Part 19 (1/2)

”And your agent called you about this audition?” Lucky asked.

”No, I found out about this from a friend of mine who knows the actress who had to drop out of the show two days ago because she's in traction now. A good agent is a big a.s.set, but actors who keep their ears to the ground and go after opportunities get a lot more work than actors who just sit around at home hoping their agents will call,” I explained. ”Anyhow, instead of a general call, the casting director will want to choose the replacement fast, from just a small pool of actresses. And I'm trying to talk to Thack about it so he can get me into that audition.”

”What's the role?” Max asked.

”I would play a graduate student who's trying to convince the precinct cops to do something about hoodlums hanging around her street.” I hadn't seen the script, of course, but I suspected that in the usual pattern of the show's morality tales, the cops would probably do too little, too late, with a gut-wrenching conclusion to the episode.

”Yeah, I can see you doin' a part like that,” Lucky said. ”Someone smart and respectable . . . who nags a lot.”

I gave him a look. ”Plus,” I said, ”the casting director for this is someone who liked me last year, on a different Crime and Punishment Crime and Punishment audition. He didn't think I was good casting for the part of the killer-” audition. He didn't think I was good casting for the part of the killer-”

”I'd say he's right about that,” said Lucky.

”-but I'm pretty sure he'll remember me and I'll have a good shot at this. If If I can get in for a reading,” I added with some frustration. ”My agent and I are having a little communication problem.” I can get in for a reading,” I added with some frustration. ”My agent and I are having a little communication problem.”

”Oh, that's because Mercury is in retrograde,” Max said absently. ”Just give it about two more weeks, though, and things will improve.”

”I haven't got got two more weeks,” I said. ”I need to get Thack working on this two more weeks,” I said. ”I need to get Thack working on this today today. They're going to have to recast that role soon to keep up with their production schedule.”

Lucky put his book down. ”You want me to go deal with this agent, kid? Make him show some respect?”

”No!” I said quickly. ”No. I I will deal with my agent.” will deal with my agent.”

”I could talk to the casting director,” Lucky offered. ”Make sure he realizes it's in his best interest for you to get what you want.”

I groaned and held my head in my hands. ”No. I'm very sorry I even brought it up.” I'm very sorry I even brought it up.”

”Well, if you change your mind . . .”

”Or it's possible I could a.s.sist,” Max said. ”There's a certain amulet that might render the casting director susceptible to-”

”Do you both have so little faith in my talent?” I demanded. ”You think I can only get this role with the help of extortion or magic?”

”What?” Lucky said. ”No!”

”No,” Max said. ”Of course not!”

”I was just tryin' to help.”

”I merely hoped to lend you my a.s.sistance, as you lend yours to me.”

”In that case,” I said, ”wish me luck, guys. And just stay out of it, otherwise.”

”Ah! All right,” Max said. ”As you wish. Good luck!”

”You shouldn't say that to an actress,” Lucky chided Max. ”They're very superst.i.tious, these theatrical types. You gotta say, 'Break a leg!' Ain't that right, kid?”

I smiled at Lucky. ”That's right. It's the accepted phrase.” I added to Max, ”But I'm not that that superst.i.tious, so I accept wishes for good luck in any form. Though the best wishes in the world will be wasted if I can't even get the audition,” I grumbled. ”I'll have to try calling Thack again later.” superst.i.tious, so I accept wishes for good luck in any form. Though the best wishes in the world will be wasted if I can't even get the audition,” I grumbled. ”I'll have to try calling Thack again later.”

I also hoped his other client would agree not to sue the production company, since a lawsuit might put a damper on Thack's ability to get C&P C&P auditions for his actors. And I auditions for his actors. And I really really wanted that audition, since my immediate professional future consisted only of waiting tables. I found that so depressing that I resolutely turned my thoughts to something else. wanted that audition, since my immediate professional future consisted only of waiting tables. I found that so depressing that I resolutely turned my thoughts to something else.

”Did you say there's something in book?” I asked Lucky.

”Hey, that's right! I did.”

”Ah, you found something?” Max asked.

”I gotta give credit where credit's due.” Lucky gestured to Nelli. ”This familiar of yours, Doc? She's workin' out okay.”

”She chews things,” Max said in an aggrieved tone.

Nelli snorted and gave herself a thorough shake. The propeller-like motion of her enormous ears made me fear I'd get injured if I stood too close to her.

”What's in the book?” I prodded.

Lucky extended his arms to hold the volume well away from his aging gaze as he read aloud, somewhat haltingly, ” 'A bilocated individual can be in two places at the same time. After replication, the two portions of the human form may become widely separated from one another. The double-that is to say, the duplicate, the replicate-can be seen by others. It frequently speaks in a voice and performs actions identical to those of the real person. The clothes it wears are also replicas of the original clothing.' ”

I looked at Nelli. She wagged her tail.

I said to Lucky, ”This is the book the dog dog found?” found?”

”Yeah.”

”Don't say 'dog',” Max whispered, casting an anxious glance at Nelli.

”I'm impressed,” I admitted to Max. ”I know you conjured her and all that, but I really thought she was just a dumb mutt.”

Nelli growled at me.

”I apologize,” I said quickly. ”I think it's the ears. Are you sure you don't want to rethink that part of your look?”

The sudden chiming of bells indicated that someone was entering the shop.

”Dr. Zadok?” a male voice called. ”Maximillian Zadok?”

”Yes?” Max rose from the table and went past the surrounding bookcases.

I s.h.i.+fted uncomfortably under Nelli's wounded gaze. ”It was just a suggestion. Forget I mentioned it.”

”You hurt her feelings,” Lucky said critically. ”You should be more careful about what you say.”

”At least I haven't whacked any of her mates,” I snapped.

Lucky grunted and glared at me.

”Federal Express,” said the stranger by the door.