“It sounds like a great part,” Peggy remarked.
“Doesn’t it?” May agreed. “Anyway, that’s about all there is to it. Not a second Hamlet, I’ll admit, but a good, solid comedy.”
“Wait a minute,” Amy interrupted. “You’ve only mentioned three women. Who’s the fourth?”
“A tiny part,” May said. “A schoolgirl friend of the young daughter. She appears in one scene in the first act.”
“And that’s Peggy?” Amy asked.
May nodded. “Probably. That and understudying the daughter.”
Amy sighed. “Oh my,” she said. “Wouldn’t you just love to play the daughter?”
“Stop dreaming,” May counseled. “Oscar Stalkey couldn’t afford to take a chance with an unknown in a part like that.” May turned and walked over to Peggy. “Now look, Peggy,” she said in a quiet, reassuring voice, “when you walk into that office tomorrow, don’t try to pretend you’re an experienced actress. Oscar Stalkey’s been around a long time and he’d be able to see right through your pose.”
The older woman sat down and folded her hand over Peggy’s. “Do you remember that time when Randy told you to be yourself and not try to act as if you were ten years older?”
Peggy smiled and nodded.