Page 113 of Something Cheeky

“I believe in what we stand for and my Boss Babes are here for us,” Zoe reassured her.

Th?o hugged Zoe and left with the actors.

Zoe’s chest tightened. Is this how Derek felt when he spoke of the cast depending on him? She had her boutique to fall back on but what about the actors and Th?o? If they failed to change anything, Greg would gleefully punish everyone involved, including Derek.

No, she couldn’t give up now. Reina was lining up media while Trixie had commandeered a karaoke machine to use for the speech tomorrow. They needed as many people there as possible to rock the boat.

They’d voted for her to be their spokesperson and she would make sure their voices were heard by as many people as possible. Zoe pulled out her phone and texted her brother for backup.

Whatever happened after, she’d have her best friends and family with her. Everyone except for Derek.

Chapter 48

Derek chugged his third coffee of the morning as he worked to add the Vietnamese back to work with the changes they’d made to the show since removing it. He tried his best to sing the words to himself to make sure the Viet and English flowed well together, but he couldn’t remember the correct pronunciation for everything. Hopefully Th?o could help him clean things up later.

Once he’d fixed the script, he headed over to Prestige early to find Greg. Derek wouldn’t ask for permission but would inform him that they had reverted the script to his and Th?o’s original vision.

He arrived to learn from the artistic director’s assistant that Greg would arrive before ten, when tech was scheduled to begin. Derek found himself walking the stage multiple times, both alone and with the set and lighting designers, who were finishing some last-minute things before the actors arrived.

He could hardly believe that everything was coming together. This was his first musical as cowriter and director. As long as he stayed on course, this production would open more doors for not just his actors but for all Asian American actors. Th?o and Zoe would understand after they saw the latest version of the script.Andafter he apologized.

From his seat in the sixth row from the stage, he tried to etch this moment in his memory. His set designer had transported them to a Vietnamese fairy tale with touches of modern elementsas a nod to the rock songs. At first glance, it looked simplistic, but it would transform to become the different locations: the sisters’ home, the palace, and his favorite, the persimmon tree where the Emperor vowed to never take T?m for granted again.

The only designer he hadn’t spoken with recently was Zoe. She’d done an admirable job of avoiding him, but she’d remained professional by emailing updates to him and the rest of the production team. They weren’t working in costumes yet, but Heather had scheduled final fittings for many of the actors.

Rehearsal started in ten minutes. Derek hoped he could pull off a pep talk that would keep everyone motivated. The next five days would consist of ten-to-twelve-hour days. Longer for the crew, who’d been here at nine to prepare for all the behind-the-scenes work.

Th?o, who’d also managed to avoid him all morning, was in deep conversation with Heather. She’d been in a meeting with her assistant musical director and the musicians who would be performing live later during tech after everyone had a better handle on the technical elements.

At ten o’clock sharp, the twelve cast members gathered on the stage for the pre-tech rehearsal meeting. The actors’ eyes widened as theyooh’dandah’d over the set, as it was their first time seeing it complete. That’s exactly how Derek felt this morning, too.

“Welcome to tech,” Heather announced. “We have long days ahead of us, so make sure to stay hydrated and eat. I don’t need anyone hurting their voices or passing out because you’re not eating.”

She stepped back to give Derek the floor. Behind him, Greg’s voice boomed as he finished a phone call. He hadn’t expected the artistic director to come to the first day of tech. Derek groaned inwardly. That man had the worst timing.

Derek took a deep breath and ignored the swirling in his stomach. He’d talk to the actors first and send them to the assistant musical director to warm up.

“Before we start rehearsal, I want to thank you for believing in me and taking a chance on a brand-new musical. You, too, Th?o.” He turned around to meet her eye but she was sitting several rows behind him, tapping on her phone.

Derek cleared his throat and continued. “We’re about to change how the world sees us with this production. Vietnamese folks—no, all Asian Americans—will be able to see themselves in this story. A fairy tale full of hope, love, and—”

Katie Mai and Danny walked downstage and hopped off into the audience. They walked past him and out of the theater. The rest of the cast followed suit.

“Where are you going? I wasn’t finished.” Derek looked at Heather, who looked at him blankly.

Th?o stood up and faced him.

“We refuse to be in a production that allows that man”—Th?o pointed at Greg—“to dictate how we tell our story. Until you both agree to revert to the original Vietnamese lyrics, none of us will step foot inside this theater.”

Before he could tell her that he’d already changed everything back, she walked out.

“Derek, how could you let this happen?” Greg fumed.

Derek’s mouth dropped. Th?o and some of the actors had given him the cold shoulder, but he didn’t think they’d walk out over it. If only he’d told Th?o before rehearsal started, he could’ve stopped this.

“You get your cast back onstage right now. We’ve invested too much money in this show for this. Wait until I call Actors’ Equity for this unsanctioned strike,” Greg threatened no one in particular.

“Maybe we should see what they’re doing?” Heather suggested.

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