Page 14 of Redondo (Mates of the Mylos #7)

CHAPTER 14

THOMAS

After three days of exploring the public areas of the ship and eating each meal of the day at a different restaurant, I was thrilled to finally see my name on the audition list for the next day.

I’d ordered some new clothes and shoes on my third day aboard ship, including a new outfit to wear for my audition. I’d also gotten my shaggy hair trimmed, because while everything was free, why the hell not? I was in love with life within the Fleet, so I intended to enjoy it as much as I could and hope for the best.

I followed the light guide Xero provided, panels on the wall that lit up for me to follow when I asked for directions. They led me to a set that looked like a mockup of the main recreation deck, only lined with house doors on one side of the park and a “window” filled with stars and a view of the Earth and its moon on the other long side. A few old fashioned looking shops lined one short end, while an enormous “Spaceport” sign was in front of a “paved” area filled with rainbow hued shuttle mockups. Instead of the fountain in the middle of the park, there was an enormous playground with water sprinklers set up in one section.

“Okay,” a Mylos said. “I’m Ritl, and if you’re here to audition for one of Playtime Fleet’s adult roles, you’re in the right place. If you’re here to interview and do a presentation for one of the other positions, you want the door across the hall from here.”

One man turned and left.

“Right, then. Now that we have made sure everyone is in the correct place, let’s make sure we have the right people.” Ritl began to read off our names. We were all who we were supposed to be, so next he handed out sheets.

“Okay, as your name is called by one of my crew, go over. They’ll run through different scenes with you, with you playing different characters after they’ve been described to you.”

This was definitely most unlike any audition I’d ever been to, but oh, man, given the complexity of the set design, I knew the whole production was definitely going to be top notch. I wanted in now more than ever. My name ended up being called by a Mylos with long blue hair.

“Okay, first, I want you to read for Mr. Chumly,” he said. “He’s a human who works as security for the Playtime Fleet, along with his friend, Jibbit, who is Mylos. Chumly and Jibbit will explain safety issues and also be included in segments where they talk about things such as right and wrong, what a law is, and the basics of how they came to exist, and even about good sportsmanship. They will help organize some of the games the children will play, as well.”

I nodded my understanding, and he began to read Jibbit’s lines.

An hour later, we took a break, and I was glad of it. I’d run through several scenes, and my throat was dry. We were all provided with refreshments while the Mylos all huddled away from us on the far end of the set, and had an animated discussion in their language. Then they rejoined us, and Ritl clapped his hands.

“Thank you very much. Everyone except Thomas and Laura may go. Please enjoy the rest of your day. Arrangements for your flight home will be sent to you later this evening.” Looks of dejection crossed everyone’s faces except for mine and the woman who turned out to be Laura. I felt bad for them, but also elated as I’d made it through to another round.

Ritl gestured for Laura and me to follow him. This time, we were in a little shop with a small lunch counter, and a large, red furry puppet wearing a shopkeeper’s apron was on the hand of a woman crouched behind it.

Ritl handed us each a new sheet.

“Okay, Laura, please read Linda’s lines and Thomas, you read Amos’.”

The first line belonged to the puppet, who asked us what we wanted to buy. Laura seemed to struggle with reacting as if the puppet was a real person, her eyes continuously peering as if trying to see behind the counter. I, on the other hand, knew I was crushing it. I’d loved playing games with my stuffies as a kid, each and every one of them real to me. Sesame Street? Big Bird was real to me, too. I used to wish he’d come walking down our street so we could play. This was a piece of cake. It was also far too short, over sooner than I was ready for.

“Thank you, Laura. You can expect to hear from us about arrangements to return you home tomorrow as well.”

Ritl then turned his attention to me as the puppeteer stood up and left, taking the puppet with her.

“Thomas, would you mind remaining on board for the rest of the week while we conclude auditions?”

“Not at all!” I could barely contain my excitement.

“That’s great. We may want to call you back for another reading, along with a few others, before making our final decision. Have you taken your matching test yet?”

I shook my head. “Not yet.”

“Okay, well, no worries. I’ll ask them to fit you in tomorrow.”

Oh, my gawd! That had to be a good sign, right? Making sure I’d taken my required matching test and wanting me to stay to the end of the week and all that jazz?

“Thank you,” I said, thrilled to bits when my voice didn’t come out as an excited squeak.

“You're most welcome. Please enjoy the rest of your week.”

I went out the door each of us candidates had come in through, barely registering where I was going, I was floating so high on Cloud 9.

I must have taken a wrong turn somewhere as I suddenly found myself with several surprised Mylos looking at me.

“Um, oops. I think I passed the elevator I was looking for. I, ah, had some good news at the audition I was here for.”

“Ah, one of the actors,” one of the Mylos said. “Come, I will take you where you want to go.”

“Thanks.”

As he walked me back to the elevator, I asked, “I didn’t accidentally walk into a secure area, did I?”

He laughed. “It wasn’t an area for non Fleet personnel, but no, it was not one of the highly restricted areas.”

He didn’t elaborate any further, and I sure as hell didn’t ask. A moment later, we were at the elevator I’d wandered right past.

“Thanks,” I said.

“No problem.” He stood and watched as I got into it. Yep, not restricted, but definitely not a place I should be going, for sure.

“Hi, Xero, can you take me to the main recreation level? I think I want some bubble tea.”

“Certainly. That sounds as if you had a good result.”

I shared what happened at the audition skipping my boo boo afterwards.

“I bet you get the shop assistant’s role,” he said when I finished.

“You think?”

“I really do.”

A bubble tea and lunch at Seoul Food was in order, I decided.