Chapter Seven
Kay sneaked around from the back entrance and peered forward. Not seeing anyone, she continued onto the stage.
"Come in Mrs. Butler." Reese said. Kay widened her eyes for a moment, before allowing a scowl to mask
her face. She entered to center stage and noticed Reese sitting alone at a table. A sifter was placed on it, as
well as one glass.
"Come here." Reese barked, motioning with his hand. Reese got up and walked to her, bowing from the waist
down before leading her to the table and pulling out a chair for her.
"Sit down." He barked again. "There’s no reason why you shouldn’t have your night cap, even if I
am here." Reese reached across the table and grabbed the sifter and glass.
"I didn’t want a drink. I heard a noise-" Kay said, being cut off.
"You heard nothing of the kind. You wouldn’t have come down if you thought I was here. You must need a drink
badly." Reese slurred, pouring the coke posing as brandy for Kay and handing it to her.
"I do not."
"Take it. Don’t give yourself airs. I know you drink on the quiet and I know how much you drink. You think
I care if you like your brandy?"
Kay looked at the glass for a moment before taking it in her hands and downing it. She cringed and stood up.
"You’re drunk and I’m going to bed." She stated.
"I’m very drunk, but I intend getting still drunker before the evening is over. But you’re not going to bed,
not yet. Sit down." He said, shoving her back into her seat. "So she stood by ya, did she? How does it
feel to have the woman you’ve wronged cloak your sins for you?" Reese gruffly asked, sitting down. "You’re
wondering if she knows all about you and Ashley. You’re wondering if she did it just to save her face. You’re thinking
she’s a fool for doing it, even if it did save your hide."
"I will not listen’"
"Yes, you’ll listen. Ms. Melly’s a fool, but not the kind you think. It’s just that there’s too much honor
in her to ever conceive of dishonor in anyone she loves. And she loves you. Now just why she does, I’m sure I don’t
know."
"If you weren’t so drunk and insulting I’d explain everything. As it is though-" Kay said, standing up.
Reese stood up with her and towered over her.
"You get outta that chair one more time." Reese warned. "Of course the comic figure in all this
is the long suffering Mr. Wilkes. Mr. Wilkes, who can’t be mentally faithful to his wife, but won’t be unfaithful
to her technically. Why doesn’t he make up his mind?"
"Rhett, you-" Kay said, standing up from her chair. Reese pushed her back down and walked around behind
her, hunching over her.
"Observe my hands, my dear. I could tear you to pieces with them. And I’d do it if it’d take Ashley outta
your mind forever. But it wouldn’t. So I’ll remove him from you mind forever this way. I’ll put my hands so, one
on each side of your head. And I’ll smash your skull between them like a walnut."
"Take your hands off me you drunken fool." Kay commanded after a moment hesitation. Reese chuckled and
moved away from her, saying, " You know I’ve always admired your spirit my dear, never more than now when
you’re cornered."
"I’m not cornered, and you’ll never corner me Rhett Butler or frighten me. You’ve lived in dirt so long you
can’t understand anything else. And you’re jealous of something you can’t understand. Good night." Kay said,
crossing the stage slowly. Reese paused for a moment before following after her. He jerked her by her arm so she’d
face him and pressed his body up to hers.
"It’s not that easy Scarlett." Reese said before kissing her passionately. "You’ve turned me out
while you’ve chased Ashley Wilkes, while you’ve dreamed of Ashley Wilkes. Well, this is one night you’re not turning
me out." Reese said, picking her up and walking off stage. Cheers came from the rest of the cast as they sat
in the audience watching.
"Okay everyone. Great job. Reese, Kay, come out here, we’re going to talk about what we can improve."
Mrs. Hablar stated. The students congregated to the stage and sat in a big circle.
"I’m really proud of you all. You’ve improved immensely, and the performance next week is going to be great.
Just a few notes. Missy, you were early on your entrance, so work on timing. And Mike, you need to act a bit more
angrier. You just found out that some Negroes attacked your wife. Don, wonderful tonight, I really believed you
were a doctor. And of course, our leads. You both did outstanding. I was in awe. A few words, you missed a few
lines, not important, but just remember them next time. Nice save on scene five Kay. Alright, that’s all I have
to say. No practice until Monday, so enjoy your weekend."
The students began to move around and Kay went back stage to retrieve her water and script that she left back stage
earlier. As she was about to leave, Reese came up behind her and cleared his throat.
"Oh, Reese. You scared me." Kay said in shock as she looked at him.
"I wanted to talk to you."
"Really? Okay." Kay said. "I was just leaving, you wanna walk with me to my car?"
"Sure." Reese replied. They walked down the corridor in silence until Kay said, "You wanted to talk,
talk."
"Oh, sorry. You did great tonight. Every practice you get better. And I can’t imagine anyone else as Scarlett.
You’re perfect, and I’m so glad we’re working together."
"Oh Reese." Kay squealed, tears coming to her eyes. In all her life, she couldn’t remember a sweeter
complement.
"It’s true." Reese said, as he held open the door and walked out into the parking lot with her. They
reached her car and Kay walked over to him, placing a kiss on his cheek.
"Reese, you’ve been nothing but sweet to me, and I’m afraid I’ve been a complete jerk."
"No, Kay-"
"Reese, let me finish. I could’ve been so much nicer to you, but I choose not to be. I was stupid, and I want
you to forgive me, and please give me a better chance. I can be a better girlfriend, I know I can." She paused
before her voice cracked, and looked him in the eyes, "I don’t want to loose you like Scarlett lost Rhett.
Please tell me you forgive me. Please say you’ll give me another chance." |
