Rehearsal 2: "Do you love me?": Mark, Tommy, April

[Dr. Linn Warrsik]

**Your rehearsal will take place here. Say hello, introduce yourselves, look over your scripts, and wait for your director**

[markcohen]

Mark threw his backpack down on the floor and sat down in one of the seats. His ankle was still sore, although it was all his fault. He hadn't been using the crutches they'd given him as much as he was supposed to. Mark just hoped the rehearsal would go quickly. He didn't want to be stuck there all day, although he knew he would probably end up waiting on Lilly's rehearsal to end. He had to wait on her, because she was driving home.

[April Ericcson]

April sighed as she walked in. She glanced at the clock, extremely relieved to be on time. This was what she got from gushing in between rehearsals; unnecessary stress. She shrugged a bit as she walked in and noticed a familiar face. "Oh hey Mark." She smiled a bit as she pulled out her script.

[Tommy Collins]

Tommy walked in slowly. So yeah, he got a little distracted. He remembered on the way that there was some pot in his backpack. And he couldn't let that go to waste. Only a few puffs anyway. He waved to April and Mark. "You two ready to witness the coolest black Jew since Sammy Davis Jr?" He asked with a smirk.

[markcohen]

Mark looked up and smiled at April as she walked in. "Hey April," he replied, pulling out his copy of the script. He had been given instructions as to what he was supposed to get them to do, so he hoped he would be able to get it done quickly.

Mark looked up again as Tommy walked in. "That all depends. Do you actually know your lines, or are you just going to fake it all rehearsal?" Mark asked, smirking. He had a feeling he knew the answer to that question.

[April Ericcson]

April nodded toward Mark before hearing Tommy's comment. She chuckled a bit. Leave it to Tommy to start off the rehearsal on a chipper note. She rolled her eyes good naturedly. "Aww, I'm sure Tommy knows his lines. And even not, it's only the first rehearsal. No need for perfection yet."

[Tommy Collins]

"Lines schmines," Tommy said waving his hand. "You can't be bogged down with them...and April is right. This is the first rehearsal so don't freak out, Cohen. I'll know them eventually. I know a few of them. I know the song is called 'Do you love me?' Do I get credit for that at least?" He asked sitting down and kissing April's cheek as if it was a habit.

[markcohen]

"I didn't say he had to know them all. But it is kind of helpful to be working with someone who's actually already looked at the script," Mark replied, smirking. He pretended to think for a moment at Tommy's question. "Yeah, I suppose you can have partial credit for that," he joked back. He watched as Tommy kissed April's cheek, more than a little uncomfortable. He cleared his throat. "Okay, so let's get started."

[April Ericcson]

April chuckled and nodded at Tommy's statement. "Exactly." She shrugged at Mark's response. "Well, yeah, I guess so. But we have, honest. He even put the darn script under his pillow, or so he's told me." She held in a giggle as he kissed her on the cheek. "Ah, trying to get into character already?"

She glanced toward Mark, who seemed to be squirming like a little kid having to watch his parents kiss. Then again, in a lot of ways, Mark was childlike, but not that he was totally immature. "So anyway, let's get cracking, shall we?"

[Tommy Collins]

"At least I get partial credit," Tommy chuckled and then took a seat next to April. "Yeah you'd think that whole pillow thing would work for all of the press it gets. Not so much." Then he shrugged with a smile, "Just seemed like the thing to do...so I guess...we don't have to kiss for real do we?" He asked wondering if he missed that in thre script.

Tommy chuckled watching Mark's squirming, "Don't worry, Markie, I won't steal April on your watch. Or anyone's watch. I'd rather not have Angel beat the shit out of me." He pulled out his script and got to the right page. "Okay."

[markcohen]

"Yeah, let's get started... I guess the beginning is the best place to start," Mark replied. He pulled a CD out of his backpack. "Practice tracks," he explained, smiling at them. "I can't play piano well enough to help you any."

"Yeah, Tommy, that doesn't work too well. Osmosis doesn't work well with ink and skin," Mark replied, smirking. He knew it was a smart-butt comment.

"I didn't think you would. That would be a little difficult to explain to Angel, don't you think? Especially after the dance and all," Mark joked.

[April Ericcson]

April nodded as Mark pulled out the CD. "Hey, it's better than nothing. I don't do so great a cappella, which is part of the reason why I was shocked that my audition went so well." She shrugged and leaned back on her seat.

She raised an eyebrow and laughed. A little banter just before rehearsing? She'd never turn that down. "Mark, don't be so mean. I'm sure Tommy genuinely thought that it'd work," she mock scolded. "Plus, if it was ink and skin, I think it'd be diffusion anyhow." Okay, so she put in her own smartass comment. She was April Ericcson; it was impossible for her to not make comments like that.

"And I still can't imagine Angel squashing a fly, let alone beating anyone up. Particularly since I was just speaking to him; Tommy, I'm not sure what you did, but you have him whipped," April informed Tommy with a smirk. She had the feeling that the situation was the same for Tommy.

[Tommy Collins]

"Aw Mark, I wanted you to sing the music part," Tommy teased, "Then again I don't think I would be able to sing without cracking up so maybe the tapes will work a little better." As much as he just wanted to goof off with one of his best friends and one of his best friend's girlfriend, he knew that there was work to be done.

Tommy just laughed at the two people, amused that they seemed to be having a battle of wits about it. "I was hoping that it would work. It's worked in other classes...then again I'm always fond of making pictures with the multiple choice answers. I got a question mark out of it once," Of course he was teasing. Tommy wasn't exactly one to scream out that he got A's even if he didn't try.

"Yeah, don't worry. I would rather jump in front of a bus than hurt Angel, so all is well," Tommy said with a wistful smile. Then he turned to April and raised his brow. "I do? How did that happen?" He asked intrigued.

[markcohen]

Mark just shook his head. "Yeah, you would be laughing your butt off at my singing. And you know it, too. You've heard me try to sing before, and it isn't pretty."

Mark pretended to be chastised by April's comment. "You're right, April, that was mean," he said, smirking. "But its the truth. And I'll have to try your method on my next test, Tommy. If that's how you do so well."

Mark just listened to April telling Tommy about Angel. "We really should get to work, you two. We don't have all night, you know. And we open in just a couple of weeks."

[April Ericcson]

April giggled. "Aww Mark, your voice can't be that bad." She brushed off his comment. She actually had no real idea on Mark's musical talents, but she figured that'd she'd be nice for once.

She held in a giggle at both of the boys' comments. She was going to be entertained during this rehearsal, she could already tell. "Hey, whatever works to succeed in high school. Although you both have already survived in this place longer than I have, so what do I really know?"

April shrugged. "Not really sure..." Then they were interrupted by Mark. With a sigh, she responded, "Yeah, yeah, you're right Mr. All Business." She let out a mock agonized sigh as she sat down. "It's your line first, is it not Tommy?"