“Just a minute!” Alison’s voice was shrill in the quiet patio. “I’m not playing the model, Chuck. You gave me the wrong part!”
“No,” Chuck said firmly. “Peggy is going to do Evelyn and I want you to play Miriam Blake. You’re right for it, Alison, just as Peggy is right for Evelyn. It’s the only way to cast this show.”
“That’s true,” Rita whispered to Peggy.
“Well, I’m not going to do it!” Alison interrupted. “I’ve played Evelyn before and this just doesn’t make sense.”
“She did play it,” Chris broke in cautiously with a concerned look at Peggy. “We were both in the play last summer—”
“And who did the model?” Chuck asked.
“A girl we got from New York. We had to job the part,” Chris replied.
“Yes, you had to job the part, and we can’t afford to do that. I’m sorry, Alison,” Chuck said gently, “I know you’d like to do it again and I’m sure you were wonderful. But you yourself can see that with our company this is the only possible casting. Peggy is too young and unsophisticated to play the model. It just wouldn’t work out.”
“Well, then, get somebody else to play the model,” Alison said impatiently. “Why not get that June Tilson—what’s the matter with her?”
“Because audiences want to see Peggy again in a good part.” Chuck was adamant. “They want to see you, too. That’s part of stock, Alison. Your summer audiences grow fond of their actors and are interested in seeing them in varied roles. The model is a perfect part for you, Alison, and you’ll be good in it. Now let’s start the reading!”