I look around as I see New York speeding in front of me. I can’t believe I’m actually here. I’ve been saving up for this transition for two years, daydreaming about what it will be like once I get here. It’s so surreal.
I came to become an actress. Hopefully on the dazzling Broadway. I know it’s a longshot, but this is where to come when you have acting dreams.
I’ve been watching Broadway musicals and plays on TV, when they’re already off the stage, but I can’t afford to come here every new performance.
“It’s fast-paced and busy” I think to myself. “Way different from my small Ohio town back home.”
I take in the roar of traffic starting and stopping, the sweet aroma of pretzels and sour smell of hotdogs.
Grrrr-umble.
My stomach growls as I grab my last plaid and beige suitcase out of the airline taxi. I pay the driver and he points me to my apartment building.
It’s a big and towering high-rise, with forest green over hangs above the doors.
It looks intimidating and sophisticated, like something that could also be a hotel in Paris.
As I enter, I see a small cafe for residents only. I check with the building manager to get my keys. Then, I’ll get some food.
I find the office.
“Hi, I’m Haylen Cox. I talked to you over the phone and sent you a letter. I should be moving in today.”
“Hi and welcome. Let me find your contract.” An athletically built young woman, about my age, shuffles around some filing cabinets.
She has brown hair, pulled up into a ponytail, wearing a black pantsuit. She’s strutting around in these killer red, shiny heels.
I notice framed pictures of her on her desk. About 3 or 4.
They happen to be of her on stage, her olive skin glowing and absorbing the bright stage lights.
Her smile never ending, stretching across her face.
I want that. Acting in small community plays, are a great warm-up to what I see in these pictures. I’m ready for more.
“Excuse me, if I may ask, where are you performing in these pictures?” I ask her, bewildered.
“Oh, of course. Um, Broadway. I know, I’m on Broadway, but work here. Well, it’s not all glitz and glam. I wasn’t even a huge role, I mean-” She looks sad and caught off-guard.
I interrupt.
“I came here to be exactly what you are.” I breathe.
She smiles, and picks up a packet of pristine white papers and an envelope with my name on it, and hands it to me.
“Here you go, your contracts, rent papers. Oh, and your keys are in this envelope.”
She hands them over to me.
“You’re in apartment 203, second floor. My name’s Emily. Any problems, don’t hesitate to come and talk to me.” She sits back down in her black, squishy office chair and shakes my hand.
“Thank you very much, and nice to meet you.” I shake her soft hand in return.
As I turn out the door, she says one last thing.
“Good luck out there, people will try to take advantage of you.”
I grab a spot in the cafe line, flustered, and look up at the menu.
Raisin bagel with Philadelphia cream cheese
Strawberry salad with hard boiled eggs on the side
Sourdough English muffin egg sandwich with potato
I choose the third option.
I take my food to go in a boxy container, upstairs to my new home.
As I open the door, I take in the setting.
Couch in the main living area, small flatscreen tv, round dining table, even smaller kitchen, a couple flower vases, and a hallway to my bedroom and bathroom.
It obviously comes fully furnished, but they hadn’t sprung for any upgrades.
It looks like I walked straight into to the ‘80s, but, it has a certain sense of charm to it.
I sit on the pale blue couch and open up my container of food.
“Smells like Dad’s famous weekend breakfast. How I miss my family.” I think to myself and sigh. I look at the clock.
4:30 pm.
I go to sleep right there on the couch.
    I awake the next morning, to the alarming noises of the busy streets outside.
    Big day today. A Broadway audition is today at 12:00 pm.
    It’s for a play called Forest.
    It’s about a villain named Connor who tries to eliminate a superhero named Hopper, and they dress like human-forest animals.
    I’m auditioning for Hopper.
    I get ready, then frantically find a taxi to take me to the theatre.
    Once I arrive I have to wait in a long line of other hopeful actresses and actors.
    After 45 minutes, it’s finally my turn.
    I walk across the stage and face the director and casting director with a smile.
    “Hi, I’m your director Evan Stevens. Feel free to start whenever.” he smiles.
    “I’m Haylen Cox, and I’m auditioning for the role of Hopper.” I reply, starting.
    After about 1 minute, I finish, looking at Evan for feedback.
    “Thank you, that was perfect. We don’t have anyone good enough to play Cooner, though. We would love to give you that role, instead. I feel you are suited for her. Would you take it?” He asks.
        “Yes, I’d be honored.” I’m surprised, but give him my contact info. He tells me that we start pre-rehearsal tonight. Tonight!
    I wait at the theatre, walking around, and finally return to the stage for rehearsal.
    I meet the other few actors that are there, and see a familiar face.
    “Emily? What role do you play?”
    “Hopper, you?”
    “Cooner!”
    “Okay, so, Cooner, you use this prop, a weapon called an ElectroGun. It fatally electrifies its victim in the play.” Evan interrupts. “Cooner, right now, you will practice the ‘attempt-at-murder’ scene directed at Hopper. Say your lines out loud, press this button, and aim it at her. Pretend to try and kill her. And...action!”
    I recite my lines, looking maliciously at Emily, and act as if I were preparing my weapon, aiming...fire!
    An actual current of blue crackling zap, extends far to Emily’s chest.
    She shrieks and falls to the floor, groaning, until it goes silent.
    “Wow,” I think, “Broadway goes all out. Great quality.”
    “Yes! Revenge is mine.” Someone says, way cheesy.
    I look over to see Evan celebrating, while trying to get rid of his smile.
    I stare at him square in his narrow, blue eyes.
    He takes off running. My eyes follow him through the seats of the non-existent audience, to the door, disappearing outside.
    It all clicks in my brain now, Evan gave me an actual high-powered electrical weapon.
    I look at Emily on the floor, her chest has slowly stopped moving up and down.
    “What have I done?” I hear myself utter.