As the play reached its final scene, the audience murmured in approval. Todd smiled at the rows of occupied seats. Not a full house, but enough of a crowd to generate some energy. If every night had been as successful, this wouldn't have been the final performance.
Todd received his cue and entered from stage right. The audience retreated to the corner of his glance; they were no longer important. His eyes were locked on Amanda, sitting on a small couch at center stage, her blonde curls ablaze with the glow of the lights, her lashes downcast, her gown cut low and provocatively. His role called for him to be mesmerized by the sight of her. Nothing could have been easier.
"Judith. I've come back," he recited. She turned, bursting into a smile, and flung herself into his arms.
Todd cruised through the rest of his lines on automatic. Who cared about dialogue and stage directions when the aroma of Amanda's neck was wafting up his nose, when her breasts were pressing against him, when she was gazing up at him in apparent rapture?
He loved this scene. The character of Judith had survived her fights with her parents, had spurned the inferior suitor, and had come to realize that she was meant to be with Todd's character, after all. Now came the tearful confessions, the avowals of true love, and the big kiss. Sappy stuff, but the audience responded well. He had never imagined he would enjoy acting in a light romantic drama. Amanda made the difference.
He pressed his lips firmly against hers. She rewarded him with a taste of tongue, her belly nudging his hard-on in such a way that the audience wouldn't notice. Or maybe they did notice, and that's why they applauded so loudly as Todd and Amanda separated and took the first of their bows.
As the other cast members marched into place for the mass curtain call, Amanda tilted her head upward and whispered in Todd's ear, "See you in about an hour, lover?"
The bulge in Todd's pants quivered. "Absolutely," he replied.
)
