Beauties and the Beast by Eric Scott Read Free Book Online

couldn’t stand it.
    â€œWell?” he burst out. “What is it?”
    â€œIt is,” said Diana, “a new play by William Shakespeare.”
    â€œHe’s dead,” said Billy. “How can he write a new play?”
    â€œIt’s a newly discovered play,” added Diana hastily.
    Thornton lost his fear suddenly and he burst into laughter. “A newly discovered play by the bard?” he said. “What rubbish. You’ve brought all of us here under false pretences and I shall see you don’t get away with it. Fraud is a serious business.”
    â€œIt’s no fraud,” said Angela lightly. “Trust me.”
    Billy snorted a laugh. “What are you, a doctor?”
    Mickey greeted the joke with a snigger.
    â€œIt is as authentic as Hamlet or Caesar .” Diana‘s voice cut through the hilarity. “It is documented beyond doubt.”
    Thornton recognised sincerity when he heard it. His curiosity was aroused. “Fully documented you say? Might I have a look at the script?”
    â€œNot yet, Mr Thornton, our backer, Mr Joshua Lucy, has the script and it on his insistence that this little meeting has been arranged. As you might imagine, security is tight. We can’t allow a word of this project out until we are ready to go.”
    â€œHence this outlandish little place!” said Thornton. “Where is your Mr Lucy?”
    â€œHe prefers to stay in the background.”
    â€œHe stays in the background all right,” muttered Mickey. “I haven’t seen a soul apart from you two.”
    â€œOh, you’ll get to meet him,” smiled Angela. It was the hot smile. “He likes to see where his money goes.”
    â€œHe’s invested heavily?”
    â€œIndeed he has Mr Thornton,” said Diana, with overly deep sincerity. “This production will never be short of funds.”
    â€œDoes this mean I get the chance to go ligit?” Mickey’s interest was strong.
    â€œYou’ll get the chance to use all your talents, Mr Finnegan.” Mickey enjoyed the way Angela said that. It was a sentence full of promise. You can teach an old dog new tricks then.
    â€œI’ve always wanted to go ligit,” said Mickey, “do a straight play, act.”
    â€œWhat, in that suit?” Billy laughed. “The only thing you can do is act the fool - and you don’t do that very well.”
    â€œAnd what part will you play, you skinny bean pole?” Mickey retorted. “How will anybody hear you without an amplifier? With a voice like yours you wouldn’t even get to sing in the chorus.”
    â€œGentlemen, please.” There was gentle reproach in Diana’s voice. “There is a perfect role for each of you - each one a lead too. Now, I’d really like to get to know you all better.”
    Thornton sighed impatiently. “Can’t we just get with this... audition? My time is valuable you know. I need to rest between performances; Othello is a very demanding role.”
    â€œ Othello is nothing compared to the complexity of your new role.”
    It was uttered as a simple statement of fact, which Thornton took to heart. “I suppose the star must be accommodating,” he pronounced as he swaggered to the grey table and pulled out a chair.
    He sat. Diana looked at him. She said nothing, but Thornton shot to his feet and moved to the row of ancient seats to the side.
    â€œJust a minute,” Billy found voice. “How come the old Queen gets top billing? I’m a bigger draw than him. I can fill a football stadium with fans.”
    Diana looked at him with cold detachment. “You’re so young,” she said.
    Angela looked at him with longing. “And so talented,” she said softly.
    â€œYeah,” boasted Billy. “I’m the biggest star in the world.”
    â€œBelieve me,” said Diana, “You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t.”
    Billy