Chapter 45 A Private Audition

In the hotel suite's living room, Louise casually slipped her hands into the pockets of her cropped trousers and leaned against the bar, her eyes fixed on Martin, who stood diagonally across from her, deftly shaking a cocktail shaker.

Before Martin approached, he'd taken care to change into a snug V-neck T-shirt, showcasing his chiseled physique with impeccable lines.

Kelly occupied a high stool, arms crossed, and found Martin's bartending performance more akin to an art form than what she'd witnessed at the Strip Club.

Martin retrieved a chilled wine glass, poured the wine into it, and skillfully fashioned a delicate paper airplane as an ornate touch on the rim of the glass. "A paper airplane, please indulge," he offered.

Louise's gaze remained fixed on the orange-red translucent wine. She delicately raised the glass and took a sip, finding it to be an elegant, delicate, and refreshingly soft drink.

It was a cocktail she'd never experienced before, a completely novel taste sensation.

The drink alone made the evening worthwhile.

Martin didn't neglect Kelly. He concocted a Caipirinha with sugarcane liquor as the base and presented it to her. "Kelly, this one's for you."

"I prefer sweet flavors," Kelly remarked after a sip.

Following her second sip, Louise thought for a moment, then abruptly placed the chilled wine glass on the bar. She grabbed a paper towel to wipe away the condensation on her hands and extended her right hand toward the bar. "Allow me to introduce myself formally: Louise Meyer from Los Angeles."

This introduction was a departure from Kelly's, and Martin, wiping his hands, extended his hand to shake hers. "I'm Martin Davis, a bartender and actor."

"This is paper plane, a glass of wine that will make history in the world of cocktails," Louise exclaimed, finishing the remaining orange liqueur in one gulp. "Martin, you're a genius."

Martin responded with a touch of humor, "I've experimented with countless recipes, and luck has been on my side."

If Louise had any questions, she inquired, "So, do you have another recipe? Something a little stronger?"

"Stronger liquor?" Martin confirmed.

Louise tilted her head and met Martin's gaze. "Strong drinks are my favorite."

"It might not be to your liking," Martin cautioned. He grabbed a fresh cocktail shaker, poured in the sorghum red he had brought, added white wine and crushed ice, shook it thoroughly, poured it into a chilled glass, and garnished it with a fresh orange slice.

He handed it to Louise. "Welcome to Atlanta."

"It's called 'Welcome'?" Louise asked as she lifted the glass. The wine was smooth, velvety on the palate, and subtly sweet, a flavor she had never encountered before.

Despite her seasoned palate, she detected an exceptionally high alcohol content. After a single sip, her blue eyes sparkled, as if they were welling up with water. "It has a unique taste, but it's an excellent glass of wine," she declared. Martin nodded in satisfaction. "Thank you; it's earned the approval of its first customer."

In the hotel suite, Louise expressed her enthusiasm for wine, saying, "I'm honored to be its first customer." Gradually, she developed a taste for alcohol and asked, "What else do you have?"

Martin, however, had something up his sleeve. He mentioned, "I've been experimenting with a new cocktail lately, but it hasn't quite succeeded yet."

Louise, after savoring the potent drink, maintained her composure. She replied, "We can discuss wine when we have the time."

Quick-witted as ever, Martin suggested, "Every time a new cocktail is created, there are countless recipes to explore. It's challenging for one person alone. If Louise has the time, we could try it together."

Louise leaned seductively against the bar, emphasizing her curves, and playfully inquired, "You have great ideas; are you willing to share them?"

Martin, not one to shy away, admitted, "It hasn't quite succeeded yet."

Turning her attention to Kelly, he asked, "Kelly, I heard 'City Folks' is airing tonight?"

Kelly responded, "It's on the second cable channel at that time."

Louise, a connoisseur of alcohol, grabbed Kelly's glass and took a sip, then furrowed her brow, saying, "This isn't wine; it's more like a cocktail."

To remedy this, Martin fetched a bottle of Macallan whiskey, known for its higher alcohol content, and poured it into three fresh glasses.

Kelly revealed, "Martin is one of the supporting actors in the late-night movie I've invested in. His performance is quite impressive."

Surprised, Louise asked Martin, "Where did you learn all this bartending, acting, and the ability to charm people even when they know you're trying to please them? These aren't skills a poor boy from the slums typically possesses."

Martin, undaunted, replied confidently, "My father, Jack Davis, is one of the most versatile men in Atlanta."

Kelly expressed her surprise, saying, "I've never heard of him."

Yielding no further details, Martin asserted, "I decide the course of my own life."

They all raised their glasses and clinked them together, drinking the whiskey.

Louise took the bottle and poured more wine, proposing a toast: "Here's to this wonderful night."

Before the late-night drama began, they managed to empty another bottle of whiskey.

Martin headed to get more drinks.

However, Kelly intervened, swaying slightly, "No more drinking, please."

Louise disagreed, exclaiming, "What a wonderful night! How can we run out of good wine?" She playfully grabbed Kelly, and the two tipsy women tumbled onto the sofa.

With her head resting on Louise's chest, Kelly muttered contentedly, "Where's the remote? The show's about to start."

Martin returned with more drinks.

Thus, two women in their early thirties and a 22-year-old man continued their drinking session.

Martin sprawled on the single sofa, raising his glass to Louise, "I'll go along with whatever the director decides."

Louise reached behind her and retrieved a pink thermos with a straw from the sofa's crevice. She passed it to Kelly, who eagerly sipped the water through the straw.

Kelly inquired, "I heard you're the inspiration for the character?"

Martin was prepared for this question, replying, "It's a bit exaggerated."

Louise gestured for him to come closer, saying, "Come sit next to me; it's still early tonight. We can savor our drinks."

Martin brought the wine bottle and joined them. As he sat down, two different hands reached out simultaneously.

With no unusual events or complications, just an audition.

...

Early the next morning, Martin awoke to find Kelly Gray getting ready to leave.

She informed him, "I've ordered breakfast for you."

Martin waved his hand dismissively, rose from the carpet, and opened the window, remarking, "The smell of alcohol is pretty strong in here."

Louise retrieved her business card and placed it on the coffee table, saying, "When your new cocktail is ready, give me a call." She glanced at Martin and added, "If you want to make it big in Hollywood, this is a necessary step."

Given his previous life's experiences, Martin had seen his fair share of messiness. He remarked, "I should be auditioning for you." He sat on the sofa and added with a grin, "Two young, sexy, beautiful, and elegant ladies, an young up and coming young actor sacrificing his dignity just to secure backing for their film, sounds like a storyline fit for Hollywood."

Louise laughed heartily, got up, and entered the study. Swiftly, she retrieved a script and placed it next to her business card, instructing, "I have some say in casting decisions for this role. Take it with you and study it carefully. Even though you passed the audition last night, remember that Hollywood isn't what it used to be, and you still need to follow the audition room protocol."

Her tone shifted, and she issued a serious warning, "If your performance in the audition room falls short, don't blame me for being harsh."

"I understand, no matter how tough it gets," Martin replied as he organized the materials. He then inquired, "Does the production need extras? The community theater group I'm part of is cost-effective, highly professional, and willing to work hard."

Louise nodded and agreed, "Bring the person in charge here during the audition."