Quentin left early again the next morning. He was in a slightly better mood than what he was beforehand. Today, he was more bored than anything. The day had no meaning, just another day at work. Feeling like this just added another one, the irritation.
Penny had a night with no nightmares. It wasn't an easy night, but she didn't have any dreams. She tossed and turned, all around fitful night. However, once it was time to get out of bed, it was hard to find the motivation. She just wanted to stay in bed and go back to sleep, but she also knew she had a guest coming over. So, she dragged her body out of bed and into the bathroom.
Her body feels as those the center of the earth is pulling her down. So, to succumb to this feeling, she turns on the bath and lays down in water too hot for her skin to handle.
She didn't get out until there was a knock at the door, "Penny, Daniel Romano is here to see you."
Penny says okay and starts to drain the water. She sits at the bottom of the tub and watch the dirty water drain away. She dries off quickly and puts on another pair of black leggings and this times a dark gray shirt.
Penny brought down her computer, hoping that Dan might know the WIFI password. It felt so stupid...this little mission of hers. All she wanted was to use the internet, but thing after thing just prevented her.
He is sitting on the couch with an iPad in his lap and scrolling through his phone. Once she is downstairs, she says, "I'm sorry about the wait. I was in the bath and lost track of time. I also didn't know what time you were coming." Penny forces a smile and laugh. She was actually glad to see someone who is nice to her.
"It's okay Penny," he looks up from his phone. "How about we get started?"
Penny started to feel better being in Dan's presences. He was like a shining star in the family, much like his younger sister Addison. They were both people that absolutely loved life and every part of it. Penny would love to learn how to feel that way.
Together, the two moved to the dining room table and sat across from each other.
"So, Penny can you just give me the basics about what you can do and then a list of shows and credentials you have," Danny gives her a smile and opens up the iPad to write down her answers.
"Well, I am a mezzo soprano and I do have dancing experience, specifically in tap and jazz..." Penny continued to give a run-down of all the shows she has been in since freshman year of high school. It was a good number of shows, and she proud of the roles she has landed.
"Nice!" Daniel exclaims when she finished, and Penny blushes a little. "This is an awesome rap sheet you've got. Ugh, why are you so amazing? So, what are your normal audition songs?"
Penny was blushing like crazy, not offended was she complimented, "For a ballad I do Crossing a Bridge from Anastasia. For the upbeat song, I do a cut version of Roxie from Chicago. I just like to have fun with the song."
"Okay, can you pull up the back tracks on your computer so I can listen," Dan says while typing on his computer. It was interesting for Penny to see Daniel in a serious, working mood. At dinner the other night, all he was doing to cracking jokes and teasing his siblings. Now, he was all business.
"About that..." Penny looked down, embarrassed. "Quentin hasn't given it to me ye.t I was hoping that you knew the password."
"Wow! My brother is a huge asshole," there was the man Penny met at dinner. "I'll call him and say that I need it." He pulled out his phone.
***
A half hour earlier, Quentin was working in his office like every other weekday. Like usual, he was distracted by other things. His office was decorated purposely so he couldn't get distracted by random things. He had his desk with a monitor, a couch at the other end by the wall, a chair in front of him. To his right, he had a filing cabinet and the key belonged to his receptionist. The office was also on the top, so he could barely see below him.
It usually helped him stay on task and focus on the work in front of him. But the internet can be a draining hole. That's what he did that morning for some time. He checked the news, got lost in some articles about animals. Then his mind shifted to the random girl in the house and started to look up her father.
He found some pictures of the girl with her father at certain events, mostly when she was younger. Sometimes another, but much older redhead would be featured. Penelope's mother. Quentin was confused about that aspect of the Marshall's. It's like she disappeared, and Penny never really talked about it. Did she die? he wondered. He decides to get in contact with the company's investigator to find out what he can on the family.
Something didn't sit right.
Finally, Quinn realized that he actually had work to do. He took out some files that he was working on but realized that he forgot one at home.
He drops his head down to his desk and curses out loud. It wasn't the first time but was irritated each time. He walked out of his office and spoke to his receptionist in a frank tone, "I left some files at home and will be back in about 30 minutes." The new receptionist nodded and went back to her work.
He basically huffed and puffed his way on his trip down the elevator and to his car. His forgetfulness did not help with his mood.
After his ten minute drive, Quentin made it safely to his apartment. He almost had the file. In the elevator, he got a text from his brother Daniel
What is the password to the WIFI at your place?
Quentin didn't think much of it as he sends the complicated WIFI password.
At his doorstep, he hears something. It was most likely Daniel, he liked to use the gym for free at his place, but it was more than just that. It was singing. A female singer.
And there weren't many females in his place.
The song was unfamiliar to him, and the voice was barely unrecognizable! He was quiet coming in the house because he couldn't help but hear more.
...I'm gonna be a celebrity,
That means somebody everyone knows,
They're gonna recognize my eyes, my hair, my teeth, my boobs, my nose
Quentin stepped out of the hallway and saw Penelope singing by the back corner as his brother sits at the dining room table watching. She was moving and acting in a way he has never seen.
Frankly, he was a little turned on.
Penelope moved her hips with the beat, entrancing anyone who would watch her in the audience. When she sang "my boobs", she even gave her own a little tip. A shiver went down his spine.
What is wrong with me? He started to feel disgusted with himself. Not only was he lusting over someone like a boy during puberty, but also it was her.
She clearly hasn't seen her husband and just continued like how she would at an audition. There was a short interlude which Penelope cut on her own.
From just some dumb mechanic's wife, I'm gonna be: Roxie
Who says that murder's not an art?
And who in case she doesn't hang,
Can say she started with a bang?
Roxie Hart!
The music stopped and Dan started clapping, "Penny that was fantastic! You played the character amazing. You fit into that seductress role so well, yet you are so shy. That is some pretty good acting."
Again, Penny was blushing like crazy.
Hearing this comment coming from his brother, and annoyed by how much everyone loved the girl, Quentin said, "I bet she is really acting her heart out."
Penny was frozen by with new fear. She was in his way. She wanted to apologize, but no words could leave her mouth anymore. Danny spoke for her, "Are you serious, Quinn? She is just auditioning and practicing for me. This is a session, and even though it is your house, I am with my client."
Danny had her back for sure.
"Whatever." Quentin pushed himself off the wall and went to his office to grab the file. He left even before she could start the next song.
Penny was very grateful for this because she was still frozen. Danny could see the tension between the newlyweds. And it wasn't sexual tension like how he hoped. It was awkward, but fear filled tension. He couldn't help but ask, "Penny, what happened between you guys after two days? You looked terrified."
Penny didn't know what to say. On one hand, she could say the truth, that he screamed at her last night, and she is now a little scared of him. On the other hand, it felt silly to her that she was so scared of being yelled at. She had good reason to fear a strong, violent tone, but she wasn't at the point where she can accept these fears. So, she said, "It's nothing, really."
"Penny," Danny seriously looked into her eyes, "Throughout high school, I had many female friends who wanted me to be their gay best friend. By the way, I hated them all. But the point of what I am saying is that nothing never means nothing."
Penny sighed. She wasn't getting away from this. "Okay, but please don't tell anyone. I feel really stupid about it."
Dan replied, "Cross my heart, hope to die."
This made her smile for a second, however it dropped when she told the story from last night, "Well, I went to his office to ask for the WIFI password, and he screamed it me. Like really bad, called me a little brat. It's really not that big of a deal, but it kind of freaked me out."
"I'm sorry Penny. My little brother is one big pain in the ass." He wishes he could tell the truth about his brother, why he lashes out like that and has these mood swings.
It was not his place to say, but it's also not an excuse.
"A little bit," Penny whispered, looking out the window.
"Okay, let's continue on because I'm not getting any younger."
Penny sang her other song, which Danny thought was beautiful and very well done.
They talked more about the Broadway audition process, which was a little different than the San Francisco theater. She already had her musical pieces together, but she also needed to have a monologue prepared. Danny, knowing the market fairly well, gave her a monologue to memorize by the Wednesday.
It wasn't like Penny was doing anything. She had all afternoon and the next day.
Because Wednesday will be her first audition and she has to be prepared.
Danny gave Penny a monologue from a play and movie called "Steel Magnolias". It wasn't long, but it was an emotional powerful scene, something that he felts like she could pull off. She read it to him, and they watched the scene together. It was going to be difficult, but she will still try. They finished the day getting her resume together and taking some headshots in a room with plain walls.
Danny printed everything out for Penelope using Quentin's study, and they were done for the day. It was pretty late already. Ms. Birdie started to cook dinner. She asked if Dan wanted to stay, but he said he had a date. He looked extremely excited, and that made her really excited.
She walked her new friend and manager to the door. He swooped down and kissed her on the cheek, "I'll see you on Wednesday for your first audition. Get a good night's sleep and wear something nice."
Penny ended her night not long after dinner. She went to her room to watched Netflix, hearing Quentin come in fairly late at night. The movie she was watching made her extra sleepy. She soon drifted off and had not dreams to keep her up at night.