Charles scrolled through the notices trying to find the praise he sought. The telegraph said that he was stilted and wooden. They thought they were watching Pinocchio not Romeo. Fools they couldn’t grasp his subtle interpretation. He gave Romeo a dignified air due the bard’s character. He wouldn’t sink himself to the melodramatic styling of his Juliet, who they called a rising star in local theatre. Anna couldn’t spell Shakespeare much less understand its character.
He fumed his way to his table that held up his most common notices, bills. Rent slightly overdo and a most unreasonable landlord. Sighing Charles grabbed his phone checking his messages. One from his shady agent requesting him to contact him. A job no doubt. Something beneath his abilities but eyeing the bills prompted him text his agent. Perhaps, it would lead to better things. His attempt to sneak out failing as his brutish land lord opened his door in an ambush.
“Rent?” The primitive man asked.
“On my way to a job to get it for you Mr. Roraskov.” Charles said hoping that would satisfy the beast.
The man stared with distrust, “See that it does. Else, you’ll be performing in the park for the birds and squirrels with no roof over your head.” With those words Charles left.
Charles eyed his agent Ernest T. Arnold or Ernie as everyone called him. A man of low character but able to find you work such as it was. His disingenuous smile greeting Charles, “Chuck my boy do I have a job for you. Cash money.”
Charles winced at his disliked nick name, “Like the last one?’
“Are you still upset about that? It paid money didn’t it.”
“What woman wants to sleep with a man who has a large billboard proclaiming he has jock itch?” Charles seethed remembering a date snickering as they walked past one of the loathsome signs.
Ernie shrugged, “This one pays better and it is a movie part. Not a speaking role mind you but you do well on it I can get you more.” Charles stifled a derisive snort, reminding himself that he needed this.
“Fine whatever.”
“There’s one more thing I would like you to do before you get started.” Ernie said as he pulled onto a dirt road. Driving along to the remote location.
With a tone of sharpness, “What?”
“It is really nothing. A small thing.”
“What?!?”
“There is an acting exercise that they want you to do to get into the roll.”
“I can do that. What like some improv? Because I can do improv.”
“Sort of. Let me pull over and we will go over it. It will go super easy, you’ll see.” Ernie said with his fake smile. Producing a medallion after exiting the vehicle. “Close your eyes and I’ll put this on you. Then I want you to start visualizing yourself as a horse.”
“Huh?” Confusion hitting Charlie.
“The director is a firm believer in method acting, you know people getting into the role.”
“Then why am I imagining myself as a horse.”
“Because that is the part that you will play. Now, before you get angry, remember there is a pay day in this.”
Charlie took a minute before nodding that he would go along. Sometimes you got famous when you did a strange role. Closing his eyes he waved Ernie to proceed. At first he felt the cool metal touch his skin but then it faded away. He imagined his face pushing with his eyes drifting to the side of his head. Flaring nostrils taking in his surroundings. Ernie’s cheap after shave becoming overwhelming. Stepping free from his shoes walking away. They hardened as Charlie removed his clothes to ease the transition. His body swelling as he the hairs of his tail touch his back legs.
“Wow, I mean wow.” Ernie said watching the finishing change of Charlie.
Charlie opened his eyes to an alien view of the world. Snorting in fear as words failed him. Clinking of metal on the ground only faintly in his ears.
“Calm down. This can all be undone. You just gotta do this job for me. This is going to be amazing. Your going to be the smartest horse since Trigger.” Ernie said excitedly.
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