I've been standing in line for hours and my feet are killing me. I got here at 5am thinking I'd make it earlier than most people but there were already a good number of people when I arrived and by the looks of it some look like they slept here. It will be hours before my turn comes. Great.
We're all here to audition for a chance to be a presenter on a teen show that will be airing on TV in a few weeks. Of course I'm not a teen but one might mistake me for one since I'm a tiny little thing and you wouldn't tell that I'm 23.
I've been going audition after audition for the last 2 years but nothing solid has come out of it, all I got were small parts like being an extra in a TV series or commercials. I've also been on a few music videos five to be exact but that's about it. The only reason I haven't given up is because I've always wanted to be an actress since forever. I did a lot of plays back when I was still at school and people always pointed out how good I was. I don't think I'm too bad.
Yes the money I get from these gigs isn't much but it gets me through each month without any need for me to depend on my parents.
Whilst I'm still deciding weather to take a walk to the snack bar just to get away from the girl next to me who has been talking my ear off I feel like my ears are about to bleed, my phone starts ringing and the caller ID says 'Mom'
"Hi mom" I greet her cheerfully.
I love talking to my mom before going through an audition because her voice somehow eases my nerves. I'm grateful that my parents are supportive of my dream. They don't pressure me to find a real job because they understand that this is what I've always wanted growing up.
I didn't really tell mom about this audition so this call is sort of unexpected. I don't think I stand a chance against these teens who only want this part just for fun unlike me who takes this seriously as I keep hoping somebody might discover me and I would finally breakthrough the acting industry.
"Hey honey. How are you doing" she asks in that sweet calm voice of hers.
"I'm fine mom. How you and dad doing?" I walk away from the chatty teens for privacy.
"We're fine..." she pauses and I hear her letting out a heavy sigh before she continues, "...so how are the auditions going, you got any this week?"
Something sounds off about her. I have a feeling that something might be wrong.
"Mom what's wrong?" I have to ask. My heart starts racing as my mind is making up ridiculously crazy scenarios on what could be the matter.
"Oh honey, I didn't want to worry you but your father got retrenched a few months back and we thought he might find another job soon but nothing has come up yet"
What? And she's only telling me now.
"...the stress is eating him up. You know how much he loved his job. He's not himself lately" she adds.
My dad has worked for that stupid company for years and the thanks he gets for being loyal is getting retrenched.
What in the world is wrong with these people.
"I'll be home for dinner. See you later mom" I tell her as we say our goodbyes and hang up.
They'll be more auditions in the future, right now my family needs me. I leave the line and make my way to my apartment which is a few blocks from were the audition is being held. Sometimes I wonder if I would have made a breakthrough in the industry already if I didn't live in this Island because even though Haven Island is big, opportunities are not easy to come by if you're not linked with somebody in the business.
When I get to my parents, dad is happy to see me and the guilt of not coming to see them for months starts eating at me. I can tell he's not ok, he's lost some weight, grey hairs in his hair are visible, bags under his eyes from lake of sleep and mom isn't any better and the sight of my parents looking this way breaks my heart in a million pieces. I want to cry but right now crying wouldn't solve a thing.
My mom fills me in on their financial problems and how they had to sell my dad's BMW which was the latest model to pay the bills and that my mom's will be next and I know after that the house and that doesn't sit well with me because this is my childhood home where I grew up in and it holds precious memories.
The next couple of days I went job hunting and left my CVs everywhere and anywhere. I have high chances than my dad cause I'm younger. At least I hope so.
Two Weeks had passed and still no luck on finding a job and mom had started looking for a buyer for her car which made dad have a health scare caused by stress. The doctor advised him to keep from stressing. They had prescribed some medication for him but the cost didn't do good to my savings as my parents were behind on paying their medical aid bills.
That Sunday, the three of us went to church. We really needed to unload the burdens in our hearts and what better place can one go to other than at church.
I think I felt better after the service and while everyone mingled outside. I stood next to my mom's car impatiently waiting for my parents to be done socializing with the other members, Father Kain approaches me.
"Claire. How are you dear" he greets smiling at me.
"Father Kain. Hi"
"Haven't seen you in a while..." and by for a while he means 2 years "...your mother told me you were pursuing a career in acting. How is that going for you?"
Of course my mother would tell Father Kain about my career even if it's almost non-existant. How embarrassing.
"Haven't gotten any permanent jobs and right now I'm putting that on hold. I'm currently looking for a real job" I tell him honestly not meeting his eye, like I'm blushing right now even though I know Father Kain wouldn't judge me.
"What kind of jobs are you looking into?" he asks politely.
"I'm not really choosey, anything would do"
I know I sound desperate but that's because I am. I know Father Kain knows in detail what my family is going through because my mother is very open when it comes to our business.
"Well in that case, I have a friend of a friend of mine who is a businessman looking for a secretary and I think you're a good candidate since you did business studies in college"
"Really?" I ask excitedly.
"Yes, but I'll have to call him and ask if he still hasn't found a replacement yet then get back to you. You might learn a thing or two from him"
Him? Relax Claire. He's not some monster from a horror movie or anything like that.
I'm so exited and I hope he hasn't found a replacement yet. I hug Father Kain then go through the crowd in search of my parents to share the good news with them. I should probably not share the news just yet but I believe this job is mine. That is what Father Kain was preaching about during the service.
This job would make our lives a little better and I just pray that Mr Businessman hires me.