It hadn’t been smart to cancel the interview with KEY News yesterday, thought Keith as he entered the theater. He needed all the positive press he could get, and it did no good to alienate Caroline Enright. He was determined to be much more agreeable today.
Caroline and her crew were waiting for him on the stage.
“You told me to pick the place for the interview,” she said, “and I pick this.”
She was right, thought Keith. Having them up on the set was much more visually interesting than just sitting out in the audience. He tried to be patient as the rotund soundman wired him. He waited as the video guy checked his white balance and made the necessary adjustments. He smiled as Caroline asked him her questions. He answered, mustering up all the charm he could. After fifteen minutes, Keith had had enough, but Caroline wasn’t finished.
“Tell me about your plans for this play,” she said.
“At this point, Caroline, I just want to get through opening night.”
She persevered. “Of course, but if Devil in the Details is the success everyone expects it to be tonight, what would you like to see happen next?”
“Well, I’d like to see it please audiences for the two-week run here in Warrenstown, and after that I have little doubt that it will go on to Broadway.”
“With you as director?”
“Perhaps.”
“What about a screen version?” “What about it?”
“Would you want to try your hand at directing the film version of Devil in the Details?”
“That’s an interesting thought.”
“And surely not the first time you’ve considered it,” said Caroline.
Keith smiled a tight smile. He wasn’t going to embarrass himself before a national audience by announcing he would direct his first film without knowing for certain that he had his ducks all in a row. Without Belinda in the lead, Keith’s ducks were scattered. He was putting all his hopes on the performance tonight. If Belinda triumphed as Valerie, then surely he could bring her around to star in what could be another Academy Award-winning role for her.
“As I said, Caroline, at this point, I just want to get through tonight.”