Page 44 of He's The Reason Why

Tamar moved down the line to Gina. “Gina, they say to tell you not to snort. It distorts the sound.”

“Dragons snort,” Gina protested. “Every dragon I’ve ever seen snorts.”

“Yes, but not here. They will add that later as an effect. Your snort isn’t menacing enough. Okay, are we good? Any questions?”

She turned and took her seat before anyone could ask anything. “Okay, rolling!”

Blake turned toward Piper but was careful to keep his head near the mic. “I hope your friend knows how to keep her promises.”

Piper glanced at the script. She seemed suddenly unsure, or maybe she wasn’t ready.

Blake caught Rachel staring at Piper with a hint of smugness playing around her mouth.

What had they said in the bathroom?

“Cut,” Tamar called out. “Piper, sweetheart, is there a problem?”

Piper glanced at Rachel, then stiffened her shoulders. “No. Sorry. I was…never mind. I’m ready.”

“Good. Again.” She pointed at Blake.

He said his line again.

“Stop worrying,” Piper said. “She’ll be here. Unlike some people, dragons know how to keep a promise.”

She sounded a little nervous, but her character would be too,so he wasn’t sure if she was worried about herself, or if she was acting the part.

“You sure about that? Because I don’t see a dragon up there.” He pointed up at the ceiling.

Gina snorted, then growled.

Tamar glared at her.

Gina flashed a wicked grin.

Piper giggled, then slapped a hand over her mouth.

Tamar gestured for her to keep going.

“I’m as sure as I am about you.”

“That’s reassuring. Okay, I guess you’re right. Let’s go,” Blake said. He glanced at the booth to make sure he’d kept his mouth close enough to the mic and got a thumbs-up from Jeanette.

The reader chimed in over the intercom. “Jesse and Jewel creep into the drainage pipe under the bridge and make their way into the castle. They emerge in the kitchen, where the cook is putting the finishing touches on a tray of food for Elaine. The cook shakes his head sadly. ‘The poor thing. She has no idea. Malignon never intends to let her leave this place, even after he gets the stone. She is as trapped as the rest of us.’ Jesse and Jewel exchange glances, then sneak onto the cart. The chef wheels them out.”

Blake snuck over to Piper’s station and pantomimed sneaking into the cart. He tugged her down with him, held a finger to his lips, and whispered, “Shh.”

Piper’s eyes twinkled. The two of them huddled on the floor while the reader continued.

“When they reach Elaine’s room, the guard unlocks the door, the chef wheels them inside, and leaves. Once the door is closed, Jewel and Jesse climb out.”

Blake popped up and dragged Piper up with him.

“Elaine, shocked and frightened, hits Jesse on the head with a hairbrush.”

Rachel rushed over and bopped Blake on the head with an invisible brush.

Tamar pointed at Piper.

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