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alj4890 · 5 years

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Love/Lust Prompt

(Thomas x Amanda) with the prompt of the two beginning their relationship by meeting for the first time in a bar that results in a night spent together as requested by Anonymous

(Thomas Hunt x oc*Amanda) a Red Carpet Diaries Fan Fiction

A/N This isn't a part of my AU's and I had to think what would possibly drive them to this impulsive act. I have it in my mind that they both overthink situations and rarely do something spontaneous when with someone they don't know. So this was an interesting challenge. Hope this is what you asked for Anonymous. It gets a little steamy in spots 😉. Oh and I borrowed Daniel from The Royal Romance for this. I needed a sweet bartender.

@lxaah11 @alleksa16 @penguininapinktuxedo @blackcoffee85 @stopforamoment @krsnlove @annekebbphotography @cora-nova @bella-ca @hopelessromantic1352. @sunflowergirl05 @desiree-0816 @greywitchyshots @lilyofchoices @emceesynonymroll @dr-nancy-house @aworldoffandoms @pixieferry @lolablackwrites @flyawayboo @i-bloody-love-drake-walker.

Masterlist

On a Whim

It's none of my business, Thomas thought. He picked up his glass and took a sip. He should have returned to his suite and ordered a bottle of scotch from room service instead of coming to the hotel bar. He glanced again at the woman sitting across the room.

Her face. It was so full of uncertainty. She was alone and he had noticed her as soon as she came in. She was currently nursing her fourth drink. Each time she ordered a refill she seemed so guilty, so in need of something. Forgiveness, perhaps? Maybe encouragement?

She had already smiled and kindly discouraged one man from joining her when she first entered. Then another man had come up. Shock and recognition flickered across her face when he sat down across from her. Then came the painful anger. Words were spoken quickly and quietly between the two. The man downed his drink, stood, and finished with a sentence that caused the equalivent of a gut punch to her.

He had left her staring at his retreating form with a mixture of relief and trepidation. Thomas watched as a bartender made her a stronger drink and brought it to her. She had smiled softly and thanked him. She remained in her booth, taking sips and occasionally pushing a lock of hair behind her ear.

She was lost in thought and Thomas wished he knew what it was. He was surprised. He rarely suffered with this much curiosity about some random person. He also rarely kept his attention for so long on someone he didn't know.

He wanted to find out who she was. Why was she so uncertain? Why did she continue to sit by herself when she could have anyone here?

He motioned to the bartender to freshen his drink. Then he made his way over to her booth.

Amanda listened to the sultry jazz music drift through a nearby speaker. She took a gulp of the old fashioned Daniel had made for her and grimaced. Of all the people she could have run into in New York, why did it have to be Jeremy?

Her messy breakup with him months earlier had left him bitter and resentful and yet, he had been the one caught cheating on her. If anyone should have been bitter, it should be her. All she felt was a lightness of spirit once she was freed of their relationship. She was happy and looking forward to what came next. Then he popped back into her life for a brief moment of torture. His angry accusations began as soon as he ignored her wish to be left alone.

He said that it was all her fault. He wouldn't have needed another woman if she had truly met his needs. He then hit her in all the areas he knew she was most insecure. He told her she wasn't sexy enough to drive a man wild with passion, nowhere near adventurous enough in life. She barely could hold onto any man with her dull personality.

Amanda suffered with the debilitating handicap of only thinking of snappy comebacks once a verbal assault was over. She could come up with some that would have drawn blood, if she could have thought of them in the moment. All she could do while he insulted her was stare in shock. Why on earth had he wanted to date her in the first place if she was so unattractive? Once he had his say, she was left alone with her thoughts.

When no man approached her after that, she started to think Jeremy had been right. She must be undesirable. By her fourth drink, she considered leaving and finding someone who didn't know her to ask their opinion. She needed to know if she was a hopeless case. She certainly felt like one.

"Excuse me?"

She looked up at the tall, dark, and faintly familiar man and waited.

"Mind if I sit here?" He motioned to the seat she was sitting on.

He's very handsome, she thought. Even though she was not normally attracted to men with beards, there was something about him that made her nod. "Not at all." She picked up her things and scooted around the curved corner booth.

Thomas slid in, leaving a space between them. "I don't mean to interrupt your solitude but I couldn't help but notice that you seem troubled. Unhappy."

Amanda finished off the rest of her glass. She set it down and met Thomas's concerned gaze. "I'm not unhappy. Well, perhaps a little. More it was what he said that has me thinking this way. It can't be true, can it?" She realized she was rambling and leaned closer to Thomas. "May I ask you something?"

He nodded, already fascinated with her. His curiousity was growing by leaps and bounds.

She reached for her glass and frowned when she noticed nothing but ice. The bartender brought her another and she smiled. "Thank you so much, Daniel."

"That's it for tonight, Amanda." He told her gently. "Riley will send someone to kill me if something happens because of this."

Amanda laughed and promised she wouldn't tell on him. She noticed Thomas watching her closely through the exchange. She cleared her throat and summoned the unusually large amount of courage she had at the moment. It had to be the drinks. "Please, be honest. Don't say what you think I wish to hear. I need the truth more than kindness." She waited on his agreement before asking. "As a man, do you,” she closed her eyes briefly before looking into his eyes, “think I have sex appeal?”

His eyebrows lifted. She's asking my opinion? Was she fishing for compliments? He studied her eyes and expression. He saw no guile. He leaned back against the cushions and slowly nodded. "I do."

"So you find me attractive?" She further inquired, to make certain he understood what she was asking.

He set his elbows on the table and leaned forward, focusing his intense gaze upon her. "I happen to find you very attractive." He was surprised just how much he did now that he was close enough to clearly see her in the dim light.

She stared directly in his eyes. He really is so sexy, she thought. She licked her upper lip after taking another drink and noticed his eyes drop down to her mouth. He picked up his own glass and paused halfway to his lips.

"I'm Thomas." He observed her closely, wondering if she knew who he was.

Her thoughtful expression eased and she held her hand out. "Amanda."

He slowly smiled at being unknown. How many women had tried to seduce him for a part in one of his films? A chance to boost their image? This one, if he was reading her right, was seducing him strictly for himself.

"So, are you in town for business or pleasure?" He asked.

She smiled and cut her eyes to him. "Strictly pleasure for the rest of this trip. I finished the business last night."

His lips curved and he stretched his arm across the back of their seat. He toyed with a lock of her hair when she relaxed against his arm. "Do you have any plans for your time here?"

Amanda shook her head. "This is one vacation where I want to go completely against my own inclinations." Her eyes twinkled while her lips firmed in a line. "I am going to decide things on a whim."

He chuckled at the determination on her face. "You're a planner at heart?"

Her laughter at herself drew him closer to her. "I am. I suppose that seems dull to most people."

Thomas slid his fingers down her shoulder. "I'm a planner." He admitted. "I have trouble stepping back and allowing things to simply happen."

She reached under the table and patted his leg in comiseration. "It's difficult isn't it? Relinquishing control and letting fate have its way." She wrinkled her nose. "I hate surprises."

He watched her long lashes cast shadows on her cheeks in the soft glow of candlelight. He slightly turned toward her. "Not all surprises are bad."

She looked up at him and broke into a shy smile. "I suppose not." Her eyes traced his features and stopped at his lips. "Every once in a while a surprise comes along and is all you could hope for."

He leaned his head down and paused right before touching her lips. His dark eyes focused on hers. "What do you hope for right now?"

Her breath hitched when the back of his fingers slowly slid down her cheek. He waited, his heart picking up speed as anticipation hung heavy between them.

Amanda swallowed and closed the distance. Her lips pressed softly against against his. He followed her lead then took over the kiss when she her hand curved at the nape of his neck. He continued slowly caressing her cheek as the kiss came to an end.

They were breathless as they looked at each other. Questions they wanted to ask, yet couldn't think how to phrase the words, remained unspoken. Their lips met again and again as they felt the sexual tension grow at an alarming rate.

Thomas couldn't believe the words that tumbled out of his mouth. "Would you like to get out of here? Go back to one of our rooms?" His lips brushed her neck before returning to hers. Her smell. The taste and feel of her skin. She was fueling his blood with heady desire. He couldn't think of anything other than being alone with her.

"Yes." Amanda mumbled into his kiss. "I would like that."

Her mind screamed at her. Is this because of what Jeremy said? You never have one night stands! Never! Have you lost all caution and common sense? You don't know this man! His name probably isn't even Thomas! Didn't you just watch Dateline last night about that woman who went off with that man she just met and he ki--

She pushed those thoughts away. Whoever this man was, she wanted to be with him. If it was for an hour or the entire night she wanted this. Needed to feel his touch. She rarely felt an instant attraction to someone. She was not going to return alone to her room and imagine what might have been. She was going to experience and hold onto every moment. She was going to indulge that adventurous side. If she had one...

There was just one thing she had to get off her chest before she worried over it. "Thomas, I...I have never done something like this before. I don't know the proper protocol for... Who's room should we go to? I..." She lowered her eyes as her cheeks turned darker with embarrassment.

Thomas tilted her chin up and tenderly kissed her. "I understand." He waited until she lifted her eyes before continuing. "We'll go to your room."

She pressed a sweet kiss to his cheek. "Thank you."

He slid out of her booth and took her hand.

Daniel kept his concerns to himself when Thomas settled her bar tab and his. He watched them leave arm and arm together and decided he would check on her in the morning. He didn't care how famous the guy was. Daniel was still going to look out for the young duchess.

In the brighter light of the elevator, Thomas noticed the places he kissed her were red and irritated. The beard he had been growing the last couple of weeks was causing it. He gently touched the marks, then hit his floor number

"Let's stop at my room first." He gently kissed the spots. "I need to shave. I can't have anything hurting you."

Amanda closed her eyes at how sweet that was. To offer to do that for a stranger, one he would never see again... She cupped his face and kissed him, infusing every bit of unspoken feeling into it.

Thomas sank into her embrace. He was amazed at the overwhelming need to protect her, even from himself. It wasn't that she was vulnerable. He knew that wasn't it or he would never have suggested this. He didn't believe in taking advantage of people when they were truly at their lowest. No, it was more her honest reactions to his words and touch that he wanted to protect.

They walked into his suite and he left her in the living room. He hesistated when he pulled his shaving kit out, wondering if this would cause her to recognize him. Would she still find him attractive? Would this alter what they were both wanting?

He rubbed shaving cream over his chin, upper lip, and jaw. He removed the coarse hair with quick decisive strokes of his razor. He pressed a cool damp towel to his face and looked in the mirror at the results. Thomas summoned the pleasant thought of what was ahead of him and left the bathroom.

I want her, he thought when he saw her. He walked up behind her as she looked out the vast set of windows along the wall of his suite. He leaned down and pressed his lips to her neck while his hands explored the curves and hollows of her body.

His hands came around pulling her completely flush against him. Her head dropped back on his shoulder as his seduction began to cause the flames within her to spiral even higher.

She turned in his embrace and looked up at him in the muted glow from the lights of the city outside. Something about him was so familiar. She just couldn't place where she knew him from. She ignored the puzzeling thought and focused on the fact that he was even more handsome than before. Her fingers brushed the smooth skin along his jaw and she smiled when he pressed a kiss into her hand.

"Better?" His deep voice made her feel even more turned on.

"Very." She gasped when his lips slammed into hers. Each nip, caress, and suck had her gripping him to her.

He lifted his head and gave her another chance. "Do you want to stop?"

She shook her head no.

He closed his eyes briefly. "Your room...let's go."

She somehow got her shaky legs to walk back to the elevators. Thomas kept his arm around her, teasing her with his lips on her ear and neck. She hit the button to the next floor up. The doors opened and they walked down the long hallway, pausing every few feet to lean against the wall and succumb to the volatile kisses they were unable to stop from occurring.

With his tantalizing lips soothing a tender spot on her neck, she was able to get her door open on the third try. Once they were inside, they gave in to trying to get each other out of their clothes.

Her fingers attacked the buttons of his shirt and pants, while his fumbled with the zipper to her dress. Both groaned in frustrated excitment as they fought to win each encounter while kissing. Amanda won against getting his shirt off before he could her dress. Her fingers slowly outlined each muscle of his chest and back while her lips continued to drive him mad.

Thomas broke away from her kiss and turned her around. He managed to push the dress down and off of her. His hands moved over her skin, heating it to a fevered pitch while his lips explored all that the dress had concealed.

"Take me to your bedroom." He whispered in her ear. He felt her tremble in his arms and kissed her tenderly.

She stepped out of his embrace and laced her fingers with his. She led him to her bed and moaned as he let go of the final thread of control he had been holding in a vise like grip.

They were frantic to get as close as they could to each other. Each kiss, every touch was met with encouraging moans and whispered words of how perfect the other was. The rest of their clothes were ripped off leaving them skin to skin as they laid in her bed.

Thomas paused for the final time. His heart was slamming in his chest as he looked into her eyes. "Amanda? Do you still want--"

"I want you, Thomas." She breathed out. Her hands moved up his body and gently craddled his face. She pressed a loving kiss to his mouth that held nothing but promises. He nearly shook with his need to make her his in every fashion.

He quickly slipped protection on before making himself one with her. The sounds and movments from her drove him on to cause more to come. He looked down at her, thinking he had never seen anyone so beautiful in the throes of passion. She met his eyes and the hint of a smile on her lips brought out his confession of how she drove him crazy with desire for her.

Their lips met as their movements increased in speed and intensity. She clung to him, tears coming to her eyes as the sensations built between them. His name burst breathlessly from her lips as he sank down into her with his own groan of her name.

They laid there, side by side, and attempted to bring needed oxygen into their bodies. Thomas turned his head to look at her. She did the same to him and softly smiled. He took her hand and kissed it, flattening it against his thudding heart.

He finally rolled toward her and pulled her into his arms. Their lips met in a lingering kiss. He lifted his eyes to hers and sighed. Thomas didn't want to leave her.

Amanda studied his face and noticed the longing that matched her own. "I'm not sure if I am supposed to suggest this, but would you like to stay the night?"

His lips eased and he kissed her. "Yes." He smoothed her hair off her face and pulled her closer. The simple feeling of her skin against his was already causing him to desire her even more than he had earlier. Her hands were tracing soothing circles on his back, making him imagine other places they touched perfectly.

He whispered how much he wanted her and felt immense satisfaction come over him at her passionate response.

The second time was spent learning every aspect of each other in slow caresses and deep, thorough kisses. The longing words spoken sparked emotions that neither anticipated. They held each other tight as the waves of bliss rolled over them.

Late the next morning, Amanda woke with Thomas curled up behind her. His arm held her close to him as he slept. She carefully turned over, so as not to disturb him, to get a better look at him in the morning light. After the dim lights and slight buzz from the alcohol, she was curious about the man she had spent the night with. She felt her heartbeat skip somewhat at how handsome he--

"Thomas Hunt!"

His eyes cracked open at hearing her strangled whisper. He smiled softly and closed them again. His eyes flew open when he realized she had said his last name.

She stared at him. Flabbergasted barely scratched the surface of how she felt. How? How did I not know I ended up with one of Hollywood's sexiest last night? Why isn't he with one of those starlets that puts models to shame with their beauty?

"Good morning." He said, slowly stretching

"Good..." Good lord he shouldn’t do that around people. Much too handsome. She took a deep breath to calm down. "Good morning."

His arm curved around her and pulled her closer for a kiss. He looked into her eyes and decided to try for what he now wanted.

"I know last night you said you didn't want to make plans for this trip." He began, running featherlight caresses along her collar bone and then dipping in at the cleavage before returning back to her shoulders.

Her eyes were wide as she waited on him to say more.

"Would you possibly, on a whim," his lips deepened into a brief teasing smile, "like to have dinner with me tonight?"

"You want to have a date? With me?" She asked.

"I do, very much so." He replied while rolling over on top of her. His lips traveled up and down her neck. "I would like a chance to know you."

She swallowed and thought about how much she wanted to be with him. This wasn't supposed to happen though. Last night was supposed to be a single night of mind blowing passion. And oh my, it was. It wasn't meant to go any further, was it?

Thomas lifted his head and met her eyes. She saw the same vulnerability she herself struggled with in the dark depths. Her lips eased into a shy smile. "I would love to have dinner with you."

His kiss took her breath away. She slipped her arms around his neck, enjoying his body on hers. He set his forehead against hers when the kiss ended. She caressed his cheek and felt a sweet warmth in her chest as he pressed a kiss to her palm.

"I was thinking of ordering room service." She bit her lip before finishing her question and pushed her uncertainty aside. "Would you like to stay and eat breakfast with me?"

He kissed her again and nodded. "Yes." He got up and held his hand out. She took it and laughed when he yanked her into his arms. He smoothed her hair out of her face.

"Since you recognized who I am," his lips brushed against hers as he spoke, "who are you?"

"Amanda Bridgerton." She answered.

"And where are you from?" He asked.

"A small European country that most haven't heard of." She explained.

"What is it called?" He persisted.

"Cordonia." She chuckled when his eyes lit with recognition. "I should have known you would know it."

"I do." He smiled after stealing another kiss. "I look forward to learning more about you on our dates."

Her eyebrow lifted. "I think you mean date."

Thomas pressed his lips against her cheek. "I said exactly what I meant, Ms. Bridgerton. One date with you will not be nearly enough for me."

#thomas hunt x oc #Thomas Hunt #thomas hunt x amanda #red carpet diaries #choices red carpet diaries #rcd thomas hunt

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thesweatycollectiontyrant · 5 years

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The Act

What could go wrong with Liza Minnelli in a star vehicle role? Hopefully nothing? I wouldn’t wish that on anyone. Here’s The Act.

Background Info

I know absolutely nothing about this show other than that it stars Liza Minnelli, so this should be a fun ride. Also, as of right now, I am unable to find a score to follow along with, so that makes it even more fun. Here’s a synopsis I found on Samuel French (which offers performance rights):

Liza Minelli took Broadway by storm in this "concept musical" about a Las Vegas nightclub performer named Michelle Craig, a has been movie star now trying to make a comeback. All the terrific Kander and Ebb songs are sung by Michelle, making this an amazing tour de force for a performer.

Writers

John Kander and Fred Ebb wrote this musical. They also wrote mega hits such as Chicago, Cabaret, and the ever-performed (by high schools in my hometown area) Curtains.

Character List

Couldn’t find descriptions, but here are the characters.

MICHELLE CRAIG (Mezzo-Soprano)

LENNY KANTER (Spoken) -

NAT SCHREIBER (Spoken) -

DAN CONNORS (Spoken) -

ARTHUR (?)

CHARLEY PRICE (Spoken) -

MOLLY CONNORS (?)

This is the most pitiful list I ever did do. Sorry y’all lol

Who’s Singing?

The Original Broadway Cast Recording features Liza Minnelli as Michelle Craig, Christopher Barrett as Lenny Kanter, Arnold Soboloff as Nat Schreiber, Barry Nelson as Dan Connors, Roger Minami as Arthur, Mark Goddard as Charley Price, and Gayle Crofoot as Molly Connors.

Let’s Do This

So it took me like three weeks to get the score for this show but I FINALLY have it so we can do this.

Similarly to how I did 35MM, I’ll be going in the order of the licensed version/score. Songs will be out of order from the cast recording, but they’ll all be present. Like Liza’s stage presence. VERY present.

This opening number, “Shine It On” hath begun and I’m halfway through it and had to pause it so I can just say what is happening right now in this moment. I don’t know how I feel right now. The ending is crazy fun and Liza is just doin her thang with her backup singers.

Next is a nice ballad, that in my opinion, is my favorite thing to hear Liza sing. It’s called “It’s the Strangest Thing”. I just love her jazzy voice on some of these phrases. The (kind of) wacky vibrato she has at the end of some lines, all of it. It just makes me smile so much. I love Liza’s voice on this song with everything in me.

Next is “Bobo’s” which is yet another number where Liza sings a Liza song. Really jazzy, really fun. This could probably be considered a patter song in some spots. Also, Michelle’s (Liza’s) songs are consistently being put in the Tenor clef (not the actual C clef, nerds, the treble clef with the 8 underneath, a la Madame Leonora Armfeldt, or Desiree in The Glamorous Life.) At this point in the recording, I wish I had a script to follow along with so I could understand what’s really going on and if this has any significance to the story, or if it’s during the meta part of the show, like literally any Kander and Ebb show. Just when you think it’s almost over and there’s literally an ending, the song starts again. Yippee. Bobo’s better be a really special place.

“Turning” begins with a pseudo-quote of Simple Gifts and a nice little chorale of *more than likely* ensemble ladies. Then Liza comes in with trumpets and the rest of the ensemble. Don’t get me wrong, I love Liza and I think she’s a very electric performer, but there’s something stagnant about the structure of the show (through listening to the recording) with her just singing these dance numbers.

“Arthur in the Afternoon” (a number from this show that I’ve actually heard of) begins with Liza completely ignoring the melody for a recitative-style intro beat drops with some techno instruments playing a “You Can’t Stop the Beat”-esque beginning pattern. Michelle begins to sing about how she has coffee the morning, brandy in the evening, and Arthur in the afternoon. That’s all to be said about this ingenious number.

^ me so far and the cast recording of The Act is the feathers

“Little Do They Know” happens and the ensemble complains collectively about how the audience only cares about Liza - I mean Michelle. No, I definitely mean Liza. This song is actually really fun! The end harmonies are really cool and actually interesting.

“The Money Tree” is introduced at a slow, swung, mozying tempo and Liza’s low E. It stays pretty much like that.There a nice big moment at the end with some nice belting on Liza’s part. I feel like these songs are really good choices for auditions or cabarets, but that the show simply doesn’t work onstage. So I’m actually quite a big fan of this song. It’s fun and picks up at the end and gets more interesting as time goes on. I still need some convincing though.

“City Lights” which happens to be what they performed at the Tonys, is just another big number. Kind of a love letter to big cities. It panders. This show seems like it panders. I really wish I enjoyed it (kind of). Dance break happens with random scatting by the ensemble that I’m lowkey obsessed with.

“There When I Need Him” is a beautiful ballad Liza sings. What’s interesting to me is that the character who sings this song is labelled as Mike in the score, but it’s definitely a song Michelle sings. It really is beautiful.

Next is “Hot Enough” this song starts off SO fun. It’s really funny to me because my friend Zach and I have an inside joke where we impersonate Carol Channing and Liza Minelli, and we also conclude prayers to Stephen Sondheim at the dinner table preceding our meal with Kristin Chenoweth’s “YEAH” during her performance of “My New Philosophy” at the Tonys. So at the beginning of this number when the ensemble begins it with YEAH I can’t help but smile and imagine that they’re using finger guns when they say it.

Then there’s a pointless “Little Do They Know” reprise, but is it really pointless tho? I mean if they’re complaining along with me about Liza singing every dang thing, then amen. (disclaimer: yes I know she’s a star vehicle; I’m trying too hard to be funny. you’re welcome and i’m sorry)

“Walking Papers” is a nice little number that reminds me a lot of “Roxie”. We love originality. There is a melody on this very page. Liza don’t even know. But she goin off. Michelle and Ensemble are kind of doing a call and response bop thing. it go OFF. Check this one out.

“My Own Space” is yet another ballad. Bye.

Audition Songs

“There When I Need Him” - Michelle Craig, F#3-B4

Considering there’s literally no context gathered from this song in the plot, this would be great to bring into an audition. Not too hard for the pianist to sightread, despite the handwritten-ness of the score. Nice melody.

“The Money Tree” - Michelle Craig, Eb3-C#5

Fun song to sing at a cabaret or audition. Reminiscent of “Crazy” by Patsy Cline.

To Wrap It Up

Look, y’all. This show has fun music. It’s written for a star vehicle performer. But even shows that have star vehicle performers (Dear Evan Hansen, Legally Blonde) have songs where other people sing the solos. I get it, it’s the metatheatricality of it all, but there’s gotta be a reason why this wasn’t a huge success and is completely forgotten when you think of Kander and Ebb’s and even Liza’s successes. It’s got a couple nice songs here and there, but it’s mostly boring and largely fluff. I want to get my hands on a script soon. Maybe I’ll edit the post after I read it and I’ll have an epiphany that this show is completely brilliant, and then I’ll eat my words. Hopefully I’ll have the patience for that. ALSO no one does this show. It’s completely underproduced. However, Samuel French still offers rights for it. If you’re interested, you know where to go. And make sure you sprinkle it with some Zazz.

Get it.

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