DEL GETS SMART

Del drifted in and out of sleep as the sound of a siren, a woman on the rocks, filled his eyes. Was she a mermaid? Then came a loud piercing ring, he opened his eyes.

The second alarm of three had gone off. Usually he would have waited for the third but today was a big day. He sat up, cut off the two alarms, and lit a cig. He looked around the room until he saw the third alarm waiting to go off. Before it could, he rose out of bed and walked over to shut it off. Time to shower and shave, grab some coffee, and head to the studio. He carried his cig into the shower and thought about what his agent had told him.

If he pulled this off, he would have a sizable weekly paycheck as a recurring character on GET SMART the wildly successful show created by Buck Henry and Mel Brooks. He had feelings  of anxiety mixed with  excitement as he put out his cig and dried himself off.

Anxiety is a feeling all actors know. The smart ones know how to use it, the not so bright ones let it panic them. To be an actor is to go against everything we are taught, the biggest fears most people have, speaking in public and looking for work, an actor has to do all the time.

Del got to the studio straighter than he'd been in years and ready to work. He walked into the stage building and noticed a cluster of women chatting all at once excited and overly expressive. He asked the guard what was going on and was told there was secret special guest due on the set and everyone was trying to find out who it was.

Del knew it wasn't him, and wondered if some past star was going to be trying out for his role, too. He assured himself that he was a huge James Bond fan, knew the role of Q in the film series, and could toast anyone else trying out for the satirical version of the role.

Upon entering on his way to the dressing room he saw Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, excited and glancing at each person coming in. They looked at Del, then quickly looked away.

Del got his clothes and headed over to hair and makeup where all the girls were speculating on who was coming. He walked out after they makeupped him and was led to a set with Don Adams and his TV boss Edward Platt who were engrossed in discussing how exciting the secret star was going to be. Del looked for the director, but his assistant was directing the scene. He asked about a rehearsal and said he had questions about his character but was told there was no time for that- they had to shoot "and get this scene over with as fast as possible".

Del wasn't at all happy with the scene, or the preoccupation of the cast on the special guest. The scene was over way too fast. There weren't a lot of takes.

Del took his clothes back to wardrobe and put his own clothes back on. He knew he hadn't done well, and knew no one was paying any attention to him at all.

As he walked out of the building the guest star entered.

JOHNNY CARSON!

Actors have to overcome a lot. That fate, circumstance or even getting a break is outside the realm of their abilities and that means they have little control over whether they make it or not. Actors can put obstacles in their way, the ones who fail usually do, but even those who are gung ho can be undone by - well, a special guest appearing on a show.

With  the wrong girlfriend.

With too much booze or drugs.

Without money to keep going.

With the flutter of a butterflies wings.