eccentricities.”
“I see.”
“Her body cannot continue to take the rigorous punishment of the dance. Practices and rehearsals alone can be brutal. A masterpiece like Carmen is physically and emotionally draining. Juliet is probably resting now from the grueling performance this evening. I doubt she will last until the end of the season. She will certainly have to retire soon.”
“Leaving you center stage, of course.”
“Of course, I am the soloist. I am the obvious choice.”
“So what happens to Juliet then?”
“I understand she has already found a benefactor who will take care of her needs. A senator I believe. This is good.” A muscle in J.T.’s jaw twitched and tightened. “I wish her luck.” Vanya added smugly then turned and walked away. She paused and turned. “But for now, if you are waiting for her to join us, I am afraid that you will be disappointed. She hardly ever attends these fundraisers. I doubt she’ll attend tonight.”
Instant applause rang out drawing everyone’s attention across the room. With the mass of heads turning J.T. had no idea what was happening. Excited whispers and chatter traveled throughout the crowd like wildfire.
Roger walked back over to where J.T. stood. “That can only mean one thing,” he said breathing a sigh of relief, “Juliet has arrived.”
Smiling like a perfect angel, Juliet entered the room amid a whirlwind of adoration. Dressed in show-stopping red, a crowd instantly surrounded her as soon as she walked in. Smiling, laughing and greeting her admirers, she was the polished celebrity ballerina and it seemed that everyone adored her except for one. He watched as Vanya glared angrily, turned and stalked away.
J.T. looked after her curiously. Her age belied her true nature. She may have been young, but she had the killer instincts of a seasoned hitman. His concern shifted to Juliet. He wondered if she knew what her understudy was up to.
As if magically transformed into a celebration, the once muted room was suddenly alive, all because the vivacious Ms. Bridges had arrived. Like a queen bee they swarmed to her, her fans, her admirers, all begging for a glance or a touch from Ms. Juliet Bridges.
She was clearly comfortable on stage. Every smile was brighter, every laugh merrier as her eyes twinkled with just the right amount of amusement. She was untouchable yet approachable. Those who met her for the first time instantly fell in love. Those who knew her reaffirmed their adoration.
J.T. watched from across the room as conversation continued all around him. He was again amazed by her ability to charm. Bubbly, bright and intoxicating, she entranced everyone in the room.
As the cocktail conversation circled around him, J.T. half-listened and participated as he continued to watch Juliet work the room. To his relief the conversation was interrupted by the company’s publicist, Chester Banks, congratulating him on not only winning Juliet’s basket, but also having the highest bid of the evening. Soon after, Peter Flemings and Phillip Waverly approached, adding their congratulations as well and extending an open invitation to visit the company rehearsals at any time.
Never yielding an opportunity, Phillip immediately went to work citing the merits and benefits of becoming a platinum patron of the Cultural Center. As J.T. endured a session of long-winded fundraising filibustering, he watched Juliet from across the room. J.T. promised to mention his monetary concerns to E-Corp’s Community Relations and Development Division.
Phillip turned to see what or who had drawn J.T.’s attention as he continue his pitch. A true professional, Phillip was tenacious. Yet seeing that his fundraising attempts were fading, Phillip grabbed the passing Juliet in a last ditch effort to garner additional donations from J.T.
“Have you met our Juliet Bridges yet?” He said to J.T. as he nearly lassoed Juliet’s arm and pulled her to J.T.
Juliet’s mind raced, I am
“I see.”
“Her body cannot continue to take the rigorous punishment of the dance. Practices and rehearsals alone can be brutal. A masterpiece like Carmen is physically and emotionally draining. Juliet is probably resting now from the grueling performance this evening. I doubt she will last until the end of the season. She will certainly have to retire soon.”
“Leaving you center stage, of course.”
“Of course, I am the soloist. I am the obvious choice.”
“So what happens to Juliet then?”
“I understand she has already found a benefactor who will take care of her needs. A senator I believe. This is good.” A muscle in J.T.’s jaw twitched and tightened. “I wish her luck.” Vanya added smugly then turned and walked away. She paused and turned. “But for now, if you are waiting for her to join us, I am afraid that you will be disappointed. She hardly ever attends these fundraisers. I doubt she’ll attend tonight.”
Instant applause rang out drawing everyone’s attention across the room. With the mass of heads turning J.T. had no idea what was happening. Excited whispers and chatter traveled throughout the crowd like wildfire.
Roger walked back over to where J.T. stood. “That can only mean one thing,” he said breathing a sigh of relief, “Juliet has arrived.”
Smiling like a perfect angel, Juliet entered the room amid a whirlwind of adoration. Dressed in show-stopping red, a crowd instantly surrounded her as soon as she walked in. Smiling, laughing and greeting her admirers, she was the polished celebrity ballerina and it seemed that everyone adored her except for one. He watched as Vanya glared angrily, turned and stalked away.
J.T. looked after her curiously. Her age belied her true nature. She may have been young, but she had the killer instincts of a seasoned hitman. His concern shifted to Juliet. He wondered if she knew what her understudy was up to.
As if magically transformed into a celebration, the once muted room was suddenly alive, all because the vivacious Ms. Bridges had arrived. Like a queen bee they swarmed to her, her fans, her admirers, all begging for a glance or a touch from Ms. Juliet Bridges.
She was clearly comfortable on stage. Every smile was brighter, every laugh merrier as her eyes twinkled with just the right amount of amusement. She was untouchable yet approachable. Those who met her for the first time instantly fell in love. Those who knew her reaffirmed their adoration.
J.T. watched from across the room as conversation continued all around him. He was again amazed by her ability to charm. Bubbly, bright and intoxicating, she entranced everyone in the room.
As the cocktail conversation circled around him, J.T. half-listened and participated as he continued to watch Juliet work the room. To his relief the conversation was interrupted by the company’s publicist, Chester Banks, congratulating him on not only winning Juliet’s basket, but also having the highest bid of the evening. Soon after, Peter Flemings and Phillip Waverly approached, adding their congratulations as well and extending an open invitation to visit the company rehearsals at any time.
Never yielding an opportunity, Phillip immediately went to work citing the merits and benefits of becoming a platinum patron of the Cultural Center. As J.T. endured a session of long-winded fundraising filibustering, he watched Juliet from across the room. J.T. promised to mention his monetary concerns to E-Corp’s Community Relations and Development Division.
Phillip turned to see what or who had drawn J.T.’s attention as he continue his pitch. A true professional, Phillip was tenacious. Yet seeing that his fundraising attempts were fading, Phillip grabbed the passing Juliet in a last ditch effort to garner additional donations from J.T.
“Have you met our Juliet Bridges yet?” He said to J.T. as he nearly lassoed Juliet’s arm and pulled her to J.T.
Juliet’s mind raced, I am
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