“And what’s your take on the character? Conrad sent me the script, and I think most of the other actresses will go for vulnerable, maybe even confused. What if you make your character certain? Like whatever drug you’re doing gives you power but also makes you inscrutable. Like an enigma with a strong personality. What do you think?” Lorna glanced over at her.

“Maybe.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I merely think you should let me decide how I handle my read. You’re not an acting coach. I talked this over with Marshall and then called Peggy just to run it by her. I appreciate your input, but I’ve been prepping a certain way, and I feel comfortable with what I have.” Chase tried to sound confident, polite, and firm.

Lorna made a face. “Whatever you want.”

“Thank you.”

An hour and a half later, she and her mother emerged from her three-bedroom apartment in the South Park district of downtown with Chase wearing the Victorian shirt, a short black skirt, and simple wedges—a pseudocompromise with her mother. Her hair was pulled into a low knot with soft wisps around her face. Lorna had been adamant that she show off her long legs and not fall into shtick. Wasn’t a bad suggestion.

As they drove to the casting director’s office, Chase tried to gather herself, find that centeredness she’d captured standing on the beach with Olivia, but her mother and all the back-and-forth they’d done had her rattled. She practiced inhaling through her nose and exhaling softly through slightly parted lips, drawing on her affective memory of the times when she’d been blasted out of her mind.

“Are you nervous?”

“Of course not.” Chase looked out the window, realized that she wasn’t being honest. “Actually, a little. It’s been a while since I read for a part. Feels weird.”

“You shouldn’t have to read. Conrad essentially promised you the part, and don’t think I didn’t let him know that.”

“Nothing was guaranteed. You know this business.”

Lorna looked grumpy as a toad. “I do, and I know you don’t thrust a person into rehab and tell her you’re doing it so she can be insured, only to backpedal. Very unprofessional.”

“He has people to answer to, and my track record hasn’t been so hot. It’s not his fault.”

They pulled into the parking lot, and Lorna put the car into park, turning off the engine.

“What are you doing?” Chase asked.

“Going with you.”