“Why do you think I came all the way over here?” Koman asks as he chews. He looks at Noi. “You have any soda?”
“Why do I need to go?” Noi asks breathlessly, ignoring Koman, who gets up and crosses to the refrigerator, returning with a can of Coke.
“Because you were in the video, too. Duh.” Koman cracks open the can and starts drinking.
“I’m not in theater arts. I was only helping out! Sud’s the one who wants to be an actor.”
Shit.“Noi…” I begin.
Noi jumps to his feet. “But I was only supposed to do the video!”
“The audition istomorrow, Noi. Tomorrow! And they said they want both of us! They’re going to want us to read together.”
Noi sits on the couch and crosses his arms over his chest, and I settle next to him. I feel bad. I know how much he hates being the center of attention.
“I’m sorry I got you into this,” I say.
Uncrossing his arms, he turns to me, face suddenly earnest. The thought runs through my mind that with his fine features, big eyes, and shapely mouth, I’ll bet he bowled over those execs who watched the video.
“This is way more important than a video exam, Sud. This is your future! If they like you, they may offer you a part in a series. They’re going to hand us a script, and we’ll have to improvise. You need someone with you who knows how to do that, and that’s not me! I had to work really hard to do that video with you.”
My heart contracts. Because Noi isn’t even thinking of himself and his discomfort. He’s thinking of what’s best forme.
Noi’s warm hand wraps around mine, urging me to meet his eyes.
“I know you think I did a good job, and I’m glad. But I’m not an actor. Surely you have someone else you can ask.”
My mind runs through the faces of the male students in my theater classes, but I still can’t imagine doing a romantic scene off the cuff with them any more than I could when the video was assigned.
“Maybe if I had time to get comfortable with them, it might work. But not tomorrow,” I say weakly.
“What about Koman?” Noi asks.
I look over my shoulder to where Koman sits frozen, greasy fingers wrapped around a chicken wing.
“Hell, no!” he says. “No way. I don’t do that kind of scene.”
“But you’re an actor,” Noi argues. “And Sud’s your friend!”
“I have a girlfriend who would kill me if I act lovey-dovey with anyone else. Besides, if you think for a minute Sud and I wouldn’t crack up if we had to do a love scene, you’re crazy.”
“Wedid it without cracking up! Because, you know. We’re adults!“ Noi snaps. “And if your girlfriend can’t handle you doing love scenes, I don’t know how your relationship is going to last when you become AN ACTOR!”
I have to bite the inside of my lip so I don’t laugh out loud. Noi is furious, and Koman’s wiping his hands furiously in preparation for escape.
“Yeah, well you two are already half married,” he grumbles.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Noi starts around the bar, and Koman jumps up, almost toppling the stool in his haste to get away.
“I have to go. See you later.”
The apartment door slams, and Noi turns back to me, looking furious.
“He’s a dick.”
I say, “Don’t worry about it, okay? They’ll probably have someone there who can read with me.”
Noi paces the room for a minute, and when he turns to me this time, I’m shocked that he looks like he’s about to cry.