Ella Sue’s Visitation

How’d the audition go? I type out on my phone.

I believe I could talk now if I really wanted to, but Dr. Kee said that those facial muscles would recover slower when stressed. And I want to recover as quickly as possible.

“Oh you know, they said they would call back in a two or three days, it’s been a week, so…” Ella Sue shrugs, trying not to look to glum over something that’s clearly gotten her down.

You’ll have plenty more chances, I type.

“Yeah,” she sighs, glancing at my phone before looking back up at me. “I’ve got two in the next few days, but the one that’s coming up next week, that’s the real big one.”

What makes it so special?

“So it’s currently rumoured—well, more just some random guys on Insta gossiping than a rumour—but it’s rumoured that Tiffany’s going to be starring in that one!” Ella Sue says, practically squealing in anticipation. “The movie’s supposed to be a crime thriller, something about a guy on the run who kidnaps a girl, but not many details are out yet—it is being produced by the Najbreit Studios, though.”

Najbreit Studios, once known as MGM Studios, was bought out by Father as soon as little Tiffany expressed an interest in the performing arts. Although not technically one of Hollywood’s “Big Five” film studios, it’s been steadily growing its presence, strategically funding blockbuster after blockbuster. It’s proven to be yet another of Father’s shrewd investments.

Fuck him. Even when he’s doting on his youngest daughter, Father still manages to make a couple million out of it.

Well, if Tiffany wants it, she’s already landed the role, I write.

“Imagine having it that easy,” she says, rolling her eyes.

If only I could…

And then, there’s the matter of the movie itself. A man on the run. A kidnapped girl. It’s almost like Father’s sending me a message. A threat? A challenge? A red herring?

“You’ve got the faraway look in your eyes,” Ella Sue laughs, reaching out to touch me. She thinks better of it, seeing half my face still wrapped up in bandages, and stays her hand. “Got another art-project brewing in there?” She taps her temple with a dimpled smile.

Something like that, I write, and then, after backspacing away that message: Could you send me the details of that audition next week?

“What, you want to try out? They’re only looking for girls,” she says.

I’m bored. Have nothing to do all day in here, I write, gesturing at the bare room. To be fair, the room isn’t actually that bare. There’s a television mounted on the wall, a bookshelf filled with books of various genres, and a nurse on call at all times… and maybe it’s not the swankiest set-up imaginable, but then again, the most expensive recovery room Dr. Kee had on offer would have burned quite a hole in my pocket, and there would have been quite a lot more explaining to Ella Sue when she first visited.

“Uh… okay, sure,” Ella Sue says. She flicks through a couple screens on her phone, and a moment later, mine chimes with a link to casting call. She looks at me again. “You sure you don’t have a thing for Tiffany Najbreit? You seem to always be awfully interested in her.”

She’s hot, I write. But what do you mean, ‘have a thing for?’ It’s not like I’ve got a shot at her…

“You never know,” Ella Sue laughs, and, despite the slight soreness as I do so, I smile back at her.

Little does she know.