Greg asks for more

"Sorry," said Abbie, "I'm just new to this. But it's fascinating to me that you felt you had to ask me for permission. It's just my shoulders."

"It may just be your shoulders this time, Abbie. But in other scenes, it may be more. And for all I know, you don't want me touching you at all."

Abbie nodded. "So actors ask each other these things every time they do a scene?"

"Well, usually, they ask during rehearsals, plan it out, and then every time they do the scene, they do it the same way so there are no surprises."

Abbie nodded again. She was very interested in all of this, and being so unfamiliar, she had a ton of questions.

"So what if the scene had something more than shoulders, then what happens?"

"In rehearsal, I would say to you, Abbie, is it okay for me to touch your face?"

"Yes, it is."

Greg nodded. "Right, just like that."

Abbie giggled a little. "Aw, I was hoping you'd go through with it, and touch my face. I wanted to know what it felt like to rehearse that kind of thing."

Greg took a step closer to Abbie, and placed his hand on her cheek. She inhaled, and closed her eyes. Greg said, "there's another scene in the play -- it's not written yet, but it's when Kim and Isaac start to have feelings for each other."

"Yes?"

"If you were to play Kim in this show, you'd have to be able to do that scene, too. We don't have the script yet, but I could prompt you with moments and see how you play and react. Would you be interested in that?"

"Definitely," Abbie said.

Greg took his hand off her cheek and stepped back. "Can I put my hand around you, and touch your waist and your back?"

Abbie laughed. "Yes!"

Greg smiled. "You may think the questions aren't necessary, but I'm just being cautious. Not only is this the way actors should work together, I also don't want to cross any lines with you."

Abbie nodded. "Okay."

Greg approached her, and put his left hand around her body, placing his palm on her lower back. "May I hold your hand?"

Abbie held out her left hand, which Greg took in his right hand. "Yes." They stood in almost a dancing position. Abbie naturally clutched his hand, and held it against her.

"Can I touch your hair?" Greg asked.

Abbie looked at him and smiled. "Yes." Greg let go of her hand, and ran his fingers through her hair, wrapping some behind her ear. He allowed his hand to drift down the side of her face again. She leaned into him, and sighed.