Seeking actors

[cyranosavignien]

 And indeed, sitting nearby, at a table, is a very focused 17th century French man with a rather big nose, writing frantically on the last parchment of a very thick pile.  If anyone inquires, he will gladly answer any questions.

T: The play? It's here. Well. Its outline, anyway.  Original names but a common plot for a 17th Century French Comedy a

Comments

[yourladyship]

Alfred will linger around, wringing his hands and looking anxious -- a comedy! He's never been in a comedy!

[cyranosavignien]

Good Alfred.

“Well then,” he says, smiling. “Would you read, for me? The Monologue of the first act, please.”

The typist should feel free to either improvise or handwave, evidently.

[yourladyship]

"Yes, sir." He stands up straight, shoulders back, thumb on the page so he doesn't lose his place, and his voice is no longer so small and quaking, but sure enough of itself to carry -- with the youthful energy and wonder that he fancies suits the part.

[cyranosavignien]

He listens, pleased and interested.

"And you've never played the male ingenious, before?" Archly.

[yourladyship]

He immediately turns meek again -- even his shoulders hunch. "N-No, sir."

[cyranosavignien]

"What a waste." Flatly but there's real praise there.

[yourladyship]

Alfred looks uncertain, and maybe afraid of having done something wrong and getting hit for it; he's not nearly as used to praise as he is to getting hit.

[cyranosavignien]

Cyrano looks at Alfred a momen, thoughtfully. Then, he extends a handshake.

"Congratulations. You have the part."

[yourladyship]

Eep! He jumps back and winces at the appearance of a hand -- and then he hears what he said.

"Tr-truly? Oh --" He clasps his hand in gratitude. "Thank you, sir! Thank you!"

[cyranosavignien]

Cyrano laughs, very amused.

"But I thank you, on the contrary. I do hope you will be available to read your lines with your counterpart."

[yourladyship]

"Yes, sir, of course, sir -- I won't let you down, sir --!"

[cyranosavignien]

"I have no reason to doubt it," Cyrano says, smiling. "I have made arrangements with a seamstress for your costumes. Do make sure to visit, to have your measurements taken..."

[yourladyship]

He beams. He is going to get to dress like a boy.

[cyranosavignien]

Isn't that something?

"Well then." A pause, a hesitation, and as Cyrano feels for Alfred, he tells him something he did not tell the other players. "When you visit her, only call her by name. She is a bit rough around the edges, but gifted, aye?"

[yourladyship]

Fretfret, "She won't strike me, will she?"

[cyranosavignien]

"If she does, she will answer to me for it," Cyrano replies fiercely. "She might grunt and whatnot."