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When Chris received, amongst the latest deluge of complaints, an application to join the Cornley Polytechnic Amateur Dramatic Society, he nearly threw it straight in the bin. He recognised the name, sending a dark jolt of recollection down his spine. Robert Grove. He hadn’t heard that name in three years, and had no desire to see the man himself. But… Chris was torn between his own priorities and those of the Drama Society. Robert’s was the first application he’d had since Dennis’ and, unlike Dennis, Robert was an incredible actor. Could Chris at least pretend to put his feelings aside?
The day of Robert’s audition froze dread in Chris’ chest. The audition itself was late in the afternoon, so the morning was spent rehearsing their upcoming production of An Inspector Calls. There were no more hitches than usual, but Chris’ trepidation over Robert’s arrival set him on edge. “What’s his problem?” Sandra hissed when Chris snapped at Max for the third time. Annie shrugged, glancing at him like she thought he couldn’t hear. Suppressing the urge to scream exactly what his problem was, Chris took a deep breath and glanced at the time- Robert would be there in twenty minutes.
At his first sight of Robert, Chris immediately wanted to cry. He looked even better than he had before he left. The beard that had been growing in patches back then was much fuller and better maintained- in fact, he looked better maintained in general, making Chris’ heart flutter. Suddenly self-conscious of his own appearance, Chris raked a hand through his hair and approached Robert.
“Robert?” Trying to keep his tone even, Chris smiled blandly at Robert. The older man turned at the voice, recognising it vaguely.
“Ah, you must be the di- Chris?” Chris bit his lip at the recognition, unable to figure out how Robert felt from his tone and slightly widened eyes. Keeping up the pretense, Chris stretched his smile unnaturally and gestured to the door of the school hall they were using for this play’s rehearsal.
“Yes. It’s great to… invite a potential new member. If you’d come this way?” Robert didn’t quite understand why Chris was pretending not to know him, but he went along with it- he didn’t want to be the one to dredge up their past.
Chris sat before the makeshift stage, surrounded by his drama group. They’d all decided to watch Robert’s audition- even Trevor was there, one hand idly twisting through Max’s, the other scribbling lighting notes. Part of Chris hoped that Robert would fail his audition completely, but he was a talented actor and the society’s standards were not that high. Chris resigned himself to a future of trying to avoid Robert in a too-small drama group.
To Chris’ irritation, Robert was truly incredible. He still had some of his old arrogance, but it underlay a performance with his signature dramatic flair. A few lines into the monologue, Chris knew he had to let Robert in. The other man, it seemed, knew that too, looking expectantly at Chris the second he finished speaking.
Robert settled into the society almost immediately. He’d always been like that, Chris remembered- at ease wherever he was. Being quite insecure himself, Chris admired the trait. He found himself remembering lots of things about Robert as the days passed and he watched him, both on and offstage.
As a stage manager, Trevor had to be observant. He needed to be able to recognise when things were about to go wrong- preferably before they did. This sense applied to people, too- he could detect subtle tensions and dynamics within the cast of Cornley Polytechnic easily. Which is why he noticed something going on between Chris and their newest member within a week of his arrival.
The first time he noticed the tension, Trevor was watching the rehearsal on Robert’s third day. Technically, he was watching to make sure he knew the light and sound cues, but really he just wanted to watch Max act. During a scene between Chris and Robert, though, something seemed off. There was, admittedly, supposed to be tension between their characters, but it felt more real than it should. Particularly when Chris called for a short break and the dynamic didn’t change. Sure, everyone got pissed off at Chris from time to time, but only when he was going overboard on his whole angry director bit. What was going on with Robert?
“Do you think there’s anything weird about the new guy?” Trevor asked Max while they were sat together, watching a rehearsal for a scene he wasn’t in.
“Not really. What’d you mean, weird?” Just then, Robert yelled something at Chris, who snapped back oddly fast.
“Well, that,” Trevor pointed out. “Seems like they really hate each other, doesn’t it?” Max tilted his head, taking in the scene playing out onstage.
“I guess, now you mention it. Why do you think?” For a moment, Trevor just watched as the shouting match escalating, despite Vanessa’s best efforts.
“I don’t know. It’s weird, though. Almost like they already knew each other.”
Trevor’s theory about Chris and Robert’s weird dynamic stuck with him throughout the week, only seeming more plausible as the time progressed. They argued every rehearsal, with more fervour than you’d expect for two people who’d supposedly only known for a week. Sometimes, Trevor caught strangely charged looks and lingering, unexplained touches that he didn’t quite understand, like only seeing half of a picture. He half considered just leaving them to it, but then he walked in on them arguing in a side office.
“What are you even doing here, Robert? I thought you left.” Chris hissed, trying to keep his voice down.
“Maybe I wouldn’t have come if I’d known you were here,” Robert replied, voice escalating to a yell. “Thought you had bigger dreams than this?” Acid dripped from Chris’ voice when he responded.
“I am perfectly happy here. At least I was until this week.” Noticing Robert was about to scream something back at Chris, Trevor decided he had to intervene.
“Alright,” Trevor called out, separating the two men and stepping between them. “What’s going on with you two?” Chris and Robert looked from Trevor to each other. Robert didn’t have Chris’ tie to the company, but he understood the importance of actors knowing how to get along. Of course, Chris didn’t want to run the risk of messing up his company. He sighed, dropping his gaze.
“You’ve got a point, Trevor,” he conceded. “Robert, maybe we should try to… work things out?” Nobody could ignore the strain in his voice, but Robert nodded in agreement.
“Maybe we should.” As if forgetting Trevor was still there, Robert stepped closer to Chris. “Look, Chris,” he sighed, brushing his jaw with his fingertips. “I know we didn’t end on good terms, but I was wrong. If you’re willing to forgive me, can we try again?” A slow smile spread across Chris’ face.
“Let’s give it a try.” Trevor looked over at a little movement outside the room. Max smiled back at him, and he winked. Things looked to be working out.