?Thanks;? Serena replied shakily。 She couldn?t wait get this over with。
?Good;? Ken barked。 ?Let?s get some light in here! This is the real thing; people!?
Serena strolled over to her mark on the set; just as she?d practiced walking yesterday。
?Let?s get light;? called the assistant director。
The light changed: the rest of the room grew darker but the spot on Serena was intensely bright。
She didn?t even blink。 She looked up into the light and she couldn?t see anything but the light; and
couldn?t think about anything but standing there in the light。 She was Serena。 She was Holly。 She
didn?t know who she was anymore。 She justwas 。
Own it; she reminded herself。
?Whenever you?re ready; Holly;? Ken called from some…where out in the darkness。
She was ready。
Taking a deep breath; she walked to the bottom step of the tenement?s stoop。 She didn?t hesitate;
she didn?t count her steps; she didn?t stumble or run。 Mounting the steps; she turned to face the
cameras; inhaling deeply。
?It?s a nice night;? she sighed。 ?It?s always a nice night。?
She climbed to the top step and sat down。 She could see Ken Mogul watching her intently as he
puffed on a cigarette。 She could see Blair; standing very still and squinting critically。 She paused
and then; with a heartbreaking little tremor in her voice; she began to sing。
Moon River; wider than a mile 。 。 。
I?ll be crossing you in style; someday。
Dream maker; you heartbreaker 。 。 。
She sang through all the verses of the song; unacpanied。 The set was pletely quiet and
the light so strong she forgot for a moment who she really was; where she really was: for the
moment; shewas Holly; and she was singing her heart out。
She finished the song and a tiny tear rolled down her cheek。 She stared into the light; blinking
and half smiling。 She?d always been the center of attention; in fact; she was so used to it she
barely noticed anymore。 But this was the first time she?d ever felt like a star。
There was a long moment of plete and utter silence。 No one moved。 No one spoke。
?Holly;? whispered Ken quietly; but everyone could hear him?it was that quiet。 ?That was
incredible。 Where thefuck have you been keeping that; sweetheart?? He leapt out of his chair and
dashed onto the set to scoop her up in his arms。 Some of the crew actually started clapping。 Even
Blair。
?Ladies and gentlemen!? Ken Mogul cried; holding Serena closely against his chest and spinning
her around in a circle。 ?A star is born!?
Ken smelled like sauerkraut and espresso。 It made her eyes tear。 But that was okay?she was
already crying。
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ABC Amber LIT Converter v2。02
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Disclaimer: All the real names of places; people; and events have been altered or abbreviated to