your name and you aren’t here to answer, you will be skipped. If you still want to audition, your name will be added to the bottom of the list and you’ll have to wait your turn, again. You could possibly not be seen, if they decide they don’t want to see every number today.”

  “Okay, thank you,” I said with a smile, my stomach twisting in knots.

  My heart fell a little as I signed under at least one hundred other girls on the audition sheet. It would be a miracle if I got to set foot in the room, let alone sing for anyone.

  I thanked the woman behind the table again as I handed the clipboard back to her. A disappointed sigh escaping softly, I turned and walked down the hall, looking for any open seat. There were women everywhere, some of them chatting and others in their own bubble.

  I couldn’t believe I’d underestimated the amount of people who would show up. I knew it was a big, popular Broadway show, but the actual auditions didn’t even start for another four hours! When I’d learned of them a few days ago, I planned on getting up early, going to the gym, and showing up about five hours before the stated start time. Everything had gone exactly as I wanted, until I arrived at the studio and practically fell over in shock.

  There was a line of actresses waiting to get in and strut their stuff that wrapped around the building. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who’d hoped to beat everyone out. I couldn’t even fathom what time the front of the group had arrived.

  Slowly but surely, we inched forward, being logged in one at a time. My heart pounded in my chest as I clutched my songbook tightly, fear and elation running through me.

  This is it, I coached myself. This is the day we have been training for! This morning, we will walk into that room and knock somebody’s socks off! Our dreams start here. Be ready for anything—even denial.

  Finally, I spotted a seat crammed between the door to the bathroom and two ladies talking animatedly. Sitting down quickly, I crossed my legs and picked a piece of lint off my slacks.

  “It was so rewarding,” the lady next to me said, tossing her long blonde hair over her shoulder and almost slapping me in the face.