'Murder and Revenge' is a story I wrote about five years ago. I thought you might enjoy reading it. It was a word challenge piece I read to Uxbridge Writers' Circle members. The words I had to use were: migraine; boost; throwback; star; conquer.
Below the story are a short video clip and a photo of Audi's World with an update on his progress. We're excited about the upcoming racing season at Woodbine Racetrack!
Murder and Revenge
Monica lay stretched out on the sofa in her dressing room, surrounded by candles. Light from the flames flickered on the peeling walls. Scents of cinnamon and vanilla wafted over her in sporadic waves, overpowering the musty odour which had filled her nostrils when she first entered this godforsaken place. She was sprawled on her side, with her head propped up on her hand, her elbow sinking into the threadbare, lumpy cushion.
There was a knock at the door and Clark, her agent, poked his nose into the room and hesitated.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake come in,” Monica said as she flung her pink satin robe over her legs. Not that she was particularly modest, it was just that there was a frightful draught that not only threatened to blow out a good number of the candles but brought cold air bearing the faint stench of rotting garbage.
“How are we today?” asked Clark as he slithered into the room and sat on a dirty plastic chair.
“I’ve no idea how you are, but I have a migraine. I don’t have any lights on. You might have noticed.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Clark fidgeted with his collar and then wrung his hands. “Are you too sick to go on?”
“Of course I’m too sick. You do ask some stupid questions.”
Clark’s face reddened.
“You mean you’re going to miss opening night?”
“Don’t overreact so. Anybody’d think you were the actor, not me.”
Clark sat up straight and pulled out his smartphone. His fingers and thumbs danced around it. Monica was fascinated by his complete and intense absorption in the shiny thing, as well as irritated.
“Clark, I don’t like being ignored. And, by the way, you told me that this part would give my career the boost it needs. That’s a joke.”
Clark put the phone back in his pocket and turned towards her. His face was beet-red and there was perspiration on his upper lip. His eyes were unblinking.
“You’re the joke. You’re a throwback to the good old days. You expect everyone to pamper you and wait on you, faun over you. It’s especially ridiculous because you’re not a star and never will be. You’re a mediocre actor at best and will never get roles in any theatres outside of this city, especially if you can’t be relied upon to show up on stage. If I were you, I’d get out there tonight.”
Monica threw back her head and laughed. Clark stood up as Monica clapped her hands.
“I didn’t think you had the backbone to say what you think,” Monica said. “I can’t tell you how relieved I am that you actually have some guts.”
“What?” Clark stared at her as she sat up on the sofa and fluffed up her hair with an exaggerated flourish.
“I thought you were made of mush. This is a nice surprise.”
“What’s this all about?” There was a twitch under Clark’s right eye which amused Monica.
“Oh, it’s about me, of course. I want an agent who has some passion and drive, and who is honest and direct. I’ve now determined that you can be forthright, but I don’t think you have my interests at heart. You won’t get me the roles I deserve.”
Monica stood up and let her robe slip off as she bent over to snuff out several candles. She switched on the lights that surrounded the mirror.
“So, you are going on tonight?” Clark asks through clenched teeth.
“Of course I am. The show must go on. I just wanted to see how’d you react to the possibility that I wouldn’t.” And, she thought, to my criticism of you as an agent capable of representing me.
“Why would you want to do that?”
“I told you.” Monica stopped applying face powder with her fluffy puff and looked at her pale reflection in the mirror. Her sparkling blue eyes gave away nothing as Clark watched. He turned on his heels and strode out of the room.
Monica had learned what she needed to know. His reaction to the suggestion she might not perform had been as she suspected. She lit the candles again, switched off the lights, and lay on the sofa with her robe draped over her, waiting for the director to show up.
That night, her inability to conquer her imaginary migraine prevented her from performing. It turned out to be fortuitous for her but tragic for her understudy who, ironically, was murdered during the death scene. The killer has still not been caught, but Monica was in no doubt as to who had hired the assassin.
Her husband, Max, owed over a million dollars to a crime syndicate and had to pay up, or else. Or else, Monica supposed, meant he’d be at the bottom of a river with concrete shoes.
Max’s mistake had been his brutality. Despite his abuse, he dared to demand that Monica bail him out. She’d refused despite his ominous threats. In fact, she was already one step ahead of him. She’d moved her funds and jewels to a bank in the Cayman Islands and that’s where she headed as soon as the play opened that evening. There was no doubt in her mind that she had to leave once Clark had confirmed, by his behaviour, that she was destined to be murdered.
Two months later, Max was found dead in a shower at his gym. It was presumed to be suicide, but no note was found.
And Monica knows more than she’s ever going to divulge.
She’s now enjoying a revitalized acting career in Europe where she is, indeed, a star, and has been spotted driving around Milan in her shiny red Porsche.
Vicky Earle Copyright 2024
Audi's World
This is Audi's World getting ready for a ride in the arena. He is a two-year-old and just beginning his training.
He's doing well. The rider is pleased with his progress.
He will be on his way to Woodbine Racetrack in the spring.
It was great to have the opportunity to see him being ridden.
Below is a short clip of him cantering.
Audi's World was bred by Franz and Danielle Crean. We appreciate the opportunity to be part-owners of this handsome boy!
We enjoyed our visit. I'll keep you posted on his progress!
Thank you for reading my post.
Please share!
Vicky
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