Confessions of a Struggling Actor

The butterflies have started.  I'm really nervous and excited about this evening.  It will be a blessed relief after the strain of the past few days.

Obviously rehearsals and GWR have taken up the bulk of my waking hours, but there was also the small matter of finding someone to take over Murph's room after the drop out.  The mass viewing last week went well with two lads that would have been perfect.  That is, if they hadn't found other places by the next day that suited them better.  One girl dropped out for financial reasons, leaving us with a backpacker that admitted that he might be away for long period (and do a bunk) and a guy that had seen the flat one morning when Geir was in.

With no-one else lined up and Murph concerned about the time it had taken, we went with this guy, whose name is Gary.  He is an economic strategist in semi-retirement, who is also into astrology.  When I asked him if he'd like the room, he started talking about sun spots and Venus being aligned with the moon.  Okaaaaay....

Anyway, happy that the room was filled, that Murph wasn't going to be out of pocket and after nights without proper sleep through worry it all seemed to be sorted.  I sent an email to Geir, Murph, Gary and our landlords and sent Gary a seperate one with the breakdown in cost.  I heard nothing back before I left for rehearsal (missing drinks at work with karaoke - gutting) and had a smile on my face for the first time in weeks.  Oh but it was wiped off on Sunday. 

Saturday had been fine - the only minor annoyance being that i missed the bulk of the FA cup final, though i caught the highlights later.  Felt so sorry for West Ham...  First dress rehearsal had been plagued by tech difficulties, but the mood wasn't too bad, though there was some moaning about the ghosts having to stand about - thought they wouldn't have moaned had it been Peter Hall or someone that good.  Anyhoo...

Went to see Mel's show with Phil - a friend of hers that's in R3.  It was a fantastic performance of a cracking wee one hour play.  It was very difficult to keep my emotions in check in the bar afterwards and not flirt and chat in the way we used to.  I stopped off at Stockwell Station for some energy drink as I was tired and while in the shop got an irate phone call from Murph.  Gary wasn't willing to pay from this weekend and only wanted to pay for the last 6 days of the lease from the 28th, leaving Murph badly out of pocket.  He went on about giving us notice and making out it was my responsibility that this guy had stiffed him.  I had offered to give him 80 quid towards the room anyway, but he didn't seem to be in the mood to listen to my side of the story, as this was all news to me too.  He had also conveniently forgot that we had Kirill lined up to move in from the 1st before he dropped out and that we'd actually done alright, considering I'd hardly been in and taken time off work and rehearsals, while he'd done fnck all to help.  My mood was immediately gloomy and I was really upset, almost to the point of tears, such was my frustration and anger.  Rehearsals went OK last night but I didn't get back til after midnight again due to Sunday bus times.

I exchanged emails with the landlord, who had outlined some requests that gary had asked for.  They're very much on our side and echoed some misgivings I'd had in light of the previous days events.  In any case, I'm having to put it to the back of my mind as thinking about it just makes me feel sick.  I'm sad that Murph has taking it this way, considering all I've done to keep the flat in order, such as getting Geir in intitially, covering Geir's rent after Edinburgh and taking charge of council tax etc.  Just what I didn't need with tonight's opening looming large.

Anyway, I have a fair few folk in tonight and there will be time for a quick drink or tow afterwards.  Going to forget about work and put on some music to psyche myself up for this evening.  I may invest in a punch-bag...